Firefighter honoured on retirement by colleagues
By Mary Dennehy
A SPECIAL event was recently held in Tallaght Fire Station for Martin Molloy, who lined up with his colleagues for the last time after 27 years of service at the local station.
Martin spent 31 years as a firefighter, 27 of which were spent in Tallaght Fire Station where he held the most senior badge number up until his retirement.
Martin Molloy (front middle) with staff from Tallaght Fire Station
To mark Martin’s retirement, a special event was held in the station, during which the Knocklyon man was presented with a long-service award in the company of his family and colleagues, past and present.
Looking back over the years, Martin, who was part of B Watch, said: “I’ve seen huge changes in [Tallaght Fire Station’s catchment] area, it’s busier and bigger.
“The area is spreading out further and further, right out to Lucan, which is just huge.
“A second station out around the Lucan area would make a lot of sense.
“However, the opening of Tallaght Hospital had a huge impact, it was a big plus.
“We used to have to get people to St James’s or Our Lady’s in Crumlin with children.
“However, the one thing they should have done with Tallaght Hospital is put in a labour ward.”
Martin is now looking forward to some chill time, and, most importantly, a bit of fishing and golfing.
“I’ll really miss the lads, but we’ll continue to stay in touch,” he said.
“They are like a second family to me.
“We’ve been through the worst together and always stick together, and get through it.”
During the special event, Martin, who was known as Schillaci, was presented with a long-service award by 3rd Officer, John Keogh.
John Daly, the SO Officer at Tallaght Fire Station, told The Echo: “Martin has spent 27 years here at Tallaght, which is an achievement in itself.
“We’ll miss him around the station.
“He was a great senior man, who took a lot of the new recruits under his wing.
“It’s the end of an era.”
