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Killarney woman remembered by her university

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HONOURED: Niamh Bookey is the recipient of the Orla Benson Memorial Scholarship

By Sean Moriarty

The memory of Killarney native, Orla Benson, who died in tragic circumstances 26 years ago, was honoured last week by her former university. Orla Benson had just completed her BSc in Biotechnology at Dublin City University in 1995 before sadly passing away that summer while working in Boston.

The Orla Benson Memorial Scholarship was established at DCU in 1996 by friends and family to honour her memory.

The scholarship is awarded annually to assist a postgraduate student with their research in the field of biotechnology.

This year, the Orla Benson Memorial Scholarship was presented to Niamh Bookey, a PhD candidate in DCU’s School of Biotechnology.

Niamh’s research focuses on discovering the function of a new enzyme which may have potential as a therapeutic for cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders.

“This year we have awarded scholarships to 22 students whose talent and dedication are a tribute to those remembered through memorial scholarships at DCU. Orla Benson shone brightly in her own life and made a significant mark on society, so it is fitting that her legacy will be honoured and live on in a bright and gifted scholarship recipient like Niamh Bookey,” said Joe Quinsey, CEO of DCU Educational Trust.

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Rathmore students finish runners-up in national SciFest finals

Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra in Rathmore is celebrating a major success after students Eoin Cashman and Alex Thompson were named overall runners-up at the National SciFest finals held in Marino […]

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Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra in Rathmore is celebrating a major success after students Eoin Cashman and Alex Thompson were named overall runners-up at the National SciFest finals held in Marino College, Dublin last week.

The pair also won the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Award and will now represent Ireland at the world finals in Phoenix, Arizona in 2026.
Their project, titled Dust Dynamics: Analysing Planetary Bodies through the Ballistic Motion of Lofted Dust Particles, examined how the movement of dust can reveal key information about a planet’s environment, including atmospheric density and gravity. As part of their study, they analysed footage of dust thrown up by the Lunar Roving Vehicle during the Apollo 16 mission in 1972. Using online software and physics calculations learned in school, they estimated the moon’s gravitational acceleration to 1.72 m/s², within 6.7% of the accepted value.
The national finals featured projects assessed by judges from scientific and engineering fields. More than 16,000 students entered SciFest 2025, making the duo’s achievement a significant milestone. Their teacher Kevin McCarthy mentored the project, and the school says the students’ work could be applied to footage from other planetary missions in the future.

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Chamber’s emphasis on cyber security

  Businesses in Killarney have been fully briefed on what measures they need to taketo ensure greater cyber security to protect their companies. Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce hosted […]

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Businesses in Killarney have been fully briefed on what measures they need to take
to ensure greater cyber security to protect their companies.

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce hosted a very informative breakfast
briefing in the International Hotel at which they keynote speakers were cyber security
experts Mike Dennehy and Ger McAuliffe from progressive local company Tricel.
The opening question at the event was how will a business operate tomorrow if it
loses access to its data today?
Mike and Ger recommended that all employers to include IT training as part of the
induction programme for new entrants, organise monthly awareness training for all
employees and to conduct monthly spot-checks to ensure everything is going
according to plan.
It was essential, they pointed out not to give the same level of access to all
employees to reduce risk and to devise a disaster recovery plan in case it is needed.
Companies have also been advised not to allow the public to use their private wi-fi
network and, instead, to set up a public or guest network.
Chamber thanked the experts from Tricel for their engaging talk which certainly put
the spotlight very firmly on the need to enhance cyber security measures.

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