NEWS
31.03.17
News Briefs ... Killarney Gardaí Highlight Crime Poetry In The Park This Sunday BRINGING poetry outdoors and into the community is the idea behind Poetry in the Park Killarney, which will take place this Sunday, April 2. To enjoy this free family event, which involves poetry readings in Killarney National Park, simply show up at 2pm outside the Deenagh Lodge. The event is being coordinated by Matt Hodd, formerly a member of the Fia Rua writers group with support from Change X. “The poetry can be in any language, and everyone is welcome to share their poetry or just to come along and listen,” said Matt. “The intention is to hold this event on the first Sunday of every month.” Check out the Poetry in the Park Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/poetryintheparkkillarney/ or ring Matt on 087-9511077. The Change X page can also be accessed at https://www. changex.org/ie/poetryinthepark/killarney-co-kerry-ireland for messaging and updates.
Litter Picking Resumes In Killarney WANT to help ensure Killarney looks its best? All volunteers are welcome to take part in the Killarney Looking Good/Killarney Tidy Towns litter picking sessions which will resume on Wednesday, April 5. The meeting point is The Café Tapas Bar at 8 College Street at 7pm. Bags and other equipment will be provided.
Glenflesk Rambling House ALL are welcome to enjoy a night of entertainment at the Rambling House in Glenflesk on Easter Sunday, April 18. Proceeds of the event, which will take place in the hall in Glenflesk, will go to charity. Derry Healy will take on the role of fear an ti and a great night of storytelling, song and dance is promised.
Prevention And Reduction At Fossa Meeting By
Eve
Kelliher
At the Killarney District Community Alert meeting were, front, Inspector Niall Crowley, Supt Flor Murphy and Diarmuid Cronin, Community Alert Officer, Southern Region; back, Sgt Jim Foley (Crime Prevention Officer), Garda Shane Lowney, Garda Karen Sheehan, Garda Michael Murphy, Garda Finbarr O’Donovan, Garda Dave Morris, Garda Tom Hurley, Detective Garda Chris Manton and Garda Denis O’Brien. PICTURES: EAMONN KEOGH
THE “text alert” system in practice in communities across Kerry has been key to apprehending a number of suspects for burglary in the Killarney area, a meeting in Fossa heard on Tuesday. Crime prevention and reduction was the focus of the very well-attended event, held at the Innisfallen Hotel. Speakers at the annual district Community Alert meeting were Superintendent Flor Murphy, Inspector Niall Crowley, Crime prevention officer Sergeant Jim Foley and Diarmuid Cronin of Muintir na Tire. The meeting was attended by representatives and liaison Gardaí from each of the Community Alert groups in Killarney, as well as those from South, East and Mid Kerry. Supt Murphy emphasised that Community Alert was a partnership approach between the community and An Garda Siochána. “It works on the principle of shared responsibility for crime prevention and reduction,” said Supt Murphy who highlighted the re-
cent success of “text alert” in the apprehension of a number of suspects for burglary in the Killarney area. The Killarney Garda Superintendent acknowledged the role played by the Community Alert groups in Beaufort and Glencar in assisting Gardaí in the apprehension of the suspects for the Waterville Post Office robbery last August. Sgt Jim Foley encouraged homeowners to install an intruder alarm and not to keep cash in their homes. Diarmuid Cronin of Muintir na Tire provided representatives with
property registrations books to record serial numbers of expensive items. He encouraged people to photograph their valuable items and to note the serial numbers to enable Gardaí to identify stolen property and return it to its rightful owners. These books are available from Community Alert representatives for €5. Inspector Niall Crowley encouraged people to report any suspicious activity within their communities to the Gardaí and highlighted the Garda website www.garda.ie for crime prevention advice.
Update Sought On When Killarney House Will Be Open To The Public SEANAD leas-chathaoirleach Senator Paul Coghlan has sought an update as to when Killarney House will be open to the public. Speaking in the Seanad on Wednesday, the Killarney-based senator asked the Minister for Regional Development, Michael Ring, to outline his plans and make a detailed statement on Killarney House and when it is to open to the public.
Senator Coghlan complimented the Minister on the opening of the gardens and talked about the huge numbers already visiting that area of the National Park. “As we know a budget of €10 million has been invested involving Fáilte Ireland as well as two Departments and the House once opened is capable of becoming our foremost tourist attraction and not
having it open at this stage is akin to ‘hiding our light under a bushel’,” said Senator Coghlan. it is intended to have an interpretative exhibition area to introduce visitors to an understanding of Killarney National Park within the House so its prime focus will be as a visitor centre for the Park, added Senator Coghlan. “The gardens, which were opened last
year, are of huge benefit to both locals and visitors alike and is in effect something of a town park, our own St Stephen’s Green,” said Senator Coghlan. “ I welcome the fact that the Minister will open the historic rooms element during the summer and that the various works still in progress and being advanced will finish soon and will be opened to the public thereafter as soon as complete.”