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Concerns Killarney will have more derelict buildings

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By Sean Moriarty

There are fears that the construction of the new community hospital on the grounds of St Finan’s will result in more State-owned buildings lying idle.

FUTURE: There are concerns that the existing Killarney Community Hospital will lie idle once construction of the new hospital is complete. Photo: Sean Moriarty

The new 130-bed unit which is expected to be completed by end of 2024 is currently under-construction near the bypass and Lewis Road junction. It will serve as a replacement for the existing St Columbanus Home and Killarney Community Hospital on St Margaret’s Road.

The HSE have yet to announce what will happen to the existing buildings once construction of the new hospital is complete.

There are concerns that they will join a host of other such sites in the town, like the Pretty Polly factory, the Áras Phádraig, and St Finan’s Hospital.

While there are plans in place for the former two buildings, work has yet to start on construction of either and the latter has been idle since 2012 with no sign of a potential investor on the horizon.

Cllr Brendan Cronin raised the issue at Monday’s Kerry County Council meeting.

He is concerned because a Primary Care Unit is part of the plan to re-develop the Áras Phádraig, and that could leave St Columbanus Home and the existing Community Hospital unoccupied.

"Have Kerry County Council got clarification from the HSE regarding what use is intended for the Killarney Community Hospital building and site and the St Columbanus building and site now that the new Community Hospital is under construction,” he asked the meeting.

“I believe it is very important to get this clarification before Kerry County Council signs over lands at Áras Phádraig, Lewis Road to the HSE for a primary care centre."

Last November, Killarney Municipal District approved plans for the redevelopment of Áras Phádraig.

However, some elected councillors had reservations about the inclusion of a HSE Primary Care Unit within the project.

At that time councillors were told that the inclusion of the Primary Care Unit was a redline issue as without it funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund would not be forthcoming for the entire project.

“Maybe now that I have focused attention on these two properties that will soon become vacant, Council management will have to actually contact the HSE seeking clarification regarding future potential. I have also made it clear that this clarification from HSE should be provided before the Council sign over any of the Áras Phádraig site to the HSE,” Cllr Cronin told the Killarney Advertiser.

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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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