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Kidney patient welcomes new vaccine priority list

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WELCOME: Barth Flynn has welcomed the new vaccine priority list

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By Sean Moriarty

 

A local kidney patient has welcomed the Government’s changes to the COVID-19 vaccine allocation priority list which was updated on Tuesday - saying it's "far more comprehensive".

It now means all organ transplant recipients and people on dialysis aged 16 to 69-years-old are moved to cohort 4 consistent with their medical risk.

Kidney transplant patients affected by COVID-19 have 20 percent mortality rate according to research by The European Society for Organ Transplantation.

Barth Flynn (37), attends dialysis at University Hospital Kerry three days a week. The Fossa man suffered kidney failure as a baby and the condition grew progressively worse in adulthood.

He received his vaccine last week. However, he was vaccinated through his job as the former Director of Nursing at Killarney Nursing Home and not because he is medically vulnerable.

Speaking with the Killarney Advertiser last month, he raised serious concerns about the Government’s vaccine plan.

He felt kidney patients were too far down the list and if they picked up COVID-19 in the meantime it could create an untold amount of problems for them and in turn at the kidney and dialysis unit at University Hospital Kerry (UHK).

“The new list makes far more sense,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “The last one was something that looked like it was only thrown together. I am delighted to see the new list – and it is not just about me – I know several people with respiratory conditions who were a way, way, down the old list. They were very scared and concerned. This new list is far more comprehensive.”

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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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