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‘Incredible’ response to fundraising campaign for injured Killarney teen

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AN IMPRESSIVE €118,574 has been raised in support of a Killarney teenager seriously injured in a cycling accident and his family.

The Ian O’Connell Benefit Fund was organised by Spa GAA Club and numerous other sporting and voluntary organisations, including anglers and golfers, on both sides of the Kerry/Cork border, also became actively involved.

Ian, aged 16, of Pinewood Estate, Killarney, suffered damage to his neck and spine after falling from his bike in the Muckross area of Killarney National Park, on August 16 last. He is currently being treated in Dublin’s Mater Hospital.

The St Brendan’s College student is a juvenile footballer with Spa GAA club, a hurler with Dr Crokes and also plays with Killarney Celtic soccer club.

Chairman of the Spa fund-raising committee James Gleeson said "something amazing" had happened in recent weeks and the amount raised had surpassed all expectations.

"Starting out, we thought around €20,000 might be collected, but the way the campaign took off was incredible," he said.

"It showed the extraordinary level of respect for Ian and his family. It also showed how effective the GAA network is and the feeling of goodwill on both sides of the Blackwater. Many other organisations and schools also became involved. It was truly staggering."

Speaking at a function in the Spa club, Mr Gleeson thanked all who supported the fund and the media and also said there had been significant anonymous donations.

Most of the money was collected through a special lotto fundraiser by the Spa club. Funds have been transferred to a trust fund to be administered by three trustees on behalf of the club.

Ian’s father, Mike, a driver with Leane’s Tool Hire, Killarney, is a native of Boherbue, Co Cork, and Boherbue GAA club also organised a special lotto.

Thanking everybody for their support, Mike said Ian is in good form and is in regular contact with his peers.

Funds are continuing to come in and a bank account has been set up at AIB, Main Street, Killarney:
Account Name: Ian O'Connell Fund
Account Number: 64056025
Sort Code: 936332
BIC: AIBKIE2D
IBAN: IE24AIBK93633264056025
 


 
Above: Spa GAA Club secretary Deirdre O’Sullivan Darcy, chairman Gerard Mangan and fundraiser chairman Jim Gleeson present the Ian O’Connell Trust Fund cheque to Michael O’Connell in the clubhouse.

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Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s

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Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s


World renowned Paralympian and world record holder Jason Smyth paid a visit to St Brendan’s College on Wednesday afternoon as part of a high profile visit to Killarney.


The six time Paralympic gold medallist spoke to second year students from St Brendan’s College, alongside students from neighbouring schools St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School and Killarney Community College.
The interactive talk and interview took place ahead of World Sight Day, with the legendary sprinter sharing his personal journey with Stargardt disease, a genetic eye condition that left him legally blind at eight years old.
The Derry native, who holds the world record as the fastest Paralympian on earth over 100 metres, offered inspiring insights into overcoming physical adversity and achieving success at the highest level of world sport.
The school visit formed the opening leg of his Killarney schedule before he took centre stage later on Wednesday evening at The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa.
Smyth headlined An Evening with Paralympian Jason Smyth, an event organised by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce as part of its winter schedule, sponsored by AIB.

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Deerpark Retail Park placed on market for fifteen million euro

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Deerpark Retail Park in Killarney has officially been placed on the market with a guide price in excess of 15.4 million euro, excluding VAT.

International real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed as the sole sales agent to handle the high-profile commercial property sale on behalf of its current owner, Investcorp.

Investcorp, a global investment management firm headquartered in Bahrain, had previously acquired the prominent shopping complex.


The sale represents one of the largest commercial property offerings to launch in County Kerry this year.

Located roughly 1.3 kilometres west of Killarney town centre, the scheme enjoys strong regional connectivity and sits adjacent to independently owned operations including a Tesco Extra store, a Tesco petrol filling station, JYSK, and Aldi.


Constructed in 2006, the development extends across approximately 10,482 square metres, or 112,835 square feet.

The scheme comprises a mix of modern retail warehouse units and a complementary neighbourhood centre, offering 13 individual units in total with Part Open and Part Bulky Use planning permission.

The units range in size from 94.6 square metres up to 1,994.9 square metres. Visitors have access to approximately 248 customer parking spaces across the commercial grounds.

The park is currently 100 per cent occupied by a strong line-up of established national and international brands.

Key retail tenants include Marks & Spencer, Boots, DID Electrical, Maxi Zoo, and Mountain Warehouse.

The neighbourhood centre element accommodates service and convenience operators such as Costa Coffee, Card Factory, and Salon B.

The first-floor accommodation is fully let to Peak Performance Academy, which provides additional rental diversification.

Additionally, the scheme benefits from an agreement with Tesla to operate eight electric vehicle charging bays within the customer car park.


Commercial figures show that the property generates a total current rental income of 1,326,458 euro per annum, with a weighted average unexpired lease term of 4.45 years to break options and 6.46 years to lease expiry.

Cushman & Wakefield noted that the quoted guide price of 15.4 million euro reflects a net initial yield of 7.83 per cent, assuming standard purchaser costs of 9.96 per cent.

The selling agents highlighted that the fully occupied asset offers investors an attractive income profile alongside scope for additional income generation through parking commercialisation.

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