Heroism of firefighters in responding to Creeslough and Inishowen tragedies recognised

Donegal TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn spoke of the ‘incredibly demanding and traumatic job’ local firefighters carry out.

"Last week, the Dáil heard statements after the tragedy at Creeslough. Our fire services in Donegal were called to respond to that, as were fire service from across the Border.

"Over the years of road tragedies, and one example I am thinking of was in Inishowen, where eight people lost their lives in one incident, we called the fire service to respond,” said the Sinn Féin TD.

The Buncrana-based TD was speaking to a motion that recognised how ‘retained firefighters provide an invaluable service to their communities’.

He spoke of the role of firefighters in responding to the Buncrana pier tragedy of 2016.

"When there was a tragedy in my town of Buncrana where a family drowned on our pier, it was the fire services who were at the pier side. That is what we ask them to do,” he said.

Deputy Mac Lochlainn spoke of the emotional toll of the job.

"It is an incredibly demanding and traumatic job. I remember a member of the fire service in Donegal told me he attended a road traffic accident where there was loss of life.

"It came into his head that perhaps his son might be among them but he just got on with the job. He was one of the fortunate families who did not get bad news but that is what we ask them to do. That is what we ask of our fire service,” he stated.

The Donegal representative called for better pay and conditions for firefighters.

"The motion is about getting to the point as soon as we can where we have a fire service that is fit for purpose and where the issue of pay and conditions is addressed once and for all. It is about not putting impossible demands on them.

"As politicians in the Dáil and throughout the country, we thank them again and again. This is about substance. It is about making sure fire service personnel get what they deserve once and for all for representing us,” said Deputy Mac Lochlainn.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn pays tribute to Creeslough’s ‘unbelievable heroism’, calls for ‘mental and physical infrastructure’

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien, described firefighters as ‘an elite front-line service staffed by dedicated and selfless people serving their communities around the clock all year round’.

He stated: “Like everyone here, I witnessed their dedication and courage and saw the training and professionalism in action, dealing with the devastating destruction that impacted the heart of that community in Creeslough.

"The response to this terrible tragedy involved a tremendous co-operative effort between fire services, An Garda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service, the Coast Guard, Donegal County Council staff, HSE staff and colleagues across the Border as well.”

The minister promised further investment in the service.

"My Department continues its support for all fire services in Ireland, with a new capital programme of €61 million over five years. This will continue to support the building of 12 new fire stations already under way, the provision of a further six new fire stations, as well as nine station refurbishments,” he said.

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