Offaly volunteers honoured for over 50 years of service with Order of Malta

Dave King, a native of Killeen, Riverstown on the Offaly-Tipperary border, was recently honoured by the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps for his 50 years of service.

At the same event in the Hibernian Inn & Restaurant in Nenagh, Michael Moloney, who was involved in the Order of Malta's Unit in Birr in past years, was also honoured for 60 years of service.

Dave, who holds the rank of Lieutenant in the Ambulance Corps, was an active member of the Birr Unit until 1973, when he transferred to Nenagh. He worked in Nenagh Creamery until 1992 when he began to do temporary work with the National Ambulance Service. He became permanent with the Service as a paramedic three years later and only retired recently.

At the presentation of awards in the Hibernian on January 24 last, colleagues paid tribute to both Dave and Michael's service with Regional Director, Asst. Cmdr Tony O Mara, Assistant Regional Director Capt Carmel Peacock and current Officer-in-Charge of the Nenagh Unit, Lt Nora O`Loughlin also in attendance.