Roscommon protest to take place in support of suspended firefighters

A protest is taking place in Co Roscommon today in solidarity with 28 firefighters who have been stood down by the council.

The part-time firefighters were suspended from their duties in the past two weeks in a row over the introduction of new training procedures for the use of breathing apparatus.

General secretary of the Irish Fire and Emergency Services Association John Kidd said the group's Roscommon members had concerns about how the training was being carried out.

He said those who were delivering the course were not firefighters themselves so "they never actually entered a (burning) building".

"The people who instruct you have to have operational experience," he added.

Today's protest takes place at 1.30pm in Roscommon town.