The community of Anagaire yesterday celebrated the launch of a life-saving defibrillator.
The device is being housed in a picturesque Irish phone box at Duffy’s Bar.
The initiative was made possible by Duffy’s Bar and Tidy Town’s Anagaire and kindly sponsored by Glenside Bacon and a community fundraiser.
Local woman Madgie Gildea had the honour of cutting the ribbon on the box at an event on Sunday.
Speaking afterwards, Councillor Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig said: “This is a piece of equipment that has been proven to save lives. The State should be providing one of these in every town and village free of charge. Economically poor communities should not be disadvantages if they cannot afford to raise the money.”
Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig praised the people who worked to make the initiative happen, including Frankie Mc Laughlin, Maggie Mc Laughlin, Madgie John Mhéidi, Sile Ni Gallachoir, Danielle Ni Dhaoir, Paddy Rodgers, Arthur O Donnell, Martin Mulholland, Colin Westburr and Neil Petter Ó Baoill.
As the defibrillator is open and accessible in the case of an emergency, the public has been urged to respect the phone box and not to vandalise this valuable piece of equipment.