Dunmanway Garda in Kos

A WEST CORK garda is one of two members of the Force on the Greek island of Kos this week, handing out food and clothes to Syrian refugess.

Garda Damien McCarthy, originally from Dunmanway, and a brother of Labour TD Michael, is with his colleague Ray Wims – both are stationed in Dublin.

Damien has travelled on a personal basis to help out. More than two thirds of the 500,000 refugees and migrants who have made the journey across the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year have arrived through Greece – with more than 21,000 smuggled in dinghies and small boats. 

‘Their situation remains perilous. All of our travel and costs for this mission will be funded by ourselves with support from our families,’ he said. Donations can be made via Bank of Ireland at 14 Laurence Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth. The name on the account is D McCarthy and R Wims.