Connect with us

News

Fires now under control – but crews on standby for next 24 hours

Published

on

By Michelle Crean
The fires which tore through Killarney National Park this weekend are finally under control with the worst of the danger over following further extensive work this morning (Monday) by fire crews and the Air Corps.
However, the next 24 hours will be critical with helicopter crews and the fire service on standby in case any fires re-ignite.
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Malcolm Noonan, and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O'Brien are due to visit Killarney today to assess the severity of the damage - and plan to meet with NPWS and Fire Service staff who have worked through the weekend to try to bring the fire under control.
Up to one third of the Park - approx. 2,000 hectares - has been scorched with flora and fauna wiped out and last night's fires came as close as 10 metres to a church and school in the Black Valley area.
Most of the fires are now under control including near Tomies Wood as fire crews from five different districts concentrated on the area which also saw properties under threat. Fires also became a real threat for The Oak Woods but fire fighters managed to avert danger.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated but it's believed to have begun on the Kenmare Road area at approximately 11pm on Friday night - escalated by the strong winds.
Firefighters and the emergency services as well as volunteers have gone to heroic efforts over the past few days in a bid to bring the blaze under control.
According to former Park Ranger Peter O'Toole, "it's the worst fire in the National Park in living memory".
"Without a doubt it's the worst fire in the Park in living memory," he told the Killarney Advertiser, comparing it to the 1984 fire which destroyed a large part of the Park.
"It's devastating," he said, speaking about the impact the fire has had on the ecology. "Some will never survive again I imagine. There's a lot of work to be done."
Cllr Donal Grady said the true scale of what has happened is hard for people to comprehend.
"It's heartbreaking to see the birds, all the flora and fauna, the eggs devastated. Their habitats are absolutely ruined and people really don't understand how bad it is."
There's also huge concern about carbon from the fires entering lakes in the coming days and weeks which will have another significant impact on the local environment.
People are being asked to continue to stay away from the Tomies Woods and the Muckross areas in particular.
Advertisement

News

Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

Published

on

By

Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

Continue Reading

News

How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

Published

on

By

Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport