Louth volunteers honoured for 50 years of lifesaving service

28 Irish Red Cross volunteers from across the country were recognised at an event in the Mansion House, Dublin on Saturday, for giving 50+ years of service to their local communities. Volunteers from Clare, Cork, Donegal, Limerick, Louth and Dublin were awarded Long Service Medals for their selfless dedication, over five decades, to those most in need. 

Volunteer Patrick McGahey was among the volunteers recognised at the event for an incredible 50 years of service to his local community through the Drogheda branch of the Irish Red Cross. 

Along with his late wife Ann who was also an Irish Red Cross volunteer, Patrick taught first aid and CPR to local community groups and competed in first aid and casualty simulation competitions across Europe in the 1990s. Patrick was involved in high profile events through his volunteering including providing first aid support during the Pope’s visit to Ireland in 1979. 

Patrick believes there should be ‘a first aider in every home’. “Back in the 1980s I used my CPR skills to help a work colleague who had suffered a cardiac arrest. I performed CPR on him until the ambulance arrived and thankfully, he survived,” said Patrick.  

“Over the years I’ve felt great satisfaction organising social events for older people in the community, bringing them together to sing, dance and play bingo. I also facilitated respite weeks to Mosney holiday camp and Bundoran for people with disabilities. 

“My late wife Ann and I had some truly great times volunteering with the Irish Red Cross over the decades. People are very appreciative of what we do and that means so much. Through our volunteering with the Irish Red Cross our five sons met so many people from different walks of life, and I think they learned to see the person first, not their difficulty or disability,” said Patrick. 

Charlie Flanagan, Chair, Irish Red Cross presented the volunteers with their awards.   Speaking ahead of the ceremony, he said, “It really is remarkable that these wonderful volunteers have dedicated so much time and energy to help others. Over an astonishing 50 years, they have committed themselves to their local community.

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“The work they’ve done over those decades – providing first aid support at local events, teaching CPR skills to school students and community groups, offering therapeutic hand massages to nursing home residents, to mention just some examples – have touched so many lives, young and old. Thanks to their quiet, steady leadership, their skills and experience built up over many years, and ultimately their compassion and humanity, our communities are stronger and more resilient.”  

As Ireland’s humanitarian response network, 4000 volunteers at 71 Irish Red Cross branches across Ireland help communities prepare for emergencies, respond when they happen and recover stronger and more resilient. The Irish Red Cross stands with people in crisis, at home and abroad, offering practical help, comfort and hope.  

For more information visit: www.redcross.ie