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29
Aug/Sept 2010 www.esb.ie/em 
ENERGY INTERNATIONAL
Retiree in greyhound sprint!
IT IS EXTREMELY difficult nowadays to come up with an original and entertaining way of rising money for charities. Retired Lanesboro Fitter, PJ Quinn, defied all the odds, literally, with his latest idea to raise much needed funds for the Longford Alzheimer's Association. PJ's idea gives a whole new meaning to the saying ‘The Old Dog for the Hard Road’!
PJ undertook a race with a difference when he bet his sprint speed against a young greyhound. The challenge, which took place on Friday July 23rd at the Longford Greyhound Stadium, was a first for both PJ and the greyhound.
PJ, chose the Longford Branch of the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland as his charity of choice and all funds raised on the night will go to this worthwhile cause.
In the sprint challenge the greyhound ran his sprint. PJ did not start at the same time, but rather waited until the dog's time was noted. 18 seconds. Then PJ started at the finish line and ran back along the track for that length of time (in this case 18 seconds). At the 18 second point PJ reached his starting place.
PJ is no stranger to racing having taken part in marathons in Dublin, London, Limerick, Galway and other locations throughout Ireland. He has also ran half-marathons throughout the country and has done a lot of road running.
Race Night for Séamus Dillon Trust
GENERATION OPERATIONS
A RACE NIGHT was held at Hannons Hotel in Roscommon recently to raise funds for Séamus Dillon, a self employed young man who was left completely and permanently paralysed from the neck down as a result of a single car traffic accident last August. Seamus had been the resident site Health and Safety Advisor on the old Shannonbridge site and had also worked on the Lanesboro and Bellacorick station sites.
The race night proved to be a very successful event and a total of € 34,760 was raised, which certainly exceeded expectations. There were also a number of raffles with some fantastic prizes on offer.
The money raised is now in a trust fund for Séamus and will be initially used to acquire a specialised mode of transport for his new wheelchair that he is expecting delivery of shortly. The funds will also cover the cost of computer equipment with voice recognition software. This will go in some way to help improve Séamus’ quality of life.
After spending four months in the Mater Hospital Spinal Unit and five months in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, Séamus is now living in a purposely adapted house in Manorhamiliton, Co Leitrim. He is dependent on 24/7 care.
On behalf of Séamus and the fundraising committee we would like to express sincere thanks to everybody, particularly ESB staff, current and retired, who contributed whether by buying horses, sponsoring races, giving donations or spending money at the event. It all added up to a very successful outcome.
A special word of thanks to John Scanlon, Manager Land Remediation & Demolition, ESB Energy International, who co-ordinated everything at ESB Head Office, to Sean ÓhÉigeartaigh, Dept of Justice and Law Reform, who helped us keep things running smoothly on the night.
The fundraising Committee had been set up by Nick Murphy (main organiser) and Eddie O’Reilly of Robinson & Birdsell staff, Catherine Bermingham of ESB O&M and Padraig Kenny of ESB Fisheries and ESB Retired Staff Camillus Ryan and Cormac Talbot, to organise the event.
Donations can still be made to the trust fund: The Seamus Dillon Trust, c/o Bank of Ireland, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim. A/C No: 48432830 Sort Code: 90 54 08
Shannonbridge Retired Staff Association Notes
FOLLOWING THE AGM of the ESB Shannonbridge Retired Staff Association the following were elected:
Chairman: Joseph Burke
Secretary: Padraic Hennelly
Treasurer: John Donnellan
Committee: Vincent Brooks, Oliver Coleman, John Deeley, Tony McTague and Mary Ryan.
The association's first social outing was held in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone. At present, the group are in the process of organising an overnight away and would like to hear from any retired member of staff from Shannonbridge who would like to join the association.
Please contact the Secretary for applications at Creagh, Ballinasloe, Co Galway.Tel: (M) 087 659 0288 or 090 964 2577.
Portal Launch
Energy International, page 28
End of an era for Lough Ree Power colleague
GENERATION OPERATIONS
After 44 years of dedicated service, Tony Hunt will be retiring from ESB in September. Tony has the unique privilege of having worked on all of the units in both the old sod peat Lanesboro station to the new CFB plant.
Pat O’Doherty, Executive Director Energy International, recently visited the plant and carried out a safety audit for the LRP overhaul, took time out to wish Tony well and to thank him for his service to the company. We wish Tony health and happiness in the years ahead.
Poolbeg retirements
CIARAN DOWLING, Mechanical Plant Specialist; Niall Glennon and Noel Byrne, Operations Team Members; Anthony Flynn, Operations Team Leader; Patrick McCarthy, Operations Team Member and Gerard Cooney, Assistant Shift Manager who have, between them, a accumulative service of over 230 years! All were members of staff at Poolbeg Generating Station and in fact Ciaran was one of the longest serving members there. The colleagues recently retired and tributes were paid to all six for their dedicated and loyal service over many years. We wish them well for the years ahead.
(l-r): Ciaran Dowling, Mechanical Plant Specialist; Niall Glennon, Operation Team Member; Noel Byrne, Operation Team Member; Anthony Flynn, Operation Team Leader; Patrick McCarthy, Operation Team Member and Gerard Cooney, Assistant Shift Manager.
