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Family prepares for four months of isolation

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LOCK DOWN: Alexis O’Mahony with her parents Steven and Teresa at her third birthday party in The Dromhall Hotel last April. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

By Sean Moriarty

The parents of a three-year-old girl - who suffers from a rare condition and needs 24-hour care - are preparing to lock themselves into their Woodlawn home for at least four months to prevent their high risk daughter getting ill.

Steve and Teresa O’Mahony’s daughter Alexis suffers from Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency, a condition that affects her ability to breakdown food to fuel her body, which results in side effects that include Cerebral Palsy and epilepsy.

The current highly contagious COVID-19 crisis means she is one of the most vulnerable people in society.

On St Patrick’s night Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned that the current crisis was just the calm before the storm with a surge in Coronavirus cases imminent, and that elderly and chronically ill people should be "cocooned" over the coming months.

Teresa is her official carer, but the family relies on help from the HSE and from charities like the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation.

Her parents cannot risk picking up the virus either and have already taken steps to limit contact with the outside world, including cancelling their HSE nurse and their Jack and Jill carer who would usually help a few days a week to give Teresa a break.
As the situation escalates they will have to rely on emergency services like the Red Cross to deliver food to their home as he and his wife will not be able to leave.

Steven said he will take every precaution necessary to protect his daughter, but even if the current crisis is brought under control in the short-term, he is preparing for a much longer isolation period.

“We have to take these measures," Steven, a pub DJ who is now unemployed, told the Killarney Advertiser.
"There is no point in keeping Alexis in isolation if one of us picks up something. I am not scared. Fear affects the immune system, and after all that we have been through over the last four years, I have learned it is pointless being fearful, it serves no purpose. We have a fine back garden when the weather gets better and I will occupy my mind by writing more music, something I did not have the time to do recently.”

Steven said that the Irish Government and the health and emergency services were doing a great job despite all that has been thrown at them over the last few days.

“This is going to affect every individual in some way, employment, business, mental health, everyone is going to feel this,” he added. “This country is doing really well. Everyone is in this together and we need to show leadership. This is no time for emotions, emotions cloud judgement.”

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Major extension plans at St Oliver’s National School

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Major extension plans at St Oliver’s National School


St Oliver’s National School in Ballycasheen is set to undergo a significant expansion following confirmation that the Department of Education has granted approval for the project to proceed to construction.


The building project, funded under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, will deliver a substantial extension to the existing school facilities. The development includes the provision of three new mainstream classrooms, seven Special Education Teaching (SET) rooms, and three Special Educational Needs (SEN) bases.
The expansion is designed to meet the growing educational needs of the Killarney area while enhancing the school’s capacity to provide inclusive support for all students.
Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill welcomed the progress, noting that the inclusion of dedicated SET and SEN spaces is vital for a modern learning environment.
“I am delighted to see this project at St Oliver’s National School progressing to the construction stage,” he said. “This is a very significant development that will greatly enhance the school’s capacity. I want to commend the school management, the Principal Colm Ó Suilleabháin, the staff, parents, and Board of Management for their continued engagement and dedication in advancing this project.”

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Killarney for Palestine raises €4,500 at ‘Taste of Palestine’ event

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The Killarney Palestinian and wider Arabic community gathered recently to celebrate the end of Ramadan with an Eid event that raised €4,500 for humanitarian aid.


Held at Noelle’s Cafe in Old Market Lane, the ‘Taste of Palestine’ afternoon saw crowds fill the lane in bright sunshine. Attendees were served a range of traditional Palestinian dishes, including falafel, musakhan rolls, maqluba, hummus, and chocolate-covered dates.
A spokesperson for Killarney for Palestine highlighted the cultural significance of the event, stating that food represents a centuries-old connection to the land, identity, and memory. They noted that it is vital to reclaim and preserve the true origins of these traditional dishes.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to Noelle Crosbie and Taher Ali of Noelle’s Cafe for hosting and facilitating the fundraiser.
The total of €4,500 raised will directly benefit six displaced families in the Gaza Strip currently supported by the group. The funds will also assist with the ongoing running costs of Killarney for Palestine as they continue to organise local community events.

Killarney for Palestine raises €4,500 at ‘Taste of Palestine’ event

The Killarney Palestinian and wider Arabic community gathered recently to celebrate the end of Ramadan with an Eid event that raised €4,500 for humanitarian aid.


Held at Noelle’s Cafe in Old Market Lane, the ‘Taste of Palestine’ afternoon saw crowds fill the lane in bright sunshine. Attendees were served a range of traditional Palestinian dishes, including falafel, musakhan rolls, maqluba, hummus, and chocolate-covered dates.
A spokesperson for Killarney for Palestine highlighted the cultural significance of the event, stating that food represents a centuries-old connection to the land, identity, and memory. They noted that it is vital to reclaim and preserve the true origins of these traditional dishes.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to Noelle Crosbie and Taher Ali of Noelle’s Cafe for hosting and facilitating the fundraiser.
The total of €4,500 raised will directly benefit six displaced families in the Gaza Strip currently supported by the group. The funds will also assist with the ongoing running costs of Killarney for Palestine as they continue to organise local community events.

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