Air Corps Memorial to be replaced

Sully

Forgot to post about this article in the news & star last week. Basically, the memorial out in Tramore for the Air Corps is falling to pieces and rusting. So, its planned to replace it. Personally, I think the design is fine - they just need to replace the material.

Friday October 12, 2007

Crumbling memorial to Air Corps crash victims to be replaced

THE six-metre high sculpture erected on the Promenade in Tramore, as a memorial to the four airmen who lost their lives when their Air Corps rescue helicopter crash landed in the sand dunes, on July 2, 1999, is to be replaced.

The metal used in the sculpture, which was unveiled by President Mary McAleese in September, 2000 was not of the required standard and some two years ago the rotars fell off as a result of serious corrosion.

Now, the original designer, local man, John O’Connor is understood to be anxious to re-create the monument.

A spokesman for Waterford Co. Council was unable to state, however, where exactly the funding would come from.

Capt. Dave O’Flaherty (30), from Tullamore, Capt. Mick Baker (28), Enniscorthy, Sgt. Pat Mooney (34) of Stamullen, Co. Meath, and Cpl. Niall Byrne (24) Killiney, co. Dublin, died when on their way back to Waterford Airport in dense fog.

They were returning from their maiden rescue mission near Helvick Head when, due to poor visibility, they were unable to land at Water-ford airport and decided to try a coastal approach into Tramore Bay some 4 kilometres away. However, in seeking a safe place to touch down, the helicopter hit a 14m-high dune on the Backstrand and burst into flames, just yards from the haven of the beach.

It was the worst accident in the history of the Air Corps and one of the deficiencies identified by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) was the unsuitability of the short-range Dauphin for search and rescue on the Atlantic margin.

The sculpture unveiled back in 2000 by President McAleese was erected as a permanent reminder of the consummate heroism of the four men and their devotion to duty.

It was jointly funded by the people of Tramore and the Department of Defence who contributed £10,000.

It was designed by local artist John O’Connor and was loosely based on elements of the ill-fated helicopter.

Each of the crew members are represented by a rotar blade that sits on top of the sculpture. All differ slightly from each other to reflect the individuality of the men.

The base of the sculpture bears the name and age of the four men and the main inscription gives an account of the accident alongside the crew’s main crest.

Back in 2000 the local fundraising was spearheaded by the then chairman of Tramore Town Commissioners, Michael Flynn along with Tina and Martin Murphy.

Meanwhile, at a meeting of Tramore Town Council, last week, a letter was received from a member of the public who expressed concern over the inappropriateness of children and dogs desecrating the monument.

It was suggested that a railing be put around it to prevent that from happening in the future but members of the Town Council were reminded that the family of the dead airmen had wished the monument and sculpture to be kept open.

looksee

We have short memories if a memorial only lasts 5 years before it starts to disinitigrate. Maybe it was an ironic comment about the suitability of the helicopter for the job.

Whatever about looking to be paid to have another go, it seems to
me that the 10,000 originally paid for it should cover getting it remade to last a bit longer.

Sully

The design is picked and should stay the same. The materials at fault, so that needs to be addressed.

You would think that those planning this in the past would have had the cop to pick material suitable.

wellboy1976

Has no-one in this county other than Radley Engineering in Dungarvan ever heard of Stainless Steel, they built the spire for Gods sake!

People need to remember that it is a memorial. It's not a place to sit on & eat your chips!