News
Department says Ukrainian move will be “as easy and efficient as possible”
By Michelle Crean
The Government department in charge of moving 135 Ukrainian women and children tomorrow from Killarney to Mayo says it will "make this move as easy and efficient as possible".
In response to a query from the Killarney Advertiser, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, which is overseen by Minister Roderic O'Gorman TD, said that Hotel Killarney was originally meant to host International Protection applicants - or refugees.
The Ukrainians, they said, were housed there temporarily and will now have to be moved to Mayo - or the newly arrived refugees will face homelessness.
"Ireland is now accommodating 55,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine (Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, or BOTPs) and International Protection applicants. This compares to 7,500 at this time last year," the Department said.
"The accommodation in Killarney referred to was previously successful in applying to host International Protection applicants [refugees]. As an interim measure, BOTPs [Ukrainians] were accommodated there.
"There is now a severe shortage of accommodation for International Protection applicants and, as such, the accommodation in Killarney is required in order to prevent International Applicants from entering homelessness."
BOTPs have been offered alternative accommodation in Westport, and are also eligible for pledged accommodation options, they said.
"There are 25 pledged accommodation units reported available in Killarney. Kerry County Council have been working with Peter McVerry to encourage the take up of pledges.
"The Department is cognisant of the impact such moves have on those affected, and work to ensure these only take place where absolutely necessary. We are now working with our implementing partners and accommodation providers to make this move as easy and efficient as possible."
Gneeveguilla apprentice wins national stonemasonry title
Darragh O’Sullivan from Gneeveguilla won the overall prize in the Architectural Stonemasonry category at the WorldSkills Ireland competition held recently at the RDS in Dublin.
An apprentice stonecutter and stonemason with the Office of Public Works (OPW) based in Mallow, O’Sullivan secured gold for his technical accuracy and craftsmanship during the three-day event.
The state agency relies on traditional trade skills to manage, conserve, and restore national monuments, public buildings, and heritage sites across the country.
O’Sullivan’s success reflects the training provided by his OPW mentors and team, highlighting the importance of apprentice development in preserving traditional heritage crafts for future generations.
Picture Caption: CRAFT CHAMPION: Tom Little (Kerry ETB), Terri Sweeney Meade (OPW), category winner Darragh O’Sullivan (OPW), and Donal Keys (WorldSkills Ireland) at the RDS in Dublin.
Jessica Cronin donates hair for children’s charity
Ten-year-old Killarney resident Jessica Cronin is set to cut and donate 12 inches of her hair to support young cancer patients, alongside a fundraising campaign for LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.
The hair donation will go directly to the Little Princess Trust, a charity providing real hair wigs free of charge to children and young people who have lost their own hair through medical treatment.
Alongside her hair donation, Jessica is collecting financial contributions for LauraLynn through the Locks of Love campaign.
“I want to help somebody that doesn’t have something that I have, hair,” Jessica said.
Her family expressed their pride in her decision to support both organisations.
“We are all so proud of her,” her mother, Grace O’Shea-Cronin, said. “Any donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.”
Donations to support Jessica’s fundraiser can be made online at
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