Connect with us

News

Sadness at the passing of popular Franciscan Father

Published

on

B

By Sean Moriarty

Tributes have been paid to Fr Colm ‘Chris’ Connolly OFM, a popular member of the local Franciscan order, who died on Monday of this week.

Fr Connolly served the people of Killarney for the last 26 years and was described by colleagues as “a beloved institution in the town”.

He was born Colm in Violet Hill, Drumconrath County Meath, but was affectionately known as Fr Chris on the streets of Killarney.
Retired teacher Maureen O’Reilly from St Anne’s Road has a life-long connection with the Franciscan Order in Killarney. Her late brother David was a member of the order and she was a close friend of Fr Chris.
“As a young man in his 70s he walked around town, calling on and praying with the sick and housebound,” she said.
“He visited the hospitals when not on duty in the Friary. Fr Chris was always happy and smiling even though he was going through much personal pain and illness himself. He loved jokes.
“Fr Chris was a deeply spiritual man. Killarney will be the poorer for his passing. Beannacht Dé go raibh a anam.”

Chris joined the Franciscans in 1955, made his First Profession in 1956 and was ordained a priest in 1963.
He served in the Irish Franciscan Mission in Zimbabwe for many years.
Returning to Ireland in 1984, he ministered first in Waterford, and moved to the local friary in Killarney in 1993.
He will missed by his Confreres in the Franciscan Friary, his brother PJ, sister-in-law Nora, nieces Eithne, Maeve, Aoife, Sinead and Fiona, grand-nephews, cousins and his many friends.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated at noon today (Friday), followed by burial in the Friary graveyard.

Advertisement

News

Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

News

How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport