An RTÉ journalist has become an internet hero for her heroic efforts to brave the elements while reporting from Co Galway.
Teresa Mannion was left soaked with both rain and praise following her appearance on Saturday’s Six-One News bulletin, hailed by one website as "the greatest news report of all time."
Ms Mannion’s broadcast quickly became an internet hit, trending around the world on Twitter and prompting the creation of a "super ceili remix".
Clutching her microphone and swaying sidewards at Salthill near Galway, she shouted at the camera: "Don’t make unnecessary journeys. Don’t take risks on treacherous roads and don’t swim in the sea. Incredibly, people have been spotted swimming in the water in Blackrock and Salthill both today and yesterday."
Visibly struggling, Ms Mannion continued: "Galway City Council say their actions are idiotic. Not only are they putting their own lives in danger but it is unacceptable and unforgivable that they are putting the lives of those in the emergency services at risk as well."
. @rtenews @MANNIOT's heroic #StormDesmond report has gone viral and it's easy to see why. #TeresaMannion https://t.co/R9kxSvfOjD — RTÉ TEN (@RTE_TEN) December 5, 2015
Her exploits have earnt her followers across Ireland and beyond, with tributes including a young girl posing with a bottle of Riverock water in an impersonation of the RTÉ presenter.
There were also calls, via an online petition, for the "next storm in Ireland to be called after Teresa Mannion."
Tour De force reporting there from Theresa Mannion in the West @rtenews #stormdesmond pic.twitter.com/6PZfHXGWUQ
— Kevin Sharkey (@tv_KevinSharkey) December 5, 2015
Twitter users suggested she should win "multiple awards", but only after she had "had a hot whiskey or three."
One asked: "Will someone get Teresa Mannion back on to do the weather after the news?"
Another tweeted: "Teresa Mannion, RTÉ news, The End of The World."
It's just utterly fantastic. #StormDesmond https://t.co/upsCMge9d9
— RTÉ 2fm (@RTE2fm) December 6, 2015
