Ballina divers honoured with long service medals

Ballina divers honoured with long service medals


Anna Marie Flynn

TEN Ballina-based voluntary search and rescue divers were among those honoured with national long service medals - in the first award ceremony of its kind in the State - last Thursday.
Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern, presented the long service medals to Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club divers John Garrett, Mick Loftus, Christy McDonagh, Conall O’Domhnaill, Frank Sheridan, Brian Bourke, Noel Kernan, Pat Coughlan, Declan Long and Michael Reddington at a special awards presentation ceremony in Dublin.
The Ballina divers, who assist the Garda in search and rescue operations and in the recovery of bodies, were honoured alongside members from 12 other units across the State.
Following the ceremony at The Shelbourne Hotel, members were invited to a special reception with President Mary Mc Aleese at Áras an UachtarΡin.
Presenting the medals, Minister Ahern, described their efforts as “vital” and said all voluntary work was very important to the country.
“The Government encourages it as much as we can and we do. What these men and women do is vital because when somebody goes missing in rivers, canals, lakes, they drop everything and get time off work and they basically search 24/7 until the people are found. It’s important society recognises their contribution,” he added.
Local Minister of State, Dara Calleary (pictured), extended his congratulations to the Ballina divers.
“I am delighted that the life-saving efforts of the GrΡinne Uaile Sub Aqua Club have been recognised. It is important to remember that diving clubs such as the GrΡinne Uaile Sub Aqua Club are voluntary organisations who risk their lives to help in the recovery of others,” he said.
This is the first time such awards are been presented to members of Search and Recovery Units, who throughout the country dedicate their free time, year-in. year-out, in the recovery of missing persons.
There are currently a total of 27 Search and Recovery units with over 300 fully-qualified divers in Ireland. Most Search and Recovery Units were initially founded as sport diving clubs but became involved in search and recovery as their skills were being called upon more and more. 
Over the years these Search and Recovery Units have been involved in over 3000 underwater searches in lakes, rivers and seas around Ireland both north and south of the border. This work is carried out in all types of weather, but at all times safety of the volunteer is paramount, hence the need to abide by stringent dive safety regulations in diving and the implementation of insurance cover to protect all concerned.