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Fires out but BBQs continue

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Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

 

By Michelle Crean

The heroes who worked tirelessly to save homes, buildings, animals and woodlands for three exhausting days with little or no rest didn't get much time to catch up on sleep as they were again called out to fires - right next to the burnt land.

On Monday evening at around 4pm as fire crews were checking hotspots to prevent them from reigniting they were told about people lighting BBQs in the area.

Killarney Station Officer Paudie Mangan was at Ladies View ​​​​where they had set up a command centre when he was stopped by a cyclist who told him a couple had lit a BBQ nearby.

"I said I'd do a quick loop and I was stopped by a cyclist who told me a couple had lit a BBQ and I asked them to put it out which they did."

On Wednesday while checking hotspots in Dinis which began to flair again, a woman told Paudie about a man who had pulled in on a boat and had lit a fire 500 yards from what was burnt.

He added that attending some of the fires was made harder by the crowds of people who came to see what was happening at the weekend.

He said that moving fire appliances in that particular area where roads are narrow with steep bends was made "extremely difficult".

It was "pandemonium" and the Gardai had to be called in, he explained.

Later the fire crews closed the roads themselves as a second crowd gathered which was "impeding them" from doing their job.

"It's a danger and it completely slows us down."

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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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.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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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.

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