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Killarney Credit Union scoops three international awards

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IT'S been hailed on the world stage as a "powerhouse of social enterprise" and Killarney Credit Union can take a well-deserved bow after it received three international awards for excellence.

The accolades were presented by the International Credit Union Leadership Development and Education Foundation at an awards ceremony in Bloomsbury, London, on Saturday.

Killarney was the category winners in the Edward Filene Credit Union Awards for Excellence – Great Britain and Ireland. It was the outright winner in the category “Engaging in community outreach and mobilisation” and in the category “Serving as a financial incubator for seed, small and medium sized businesses”. Not only that, it was the runner-up in the category “Use of the Media”.

Pat Delaney, chairman of Killarney Credit Union, said: “We are honoured to be recognised for our efforts as a credit union by a panel of international business and credit union experts. The adjudication process was comprehensive in nature and it is wonderful to be recognised for credit union excellence in both the UK and Ireland.”

Previous winners of the Edward Filene Awards were Glenamaddy Credit Union in Galway, but there has been no other Irish credit union winner since 2011. In attendance were representatives from credit unions throughout the world.

The guest of honour and keynote speaker was Marlene Shiels, OBE, FCIBS (Hon), I-CUDE, chief executive officer of Capital Credit Union Ltd, Edinburgh, who has recently been invested with the “Order of the British Empire” (OBE) by Her Majesty the Queen; it is believed she is the first credit unionist to be so honoured.

In presenting the award for Performance Excellence for a Credit Union serving as a financial incubator for seed, small and medium enterprises operated by credit union owner-members, the judge stated: “Killarney Credit Union is a powerhouse of social enterprise and community social and economic empowerment, passionate evangelists for what they do, and so has become the winning credit union for performance excellence in lending to owner-members to develop their businesses.”

Accepting the awards were Pat Delaney, chairman, Killarney Credit Union, Stephen Darmody, financial controller, and Helen Courtney Power, business development officer.
 


 
Above: Helen Courtney Power, Killarney Credit Union, accepting the awards on behalf of Killarney Credit Union in the Edward Filene Credit Union Awards for Excellence – Great Britain and Ireland, from Marlene Shiels, OBE, FCIBS (Hon), I-CUDE, chief executive officer of Capital Credit Union Ltd, Edinburgh.

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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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