Fireman’s heroism brings no reward

I WAS amazed at your report (November 12) that the widow of fireman Brian Murray, who died while fighting a factory fire in Bray, has claimed Wicklow County Council has refused to pay his final call-out fee of €40.

The reason given was that he did not complete his final shift. Brian Murray was burned to death while serving the public. It would appear his heroism has gone unrewarded and unappreciated by his employers.

It would appear also that this is a case of bureaucracy gone mad.

Surely the county council should have ensured Mr Murray’s widow, Mary, the mother of 15 children, was paid the meagre €40 promptly, with sincerity and goodwill.

Or perhaps the local authority is keeping its powder dry in the hope of coming up with some other technicality with which to avoid payment.

Pat McSweeney

Glenaulin

Rochestown Rise

Cork