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Forty-bed mental health services facility remains unopened in Killarney

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FUNDING is not currently available to open and staff a major new mental health unit in Killarney, it has emerged. In September, Killarney Advertiser highlighted how members of the Kerry branch of the Psychiatric Nurses' Association were concerned that the brand-new complex was lying idle.

Following a meeting between the Psychiatric Nurses’ Association (PNA) and the area manager for the Health Service Executive South, Sinead Glennon, on Thursday, the Health Service Executive (HSE) informed the PNA that no funding was currently available to open and staff Deer Lodge, a new 40-bed mental health unit at St Margaret’s Road.

The PNA said it was told the funding for Kerry Mental Health Services of €1.65m announced in the 2017 HSE Service Plan would be spent exclusively on renovations works at the acute admission unit, Kerry University Hospital, Tralee. Deer Lodge will replace the current longstay O’Connor Unit on the grounds of St Finan’s Hospital, Killarney.

“Ms Glennon said that HSE South was actively attempting to source funding for the opening of Deer Lodge from the Department of Health and it was hoped funding would be made available in the coming months,” said Cormac Williams, Killarney, of the Kerry branch of the PNA.

“The staffing proposals as were outlined by the HSE for Deer Lodge were rejected as unacceptable by the PNA as the ratio of healthcare assistance to nurses proposed (1 HCAs for every two nurses) was far too high and would not be in keeping with a higher skill, therapeutic, recovery and rehabilitative-based model of care.”

The PNA has also expressed a wish to see new service concepts such as crisis intervention beds made available in the new Deer Lodge complex. “Currently no crisis intervention beds are available within Kerry mental service area,” said Mr Williams.
 


 
Above: Kerry PNA representatives Cormac Williams, Mary Delaney, Pat Murphy, Ruth Adams and Finbarr Murphy outside Deer Lodge in September when they highlighted the fact that the building was lying idle.

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Women’s Aid highlights rising femicide figures following Killarney death

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Women’s Aid highlights rising femicide figures following Killarney death

Following the violent death of Jamey Carney in Killarney on Tuesday, national charity Women’s Aid has released a stark update regarding violence against women in Ireland.

According to the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch for the Republic of Ireland, eight women have died in violent circumstances so far this year.

This figure already exceeds the total of seven women recorded during the entirety of 2025.

Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid, said:

“Violence, abuse, and even at its extremes, death, are still a reality for many women living in Ireland. After the devastating murder of Ashling Murphy in 2022, Ireland said never again. But Ireland has not lived up to that promise.

“Since then, 40 women have died violently in Ireland. That is 40 women with lives, dreams, family, friends and communities.

“Since we started the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch in 1996, 286 women have died violently in Ireland. Every death is an outrage. An absolute tragic loss of life resulting in utter heartache and trauma for those left behind.

“We are thinking today of those who will be deeply impacted by the loss of life in Killarney. Prevention of all domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is crucial and urgent.”

“The Women’s Aid Femicide Watch shows that 87% of women (where the case has been resolved) were killed by a man known to them. We also know that in Ireland, one in three women has been subjected to domestic abuse of some kind.

“Every woman has the right to be safe in her home and in her community, and this is just not the case. We must do the work required to achieve equality and safety for all, to make Ireland a country that truly has zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”

Support is available on the Women’s Aid 24-Hour National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900, or go to womensaid.ie to use the Instant Message Service or for more information on domestic violence and abuse.”

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Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off

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Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off

Gardaí investigating the discovery of a woman’s body at a residence on Muckross Road in Killarney are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the direction of their inquiries.

It is understood that a full murder investigation is expected to be launched.

The deceased has been named locally as Jamey Carney, an American national in her 40s and the mother of a 13-year-old girl.

The scene at the domestic residence remains cordoned off today for a full technical examination, with a visible Garda presence continuing at the location.

An incident room has been established at Killarney Garda Station under a Senior Investigating Officer. Local businesses in the area have already begun supplying CCTV footage to assisting officers.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, local councillor Martin Grady expressed the deep sense of shock in the area.

“I want to offer my condolences to the family,” Cllr Grady said. “This is an awful shock to the local community. I encourage anyone to come forward with any information they may have to An Garda Síochána. Whoever committed such a crime is a cowardly person and should get the maximum penalty.”

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Muckross Road area between the evening of Monday, July 6 and the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7 to come forward. They are particularly appealing to road users and business owners who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the area during those times.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

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