EDITOR’S LETTER

Editor: Adam Hyland

Contributors: Adam Hyland, Colin White, Andrew Jennings

Creative Director: Jane Matthews

Designer: James Moore

Cover Credit: Sergeant Karl Byrne

Photography: James Moore, An Garda Síochána, RSA, Audi, Dublin Fire Brigade, Gill Books, Merrion Press, Penguin/Random House, Mercier Press, TECDRON, Flir, Pixabay, iStoc, Flaticon.com

Production Executive: Claire Kiernan & Julie Dunne

Publisher: Ashville Media Group, Unit 55, Park West Road, Park West Industrial Estate, Dublin 12, D12 X9F9. Tel: (01) 432 2200, Fax: (01) 676 6043

Managing Director: Gerry Tynan

Chairman: Diarmaid Lennon

Distribution by: Magazine Mailing

Publisher’s statement: The information in Ambulance Ireland is carefully researched and believed to be accurate and authoritative, but the Publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. Statements and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Publisher.

Copyright © Ashville Media Group Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Publisher.

letter from the EDITOR

Welcome to the 2020 edition of Ambulance Ireland. As always, we bring you the latest news and features covering Ireland’s medical and emergency services sectors, as well as interesting and inspiring stories from our frontline personnel and from around the globe.

Keeping emergency vehicles on the road 24/7 is an endless but critical task, and the staff at the Dublin Fire Brigade’s Service Support Unit were more than happy to show me that they go far beyond simply maintaining and servicing vehicles. It was fascinating to learn about the extent of their multi-faceted role, and I hope you enjoy reading about it.

Working with horses on a daily basis might sound like a dream job, but the men and women of the Garda Mounted Support Unit are faced with many challenges and a lot of hard work. It was a pleasure to talk to them about what is involved in looking after and working with such magnificent animals, and how important it is to have their visible presence in the community.

It was also a pleasure to talk to historian Barry Kennerk about his latest book, The Peeler’s Notebook, which details what life had in store for the policemen of Victorian Dublin. Dealing with Fenians, garrotting gangs and rabid dogs in a difficult environment, these Peelers were faced with incidents and conditions that were at times frightening and at other times bizarre, and Barry illustrates this very well.

In our Defence Forces and Coast Guard roundups, we review the increasing level of activity seen by the men and women who protect us on a daily basis. Their contribution to society can’t be overestimated, and a look at the roles they fill and tasks they complete demonstrate how important they are in keeping us safe.

Elsewhere, we look at the latest road safety campaigns, and see what’s new in the world of motoring and emergency services technology. Best wishes, Adam Hyland