Calling For A Ceasefire

Firefighters Mark Atkins SAT5AUG23

he lack of engagement by local TDs Simon Harris and Stephen Donnelly in the Greystones firefighters long-running dispute over pay and recruitment suggests one thing.

This is one dispute that they’re not sure they can deliver any megaphone promises on.

If there was an easy solution to a protest that is now on Day 78, there’s every chance that Harris and Donnelly would have been on the picket line from day one. Standing firm with your local firefighters is a surefire vote winner, after all.

Not being able to deliver a happy resolution? Well, that’s a vote killer, and so those in government would appear to be steering clear of this particular popular uprising.

This afternoon, local councillors such as Mark Barry, Tom Fortune and Stephen Stokes were present, as was, of course, Sinn Féin TD, John Brady. All said a few words on the injustice of it all, and each speech was greeted with a cheer from the crowd, gathered here after an appeal for numbers by local firemen on social media yesterday.

A fire service is a must in every community, but it’s clear that the firefighters have good reasons to be striking. The retainer wage ranges from €8,000 to €12,000 a year – with payment for call-outs too – whilst firefighters must live no more than 2.5km from the fire station (to be there within 5 minutes of being alerted), and must be on call 24/7, except when on annual leave.

And then there’s the little matter of putting your life on the line every now and then.

As John McGowan got pics of the protest, we caught up with local firefighter Mark Atkins to find out more…

Full gallery of John McGowan pics from the day here.