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“The system is broken” – KASI says

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By Michelle Crean

* 135 woman and children given 48 hours notice to move 300kms across the country

* Reversal of the decision to move made at the last hour

* Education Minister says reversal is "the right decision"

* 192 male asylum seekers arrived to the Hotel Killarney last week

* 25 male asylum seekers arrive to Hotel Killarney Tuesday

* 100 more women and children arrive to Hotel Killarney yesterday (Thursday)

* System at breaking point - KASI

The 135 Ukrainian women and children - who were given just 48 hours to pack their lives up and move 300kms across the country - now face further upheaval as they have no idea if, or when, they'll have to pack up and move again.

The war-torn refugees were relieved and emotional to hear at the last hour that they could stay in Killarney. The 48 hour notice to leave by letter came after the unexpected arrival of 192 asylum seekers to the Hotel Killarney at 11am one night last week which left the women and children shocked.

It was decided by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth that the Ukrainian women and children, who have been settling into life in Killarney, including securing jobs and school places since last March - would have to move out of the county.

In response to a query from the Killarney Advertiser earlier this week, the Department of Children, which is overseen by Minister Roderic O'Gorman TD, said that Hotel Killarney was originally meant to host International Protection applicants - or asylum seekers.

The Ukrainians, they said, were housed there temporarily and would have to be moved to Mayo - or the newly arrived asylum seekers would face homelessness.

Against a huge backdrop of opposition from the community and political leaders, including a huge gathering at the hotel on Wednesday morning, Education Minister Norma Foley made the announcement that they could stay in Killarney - just one hour before they were to board the bus to Mayo. The issue was also raised in the Dáil on Tuesday afternoon by TD Brendan Griffin.

Now they're settling in to IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Services) approved accommodation in multiple locations across the town - but for how long - they don't know.

And with the arrival of a further 100 women and children asylum seekers to Hotel Killarney yesterday (Thursday) and 25 men on Tuesday, KASI (Killarney Immigrant Support Centre) Chairperson, Sheila Casey, said that the system "is at breaking point".

"They should have gotten more than 48 hours notice, it upset a lot of people," she told the Killarney Advertiser.

She said that the women and children from Ukraine have no idea how long they will be allowed to stay in their new accommodation.

"They don't know if it's permanent."

"There seems to be no joined up thinking. Communication between IPAS and inter-agencies - we're not being fed any information and we're the people on the ground. The whole thing has been handled very badly. I don't know where the breakdown is."

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Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways. The recently opened […]

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With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways.

The recently opened Kingdom of Kerry Greenways between Tralee and Fenit and between Listowel and Abbeyfeale are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors to Kerry.

Representatives of the tourism Industry, local public representatives, travel writers and influencers gathered in Kerry on Monday to experience the exciting new tourist attractions and welcome the arrival of the longer daylight hours as the clocks changed over to summertime.

Sarah Hanrahan, a social media influencer who posts about Irish travel and has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, described the experience.

“Ireland has some of the most amazing outdoor spaces. For a lot of my followers and other people, connecting with green spaces has become much more important to their overall sense of well-being as well as their health and fitness. It’s been really gorgeous to experience the Tralee to Fenit, and Listowel to Limerick Kingdom of Kerry Greenways; a fantastic trip sampling the warm hospitality of Kerry and a great reminder of the active holiday options that are right on our doorstep.”

The new purpose-built trails provide an accessible and inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.

Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Aoife Thornton, said that the greenways offer an exceptional recreational amenity for everyone to enjoy.

“The greenways are situated in some of Kerry’s most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular and safe off-road facilities for people of all ages to enjoy as the landscape comes into bloom. They also offer warm hospitality at the trail head towns of each route.”

Visit www.kerrygreenways.ie to find out more.

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St Patrick’s Day parade winners announced

Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney. Delighted […]

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Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney.

Delighted club representatives were presented with the Seán O’Keeffe Perpetual Trophy – in memory of the former Mayor of Killarney and parade stalwart – at a gala presentation of prizes in the International Hotel, Killarney on Tuesday night.

The award for the Best Interpretation of the Theme, which was Killarney: Experience More, went to the Wander Wild Festival who received the Michael Courtney Perpetual Trophy which is dedicated to the memory of another former mayor of the town who spearheaded the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations for many years.

The John ‘Killer’ O’Callaghan Perpetual Trophy for the Best Sporting Entry was won by Killarney Athletic AFC and the Peter Irwin Memorial Trophy for the Best Marching Group and Cultural/Arts Entry went to Millstreet Pipe Band.

The Best Sports Club was Spa GAA, the Best Children’s Group prize was won by Kilcummin Comhaltas and the Best New Entry was Killarney Rugby Football Club.

There was an international flavour to the Best Musical Entry which was scooped by the Glenridge High School Marching Band from New Jersey.

The prize for the Best Voluntary Group went to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, the Best School Award went to the Fiona Crowley Stage School and the Best Activity Group was deemed to be Scorchers Cheerleading Club.

The Most Entertaining Entry went to the Killarney Tidy Towns group, the prize for the Most Original Entry was won by Liebherr Container Cranes and the Most Imaginative Entry in the parade was the Art House, Killarney.

The Most Stylish Entry prize was awarded to the Ukrainian community whose representative said they were delighted to play a part in Ireland’s national holiday and thanked the people of Killarney for the warm welcome they have received.

Other prizes presented on the night included the Best Window Display which went to Christy Healy’s on New Street who were celebrating 100 years in business on St Patrick’s Day, while the Europe Hotel and Resort won the Best Green-Themed Building prize.

The judges for the parade were Br Pat Lynch, Guardian, Franciscan Friary, Pam Brosnan, Killarney Musical Society and Denis McMahon.

The awards were presented by Killarney St Patrick’s Festival Chairman Paul Sherry, Mayor of Killarney Cllr Niall Kelleher, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive Bridget O’Keeffe, and parade grand marshal Cathal P Walshe.

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