One of the busiest Coast Guard Stations in the country has been stood down from operations by the Irish Coast Guard.
The decision to stand down Doolin Coast Guard Station in Co Clare from operations comes after six of the 18 volunteers announced their resignation from the unit at the weekend.
This evening the Irish Coast Guard said it acknowledges "the irreconcilable divisions that have unfortunately existed within the unit for a number of years".
It said that strenuous efforts had been made by the leadership and members of the unit and other stakeholders to address the difficulties.
The Coast Guard also said that it would continue to offer support to all those affected by this event and that training and mediation services would continue to be provided as required to the unit.
Inis Óirr Coast Guard Unit, which falls under the management of the Doolin unit, will continue to be fully operational.
The Irish Coast Guard is liaising with other search and recovery stakeholders in the area to provide cover for services that would otherwise be provided by the Doolin unit.
The news of the unit in Doolin being stood down has been met with dismay locally. The new unit, which cost nearly €2m, was officially opened in 2015.
Local Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy said that the unit in Doolin is of huge importance for the safety of boat users and visitors to the west Clare area.
He said that this situation should never have occurred and called on the management of the Irish Coast Guard and the Minister for Transport to engage with the members of the unit as a matter of urgency to find a resolution.
The Irish Coast Guard said it will be offering support and training to the members of the unit with the aim of returning the unit to operational readiness "as quickly as practicable".
