News
“The system is broken” – KASI says

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."
News
Status Orange Weather Warning for Kerry
Met Éireann has issued two weather warnings for Kerry on Wednesday, 27 September, A Status Orange warning for heavy and intense rainfall is in place from 9am to 3pm while […]

Met Éireann has issued two weather warnings for Kerry on Wednesday, 27 September,
A Status Orange warning for heavy and intense rainfall is in place from 9am to 3pm while a Status Yellow warning for strong and gusty winds is in place from 7am on Wednesday to 12am on Thursday.
Possible impacts and disruptions include difficult travelling conditions, localised and coastal flooding, power outages, fallen trees and branches and poor visibility.
Kerry County Council is advising members of the public to prepare for severe weather on Wednesday and to ensure that items vulnerable to high winds are stored away. The Council is also advising motorists to travel with extreme caution on Wednesday and to expect surface water and spot flooding on all routes.
News
World Rally Champion Phil Mills’ Killarney visit
Former World co-driving champion Phil Mills will be one of the guests of honour at a special Killarney and District Motor Club event next month. The club is celebrating Prodrive’s […]

Former World co-driving champion Phil Mills will be one of the guests of honour at a special Killarney and District Motor Club event next month.
The club is celebrating Prodrive’s association with the Rally of the Lakes on October 14.
The legendary British motorsport preparation firm was responsible for building some of the most iconic associated with the local rally.
The celebration, which will raise funds for the Jack and Jill Foundation, will be hosted by the voice of Irish motorsport Alan ‘Plum’ Tyndall.
Welshman Mills, who won the 2003 World Rally Championship, alongside Petter Solberg has confirmed his attendance at the Killarney Racecourse-based event.
He is just one of many superstars attending the showcase.
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“Accompanying the stars will be a collection of iconic Prodrive machinery, ranging from the BMW E30 M3, all the way through to the Subaru Group A and World Rally Cars the 1990s and early 2000s,” said Killarney and District Motor Club vice chairman and organiser Mike Shea.
“All proceeds of this event will go directly to the Jack & Jill foundation helping provide support and special care to children across the country and is a once in a lifetime event.”
This event is in association with: Lyons of Limerick; C.Wharton Tool Hire Ltd; BG Motors Ltd; Castleisland Tyre Centre; Aherns Motor Group; Reen’s Rathmore Peugeot; KC Print and Moriarty’s Central Car Sales
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