Air ambulance service returns to Custume Barracks

The air ambulance has been returned to its base at Custume Barracks Athlone.

Welcoming the positive development, Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon/Galway Claire Kerrane, said she received confirmation of the ambulance service's return to Athlone from the Manager of Operations Support this morning (Wednesday).

"I welcome the return of the air ambulance to Athlone. It returned yesterday," said the TD.

"I discovered last October that the air ambulance, based in Custume Barracks since 2012, was to be re-located to Dublin last November until January to allow for works at the Athlone hangar.

"The works took longer than expected and the air ambulance was delayed returning and I know some feared it may not return at all.

"The majority of calls for the air ambulance come from County Roscommon and it is a critical part of our ambulance service," Deputy Kerrane said.

Meanwhile, despite local Minister of State, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran stating this week that there will be no cuts to the Athlone-based air ambulance, Deputy Kerrane said she would be meeting with the Director of the Ambulance Service tomorrow (Thursday) to seek clarity with regard to its future.

"We have heard disturbing reports recently of changes to the air ambulance crew. However, I will be meeting with the Director of the Ambulance Service in their HQ tomorrow and I will be seeking clarity on this service," Deputy Kerrane concluded.