47 Awards Presented to Selfless Rescuers

Dublin, Tuesday 7 December 2004                                       

Marine Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher, T.D., hailed the bravery of those involved in marine rescue when presenting the 3^rd Marine Meritorious Awards in Dublin Castle today.

Minister Gallagher said, Today is a celebration of true heroism.  We are here to appreciate and honour the selfless deeds of people who have risked their lives in saving others.  All aspects of search and rescue are represented in todays ceremony courage, determination, perseverance and an unfailing willingness to help people in difficulty.  The international dimension of search and rescue activity is also evident with a Polish Naval crew receiving an award and rescues involving French, German and Argentine nationals.  Search and rescue truly knows no boundaries.  I salute all those honoured here today and admire their courage in the face of adversity and their willingness to put the lives of others before their own.

We also pay tribute to those who have made an outstanding contribution to our marine sector, in both the safety of human life and the protection of our marine environment.

The Marine Meritorious Award Scheme provides a formal system for the granting of Marine Awards, Testimonials or Certificates of Honour recognising acts of marine bravery or of outstanding merit.  The scheme acts as a form of recognition or the making of a statement honouring marine meritorious service or outstanding marine gallantry or achievement for search and rescue (SAR).  A total of 47 awards were made today by Minister Gallagher (details attached under).

Minister Gallagher added, As Minister with responsibility for marine matters, one of my key priorities is improved water safety.  We have made many improvements in this regard over the last number of years but we must not become complacent.  Whether it be legislative change, new codes of practice, media campaigns or improved equipment, I will continue to promote the water safety agenda and to ensure further improvements in this important area.

The Minister concluded, The best assistance we can give our emergency services personnel is to put our own safety first every time.  Be safe wear the correct safety equipment, have the required safety equipment on board your vessel and receive proper training for your pursuit.  By not putting your own life at risk, you will not be putting the lives of others at risk.

3^rd Marine Meritorious Awards
List of Recipients 
   

Irish Coast Guard Long Service Awards

Peter Sinnott (Retired Area Officer), Courtown, Co. Wexford, 40 yrs service

Mark Sinnott, Deputy Area Officer, Courtown, Co. Wexford, 22 yrs service

Martin Redmond, Volunteer, Courtown, Co. Wexford, 44 yrs service

Patrick Hamilton, Area Officer, Glandore, Co. Cork, 37 yrs service

Timothy Donoghue, Volunteer, Glandore, Co. Cork, 44 yrs service

Michael O'Regan, Area Officer, Goleen, Co. Cork, 39 yrs service

Diarmuid Sheehan, Deputy Area Officer, Goleen, Co. Cork, 24 yrs service

Jerome Coughlan, Volunteer, Goleen, Co. Cork, 35 yrs service

Michael Pierce, Volunteer, Glenderry, Co. Kerry, 40 yrs service

Anthony Hehir, Volunteer, Glenderry, Co. Kerry, 23 yrs service

Michael Hehir, Volunteer, Glenderry, Co. Kerry, 22 yrs service

Patrick Hughes, Volunteer, Cleggan, Co. Galway, 23 yrs service

Michael McGarry, Divisional Controller, MRSC Malinhead, 23 yrs service

Peter Drake, Station Officer, MRSC Valentia, 24 yrs service

Declan Geoghegan, Dep. Div. Controller, MRCC Dublin, 20 yrs service

Tom Byrne, Station Officer, MRCC Dublin, 22 yrs service

Marine Gold Medal for Meritorious Service

The Irish Air Corps
(accepted by General Officer Commanding, Brigadier General Ralph James)

Michael Heffernan Bronze Medal for Marine Gallantry

Garda Declan Dennehy, Wexford
Vicky Lyons, Dun Laoghaire
Sean Kinsella, Irishtown
Paul Byrne, Dublin Fireman
Allan Baldock, Dun Laoghaire
James Collins, Dun Laoghaire
Dariusz Symanski, Winchman, Polish Naval Service
            (accepted by Waldemar Domanski, Pilot)
Mary Gill, Westport
Helen Mulhall, Westport
Ann Heraty, Westport
Aidan Moloney, Cork
Dermot Spillane, Cork

Marine Bronze Medal for Meritorious Service

Tony Youlten, Lough Corrib
Neville Murphy, Winchman, Irish Coast Guard Shannon Helicopter
Capt. James Kelly, Dublin (Retired Chief Surveyor)
Seamus McLoughlin, Dublin
Frank Nolan, Tramore
Capt. Robert Goodbody & the Crew
Irish Coast Guard Shannon Helicopter
Corporal Ciaran Smith, Irish Air Corps 

Marine Ministerial Letter of Appreciation for Meritorious Service

Kevin Desmond, Wicklow
Seamus Doohan, Tory Island
Liam Rodgers, Tory Island
Peter Rodgers, Tory Island
The People of Tory Island
Commdt. Shane Bonner
Air Corps Helicopter Crew
John OBrien, Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard
Polish Naval Service Helicopter Crew
(accepted by Waldemar Domanski, Pilot)
John Walsh, Westport
Malcolm Redman, Cork
Grenville Savage, Cork

Tel: +353-1-6782443 ¨ Fax: +353-1-6782739 ¨ E-Mail:   press.office@dcmnr.gov.ie