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THE dedicated Heart of Killarney volunteers have said they are relieved and delighted following the return just after lunchtime today of a missing defibrillator on Main Street.

The automated external defibrillator (AED) was removed from the landmark telephone kiosk sometime between Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday.

Volunteers behind the life-saving project promptly issued a plea for its return and Damien Baker of the Heart of Killarney has just confirmed that it has been replaced.

Heart of Killarney volunteer Eilish Coffey made the discovery within the last half hour. “We are on Cloud Nine at its return. To say we were gutted and disheartened when it could not be located is an understatement,” Damien told Killarney Advertiser.

“We would like to thank the person who returned it as well as Killarney Gardaí who dedicated such effort to finding it also. We are very grateful to the Gardaí as well as to Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce and Kerry County Council for their continued support.”

The Heart of Killarney project, which was launched last year, is one that is being emulated by other towns. “Plans are at an advanced stage for defibrillator phone boxes for both Fossa and Woodlawn and a national rollout is also underway,” added Damien.

Additional security measures have been put in place to protect the Main Street defibrillator, including a code-lock and 24-hour CCTV system. “We understand the risks of having an accessible AED but the benefits need to outweigh the risks and we are striking a balance between ensuring it is accessible and keeping it safe,” added Damien.

Heart of Killarney will be organising a fundraiser in current weeks to offset the costs the new 24-hour security measure.

 
Above: At the launch of the defibrillator phonebook project last year were Tom Geaney with from left, Eilish Coffey, Damien Baker and Leo O'Connor from the project group 'Heart of Killarney'. PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE