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New necessary measures to protect Kerry Mountain Rescue Team

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By Michelle Crean

Given the high numbers of people observed out on Kerry mountains at the weekend one local life-saving group has had to make some difficult choices.

Due to COVID-19, Kerry Mountain Rescue Team are asking walkers to forego their enjoyment of the hills for the moment and to stick to lowland paths and walkways, while strictly observing social distancing principles – otherwise, they say that a time could come when the team may not be able to respond at all.

“When calling out the Team to an incident, our first priority has to be the safety of Team members and their families,” Colm Burke, PRO, KMRT, said.

“We are all volunteers, many of whom live with and care for 'vulnerable' people at home and in our working lives. If you call 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue, we will of course do what we can, however, if you are uninjured, lost or benighted, you will be asked to consider waiting until morning, and/or better visibility to extricate yourself. If you are 'walking wounded' you will be asked to consider extricating yourself from the mountain. If you are seriously injured, and/or not physically able to get yourself off the hill, we will attend with the absolute minimum of team members needed to complete the task. Because of this, the evacuation will be less straightforward and the overall time to transport you to medical attention will be much longer.”
Helicopter support will only be requested if a time critical injury is sustained, he added.

“While contrary to everything Kerry Mountain Rescue believe in, these measures are necessary to protect Team members and their families at this time. COVID-19 is a very serious threat and it’s time everyone faced up to their responsibilities in order to limit the spread of the virus. Government guidelines have been very clear about physical distancing and many people have chosen to ignore this, putting everyone at risk.”

He explained that by its very nature, mountain rescue requires close contact between both rescuers and casualty, exposing everyone to the risk of infection.

“Remember, we could also infect you! Our already over-burdened hospitals don’t need or want any avoidable admissions over this difficult period.

Let's all put our shoulder to the wheel now and do our bit. Be responsible, stop the spread. Remember, the mountains will always be there.”

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Irish feature film set for Killarney cinema debut

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A new feature film, created by Irish writer and director Liam O Mochain, is set for release in Killarney next Friday, November 7.

Mr O Mochain said he is delighted to bring ABODE to a Killarney audience following its sold out world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh and a screening at the recent IndieCork film festival.

ABODE is a feature film with five stories connected by the theme of home and what it means to the different characters in the film.

It shows that home has an importance and a different meaning for everyone.

In ABODE, everyone wants to belong somewhere. The film was shot over a three-year period and finished in early 2025.

O Mochain says that the stories are a mix of drama and comedy, inspired by true stories, events or incidents.

It is set on the theme of home which is very relevant today.

Ryan Lincoln, Sophie Vavessuer, and Liam O Mochain are among the cast.

ABODE is O Mochain’s fourth feature film. His 2017 feature film ‘Lost & Found’ screened at festivals around the world from the Galway Film Fleadh to the Austin Film Festival

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Local pharmacies restock Lions ‘Message in a Bottle’

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Killarney pharmacies are restocked with ‘Message in a Bottle’, an initiative by Killarney Lions Club.

It is a small plastic container, available free of charge, with an information form which people can fill out with their basic medical details for use by Paramedics, Gardaí, Fire-fighters and first responders in an emergency.

Once the information form is complete, the bottle should be placed in the fridge.

Self-adhesive green cross labels should be put on the front door of the home and on the fridge so that first responders know its there.

Bottles are available at the following pharmacies: Allcare (New St.), Boots (Deerpark), CarePlus+ (Park Rd.), Kennelly’s (Reeks and New St.), Reens Life (Plunkett St.), O’Sullivan’s (New St.), Sewell’s (New St.), Sheahan’s (Main St.), Trants (Park Rd.) and Aherns Farranfore.

Jason Higgins, President of Killarney Lions Club, said that the initiative has been very well received to date as hundreds of people are already using the bottles.

He said: “We just want to make sure everyone who wants a bottle can get one, so the support from the pharmacies is fantastic and if it helps even just one person to get the help they need more quickly and effectively, it is well worth it.”

More information about the Message in a Bottle initiative can be found on the Lions Ireland website: https://lionsclubs.ie/service/message-in-a-bottle/

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