COLLEAGUES OF AMBULANCE paramedic David Fitzgerald found themselves having to care for him after he was injured in a collision on the way to work last week.
Sadly, the leading paramedic and father of three passed away and his untimely death was marked with a guard of honour at his funeral.
Brian Cleary of Emergency Times explained that Fitzgerald, who was in his early 30s, died while on the way to work in Portlaoise. The incident occurred on the Ballyfin road in Mountrath.
At his funeral, the National Ambulance Pipe and Drum Band performed, while over 50 ambulance personnel provided a guard of honour for their colleague.
He was described as a “very popular member” of the ambulance paramedic team, with members of the emergency services from around the country turning out to pay their respects.
His colleagues who dealt with him after the acccident lead the hearse as it made its way to the church.
“Some of them would work in an area that’s not close to their own home,” said a colleague.
In a way they don’t expect to come up on someone they would be familiar with.
The turn-out also “shows the strength that is there between emergency services,” said the colleague.
Originally from Swords in Co Dublin, David Fitzgerald was married with three young children, and had been in the ambulance service for over a decade.
All photos: Les Kelly /EmergencyTimes.ie
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