Kerry Today

Dr Mark Ruddy is a volunteer emergency response medical doctor with CRITICAL. CRITICAL is a voluntary response organisation. The charity is urging motorists to take extra care this August Bank Holiday weekend.

The Garvey’s SuperValu Senior Hurling Championship Final takes place in Austin Stack Park, Tralee this Sunday at 2pm. Abbeydorney, seeking three-in-a-row, will take on St Brendan’s who’ve scored 14 goals in the championship. Radio Kerry will broadcast the game live and there’ll also be buildup and previews to the match. Jerry spoke to Radio Kerry hurling commentator Mike O’Halloran.

The Kerry College Killorglin Campus has been expanded recently, including opening of new Town Campus new and a broadened range of new progression programmes, including Youth Work, Outdoor Wellbeing, Nature Based Early Learning and Care, Biodiversity and the long-established outdoor education and training programmes. Jerry spoke to Aodhnait O'Carroll, Manager of Kerry College, Killorglin Campus.

Jerry spoke to Dan Kearney, Radio Kerry sports contributor and commentator about the Kerry ladies All Ireland Final this weekend!

Jerry spoke to Patrick O Donoghue, CEO of the Gleneagle Arena, about the passing of Glen Hansard.

The scheme is ‘under subscribed’ despite a €87m budget and nationwide protests calling for the supports. Jerry spoke to Bill O’Keeffe, IFA Farm Business chair.

Staffing shortages in the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) mean paramedics are travelling from over an hour away to work at the base in Kenmare. They are allowed to include their commute as part of their shift. Deputy Michael Healy Rae argues this means that ambulances are not available at certain times of the day.

A significant response operation has been completed at Glenbeigh Wastewater Treatment Plant. Specialist operational and environmental teams and contractors have decontaminated the site and returned the plant to normal operations after a contaminate dot into the system. Jerry spoke to Ronán O'Shea of Uisce Éireann.

Every Wednesday, Tony gives his perspective on listeners' dilemmas.

Last Friday, 35-year-old Andrew Haire was found dead at a recycling facility in Dublin. Andrew was the partner of 49-year-old Donal Scanlon from Ballybunion who drowned in the Grand Canal with American Alex Warnick two years ago. They, like Andrew, were homeless. Jerry spoke to Kitty Holland, social affairs correspondent with The Irish Times.

Cllr Michael Leane says people are dumping bags of dog poo into the graveyard in Ballyheigue. He says the council needs to provide more dog waste bins.

Jerry spoke to Commissioner Noeline Blackwell of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission which has raised major concerns about the disruption resulting from the dispute over free legal aid fees. The IHREC has raised major concerns about the impact of the current disruption to the criminal legal aid system on people’s access to justice, particularly those in situations of vulnerability and disadvantage.

Comment line caller Mike Barry from Cahersiveen lived in Florida for 18 years. An employee of his sadly lost his life there as result of an e-scooter accident.

The ban on swimming at one of Kerry’s most popular beaches has been extended until next Monday, August 3rd. This is because of algal bloom. Jerry spoke to Sean Byrne of the Rosspoint Restaurant in nearby Glenbeigh.

On the last Tuesday of the month, solicitor Miriam McGillycuddy answers your legal questions. If you’ve a query for Miriam, email in confidence to kerrytoday@radiokerry.ie.

Authorities in Jordan are set to decide whether to release the person of interest in the Jamey Carney murder case in the coming hours. That’s according to Ralph Riegel, southern correspondent with the Irish Independent.

Jerry spoke to Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae, who believes there is more funding available for putting plaques on walls when there should be higher priorities such as cutting roadside verges.

Jerry spoke to Cllr Niall Botty O’Callaghan about the delay in opening the new Killarney Community Nursing Unit.

The Kerry senior football team returned for a homecoming on Denny Street, Tralee yesterday evening. Mayor of Tralee Angie Baily, Kerry manager Jack O’Connor and Kerry captain Paul Geaney were among those who spoke to supporters.

Tony Sharpe, who lives in Beaufort, spent 20 years in Australia. He says in Australia, treated water is viewed as liquid gold and people are charged for it.

These are the words of a comment that a Kerry fan sent in to Jerry this morning. They were, of course, speaking about Mayo’s win over the Kingdom yesterday, to win the Sam Maguire for the first time since 1951. Jerry put together a montage of the game to start the show. He spoke to Radio Kerry Gaelic football commentator Tim Moynihan, to Kerryman sports editor Paul Brennan, and to Mayo native Seán Lyons who lives in Tralee. It’s Seán’s 78th birthday tomorrow – he was three years old the last time Mayo were crowned All-Ireland Senior Football Champions.

Tomorrow in Tralee Town Park at 3.30pm, Kerry County Council will unveil a commemorative sculpture marking the contribution made by the women of Kerry during the revolutionary period. The 2.5-metre figurative sculpture, titled ‘Spioráid Ban Chiarraí’ which was created by award-winning sculptor Elizabeth O’Kane, will be unveiled by the female elected members of Kerry County Council at Tralee Town Park. Treasa spoke to historian and lecturer, Dr Mary McAuliffe from Duagh, who was involved in the project.

It’s almost 20 years since Garry McMahon died but his songs and other works remain popular. Treasa spoke to his brother Owen about his brother, their father the great writer Bryan MacMahon, and how poetry and ballads celebrate – and sometimes commemorate – footballers, hurlers and games of yore.

The Government is considering the introduction of fines against people who use disposable barbeques incorrectly. Proposals went to Cabinet this morning which would give National Park rangers powers to clamp down on reckless activity. It’s believed that a disposable barbecue was responsible for last week’s wild fire at Killarney National Park. Treasa spoke to Martin Greenwood from Annascaul who recently quenched the smouldering remains of a barbecue which he found near Annascaul Lake.

On July 13th, six-year-old Nathan Palmer from Barraduff suffered a fractured skull as a result of a collision with an e-scooter. His mother Chloe spoke to Treasa Murphy.

Pádraig O’Donoghue is senior executive engineer with the roads section of Kerry County Council. People have until August 7th to have their say on proposals which would see the speed limit reduced from 50km/hr to 30km/hr in many urban areas. Pádraig also reiterated the joint road safety message issued by Kerry and Mayo County Councils ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland Final. 

Every Wednesday, Tony gives his perspective on listeners' dilemmas. If you’d like to contact Tony, email kerrytoday@radiokerry.ie in confidence.

In recent days, Radio Kerry News received reports that there were to be major cuts to agency staff at University Hospital Kerry and that this would particularly impact the canteen there. Treasa spoke to Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris who’s a member of the HSE South West Regional Health Forum.

Treasa spoke to Labour councillor Marie Moloney who lives in Kilcummin.

That’s the question Treasa put to Martin Leane of the Kerry Supporters’ Club.

The jury in an inquest into the death of a 14-year-old boy, killed when the car he was driving struck a tree, has returned a verdict of accidental death. Thomas Healy of the Gap of Dunloe, Beaufort, died on the Ross Road, Killarney on July 7th, 2021. Radio Kerry journalist Breda Forrest attended yesterday’s inquest in Tralee.

A man in his 30s was arrested and charged following an alleged stabbing at a church in Tramore, County Waterford. A woman in her 50s was injured while praying in the Holy Cross Church yesterday morning. Amber Galwey spoke to Kyle Butler, who is a news reporter with WLR FM and the Irish Daily Mail. Kyle also lives in Tramore.

Caroline Reidy of NFP HR Solutions, an Aon company, is one of the country’s leading experts in human resources. In this regular feature, she answers your workplace questions relating to your rights and entitlements whether you are an employee, employer, manager or self-employed. If you’ve a question for Caroline, email, in confidence, kerrytoday@radiokerry.ie

The Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South is in Kerry and earlier today met with Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.

The TFI Anseo bus pilot project in Killarney has been extended for a second year. Treasa spoke to general manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, Alan O'Connell. He explained how Anseo works given that the service operates without bus stops.

Independent councillor Maura Healy-Rae is asking Kerry County Council to consider developing and progressing 'right-sizing' housing schemes in Kerry to cater for people who want to downsize their house. She says this will free up larger houses for families. She told Treasa what she means by ‘right-sizing’.

Show us your Kerry colours, and you could win a €100 Kerry GAA Store voucher. Luke Quinn is manager of the Kerry GAA Store in Killarney. Here's how to enter: Snap a photo of yourself wearing your Kerry colours. Either: • Text or WhatsApp your photo to 083 300 3 300, or • Post it on your social media and tag @radiokerry and @kerrygaastore We'll be sharing some of our favourite photos across Radio Kerry's social channels, and one lucky supporter will win a €100 voucher for the Kerry GAA Store.

Between 2021 and 2024, the Bon Secours private hospital in Tralee received almost €25 million under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. The figures were released to Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly by Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. Treasa spoke to John Magee from Killarney, who’s been a frequent public patient and says he’s not surprised as he has been sent to Bon Secours Tralee on a number of occasions from UHK.

Breda O’Shea of Radio Kerry Sport analysed the Kerry ladies’ win over Dublin - the reigning All-Ireland champions – on Saturday. She looks to their chances against Galway in the All-Ireland final on August 2nd.

Jonathan and James Merrick of Merrick's Hardware, Ballina spoke to Treasa about their poster featuring David Clifford and Mayo’s Kobe McDonald. They say it’s only banter.

A Lotto player in Kerry has become the National Lottery’s latest millionaire, after winning the Lotto Plus 1 top prize of €1 million in Saturday night’s draw. The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased on Thursday last, July 16. Treasa spoke to Emma Monaghan from the National Lottery Press Office.

Rural communities across the country face challenges including isolation, reduced access to services, and stigma around mental health. To address these issues, IRD Duhallow Community Project – which serves parts of East Kerry as well as areas of North and mid Cork - brought together community groups and speakers from across policy, research and frontline services to explore practical approaches that can improve mental health outcomes for people living in rural settings. The IRD Duhallow Rural Mental Health Conference took place in Newmarket on Friday, July 17th. Sari Houlihan spoke to: Minister of State with responsibility for mental health Mary Butler Shane McHale, rural community health worker with IRD Duhallow Dr Eve Griffin who is CEO of the National Suicide Research Foundation Catherine Borgan, chair of the Sharing the Vision National Implementation Committee – Ireland’s policy on mental health. She is CEO of Suicide or Survive. To access the free online men's counselling service - go to www.yourmentalhealth.ie/men; online services for young people include https://mymind.org/ and https://spunout.ie/ Connect Counselling https://connectcounselling.ie/ is a freephone counselling service available 7 days a week from 5 to 9pm on 1800477477. The Samaritans may be contacted any time https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/samaritans-ireland/ Funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

Public consultation on the county’s first local community safety plan will be launched tomorrow, Tuesday, at Kielduff Community Centre from 11am to 2pm. Cllr Niall Kelleher is chair of the local community safety partnership

Thousands of homes and businesses in parts of the county were without water for the weekend following a burst mains on the main Tralee-Killarney road. Some were still without water this morning. Independent councillor the Castleisland area, Charlie Farrelly spoke to Treasa Murphy.

Rob Fell, PRO of Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, spoke to Treasa about their advice for people going up the mountains in this heat. Rob also stressed the importance in the wake of the Killarney National Park Fire, that people leave no trace behind them.

Treasa spoke to Mark Farrelly, CEO of National Federation of Group Water Schemes. The federation has advice on how group water scheme members and rural communities can conserve water.

Some creches closed early yesterday as temperatures rose above those set out in Tusla regulations. Elaine Dunne, chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, says they want government funding for air conditioning.