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“It’s life-changing for Joe”

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7 years ago

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Killarney mother urges public to think organ donation after son’s life-changing kidney transplant

By Michelle Crean

A young Killarney man with Down Syndrome has had a new lease of life thanks to the gift of kidney last month.

21 year-old Joe Buckley from Faha, son of Noreen and Jack, the former President of Killarney Golf Club, suffered ill health and had to undergo regular kidney dialysis. However, thanks to the kindness of one family, who made the difficult decision to donate a loved one’s kidney, Joe is now back to full health and ready to get back to his regular activities.

Now his mother is speaking out ahead of next week’s Organ Donor Awareness Week, which takes place from March 30 to April 6, and is appealing to the public to ‘Give the Gift of Life’ by becoming an organ donor.

“Joe had his operation on February 12,” Noreen told the Killarney Advertiser yesterday (Thursday).

“It was life-changing straight away. The big thing is once you receive your kidney it’s life-changing. There’s a difference within 24 hours. The recovery is remarkable.”

She explained how Joe, who attends the Kerry Parents and Friends and is a member of the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, had suffered with kidney trouble since the age of 12 and had to undergo dialysis.

She said she received great support from her workplace in the Dept of Justice, especially from colleague Stephen Byrne.

“I’d like to praise the HSE for their dedication to the Kidney Association with regard transport to and from Joe’s dialysis and John Crean Taxis, Catherine and her team in KP&F and Dilly Little’s team in Dublin and all on Damian’s Ward in Beaumont Hospital.”

Organ Donor Cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association 01 6205306 or free text the word DONOR to 50050. Visit website www.ika.ie/card. You can also download a free ‘digital organ donor card’ APP to your phone.

 

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Killarney welcomes home Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin

Boxer Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin received a warm homecoming in Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar on College Street on Sunday evening following his victory in Dublin last weekend, where he was […]

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3 hours ago

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18 October 2025

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Boxer Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin received a warm homecoming in Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar on College Street on Sunday evening following his victory in Dublin last weekend, where he was crowned Irish Light Heavyweight Champion.

Mayor of Killarney Cllr Martin Grady was on hand to officially welcome the new champion home, congratulating him on what he described as “a proud moment for Killarney and for Kerry sport.”
Cronin, who is sponsored by Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar, claimed the vacant national title after a hard-fought ten-round battle against Cork’s Cathal Crowley at the National Stadium, Dublin, on Friday night last.
The Kerry fighter won by majority decision, with the judges scoring the contest 95-94, 97-93 and 95-95. The result capped off years of dedication and hard work for Cronin, who now holds an 11-3-1 professional record.
Speaking at the homecoming, Cronin thanked his supporters and sponsors for their backing throughout his career.
“It’s unbelievable to bring this title to Kerry,” he said. “The support from home means everything. This one’s for everyone who’s been with me from the start.”
Crowds packed into Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar to celebrate the achievement, with music, photos and plenty of local pride on display.

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Concerns over future of St Mary of the Angels

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for […]

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22 hours ago

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17 October 2025

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Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for children and adults with profound disabilities and special needs.

The campus, set on lands generously donated by the Doyle family, offers 30 acres of grounds, existing buildings, and services, making it a valuable asset for the provision of respite care in Kerry. TD Michael Cahill emphasized that the Doyle family’s wishes should be respected, and that the grounds should be made accessible immediately.
“The special needs community in Kerry has a major respite crisis and families don’t have time to wait. Families need help — they are not asking for full-time residential care but respite care, a break, a helping hand,” Deputy Cahill said.
He added that a bespoke approach is needed to meet the individual needs of children attending St Francis Special School. “Many of the children in the county with profound needs need a safe haven where they can roam the grounds freely, and St Mary of the Angels offers this.”
Deputy Cahill has accompanied several Ministers to the Beaufort campus to highlight its value to Disability Health Service providers. A working group has been formed including St John of Gods, the HSE, representatives of residents at St Mary of the Angels, and St Francis Special School, to explore options for maintaining and expanding respite services.
“Parents are worn out and at the end of their tether. This needs to be dealt with expeditiously, in an environment of cooperation between the relevant Government Departments of Health, Disability, and Education. We need to get this across the line urgently and put it permanently in place,” he said.
Deputy Cahill pointed to the current shortfall of respite services in Kerry. “As of now, Cunamh Iveragh respite in Cahersiveen is only open Friday to Sunday, running at half capacity — two adults per night instead of four. The issue is staffing, and the HSE will not release funding to open full-time. The Beaufort campus is available and should be utilised as parents are crying out for overnight respite. Cooperation and compassion could see this done quickly.”
TD Danny Healy Rae echoed these concerns during a Dáil speech this week. “We are still short of respite beds on the southern side of the constituency. Families caring for people with disabilities just want a break, but there is nowhere available locally. Places are being offered only in Tipperary or Meath for those needing new residential care. It makes no sense. St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort has 40 or 50 acres of grounds that could be expanded, with facilities already in place such as swimming pools. It could be developed as a model for the rest of the country.”
Both TDs are urging the Government and the HSE to take immediate action to utilise the Beaufort campus for respite care, in line with the intentions of the Doyle family and the needs of Kerry families.

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