The Air Ambulance carried out over 300 emergency missions last year, with the highest number in Mayo, followed by Galway and Roscommon.

The Athlone-based air ambulance service, formally known as the Emergency Aeromedical Service, is based at Custume Barracks in Athlone, and involves Air Corps personnel supporting the HSE in providing a medical service for seriously ill patients, often in rural communities.

The air ambulance carried out 49 missions in Co Mayo in 2018, 36 in Galway and 30 in Roscommon.

Mayo-based FG Senator Michelle Mulherin has paid tribute to the Air Corps staff involved in the service....