The GAA is being thanked by the air ambulance service based in Athlone for making their pitches available as landing sites for helicopters.
The landing and take-off of the helicopters are the most dangerous times during the operation of the life saving service and pilot Captain Jason McDermott says it's a huge advantage to be able to use the sports pitches.
The air corps officer, who's a native of Roscommon says the service never uses a landing area lightly, whether it be a farm where animals need to be taken into account, or a sports pitch.
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Captain McDermott says that from a safety point of view, sports pitches are very much his preferred option for a number of reasons and they are very glad to be able to use them...
