A three-year-old child was among seven people treated for mild hypothermia after climbing Croagh Patrick yesterday, despite warnings to stay off the mountain due to bad weather.

A 14-year-old girl was also treated for mild hypothermia.

Paul Feeney from Mayo Mountain Rescue told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland today that climbers had simply ignored the warnings, including a young couple who climbed up the mountain with 12-week-old baby.

He said: "One of the things that stands out to me over the weekend, while we were up on Saturday we advised a young couple with a 12-week-old baby that they should not be on this mountain, carrying a 12-week-old baby up the side of a mountain. They ignored us and continued on."

Hundreds attempted the annual 'Reek Sunday' climb yesterday, despite being warned of the dangers posed by treacherous conditions on the Mayo mountain.

The pilgrimage climb to the 765m summit had officially been cancelled due to strong winds and rain, and Masses organised instead.

More heavy rain early yesterday left the ground extremely slippery and unstable in places, eventually leading to the cancellation of the pilgrimage after much consultation between local organisations, including the Gardaí and Mountain Rescue.

Wind was gusting to gale force seven between 4am and 5am yesterday, said Mayo Mountain Rescue, with conditions several hours later still regarded as dangerous.

It is understood to be the first occasion on which the climb was cancelled.

Saying it was "very frustrating" to see their warnings ignored, Mr Feeney added: “We work on this hill. We're experienced. We know exactly what it can do and how quickly things can turn bad."