Fianna Fáil’s general election candidate Alison Comyn teamed up with Cllr James Byrne recently after she heard that the battery for the defibrillator at Joe’s Takeaway in Yellowbatter had been stolen, and he was able to use his discretionary funds to pay for a replacement.

“I got a call from Jim Shields from East Meath Defibrillator Unit last week to say the battery had been stolen, leaving this life-saving equipment unusable,” said Comyn. “These units have been placed in central locations to save people in the community, so it’s hard to imagine why someone would vandalise them and jeopardise lives.”

The cost of replacing one of these batteries is almost €300, so when informed, local Cllr James Byrne covered the cost from his own council funds.

“I’m delighted to have been able to step in and cover the cost of the battery out of my discretionary fund,” said Cllr Byrne. “I’ve worked with Jim and the defibrillator group over the years installing these vital pieces of equipment in the community, and Alison and I are delighted to see this unit up and running again.”

Defibrillators are used to revive someone from sudden cardiac arrest before emergency services arrive.

Through her work as a local journalist, Alison said she was delighted to have highlighted the work of this voluntary organisation for many years.

“The East Meath Defibrillator Unit have placed these AED units right across the two counties, from Laytown Garda Station, through the town centre, and even out to the Naomh Mairtin GFC clubhouse, as well as training hundreds of people in how to save a life,” adds Comyn. “I urge people not to tamper with these, as you never know who might need it next; it could be a loved one of yours.”

Spokesman for the group Jamie Shields said they were very grateful for the replacement battery.

“We have to raise funds for each of these units and the batteries are expensive to replace,” he said. “It is good to have it back in use, and we are working on getting more for the town centre, so people are never too far from being able to save a life.”