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Killarney Gardai to brew up support to help their youngest colleague, Ceejay

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Sgt Dermot O'Connell, Garda Gillian MacEoin and Superintendent Flor Murphy with Orla O'Driscoll, Killarney Plaza Hotel, launching the Garda Coffee morning at The Killarney Plaza Hotel. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH

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KILLARNEY GARDAÍ opened their hearts to the youngest honorary member of the force, Ceejay McArdle, when they discovered the four-year-old dreams of being a garda when he grows up.

Like police forces across the globe, the Killarney officers were determined to stretch out the hand of friendship to Ceejay and his family as the youngster bravely battles illness.

Now Killarney Gardaí have issued an invitation to everyone to join them as they host a coffee morning in the Window Bar in the Killarney Plaza Hotel tomorrow, Tuesday, September 27, from 10.30am. “We are hoping to raise funds for our newest and smallest member of An Garda Síochána,” said Garda Gillian Mac Eoin who together with Superintendent Flor Murphy and Sergeant Dermot O’Connell have pulled out all the stops to brew up support for Ceejay.

The four-year-old boy, from Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago and has been undergoing treatment for cancer in St John’s Ward in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, for the last two years. “We can only imagine how traumatic such treatment is on such a little man,” said Garda Mac Eoin.

Ceejay has always had a huge interest in the Gardaí and police work. "It is not even make-believe with him, if you were to ask Ceejay whether he would like to be a guard when he grows up he would tell you, 'but I already am a guard!'," his dad Marcus McArdle told Killarney Advertiser.

In light of the treatment he was undergoing, An Garda Siochána and police forces around the world have been sending Ceejay “get well soon” messages in an effort to cheer him up. “Ceejay started to become a little celebrity mascot for police forces all over the world,” added Garda Mac Eoin.

An Garda Síochána really took Ceejay under their wing. “Ceejay now has his own official Garda uniform, custom made to fit him and earlier this year he ‘graduated’ from the Garda college in Templemore, being made an honorary member of the force by Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan who was also in attendance,” said Sergeant Dermot O’Connell.

He is embracing his role and has been seen accompanying other members of the Gardaí doing traffic stops, issuing tickets and even assisting in arrests (all set up especially for Ceejay, no members of the public are being prosecuted!).

Tomorrow’s coffee morning is being organised by many other stations across the country at the same date and time. “Listowel and Tralee Garda Stations are also hosting a similar coffee morning in their districts,” said Superintendent Flor Murphy.

Gardai decided to host the coffee mornings to generate funds towards sending Ceejay and his parents to New York so that he can take up an invitation from the NYPD to march in the St Patrick’s Day parade with his Garda and NYPD colleagues.

Garda Mac Eoin added: “We would like to extend an invitation to everyone in Killarney to come along to the Window Bar in the Killarney Plaza hotel (upstairs) and join us for a cup of coffee or tea and some scones or cakes, all of which have been kindly donated from local businesses in Killarney. All funds generated from this coffee morning will go direct to the Ceejay St Patrick’s Day fund.”
 


 
Above: Sergeant Dermot O'Connell, Garda Gillian Mac Eoin and Superintendent Flor Murphy with Orla O'Driscoll, Killarney Plaza Hotel, launching the Garda Coffee morning at The Killarney Plaza Hotel. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH

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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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