THE Irish Coast Guard was called to intervene when a yacht unexpectedly berthed at Tory Island, despite appeals for visitors to stay away.
The yacht and its four-person crew berthed at the remote island off Co Donegal on Friday night before moving on to the mainland on Saturday.
Earlier this month, residents of all of Donegal’s off-shore islands appealed to visitors to stay away for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
Marjorie Uí Chearbhaill of Tory Cooperative said islanders were surprised when the yacht berthed at the pier.
She said the crew – which was Irish - told the Irish Coast Guard they had travelled from Greencastle in Inishowen and were heading for Bunbeg.
“They missed Bunbeg because of the tides and were unable to get into Bunbeg and had to seek shelter,” Ms Uí Chearbhaill said.
The crew assured the Coast Guard that they were disinfecting all equipment and remained on the yacht overnight before leaving on Saturday.
Ms Uí Chearbhaill said islanders were still coming to terms with their self-imposed isolation but were pleased that tourists were respecting their request to stay away.
There have been no reports of the coronavirus on Tory so far, she said.
