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Cuts to disability grants affecting Killarney families

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By Sean Moriarty

A Woodlawn man, who is the father of a girl with severe disabilities in dire need of essential equipment, has raised huge concerns over cuts to the Housing Adaptation Grants.

Last month the Government announced that Kerry County Council is to receive €2.4 million in funding under the scheme.

The grant helps families of those with special needs including the elderly and those with disabilities.

Steve O’Mahony’s daughter Alexis (5) suffers from PDH deficiency and requires round-the-clock care.

However, ceiling track hoists - which will help the daily burden of lifting their growing daughter from her bed to the bath and aid with movement in the home - have been removed from the scheme.

He said last month’s announcement sounded great until the finer details were examined.

“The devil is in the detail,” Steve told the Killarney Advertiser.

He pointed out that he was not just speaking on behalf of his own family and their needs but was raising concerns for several Kerry families who could be affected by the new rules.

“Of course it all sounds rosy but some hidden details are missing,” he added.

“Essential ceiling track hoists have been removed as a qualifying item for mobility aids. Families like my own do not want these hoists out of choice, it is a basic necessity and everyday that this drags on is another day of physical stress through the constant moving, washing etc of someone with a disability. There also exists a daily danger of serious injury to both the patient and carers and support nurses which of course breaches multiple health and safety guidelines of which the HSE and their staff operate within themselves."

He said that in many situations "they are putting their own staff under unnecessary risk and breaching many health and safety standards because of this ongoing issue".

"My own wife currently attends a public physio on a weekly basis because of back issues which seems counter productive. The taxpayer is paying for her physio which would not have been needed if she had sufficient equipment for my daughter's needs!"

The issue was raised in the Dáil this week after Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, met the O’Mahony family in Tralee recently.

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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