IRELAND PAID a special tribute to its frontline heroes today as part of the annual National Services Day celebrations.
Back in 2018, the Irish Government announced that the first Saturday in September would be set aside as National Services Day; a day to celebrate the nation’s emergency and frontline services.
In previous years, the event would have been marked with a major parade through the streets of Dublin with large swathes of the public out in force.
However, the current Covid-19 pandemic put paid to those plans this time around.
In spite of this, people from across every corner of Ireland were eager to mark the day and acknowledge the incredible efforts of these key workers over the last few months.
Garda Stations in Kildare marking National Services Day 2020 @IrishESRPC pic.twitter.com/szVmfYSeCO
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) September 5, 2020
At 3pm, Ireland was brought to a standstill.
Church bells were rung across the country, while motorists were invited to honk they horns as a show of respect and solidarity with those frontline workers.
Firefighters, gardaí, paramedics and lifeboat crews sounded horns and sirens across the country today as a show of respect for colleagues working near and far.
Three helicopters were disptached from the Irish Air Corps t0 conduct a flyover of Dublin city centre that not only marked the occasion but served as a special tribute to the victims of Covid-19.
To mark National Services Day, Irish Emergency Services RPC made a video in tribute to Ireland's National Services.
A special ceremony took place at Collins’ Barracks in Dublin with Justice Minister Helen McEntee joined by representatives of 24 agencies for the event.
Owen Medland, the RNLI’s lifesaving manager, described it as a day to remember those who had passed away from the virus.
“They’re in the forefront of our mind,” he said.
“We’ve got many, many people within our services who have been touched both in their own loss or just witnessing and I think it’s a time for reflection as well, this first Saturday of September.”
McEntee said a special thank you to all those working on the frontline.
“I have seen at first hand their tremendous professionalism and dedication, in what can be very challenging circumstances,” she said.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to publicly thank them and all our emergency services for the quiet heroism of their chosen career.”
An Garda Síochána are proud to stand in solidarity & Remember with Dignity our Emergency Service & frontline colleagues on National Services Day 2020. At 3pm "Make Some Noise" in support of frontline, emergency & voluntary services #NationalServicesDay https://t.co/dpSqItqU8j
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) September 5, 2020
The Justice Minister also used the ceremony to reflect on Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who tragically lost his life in the service of the State earlier this year.
McEntee said: “On this day, I think particularly of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who tragically lost his life in the service of the State this year.
“In his selfless commitment to community and country, Detective Horkan represented the very best of An Garda Síochána and indeed of all our frontline services. We remember and honour him today.”
The day is organised each year by the Frontline Emergency and Security Services Éire Forum (FESSEF) in what remains a volunteer-led effort.
