A function recognising the efforts of Clare Civil Defence volunteers during recent serious flooding and prolonged cold weather in the County took place at the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, on Friday night.
The Mayor of Clare Cllr. Tony Mulcahy, Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, Chairman of Civil Defence Board Joe Meagher, Clare Chief Superintendent John Kerin and Clare Civil Defence Officer Liam Griffin were among those who paid tribute to Civil Defence members that participated in the emergency response to some of most serious and damaging weather conditions experienced in living memory.
The event was also attended by Tom Coughlan, Clare County Manager; Bill Smith, Director General of the Civil Defence Board; Ger Dollard, Director of Services; Ollie O’Loughlin, member of the Civil Defence Board; and Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Officer.
Speaking in The Old Ground Hotel, Mayor Mulcahy: “While Ennis and other parts of the county had experienced flooding in the past, it is fair to say that what we experienced during those few days in November was unprecedented to say the least. Some people were forced to evacuate their homes due to rising floodwaters. However, I am sure that the numbers of evacuees would have been far greater were it not for the trojan work of Clare Civil Defence members who gave selflessly of their time to help strengthen flood defences and participate in a range of other flood relief efforts throughout Clare.”
“Overall, the response of emergency services and local authority staff to the flooding and big freeze crises was exemplary and has been officially recognised by Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley on numerous occasions. I have never in my life before witnessed such a large scale response to one particular incident, in the case of the flooding in November. What was especially pleasing for the Council was that all agencies, including Clare Civil Defence, collaborated to ensure that the emergency response to the crisis was carried out with maximum efficiency.
“On behalf of the County Manager, the Council Executive, and my fellow elected representatives, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Clare Civil Defence and Civil Defence Officer Liam Griffin for assisting the emergency response. We are deeply appreciative of your valuable contribution throughout what was an extraordinary situation. I also know that the public is very aware and appreciative of your efforts”, concluded Mayor Mulcahy.
During late November and early December, Civil Defence volunteers from Clare worked in excess of 2,500 man-hours on flood relief efforts throughout the county – all this over a continuous 14 day period. Members of Clare Civil Defence were involved in evacuating people from their homes, moving them to safe alternative accommodation and pumping water from homes.
According to Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, T.D.: “Throughout, this period, the volunteers continued their work in the worst of circumstances, their concern for others far outweighing personal interest and driving them on.”
The Minister continued: “The need for Civil Defence volunteers to be alert and to be prepared to respond at short notice was evidenced in January, when a prolonged period of severe weather hit the country. Volunteer Members turned out in force again during the snow conditions. Over 1,200 man-hours were worked by Clare Civil Defence during the period. The two periods of extreme conditions, following so closely, certainly tested the resilience, resolve and reputation of the Civil Defence and its loyal volunteers.”
“I wish to express my appreciation of the role of all statutory bodies, volunteer organisations and individuals who contributed so much to relief efforts in Ennis and outlying areas such as the Shannon Banks, Parteen and Ardnacrusha. Without the intervention and assistance of so many bodies and volunteers, in particular the Civil Defence, who supported the efforts of Clare County Council, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and the Defence Forces, it is fair to say that the resulting situation would have been so much worse”, stated Minister Killeen.
The Mayor of Clare Cllr. Tony Mulcahy, Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, Chairman of Civil Defence Board Joe Meagher, Clare Chief Superintendent John Kerin and Clare Civil Defence Officer Liam Griffin were among those who paid tribute to Civil Defence members that participated in the emergency response to some of most serious and damaging weather conditions experienced in living memory.
The event was also attended by Tom Coughlan, Clare County Manager; Bill Smith, Director General of the Civil Defence Board; Ger Dollard, Director of Services; Ollie O’Loughlin, member of the Civil Defence Board; and Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Officer.
Speaking in The Old Ground Hotel, Mayor Mulcahy: “While Ennis and other parts of the county had experienced flooding in the past, it is fair to say that what we experienced during those few days in November was unprecedented to say the least. Some people were forced to evacuate their homes due to rising floodwaters. However, I am sure that the numbers of evacuees would have been far greater were it not for the trojan work of Clare Civil Defence members who gave selflessly of their time to help strengthen flood defences and participate in a range of other flood relief efforts throughout Clare.”
“Overall, the response of emergency services and local authority staff to the flooding and big freeze crises was exemplary and has been officially recognised by Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley on numerous occasions. I have never in my life before witnessed such a large scale response to one particular incident, in the case of the flooding in November. What was especially pleasing for the Council was that all agencies, including Clare Civil Defence, collaborated to ensure that the emergency response to the crisis was carried out with maximum efficiency.
“On behalf of the County Manager, the Council Executive, and my fellow elected representatives, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Clare Civil Defence and Civil Defence Officer Liam Griffin for assisting the emergency response. We are deeply appreciative of your valuable contribution throughout what was an extraordinary situation. I also know that the public is very aware and appreciative of your efforts”, concluded Mayor Mulcahy.
During late November and early December, Civil Defence volunteers from Clare worked in excess of 2,500 man-hours on flood relief efforts throughout the county – all this over a continuous 14 day period. Members of Clare Civil Defence were involved in evacuating people from their homes, moving them to safe alternative accommodation and pumping water from homes.
According to Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, T.D.: “Throughout, this period, the volunteers continued their work in the worst of circumstances, their concern for others far outweighing personal interest and driving them on.”
The Minister continued: “The need for Civil Defence volunteers to be alert and to be prepared to respond at short notice was evidenced in January, when a prolonged period of severe weather hit the country. Volunteer Members turned out in force again during the snow conditions. Over 1,200 man-hours were worked by Clare Civil Defence during the period. The two periods of extreme conditions, following so closely, certainly tested the resilience, resolve and reputation of the Civil Defence and its loyal volunteers.”
“I wish to express my appreciation of the role of all statutory bodies, volunteer organisations and individuals who contributed so much to relief efforts in Ennis and outlying areas such as the Shannon Banks, Parteen and Ardnacrusha. Without the intervention and assistance of so many bodies and volunteers, in particular the Civil Defence, who supported the efforts of Clare County Council, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and the Defence Forces, it is fair to say that the resulting situation would have been so much worse”, stated Minister Killeen.
