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RTÉ News
5 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Monaghan school to raise awareness of farm safety
A primary school in Co Monaghan will today hold a multi-agency initiative aimed at improving its pupils' awareness of farm safety. The day-long event at St Daigh's National School in Inniskeen comes as one of the busiest times on Irish farms gets underway. The school has said with children being out and about more often over the summer months, it wants to reinforce that while farms can be a wonderful place to spend some time, there are also many dangers that come with farming, including heavy machinery, livestock and hazardous chemicals. Its message to pupils will be: 'The farmyard is not a schoolyard.' A number of different agencies including paramedics, community gardaí, local farmers and representatives from farm safety educational platform, AgriKids will come together today. They will each deliver specially tailored interactive workshops to the school's pupils in junior infants right up to sixth class. Teachers Aisling Kelly and Niamh Monahan have said they decided to organise such an event because they are aware of how many of the school's pupils come from an agricultural background and will be spending more time on the farm over the summer months. They said what started out as being a first aid training class soon saw more organisations coming on board and quickly grew into a multi-agency initiative. Ms Kelly and Ms Monahan hope that the day will make pupils at the school aware of the dangers on a farm through a child-friendly, positive lens. They also want to equip pupils with the basic skills to know what to do should they ever encounter a farm accident or injury, while at same time also raising awareness about life on a farm in rural Ireland, something which they say will also be of benefit to children from non-agricultural backgrounds. According to the Health and Safety Authority, a total of 17 children died in farm-related incidents between 2014 and 2023, which made up 9% of all farm fatalities during that period. Farming is also consistently identified as the most dangerous workplace in Ireland, with a disproportionate number of fatalities compared to the overall workforce. Last year, agriculture accounted for 12 of all 34 workplace-related fatalities. This means that over a third of all fatalities came from a sector employing just 4% of the workforce. Community Engagement Officer with the National Ambulance Service for the Dublin and North East area, paramedic Liam Stewart, is one of those taking part in the initiative. "In the summer months, there is increased activity around farms and this can lead to more callouts for our crews to attend incidents," he said. "Overall, there are around 4,500 farm accidents annually. It is important to know and respect farm safety. Initiatives such as today can help improve awareness among young people," he added. Meanwhile, Principal of St Daigh's National School, Tomás MacGiollachamáin said: "We're looking forward to an informative and fun day ahead. We feel our school farm safety day is a vital initiative that equips our pupils with knowledge that could one day save lives. "It's also a fantastic example of the Irish seanfhocail: 'Ní neart go cur le chéile' - there is no strength without unity," he added. More information and resources on how to keep children and young people safe on farms can be found on the Health and Safety Authority and AgriKids websites.
Irish Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Five injured in Dublin city collision between bus and ambulance
Five people were injured in a collision between a bus and an ambulance in Dublin city centre on Tuesday morning. The crash occurred at about 9:30am on Dorset Street in Dublin 1. The 140 Dublin bus was heading northward to Ikea. The five injured people have been taken to the Mater Misericordiae Hospital for treatment of injuries that are not life-threatening, according to gardaí. READ MORE A Garda spokesman said gardaí and emergency services are at the scene. Gardaí said the road remains closed with diversions in place. Dublin Bus confirmed an incident occurred on Tuesday involving a bus and an ambulance. In a statement, the HSE said that a National Ambulance Service vehicle was involved in the incident. 'No patient was on board at the time. Local line management is following up on the incident and providing staff wellbeing and support in line with normal HSE procedures,' it added in a statement.
Sunday World
22-05-2025
- Sunday World
Father ‘overwhelmed' by support for talented GAA-loving son in critical condition
The teenager was involved in a serious accident at Fenit at the weekend The father of Luke Silles (18) said he is grateful for the public support since his son was seriously injured in an accident at Fenit on Saturday that has left him in a critical condition. A sixth-year pupil at CBS The Green, Luke was enjoying the fine weather with friends close to Fenit Pier when an accident resulted in him having to be removed from the water unconscious. The National Ambulance Service and Valentia Coast Guard immediately rushed to the scene where CPR and First Aid was administered before Luke was taken to University Hospital Kerry (UHK) where he remains critical. UHK in Tralee. News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd In a statement to The Kerryman, Tony Silles said his family is 'overwhelmed' at the support, prayers and thoughtfulness that is extended to Luke in the days since the accident. 'The amount of well-wishes that have come back through Luke's friends, CBS The Green, and beyond, has been overwhelming for us. We are extremely grateful for this,' Tony said. 'Luke is an extremely positive, thoughtful, outgoing child, boy, and young man. Everywhere Luke has gone he has touched a spark in people so that one would remember meeting him and encountering him. For now, the family ask for your prayers and support at this difficult time. We thank each and every person for doing so. We are deeply grateful for it,' Tony said. CBS The Green said its school community is holding Luke 'close in our hearts' and thinking of him every day. 'We extend all our strength, love, and prayers your way. To Luke's family and close friends — we are with you,' they said. 'Your courage, love, and resilience inspire us. You are surrounded by a school that cares deeply and stands ready to support in any way we can.' Management at CBS The Green also said Luke is a valued part of the school family, while the 'gentleness and kindness' of Luke's personality is also mentioned. 'His good humour and bright spirit leave a mark on everyone he meets. We know he's drawing on that same strength now, and we look forward to the day we see his smile in our school community again. Until then, we remain united in hope, in prayer, and in friendship.' Luke is a pupil of teacher and Fianna Fáil Councillor Fionnán Fitzgerald. The Ballymacelligott-based representative said his thoughts and prayers are with Luke and his family in these difficult days. 'Luke is a very well-liked student and a very popular and highly regarded GAA person. There would hardly be a club grounds in Kerry that the Silles family would not have played in, or have been in, at some stage over the years,' said Cllr Fitzgerald. 'I pray every strength to them, and to Luke's many friends in school, Ballymacelligott, and beyond. He is a great student and I have been graced to have him in my classroom. Your friends everywhere, neighbours and community in Ballymac, are thinking of you and your family at this time. Wishing you and yours well,' Cllr Fitzgerald added.
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Air ambulance operator flags safety issues following changes to staffing levels
Serious flight safety risks emerged on one of the State's air ambulances after the National Ambulance Service made changes to the medical crewing model on the aircraft. The changes, which included cutting the number of paramedics on board the Cork-based Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) from two to just one on certain shifts, led to a 'marked deterioration' in how the medical staff performed certain aviation tasks they were trained to do while as part of a crew of two rostered on the aircraft, the company which operates the life-saving service said. A senior official with Gulf Med Aviation Services, which operates the service under contract to the ambulance service, was so concerned about the issues that he wrote to the ambulance service in February to say he had seen "workflow and cognitive errors" in the aviation-focused tasks paramedics need to perform safely while working as part of the helicopter crew, based at Rathcoole, near Millstreet. The correspondence, which has been seen by the Irish Examiner, included a warning that the 'low levels of motivation, concentration, and attention to the task' that appear to have resulted from the recent medical crew changes was 'evident and impactful'. The Gulf Med executive said paramedics had been trained to work in the challenging HEMS environment as part of a team of two medics on the aircraft, but that they were often being rostered to work a HEMS shift on their own. 'The risks involved in such a change are self-evident,' the National Ambulance Service was told. The Gulf Med executive also warned that a paramedic returning from a significant period away from the HEMS unit is often required to mount a HEMS mission within minutes of arriving at the base. This is not a safe practice. The ambulance service was asked for an immediate intervention to address the issues, with a request for a reduction in the disruption and changes that were clearly affecting 'the motivation, concentration, and attention to detail that is necessary to remain safe'. It was told that like most safety-critical activities, all that has to happen for a serious incident or an accident to occur, is for the people involved to do nothing. Gulf Med Aviation Services did not respond to requests to comment. In response to queries from the Irish Examiner, the HSE and National Ambulance Service insisted that the Cork-based air ambulance service is safe, and there are no outstanding issues. 'Currently the HSE and Gulf Med Aviation Services are satisfied that services are safe and working effectively. The crewing model for the HSE's HEMS is safe for patients and staff,' a spokesperson said. Read More Millennial medics share their prescriptions for good health and wellbeing
Irish Independent
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Time to get on your bike as Kerry cycling event launched in aid of vital service
This year, the event is pedalling with purpose, with all proceeds going to support the vital work of the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit. Cyclists of all levels are invited to take part, with two stunning routes available: a 100km challenge for experienced riders, and a more accessible 75km option ideal for those looking to build confidence ahead of the Ring of Kerry Cycle. Both routes include Moll's Gap and promise breath-taking views of some of Ireland's most spectacular landscapes, warm camaraderie, and plenty of laughs and refreshments along the way with a BBQ at the Killarney Race Course to finish. The event serves not only as a fantastic day out, but also as a meaningful way to give back to the community. The Killarney Cardiac Response Unit, a volunteer-led Community First Responder Scheme made up of around 40 dedicated individuals, provides round-the-clock emergency assistance in partnership with the National Ambulance Service. Every euro raised will help them continue delivering this life-saving service to people across the region. Killarney Cycling Club prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club, catering to everyone from beginners to elite racers. In addition to regular road and mountain bike outings, the club hosts a wide variety of activities such as strength and conditioning classes, yoga, turbo and expert talks on cycling-related topics. A mentorship programme is also in place to support adults looking to get back into cycling or train for major events like the Ring of Kerry Cycle. The club are urging every cyclist to take part in this event and are looking forward to welcoming them to this event on June 14.
