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Elizabeth and Angela are ready for a new adventure

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By Michelle Crean

For two decades they have been a huge support to pupils at St Oliver's National School but on Tuesday two members of staff retired.

The outpouring of gratitude for their years of service was very evident as colleagues bid farewell to Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) Elizabeth O'Doherty and Angela Sheerin.

RETIRING: St Oliver's NS SNA Elizabeth O'Doherty pictured with her family on Tuesday as she retired from school life. Photo: Michelle Crean

FAMILY: David Basil and Kayleigh Sheerin pictured with Angela Sheerin who retired as an SNA from St Oliver's NS on Tuesday. Photo: Michelle Crean

With a combined 42 years between them they got a fantastic send off from Principal Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Deputy Principal Sandra Chute, staff and pupils as well as the women's family who turned up for the very special lunchtime tribute.

Elizabeth, from Dalton's Avenue and originally Kilcummin, was sanctioned by the Dept of Education as part of the very first nationwide rollout of services for children with special needs in 1999.

And during her 23 career she attended the same school as her grandchildren!

"I loved every bit of it," Elizabeth told the Killarney Advertiser.

"When we started here there were 250 SNAs in the country, now there's approximately 18,000. Our role as an SNA was all about inclusion and integration, you're also an advocate for the child."

Angela, originally from Cavan and living in Flesk Grove, started as an SNA in St Oliver's in 2003.

After 19 years she's ready to take on a new challenge.

"It's was a privilege to work in such a fabulous school with great colleagues especially the children in our care," she said. "I'm looking forward to a new adventure."

Both thanked their colleagues including former Principal Rory D'Arcy and former Deputy Principal Tim Horgan saying that they both had lots of form filling and background work over the years to support children with special needs.

"There was great support from the start from Tim Horgan and Rory D'Arcy, they had a great belief in helping others."

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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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