The Lough Derg RNLI gave their thanks to volunteer Catherine Gleeson, retiring after five years of service as Deputy Launching Authority.
Following their February monthly meeting, volunteers at Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Station held a party for Catherine to mark her departure.
Catherine, a lawyer by profession, said that she was sad to be leaving. She said it had been a, “great honour to volunteer at the Station for the past five years”.
She said she was “in awe of the dedication of the crew” and has “enormous respect for your bravery out on a Shout”.
Catherine added that it was a, “unique privilege when on duty to monitor and log the radio communications between the crew, the Coast Guard and casualty vessels”.
Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) at Lough Derg RNLI said that both she and Catherine joined the lifeboat Operations Team at the same time.
Christine said she valued Catherine as a friend and fellow volunteer who offered sage advice as Christine took up the role of LOM at the station.
On behalf of the crew and Operations Team, helm Eleanor Hooker presented Catherine with the gift of an oil painting by Tipperary artist Áine Quinlan.
Eleanor thanked Catherine for all her hard work on behalf of the volunteers, her positivity and her brilliant sense of humour.
