FIREMAN RETIRES AFTER 26 YEARS

Leinster Leader 24 June 2005
Fireman retires after 26 years

Naas Fire Brigade will this week bid farewell to one of its most active and long-serving members with the retirement of Thomas Doyle Jnr., writes Sylvia Pownall.
Tommy joined Naas Fire Brigade in 1979 alongside his father Thomas and his brother Anthony, who is now Chief Fire officer at the Naas station. He has dedicated more than two decades to a family tradition – his grandfather before him was also a member of Naas Fire Brigade, making him a third generation fire fighter. Tommy was appointed sub-officer in June 1986. Some of the biggest fires he fought were at Merrins Tyre Centre; Morristown House where the Irish RM was set; and, more recently, the Red House at Newhall.
In 2000 Tommy received his 21-year medal of service and the following year saw the team move from their temporary home at the Water Tower as Naas got its long-awaited state-of-the-art station. “The fire service has come a long way since my grandfather’s time when all he had was a handcart,” recalled Tommy. “But thankfully, I have seen the fire service grow to be an up-to-date and highly efficient service.”
The Naas station is recognised as one of the most modern in Ireland and fire fighters from the UK regularly travel over for training in procedures and equipment. Tommy will continue in his role as caretaker for Naas town Council, but looks forward to the extra time off to pursue his hobbies, which include golf.

[Tommy Doyle died on 2 January 2009, aged forty-eight.]

A Leinster Leader article by Sylvia Pownall on the retirement of Naas fire-fighter Tommy Doyle