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An end to the baptism barrier 

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This week Minister Richard Bruton announced plans to remove the baptism barrier from 95% of Ireland’s primary schools. This means that from 2019 schools will not be allowed to take a child’s religion into account when considering their prospective enrolment.

The law, as it stands, permits Catholic schools to show preference to Catholic children. This isn’t generally an issue in rural areas where schools can accommodate all applicants, but competition for admission to certain schools in many major urban areas is fierce. As a result, some desperate non-Catholic parents have taken to baptising their children simply so they have a better chance of being accepted. It’s a mad situation when you think about it.

90% of primary schools in this country are still maintained by bodies that promote a Catholic ethos. Why should a child of a minority faith, or of no faith at all, be less entitled to an education at these schools than a Catholic child? The new law will put an end to this outdated practice, and not a moment too soon as far as I’m concerned.

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Work begins on covered bus stop on Mission Road

Construction has started on a covered bus stop on Mission Road, following years of campaigning by Cllr Marie Moloney. “After a number of years of my campaigning and a number […]

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Construction has started on a covered bus stop on Mission Road, following years of campaigning by Cllr Marie Moloney.

“After a number of years of my campaigning and a number of my motions, work has finally started on a covered bus stop on Mission Road,” said Moloney.
Planning permission for the project was approved earlier this year and will provide shelter for passengers using the FlightLink Dublin Airport Coach service.
Moloney had raised concerns on several occasions about the lack of shelter, highlighting the discomfort caused by waiting in bad weather.
Killarney Municipal District Council is carrying out the civil works, including building the bus stop base and installing power supply funding from the NTA National Transport.

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Kerry ladies on cusp of another league final

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The Kerry ladies can book their place in the 2025 NFL Division 1 final by beating Meath at home in Austin Stack Park today (Saturday). The game throws in at 2pm.

Mark Bourke’s team are currently second in Division 1, three points (one win) behind leaders Armagh and three ahead of the Royals with two rounds of fixtures remaining.

Victory in Tralee would guarantee their qualification for the league decider, setting up a rematch of the 2024 league final against Armagh. The Orchard County prevailed that day in Croke Park, although the Kingdom were able to exact revenge later in the summer when they won the All-Ireland semi-final tie between the sides before also going on to win the final.

A draw against Meath would also more than likely be enough for Kerry considering their vastly superior points difference (+25 versus +3). Defeat would send it to the final day on March 29 with Kerry at home to Dublin and Meath away to Armagh.

There was good news for Kerry corner back Eilís Lynch this week as the Castleisland Desmonds player was named on the AIB Ladies Gaelic Football Club Championship Team of the Year. Desmonds won last season’s County and Munster Championships.

Meanwhile, Brian Looney and Micheál Burns of Dr Crokes were named on the AIB GAA Club Championship Team of the Year, with Burns also being shortlisted for Club Footballer of the Year alongside Con O’Callaghan (Cuala) and Ruairí Canavan (Errigal Ciaran). O’Callaghan was selected as the winner at a ceremony in Dublin last night.

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