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KILLARNEY GARDA STATION has become the first station in Ireland to fly the coveted Purple Flag.
The flag is international recognition of towns and cities that are safe and appealing to visitors after dark.
The flag was hoisted at the garda station during the week and it is hoped the town will retain the prestigious award this year.
The Purple Flag is the international gold standard for night-time management of the economy and a safe and friendly environment from 5pm to 5am.
“Like the Blue Flag for beaches, places that meet the standard can fly the flag,” said Paul O’Neill, chairperson of Killarney’s Purple Flag Committee.
“It recognises excellence in the management of the evening and night-time economy and a safe and friendly environment in which to live, socialise and work.”
Supt Flor Murphy said the award was a recognition of the commitment there was to safety and the sense of security in one of the country’s busiest tourist destinations.
Killarney achieved the award in 2014 and is now going for three in a row. “In 2016, Purple Flag assessors will again visit Killarney to conduct a full renewal assessment,” said Paul.
Killarney’s Purple Flag working group is led by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce which will be working with the Killarney Municipal District as well as the Gardaí and local businesses, groups and schools to ensure the accolade is retrained in Killarney. “It is vitally important that Killarney retains its Purple Flag because the symbol is becoming widely known in the tourism industry as a major international brand,” said Paul.
The award is presented by a team of international assessors. A record number of 10 cities and towns in the Republic of Ireland received the award last year.

Paul O'Neill, chairperson of Purple Flag Killarney Working Group, John Anthony O'Sullivan, Sergeant Ken O'Sullivan, Eileen O'Connor, Tim O'Donoghue, Assumpta Sweeney, David Fitzgerald and Sergeant Dermot O'Connell. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH