Kerry Today

Dr Eamonn’s encyclopaedic knowledge of medical issues is evident on Health Matters every Wednesday afternoon on TalkAbout – a feature has hosted for years on Radio Kerry. However, his knowledge of and love for music is equally impressive. He tells Jerry why he’s delighted that Metallica will be back in Ireland next year.

Jerry spoke to Johnnie Roche who’s chair of Castleisland District Heritage about his organisation’s proposal that the town’s main street be renamed in honour of Daniel O’Connell.

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

Kerry meet Cork again - this time in round two of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in Páirc Uí Chaoimh tomorrow afternoon. Once again, the game’s not available to watch on free-to-air TV but only through GAA+. Of course, it’s free to listen to on Radio Kerry with live commentary from Tim Moynihan and Ambrose O’Donovan. Gerry Cournane isn’t happy that you have to pay to watch the game.

Austin Stack is the son of prison officer Brian Stack who was killed by the IRA in 1983. He’s the author of ‘Justice for My Father’, and will be in Listowel for the town’s literary festival which runs until this Sunday, June 1st.

Today’s Irish Times reports that the country’s military flight operations are to move to part-time hours at the Air Corps headquarters and may soon end entirely. The paper says such a development would have huge implications for rescue, medical and policing services. Jerry spoke to Gerry Christie, volunteer with Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.

Julie shared her recent experience using artificial intelligence. It’s a great tool but it’s not always right, as she explains to Jerry.

Jerry spoke to Cormac McKay is an environmental technologist and policy advisor; he is also spokesperson for the Autonomous Electric Road & Air Vehicle Association of Ireland. He was a speaker at the Safer Roads road safety conference in the INEC in Killarney hosted by Kerry County Council.

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Charlie McConalogue is in the county today. His itinerary includes a visit to Tralee Sports and Leisure Centre which was badly damaged when a roof partially collapsed in January as a result of weather conditions. Some of the complex reopened at the end of March.

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

Malachy Browne, enterprise investigations director with the New York Times, is speaking at the Global Economic Summit in Killarney’s Hotel Europe.

The issuing of future J1s could be impacted by a US pause on student visa interviews. There will also be more vetting of students’ social media posts. Jerry spoke to Stephen ‘Fog’ Fogarty, president of MTU Kerry Students’ Union.

Michael Kilcoyne is chair of the Consumers’ Association of Ireland.

Jerry spoke to Patrick O’Sullivan who’s chair of the County Board.

The Global Economic Summit opened in the Europe Hotel, Killarney yesterday and continues until Wednesday. Jerry, Amber Galwey and Treasa Murphy attended the event and heard from the Taoiseach, US Congressman Richard Neal, and Donald Trump’s former chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.

On the last Tuesday of the month, solicitor Miriam McGillycuddy answers your legal questions.

Jerry spoke to Declan Keogh who’s road safety officer with Kerry County Council. The two-day conference opens in the INEC Killarney tomorrow.

It should have been a joyous occasion yesterday evening as thousands of Liverpool fans lined the streets to celebrate the club winning the Premiership. However, almost 50 people were injured including children after a vehicle drove into a crowd of people. Ivan Hurley of Radio Kerry Sports was near where the crash happened.

Are arguments that some towns have too much social housing simply a case of NIMBY snobbery or a fair argument that towns should reflect society as a whole? There was a row at the monthly meeting of Kerry County Council last week over social housing in Milltown. Jerry spoke to Fianna Fáil councillor Tommy Cahill.

Yesterday there was a protest in Muckross in opposition to the pro-Israel position taken by US Congressman Richard Neal. Congressman Neal was being honoured with a civic reception by Kerry County Council. He was honoured for his contribution to the peace process in Northern Ireland. Jerry spoke to one of the protestors Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris.

Gardaí confirmed last evening that human remains found in the farmland of Michael Gaine are those of the 56-year-old farmer from Kenmare. Jerry spoke to local councillor Johnny Healy-Rae.

Continuing this week long feature to mark National Volunteering Week, we find out how volunteers are making a difference in three organisations – Foodshare Kerry, Maine Valley Family Resource Centre, and Tralee International Resource Centre. Jerry spoke to Geraldine O’Sullivan who’s manager of Kerry Volunteer Centre, Sinéad Donnelly of Foodshare Kerry, Lisa Foley of Maine Valley Family Resource Centre, and Mary Carroll of Tralee International Resource Centre.

Yesterday the US President ambushed the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa with false allegations that white farmers in South Africa have been subjected to genocide. In the 1980s Karen Gearon was among a group of Dunnes Stores workers  who went on strike for almost three years after they were suspended by the company for their refusal to handle fruit from apartheid South Africa. She gave her reaction to Jerry.

Úna Fannon is director of the Passport Service. She’s encouraging people to check their passports’ expiry date and renew online, before they book their next trip. She spoke to Treasa Murphy.

The Garda Press Office is not commenting  on reports that gardaí have recovered a chainsaw from Mike Gaine's farmyard in Carrig East, Kenmare as part of the investigation into his murder. It’s understood that the chainsaw will undergo forensic analysis. Jerry spoke to Radio Kerry news editor Treasa Murphy.

Jerry spoke to Sarah Kieran of Media Lawyer solicitors regarding a recent defamation case that was lost by a church community.

Continuing this week long feature to mark National Volunteering Week, Jerry finds out about the importance of volunteers in our health services – in hospitals and in the community. Brenda Enright is volunteer trustee of Ard Chúram Day Care Centre in Listowel, Nollaig Barry is with University Hospital Kerry’s volunteer programme, and Stephen O’Flaherty is community engagement officer for Community First Responders. Geraldine O’Sullivan is manager of Kerry Volunteer Centre.

The Law Society of Ireland has named Hazel Barrett from Presentation Secondary School, Listowel as the winner of the national Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition for 2025. The transition year student won for her essay on the role the law can play in addressing hate crime. Another student at Presentation, Listowel Molly Linnane was a finalist in the competition. Jerry spoke to Hazel and to her English teacher, Gemma O’Loughlin, who also teaches Molly.

The Skellig Coast Tourism Network will hold a protest tomorrow at 5.30pm at the pier in Portmagee. They are frustrated over the delay to the opening of Sceilg Mhichíl for the tourism season. James Murphy is chairperson of Skellig Coast Tourism Network.

The director of services for housing and roads at Mayo County Council said such a boycott would help bring vacant properties back into use and help address the housing shortage. Jerry got the views of Kerry County Councillor Tommy Griffin of Fine Gael.

Jerry spoke to Kerry TD Pa Daly who is Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on climate, environment, energy and transport.

Luke Silles is a sixth year student at CBS The Green, Tralee. Last Saturday, Luke got into difficulties in the water in Fenit and remains in hospital. Cllr Fionnán Fitzgerald is Luke’s Irish teacher.

The Policing and Community Safety Authority has launched a public consultation to find out what people think An Garda Síochána should prioritise for the years ahead. Jerry spoke to the PCSA’s CEO Helen Hall. To take part: https://pcsa.prioritysimulator.com/

Billy Alexander of Kells Bay Gardens has won his third gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show.  His display “Wilde Kells Bay Gardens” measures 120 square metres and features more than 100 fern species.  

Fianna Fáil councillor Anne O’Sullivan said at yesterday’s meeting of Kerry County Council that a constituent’s name and address was submitted in a planning objection. However, the man knew nothing about this – his identity was used to make a bogus objection, Cllr O’Sullivan said.

Last night, a man in his 50s who was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of the murder of Mike Gaine, was released without charge. Radio Kerry journalist Amber Galwey gives the background to this development.

Ireland’s representative Emmy will take to the stage tomorrow night in Switzerland in the second semifinal. Is it possible she can make it to the final on Saturday night?  Jerry spoke to Seamus O’Neill, co-host of the ‘I’m Sorry Zero Points’ Eurovision podcast. He’s attending his ninth Eurovision competition final.