Lough Ree RNLI mourns the passing of Tony McCarth
The death of Tony McCarth yesterday (Tuesday 24 June) was met with great sadness among the volunteer crew at Lough Ree RNLI. The flag of the charity flies at half-mast over the lifeboat station at Coosan Point as a mark of respect to a kind colleague, a great leader and a wonderful friend.
Tony first became a volunteer crew member with Lough Ree RNLI in 2014. Eager to support lifesaving and the community effort on the lake, he progressed through several roles before taking on the volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager post in 2017. During his tenure in this role he led the transition from the temporary structures to the wonderful boathouse at Coosan Point which was officially opened in June 2022. He was really proud to deliver the scripture reading in Irish at the opening ceremony.
While the delivery of the new boathouse and the achievement of raising more than €100k in a local community contribution was a fantastic achievement, Tony’s greatest asset was his people skills. He loved a good story, was a great listener and was interested in everyone he met. There is not a single member of the crew, past or present, at Lough Ree RNLI who has not at some time been encouraged and supported in their volunteer role by Tony McCarth.
In 2023, the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year, he was awarded the ‘Excellence in Volunteering Award’ to mark his generous contribution as a volunteer to saving lives on Lough Ree and the river Shannon.
Reflecting on Tony McCarth’s wonderful service to the local community through the RNLI, Lough Ree RNLI founding member and Launch Authority Damien Delaney said: ‘Tony McCarth made an incredible contribution to Lough Ree RNLI and for more than a decade he made a positive contribution to saving and preserving lives on our waters and was a beacon for all volunteers who followed in his footsteps.’
The volunteer crew at Lough Ree RNLI, volunteers around the country and the staff of the charity offer sincere condolences to Tony’s wife Kathleen, his daughter Ciara and his wider family on their loss.
Ends
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Tom McGuire, Lough Ree RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0872470245 or email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon, Regional Communications Manager on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Communications Lead on 0871254124 or [email protected]
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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