Mayo pub's Re-Turn initiative a life-saver

A Mayo pub has turned the plastic bottles and cans Re-Turn scheme into a life-saver.

A new defibrillator is being installed for community use at Gilligan's Bar in Claremorris, paid for by returning bottles and cans from the pub.

Manager at Gilligan's Bar, Lorraine Dolan, explained how since July 9, it was decided to do something good for the local community with the Re-Turn scheme.

They saved up all cans such as Bulmers, Red Bull, West Coast Cooler and bottles such as 7Up and MiWadi, taking the haul to the local SuperValu every week.

All the money raised from the Re-Turn scheme is going towards buying a defibrillator for outside the pub, which can be used to save someone's life.

Having hit €1,000, an AED has been purchased and it will be installed outside the pub in the coming days for anyone in the community who requires medical attention.

And the life-saving initiative doesn't end there.

From now until September 2025 all bottles and cans recycled will go towards the local Claremorris 1st Responders group that works in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service and who are very often first on the scene giving life saving first aid to people involved in accidents or those that need medical attention in our local area, said Lorraine.

She paid tribute to the local community for supporting the project, including Warde's pub, the Lighthouse diner, SuperValu Claremorris, as well as members of the local community, who popped in with their cans or cash vouchers to contribute to the cause.