The launch of Ballaghaderreen’s new ambulance service by the Irish Red Cross took place on Sunday 8th February in the Cathedral grounds, where Fr Sherlock blessed the much anticipated ambulance unit. Irish Red Cross members, new cadets, the Ballaghaderreen Fire Service and the Regional Director of Irish Red Cross, Pat Merrick, attended the ceremony.

This ambulance unit is one of three new ambulances that were unveiled at the end of January by Minister for Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, at the Clayton Hotel in Ballybrit, Co Galway. Old Leighlin in Carlow and Carronhill in Sligo will also respectively benefit from a unit.

The ambulance unit will primarily provide support to the health service in the West Roscommon, East Mayo and South Sligo area and will transport patients to Roscommon, Sligo, Castlebar and Galway hospitals.

Predominantly funded by state grants from the CLAR programme, local branches of the Irish Red Cross provided the remainder of the cost for these new units through donations and fundraising. They mark the advent of a seven-year programme initiated by the Irish Red Cross, which will see a total of 90 new vehicles purchased including new ambulances, off-road vehicles, mobile command and control units, and wheelchair- accessible buses. Plans are also underway for a base unit for the new ambulance service with the site provided by Roscommon County Council.

The Irish Red Cross comprises a total of approximately 4,000 members in its 145 branches nationwide. Ballagh’s own branch consists of 50 members.