Detective Garda Colm Horkan remembered in National Services Day event 

Today marks the third annual National Services Day.

Town bells rang, sirens sounded and the Irish Air Corps performed a flyover of Dublin City Centre this afternoon to mark National Services Day.

Now in its third year of existence, the first Saturday in September is put aside to honour front line workers including first responders of all types. 

❤️⛑️Happy National Services Day ❤️⛑️

Make some noise to Support your Frontline Emergency and Voluntary Services.#louthchat pic.twitter.com/e4rPCr26x5

— Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue & Recovery Service (@boyne_rescue) September 5, 2020

 

In place of the annual parade, a private wreath-laying ceremony is due to take place at Collins Barracks in memory of service members who have lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Minister for Justice and Equality Helen McEntee, who is due to attend the ceremony later, said she is "delighted to have the opportunity to publically thank emergency service workers for the quiet heroism of their chosen career."

She said the Irish public owe frontline workers and their families "a deep debt of gratitude" for their support "despite any private fears they may have had for themselves or their loved ones."

Minister McEntee also honoured Detective Garda Colm Horkan who died in the line of duty earlier this year: "In his selfless commitment to community and country, Detective Horkan represented the very best of An Garda Síochána and indeed of all our frontline services. We remember and honour him today.”

Owen Medland, the RNLI's lifesaving manager for Ireland, said it's a time to remember the people lost at the frontlines: "They're in the forefront of our mind and we've got many people within our services who have been touched by their own loss or just witnessing."

Last night RTÉ's The Late Late Show honoured the emergency services with a flag display and opening music recorded by bands of the National Services. 

Dr Samar Fatima Ali paid tribute to her father Dr Syed Waqqar Ali who died after contracting Covid-19. 

Dr Samar Fatima Ali also appeared on the programme to recall the story of her father, Dr Syed Waqqar Ali, who died in the Mater Hospital after contracting Covid-19 at work.

"He was the perfect dad", she told Ryan Tubridy. Dr Ali, who qualified as a doctor while her father was ill, had always wanted to follow in her dad's footsteps: "I always dreamt of working alongside my father, he had always been my role model."

Dr. Syed tested positive while at work in the Mater Hospital and spent three months in ICU. "On the twentieth of July, I saw the readings on the machines and my face dropped. The doctors told us there's no chance of survival. We had no idea we were going to be burying him on his sixtieth birthday".

Minister McEntee is appealing to the public to remember the front line workers who have lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.