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BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Carer who died in house fire was a 'son, brother, partner, friend and rock'
The funeral service for Kevin Kelly, who died in a house fire in Casla, Co Galway earlier this week has heard that he was born 14 days after his due date and did things his own way from that point on. Mr Kelly (31) died alongside Sunny Jacobs (76) when a fire broke out at her cottage at Gleannicmurrin in Casla on Wednesday morning. Advertisement Mr Kelly was a carer for Ms Jacobs. He also looked after her husband Peter Pringle prior to his death in 2023. Kevin's younger sister Jill told mourners at the Discovery Church on the Tuam Road this afternoon that he was a free spirit who lived to help others. Kevin was born in Dublin but moved to Inishmore with his family at the age of four. The Kelly family subsequently re located to Athenry. Jill said that Kevin loved 'the tranquil life surrounded by the community of Connemara". Mourners were told that Kevin loved dogs even though he was bitten in the face by one at a young age. Jill said that there was a lesson to be learned in how Kevin moved on from this frightening experience and ended up volunteering for the dog welfare charity MADRA. Advertisement Jill said that his time in MADRA was a 'life-changing experience' for her older brother. 'It was where his love of dogs was truly discovered and it was where he met his beautiful (partner) Sheree. Sheree told me this week that the first time she went out to MADRA to volunteer she got out of the car and she said to Kev 'Where do you keep the pit bulls? "And that was it. He was hook, line and sinker (in love). Sheree you and Kevin were made for each other and he loved you so much.' Jill added that they had lost 'a son, a brother, a partner, friend and rock". Kevin is survived by his mother Fiona, his father Ken, Ken's partner Maureen and her son Jonathan, Kevin's partner Sheree, his siblings Jill and Cúán, brothers-in-law Conor and Kal, his nieces and nephew, extended family, friends and neighbours. Following the service a cremation took place this afternoon in Shannon Crematorium at 4pm.
Irish Independent
12-05-2025
- Science
- Irish Independent
Sensor to let clothes bank operators know when bins are full exhibited at Sligo ATU engineering expo
Sponsored by Abbott, the event continues to serve as a platform to explore careers in engineering, computing, and technology. A range of high-profile exhibitors were in attendance, including Abbott, Hollister, Philips Medisize, Kirby Group Engineering, and the AIMS Centre, showcasing the latest in industry innovation and career opportunities. Among the standout moments of the 2025 Expo was the announcement of this year's student project award winners. John Spain and Lucy Malone (BEng in Robotics and Automation) took home the Public Vote for Best Project for their creation of MADRA – a Motorised Agile Dextrous Robotic Animal. Other winners included Pablo Pacheco Ruiz (BEng in Electronic and Computing) for his Smart Irrigation System, awarded in the Electronics & Computing category by Philips-Medisize Sligo. Jack Quinn and Mahmoud Tahmasebi (BEng in Robotics and Automation) who earned recognition from AbbVie in the Mechatronic Engineering category for a Development Platform for Autonomous Driving using ACNMR. Joseph and Emmet Flanagan (BEng in Mechanical Engineering) who received the Mechanical and Precision Engineering award from Abbott Diabetes Care for their Bin Surveillance System (BSS), use a simple sensor device fitted to clothes banks, to tell when the units are full. This device will alert collectors when clothes banks need to be emptied, which will save money on transport costs and reduce spoiling of donations. The Ronan Healy Memorial Award went to Oisín McLoughlin and Killian Hagan (BEng Hons in Robotics and Automation) for their project Legatron, presented by Abbott. This innovative device is designed to assist individuals with reduced mobility by enabling them to walk more independently. ADVERTISEMENT New for 2025, the Expo introduced a Fireside Chat Stage, where attendees listened to thought-provoking conversations with industry leaders, engineers, alumni, and educators sharing insights into emerging trends and career journeys. Support services were also on hand, including the ATU Careers Service, ATU Apprenticeships, and ATU Online Learning, offering guidance and information to prospective students and upskilling professionals alike. Speaker at the event, Trevor McSharry, Head of Faculty of Engineering & Design at ATU Sligo, said: 'The Sligo Engineering & Technology Expo continues to be one of the most exciting and engaging events of our academic year. 'It connects our students with industry leaders, opens doors for secondary school pupils considering their future, and gives the public a real sense of the opportunities available in this dynamic and evolving sector.' Also commenting at the event, Sean O'Hara, Site Director of Abbott's Diabetes business in Donegal, said: 'The future of the world we live in will be shaped by the creativity and ingenuity of the next generation of engineers and computer graduates. 'Every day at Abbott, these professions contribute to game-changing healthcare innovations that improve lives. We are proud to sponsor the Sligo Engineering & Technology Expo again this year and hope it inspires many young people from across the Northwest to pursue these exciting and impactful careers.'
