Local Order of Malta Unit to build on successful open night
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Julie Fivey Keena, Rebecca Maye, Garda James Cribben and Sean Clarke in the Order of Malta ambulance.Image 2 of 10
Colin Watters and John Fitzsimons at The Order of Malta open and recruitment night last WednesdayImage 3 of 10
Cliona Shaw, Lucy O’Malley and Laura Filtness at Columb Barracks.Image 4 of 10
Katie Kennedy and Joanne McGrath at the open evening.Image 5 of 10
Emma Reid from Ballinalack and Lilly Watters from Mullingar.Image 6 of 10
Katie Reid, Nicole Penrose, Aaron Maloney and Rihanna Maloney on Wednesday evening.Image 7 of 10
Damien Leech and Kyle Conway with Norman Biggane (Order of Malta regional director).Image 8 of 10
Flo Catillon and Gawain Boyce gave a demonstration on airway management and medication.Image 9 of 10
Eimear Peters, Matthew Tuite, Brian McEvoy and Darragh Filtness at the open evening in Columb Barracks.Image 10 of 10
Mary Shaw, Sharon Mangan, Betty Kelly and Karen Connolly at the Order of Malta’s open evening.More than 20 years after their establishment in Mullingar, the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps are approaching their silver jubilee with confidence.
Hosting an open night on Wednesday last in their Columb Barracks premises, the unit, led by Adjutant Colin Watters, displayed the vast array of equipment they use in the course of their work as well as outlining the various ways they assist in the community.
The Unit welcomed their regional director, Asst Commander Norman Biggane, who took up the post in the newly configured North Eastern/Midlands Region at the beginning of the year.
Addressing the gathering, Asst Commander Biggane reflected on the Order’s ethos on care in the community, along with their commitment to international aid programmes. He highlighted that the Order of Malta are recognised globally as aid providers in regions affected by conflict, and volunteers currently working on the ground in Gaza and Ukraine.
Closer to home, the Order are active in their own communities providing medical support to a variety of organisations. Nationally they are lead providers at many major events such as the National Ploughing Championships, and at sporting and musical festivals.
At pressured times, the Order’s volunteers also assist the National Ambulance Service.
Asst Commander Biggane congratulated the Mullingar Unit for the progress made over the last 20 years and wished the officers and volunteers continued success into the future.
Speaking after the event, Adjutant Watters said the members and management of the Unit were delighted with the success of the night and the numbers who had attended to familiarise themselves with the work of the Order of Malta.
He said more than a dozen people had indicated their desire to join the Unit and to contribute to the enhancement of their community.