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“We need two more weeks of rest to weaken the virus” – Taoiseach

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By Michelle Crean

 

In a live address to the nation this evening (Friday) Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced that most restrictions will remain until May 18 – with a few slight changes:

 

  • Exercise limit extended to 5km

 

  • Five stage reopening plan with the fifth stage starting on August 10

 

  • Over 70s can leave home from Tuesday - public health advice is 5km for a walk or drive - but avoid all contact with others

 

  • Schools and colleges to go back in September for the new term

 

  • From May 18 certain businesses can open, sports activities allowed in small groups, and gatherings of small family/friends will also be OK

 

 

It has been a difficult balancing act for the Government in terms of the economy, the social and mental health impacts, as there’s a fear that if restrictions are lifted too fast cases will soar. This evening the Dept. of health announced that there are currently a total of 20,833 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland and 1,265* COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland, including 34 today.

 

“We need two more weeks of tight restrictions to weaken the virus further, so it doesn’t have the strength to come back,” he said, stating the economy “has been battered” and “society put to the ultimate test”.

 

“We have a plan to reopen the country in a slow staged phased way – five stages, three weeks apart starting on May 18, with the fifth phase on August 10.”

 

He added that 70 percent of people diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered, and that if the public hadn’t worked so hard it could have potentially been much worse.

“I yearn for the day that it stops. Thanks to you we are making a difference in the fight against COVID-19. It is working so let’s finish what we started,” Mr Varadkar said.

He finished by saying that tomorrow morning (Saturday) Cabinet will meet to discuss when businesses can restart again.

“We will do everything possible to get enterprises back up and running. Tonight there is hope. In the weeks ahead that hope will drive us forward.”

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Centra Muckross Road supports Kerry Stars with bottle return donation

Centra Muckross Road supports Kerry Stars with bottle return donation

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Sheahan’s Centra on the Muckross Road has made a significant donation to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Sports Club using proceeds from unclaimed deposits at the shop’s bottle return machine.


Aisling Sheahan and the team at the Muckross Road store presented the cheque to members of the club this week. The funds were generated through the return scheme located at the front of the shop, where customers have the option to donate their return vouchers to local causes.
The donation comes at a busy time for the Kerry Stars, who have returned to training this week following the Easter break. The club provides a wide range of sporting outlets for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, including athletics, therapeutic horse riding, basketball, and soccer.
Preparation is also underway for the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games, which take place in Dublin this June. Four athletes have been selected to represent the Kerry Stars at the national event.
The club is currently open to new members across most of its disciplines, though a long waiting list remains for Friday evening swimming sessions as the group continues its search for a qualified swim coach in Killarney. Training will continue until the summer break in May before resuming again in September.
Those interested in joining the club or inquiring about the coaching vacancy can contact Kerry Stars at kerrystars63@gmail.com or by calling 087 2365664.

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Soroptimist make €3k donation to Rockmount Care Centre

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Members of the Killarney Soroptimist Society visited the Rockmount Care Centre on Wednesday, to present a cheque for €3000 to Nurse Manager Mary Hussey.


The significant sum was raised during the society’s successful annual pancake morning held on Shrove Tuesday at the Killarney Avenue Hotel.
Rockmount Care Centre provides essential support as a dedicated day care facility for individuals living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, serving many clients and families from the Killarney area.
These funds arrive at a vital time, as they are earmarked for the centre’s new sensory garden project, which is currently in the design phase.
Pictured at the presentation are Soroptimists members handing over the proceeds to Mary Hussey. The society extended their thanks to the Killarney Avenue Hotel and all those who supported the fundraiser to help make this donation possible.

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