CRITICAL, the emergency medical response charity, has been shortlisted in three categories at the inaugural Ireland Blue Light Awards 2026. The awards honour members of the emergency services across the country.
The Limerick-headquartered charity’s mission is to save lives through its growing network of volunteer emergency medical responders. It has more than 300 responders active across Ireland who are alerted to life-threatening emergencies by the National Ambulance Service.
CRITICAL has been named as a finalist in the Blue Light Voluntary Service of the Year category. Two of the charity’s volunteers have also been shortlisted for awards – Dr Gerry Lane is a finalist in the Most Influential Blue Light Person of the Year, and Dr Jack Collins has been shortlisted for Blue Light Unsung Hero.
Dr Lane is a retired Emergency Medicine Consultant with nearly 40 years of experience in emergency care. Dr Collins is a Consultant Anaesthesiologist. They are both based in Donegal and have emergency response vehicles with specialist medical equipment provided by CRITICAL. They are alerted to the sickest and most seriously injured patients and have responded to more than 100 emergencies during the first six months of this year.
David Tighe, CEO of CRITICAL charity, said:
“We are honoured to be shortlisted in the inaugural Ireland Blue Light Awards. This is a tribute to all of our volunteers right across the country who give their time and expertise, helping people at some of the worst moments of their lives. Often they’re leaving their homes in the middle of the night or after a long day at work to attend a life-threatening emergency in their local area. We are extremely proud of our volunteers and the impact they make in their communities every day. To be recognised in three categories, including individual nominations for Dr Gerry Lane and Dr Jack Collins, is a testament to all of our volunteers’ hard work and dedication.”
The Ireland Blue Light Awards are open to members of An Garda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service, Fire Services, the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI, Mountain Rescue, Defence Forces and other emergency response or frontline organisations, both voluntary and statutory. The awards honour excellence, innovation and service across a range of categories.
The winners will be revealed at a gala ceremony at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin, on Saturday, August 15th.
CRITICAL’s volunteers include doctors and consultants equipped with emergency response vehicles and high-tech equipment; Community First Responder (CFR) groups; as well as off-duty paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).