Those responsible for the theft of lifeguard equipment locally are being urged to return it.
On Friday night, the lifeguard tower at Councillor's Strand, Dunmore East was broken into.
Equipment including gas, a gas hob, and binoculars were stolen.
Chairperson of Water Safety Ireland in Waterford, Lola O'Sullivan says it's happened in a week when water safety is being promoted nationwide:
"This is Water Safety Week and an appeal went out from Water Safety Ireland, the RNLI, and the Coast Guard - appealing to people to take care in and around water.
"It's just hugely disappointing that this would have occurred.
"... It might be a case that this was an act of not intentionally doing something and maybe those that have [the items] might give it back or drop it in somewhere in Dunmore East."
Anyone who saw anything suspicious in or around that area on Friday night is being asked to contact Gardaí.
Lola says these items are essential:
"Every piece of equipment for a lifeguard is extremely important.
"Particularly the binoculars. They were brand new.
"For the lifeguard, it's one thing to see something with the naked eye, but when you can magnify it and see if somebody is actually in difficulty or not, is really important.
"Anything that's in a lifeguard tower is there for the people - for everybody. And the lifeguards use it to treat everybody.
"So people need to have respect for the lifeguards and their equipment."
