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EXCLUSIVE 250 people a day avail of PCR tests in Killarney

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By Sean Moriarty

Close on 250 people a day availed of PCR tests in Killarney the Advertiser can exclusively reveal.

A test centre opened in St Mary’s Parish Hall near O’Sullivan’s Place on Wednesday of this week in an effort to take the pressure off the fulltime test centre in Tralee.

There has been an extraordinary and unprecedented demand for Covid-19 PCR testing in Kerry in recent weeks.
The test centre in Tralee is usually in a position to offer appointment for tests within 24 hours or so, but the recent high level of demand has meant that people are waiting longer and this led to the setting up of a pop centre in Killarney this week.
Staff from the National Ambulance Service, from as far away as Sligo, were drafted in to operate the Killarney service.
The further provision of a PCR pop-up test centre in Killarney will depend on the availability of staff from the National Ambulance service.
However, the Killarney Advertiser understands that the ambulance staff operating the Killarney centre will be replaced with a new operational crew over the weekend.
Testing at the Killarney centre – which was done on a strict appointment only basis – is officially due to come to an end today (Friday) but it could be extended further.
This was not confirmed by the HSE as the Advertiser closed for press on Thursday afternoon but a source close to the Killarney operation told the Killarney Advertiser that he was expecting relief staff at the centre over the weekend.

“The provision of future dates for pop-up test centres will be reviewed in conjunction with our National Ambulance Service colleagues,” a HSE spokesperson told the Killarney Advertiser.

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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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