by Louise Doyle
THE Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has said it is “deeply concerned” by reports suggesting its crews could not assist in the Creeslough explosion because they did not have the necessary visas to cross the border.
The NIAS released a statement yesterday evening following reports of comments made at the British-Parliamentary Assembly meeting that some ambulances from Northern Ireland could not assist during the explosion at Applegreen Service Station on October 7 last year because not all of the paramedics had the necessary visas to cross the border.
Ten people were killed in the explosion.
The NIAS said they wished to put on record that this was not the case for its crews.
A spokesperson said: “We wish to put on record that the NIAS response to Creeslough was not affected in any way due to border or visa issues. No NIAS staff were prevented in crossing the border for any reason and we are deeply concerned at any reports suggesting this, as such comments will be deeply upsetting to the victims and families who were and still are affected by this tragedy.”
Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the Oireachtas last evening, a spokesperson moved to clarify comments made.
“The report reflected claims made to the Assembly’s Committee on Sovereign Matters by individuals familiar with challenges in cross-border working. As an example of the challenges of the current situation, an anecdote given to the Committee in oral and in written evidence, relating to the attendance of paramedics at the Creeslough explosion in October 2022.
“The Committee was told that there had been an instance where paramedics had not been able to attend the site of the Creeslough tragedy as a result of not having an Irish work visa.
“In presenting the Committee’s report to the Assembly on 24 October 2023, and in her subsequent interviews, Senator Emer Currie has reflected the content of the Committee’s report. The Committee in turn drew on the evidence available to Committee members.
“The Assembly wishes to place on record its sincere thanks and appreciation to members of all the ambulance services and other emergency services which attended the Creeslough tragedy. The Assembly appreciates the professionalism and dedication to duty of these services and their commitment to providing the swiftest possible response and the best possible care to all who require their assistance.”
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