Launch of group in Tipperary that is ‘a vital link in the chain of survival’

Above: Present at the Town Hall in Clonmel at the launch of Clonmel Community First Responders were, from left, Joe O’Donoghue, Ger Barry, Berna Dempsey, Treasurer; Ryan Lynch, Secretary; The Mayor, Michael Murphy; Tony Murray, Coordinator; Danielle McMahon, Adrian Barry, Stephen Britton, Deputy Coordinator; and Rachel Maher. Picture: John D Kelly  

“Is there anything more extraordinary than saving someone’s life?”, the Mayor, Cllr Michael Murphy, asked at the official launch of Clonmel Community First Responders at the Town Hall.

The Mayor spoke about ordinary people doing extraordinary things and referred to the incident on August 5 last when John Walshe performed CPR and used a defibrillator to save the life of local man Liam Ahearne at the annual Mass at the Holy Year Cross on the hilltop overlooking Clonmel.

The brainchild of Tony Murray of the National Ambulance Service, Clonmel Community First Responders is a project that has been two years in development, in association with the National Ambulance Service.

The aim of the group is to provide a community-based response to cardiac and related emergencies, providing a vital back-up to the ambulance services.

Tony Murray spoke about the group’s “soft launch” last April. Since then members have responded to a number of calls, confirming the need for voluntary groups like this.

Tony said that there are now over 200 groups active across the country, with local groups in Fethard, Carrick-on-Suir and Newcastle, all operating on a voluntary basis, and without central funding but with support from the National Ambulance Service in relation to training and some equipment.

Tony spoke about the awareness campaigns the group plans to run over the coming months, covering AED use and encouraging businesses to purchase and make defibrillators available to the public.

First responders are often the first people to attend an emergency and are trained to perform CPR and in the use of a defibrillator, as well as being able to identify the specific nature of an emergency and relay information to the ambulance service.

When a 999 call is made, responders receive a text message and travel to the incident and begin assessment or treatment in advance of the arrival of an ambulance.

Also speaking at the event, Alan Walsh, National Ambulance Service Operations Resource Manager, said that Clonmel First Responders “are now a vital link in the chain of survival,” as early intervention at every stage of care increases the chances of a positive outcome.

Alan also said that because ambulances can’t get to every emergency they depend on communities to assist them, noting several vital interventions over the past few years.

The family of the late Eddie (Edmond) Cooney, who had been an instrumental figure in Clonmel Heartsave in previous years, were also in attendance and made a generous donation to the group.

A huge thank you was also extended to Emmet Fahey, who chose Clonmel Community First Responders as beneficiaries of the first annual McSweeney Cup soccer tournament, in memory of Luke McSweeney, who was one of four people killed in a tragic accident in Clonmel in August of last year, and which raised €5,000 for the project.

Also present at the event were volunteers from the Clonmel Community First Responders Group - Stephen Britton, Ryan Lynch, Adrian Barry, Ger Barry, Berna Dempsey, Rachel Maher, Joe O’Donoghue and Danielle McMahon, as well as Civil Defence Officers Dolores Fahy and Matthew Peters, with special guests June and Eugene Cooney, Paul and Brigid McSweeney, John Walshe and Liam and Sharon Ahearne.

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