‘A fantastic day’ as new €3.5M fire station opens in Ballybay

“A fantastic day for Ballybay,” was how Dermot Brannigan, Chief Fire Officer with Monaghan Fire and Civil Protection, described it. He was speaking to the Celt following Friday morning’s opening of the town’s new €3.4M fire station on the Cootehill-Shercock Road by Minister for Local Government James Browne.

In performing his official duties, Minister Browne acknowledged the “hard work” of the local authority and all of the firefighters.

“It’s not just about saying thank you to them and their families - it’s about ensuring that they have the best facilities available. Ballybay is an example of us backing our firefighters who put their lives at risk every single day.”

Among the state-of-the-art facilities at the new two-bay station is a breathing apparatus compressor that allows firefighters to refill their own oxygen tanks, a training and lecture room, drill yard with a tower and a confined-space training rig, a decontamination area, as well as kitchen and shower facilities.

A Scania P320 fire tender also features a compressed air foam (CAF) system designed to enhance firefighting capabilities: “We carry 1800 litres of water, but with the new CAF system, we can multiply that by three. It’s a state-of-the-art machine for a state-of-the-art station,” Niall Quinn, Ballybay Fire Station Officer explained.

The only thing the fire station doesn’t have is a pole: “There’s no pole, we’re not allowed a pole,” the Ballybay Station Officer explained, citing health and safety regulations.

Poles were a feature in older stations because firemen used to sleep at the station in case a call came in. Now, instead, they live close to the station: “We’re on the road in about four-and-a-half minutes,” Niall confirmed.

There are currently 12 retained firefighters attached to Ballybay Fire Station, two working crews of six, but in case of a major emergency, everyone turns up for the call.

The Station Officer has been a firefighter for 26 years. Incidentally, a number of long service awards were presented by Minister Browne at the ceremony. The county is constantly looking for new firefighters, as some are approaching retirement.

Niall became a firefighter because he was inspired as a child by locals Jim O’Hanlon, Station Officer and his neighbours Mickey Gilmour, Cathal O’Brien and Seán Owens, who he would watch as they “ran out of their houses, pager rasping, jump into the cars and head for the station”.

Ballybay Fire Station’s central location means that it responds to over 60 calls a year.

Dermot Brannigan, Chief Fire Officer in Monaghan, described the Ballybay crew as “the workhorse” of the service.

“Ballybay is critical for us to achieve our area risk categorisation for the county. Its central location enables it to respond to Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Monaghan and Clones as their second appliance, when required. It’s also vital to the west of the county, as it enables quick access onto the R162 towards Latton.”

Cathaoirleach of Monaghan Co Council PJ O’Hanlon noted: “Not only do firefighters save lives, but they also put their own lives in jeopardy. We take that for granted. Thank you very much for keeping everyone safe in Co Monaghan.”

Ballybay-Clones Municipal District Cathaoirleach Sinead Flynn said: “How well we resource local emergency services is now more important than ever. This station ensures Ballybay is ready, not just for today, but for the challenges that we face ahead.”

Chief Executive of Monaghan Co Council Robert Burns acknowledged the contribution of local authority staff in bringing the multi-million euro project to fruition, also praising Van Dijk Architects and contractor PJ Treacy. He noted that every major town in Co Monaghan now has a modern fire station.

“It is right and proper that we provide the buildings, facilities, equipment and training that match the courage, professionalism and commitment of our fire service in protecting our community,” Mr Burns said.

Paul Flynn, former principal of the local vocational school, was also at the event. He became a retained firefighter in the 1970s: “I signed up in 1970 after a fire in the town. There was no tender or station. Seamus Greenan was Assistant Fire Officer at the time and he took us under his wing. John (Gilmour) and I are the only two remaining from that time. I have good memories of the camaraderie.”

There were sad times too, Paul recalled, three local people lost their lives in fires during the 70s and 80s - two people in a chipper fire in Ballybay and one woman in a farmhouse fire. “Hay fires were the main calls and car accidents,” he added.

John Gilmour, who was Ballybay Sub-Station Officer, said: “It entailed very little, just telling him (Paul) what to do! I enjoyed my time, but there were some very sad and difficult times too.”

Retained firefighters also have day jobs and John was a porter in Bank of Ireland’s Ballybay branch for 43 years.

Siobhan McKenna is the Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer with Monaghan Fire and Civil Protection. She has been in the service for 12 years.

Having attained relevant qualifications, she found herself in a typically male role.

“In Monaghan, we didn’t have any other female firefighters or senior officers up until last year. We now have two female firefighters, one in Castleblayney and one in Carrickmacross. I am delighted that they’ve come on board.”

Siobhan said that people shouldn’t be put off joining the fire service if they are not physically strong, because there is a role for everyone. The calls they respond to often require empathy. “Nationally, there is a push to make the fire service more diverse. We hope that more females will apply in the future, it brings a different dynamic and huge benefit to the fire service.”

In relation to the State’s landmark €328.5M Fire Services Capital Programme (2026–2030), Mr Brannigan highlighted how Monaghan is to benefit.

“Almost €10 million of that will be spent in Co Monaghan. The bulk of that is related to the Learning and Development Centre that is planned for Monaghan (Town), adjacent to the existing fire station site. Monaghan will be recognised as a regional centre of excellence in terms of fire service operational training.”

Money will also be invested in high capacity pumps in Monaghan to help serve the Border corridor during flooding events.