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Dublin’s social housing plans set precedent for St Finan’s site

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By Sean Moriarty

The Health Service Executive’s decision to handover a group of derelict houses to Fingal County Council for social housing sets a precedent that could be applied to St Finan’s Hospital.

That is according to Cllr Marie Moloney who, along with all her elected colleagues, have been pushing to find a solution for the site that has been vacant since 2012.

There is a dire need for housing in the Killarney area but despite several ideas put forward to do something with St Finan’s, so far, nothing has come to fruition.

This week 14 one hundred-year-old derelict cottages were handed over to Fingal County Council.

The north County Dublin houses were previously used to house staff at the nearby St Ita’s psychiatric hospital.

They have been vacant for over 20 years and have fallen in to a state of disrepair but Fingal County Council plans to turn them into social housing under a €4 million restoration plan.

The HSE maintains that the St Finan’s site is for sale at the full market value but so far no realistic bidder has emerged.

“If the HSE can do it there they can do it here in Killarney,” Cllr Moloney told the Killarney Advertiser.

“It is not beyond the bounds of possibility.”

While welcoming the construction of the new community hospital on the grounds of St Finan’s she has raised concerns that the HSE have yet to reveal plans for the existing District Hospital on St Margaret’s Road.

Killarney has had more than its fair share of abandoned buildings in recent years, but plans are now in place to redevelop the Áras Pádraig and Kerry ETB has ambitions to build a college campus on the site of the old Pretty Polly factory.

“The last thing Killarney needs is another idle building. I don’t know what the big secret is but the HSE won’t tell us what their plans are for the District Hospital. It is all cloak and dagger.”

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Funding Imminent for Fitzgerald Stadium Development

The long-awaited development of Fitzgerald Stadium is set to take a major step forward, with an announcement on further funding expected imminently, according to Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill. […]

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The long-awaited development of Fitzgerald Stadium is set to take a major step forward, with an announcement on further funding expected imminently, according to Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill.

Deputy Cahill said the project must not be allowed to stall, urging that momentum be maintained as it moves into its next phase.
“The proposed development of Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney needs to be moved on now and not allowed to fall behind in its planned progression,” he stated, adding that he is confident of a positive funding decision soon.
Cahill has raised the Fitzgerald Stadium Development Plan in Dáil Éireann with several senior government figures, including An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan.
“They are well versed in the detail of it, and I feel that we are going to get a positive announcement shortly on further funding for this crucial project for Kerry,” he said.
The proposed upgrades to the iconic stadium are seen as a key development not only for Killarney, but for the entire county. The venue would be able to host major sporting events and large-scale entertainment such as concerts featuring world-renowned performers.
“Kerry as a whole will benefit from having such a facility in Killarney,” said Cahill. “Hospitality providers of all hues and in all parts of Kerry will gain additional business when the Fitzgerald Stadium Development is completed.”
He also praised the application submitted by the Kerry County Board, calling it “fantastic” and deserving of support. “This will be a massive boost for Killarney and the entire county, will significantly increase footfall and will be great for the local economy. I believe that Fitzgerald Stadium will secure major funding under the IIP scheme in the very near future,” he said.

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Fossa roadworks concerns realised

Predictions made by elected members of the Killarney Municipal District (KMD) regarding the Fossa roadworks have come to fruition this week. A video has surfaced showing a local farmer driving […]

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Predictions made by elected members of the Killarney Municipal District (KMD) regarding the Fossa roadworks have come to fruition this week.

A video has surfaced showing a local farmer driving a tractor with a hay turner encountering a French-registered camper van in the village.
The footage shows very little space for the two vehicles to pass each other.
Concerns have been raised that if a camper van, which is similar in size to an ambulance, struggled to pass, it could create significant issues for emergency vehicles needing to use the road.
The ongoing major roadworks in Fossa were previously the subject of heated discussion at a Killarney Municipal District Council meeting.
At that time, councillors were warned about potential gridlock and traffic problems due to the narrowed road width. It was highlighted that with the road being just six metres wide and large vehicles measuring up to 3.5 metres, encounters could lead to “complete gridlock and traffic mayhem.”
Despite these warnings, council officials had stated that the construction work was too far advanced to make changes. The recent video validates the earlier concerns raised by elected members.

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