Fire service in Bray a ‘ticking timebomb’

THE fire service in Bray is a “ticking timebomb” following the deaths of two firefighters last year, a Dáil committee heard yesterday.

A delegation, led by the partners of firemen Mark O’Shaughnessy and Brian Murray, slammed Environment Minister John Gormley and junior minister with responsibility for the fire service Tony Killeen.

Mary Murray, wife of 46-year-old Brian, a father-of-15, said there was “no cover” in the Bray area if a serious incident occurred and that two more firefighters could die attending a blaze. Hazel O’Brien, girlfriend of 25-year-old Mr O’Shaughnessy, accused Mr Gormley of being “woefully out of touch”.