CANDIDATE: Peter O’Toole, who retired as a National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Park Ranger in 2019, has been put forward to lead a proposed voluntary conservation corps within Killarney National Park. Photo: Michelle Crean

Retired National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Park Ranger Peter O’Toole has been put forward as the ideal candidate to lead a proposed voluntary conservation corps within Killarney National Park.

The proposal was announced to Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce members during special online meetings earlier this week.

Chamber members were told that a proposal to establish a voluntary conservation to work on key projects in Killarney National Park is being considered by the NPWS in association with key local stakeholders.

The idea was suggested by the Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, during one online meeting.

A follow-up online meeting also involved the Mayor of Killarney Cllr Brendan Cronin, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Niall Ó Donnchú and Regional Manager with the NPWS Seamus Hassett.

That meeting heard the framework for the proposal was already in place through the well-established Killarney Mountain Meitheal Group and Chamber President, Niall Kelleher said a conservation corps would generate even greater enthusiasm and community involvement.

“Our National Park, given its importance environmentally, socially and in terms of the tourism business it generates, is the economic lifeblood of our town and county and its role cannot be understated,” Mr Kelleher said.

He said having Peter O’Toole, a retired and vastly experienced NPWS park ranger, as leader of the meitheal was a great asset.

“He is the ideal candidate to steer the group in the right direction,” the Chamber President added.

Mr Kelleher called on the reactivation of a works programme for the meitheal as soon as reasonably possible and the meeting heard there is a great crew of volunteers willing and anxious to get moving on projects within the park.

Meitheal Coordinator, Peter O’Toole, said if the group can assist with fire patrols, which is a big problem for the National Park and special areas of conservation, those involved would be more than happy to help.

“Reactivating the Meitheal would also greatly help individuals to cope with the current difficult period and the impact COVID-19 is having on personal well-being,” he said.

The online meeting heard that the Killarney community is looking forward to the publication of the Government’s new five-year biodiversity action plan and to determining how the town and its people can contribute to its implementation.