Kerry Today

The Irish Times recently featured a story about how a 97-year-old woman faced a €455,000 payment to a bank over a life loan taken out in 2003. Taking out life loans and similar equity release products – what are the best circumstances to enter into such contracts and when are they not a good idea? Lisselton’s Pádraic Kissane of Pádraic Kissane Financial Services offers advice

Castleisland’s Eddie Sheehy is this year’s recipient of the Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award. Eddie is the founder of the Kenya Education Project and, like Monsignor O’Flaherty, lives by the maxim, ‘God has no country’. Jerry first asked him if he ever thought he would be a recipient.

Jerry spoke to senior reporter with The Kerryman, Sinéad Kelleher about the ongoing investigation into the murder of Jamey Carney in Killarney last July

Jerry spoke to local Fine Gael councillor Tommy Griffin.

Jerry spoke to Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, who was in Kerry yesterday. He visited Ballyheigue where a ‘do not consume’ water notice has been in place since October 7th.

Streetscapes is a series of wall murals created by children – in Killarney, local children reimagine the streets and landmarks of their town. It is a series of public artworks, which is part of the Architecture Kerry Festival with backing from Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership. Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the works will be on display until next March and are located on the gable wall of Reens Life Pharmacy in College Square. Radio Kerry’s Niamh O’Sullivan paid a visit to this year’s Streetscapes installation. Among those she met were Killarney youth drumming band THUMP! Funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

John Gibbons is an environmental campaigner and journalist. He believes that the seawater contamination of the Ballyheigue Public Water Supply is further proof of the escalation of climate change.

Long-serving Fine Gael Kerry County Councillor Bobby O’Connell was asked to give his views on a draft motion that may be put to party members at its ardfheis next weekend. A group of Fine Gael members want the party to ‘affirm its centre-right status’ and ‘distinguish itself from the “woke left”.’

Jerry spoke to David Kissane, PRO Kerry Athletics about European 1500m champion and Olympian Ciara Mageean who has died of cancer at the age of 34.

Former Fianna Fáil cabinet minister and MEP Gerry Collins who served as a TD for West Limerick for 30 years has died at the age of 88. Former Fianna Fáil senator Ned O’Sullivan paid tribute.

Jerry spoke to Eddie Walsh, Kerry’s representative for the Garda Representative Association, about the decision by members to engage in work-to-rule.

A man appeared at a special sitting of Killarney District Court yesterday evening after being charged with murder and assault causing harm. The accused is charged with the murder of a man contrary to common law at Ballymullen Barracks on Saturday morning and assault causing harm to another man at the same location. The 49-year-old Somali, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Judge Joanne Carroll. Radio Kerry news editor Treasa Murphy was at Killarney District Court.

Mark interviewed the two women from Kerry who are finalists in this year’s Miss Ireland competition. Michelle Burke, who’s 19 and from Castleisland, is Miss Kerry. Annelee O’Mahony, who’s 23 and from Killarney, is Miss Kerry South.

Dr Eoin O’Dell from Castleisland is an associate professor of law at Trinity College Dublin. He researches and publishes primarily in the areas of freedom of expression, and private and commercial law – particularly, where they overlap in intellectual property, IT, and cyber law. He agrees with the views of Cllr Fionnán Fitzgerald who urged people not to share details online about those allegedly involved with an assault in Killarney last weekend.

Mark spoke to Sinn Féin’s transport spokesperson and Kerry TD Pa Daly.

Jackie Murphy from Fenit is a financial crime prevention practitioner. She spoke to Mark Lynch about what’s believed to be the biggest financial hack ever – €6.3 billion stolen from cryptocurrency company Binance. She urges extreme caution when it comes to investing in cryptocurrency.

The PwC GAA All-Stars ceremony takes place in Dublin tonight. Mark spoke to John O’Dowd who’s a sports journalist with The Kerryman.

Mark Lynch spoke to assistant chief fire officer with the Kerry Fire Service Paudie McCarthy.

Recently Kerry ETB hosted a national education conference which has examined the importance of EU partnership and cooperation in the sector. ‘From Ballinskelligs to Brussels’ was the title given to the annual congress of Education & Training Boards Ireland which represents the country’s 16 ETBs. The conference looked at the value of networking with education systems in other EU states. A group from Kerry ETB – which included its director of schools, youth and music Con Moynihan –recently visited Finland and Estonia. In Finland, they discussed why Finland’s literacy levels had dropped in the past decade. Jerry O’Sullivan spoke to Con Moynihan about the visit.

Treasa spoke to Radio Kerry News’ Mark Lynch, who was at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday. At the court sitting, 43-year—old James Leen of Kilmorna, Listowel formally entered pleas of not guilty to five charges arising from the largest ever seizure of crystal meth in this country.

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

Treasa spoke to Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary about the launch of a new policy for rural Ireland, ‘Our Rural Future’.

Mark Lynch spoke to Dr Kevin Flannery, Marine Biologist and co-founder of Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium – on Molly the turtle’s release back into the Atlantic Ocean. Now 34-years-old, the 18-stone loggerhead turtle had been living at Dingle Oceanworld aquarium before being released back into the ocean off the coast of Portugal yesterday. The sea turtle had a long road to recovery after she washed up on the Maharees peninsula, following a storm in 2004, when she was a three-stone 12-year-old adolescent.

Mark Lynch spoke to Pat Mann, president of the Kerry Law Society about the ongoing dispute over criminal legal aid payments. The Law Society says it has identified two key issues which could move the process forward if they’re addressed effectively.

Treasa spoke to political commentator Larry Donnelly, lecturer and director of clinical education in the School of Law at the University of Galway. This evening (Thursday) at 7.30pm he is speaking at Kenmare Further Education and Training Centre, Bell Height on the outskirts of the town. He’ll be talking about the US midterm elections on Tuesday next, November 3rd. He spoke to Treasa Murphy last evening and outlined what his audience this evening can expect.

Mark Lynch spoke to Tralee native Brendan Boyle, who is in Madrid, where a recovery operation is continuing in Spain, where at least 69 people have died in a catastrophic train crash. The death toll is expected to rise as emergency crews search the wreckage of two high-speed trains near Madrid.

Mark Lynch spoke to Dr Owen O’Shea, historian and author on his new book – ‘Unchanged and Unchangeable: Austin Stack and the Irish Revolution’.

Mark Lynch spoke to Eoin O’Connell, water treatment operations manager with Uisce Éireann about the latest in regard to the Ballyheigue Public Water Supply. A ‘do not consume’ notice has been in place since October 7th when saltwater contaminated the water supply.

Treasa spoke to Fianna Fáil councillor Fionnán Fitzgerald about his motion on how difficult it is to get out of subscriptions. Kerry County Council is to write to the Dept of Enterprise, Trade and Employment requesting laws to protect consumers from “subscriptions traps”, stating it should be easy to cancel a subscription as it is to join. Treasa also spoke to Cllr Fitzgerald about a video circulating of a man being viciously assaulted in Killarney.

Valentia Slate Quarry has this week begun exporting roofing slate for the first time in 150 years. In the mid-19th century Valentia Slate was a major employer in the area and slate from the quarry was shipped internationally to build major British and European landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament in London and the Paris Opera House. A major rockfall forced the quarry to close for most of the 20th century. it reopened in the 1990s and it’s now back exporting roofing slate after a gap of 150 years. Sari Houlihan visited the quarry yesterday morning to see the first shipment ever to the US being loaded onto container trucks. Funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

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

A campaign group has sought to re-inter Roger Casement’s remains at Murlough Bay in the Glens of Antrim where he spent some of his childhood. The Roger Casement Commemoration and Reinterment Association has applied for an exhumation licence to remove his body from Glasnevin Cemetery and rebury it at a location overlooking Murlough Bay. Roger Casement was executed in London in August 1916 for his role in the Easter Rising. The British captured him at Banna where he had landed a German U-boat to help the Rising. His body was repatriated to Ireland in 1965 ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising and he was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. Dr Tim Horgan is from Tralee and a historian with a focus on the revolutionary period. He spoke to Treasa Murphy.

Last Friday, Munster Technological University conferred an honorary doctorate on Jimmy Deenihan, former cabinet minister, former chair of MTU governing body and legendary Kerry footballer. He spoke to Treasa about a lifetime dedicated to education and sport and his connection to Mick Jagger.

Treasa Murphy spoke to Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy who’s the chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport.

The pop-up Gaeltacht is a growing Irish language community in Killarney. For the past three years, organisers have run free events for people to meet and chat in Irish, in pubs and bars across the town. Tomás Swords attended a gathering on October 17th which featured a collaboration with Kerry International Film Festival. Tomás visited the pop-up in Courtney’s Bar and spoke to Callum Myers who’s one of the organisers. Funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

Minister Norma Foley met CEO of Uisce Éireann Niall Gleeson about the situation affecting more than 3,500 customers – including homes, businesses, farms and schools – who are on the Ballyheigue Public Water Supply. Saltwater has contaminated the supply and a ‘do not consume’ notice has been in place since October 7th. Boiling the water does not make it safe to drink.

Fionnán Sheahan, Ireland editor with the Irish Independent, reviews the week in politics.

Dr Crokes face Kenmare Shamrocks in the Garvey’s SuperValu County Senior Football Final this Sunday at 2pm Fitzgerald Stadium. Saoirse O’Sullivan, Bella Brosnan and Shay Moloney support Dr Crokes. Michael Lynch, Ryan O’Dwyer and Jack O’Sullivan who go to St John’s National School, Kenmare support – well, you can guess! The game will be broadcast live on Radio Kerry.

Conferring ceremonies took place in Tralee today for more than 700 graduates of the Munster Technological University. Members of the class of 2026 will celebrate their achievements across a wide range of disciplines including business, humanities, science, engineering, computing, nursing and social science. The ceremonies were held in the Kerry Sports Academy at MTU’s North Campus. Honorary doctorates were conferred on the founder of Cuan Mhuire Sr Consilio and former minister Jimmy Deenihan in recognition of their contributions to Irish society, community development, and public service. Treasa Murphy spoke to: – Professor Maggie Cusack, president of Munster Technological University – Eimear Foley, head of department, health and leisure studies, – Dr Seán McSweeney, dean of engineering – Dr Noel Murray, dean of business – Lisa Doyle, events and communications officer, Alumni Office Repro Free : MTU Graduation Kerry :: 23.10.2026 ::: Sr Agnes Fitzgerald, pictured accepting an honorary doctorate on behalf of…

This programme focuses on the situation for people on the Ballyheigue Public Water Supply who’ve been without safe, drinkable tap water since October 7th. Uisce Éireann says more than 3,600 customers – which includes homes, schools, farms, and businesses. On October 7th, the utility issued a ‘do not consume’ notice to customers as the supply was contaminated by saltwater. It’s not safe to drink the water even if it’s boiled. The Ballyheigue Public Water Supply was contaminated by saltwater that had entered through an aquifer near the coastline. Jerry O’Sullivan hosted a special programme from Ballyheigue Community Centre. He spoke to : – Lucy Blackett Godley, Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Leane, Briain Smyth who’s CEO of Irish Rural Link – Cllr Liam ‘Speedy’ Nolan, Shay Riordan who’s meals-on-wheels delivery driver with Ballyheigue Community Centre, independent TD Danny Healy-Rae, and Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahil. Uisce Éireann was unable to provide a spokesperson who could do a live interview on the show.…

Last month, the Annals of Inisfallen, a medieval manuscript synonymous with Killarney, was temporarily returned to Ireland for the first time in over 40 years. The texts have been housed at Oxford for more than 250 years. Through an arrangement with Oxford University, the manuscript can now be viewed at a free exhibition at UCC until November 1st. Jerry spoke to Chris Doyle who is a lecturer in medieval history at the University of Galway. He says the annals don’t belong in a British library.

Jerry spoke to Seanad leader Garret Ahearn of Fine Gael, who intends to introduce legislation that will give councils the power to stop vape shops from proliferating across the country.

Flooding and significant travel disruption are expected in Kerry as Storm Austen brings heavy rain and strong winds tonight. Met Éireann has issued orange rain warnings for Kerry and five other counties. In Kerry the orange level warning is valid from 10 o’clock tonight until 5am tomorrow. Jerry spoke to Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather.

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

Jerry spoke to Dr Sean McSweeney who’s Dean at the Faculty of Engineering at MTU. He spoke recently at the Cantillon Quarter event which is named after the Kerry-born economist Richard Cantillon (c 1680 – 1734) who is credited with the origin of the term, entrepreneur.

A charity flea market will take place this Saturday organised by NEWKD (North East and West Kerry Development) and Kerry Women’s Centre. The event will take place at Kerry Women’s Centre, Rath Óraigh, Rathass, Tralee from 11am to 4pm. There’ll be lots going on including a BBC Repair Show-style event – all part of the emphasis on smart consumption and reusing items. Emma White of Kerry Women’s Centre spoke to Jerry.

Kerry Airport will soon be served by a direct flight from the Netherlands. The flights, operated by Sky Alps, will run weekly from Groningen Airport Eelde to Kerry, every Thursday from 29th April to 9th September next year. The flights will form part of an expanded travel programme into Ireland by Dutch tour operator BBI Travel, who will also run direct flights from the Netherlands to Knock Airport. Henk van der Kooi, Managing Director of BBI Travel, says that they will also run flights out of Kerry direct to the Netherlands, details of which will be announced next month.

The Road Safety Authority has abandoned plans to install breathalysers in pubs and hotels. It’s understood this followed government intervention. Jerry spoke to Declan Keogh who’s road safety officer for Kerry County Council.

These are the words of Siobhán, the mother of an adult son with additional needs. She argues that inheritance tax laws are unfair to people with special needs. She says as it stands, many such adults who receive benefits and state supports, in recognition of their disabilities, stand to lose many, if not all of these entitlements when their parents die and they inherit from them. What are your views on what Siobhán has to say? Get in touch via kerrytoday@radiokerry.ie

That’s the view of Ireland South MEP Michael McNamara. He says the Drug Related Intimidation & Violence Engagement (DRIVE) Garda project receives €280,000 in government funding annually, or a little over €13,000 per garda division.