The Athlone-based air ambulance service operated by the Defence Forces is said to be “on the brink of collapse” after years of warnings and staff shortages.
Senior personnel have reportedly taken on the roles of junior officers, as trained pilots and technicians are leaving the service for better paid jobs in the private sector.
Concerns about the future of the service have been raised by retired Brigadier General, Gerard Ahearne, who says the collapse will be inevitable unless something urgent is done to retain personnel.
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Speaking on the Joe Finnegan show, the retired officer says private contracts pursued by the state is part of the problem:
Take a listen here:
