Miss Limerick campaign sees registered defibrillators in Limerick rise

A YOUNG woman's determination has resulted in a significant milestone for Limerick, with the number of registered Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) increasing from 27 to 131.

Leah Marie Sheehan, 24, who used her Miss Limerick and Miss Ireland journey to highlight the importance of defibrillator awareness, recently shared the achievement, after receiving confirmation from an HSE AED coordinator.

Announcing the news on Instagram, Leah wrote: “WE'VE GONE FROM 27 TO 131 REGISTERED AEDs IN LIMERICK!”

She added: “Today, I received an update directly from the HSE AED Coordinator confirming that we have reached 131 registered AEDs!

“That's 104 more registered defibrillators since I began this journey!”

For the Annacotty native, the campaign has always been about much more than a title or a crown.

When she decided to put herself forward for Miss Ireland, she saw an opportunity to use her platform to raise awareness of an issue that was particularly close to her heart.

Explaining her motivation, she said: “I wanted to use the platform to make a real, tangible difference, to take something I cared deeply about and turn it into something that could genuinely help people.”

Her passion for the cause stems from her own experience of trying to access a defibrillator, which made her realise just how important it is for these devices to be registered and easily located during an emergency.

“Following my own experience of trying to access a defibrillator, I became acutely aware of just how important it is for these devices to be registered and locatable in an emergency,” she shared.

The campaign has since gained momentum, with local businesses, sports clubs, community organisations helping to spread the message and encourage the registration of defibrillators.

Reflecting on how far the initiative has come, Leah admitted she never imagined it would grow to such an extent.

“I never imagined that this particular campaign would grow to mean so much, or that we would reach a milestone like this,” she wrote on her Instagram page.

The achievement has also attracted praise from fellow titleholders, with Miss Universe Ireland, Aideen Howard, commenting on Leah's Instagram post: "Wow Leah! You're incredible!!!!"

The increase from 27 to 131 registered devices represents a significant step forward in helping people identify where a defibrillator can be found in an emergency.

It also highlights the importance of ensuring existing devices are registered and their locations are accurately recorded.

Leah was quick to acknowledge the contribution of everyone who supported the campaign, thanking those who registered AEDs, shared her posts, contacted local businesses and helped spread awareness.

“Every conversation and every share has helped us move forward, and I am so proud of what Limerick is achieving together,” she said.

She also encouraged anyone aware of a defibrillator in their workplace, school, sports club, community centre or local business to check whether it is registered.

This achievement marks an important step forward for Limerick, but Leah hopes the momentum will continue.

While 131 registered defibrillators is a milestone worth celebrating, the hope is that this is only the beginning.