The continued growth of female participation at Killarney Judo Club was highlighted at the recent Interprovincial Championships, where seven of the club’s ten Munster representatives were girls.

Among the performances were Carolina Kelly and Zarah Tomlinson, who helped the Mixed Pre-Cadet team claim gold, securing Munster’s first-ever title in the division. Emily O’Donoghue De Vries, Michelle Walsh, Danielle Walsh, and Clíona Hegarty were also part of the Minor Girls team that earned silver.
The representation reflects the growing number of female athletes progressing through the ranks at the Killarney club and competing at provincial level.
Alongside the girls’ achievements, Devon Koen represented the Minor Boys team, Saba Kandaleki was part of the gold medal-winning Pre-Cadet squad, and James Maher earned silver while competing up an age grade in the Junior division.

The long-running saga surrounding the opening of the new Killarney Community Hospital is nearing its end, with confirmation that patients will be transferred to the facility by the end of June.

Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae confirmed the timeline following a meeting with the HSE. Patients currently residing in St Columbanus’ Home and the existing Killarney District Hospital are scheduled to be relocated to the new state-of-the-art development within weeks.

“Following a meeting with HSE, I am very glad about the update that patients from Columbanus and the District Hospital in Killarney will be moved to the new Killarney Community Hospital by the end of June,” Deputy Healy-Rae said.

“I had raised the urgent need for this in the Dáil and at every opportunity. This is very welcome news for all concerned.”

The purpose-built 130-bed Community Nursing Unit (CNU) has been at an advanced stage of readiness, with room allocations already agreed with existing residents. The final phase of the project involves securing official registration from the health watchdog, HIQA, before the doors can officially open.

The transfer will mark the closure of the older St Columbanus’ Home and Killarney District Hospital facilities.