Connect with us

News

Kind-hearted Killarney woman at centre of Turkish recovery

Published

on

0251430_PIC.jpg

By Michelle Crean and Sean Moriarty

A kind-hearted Killarney woman - who could be described as a real life angel - is helping devastated people piece their lives back together following earthquakes which claimed the lives of almost 50,000 people.

.

.

Turkey and Syria were ripped apart by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6 and by smaller quakes in the aftermath.

As people there began searching for loved ones and piecing what's left of their lives back together, the country was further devastated this week by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake in the Hatay area which damaged even more buildings.

Majella Moloney has been working for the Irish Embassy in Turkey for the last seven months. After witnessing the destruction she wanted to make a difference and now she and her colleagues are volunteering as part of the rescue mission to work as coordinators for aid workers and hospital staff.

Although the Marian Terrace woman is based in the capital city of Ankara some 600km from the earthquake’s epicentre, Majella is also working with local hospitals after victims were transferred there.

She is in daily communication with aid workers who are working in the most affected areas of southern Turkey and northern Syria.

While she is very appreciative that Irish people have donated essential goods to the aid mission, Majella said cash is better. A truck load of goods could take a week to get there but money allows the coordinators to buy what is needed when it's needed.

She told the Killarney Advertiser the harrowing story of a young boy who lost an arm and leg in the devastation as well as his father and some of his siblings who were killed. The youngster is all alone as his injured mother is currently in a different hospital many kilometres away.

“The hospital told us they needed a tablet so he could FaceTime his mother and we were able to organise the purchase of that,” she explained.

“We can get what is needed on the ground to the disaster area quicker. I am in touch with rescue workers and they tell me they need coats and tents. I know people driving up there at the weekend so I can go and buy coats and tents and get them to that car.”

Majella has also received cash from friends in Killarney – via a mobile banking App – including funds raised by her sister-in-law Cllr Marie Moloney, her friend Pauline O’Shea from Muckross and the local Soroptimists group.

For anyone who'd like to donate they can do so via a list of approved charities available on www.dochas.ie/turkey-syria-earthquake-response/.

Advertisement

News

Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

News

How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport