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Killarney’s poor history of allowing public buildings fall into disrepair

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By Sean Moriarty

Progression of the Killarney Nursing Unit on the site of St Finan’s Hosptial is both welcome and alarming.

The first phase of construction of the new hospital – the replacement building for existing community hospitals – will be completed by the end of this month the HSE has confirmed to the Killarney Advertiser.

Works due to be completed this month include the marking out of the site with a main contractor due to be appointed in the coming weeks once the procurement process is complete.

The development, which will be built on the grounds of St Finan’s Hospital, will replace the current St Columbanus Home and the District Hospital (short stay unit).

It will be made up of four 25-bed units and a 30-bed dementia unit.

However, while the progression of the hospital development is welcomed, it also begs the question, what will become of both the current St Columbanus Home and the District Hospital once construction of the new hospital is completed.

Killarney has a poor history of letting public buildings, that are no longer in use, fall into disrepair.

Back in 2009, the Franciscan Order donated the Áras Phadráig to the town council and 12 years on, and despite countless promises and plans, it remains undeveloped.

The same applies to the former Pretty Polly factory on Park Road – also unoccupied since 2009 and in public ownership since that time. Kerry County Council plans to build houses on part of the site but overall it has been allowed to fall into disrepair.

The new hospital facility, is being built on the site of the former St Finan’s hospital. This beautiful building has been idle since September 2012.

Kerry County Council have an interest in a small part of that site but this iconic building has also been allowed to fall into disrepair and there are no signs of a potential buyer.

“Kerry County Council have confirmed that they wish to acquire 5.77 acres to the north of the Ring Road at Ballydribeen and the disposal of this element is being progressed with Kerry County Council,” a HSE spokesperson told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

“There has been no further interest in the former St Finan's building, and surrounding lands, to date from other state agencies, and so it is the HSE’s intention to dispose of the remainder of this property, via public sale, in the future in accordance with HSE Property Disposal protocols.”

Both the St Columbanus Home and the District Hospital can be added to the growing list of unoccupied public buildings in the town.

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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