What happened in Kerry this week

For one former Kerry minor a date with destiny beckons in Croke Park - but after giving all for his county, he's now ready for some home-coming heroics in US college football.

A Kerry woman has just landed a high-profile role with one of America's most renowned television networks to head up its team fighting against fake news.

A local mother has hit out at the lack of dedicated cancer services for children in the county, and says the current treatment system is robbing child cancer patients of their dignity.

Construction work is expected to begin immediately on one of the single biggest housing developments in Kerry in over a decade after a proposal to build 249 new homes in Killarney was given the green light this week.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



We would not change a thing about our baby

A Tralee woman whose father did so much to raise awareness of men's health is following in his campaigning footsteps - and helping raise funds and awareness for Down Syndrome Kerry.

To mark World Down Syndrome Day last week, Joanne Cunningham was using her day off from working as a clerical officer in UHK to visit the hospital canteen to collect donations for Down Syndrome Kerry (DSK).

Joanne is a daughter of well-known Tralee man Joe Flynn, whose inspirationalbattle with cancer and promotion of awareness of men’s health drew admiration from all over the country.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



Kids in cancer treatment robbed of dignity

Children in Kerry undergoing treatment for cancer are being robbed of their dignity because of a lack of services in the South West.That’s according to Lorraine Šebestová, who has to travel to Dublin every two weeks with her daughter Lily Anna who is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

It’s been a long and exhausting road for Lily and her family, who have had their lives turned upside down since Lily was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, a malignant tumour on her left hand, just days after her seventh birthday back in 2021.

Now over two years since, thankfully, Lily’s cancer is in remission, but not without a high cost to the little girl who had to have her hand amputated to save her life.

Lorraine and her husband Dodi Šebest continue to travel to Dublin to complete Lily’s treatment, which will be ongoing until at least the summer months.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



Pharma giant to begin production in 2028

The €330m Astellas pharmaceutical facility at Kerry Technology Park in Tralee will be open and making drugs by early 2028, it was confirmed this week.

Senior figures from the Tokyo-based global medicines company were in Tralee on Monday for a sod-turning ceremony to mark the official start of construction.

The ceremony was also attended by Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, as well as Kerry TD and Education Minister Norma Foley, along with senior IDA and Kerry County Council representatives.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



Firefighter 'being barred' from election bid

Killarney Councillor Martin Grady is set for a massive battle with Kerry Council over employment rules which could force him to withdraw from the local elections on June 7 next.

Councillor Grady, who was co-opted to the Council last July to replace his father Donal, has been told that he may not be able to contest the local elections because he’s earning too much money as a retained firefighter paid by KerryCountyCouncil.

In a shock development, Councillor Grady was contacted by Council management last Friday and told that his income could have an impact on his ability to contest the election.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



'Brain Buddies' gives health boost

People with Down Syndrome have had their say when it comes to brain health thanks to Kerry Parents and Friends Association who developed an exciting new programme called ‘Brain Buddies'.

Senior Clinical Psychologist Dr Eileen Dukes of Kerry Parents and Friends Association (KPFA) conducted a feasibility study and found out what people with Down Syndrome want to do about brain health.

Based on those results, KPFA developed their new brain health programme ‘Brain Buddies’ for people with Down Syndrome, their friends and families.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



Katie’s tales bound to inspire little readers

GROWING UP in Beaufort with a view of the majestic MacGillycuddy Reeks from her window, it’s no wonder that nature plays a role in the books of children’s author Katie O’Donoghue.

And the author and child psychologist has dedicated her third book, ‘The Little Lamb Who Led’ to farmers – the custodians of the land who graciously allow others to enter their property to enjoy nature- especially her grandad Timmy, uncle Joe and her cousins Tim and Joseph.

As with her previous books, ‘The Little Squirrel Who Worried’ and ‘The Little Otter Who Tried’ published by Gill Books, Katie again masterfully combines the art of storytelling with psycho-education to instil confidence and resilience in her young readers.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.