Kerry Today

Inter-county players will soon own their name, image, likeness and personality rights (NILP) after a new recognition protocol was agreed between the GAA and the GPA (Gaelic Players’ Association). It’s a long way from the furore that the Kerry senior football team caused in 1985 when they appeared in a newspaper ad for Bendix washing machines. Jerry spoke to Colm Keys who’s GAA correspondent for the Irish Independent.

Last year, Radio Kerry’s JJ O’Shea, presenter of The Music Tree was commissioned by Patricia O’Hare, research and education Officer Trustees of Muckross House (Killarney) CLG to compose some music to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Muckross House opening its doors to the public. JJ composed The Muckross Suite, which was performed in a concert at Muckross House last June and has now been issued on CD. All proceeds of the CD sales in the lead-up to Christmas will go to the Kerry Cancer Support Group Transport Services – the Kerry Cancer Bus services. The CD will be on sale in the Muckross House Craft Centre.

Testing has been increased after the first suspected case of bluetongue on the island of Ireland. Two cows were culled after concerns were raised at an abattoir in Co Down. The disease is spread by midges and while it is not a threat to humans or to food safety, it can very serious for cloven-hoofed animals including cattle and sheep. Jerry spoke to Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on agriculture TD Martin Kenny. Sinn Féin is hosting a public meeting on the Mercosur trade deal which is taking place at the Longcourt Hotel, Newcastle West at 7 o’clock tonight.

Jerry spoke to Fine Gael councillor Tommy Griffin who believes that new tenancy rules due to come into effect on March 1st will prompt more landlords to sell their rental properties.

The first phase of the South Kerry Greenway is expected to be open to the public before Christmas. Jerry spoke to local councillor Tommy Cahill who had sought an update on the project from Kerry County Council management at last Friday’s meeting of the Kenmare Municipal District.

Jerry broadcast this morning’s show from the new headquarters of Orbitus in Central Plaza in the heart of Tralee. https://www.orbitus.ie/ Orbitus provides legal, tax and HR advisory services. The Orbitus team spoke to Jerry about the company’s major investment in Tralee, transforming the former Guiney's building into its new HQ, and creating employment in Tralee. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers officially opened Orbitus’s new headquarters for Kerry and he also spoke to Jerry. The Orbitus team who took part in today’s show were Tommy Walsh, tax partner, Mike Stack, head of innovation, Jennifer Downing, managing partner, Jennifer O’Brien who is head of HR Orbitus, and Ben Hardy who’s a partner and head of commercial. Jerry also spoke to Tralee councillor Mikey Sheehy.

John Downing of the Irish Independent reviews the week in politics.

This morning 55-year-old Billy Burns with an address at Arlington Lodge, Tralee received a mandatory life sentence for the murder of his mother Miriam in 2022. Miriam, who was 75, was found dead at her home in Ardshanavooley, Killarney on August 15th, 2022. Newstalk and Today FM courts correspondent Frank Greaney was present for the sentencing.

Amnesty International is urging the Greek authorities to drop baseless charges against rescue volunteer and human rights advocate Seán Binder. The Castlegregory man is a volunteer rescuer who helps migrants in distress and are at risk of drowning at sea. Along with 23 other defendants, Seán is facing charges including membership of a criminal organization, money laundering, and smuggling. Stephen Bowen is the executive director of Amnesty Ireland.

Gas Networks Ireland has announced the country’s new Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve will be located in Cahiracon in Co Clare.   The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council Michael Foley of Fine Gael and Noel Lynch chair of Ballylongford Enterprise Association and chair of Ballylongford/ Tarbert/Kilcolgan Development Group believe it should have been located on the Tarbert Ballylongford landbank.

The new Killarney Community Nursing Unit is one of seven nursing homes nationally built under a €250m public-private partnership. However, not one single resident is yet living in any of them. What is going on? Jerry and the Irish Examiner’s health correspondent Niamh Griffin have been investigating. Jerry first spoke to Killarney councillor Marie Moloney of Labour. He also spoke to Niamh Griffin separately. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41749857.html

Jerry spoke to Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae. He also spoke to Minister Norma Foley.

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

Jerry spoke to Threshold’s CEO, John-Mark McCafferty about the regulations which will come into effect on March 1st.

Tonight, TG4 will show a documentary, Beo Faoin bhFód. It is a new Irish language documentary, commissioned and funded by TG4 and Coimisiún na Meán, about a man called Mick Meaney who was buried alive in a coffin in London in 1968. The man who organised the stunt was impresario and boxing promoter Michael ‘Butty’ Sugrue from Killorglin. Jerry spoke to Seamus Moriarty from Castlecove, who worked for Butty in London in the 1970s.

Jerry spoke to Cathal MacCarthy of the ICMSA about major concerns among farmers including animal theft and whether Ireland will be allowed by the EU to extend its nitrates derogation.

This Saturday, Towers Hotel Killarney Historic Rally will feature a new media zone in Kenmare as part of the event’s tribute to the late Mike Gaine. Mike was a longtime member of Killarney and District Motor Club. Jerry spoke to Sean Moriarty of Killarney and District Motor Club. He’s also PRO of Kerry Motor Club.

A group representing property owners claims new tenancy rules that will come into effect in March will increase rents, particularly in rural areas such as Kerry. From March 1st,  renters who sign  agreements after that date will be entitled to six-year tenancies. Small landlords ( those with three or fewer tenants) will be banned from putting their properties on the market without tenants being left in situ. Small landlords will be exempt from this rule if they are selling on grounds of financial hardship or they or a close family member need to live in the property. Maurice Deverell is with the Irish Property Owners’ Association.

Sports journalist John O’Dowd outlined how the County Board made the payment after the County Committee carried out a self-review audit.

Yesterday a jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously convicted 55-year-old Billy Burns with an address in Arlington Lodge, Tralee of murdering his 75-year-old mother Miriam, rejecting his claim that he should be found not guilty by reason of insanity having strangled her to death at her home in Ardshanavooley, Killarney three years ago while suffering a manic episode related to bipolar disorder. The jury accepted the prosecution's case that the cause of his killing his mother was not mental illness but his "long-term abuse of drugs and alcohol" and anger towards her. Newstalk and Today FM courts correspondent Frank Greaney spoke to Jerry. If you’re affected, you may contact Kerry Women’s Refuge https://kerryrefuge.com/ for support and advice.

Jerry spoke to Michael Foley who’s Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council and a Fine Gael councillor from Ballylongford in North Kerry. He believes there are too many renewable energy projects proposed for North Kerry. Jerry also spoke to Dr Paul Deane who’s a senior lecturer in clean energy futures at UCC and a researcher at the MaREI Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, which is also based at UCC.

Radio Kerry GAA commentator Tim Moynihan spoke to Jerry about this weekend’s big Gaelic football games which saw all three Kerry clubs wining in Munster and an extraordinary comeback by Knocknagoshel to snatch a draw in the North Kerry final.

Willie O’Meara from Fethard, Co Tipperary didn’t have to think twice when he decided that he had to thank the staff at the Gleneagle Arena in the INEC. Willie was there with his friend Johnny O’Connor who is a huge Bob Dylan fan and had travelled to Killarney for the music great’s concert in the arena last night. Willie explains how amazing the staff were in assisting Johnny who is on crutches.

12-year-old Lucas Quinlan is junior road safety advocate at Scoil Naomh Chárthaigh/ Castleisland Boys’ National School. Jerry spoke to him and to the school’s principal Conall Kelly. They were part of a deputation before Kerry County Councillors.

Jerry spoke to former Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour Party leader, Dick Spring, who was also a long-serving TD for North Kerry.

A Tralee singer/songwriter's performance has attracted over 2 million views on social media. Ger O'Hanlon who now lives in London, performed an on-street duet with a popular TikTok singer. Luke Silva, who has over 2 million followers on TikTok, is renowned for his street performances. https://www.tiktok.com/@lukesilvamusic/video/7574450645709704470?_r=1&_t=ZN-91XW4fa9H42

Lorna Cahill is with the Irish Host Community. This week she addressed the Oireachtas Committee on Tourism which met to discuss the short-term lettings bill.

John Downing of the Irish Independent reviews the week in politics.

Gavin Crowley, former Kerry senior footballer and founder of the athlete monitoring platform, YouMon, is delivering workshops with Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership. The workshops intend to help coaches, teachers, mentors and parents support young athletes.

Marty Morrissey is in Killarney where Active Retirement Ireland is holding its national bowls competition in the Gleneagle Arena, INEC. He also spoke to Jerry about his role as an ambassador for Hidden Hearing.

Jerry spoke to Fianna Fáil councillor Fionnán Fitzgerald about his motion at Monday’s Kerry County Council monthly meeting. He’s urging the government to run a public information campaign to explain how the system for the government to run a campaign to show how the accommodation and process system for asylum seekers works.

Jerry spoke to Dr Michelle Maher, programme manager of See Her Elected (SHE). The new campaign targeting areas such as Kerry where there is a low rate of female county councillors. The group is launching its Guide to Running in the Local Elections 2029 tomorrow, November 21st and from the New Year, SHE will run election workshops:

Last week, the HSE launched its Caring for Kerry campaign in which it emphasised the need to address overcrowding in wards and long delays in the emergency department at UHK. The campaign was criticised for stating that people should not overstay their time in hospital and that they should only go to the ED in genuine emergencies. Jerry spoke to Julie O’Neill who’s HSE manager for Kerry.

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

SpoGomi is a litter-picking game that began in Japan and has become so popular, there’s now a World Cup for it! The first official SpoGomi competition will take place in Cahersiveen this Sunday, November 23rd, from 11am to 1pm. It’s part of the Climate Ceardaíocht Festival. Jerry spoke to Dr Anita McKeown, one of the event organisers.

Jerry spoke to Sinn Féin Deputy Pa Daly. He made the comments in a social media post about the new development which was officially opened by the Taoiseach on Monday.

Paschal Donohoe’s departure to the World Bank – what does this mean for the stability of this government and indeed our country? Jerry spoke to Brian Lucey from Waterville, professor of finance at Trinity College Dublin, and Micheál Lyne from Valentia outlined the former Minister for Finance’s connections to the island.

Cllr Anne O’Sullivan has called for a review of the terms and conditions of free legal aid to ensure, what she says would be, a fair and equal system for all.

Education Minister Helen McEntee opened a new building at the Cahersiveen secondary school which includes four mainstream classrooms and two special education needs classrooms. Radio Kerry journalist Amber Galwey attended the official opening.

News broke this morning that Finance Minister Pascal Donohue will be leaving for a new position in the World Bank. Jerry spoke to Fionnán Sheehan, Ireland editor the Irish Independent.

Jerry spoke to Paddy Kevane of Meals on Wheels Tralee about its expansion into Killarney and the launch of community laundry service there as well, with the support of the HSE. Paddy is also treasurer of the St Vincent de Paul in Kerry.

That’s the plea Fianna Fáil councillor Breandán Fitzgerald made at this month’s meeting of Kerry County Council. He’s made the direct appeal to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke.

Valentia’s Mary Shanahan was Troy’s teacher in O’Connell Secondary School, Dublin. Mary is also chair of the Kerry Association in Dublin.

Sgt Fidelma O’Leary of Listowel Garda Station is appealing for witnesses after a hit-in-run in Ballyduff. Yesterday at around 4.20pm, a small black car travelling from Ferry Bridge to Ballyduff crashed into a car travelling in the same direction. The driver of the second car — a woman — had to be brought to UHK. The driver of the black car then crossed the road and collided with a van and then fled the scene.

Five young people in their early 20s died in a two-vehicle road traffic collision in Co Louth on Saturday night. They were Chloe McGee from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, Alan McCluskey from Drumconrath, Co Meath, Dylan Commins from Ardee, Co Louth, Shay Duffy from Carrickmacross, and Chloe Hipson from Lanarkshire, Scotland. Ann Tydings knows only too well what their families are going through. Twenty-one years ago this month her son Pádraig was killed in a crash, he had just recently celebrated his 22nd birthday.

Jerry spoke to Fine Gael Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton about the Government’s new plan which promise that at least 30,000 homes will be built by 2030 – including 72,000 social homes.