New defibrillator unveiled in Monasterevin this weekend following fundraising campaign

A new defibrillator was unveiled at a pharmacy in Monasterevin earlier this week following a joint effort by the local Order of Malta group, the local community and O'Rourke's Allcare Pharmacy.

Fundraising took place over a number of months with the pharmacy hosting a coffee morning, a CPR demonstration in store facilitated by members of the Order of Malta as well as ongoing fundraising initiatives in the pharmacy during the summer.

The defibrillator will be linked to the National Ambulance Service and will be accessible to the public 24/7 by pin code issued by the ambulance service during an emergency.

The unveiling was well attended by community members as well as public representatives with Martin Heydon TD, Cllr Ivan Keatly and Cllr Mark Wall all in attendance.

Members of the public as well as a number of sixth year students from St. Paul's Secondary School in Monasterevin were given the opportunity to learn CPR on the morning. A number of demonstrations on how to use the defibrillator were also carried out by the Order of Malta.

Managing Pharmacist Elaine Clarke commented; “I would like to thank our customers and the Order of Malta for their help in raising the necessary funds to purchase this community accessible defibrillator. I hope that it will never have to be used but in the event that a defibrillator is required, I hope that this life saving piece of equipment will be of help in such a situation."