Parents urged to ensure children stay off frozen rivers and lakes

A Castlerea councillor is appealing to parents to warn their children of the dangers of playing on frozen lakes or pools at the moment.

Councillor Pascal Fitzmaurice says he visited the jetty and playground being developed at Ballinlough Lake earlier this week and was concerned to hear of young people playing on the ice there.

He says the temperatures haven't been low enough to lead to any real thick ice on the waterways and the shock of falling into icy water can lead to tragedy even for good swimmers.

The Fianna Fail Councillor says he wants parents to talk to their children about the issue and make them aware of the very real dangers…