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John’s ‘Special Words’ help keep essential service on the road

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CHARITY SONG: John Vaughan from Gneeveguilla has penned a song 'Special Words' with proceeds going to Kerry Cancer Support Group.

By Michelle Crean

In a year when everything has changed and the world has become a very different place one man decided that he is going to do his bit to keep a local essential service on the road.

John Vaughan from Gneeveguilla, who works as a postman, wrote and recorded a song called 'Special Words' and decided to donate the proceeds from sales to Kerry Cancer Support Group. The charity operates the Healthlink Transport Service to Cork and Limerick and has continued to transport service users safely and within guidelines to cancer related appointments all through the pandemic.

John said that he wants to sincerely thank everyone for their support and that he is delighted to be able to support this cause. He said that without the support from the Healthlink Transport service many people wouldn’t get to hospitals for their treatment and that he is very happy to contribute to keeping such an essential service rolling. He also said that all contributions are gratefully accepted.

Many people have been asking him if he came up with the song as a result of the pandemic, but he explained that the words have been with him for years. The song has been played on radio stations in Kerry, Cork and Limerick and has been met with a very warm reception.

"About four years ago the words of the song came into my head," John told the Killarney Advertiser.

"I had it written within an hour. I went to Leo Fitzgerald's recording studio in Ballydesmond. I had the melody and he put it all together. My sister in Boston put it up on Facebook a few months ago and people said it's very appropriate for the virus. It started to be played on different radio stations and I decided I wanted to help a charity and got onto Breda."

To date John has raised over €1,000 for the charity.

"Because of the virus physical copies can't be held by the charity but people can contact me to get one. Hopefully it'll raise some more."

John can be contacted at slanteimmune@gmail.com for information on purchasing a copy of 'Special Words' or write to him: John Vaughan, Gneeveguilla, Co Kerry.

"I want to thank Leo for all his help and patience producing the song and his dad Mike for helping me share it with radio stations."

Breda Dyland from Kerry Cancer Support Group said that the charity is very grateful to John and all who have purchased the song.

"It is a beautiful song that is very fitting for the times that we are faced with. All funds raised will go towards the operation of our Healthlink transport service."

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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