In this issue
Voluntary sector protest
Devastation at Rescue 116 tragedy
Huge response to gender pay campaign
Minister reaffirms pay deal intent
Wider application of revised T&S sought
Early education branch to launch
Devastation at Rescue 116 tragedy
by Niall Shanahan
 

Last Tuesday (14th March), the country awoke to the awful news that Irish coast guard helicopter Rescue 116 had gone missing. As details of the accident unfolded, members of IMPACT’s IAESA and IALPA branches felt a particularly keen sadness, because their colleagues – Mark Duffy, Dara Fitzpatrick, Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith – were lost in the tragedy.

The Dublin-based Sikorsky rescue helicopter and its crew were providing support for a sister aircraft as it helped an injured fisherman working 250 kilometres west of the Mayo coast.  The crew was making its way back to refuel at Blacksod lighthouse when the helicopter experienced a catastrophic event.

Reflecting the country’s universal sense of loss and sadness, President Michael D Higgins described it as a dark day in the history of the Irish coast guard, and said the people of Ireland were indebted to the "courage, resolution and exemplary commitment" of Captain Fitzpatrick and her crew.

Captain Fitzpatrick and Captain Mark Duffy were members of IMPACT’s IALPA (pilots) branch, while winchmen Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith were members of the union’s Irish Aviation Executive Staff Association (IAESA) branch.

In a statement, IAESA said that, along with the entire aviation family, its members were devastated at the loss of the crew of Rescue 116. “That they did not return safely from their work on Tuesday is a tragedy that is keenly felt throughout the trade union family.

“The IAESA branch is proud to have represented Ciaran and Paul. They are in our thoughts constantly, as are their families their colleagues and all the staff at CHC, to whom we offer all the support we can. At this very sad time, we embrace with love and compassion our comrades’ families, colleagues and friends.” It said.

IALPA expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the crew. “The decorated crew of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, Captain Mark Duffy, Ciarán Smith and Paul Ormsby paid the ultimate price in their service to the State and the people of Ireland should be proud to have men and women like the crew of 'Rescue 116' watching over them. IALPA are proud to have represented Dara and Mark, and have offered any assistance we can in the aftermath of this tragic accident,” it said.

IMPACT President Pat Fallon said the entire organisation shared the sadness felt by the two branches for their colleagues and co-union members. “The entire IMPACT family shares your pride in your co-workers and your pain at their loss. We send our profound sympathies to the families, colleagues and communities of Mark Duffy, Dara Fitzpatrick, Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith,” he said.

Go Mairidis Beo.

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