Rescue services in north Mayo have received two hoax calls within the past number of days.

On social media Ballyglass Coast Guard Search and Drone Unit has called out the hoax callers for putting lives at risk by their actions.

The first call-out was on Thursday morning last at 2.25 am when the HSE ambulance requested assistance following reports that a person had sustained a back injury in a fall adjacent to the lighthouse in Blacksod.

At the scene the ambulance paramedics said there was no sign of a casualty.

A ground search team and drone team carried out a detailed search of the area and found no one.

Soon after the ambulance crew received an update from their control centre, which confirmed the initial call was a hoax.

The team responded to a second call-out yesterday (Sunday)  morning 12.40 am.when tasked by MRSC Malin following reports of a person in the water at the quay in Belmullet.  Rescue 118 was also tasked and with the use of their night vision goggles, thermal imaging camera and 'nightsun', they carried out a detailed search.

Again, no casualty was located.

A subsequent call from their control centre confirmed new information had been received and again the initial call was a hoax.

The coastguard unit has stressed the impact of these calls: 'Hoax calls can put the lives of the emergency services at risk and also waste valuable time and resources.

'Hoax calls can also draw resources away from incidents where casualties need emergency care.'