The University of Limerick hosted first responders from around Ireland on 1 May for the presentation of this year’s Capt Dara Fitzpatrick Award. The initiative was launched by the Irish Paramedicine Education and Research Network (IPERN) on 8 March 2023 (International Women’s Day) to honour the memory of one of Ireland’s first female search and rescue pilots.
This inter-professional, volunteer team of paramedics, nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and scientists is dedicated to supporting best practice for out-of-hospital care nationally through engagement, education and collaboration.
IPERN is chaired by Dr Niamh Cummins, Associate Professor in Public Health in the School of Medicine at UL who hosted the award ceremony with her colleague Gráinne O’Shea, an Advanced Paramedic who leads the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) group at IPERN.
Niamh and Gráinne collaborated closely with the Fitzpatrick family in developing the award which celebrates Dara’s values of compassion, kindness, strength, bravery, leadership, teamwork and professionalism.
The five finalists for the 2024 award, chosen by a review panel using a rigorous selection process, were described by Dr Cummins as “shining examples of women at the height of their professions, who go above and beyond in serving their communities”.
The overall award was presented to Private Nicole Carroll of the Irish Defence Forces at the ceremony by Dara’s sister Emer Fitzpatrick. Private Carroll is a DF combat medical technician who lives and works in the Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare where she cares for 1,200 soldiers.
The other finalists were Caitriona Edgar, advanced paramedic with the HSE National Ambulance Service; Garda Emma Henebery, uniformed specialist firearms officer with the Armed Support Unit; Dr Sinead Campbell-Gray, emergency medicine consultant in Belfast and doctor with Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, and Olivia Byrne, community nurse and Galway RNLI volunteer.
On announcing Private Nicole Carroll as the overall award winner, Dr Cummins highlighted how difficult a decision it had been for the award review panel “especially when all of the finalists were so deserving of the honour”.
A Special Recognition Award was also presented to the family of Caitríona Lucas, the Irish Coast Guard volunteer who tragically lost her life in 2016 while assisting in a search and rescue operation off the coast of Co. Clare.
The presentation was made by Dara’s father John Fitzpatrick to Caitríona’s husband Bernard Lucas. Caitríona was described as “an immense volunteer, who created enormous opportunities that enriched her community”.
