Connect with us

News

Killarney rings in the changes with defibrillator telephone box

Published

on

Tom Geaney with from left, Eilish Coffey, Damien Baker and Leo O'Connor from the project group 'Heart of Killarney'. PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE

K

Tom Geaney cuts the tape with, from left, Mayor of Killarney Municipal District Brendan Cronin, Damien Baker, Eilish Coffey and Leo O'Connor, Heart of Killarney.

KILLARNEY teenager Tom Geaney, whose life was saved by the use of a defibrillator after he suffered a heart attack, cut the ribbon on the defibrillator telephone box on Main Street today.

Tom, whose parents are both local GPs, owes his life to the quick reaction of club officials and the nearby access to a defibrillator and the new Heart of Killarney project aims to increase the public awareness around the location of the public access AEDs in Killarney.

Killarney aims to be the most heartsafe town in Ireland, with community first responders, public access AEDs and public training initiatives. The Heart of Killarney complements the existing services in the overall goal of reducing the lives lost to sudden cardiac arrests each year, said Damien Baker and Leo O'Connor, the project leads for the Heart of Killarney who have spearheaded this project working alongside Cllr Donal Grady, Kerry County Council, Irish Independent Healthfoods and many more supporters of the project.

“Historically the phone box played a huge part of Ireland's communities; it was the lifeline that kept families together,” said Damien Baker.
“Now they can do that again by housing these life-saving devices and help the public recognise and remember the locations of the AEDs.”

Killarney, as with other heart healthy projects, aims to lead this innovative project and hopes it will be a national role out over the next few years, he added.

“The team at Heart of Killarney have created a template for the project that will be provided on request to other towns on that want to follow with this initiative,” said Leo O’Connor.

Killarney has 13 public access AEDs which drastically improve the chances of survival of someone who has an out of hospital cardiac arrest. “The team at the heart of Killarney are working with the other groups already in existence in Killarney to strengthen the chain of survival,” added Leo.

Leo, who is also the coordinator of the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit, thanked the people of Killarney for their support in this project and encouraged other towns to follow suit.

Damien, a student paramedic in the UK, has paid tribute to the sponsors and supporters for making this possible and would encourage as many as possible to learn CPR and how to use an AED.

There is further information available on www.heartofkillarney.ie
 


 
Above: Tom Geaney with from left, Eilish Coffey, Damien Baker and Leo O'Connor from the project group 'Heart of Killarney'.
PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE

Advertisement

News

Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

Published

on

By

Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

Continue Reading

News

Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

Published

on

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport