What happened in Kerry this week
Seven heroes who risked life and limb in their dramatic efforts to rescue people in dire difficulty while in the water this year have been honoured with special awards at a ceremony in Dublin.
Over a week after being warned not to drink their tap water, over 3,500 people in the Ballyheigue, Kilmoyley and Causeway areas still haven’t been told what the problem is.
For three years, the McGuire family have been fighting to secure a suitable home in Castleisland for Noreen, their 50-year-old daughter and sister who has an intellectual disability and cerebral palsy.
Local woman Celia O’Shea has been appointed principal of Killorglin Community College where she previously taught Business.
As public sector services ceased for strike action around the county this week, the Kerry’s Eye heard the story of a principal at a special school in Listowel, who has been forced to take up a second job to make ends meet.
A newly-formed community sports group in Keel, Castlemaine are looking to secure land to develop much-needed multi-sports facilities for the local community.
At a special presentation, Scartaglen National School paid tribute to Mossie Kerin for his dedication to basketball coaching for over 40 years, and also saluted the contributions of his daughters, Ella and Ciara, who have continued their father’s legacy at the school.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
Cian on top of the world Down Under
Listowel man Cian Horgan will be proudly flying the flag for Ireland Down Under this month when he lines out for the Ireland national team at the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup.
Cian, who took up rugby just three years ago, is now ready to play for Ireland at the upcoming tournament, which kicks off at the end of October.
As he gets ready to represent his county and country on the ‘highest’ international stage, Cian is not taking anything for granted, as he tells Kerry’s Eye: “It’s nice to be able to know I got picked and I’m going off to play for my country and on the biggest stage.”
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
In the dry and in the dark
OVER a week after being warned not to drink their tap water, over 3,500 people in the Ballyheigue, Kilmoyley and Causeway areas still haven’t been told what the problem is.
Locals suspect that saltwater contamination is behind the ongoing ‘do not consume’ notice, but Uisce Éireann are continuing to investigate the issue and carry out extensive testing and monitoring of the raw water source in the area.
Uisce Éireann says no one should drink tap water, nor should the water be used for preparing food, cooking or brushing teeth.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
‘Who’ll care for Noreen when we’re gone?’
For three years, the McGuire family have been fighting to secure a suitable home in Castleisland for Noreen, their 50-year-old daughter and sister who has an intellectual disability and cerebral palsy.
With her elderly mother Mary still her primary carer, the Currow family fears that the home Noreen needs to live safely and with dignity in her own community will not become a reality until it is too late.
Noreen uses a wheelchair, and her brother Seán has been working tirelessly to secure her future.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
Principal, staff take up second jobs
The principal at a special school in Listowel has been forced to take up a second job to make ends meet.
Jacinta Budhlaeir, who runs Nano Nagle School, said herself and many other staff members have taken on additional paid work or second jobs to ensure their own financial security.
She said industrial action, which took place at the school yesterday (Wednesday) as part of a wider national strike, was a last resort and not a decision those on strike took lightly.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
Glenbeigh needs to get Greenway-ready
URGENT work needs to be done to make Glenbeigh’s streets safe for local pedestrians and cyclists before the extended South Kerry Greenway brings a flood of visitor traffic into the village, a local county councillor warned this week.
Rossbeigh-based county councillor Tommy Cahill said the need for investment in safety features is clear as visitor numbers are set to increase significantly following the successful opening of over 6km of the South Kerry Greenway from the Glenbeigh trailhead in June.
He urged Kerry County Council to act now and apply for funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to complete new pavements and other safety works in the village.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
Castlegregory kids on film awards shortlist
Thirty pupils from Castlegregory Mixed National School are heading to Dublin after their short film about protecting an endangered bird was shortlisted for a national film award.
The multi-talented children storyboarded, wrote, collected props, acted in, filmed and edited their five-minute film called ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’, with a little help from teacher Philomena Knightly.
They will attend the FÍS Film Awards in the Helix, Dublin, in February when the categories and winners will be announced.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
