Over 600 Air Ambulance Service Missions Take Place in 2024

Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has highlighted the vital role played by the Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS), which delivered over 600 missions throughout 2024.

The Air Ambulance which is based in Rathcoole within the Cork North West constituency responds to a wide variety of critical incidents across Ireland.

Missions frequently involve significant trauma resulting from falls, road traffic collisions as well as medical emergencies.

The service provides rapid transport for patients of all ages, often to major trauma centres or specialist units in Dublin, such as Beaumont, Tallaght, and CHI Crumlin.

The geographical spread covers numerous counties, demonstrating the national reach of the service.

Figures released by the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris outlines that in total, 652 missions that took place last year – 2024.

Deputy O’Shea said: “I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the team in our air ambulance service, that make such a difference to communities across the country.

“These figures demonstrate crucial role that the air ambulance service plays in providing rapid medical response to critical situations, often in remote or hard-to-reach areas.

Deputy O’Shea added “This is a service that has saved lives and has been a gamechanger for both Rural and Urban Ireland.

“It’s a service that has ensured some of our sickest patients received emergency care at the most critical of periods. It’s a service too that is provided 365 days of the year – making such an incredible difference to so many families the length and breadth of our state.”