Cork City's lifebuoys are taken as souvenirs or firewood — meet the man replacing them
Colin Russell framed through one of Cork’s distinctive orange lifebuoys as he carries out one of his daily inspections. Pictures: Chani Anderson
The theft and vandalism of Cork City’s lifebuoys has been a longstanding problem, but what is even more bizarre is the reason people steal them — including as souvenirs or to use as firewood to keep warm on a cold day’s fishing.
Cork City Council employee Colin Russell is the man dedicated to protecting as many lives as possible through his rigorous checks of the River Lee’s city stretches.
