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Representatives of
Inishowen’s emergency services including Gardai and
the Lough Swilly Lifeboat have been honoured at a
‘Thank You’ reception at Áras an Uachtaráin.
Sgt. John O’Keefe of Buncrana Garda Station and Mark
Barnett of the local branch of the RNLI were among
200 guests from North and South who attended the
function on behalf of their colleagues last Friday.
President Mary McAleese acknowledged the “demanding
and challenging” work undertaken by the emergency
services to rescue people in jeopardy.
The guests included members of the Gardai, Ambulance
Service, Fire Service, Irish Coast Guard, Defence
Forces, Civil Defence and the Irish Red Cross.
The voluntary sector was represented by the Order of
Malta, St John’s Ambulance Brigade and Mountain and
Cave Rescue, among others.
In her address to her guests, President. McAleese
said:
“Today is an important opportunity to say ‘Thank
You’ to you and through you to all those who work in
emergency services.
It is also draining work for you face into the dark
and often dangerous side of life that many of us
would rather not have to confront.
“If natural and man-made disasters and dramas
sometimes test our faith in nature and humanity, you
are the people who restore it.
“You bring comfort and courage. You put others
first. Some of you put your lives on the line.”
President McAleese said praised their
“professionalism and commitment”.
“We watch with admiration as the rescue and
emergency services go quietly, efficiently about
their work, day in and day out, dealing effectively
with a huge plethora of situations, some of them
inevitable, some of them avoidable, some of them
unbearably sad, some of them unbelievably stupid.
“Your professionalism and commitment allow you to
face them all with equanimity and skill,” she added.
Sgt. O’Keefe said everyone enjoyed a lovely day with
the President, who had shown “a great understanding
and insight into the work carried out by the
emergency services”.
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