The consultant psychiatrist who blew the whistle on the South Kerry CAMHS scandal, Dr Maya Sharma, is officially opening a new private children’s assessment clinic in Killarney town centre.

The development follows reports in the Killarney Advertiser in May that Dr Sharma was seeking a return to Kerry.

The clinic is now confirmed to open within the next two months after suitable town centre premises were successfully secured.

The facility will provide a range of specialist assessment services for children, giving local families an alternative option within the county to bypass long public waiting lists.

Dr Sharma previously exposed the over-medication and inappropriate treatment of young patients within the South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Her disclosures led to a major state investigation which revealed hundreds of vulnerable children had been harmed or put at risk by unsafe clinical practices.

Councillor Martin Grady, who assisted in finding the town centre location, welcomed the finalisation of the plans and praised Dr Sharma’s bravery and dedication.

“I am absolutely delighted that we were able to work together to secure suitable premises for Dr Sharma here in Killarney,” Cllr Grady said. “She is a tremendous asset to our town and to County Kerry. The work she has carried out over the years has made a real difference to so many children and families. Personally, I want to sincerely thank Dr Sharma for her bravery and honesty in coming forward and speaking the truth for the betterment and protection of vulnerable young people receiving treatment. Her actions required immense courage, and many families throughout Kerry and beyond recognise the importance of what she did.”

Cllr Grady noted that Dr Sharma has a strong personal connection to the area, particularly her love for the local National Park, and is eager to begin practicing in Killarney again.

“There are massive waiting times for children requiring assessments through the public system,” Cllr Grady added. “While this private clinic won’t replace public services, it will provide families with another option and will greatly increase local capacity. We are fortunate to have someone of Dr Sharma’s calibre choosing to establish her practice here.”

St Mary’s Church hosts John McCormack tribute

A musical recital celebrating the legacy of Irish tenor John McCormack took place at St Mary’s Church of Ireland on Friday last, July 3.

The event featured Kerry tenor Gavan Ring, who was joined on stage by pianist Gary Beecher and violinist Kenneth Rice.

The trio performed a programme of songs, operatic pieces, and transatlantic melodies associated with McCormack’s international career and his influence on Irish-American identity.
A key element of the performance included a dedicated tribute to the historic musical partnership between McCormack and violin virtuoso Fritz Kreisler.

The concert was held as part of the new ‘Summer in Killarney’ festival, a cultural series marking 250 years of Irish contributions to American culture.

The festival is presented by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, with support from the NPWS, Heineken 0.0, Fáilte Ireland, and Kerry County Council’s Community Support Fund.