Marinewatch to receive award from new Garda Commissioner
THE NEW Garda Commissioner,
Drew Harris, will be in Wexford tonight (Tuesday) to present a Lifesaving Foundation award to suicide-prevention group Wexford Marinewatch.
The ceremony takes place in Wexford County Council where the local charity, which is in operation since December 2012, will receive an Outstanding Contribution Award for the work they do in the area of suicide prevention and water safety.
It will be the Commissioner’s first visit to Wexford in his official capacity.
Chairperson of Wexford Marinewatch, Cllr George Lawlor explained that the first of these awards was actually presented to the gardai many years ago and so it was fitting that the new commissioner would be the one to present one to Marinewatch, given the involvement of local gardai in it. Garda Superintendent (designate) Denis Whelan, and Garda Neil Murphy are both founder members and active volunteers.
A group from W.I.T. will give a presentation on the night focusing on communities and how they deal with the aftermath of drowning incidents.
Cllr Lawlor said: ‘As chairperson, I am delighted that Marinewatch has been recognised for this award. There are no nominations for it; the Lifesaving Foundation has recognised the good work the volunteers are doing. We are also honoured that the new Garda Commissioner will be the one presenting the award given our close working relationship with the gardai.’