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Bus operators left in the dark ahead of schools reopening

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By Sean Moriarty

School bus operators who service Killarney schools are still waiting on official guidance despite returning to work on Monday morning.

School bus runs are operated by Bus Eireann on behalf of the Department of Education but that national bus service sub-contracts regional runs to local operators.

One local bus firm, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Killarney Advertiser: “We are ready and willing to get back to work but we have no official guidance despite asking for it several times.”

The operator said his firm and drivers have taken all the particle steps necessary to ensure a safe return to work for staff and students.

These include a deep clean regime after each working shift and the provision of hand sanitisers on every bus.

However, in terms of paperwork and actual operating procedures, he said he has been left in the dark by the Department of Education.

He raised concerns about the management of contract tracing paperwork, the added responsibility on his drivers who have to ensure students comply with social distancing while on board.

One Department of Education guideline states that schools busses (for secondary students) can only operate at 50 per cent capacity. With just two days (from today, Friday) left before schools re-open he still does not know if needs to add extra busses to each of his contracted runs and if he needs to employ extra drivers.

“Taking on drivers is not so easy as they have to Garda vetted before working on school busses and that takes time,” he added.

Meanwhile, Primary School busses are allowed operate to full capacity adding to the confusion.

Some rural services could carry and mix of primary and secondary school children from rural areas to town schools.

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Ballymac Vintage Club raises over €7k for local charities

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Ballymac Vintage Club raises over €7k for local charities


The Ballymac Vintage Club raised over €7,000 for two worthy causes following the 16th running of its annual Classic Car and Honda 50 Run over the bank holiday weekend.


Despite a wet start to Sunday morning, more than 100 registered vehicles turned out at Ó Riada’s Bar and Restaurant. Entrants brought a diverse selection of classic cars, vans, and campers, including several vehicles making their first appearance at a Kerry vintage event.
The day began with a Cars and Coffee gathering, allowing participants and spectators to catch up, inspect the vehicles, and enjoy light refreshments.
Proceeds from the event and Saturday’s street collection in Castleisland will support two local causes: St John of God Oileán Beo Castleisland, which provides services for adults with intellectual disabilities, and the Kerry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, which supports sick and infirm pilgrims alongside volunteers and medical staff.
A range of spot prizes were awarded throughout the morning, with organisers extending sincere thanks to local donors and main sponsors BG Motors Killarney, Brownes Agri Steel Castleisland, and Ó Riada’s Bar and Restaurant.
The run departed Ballymacelligott shortly after 11am, travelling back roads through Castleisland before making a short stop in Brosna. Drivers then completed the final leg to Knocknagoshel, where refreshments were served by the Knocknagoshel Meals on Wheels team.

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Dromhall team takes top spot at Crokes Golf Classic

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The annual Dr Crokes GAA Club Golf Classic proved to be another major success last weekend, drawing 64 teams to Killarney’s Mahony’s Point course over two days of competition.


The Dromhall Hotel team of John Brosnan, Mike Dwyer, Shane Kelly, and Ger O’Meara took first place. Second place went to the O’Carroll Engineering team of Anthony O’Mahony, John O’Driscoll, Derek McAllister, and Michael O’Sullivan.
Third place went to the Quills team (Vincent Casey, Colm O’Brien, Evy O’Brien, and Donie Buckley), while Diarmuid O’Carroll Electrical (Mark O’Carroll, Brian McCarthy, Ben Kelliher, and Luke O’Shea) finished fourth.
Rounding out the top positions were Fexco in fifth (Andrew McCarthy, Ivo O’Sullivan, Ross Brosnan, and Niall O’Shea), Money Maximising Advisors in sixth (John Lenihan, Michael Lenihan, Des McCarthy, and Peter Bellew), and The Gleneagle Hotel in seventh (Patrick O’Donoghue, Mike McAuliffe, Margaret Gill, and T Buckley).
Raffle prize winners on the night were David Cotter (1st), Eugene Browne (2nd), Donal Brosnan (3rd), and Colm Murphy (4th).
The prize presentation took place at Charlie Foley’s Bar on Friday night, with sponsor Colm Foley handing over the honours. Dr Crokes expressed thanks to all who entered teams, sponsored tee boxes, and donated prizes, as well as Colin Finlay and the team at Killarney Golf Club for the superb condition of the course.

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