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Family of severely Alexis welcome hoist grants policy change

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By Sean Moriarty

A Killarney family have welcomed news that that fixed track hoists will be included in the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Schemes.

Parents Steve and Teresa O’Mahony have been fighting government bureaucracy for months.

The urgently need a hoist fitted to their home to help them care for their daughter Alexis. She suffers from a pyruvate dehydrogenase, PDH, deficiency and she has a brain injury. She has cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, visual impairment, a subluxation of her hip and is at high risk of aspiration.
In recent months the family were dealing with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Health, in an effort to get a grant to fit a hoist to their home.

None of the government departments were willing to commit to the scheme until political intervention by TDs Pa Daly and Norma Foley and Tralee councillor Jim Finucane.

It was announced this week that that fixed track hoists will be included in the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Schemes.

“It is a big relief that funding has finally been reinstated and a clear pathway now exists in the years ahead for those across Ireland that require ceiling track hoists,” Steve told the Killarney Advertiser.

“Access to the scheme without worry now exists and enables people with a disability to live day to day with their dignity and comfort protected. It should never have taken almost three years to get the legislation in place and a lot needs to be learned in terms of engagement and communication channels between government departments.

“Ultimately it is some of society's most vulnerable that suffered because of the impasse and it is also society's most vulnerable and their families and carers that will benefit enormously from the scheme. A thank you to all Kerry politicians that engaged on this in various times.”

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Gardaí appeal for witnesses in Castleisland crash

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A woman in her 70s was critically injured following a single-vehicle car crash at Lisheenbaun, Castleisland.

The accident occurred at 11.40pm on Wednesday, December 10.

The female driver and sole occupant of the car was removed from the scene to Kerry University Hospital.

She remains in critical condition.

The road is closed pending a technical examination to be conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

Local diversions are in place via Currow Village.

The N21 Castleisland–Tralee and N22 Tralee–Farranfore roads are not affected.
 
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward.
 
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N23 in the Lisheenbaun, Castleisland area between 11:20pm and 11:50pm are asked to make it available to investigating Gardaí.
 
Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064-6671160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
 
Investigations are ongoing.

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New sports kit presented to Knockaderry National School

Knockaderry Farranfore National School received a new set of football and basketball jerseys and shorts this week, sponsored by the Manor West Hotel in Tralee and produced by MFC Sports. […]

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Knockaderry Farranfore National School received a new set of football and basketball jerseys and shorts this week, sponsored by the Manor West Hotel in Tralee and produced by MFC Sports.

The presentation was made by Manor West Hotel General Manager Ruth O’Sullivan and Senior Kerry footballer Joe O’Connor, who is Munster Area Development Manager with MFC Sports.
Pupils decorated the school hall in green and gold for the occasion and were excited to meet the visitors. The school thanked Manor West Hotel for its generous support and said the new kit will be well used in upcoming games.
“The children enjoyed the visit and decorated the hall in green and gold in anticipation of the presentation. The BOM and staff wish to thank Ruth and Manor West Hotel for their very generous sponsorship. The kit will certainly be put to good use,” said school principal Áine Daly.

Manor West Hotel said it was pleased to support the school and promote children’s sport and wellbeing. Knockaderry Farranfore NS, founded in 1888, now operates beside Farranfore GAA facilities, which the school uses regularly for training and matches.
“I would like to thank Joe and the MFC team for their incredible assistance in designing the kit. Who knows, we might even have a future Kerry All Ireland winner among us,” said Ruth O’Sullivan, General Manager, Manor West Hotel.

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