Crossmaglen’s first female firefighter praised at Stormont

Newry & Armagh MLA, Aoife Finnegan, wished Megan Walsh well in her new role during a statement at Stormont.

Ms Finnegan said: “Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a ghlacadh le comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le Megan Walsh arb í an chéad bhean dóiteáin í i gCrois Mhic Lionnáin. [Translation: I take this opportunity to congratulate Megan Walsh, the first female firefighter in Crossmaglen.]

“Megan is a young woman from my constituency of South Armagh who already motivates us daily through her work in the Crossmaglen Community Association and her efforts to try to build a better future for her local area through community development.

“Now, she is bravely following in her father's footsteps by becoming a firefighter, the first female in Crossmaglen to do so, taking her inspirational work and achievements to new heights.

“Megan epitomises the strength, determination and leadership that women bring to our communities. She has broken new ground in overcoming barriers in pursuit of her goals. In doing so, she has become a powerful role model for others. What makes that achievement even more selfless is the risk and danger that it poses.

“I wish Megan a long, safe and fulfilling career.”

Ms Finnegan spoke of the increasing number of wildfires recently and pointed out that the public was being braced for more

She said it was “beyond shameful that some of those fires have been started deliberately”, adding that the fires are damaging the environment and putting lives at risk.

“That is having a serious impact on rural communities as people are having to evacuate their homes due to the danger,” the MLA continued.

“The emergency services, especially the Fire and Rescue Service, have to be commended for the work that they have put in, which has kept people safe and helped to minimise damage.

“Such incidents will, unfortunately, continue, if not increase in number, with the impact of global warming as record-breaking temperatures continue. The dangerous impacts of extreme weather do not recognise borders, and the best way to deal with the climate crisis is on an all-island basis. Climate change merits an all-island strategy to meet the significant challenge that it poses and deal with the impact that it will have on this island.”