New defibrillator installed at Northgate Street shop

The latest publicly accessible defibrillator has been installed at Lennon’s Fruit and Veg shop in Northgate street this week.

Chairman of the Athlone Emergency Defibrillator group, Cllr John Dolan, paid tribute to the shop for allowing the device to be installed there.

"I want to thank Mark Lennon for allowing our group to provide this lifesaving device on his shop. The defib was damaged in St Mary’s Hall some time ago and our group was anxious to get it repaired for the users of the hall but also make it available 24 hours a day seven days a week. One of our committee approached Mark and he was delighted to accommodate it," said Cllr Dolan.

"David McGovern of DMG electrical installed the defibrillator free of charge as he has done for our group on numerous occasions before, and now the whole area is covered including St Mary’s Hall which is great. I want to thank all involved and this is another step in our groups ambition of having a publicly accessible defib within four minutes of any cardiac arrest in Athlone," he added.

"If any estate or business wants to chat our group about providing a publicly accessible defibrillator in their area please feel free to contact any member of our group and we will advise and help you," concluded Cllr John Dolan.