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By Sean Moriarty

One of the greatest supporters of tourism in Killarney has given a stark warning to people who might be considering visiting the town over the Easter weekend in the midst of the current crisis.

Cllr Donal Grady is telling people to “stay the hell away”, and has raised concerns after reports online booking agency Airbnb is still offering vacancies in the Killarney area.

The independent councillor has always been very welcoming to tourists in the town and has worked behind the scenes to promote the town locally and internationally.

His change of attitude is driven by concerns that visitors to the town will spread the virus and that the people of Killarney need to be protected.

“The second this is over we welcome you all with open arms but for now stay the hell away and stop the cross-infection of this awful thing," he told the Killarney Advertiser. "People are fighting for their lives.”

Operators of Airbnb services in Killarney are flouting current COVID-19-imposed restrictions according to Grady who is fielding four and five calls a day from concerned residents who believe the online booking service, which offers rooms in private houses and apartments, is as busy as ever in the town.

An investigation by the Killarney Advertiser revealed that there are over 20 Killarney-based properties promoting availability in the town over the Easter weekend.

Prices range from €50 to €127 per night for a booking commencing on Good Friday and ending on Easter Monday at a time when all hotels in the locality have been forced to close in order to stop the spread of the virus.

The booking website does advise to check with individual properties before travelling and to obey HSE travel guidelines.

“They are inviting the virus into town. We must shut them down,” Grady told the Killarney Advertiser. “On Wednesday of this week the Glebe Car park was full of cars – 90 percent of them had out of county registrations.”

Grady also called for the airports to be shut down except for essential services like food and medical distribution or getting Irish people home from other countries.

“What is stopping people coming from England and going to their holiday homes all over Kerry for the Easter break?” he added.