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Popular Kilcummin man Brendan O’Leary, who passed away in 2012, is to be remembered next week at a memorial fundraising walk.

BY MICHELLE CREAN

Plans are in place for the second annual 'Brendan O'Leary Memorial Fun Walk', which takes place on Sunday, February 17.
Una O’Leary, Brendan’s widow, is planning the event to help raise funds for the Palliative Care Unit at University Hospital Kerry.
The 5k walk will begin from Una’s yard at Lyreatough, Kilcummin at 2pm, with €10 registration at 1.30pm.
Brendan was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2012 and passed away 18 months later on February 18, aged just 42.
“This walk keeps me going,” Una told the Killarney Advertiser this week.
“Last year we raised €3,500 and we hope to raise a substantial amount again this year. I’m hoping this year will be bigger and better. It’s a nice day out for family, friends and neighbours to remember Brendan.”
She explained that Brendan, a farmer and an agricultural contractor, had no symptoms, just a sudden pain in his back.
“He had no symptoms at all, that’s the most frightening part. He had a pain in his back that wouldn’t go away and was then diagnosed. For someone his age it was rare.”
She said the walks are her way of giving something back to those who helped during his illness.
“The care he got in Tralee was absolutely brilliant. When he went into palliative care Dr Sheehan and staff couldn’t do enough. If the funds help someone or help pay the debt of the Palliative Care Unit – then why not?”