News
School rallies to raise funds for Dawid’s treatment
By Michelle Crean
A local town school came together for a good cause on Wednesday to raise funds to help one of their own reach a fundraising goal for vital treatment.
TREATMENT: Little Dawid Ciemny a pupil at Holy Cross Mercy School suffers from severe Autism.
TREATMENT: Little Dawid Ciemny a pupil at Holy Cross Mercy School suffers from severe Autism.
Pupils and staff of Holy Cross Mercy School very enthusiastically wore pyjamas to school to raise funds for pupil five-year-old Dawid Ciemny who suffers from severe Autism.
The Killarney Advertiser first highlighted Dawid's story in early December when his parents Slawek Ciemny and Kamila Smietanska launched the GoFundMe appeal to raise funds to bring him to Poland for specialised treatment.
His parents, who live in Courtyard Killarney, say his diagnosis is very complex as Dawid, who currently attends the ASD Sunshine Class in Holy Cross Mercy School, doesn't talk or understand them.
They also say the disease called Autoimmune Encephalitis has taken away his chance for normal development as he suffers from irrational anxieties, sometimes he is too weak to walk and his small body is in constant pain.
Immunoglobulin Infusions have been recommended as the best chance of a pain free and normal life for Dawid - but it is very expensive with each one costing €5,000 every six weeks.
They're hoping to get going with his treatment in April and so far over €7,000 has been raised towards their €50,000 goal online.
And with the funds from Wednesday's Pajama Day - they are slowly inching towards it.
"We raised in excess of €2,300 and we like to thank all our families for their generous donations," Dawid’s teacher, Lucy O'Mahony, told the Killarney Advertiser.
"The whole school took part in the fundraiser including our preschool. Children brought in their pocket money. One child in Senior Infants brought in €20 which she got in a card for her birthday last week. More made cards for Dawid. All the children are very concerned for Dawid. They want his pain to stop and hope to play with him in the future when he feels better."
She added that even the bus driver who drives some of the children to school gave a generous contribution.
"We didn’t know he was aware we were doing a fundraiser. Our colleagues in the Monastery School also ran their own fundraiser to do their best to help Dawid get the treatment he needs. I, along with Kay Doona, Kinga Popoliek and Nessa Casey, decided to approach Mrs Ursula Coffey - our principal about doing something for Dawid. As always Mrs Coffey is very supportive."
His parents are also very grateful to everyone who has so far helped with the fundraising.
"We would like to thank the school very much because without their help it would not have been possible to raise such funds," Dawid's mom Kamila said.
To donate go to GoFundMe: 'The disease has taken control over Dawid !'
KWD Recycling shortlisted for national environmental awards
Killarney-based KWD Recycling has been announced as a finalist in the 2026 Repak Resource Awards, securing a spot on the national shortlist for environmental achievement.
The local waste management company has been nominated in the Best Recovery Operator Innovation category, sponsored by DNV, for its state-of-the-art residual waste recovery system.
The Killarney facility utilizes optical sorting, screening, and mechanical processing to extract recyclable plastics and organic material from municipal waste. In its first year of operation, the technology recovered more than 10 per cent of plastic packaging from residual waste for recycling and diverted almost 50 per cent of organic material toward composting.
KWD Recycling will compete alongside Dublin operators Panda and Thorntons Recycling for the category title.
Repak CEO Zoe Kavanagh commended the Kerry firm for demonstrating environmental leadership and bringing local ambition to the national awards.
Category winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony at the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday, October 23, where each winner will also compete for the Overall Repak Resource Award.
Local businesses have a strong track record at the national event, with Killarney town venue The Killarney Park and The Ross previously taking home the overall title in 2023.
Drivers warned as deer rutting season begins
Motorists in Killarney are being urged to exercise extreme caution as the annual deer rutting season gets underway, causing animals to stray far beyond their usual habitats inside Killarney National Park.
The autumn mating season sees deer becoming highly active and unpredictable, leading to increased sightings and collisions on local roads outside traditional park boundaries.
Two separate incidents highlighted the growing hazard on local routes this week. A reader contacted the Killarney Advertiser to warn drivers after spotting a deer roaming near Tiernaboul towards the school on Sunday afternoon around 7.30pm.
Later that same night, in the early hours of Monday morning, a local driver collided with a deer near Kerry Airport around 1am while returning home from an event.
Despite attempting evasive action, the motorist struck the animal, which died at the scene and temporarily blocked the road before local Gardaí were alerted to clear the obstruction.
The driver sustained substantial vehicle damage, requiring repairs to the bumper, headlamp, and internal components, leaving her facing significant garage costs and time off the road.
Gardaí and road safety advocates advise motorists travelLing during early morning and late evening and remain vigilant along tree-lined routes.
KWD Recycling shortlisted for national environmental awards
KWD Recycling shortlisted for national environmental awards Killarney-based KWD Recycling has been announced as a finalist in the 2026 Repak...
Drivers warned as deer rutting season begins
Drivers warned as deer rutting season begins Motorists in Killarney are being urged to exercise extreme caution as the annual...
Kerry Airport CEO addresses chamber luncheon
Kerry Airport chief executive Adrian Neilan addressed local business leaders at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce luncheon at...
The Brehon raises €2,850 for Jack and Jill Foundation
The Brehon Hotel and Spa raised €2,850 for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation after hosting a closest-to-the-pin golf simulator...
Five local postmen retire with 185 years service
Five local postmen retire with 185 years service RETIREMENT NIGHT: Pictured at the retirement party held at Killarney Racecourse on...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
