Two Offaly Civil Defence members honoured with 40-year service medals

Two members of Offaly Civil Defence were honoured over the weekend with the presentation of prestigious 40-Year Long Service Medals at a national ceremony held in McKee Barracks, Dublin, on Saturday.

The awards were presented by Minister of State Thomas Byrne TD, recognising the exceptional dedication and commitment of Civil Defence volunteers from across the country.

It was a proud occasion for Offaly Civil Defence as one of the recipients was Liz Hanley, who has given 40 years of outstanding service to the organisation. Liz began her Civil Defence journey with the Edenderry Unit, under the guidance of local Civil Defence Instructor George Hackett. Over the years, she has become a well-known and highly respected figure throughout North Offaly, supporting a wide range of community events.

Liz has provided first aid cover to numerous local organisations and clubs, including Ballyfore Football Club, Shamrock and Esker United, and many others. In more recent years, she has continued her commitment to public service as a valued member of the Edenderry Community First Responder Group.

The second recipient was Fergal Conroy, Civil Defence Officer for Offaly. Fergal began his Civil Defence volunteering in his home town of Mountmellick, County Laois, in the early 1980s. He served as a volunteer with Laois Civil Defence until 2019 before taking up the role of Civil Defence Officer in Roscommon from 2019 to 2022.

In May 2022, Fergal was appointed Civil Defence Officer for County Offaly, where he continues to lead and support the organisation while remaining actively involved on the ground. Despite his senior role, he regularly attends operational deployments and community events across the county and maintains his training and operational competencies.

Throughout his years of service, Fergal has supported numerous local, regional and national events and has contributed to training exercises and inter-county support activities. His long-standing commitment has also allowed him to build strong connections with Civil Defence volunteers throughout the country.

Commenting on the achievement, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Cllr. Declan Harvey said: “I would like to warmly congratulate Liz Hanley and Fergal Conroy on reaching this remarkable milestone. Forty years of dedicated voluntary service represents an extraordinary commitment to community, and their contribution has made a lasting difference to the safety and wellbeing of people across Offaly and beyond. Their dedication embodies the very best of public service.”

The event in McKee Barracks was described as a special and memorable occasion, bringing together volunteers from across Ireland, many of whom were recognised for 20, 30, 40 and even 50 years of dedicated service by the Department of Defence.

Eoghan Ryan, Chief Executive of Offaly County Council also commented: “Liz Hanley and Fergal Conroy exemplify the commitment and professionalism that underpin Civil Defence. Their 40 years of volunteerism highlight the strength of community spirit in Offaly and the importance of preparedness and service. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and proud of the leadership and example they continue to provide.”

Offaly Civil Defence extended congratulations to both recipients, acknowledging their significant contributions and the vital role they have played in supporting communities over the past four decades.