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“Keep speed vans away from our graveyards”

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Speed detection vans are still setting up outside graveyards in Kerry when funerals are taking place - despite a request by councillors that the practice should cease.
Fianna Fail Councillor John Francis Flynn, who raised the issue at a meeting of the South & West Municipal District on Friday, said Gardai and the Council are blaming each other about it - but meanwhile, it is still happening.
Councillor Flynn had previously raised the matter of GoSafe vans outside graveyards when funerals were taking place at a meeting of Kerry County Council.
"The Council is blaming the Gardai and the Gardai are blaming the Council - but the speed vans are still outside the graveyard," Cllr Flynn said.
He said he was aware of this happening at Kilnanare Graveyard, on the R561 between Firies and Castlemaine, and at Ballyheigue in North Kerry.
The Council had written to An Garda Siochana, at the request of Councillors, informing them about the issue and requesting that the GoSafe vans locate elsewhere.
An email sent to Kerry County Council in response on February 26, from Inspector Anthony Sugrue stated: "I have requested that new locations be identified and risk accessed to check suitability, regarding Castlemaine."
Councillor Flynn said he'd received complaints and had witnessed it for himself - and on one occasion the GoSafe van was blocking the cemetery gates, he said.
"It's desperate disrespectful that the speed vans would be outside a graveyard with people trying to get in to the graves of their loved ones," he said.
"People are afraid if they park behind it they'll get a parking ticket and they're being prevented from visiting the graveyard because of total ignorance," he added.
Councillor Flynn noted the graveyards are Council-owned property and bye-laws should be introduced if necessary.
He had previously been informed by the Council that An Garda Siochana determine the locations of the vans.
"If a speed van pulled up outside my driveway, I'd be perfectly entitled to move it on - so I don't see why they can't do the same," he said.

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Minister Niall Collins visits KCYS Youth Diversion Project

Kerry Community Youth Service (KCYS) was pleased to welcome Minister Niall Collins to its Youth Diversion Project in Kilarney last week. The visit gave the Minister an opportunity to meet […]

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Kerry Community Youth Service (KCYS) was pleased to welcome Minister Niall Collins to its Youth Diversion Project in Kilarney last week.

The visit gave the Minister an opportunity to meet staff and hear directly about the work of the Kerry Youth Diversion Project, including early intervention, family support, court accompaniment and wider youth justice practice across the county.
KCYS supports young people across a broad continuum of services in Kerry, from preventative and developmental youth work through to highly targeted interventions for young people and families facing significant challenge and complexity. The Youth Diversion Project forms an important part of that wider continuum of support.
Speaking following the visit, Seamus Whitty, CEO of KCYS, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Minister Collins to Kerry and to have the opportunity to give him a sense of the breadth and depth of the work being carried by the Youth Diversion Project here.
The Youth Diversion Project in Kerry is a strong and well-developed intervention, grounded in practice, informed by evidence, and marked by innovation in how it supports young people and families. It is part of a broader continuum of supports provided by KCYS, and it depends on strong collaboration across teams, services and community partners to make a real difference in people’s lives.
It is also important to acknowledge the Department’s continued commitment to youth justice. The policy direction in this area has been a progressive one, and that has created space for work of this kind to develop and respond to need in a meaningful way.”
The visit highlighted the scale and complexity of the work being carried by the KCYS team, and the importance of sustained investment in youth work responses for young people and families.

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Cllr O’Callaghan highlights deep-rooted bond between town and rally

Representing the Killarney Municipal District at Sunday’s Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes launch, Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan praised the enduring partnership between the Rally of the Lakes and the […]

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Representing the Killarney Municipal District at Sunday’s Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes launch, Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan praised the enduring partnership between the Rally of the Lakes and the local community.

For the O’Callaghan family, the event is deeply personal; they own and operate the Failte Hotel on College Street, a landmark business that has grown alongside the rally for decades.
Cllr O’Callaghan noted that the history of the Failte Hotel is inextricably linked with the rally’s heritage, serving as a hub for competitors and fans since the early days of the event.
He said that the rally has become a vital part of the fabric of Killarney life, providing a massive economic and social boost to the town. “The rally has been part of the hotel’s history as much as the hotel has been part of the rally’s history,” he told the gathered crowd, expressing his pride in seeing the tradition continue.
He welcomed the organisers and sponsors to Gleneagle, wishing the event continued success as it remains a cornerstone of the Killarney sporting calendar.

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