Jellyfish warning for Meath beaches

Meath County Council has issued a warning to beach users along the Meath coastline to be ‘extremely vigilant’ for dangerous Lion’s Mane jellyfish which have been found in our waters and many beaches recently.
Lions Mane Jellyfish have been found on the Bettystown beach in recent days.
The council is advising all bathers to be extremely vigilant when visiting the beach as stings from these jellyfish can be very serious.
The advice is: ‘Do not swim if a red flag is flying. Please always obey all flags at our guarded beaches and take extreme caution when entering the water.’
The absence of a red flag does not mean that the waters are jellyfish free so when bathing or walking on the beach, Meath citizens and tourists alike are asked to be extremely vigilant for these potentially dangerous creatures.
Irish Water Safety guidelines advise people not to get stung when aiding others. Attached tentacles should be removed with a gloved hand, stick or towel and if none of these are available the tips of the fingers.
It urges people not to rub the affected area as this may result in more venom release. The area should be rinsed with sea-water – not with fresh water, vinegar, or alcohol, it says.
A dry cold pack should be applied to the stung area (this can be cold pack or ice inside a plastic bag and wrapped in a t-shirt), IWS advises.
IWS urges people to seek medical attention if they experience anything more than minor discomfort. If patients are suffering from swelling, breathing difficulties, palpitation or chest tightness they should be urgently taken to the nearest emergency room.