Dun laoghaire RNLI crew awarded for 120 years service

Dublin People 06 Oct 2015
Pictured receiving their Bar to Long Service badges are Dun Laoghaire RNLI crew members Eamon O’Leary, David Branigan,Stuart Kane and Kieran O’Connell with RNLI Divisional Operations Manager Owen Medland.

FOUR volunteer crew members at Dun Laoghaire RNLI have been recognised this week for their commitment to the charity that saves lives at sea.

Kieran O’Connell, Eamon O’Leary, Stuart Kane and David Branigan have collectively provided 120 years’ service to the RNLI. The four who continue to volunteer their time as crew, were presented with a Bar to Long Service badge in Dun Laoghaire last night (Monday, October 5).

Since 1985, lifeboats at Dun Laoghaire RNLI have launched 1,360 times with crews saving 157 lives and rescuing 1,151 more.

Speaking after presenting the four long service badges, Owen Medland, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager, said: “Most lifeboat crew members are volunteers who come from all walks of life and give up their time and comfort to save lives at sea.

“David, Stuart, Eamon and Collie respond at a moment’s notice when their pagers go off. They are regularly called away from their families, their beds and their work, any time of the day, any day in the year.

“In addition, over the last 30 years, they each have invested several hours to train and upskill. Their lifesaving work is essential, often difficult and sometimes dangerous but they each do it selflessly, with courage, bravery and dedication, and on behalf of the RNLI, I would like to thank them for that.”

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