News
Community rallies behind family following devastating fire pit accident
A Killarney community has been left reeling following a devastating accidental fire that occurred during a neighbourhood gathering over the weekend.
Kristina Zajec and her five-year-old son, Tom, are currently fighting for their lives in a Dublin hospital after a fire pit incident escalated rapidly, leaving them both in induced comas with severe, life-changing burn injuries.
The incident occurred on Saturday night at approximately 10:30pm in the Loreto area of Killarney.
Residents from the estate had gathered for a barbecue to bid farewell to a local family who were returning to Poland.
Kristina and her young son, who are of Croatian descent but have been living locally for several years, were attending the gathering as guests when the tragedy occurred.
According to eyewitness accounts, an accelerant was placed onto an open fire pit during the evening.
The substance ignited within seconds, causing a sudden flash of flame to travel back along the stream of fuel directly into the bottle.
In a moment of panic, the individual holding the bottle dropped or threw it, causing the burning fuel to scatter across the yard where onlookers were standing.
Emergency services were alerted immediately, with three ambulances from Tralee, a fire brigade unit, and two Garda cars dispatched to the scene.
In the immediate aftermath of the flash, the mother and son were brought inside the house and placed in cold bathwater to soothe their injuries while awaiting the arrival of medical personnel, who reached the estate in less than twenty minutes.
Six people were initially taken by road ambulance to University Hospital Kerry in Tralee for treatment.
Once medical teams assessed the extent of the injuries, it was determined that Kristina and Tom had suffered severe, critical burns.
Due to the severity of their condition, both were subsequently transferred by air ambulance to a specialist intensive care and burns unit in Dublin, where they remain in a serious condition.
The tragedy has deeply affected the local neighbourhood, particularly given the stressful circumstances already facing many residents in the area, some of whom are currently navigating long-term rental property exits.
The weekend barbecue had been organised as a supportive send-off for neighbours before the accident occurred.
In response to the tragedy, an immediate fundraising campaign has been launched to assist the family with the mounting emotional and financial burdens they now face.
A GoFundMe page established on Monday has already seen an overwhelming response from the public, raising over €22,000 within its first few days.
Organisers of the fund say that the family faces a long, painful, and critical road to recovery that will require long-term specialised burn treatments and significant medical expenses.
Tom is a pupil at the nearby Scoil Bhríde Loreto National School, where his classmates and teachers have been deeply upset by the news.
To school is organising a dedicated non-uniform day to generate further funds for the family's medical and recovery costs.
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise
Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.
Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.
New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square
A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council...
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on...
Green light for Torc to Dinis walkway
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc...
LOCAL GOLD:
LOCAL GOLD: Terrie O’Shea, founder and owner of Killarney-based business Sorella Berries, celebrating her Gold award win at the Blas...
Grady demands Killarney traffic review
Killarney councillor Martin Grady has called for an urgent review of traffic management across the town following severe delays along...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
