A life-saving defibrillator has just been installed in the Killarney Innovation Centre to cater for the clients and visitors but also the wider community.

Fitted in a secure cabinet outside the front entrance to the centre it can be accessed 24 hours a day should it be needed.

“It was an easy decision to locate the unit externally on the building," Centre Manager, Conor O’Leary, said.

"The hope is that it will never be needed, but if it can make a difference in the centre or wider community that is a positive for everybody."

Killarney Innovation Centre is home to 16 different companies and caters for more transient clients with hot desking and meeting space. Conor has said with those numbers present in the centre a defibrillator purchase was an easy decision.

“AEDs dramatically increase the chance of a person surviving in the event of suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone at any time and is one of Ireland's biggest killers."

Some clients in the centre have recently completed a Community Heart Savers programme and it is planned to hold further courses in the centre in the New Year, he added.

In the near future the intention is to link with the Michael Linehan Heartsafe Group, of which Conor is an active trainer, and have the unit listed on the defibrillator map.

Conor wants to acknowledge the assistance given by the Department of Rural and Community Development in assisting in the purchase of the unit.