Kerry Today

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

Jerry spoke to Alex Cooney, CEO and co-founder of CyberSafeKids.

Jerry spoke to Muriel Dolan, Deputy Director of Financial Education of the CCPC about why they are encouraging consumers, particularly women, to review their pension.

Cathaoirleach of the Killarney MD, Kerry Independent Alliance, Cllr John O’Donoghue was at the recent Killarney MD. He urged the council to write to the Department of Housing asking that social housing applicants for Killarney have a link to the area.

HIQA has found serious patient safety concerns at University Hospital Kerry, including 24-hour bed waits. It follows a unannounced two-day inspection of the hospital by Health information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspectors in February. Breda Forrest of Radio Kerry News takes Jerry through some of the findings of HIQA’s report at UHK.

Jerry spoke to Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill.

Jerry spoke to Owen Moore, Head of Astellas Tralee Plan, about their expansion in Tralee.

Jerry was live from Gneeveguilla looking at the challenges the community faces. His guests were: Independent Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, Cormac Colins Chair of the Gneeveguilla Community Sports Facility Group, Mike McGillicuddy Basketball Club, Sean O'Keefe GAA Chair, Athletics Club Sheila O'Donoghue, Geraldine Shanahan Principal Gneevguilla National School. Funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

Jerry spoke to George Foley, cybersecurity specialist for ESET Ireland, about the Revolut security breech.

Jerry spoke to John Murphy, Co-founder and CEO of Portmagee Whiskey, about US President Donald Trump's decision to lift tariffs on Irish Whiskey.

NBC Today show is broadcasting from The Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare on October 16th! Jerry spoke to John Daly is the chair of Kenmare Tourism, and Patrick Hanley, also with Kenmare Tourism and owner of The Lansdowne Kenmare.

Retailers and staff in Kerry have joined a national campaign calling on Government to cut employers' PRSI in Budget 2027 in order to save retail jobs, as Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), the largest representative body for the retail industry in Ireland, launched its 'Cut PRSI, Keep Jobs' campaign at locations across the country. Jerry spoke to Jean McCabe, CEO Retail Excellence Ireland.

Jerry spoke to Minister Norma Foley about the €7.5 million expansion plan for Tralee Town regeneration.

Jerry spoke to Radio Kerry Sports commentator Tim Moynihan.

Sinn Féin councillor Tom Barry is urging for more capacity for evening bus services from Tralee to North Kerry. It’s after a dozen passengers were left stranded over 30Km from home after the 272 bus service was full last week. Cllr Barry is also urging for the council and Gardaí to be proactive ahead of the Halloween period. Jerry also asked Cllr Barry on his thoughts on Donald Trump's comments on Irish Unification.

Pharmaceutical giant Astellas has announced the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Tralee. This follows on from the company’s €330 million investment at the Kerry technology park in 2023. Jerry spoke to Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Angie Baily.

HSE health spending has been put under the spotlight as the government removes control over day-to-day spending for the HSE South West. What does this mean for University Hospital Kerry and the rest of the county's health service? Jerry spoke to Brian Turner who’s an economist and senior lecturer who specialises in health finance at UCC. He also got reaction from two Kerry members of the regional health forum – independent councillor Jackie Healy-Rae and Fianna Fáil’s Mikey Sheehy who’s Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council.

Last year FRS Co-op was awarded a national contract to establish a new deer management programme in Ireland. As part of the programme, 15 dedicated Deer Management Areas (DMAs) were established to cover areas of the country that are well-known as hotspots for wild deer. FRS Co-op does not directly employ any hunters as part of its contract but acts as a coordinator between landowners affected by wild deer and licenced hunters or hunting groups that wish to participate in the programme. Michael Keegan is manager of FRS Co-op’s deer management programme. Jerry spoke to him about its survey which found almost two-thirds of farmers and landowners describing the issue of deer on their land as a ‘severe’ problem.

A group of firefighters from Kerry are in the US are taking part in a fundraising cycle to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Jerry spoke to one of the firefighters, David Toomey from Listowel.

When Dolly Parton died last month, her musical genius, her wit, her charisma and her charity were all remembered and rightly celebrated. Her visit to Páidí Ó Sé’s pub in Ceann Trá/ Ventry in 1990 was also recalled. She sang ‘Coat of Many Colours’ accompanied by the great musicians Steve Cooney and the late Séamus Begley. And, of course, the custodian of the pub, the late Páidí Ó Sé, the legendary footballer and manager, presented her with the Kerry jersey when he captained the Kingdom to win the All-Ireland in 1985. Now Páidí’s son Pádraig has planned a night to celebrate Dolly and that great occasion on September 19th. Money raised from the event will go towards the Kerry Cancer Support’s bus service. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1722408942301950

Jerry spoke to Jimmy Flannery of Dingle Sea Safari who spotted the extraordinary animals yesterday.

Jerry spoke to former GAA president Seán Kelly who’s now a Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South. Seán Kelly gave his views about the controversy over the stalled integration of three Gaelic games sporting bodies, the GAA, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association.

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

September 8th is traditional Pattern Day in Ballyheigue where the annual pilgrimage Mass is celebrated. Yesterday was particularly special as the Czech Ambassador to Ireland Pavel Vošalík gifted a statue of the Child of Prague, created by top Czech artists and craftsmen, to the Bishop of Kerry, Dr Ray Browne. Jerry spoke to Brendan Moriarty, one of the organisers of Ballyheigue Pattern Day.

Jerry spoke to Alex White who’s chairperson of the Climate Change Advisory Council. The council’s new report says farmers need to brace themselves for continuing severe weather events. The report also finds that the agricultural sector reduced its emissions by 0.2 per cent last year – not enough, says the council.

Jerry spoke to Eddie Walsh who’s the Kerry representative for the Garda Representative Association (GRA). Gardaí who are providing security for the US President’s visit this weekend are being told to find their own accommodation.

That’s the call being made by Sinn Féin councillor for the Tralee Municipal District Paul Daly. He is calling on Kerry County Council to name new housing estates in the Irish language only. Cllr Daly does not support bilingual signs. Kerry County Council says its existing policy is that all council housing developments are given Irish language names. Jerry also spoke to comment line caller, former Kerry County Councillor Sean O’Grady.

Former president of Ireland Mary McAleese resigned as head of the body to oversee the integration of the GAA, ladies’ football and camogie. This is after the GAA told the steering group that it couldn’t commit to a timeline for integration of the three organisations. Jerry spoke to the chair of Kerry Camogie Ann Marie Russell.

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

Jerry spoke to Kate Moore, invasive species identification officer of the National Biodiversity Centre.

A new report by CyberSafeKids has shown how seemingly ineffective laws brought in last year to improve child safety on social media have proved to be. Liam Walsh, who’s originally from The Spa, Tralee, is part of a campaign group in the UK seeking to hold social media platforms to account. He’s fighting for information about what social media content was being shown to his daughter Maia before she died at the age of 13 by suicide. Jerry spoke to him about his campaign and asked for his views to a legal settlement in the US whereby META agreed to pay €18 billion and make changes to Facebook and Instagram to address claims that it had designed the platforms to be addictive and that it had improperly collected children’s personal data.  If you have been impacted by anything you have heard, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 -- and Webwise

The flash flooding of August 27th resulted in significant damage to Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre. It’s to remain closed for the foreseeable future. Jerry spoke to Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan about the impact this is having on Killarney sports clubs.

A Castleisland listener sent an email to Jerry describing boy racers who drive loudly and recklessly at the weekends where he lives as ‘blackguards’. Councillors Sam Locke and Deirdre Ferris raised the issue of irresponsible and dangerous drivers at yesterday’s meeting of the Tralee Municipal District. Cllr Bobby O’Connell also spoke about the problem in Castleisland.

The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) is seeking participants to take part in a research project that will examine and communicate their end-of-life experiences through photographs. Treasa Murphy spoke to Neil Fullerton, research and policy Officer, Irish Hospice Foundation.

That’s according to Tom Parlon of the Data Centres Suppliers’ Association of Ireland.

Mary Conway, who’s chair of the Irish Property Owners’ Association, reacts to new rental rules that come into effect on September 14th

That’s the call being made by Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea. The 5.45am service operates Tuesday to Friday, but not Monday.

Luke Dennehy from Tralee is a singer-songwriter and an Oasis superfan. The teenager’s been invited to the premiere of the new Oasis documentary, Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger in Dublin.

Katie Taylor ended her extraordinary boxing career as undisputed world champion when she defeated Flora Pili at Croke Park on Saturday night. Eighteen-year-old sports journalist and broadcaster Michael O’Brien from Killarney has become friends with Katie and got exclusive access to her preparations for her world championship.

A 12-year-old boy was killed when the car he was a passenger in was involved in a collision with a train last night. The tragedy occurred at a level crossing in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo. Jerry spoke to Scott Stephens who’s a journalist with Midwest Radio.

The Irish Road Haulage Association’s conference gets underway in The Gleneagle, this evening and runs until tomorrow, Saturday. Jerry spoke to the IRHA president Ger Hyland.

Intercounty GAA players are seeking to increase their annual €1,800 grant in next month’s budget. Jerry spoke to Tom Parsons who is CEO of the Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA).

On the first Friday of the month, David O’Sullivan of DC Energy Solutions answers your home-heating and energy conservation questions. The slot is sponsored by Boyles of Killorglin.

Almost eight years ago, Michael O’Brien from Killarney, then aged 11 proved to be the star of the night at The Late Late Toy Show when he met his hero Davy Fitzgerald. Michael is an extraordinarily gifted young sports broadcaster and journalist – his talents are all the more remarkable given that he is visually impaired. Boxing is another great love. This week he’s been up in Dublin getting exclusive access to Katie Taylor’s preparations for her final professional fight which will take place in Croke Park tomorrow night.

Jerry spoke to Sinéad Murphy who’s head of communications and engagement with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). New rules are coming into effect on September 14th.

Jerry spoke to Kerry County Councillor Sam Locke who’s unhappy with regulations banning anglers from using live worms or barbed hooks. Cllr Locke claims it’s discriminatory.

70-year-old Pat Lawless is from Limerick originally but now lives in Ballyferriter. This Sunday, September 6th, he’ll embark on the 2026 Golden Globe Race on his yacht, Silvermines Hydro. Pat hopes to become the first Irish person to complete and win the gruelling event. Pat is also competing to raise funds for Parkinson’s Ireland; his wife Rita is living with the condition. Pat also took part in the event in 2022 but had to retire when his steering failed. He spoke to Tomás Swords.

Frank Connolly spoke to Jerry about his new book, ‘Exposed: Scandals That Rocked the Irish State’. He also looks at the garda investigation into the murder of an infant – who was called Baby John – in 1984. The dead child was found with 28 stab wounds on White Strand, near Cahersiveen

This year’s Féile Thrá Lí begins tomorrow and runs until August 18th. Jerry spoke to organisers Mark Sullivan, manager of the Rose Hotel, and Eamon Cunningham, Tralee Municipal District officer with Kerry County Council.