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Just over two years ago, a group of five people (Sheila Burke O’Connor, Marie Moloney, Derek O’Leary, Willie Fleming and John Guerin) came together with a vision and determination of providing defibrillators for the parish of Kilcummin.

With ongoing fundraising and huge support from the community, they have to-date erected five defibrillators in the parish. On Wednesday night last, a group of over 50 participants from Kilcummin community and surrounds came together for a CPR and Defibrillator use training course. Group member Derek O’Leary organised a team of 9 qualified instructors and a very successful certified training course took place. Derek said: “We were overawed by the turnout but it goes to show that people are very aware of the provision of the defibrillators and the need to be able to use them in the event of an emergency.”

The group were delighted to recently receive funding from the Ring of Kerry Cycle committee to enable them to purchase a sixth defibrillator which will shortly be erected. Group Treasurer Willie Fleming said: “We are absolutely delighted with the funding which has enabled us to purchase a 6^th defibrillator which we will organise to have erected at a suitable location shortly.”

As Kilcummin is known to be one of the biggest parishes in Ireland, the group is determined to continue fundraising to provide additional defibrillators to ensure that no matter where you live in Kilcummin a defibrillator is only minutes away, and also for the maintenance and upkeep of the existing units.

As there has already been an additional number of enquiries about a future training course, the Group will be organising further training at a later date and those interested can contact any member of the group for details. All updates and information can also be found on Facebook at “Kilcummin Defib Group”.