Kerry Today

This Friday, May 22nd, the Ashe Hotel in Tralee will hold a free financial literacy event from 11am to 1pm. The event has the support of AIB, MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service), Kerry ETB, Adult Literacy for Life and An Garda Síóchána.  Jerry spoke to Eamonn Foley, area manager South Munster MABS, Sergeant Mike Quirke, Kerry fraud prevention officer, Mary Swaine, adult literary organiser Kerry ETB, and Stephen Stack, branch manager of AIB Tralee.

The Road Safety Authority’s interactive map shows blackspots for road deaths and serious collisions in Kerry and other counties. Jerry spoke to RSA senior media relations manager David Martin

Yesterday, the Taoiseach told Radio Kerry News that he was committed to appointing a successor to Michael Healy-Rae who resigned as minister of state at the Department of Agriculture last month after he voted no confidence in the government. The Kerry independent TD was junior minister with responsibility for forestry, horticulture, and farm safety. Jerry spoke Padraig Stapleton who’s chair of the IFA Farm Forestry Committee.

Kerry Dairy Ireland has been renamed as Kinisla and is to create 100 jobs. Jerry spoke to CEO Pat Murphy.

Jerry spoke to Sinn Féin councillor Paul Daly, who has raised concern about recent flooding in the Shanakill area of Tralee. This is the third time a pipe has burst resulting in flooding. It has left up to 10,000 homes and businesses without water.

The Tailor and Ansty by Eric Cross, which was published in 1942, celebrated the wit and conversation of a couple that lived in Gougane Barra. Kilgarvan native Tadhg Buckley and his wife Anastasia were renowned for their humour. Astonishingly, the book was banned because of the couple’s earthy language. Jerry spoke to Neil Lucey, owner of the Gougane Barra Hotel, and Seán Ó Súilleabháin of Cumann Staire Uibh Laoire/ Ballingeary and Inchigeela Historical Society.

Jerry spoke to Pheilim Molloy, national president of the Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA. His organisation is concerned that the new CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) post-2027 could be overhauled in such a way that it will benefit big farmers over smaller operators.

Over 40% of people have reported issues with car hire according to research by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Jerry spoke to Grainne Griffin, director of communications with the CCPC.

Jerry spoke to independent senator Michael McDowell, who says people should be allowed to live in one-off rural housing if they wish to.

Jerry spoke to Fine Gael senator Mike Kennelly, from Listowel, who has sharply criticised the decision to place key championship football fixtures behind the GAA+ streaming paywall, calling it “a disgrace” and urging the Minister for Sport to intervene on behalf of supporters in Kerry, Donegal and across rural Ireland.

20-year-old Noah Jake Woolley with an address at New Road, Belper Amber Valley, Derbyshire, UK, appeared before a special sitting of Killarney District Court charged with attempted theft and deception. Jerry spoke to journalist Anne Lucey, who was in court.

On Wednesday, Billy Horan was looking forward to listening to the All-Ireland under 20 football semi-final match involving Kerry and Roscommon on Radio Kerry. He and his family were also going to watch the match online. But when he went online, he found something suspicious.

John Downing reviews the week in politics.

Comment line caller Richard Fitzgerald gives his opinion in light of the news this week that the number of roadside breath tests has fallen between 2010 and 2025. Sixteen years ago, more than 500,000 tests were carried out while in 2025, under 190,000 breath tests were conducted.  Jerry also returns to the controversy of the €127,000 bike shed built for staff at University Hospital Kerry.

A man who's running 32 marathons in Ireland to raise awareness of a rare, early onset dementia will be in Killarney this Sunday. Jordan Adams' late mother Geraldine was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia when she was 47 years old. Jordan and his brother Cian carry a family mutation which means they have a 99.9% chance of contracting the brain disorder. Frontotemporal dementia often starts between ages 45 and 65.

It’s the centenary of the establishment of Fianna Fáil. Leonard Hurley from Cahersiveen has been a  party member since the mid-1960s. He’s a former chair of the Kerry Comhairle Dáil Cheantair. Maria Buckley is president of Fianna Fáil’s Women’s Network. 26-year-old John Crowley from Ardfert is the national president of Ógra Fianna Fáil. You’ll also hear a vox pop from Kian O’Gorman and Katelyn O’Brien from the Kerry College journalism, podcasting and radio course.

Jerry spoke to Niall Shanahan of Fórsa about the union’s biennial conference that is taking place in Killarney. Fórsa has more than 400,000 members who work in the public sector.

Two Georgian men have been convicted and fined in Tralee District Court for attempting to enter Ireland illegally through Kerry Airport. Jerry spoke to journalist Mark Lynch, who was at court yesterday.

Jerry spoke to Seamus O'Neill of the I’m Sorry Zero Points podcast who’s in Vienna which is hosting this year’s Eurovision competition.

Jerry spoke to Frank McNally, who writes a regular column for The Irish Man’s Diary in The Irish Times. Frank, who’s from Monaghan, only recently heard the term ‘scaraveen’.

Yesterday, Kerry Fine Gael senator Mike Kennelly contacted Radio Kerry to say that the introduction of a controversial register for Airbnbs and other short-term lets had been delayed until December. The Departments of Tourism and Housing confirmed this to Radio Kerry. Jerry spoke to Noelle Casey, vice-chair of the Irish Self-Catering Federation and owner of Knockcarrig House self-catering accommodation, Killarney, and Cllr Brendan Cronin.

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

Jerry spoke to Ned O’Sullivan, chair of Listowel Writers Week, about this year’s event

Ireland has boycotted this year’s Eurovision due to Israel’s participation, along with Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia. Jerry spoke to Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Fianna Fáil Ireland South MEP, who co-hosted the Eurovision with the late Gerry Ryan in 1994.

Lissivigeen National School outside Killarney is located on the main Killarney-Cork road near the roundabout for Rathmore. A deputation from the school has told Killarney councillors that daily near misses on the road are putting children at risk. Jerry spoke to the chair of the school’s parents’ association, Michelle Barrett.

Jerry spoke to the CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, Dr Sheila Gilheany. The number of breath tests carried out on roads has fallen dramatically in recent years. Jerry also got the view of Terry Boyle who’s chair of Tralee Taxi Association.

A comment line caller told Treasa Murphy and about a recent experience he had in Bantry. The man who didn’t want to be named says he’s a trainee GP working in West Cork.

An event is taking place in Tralee today which gives information on cyber security essentials for businesses. Jerry spoke to Paddy Lange of Resilium which is based in Tom Crean Business Park. Paddy is speaking at the Cyber Security Essentials Event hosted by Tech Industry Alliance, JRI America, MTU, Tralee Chamber and Cyber Ireland. The event is taking place at SMBC, Kerry Technology Park.

Litter fines are being increased from €150 to €250. Brendan O’Brien, chair of Tralee Tidy Towns, gave his reaction.

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), which represents over 3,500 publicans, has warned that rural pubs are facing an “existential threat to their ongoing commercial sustainability and survival” unless targeted Government supports are introduced in Budget 2027. Jerry spoke to the CEO of the Vintners’ Federation, Pat Crotty.

Jerry spoke to Der Brosnan, chairman of Fitzgerald stadium committee, and to Ivan Hurley, PRO for Kerry FC. Radio Kerry received complaints about how noisy stadium hooters are ruining some spectators’ enjoyment of games.

Around 250 EMTs, paramedics and advanced paramedics in Kerry have begun industrial action today. Jerry spoke to Mikey Boyle, SIPTU ambulance rep in Kerry.

Ellen Otuagohmah, who is from Nigeria, has been living in Cahersiveen for three years, and works in Valentia Community Hospital. She is also due to graduate in health care at Kerry ETB, Cahersiveen later this month. She had been due to be moved to Sligo last Thursday, but this is delayed now to allow her complete her course.

Up to 10,000 homes and business were affected on Saturday after a water main on the Lisloose reservoir burst once again.. Jerry spoke to Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris.

A large protest over the use of sulkies on national roads took place on Saturday, May 9th. The peaceful protest was organised by Labour councillor Michael ‘Chicken’ Brennan following the death of a horse in a collision in Clonmel, Co Tipperary in March while it was involved in a sulky race. Jerry spoke to Martina Kenny from the animal rescue charity, My Lovely Horse.

Jerry spoke to Fianna Fáil councillor Mikey Sheehy, who raised the issue of CCTV in Tralee at the recent Tralee Municipal District meeting.

Treasa Murphy spoke to the principal of Lisselton National School, Regina Walsh, who believes it should be easier for local people to get planning permission to build homes. She says the lack of new homes is affecting pupil numbers in the school, and the school will be making a submission on Kerry County Council’s settlement plan for the Listowel Municipal District.

Jerry spoke to Radio Kerry Sports commentator Tim Moynihan about Kerry’s win against Cork in yesterday’s Munster Football Final, which secured a sixth provincial title in a row for the Kingdom.

Kerry take on Cork in Killarney on Sunday in this year’s Munster Senior Football Championship Final. Ahead of the game, Treasa spoke to Paudie Herlihy and Donal Vaughan, two men from Ballydesmond right on the county bounds, with very different loyalties. We also took a trip down memory lane with Radio Kerry’s archive of old Munster Championship clashes between these fierce rivals.

Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion, Michael Moynihan, spoke to Treasa about today’s deadline for applications for places in next year’s school transport system. He also defended the government’s record on special education.

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

A sign directing people to the historic Scotia’s grave out above Tralee has disappeared without a trace. Filmmaker and local history enthusiast, Bertie Brosnan, spoke to Treasa about the significance of this unique site.

Kerry's match against Donegal in the first round of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in Killarney, is set to be shown on GAA+ on Saturday May 23rd. Treasa spoke to the Irish Examiner GAA Correspondent John Fogarty, who broke the story.

New research from Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva) explores people's attitudes to learning to drive in electric vehicles and their views on Ireland's current driving licence rules for automatic cars. It comes as the latest car sales data shows a huge shift away from petrol and diesel, towards electric and hybrid cars among new passenger cars being sold in Kerry. Treasa spoke to Mike Kavanagh, Manager of Aviva Driving School.

There’s been a renewed focus on character references for those found guilty of sexual crimes, after former Fianna Fáil TD Jim Glennon issued one for Daniel Ramamoorthy, a former government advisor who was convicted of the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old boy in 2017. In 2024, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act was introduced, mandating that people who provide character references must be sworn in by oath or affidavit, and they can be cross-examined. Treasa spoke to Miriam Henry, whose brother Gerard was convicted of abusing her and her sister, about whether this new law on character references is being consistently applied in court. If you are affected by this, you can contact the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre on 1800 633 333.

Sinn Féin councillor Robert Brosnan wants mileage rates and travel allowances for community health workers to be increased, given the recent surge in energy costs. He spoke to Treasa.

As of 10am today, the majority of some 160 people seeking international protection application were due to be moved from the Skellig Star accommodation centre, Cahersiveen today – around 2pm. Treasa spoke to local councillor with Fianna Fail, Norma Moriarty, for the latest update on efforts to keep the residents in Cahersiveen.

Shane Phelan, legal affairs editor with Mediahuis, spoke to Treasa about the end to a legal dispute over control of the Rose of Tralee, after a settlement was agreed between the parties.

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

Fianna Fáil councillor for the Castleisland Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District, Fionnán Fitzgerald, spoke to Treasa about his concerns that the period by which the government will end state-supported accommodation for Ukrainians may not be long enough and could result in creating further homelessness.