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School rallies to raise funds for Dawid’s treatment

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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.

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 !'

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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