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29 Apr
Cork city's Missing Persons Search and Recovery charity have had their "dream come true" with a new headquarters after years without a permanent base.
The crucial rescue service works tirelessly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, aiding in the search and recovery of missing persons across Cork city and nationwide, particularly with river search operations.
After 22 years, the voluntary organisation now has their own permanent spot to call home, after the Port of Cork Company handed over a newly refurbished headquarters building along the quays on Friday.
Now the search and rescue volunteers finally have a place to shower and debrief after operations, console families and store equipment after The Port of Cork Company handed over the keys to the refurbished premises.
Treasurer and Search Coordinator Chris O'Donovan was handed the keys of the new base on Friday, saying “This is the biggest day in our 22 year history by a long, long way - it’s life changing for our operations,
“Having a base that is on the water and will be our long-term home will mean that our response time to rescues on the water will be so much quicker and we finally have somewhere we can store our equipment and park our emergency vehicles,
“Having this permanent premises will give us an appropriate space to sit with families to chat, console or even just have a cup of tea,” Chris continued,
“For us as a team, we now have somewhere we can shower after hours out and in the water and a place we can sit and have a debrief after an operation,
"We are forever indebted to the Port of Cork Company, to all those who have made this happen and of course to Minister Michael McGrath who has been an enormous support.”
Minister Michael McGrath TD made the initial request for the charity headquarters to the Port of Cork Company said the new base was a "wonderful step forward for Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery which has been looking for a base for a number of years."
Conor Mowlds, Chief Commercial Officer with Port of Cork Company added: “We were more than happy to refurbish and provide the free use of this premises to support the selfless work and dedication of the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery,
"This is just a small token of appreciation for the incredible work and support it has given to so many families down through the years.”