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Locals take to the skies in memory of Stephen

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7 years ago

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FLYING HIGH: Aidan O'Connor during the skydive in memory of Stephen Lyne.

By Michelle Crean

Locals took to the skies – a whole 10,000 feet in fact – to remember one local lad who tragically died 10 years ago.

The 10 participants, who travelled to Edenderry in Offaly for the ‘Jump for Stephen’ skydive on June 15, included Susan O’Donoghue, Aisling Flemming, Jake O’Donoghue, Dan O’Connor, Susan Murhill, Michael Landley, Aaron Morris, Liadh Tobin, Graham O’Connor and Aidan O’Connor.

The group took part in the fundraiser to support Lotte Lyne, who now runs the ‘Roots of Empathy’ program in primary schools in Killarney, after her son Stephen was murdered in  knife attack in the town 10 years ago.

Through the programme, she’s hoping youngsters will learn to connect with others on a deeper level and not turn to violence as they grow.  “The day was fabulous, weather conditions were great for the skydive and all 10 did their skydive from 10,000 feet,” Lotte told the Killarney Advertiser.

“All of them found the experience incredible and would do it again. I am so grateful to these wonderful local heroes for doing the ‘Jump for Stephen’ in memory of Stephen’s 10th anniversary, and also for their tireless efforts in raising much needed funds to keep ‘Roots of Empathy’ programme in our primary schools.”
The total amount raised is not yet finalised, but she’s hoping to have a final figure by the end of the week.

“I would also like to thank O’Callaghan Coaches for sponsoring the bus. They sent us to Offaly in one of their luxurious new busses which made the trip up and down very comfortable and enjoyable. I am so grateful to local businesses when they go above and beyond to support the Stephen Lyne Foundation,” she said.

 

[caption id="attachment_27105" align="aligncenter" width="3024"] ONE...TWO...JUMP! The participants who did the skydive in memory of Stephen Lyne included Susan O’Donoghue, Aisling Flemming, Jake O’Donoghue, Dan O’Connor, Susan Murhill, Michael Landley, Aaron Morris, Liadh Tobin, Graham O’Connor and Aidan O’Connor.[/caption]

 

 

 

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Sinn Féin to host public meeting on cost of living at Killarney Heights Hotel

Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty will host a public meeting on the costs of living and housing crises at the Killarney Heights Hotel on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm. […]

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13 hours ago

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25 May 2026

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Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty will host a public meeting on the costs of living and housing crises at the Killarney Heights Hotel on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm.

The Donegal TD will be joined by Kerry TD Pa Daly to discuss the economic pressures facing local households and the policy changes needed to provide financial relief. The main focus of the evening will center on the barriers preventing local people from buying their own homes, alongside broader costs of living challenges.
Speaking exclusively to the Killarney Advertiser ahead of his visit, Deputy Doherty said workers and families across Kerry are being squeezed from every direction by rising weekly shops, high energy bills, increasing insurance premiums, and substantial housing costs.
“Young people are losing hope that they will ever own a home in the county where they were raised,” Deputy Doherty said. “And while all of this is happening, the government is sitting on billions in budget surpluses while telling struggling families to wait. It is simply not good enough.”
The Sinn Féin finance spokesperson highlighted specific regional factors making the crisis acute in County Kerry, particularly regarding home heating costs.
“Almost 59% of homes in Kerry rely on home heating oil, which is nearly double the state average of 34%,” he said. “That means families across the county are far more exposed to soaring fuel costs than households in many other parts of the state. Yet the government withdrew supports that were helping households keep the lights on and heat their homes.”
Deputy Doherty noted that the housing situation in Kerry has moved beyond a social issue and is now impacting the local economy and communities. He pointed to figures showing average rents in the county have reached €1,493 per month, with exceptionally low market availability.
“At the time of writing, there were only 27 properties available online to rent across the entire county. Only 19 were below €2,000 a month and just five were available for less than €1,500. A county the size of Kerry, and only five rental properties affordable to someone on an ordinary income,” he said.
He also raised concerns for first-time buyers, noting that average house prices in Kerry have climbed to €296,000, representing an increase of €33,500 in a single year.
During the meeting, the Sinn Féin representatives will outline their party’s alternative proposals. These include a state-led program of affordable home building, a ban on excessive rent increases, enhanced protections for renters, and immediate energy credits and tax relief for workers.
“The resources exist to do this,” Deputy Doherty added. “The government’s own figures show billions in surplus funds available to the state. The issue is not a lack of money. The issue is political choice.”
The meeting is open to all members of the public, and a discussion session will follow the main presentations.

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National Park hosts weekend Bioblitz for National Biodiversity Week

Killarney National Park is taking centre stage for the final weekend of National Biodiversity Week, with the public being urged to get outdoor and explore the local environment. Today, Friday, […]

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14 hours ago

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25 May 2026

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Killarney National Park is taking centre stage for the final weekend of National Biodiversity Week, with the public being urged to get outdoor and explore the local environment.

Today, Friday, May 22, marks the UN International Day for Biological Diversity, and a series of free events will run across the park until the national celebration concludes this Sunday, May 24.
The highlight of the weekend is the Killarney National Park Bioblitz. This event brings families, nature lovers, and community volunteers together to find, identify, and record as many different plant and animal species as possible across the park’s diverse habitats over the next three days.
Christopher O’Sullivan, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, encouraged locals and visitors alike to utiliSe the final days of the festival to experience the area’s unique wildlife, referencing Killarney’s native habitats as key areas the state is working to protect.
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), noted that the week is designed to remind people that native plants, woodlands, and rivers are vital systems that make life possible. OrganiSers are encouraging anyone in the locality to head out to Killarney National Park before Sunday evening to participate in the species count and support local conservation efforts.

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