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Ryan takes on 200k in 28 days to help his school

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ACCOMPLISHMENT: Ryan Looney (13) from Gneeveguilla, pictured with his mom Brigitta, is walking 200k in 28 days to raise funds for his school. Photo: Michelle Crean 

By Michelle Crean

He may not have the actual view of the Ring of Kerry but that isn't stopping one teen from walking its circumference - by taking on 200k all within 28 days! Ryan Looney (13) who has Autism, decided to take on the huge challenge to help raise funds for his school.

Currently in the Oak Class in St. Francis Special School, Ryan, from Quarry Cross, Gneeveguilla, wanted to raise money to help fund private therapies such as speech and language therapy carried out by Kerry Speech and Language Clinic who offer 1:1 SLT sessions.

And Ryan is so dedicated to his goal that he hasn't missed a day's walk, accompanied by his mom Brigitta, since the Easter holidays.

What's even better is that Ryan is getting huge support online through his GoFundMe and Facebook pages 'Ryan's Virtual Ring of Kerry Walking Challenge'.

"Ryan has been walking non stop all through his Easter Holidays, he has been walking over 10k a day and now has over 160k done," his mom Brigitta told the Killarney Advertiser.

"As he is back in school now and busy, he is doing the rest of the challenge in the evenings with smaller walks of 3km and 4km. He hopes to have it completed by next week. He loves being outdoors and it's something different, and we've been blessed with the weather."

Normally the school has an annual golf classic fundraiser organised by the SFSS Parent's Autism Support Group. Their last one, in 2019, raised €19,000. However, with events postponed due to the ongoing pandemic, fundraising has become harder, and this inspired Ryan and his mom take on the challenge.

"A friend had the Conqueror App and was walking to Rome virtually, so we decided to do the Ring of Kerry. It maps out the walk and once completed he will get a medal in the post. We also set up a GoFundMe page with a target of €1,000 and it's now at almost €3,000," Brigitta added.

"We have a Facebook page set up 'Ryan's Virtual Ring of Kerry Walking Challenge' and people are sending me pics as they are walking to support Ryan with #TEAMRYAN which is lovely, and he loves seeing them."

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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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