Killarney Water Rescue Search and Recovery will be one of the driving forces behind a new national initiative launching in 2026, Ireland’s first dedicated Cadaver Water Search Dog Training Programme.

The programme will train specialist dogs to detect human remains under water, supporting missing person searches and recovery operations where time is critical.

Training will take place on the Killarney Lakes within Killarney National Park, using both shoreline and boat based search environments.

The project is a collaboration between Hounds and Helis, Ireland’s Specialist Search and Rescue Dogs (ISSARD), and Killarney Water Rescue Search and Recovery.

The initiative aims to strengthen Ireland’s search and rescue capability by providing highly trained canine teams to assist emergency services during complex water searches.

The TFI Anseo bus service in Killarney has carried more than 20,000 passengers in its first four months of operation, according to figures released by the National Transport Authority in partnership with TFI Local Link Kerry.

The demand responsive service, which launched on August 11, has seen steady growth, reflecting strong local take up and increasing demand for sustainable transport options in the town.

In the run up to Christmas, the service reached another milestone when 2,023 passengers used Anseo in a single week, the highest weekly total since its introduction and the first time weekly usage passed the 2,000 mark.

To meet growing demand, operating hours were extended in early October. The service now runs from 6.30am to 11pm, seven days a week, providing greater flexibility for commuters, shoppers and visitors.

Edmund Betagh, TFI Local Link Programme Manager at the NTA, said the figures showed the service was making a real difference in Killarney and highlighted the community’s support for accessible and reliable public transport.

Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, said the extended hours had further improved accessibility and given people an additional transport option for daily travel.

TFI Anseo operates as a smart, app based service within a designated Killarney zone and is funded through the Government’s Climate Action Fund under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.