31 July 2019
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Dinny Kiely, one of ‘Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery’s’ longest-serving volunteers, has been named Cork Person of the Month for July, acknowledging his volunteering efforts and commitment to the organisation.
Cork City Missing Person Search and Recovery is a not-for-profit, voluntary charity which conducts searches of land and water for missing persons. They work in cooperation with Gardaí, the Coast Guard and family members. Founded 18 years ago, the organisation offers a free search and rescue service to the people of Cork. They can be contacted through their website www.missing.ie, their Facebook page or the National Missing Persons helpline. Donations from the public have enabled Cork City Missing Person Search and Recovery to invest in high-tech equipment and underwater communication diving equipment allowing for more extensive, safer searches. Qualified search and recovery divers also volunteer their services.
Dinny Kiely has been volunteering with the organisation for 17 of its 18 years, devoting himself to the search and recovery efforts on behalf of families of the missing. Having lost a family member himself, Dinny was motivated to volunteer his time so that people have support in searching for missing loved ones. In addition to his volunteering with Cork City Missing Person Search and Recovery, he provides safety boat cover for most of Corks major water-based events with his remaining free time.
Cork City Missing Person Search and Recovery has helped countless families in their darkest hour, which wouldn’t have been possible without the continuing commitment of volunteers like Dinny. Speaking on his recent success, Dinny said, “Cork City Missing Person Search and Recovery is a truly brilliant organisation, and I am very proud to be a part of it. We have helped so many families over the last 18 years, and continue to do so with the support and funding from the people of Cork, who we really can’t thank enough.”
Commenting on Dinny’s recent accolade, awards organiser Manus O’Callaghan said, “Dinny’s unwavering support of Cork City Missing Person Search and Recovery has been of huge benefit to the people of Cork throughout the years. His selfless commitment to volunteering his services has helped so many families through trying times, and providing safety boat cover has made Cork’s waters a safer place for all.”
Dinny Kiely’s name will go forward for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year 2019 at a gala awards lunch on the 17th January 2020 in Rochestown Park Hotel.
