Community effort in Leitrim: Dromahair Group instals fifth AED

A new AED unit was installed at Killavoggy Church on Sunday, August 11, marking the fifth defibrillator to be placed in the Dromahair area.

Funding under the Enhancement programme from Leitrim County Council allowed Dromahair Defibrillator Group to purchase its fifth AED unit. 

The Dromahair Defibrillator Group has been active for 18 years, having started in 2006. The initiative began when a nurse attending a wedding witnessed someone collapse and an AED at the venue was used. This incident prompted her to investigate the availability of defibrillators in the local area. Since then, the group has been dedicated to training individuals in life-saving techniques and securing additional defibrillators for the community.

“We got our first one in Dromahair in 2007,” said Tommy Dolan, long-term member of the group.

“We got two in 2008 in Newtownmanor and Killanummery, one in 2009 and now one in Killavoggy church.”

The group recently secured grant funding to upgrade their AED storage units.

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Dromahair Defibrillator Group carry out local training as required and are always looking for more volunteers. The group is fully prepared, carrying all necessary equipment.

“We have three trainers in the group. We do training as required but we’d train February, March, April, May and June,” Tommy explained.

“The Irish Heart Foundation recommends you retrain every four months so we bring people back again for that.

“There’s no charge on the training and we’re always looking for more volunteers. It’s two hours on a Saturday and it’s very, very worthwhile,” Tommy enthused.

Annual fundraisers for the group support their vital and impactful work.

“We do fundraisers every year, we have a church day collection in the local churches and we do an annual 5k walk every September,” Tommy said.

This year's 5k walk in aid of Dromahair Defibrillator Group will take place on Sunday, September 1.

“We’re very thankful to all the businesses in Dromahair that support us for the walk and do sponsors and refreshments,” Tommy said. 

Dromahair Defibrillator Group are also affiliated with the National Ambulance Group who have provided great support to them.

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The group currently has no plans to expand the defibrillator network, but their life-saving training remains crucial and continues to be an essential skill that needs ongoing instruction.