Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., Minister for Defence, today (Saturday 2nd October 2010) opened the new Irish Red Cross Society Centre at Ennis, Co Clare. The Minister was joined at the opening ceremony by the new Chairman of the Society, Mr. David J. O’Callaghan.

Speaking at the opening Minister Killeen said that “The Irish Red Cross Society has a long history here in Co. Clare having opened its first branch in 1939. The branch here has had continuously strong membership ever since. There are over 300 members in the Clare branches based in Mountshannon, Lahinch, Kilrush, and here in Ennis.

I know that many members are involved in the Society’s Defibrillation Programme which aims to provide Community First Responder groups across the county.”

There are over 50 first aid unit personnel trained at various levels from Practical First Aid to Emergency Medical First Responder providing the Red Cross voluntary ambulance service in Clare.

The Minister continued “I am pleased that this new centre will help the organisation enormously by performing a number of functions. It will be a location where people can come to join the Society, to access training and to meet other people who volunteer their time to help others. The centre will also be used for first aid training, providing ‘in house’ training to members of the branch, community courses for members of the public and providing corporate courses for companies to meet the legal requirement for first aid qualifications.”

The Minister paid tribute to the invaluable work carried out locally by members of the Society during the severe weather events experienced by the country last winter. Minister Killeen said that “without this level of assistance, it is safe to say that many more people would have suffered greater hardship during the floods and severe weather. The Society worked alongside local groups to provide the full assistance that was needed by victims of the flood disaster. We should all be enormously proud of the work undertaken by members and other volunteers in the most difficult of conditions”.

The work of the Irish Red Cross is only possible because of the extensive and very committed network of volunteers. With approximately 5,000 volunteer members in Ireland, spread across 120 branches, the Red Cross is deeply rooted in local communities nationwide and draws its members from all walks of life. “The dedication of volunteers and commitment given to charitable organisations can never be truly valued. I have the utmost admiration and respect for people who devote some of their spare time to their local communities,” said the Minister.

Concluding Minister Killeen paid tribute to local members for their long service and gave special recognition to those involved in sourcing the new building and assisting in its refurbishment. “I would like to pay special thanks to Shirley Benson, Area Director of Units who was I understand was centrally involved the sourcing and acquisition of the property and to Bernadette Dillon, PRO Clare Area, and others who assisted with the refurbishment. Finally I would like to wish all in the Society continued success in the new Centre,” said Minister Killeen.

ENDS