Creeslough first responder Frances Griffin wins inaugural Dara Fitzpatrick Award

Frances Griffin, inset, is a native of Creeslough and was rewarded for her bravery in the tragedy of last October

placeholder image — Frances Griffin, inset, is a native of Creeslough and was rewarded for her bravery in the tragedy of last October

Frances Griffin is a paramedic who responded with incredible strength and bravery to the recent tragedy in her local community of Creeslough and was an immense support to her colleagues in the difficult aftermath

A local first responder, who was one of the first on the scene in her native Creeslough during last October's tragedy where 10 people lost their lives, has won the has won the inaugural Dara Fitzpatrick Award.

Frances Griffin is a paramedic who responded with incredible strength and bravery to the recent tragedy in her local community of Creeslough and was an immense support to her colleagues in the difficult aftermath.

She won the award to honour Dara Fitzpatrick, pictured below, who was the pilot of the helicopter which crashed off the Mayo coast in 2017. The Irish Paramedicine Education and Research Network (IPERN) launched an award at the University of Limerick. The award is to recognise the “wonderful qualities” valued by women in emergency medical services, such as compassion, bravery, leadership and professionalism.

Representing The National Ambulance Services, Frances is a paramedic who has responded to the recent tragedy in her local community of Creeslough, where there was an explosion at the local service station, and who was an “immense support” to her colleagues in the aftermath.

IPERN chairwoman Niamh Cummins said that Frances' nomination was “particularly powerful” out of the “five amazing finalists."

“She’s just been fabulous across her career, she’s done so much work in the community and supporting her colleagues and particularly Creeslough,” Dr Cummins added.