Irish Sun helps brighten up frontline heroes day as they battle against Covid-19

IRELAND’S frontline heroes got a huge ‘thank you’ from The Irish Sun this week, for their incredible work keeping the country safe and well.

The news brand paid tribute to an army of unsung champs including brave HSE staff, as well as gardai, shop workers, An Post staff, contact tracers, pharmacists, bus drivers and everyone else who is doing their bit during the toughest challenge the country has faced in decades.

Irish Sun Editor Kieran McDaid said about our frontline heroes edition: “The fight against Covid-19 has prompted an incredible national effort and it’s nice to get a chance to shine a light on those who have found themselves on the frontline.

“Nurses, doctors, Gardaí and the Defence Forces are battling to save lives, while shop workers, bus and delivery drivers, pharmacists, postal staff, cleaners, food producers and many more are working tirelessly to keep us going during lockdown.

“We appreciate their efforts and just hope our support can give them a boost.

Some of those who got a shout out in The Irish Sun this week were the staff working at The Coombe Women’s Hospital in Dublin who are pulling out all the stops to protect new mums and babies from the killer virus.

They’ve recently introduced two separate pathways for mums entering the hospital, so that those who may have been exposed to the virus are kept away from those who have not.

Like anyone, midwives are equally exposed to the risks of Covid-19 on a daily basis, but they’re consistently holding the line to make sure newborn babies and their mums are shielded from the pandemic.

Staff members from The Coombe, Brid Mangan, Kathy Cleere, Paudie Boyle, Renne Dilworth, Paudie Boyle, Triona Cowman, Andrew Mulhall, Dominic Fitzgerald and Antoinette Fletcher were thrilled to feature in The Irish Sun’s frontline heroes special edition.

A spokesperson for The Coombe hospital said: “From top to bottom, everyone in the Coombe team is very proud to have been part of The Irish Sun’s tribute to those working to keep everyone safe during COVID -19.”

We also paid tribute to members of the Defence Forces and frontline gardai who are not only working endlessly to keep Ireland safe, but are also providing vital community support by carrying out a meals on wheels service to vulnerable pensioners and collecting prescriptions.

Gardai are also undertaking well-being checks on vulnerable and elderly members of the community to ensure that they are doing well.

It’s a fantastic service that is reflected in all parts of the country.

Sup Joe Gannon, Sgt John Blacoe, Insp John Finucane and Garda Damien McCarthy in Pearse Street Garda station, Dublin, were also delighted to get recognition for their efforts in our special edition.

Supt Joe Gannon welcomed the “positive feedback” from the community to the role of the emergency services during the crisis.

The senior officer said: “These are extraordinary and challenging times and it’s good to see the Garda organisation extending its role into the social and caring dynamic of people’s lives, particularly those who are vulnerable and isolated.
“It’s wonderful to see key and essential workers continuing to work in the background and it’s good to see them getting the recognition they deserve.

“I’ve also no doubt the public at large appreciate the work being done by the essential services at this difficult time. The feedback to their work has been extremely positive.

“As people continue to adhere to the professional advice of the HSE guidelines and Government policy, we can greatly minimise the damage of this virus by a consolidated national effort.”

As the emergency continues, gardai also vowed to continue to provide support to people across the country.

There are thousands of essential workers across Ireland stepping up and risking their lives to make sure the rest of us stay out of harm’s way.

These everyday heroes are not nameless faces, they are our mums, dads, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, neighbours and friends.