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Killarney student elected ISSU International Officer

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ELECTED: Killarney student Kacper Bogalecki has been elected International Officer of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU).

By Michelle Crean 
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A local student has made such an impression representing the student voice in Kerry at national level that he has been elected International Officer of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU).

Kacper Bogalecki, a Fifth Year student in St Brendan’s College, was elected at the Annual Assembly and will take up his role officially in July.

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union is the national representative body for second-level student councils, with over 500 schools affiliated to the union nationally. Since the onset of COVID-19 and its impact on the education system, the ISSU has sat on an Advisory Group of the Department of Education & Skills, representing students and cooperating with other stakeholders on issues such as the Junior Cert, schools reopening and the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Leaving Cert.

“I ran for this position because I wanted to help the students of Ireland be represented at an international level," Kacper said.

"I believe that we, as a people, have so much to learn from those around us and there is a great number of things which we could incorporate from abroad for our students at home. I was also driven to run for this position due to my international background. I'm from Poland, and having been able to live in other European countries as well, I felt like this position was suited to me and my experience.”

PASSIONATE

Kacper is currently serving his term as Kerry Regional Officer of the Union, and says that he is passionate about community involvement. He volunteers with the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps and is an active member of his local No Name Club. Outside of his youth activism and volunteering, Kacper also likes to play tennis, debate and travel.

In what has been an extraordinary year for the education system, Kacper is ready to lead the union.

“My main aim is to propel the ISSU on an international front. I am looking forward to working with the likes of our European counterparts OBESSU, the Northern Ireland Union SSUNI and foreign departments of education. I also want to work with international students within Ireland, making sure that they are heard on matters of importance to them. Finally, as an NSE officer I hope to bring fairness to the 2022 State exams by making sure that the students at our grassroots have direct input into advising on the realisation of these exams.”

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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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.

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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. […]

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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.

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