First Ambulance Course in Ireland 50 years ago
Fifty years ago, in May 1967, 24 men assembled at Ratra House, Civil Defence School, Phoenix Park for the first ever ambulance training course held in Ireland. Thirteen were from the then local authority ambulance services, the forerunner of the Health Boards and now the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS). The counties represented were Cork (2), Dublin (3), Galway (1), Kilkenny (1), Limerick (2), Mayo (1), Meath (1), Waterford (1) and Wicklow (1). The next largest cohort was from Dublin Fire Brigade who had five firemen attend. The Defence Forces were represented by two from the Army Medical Corps and one from the Air Corps. Two were from Aer Rianta Fire Service. Finally, one from Limerick City Fire Service. The course consisted of four weeks’ duration, one of which was in the ‘casualty’ department of one of Dublin’s hospitals.
Eight of these pioneers are still alive today:
Joseph Brennan retired as a District Officer in Dublin Fire Brigade. His son Joseph is a firefighter paramedic in Donnybrook fire station.
Cpl. Paddy Carey was an Air Corps technician and retired as a flight sergeant. He went on to work for Bord Gais.
Pte. Gerard Condon is now 71 years old and living in Dublin. He served in the Army Medical Corps at St Brickin’s Hospital and retired as Sergeant. He was appointed to the pharmacy in St Brickin’s Hospital and served as part of the ambulance roster up to his retirement. He is still an active hill walker.
Tim Dineen is now 92 years old and living in Croome, Co Limerick. He is in good health and still driving his own car. Tim was originally the sole ambulance driver in Croome Hospital. He moved into Limerick city when two-person crewing was introduced.
Tommy Doyle retired as a District Officer in Dublin Fire Brigade. His son Alan is a firefighter paramedic in Dolphins Barn fire station.
Joe Foy is a retired Chief Ambulance Officer, Western Health Board. He was a member of the first Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council in 2000.
Paddy O’Donovan retired as Ambulance Supervisor, Eastern Health Board. He was responsible for Co Wicklow. His daughter Mary worked in ambulance control in Wicklow.
Paddy Malone retired as a firefighter with Dublin Fire Brigade in 2000 after 34 years’ service. He was stationed in Tara Street & North Strand and finished his career in the OBI. His daughter Derbhla works in the HR department in DFB HQ.
One person could not be traced:
Paul Clancy resigned in 1967 after one years’ service with Dublin Fire Brigade.
The remainder have sadly passed away:
Patrick Brennan (RIP) was employed in Limerick Fire Brigade and retired as a firefighter.
Billy Bourke (RIP) retired as an ambulance controller in Kilkenny in 1982. He was an All-Ireland hurling medal winner with Kilkenny.
Larry Dwyer (RIP) from Meath, retired as an ambulance driver in the mid 1970’s. Larry was an active member of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps. He died 2002 at the age of 97.
Sgt. Paddy Greensmith (RIP) went on to become an instructor on subsequent ambulance training courses and retired as a Regimental Sergeant Major (the highest NCO) in the Army Medical Corps.
Padraig Harrington (RIP) was employed as the hospital gardener at Bantry Hospital Co. Cork. He was appointed as the hospital ambulance driver but maintained the garden duties between calls. He unfortunately collapsed and died while on a call in 1970.
Thomas Heavy (RIP) retired as an ambulance driver in Galway.
Edward Keating (RIP) was a senior ambulance person in Aer Rianta and was very active with the company and the union for a long number of years. He was then selected to work in the Airport Fire Service Fire Prevention Department until he retired.
Tommy Kennedy (RIP) was promoted to ACASO (assistant Chief airport security officer) in Aer Rianta. He retired early and went to work in ALSAA swimming pool.
Mick McCormack (RIP) was a firefighter with Dublin Fire Brigade and worked in Donnybrook Fire Station.
Steve McGowan, (RIP) retired as an ambulance driver in St James’s base, Eastern Health Board.
Jack Mulligan (RIP) retired as an ambulance driver in St James’s base, Eastern Health Board.
Jack Purcell (RIP) retired as an ambulance driver in Limerick.
Joe Quirk (RIP) worked at St Columcille’s Hospital, Co Dublin as an ambulance driver until retirement. Joe assisted with post mortems in the hospital mortuary as part of his duties. He lived in the lodge house in the hospital grounds which meant 24/7 availability.
Jack Tierney (RIP) who retired as an ambulance supervisor, South Eastern Health Board, was a second-generation ambulance driver in Waterford. His son John Tierney is a third-generation member of the ambulance service as a paramedic in NAS today.
John J Walsh (RIP) retired as ambulance supervisor for Cork city and county in 1986.