Over €8,000 is raised for firefighter Adrian’s family
By Aideen O'Flaherty
OVER €8,000 has been raised for the family of a firefighter who has been described by his colleagues as “inspirational” and “a real-life hero”.
Adrian O’Grady, who was a popular firefighter and station officer for Tallaght Fire Station, died suddenly last October, after 24 years of service to Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB), at the age of 47.
The late firefighter Adrian O’Grady
Adrian was also the coordinator of the Critical Incident Stress Management team, and was instrumental in introducing crisis intervention and counselling for his colleagues.
Michelle O’Toole, a firefighter and advanced paramedic with Dublin Fire Brigade, had worked with Adrian in DFB’s Critical Incident Stress Management team, and she set up a GoFundMe page last Sunday to raise funds for and support Adrian’s family.
“Initially, Adrian’s family were a little concerned about me setting up the fundraiser, because they’re a very private family,” explained Ms O’Toole, “but they know it’s in good faith and it’s to support them.
“In Dublin Fire Brigade, we always support each other in times of need, like Adrian supported us.
“He was inspirational, he was a real-life hero. He was always willing to help anybody.
“He set up a support system for firefighters who’ve seen traumatic incidents, and if some firefighters couldn’t afford counselling, Adrian would see them because he was trained in psychotherapy.
“He was well known throughout the emergency services.”
While Adrian was always on-hand to help his colleagues in the emergency services, it was always his family that was at the forefront of his mind, according to Ms O’Toole, and he was a devoted family man to his wife Helen and their three children, two of whom are teenagers and one is in the early 20s.
Adrian, who was a resident of Castle Riada in Lucan, made an impression on his colleagues in Dublin Fire Brigade, who were his “work family”, according to Ms O’Toole.
“We always say in Dublin Fire Brigade that we have a home family and a work family,” she explained.
Reflecting on what Adrian was like, Ms O’Toole said: “He was a big messer, he was full of fun and full of mischief.
“He was a really warm, caring, kind and compassionate person.
“I’m hoping that the fundraiser will give his family a bit of security. Adrian was always so good at helping people when they were in need, and we want to do the same for his family.
“We’re not looking to raise millions, just enough to help his family.”
At time of the going to print the GoFundMe page, which has a target of €35,000, has raised €8,680, and donations are being accepted at www.gofundme.com/f/friendsofaido.
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