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COVID vaccine is “a relief” says Killarney paramedic

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RELIEF; Nurse Sadie Evans gives the COVID-19 vaccine to Advance Paramedic Ken O'Sullivan from Killarney at University Hospital Kerry on Tuesday. Photo: Don MacMonagle

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By Michelle Crean

Advanced Paramedic and Killarney man Ken O'Sullivan was one of the first frontline staff in Kerry to receive the first dose of the new COVID vaccine in University Hospital Kerry on Tuesday.

Nurse Sadie Evans administered the vaccine which was a relief to Ken who is living in Woodlawn and originally from St Anne's Road.

Working 20 years as a paramedic - this has been the hardest year he has ever experienced, with each call out a potential risk of contracting COVID which he feared he could pass on to his wife Margaret and three young daughters.

"It's been a very long year in a way, but with the vaccines now it's something new," Ken, who said he felt no side effects afterwards, told the Killarney Advertiser.

"You feel like you're turning a corner. I had my mind made up that I was going to take it, especially when you see COVID damage and its effects afterwards. At the moment it looks like it's our only way out of this, but until you get the full vaccine you have to be careful."

Ken and a team of health care workers set up the first COVID testing centre in Kerry, which was later handed over to Public Health.

And, although their role is right on the frontline whether COVID related or not, he added that ambulance crew across the county have been very lucky throughout the pandemic.

"No member of the ambulance service in Kerry have tested positive for COVID thankfully."

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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