Search
06 Sept 2025
Search
06 Sept 2025
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
A County Derry councillor has called for support to be made available to ensure defibrillators in the local area are adequately serviced.
Sinn Féin councillor Córa Corry raised the issue at last week's Mid Ulster District Council meeting after a community group in her area had highlighted the problem.
“The group were unaware they had to pay for the replacement and upkeep of the life saving equipment after a defibrillator was used during a recent cardiac arrest,” she told the Council.
“The group were then contacted by the PSNI after the incident and informed they would need to replace the pad and battery pack and given the number of their service provider.
“When the community group contacted the service provider they were told they had to pay for the servicing and replacement of the pad and battery pack.
“This cost £120 each and three needed replaced. The group had previously been unaware of this.”
Cllr Corry said many of the groups who were trying to keep their local communities safe by having defibrillators available simply could not afford to replace the equipment.
“Numerous community groups have had defibrillators installed which have undoubtedly been a great asset and helped to save many lives, especially in rural areas,” she said.
“However many groups are unaware that they then have to pay to service and replace pads and batteries.
“These have different expiry dates of between 3 and 5 years according to the defibrillator database ‘the circuit’ and vary in price.
“These groups just don’t have the funds to do so. Others have been unaware and do not have money budgeted in or been given an opportunity to possibly fundraise for this.
“I brought the issue to council to ask that they look at the servicing of this vital lifesaving equipment to see what council can do to help.”
The Council agreed to draw up a paper for the Environment Committee to explore the issue in greater detail.
New self-catering units approved for Bellaghy Bawn
A worker pictured removing part of the box junction markings back in July. Photo: Damien Sweeney
Local councillor Denise Johnston says several people have contacted her regarding safety concerns
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
