GP honoured for 50 year service to Meath Red Cross

Doctor Hayes was very involved in the Red Cross work when refugees from Northern Ireland came across the border seeking shelter from the Troubles

Meath GP, Dr James Hayes was honoured recently for his long and dedicated service as Medical Officer to Meath Red Cross over 50 years.

Dr Hayes who had his practice in Navan for many years retired as medical officer during the Covid pandemic and the Meath Red Cross held a presentation recently at Simonstown GAA centre to honour his service.

The event was attended by Dr Hayes and his wife, Jane as well as Dr Seamus McMenamin who is taking over as Medical Officer.

Meath Red Cross Chairman, Stephen O'Donoghue thanked Dr James for being so supportive of the Red Cross volunteers in their duties and training enriching them by giving lectures, organising lectures for them and inviting senior medical colleagues to talk on topics and scenarios to help in their line of duty.

Mr O'Donohue recalled Dr James was elected successor to the late Dr Dorgan in 1972 on the proposal of Mr Jim Kealy who was at the recent presentation

He said Dr Hayes was very involved in the Red Cross work when refugees from Northern Ireland came across the border seeking shelter from the troubles and were accommodated in Gormanston Army camp.

"Around that time, Dr James gave a lecture on drug abuse to personnel - imagine a lecture on drug abuse that long ago. In 1973 he examined a First Aid class of seven students of which he passed only two - a testament to the level required even at that time."

Mr O'Donoghue recalled the many talks and lectures Dr James organised for the Red Cross including Mr MV Sheehan Senior Surgeon at the Medical Missionaries of Mary’s Lourdes Hospital Drogheda to lecture on Motor Vehicle Accident’s and other trauma incidents of relevance to Red Cross volunteers

In 1974/75 Navan Red Cross in the person of Mr Hugh Hennelly and the Late Eamon Quinlivan embarked on teaching First/ Aid courses in Tara Mines, these courses would take up to three weeks at a time to complete in theory and practice, at the end of which Dr James would examine the candidates.

"He invited Professor Gerard Bury to deliver a lecture to personnel as part of the Advanced first / Aid and Ambulance Course.

"The year 1979 was a very demanding year on the personnel with the visit of Pope John Paul 11 on the 30th of September. Volunteers that were on duty at Killineer just outside Drogheda, had to travel to Knock for the Pope's visit to the shrine the following day. One can only imagine the rush and effort made by the volunteers, not to mention the quick snacks along the way.

"In 1981 Dr James invited a colleague, Dr Daly to give a lecture on the use and effects of oxygen. In that same year Navan Branch got a new ambulance. The following year 1982, James was to the forefront again this time he delivered a lecture on drugs.

"He was in the background, always keeping the volunteers up to speed, and wanting everyone to be as good as they could possibly be. It should also be noted at this stage that over the years a number of Meath Red Cross volunteers went on to become paramedics, nurses, doctors and specialists.

"1991 was another big year for Meath Red Cross with the staging of the first concert at Slane Castle, this was a major event for Meath and particularly the local Slane Branch as we had to provide first/ aid cover 24/7 for the erection of the stage which would take six weeks and the taking down of it after the concert was over.

"This would be a whole new exercise for Red Cross members and one for which they were ready and prepared. It was a great learning event for all concerned. On concert day, the Doctor while on a walk about with some personnel, came across girls that had been hyper ventilating. He pointed out the side effects of that condition, like their hands were in a claw shape and they could not open them fully. Dr James was concerned about their recovery. " I remember the evening before the concert James arrived to the site meeting at the Castle and checked that all the requisites required for First/ Aid personnel were on site and in place for the Concert the following day. He always made sure that members were looked after."

Mr O Donoghue thanked Dr James for his long and dedicated service to the Red Cross and wish him and his wife a long healthy and happy retirement with all their loved ones. He also welcomed Dr Seamus as the new Medical Officer.

Dr Hayes, a native of Tipperary, was presented with a Tipperary clock by the Meath Area Treasurer, Hazel O'Donoghue, while Dr McMenamin was presented with an inscribed Tipperary pen.