'This is going to save lives': Plan for 24/7 air ambulance in North Cork gets green light

A 24/7 air ambulance in North Cork is to go ahead after an objection against a planned runway expansion was dropped.

An application by Rathcoole Flying Club for a new hard-surfaced runway and taxiway — as well as ground lighting, and the demolition and replacement of a hangar — was granted permission by Cork County Council early last month.

However, a single objection was lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála at the end of June, and locals angered by that objection organised a community meeting for Friday evening next.

The objection was withdrawn on Monday, with the planned expansion to go ahead in the coming weeks.

The aerodrome in Rathcoole, outside Millstreet, is the base for the air ambulance, which has been operated by the HSE since 2023.

Currently, because there is no runway lighting, the aircraft cannot land at its base in hours of darkness.

New operations building

The expansion will include a new operations and paramedic building, the demolition of a helipad, and construction of a new helipad, “all associated with the HSE air ambulance”.

A new wastewater treatment system, the closure of an entrance onto the L-5215-0 road, and the opening of a new one on the same road are also planned.

Local councillor and Mayor of County Cork, Bernard Moynihan, said that he is looking forward to “turning the sod” for the project, after being involved in discussions over the weekend to ensure that the plans could go ahead.

Mr Moynihan said it is great news for Munster, and he pointed out that the air ambulance has served as far up the country as Clew Bay, off Co Mayo.

He added: “If they pick up somebody and had to take them to a Dublin hospital, until now they had to leave the helicopter in Dublin.

“They could not leave again until it was bright in the morning.

“But they will now be able to leave and land in Rathcoole no matter what time. It will be a 24/7 service now. It wasn’t before this. I believe this is going to save lives.”

The air ambulance was launched in 2019, through a community-funded model, by Irish Community Air Ambulance, before the State took over the service in 2023.

Community meeting

Locals had organised a community meeting to take place in Dromtarriffe on Friday night, but that meeting has now been called off.

A group set up to fight for the expansion of the site at Rathcoole felt that the inability of the crew and helicopter to return to its base after dark reduced its service availability “and potentially impacts those who may require emergency air-ambulance support”.

The new lighting will not be used to facilitate night-time take-offs, and will be used solely to allow landings.

Some 26 conditions were attached to the permission granted by Cork County Council.

Among these is that “the total number of aircraft movements at the site shall not exceed 4,499 movements in any calendar year”.