In recent days, a very interesting event took place at Google HQ in Dublin, bringing together Waterford people who are in business in Dublin and have a strong passion for development here in the Deise.

The event, entitled 'Backing Waterford's Future: Connect & Contribute', was organised by the 'Deise in Dublin Business Network' and was a hands-on workshop focused on two of the region's biggest growth drivers; namely SETU and Waterford Airport.

The 'Deise in Dublin' network was established in 2024 and holds quarterly events which are designed to connect Waterford people living and working in Dublin while encouraging collaboration and supporting economic opportunities for the county.

The latest event, as mentioned, took place on Tuesday last in Google HQ, thanks to the Head of Google Ireland who is none other than Waterford woman Vanessa Hartley!

Damien was there for WLR and you can listen back to his report - speaking to many of those attending the event - by clicking on the image...

 

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He has never spoken publicly about his story - but it was his bravery as a young 14-year-old in reporting his abuse to gardai that would later set in motion a chain of events which would prove momentus.

'A8' (as he is called in the Commission of Investigation report) was only a young teen when he was abused by paedophile Bill Kenneally.

It was an experience that would affect him throughout his life (as he tells Damien in his powerful interview with him this week).

But importantly, it also brought him to the doors of Waterford Garda Station to report it - an act that it's accepted was a defining moment in how subsequent events came to a conclusion.

As he still wishes to preserve his anonymity, we have disguised the voice of 'A8' for the purpose of his interview for 'Deise Today'

But you can listen back to his story by clicking on the image....

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A Waterford Fianna Fail councillor says there should be an investigation into the role of party members and party structures in enabling paedophile Bill Kenneally's continuing involvement in party activies.

Eamon Quinlan was speaking to Damien Tiernan on 'Deise Today' this morning (Wednesday), on the recently-published Commission of Investigation report into the overall handling of the Kenneally case.

Eamon Quinlan said he and other younger members of the party would be happy to see an internal Fianna Fail party probe.

"I very much want to see anyone trying to use Fianna Fáil as a blanket for any wrongdoing to be kicked out and kicked down the road," he said.

You can listen back to his full, in-depth chat with Damien on the issue by clicking on the image above...

 

 

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They were once the most eagerly-awaited social events of the year!

But now, it seems, the cost of a wedding is leading more and more people to say 'I don't' when an invite comes in the post!

A new survey by Tesco Bank (UK) found that one in three invitees, in the UK at least, are declining invites these days.

Is it the same in Ireland? Why do people here say no - and how do you do that without causing offence?!

On 'Deise Today' this morning (Tues), we got the view of Ciara Elliot, who is Editor/Head of Content at leading Irish and UK wedding website, 'One Fab Day'.

You can listen back to Damien's chat with Ciara by clicking on the image above!

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This morning (Tuesday) on 'Deise Today', Damien spoke to Dylan O'Riordan.

Dylan, who lives in Waterford and has autism, was recently awarded €29,000 in a dismissal of an appeal made by Omniplex, over a Labour Court case relating to disability law.

You can listen back to his chat with Damien by clicking on the image above...

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This morning (Friday) on 'Deise Today' Damien spoke to Wexford Labour TD George Lawlor.

George has been on the show a few times in recent months on the issue of the controversial Glenmore static speed camera.

In recent days, he received data from the Dept of Justice on fines issued for all other static speed cameras across the country - and it makes for very interesting reading when it's compared to the Glenmore situation.

You can listen back to what George had to say by clicking on the image above...

 

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Western Europe is ⁠in the grip of a deadly, record-setting heatwave that has killed dozens of people, closed schools, slowed trains, knocked out electricity and forced farmers to harvest grain at night.

France recorded its hottest day since records began nearly 80 years ago and authorities have sought to restore electricity to thousands of homes hit by power cuts in the northwestern region of Brittany. 

This morning on 'Deise Today' we caught up with Prof John Sweeney, Emeritus Professor of Geography at NUI Maynooth, to discuss the situation.

You can listen back by clicking on the image above...

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This morning (Friday), Government Chief Whip, Minister of State and Waterford TD Mary Butler was a studio guest on 'Deise Today'.

Yesterday, just a week after the publication of the Commission of Investigation report into the handling of his case, the paedophile Bill Kenneally died.

He had long-term health issues and had recently been receiving palliative care while in prison custody.

Kenneally was once a member of the former Kenneally family Fianna Fail political dynasty.

Earlier this week, following the commission report publication, Taoiseach Michael Martin said the actions of the serial child sex abuser were “reprehensible and horrific”, but there was “no evidence” of a cover-up within Fianna Fail.

You can click on the image above to listen back to Damien Tiernan's interview with Minister Mary Butler this morning...

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Convicted paedophile Bill Kenneally has died in prison, it was confirmed this morning (Thursday).

The notorious child sex abuser was serving a 19-year sentence for historic abuse of boys in Waterford and died in the early hours of this morning.

He was in custody in the Midlands Prison and was under the care of the prison service health care team at the time of his death.

On 'Deise Today' two of the survivors of Kenneally, Jason Clancy and Kevin Keating, spoke about the news of the death of their former abuser, which has come just a week after the publication of the report of the Commission of Investigation into the Kenneally case.

You can listen back to Jason and Kevin talking to Damien by clicking on the image above.

 

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A group of survivors of paedophile Bill Kenneally yesterday (Wednesday) met with the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan in relation to the findings in the Commission Report published last week.

The group travelling to Dublin for the meeting where they were given a Ministerial apology and also confirmation of a Full State Apology to follow in the coming weeks.

Minister Jim O'Callaghan also confirmed he had met with the Garda Commissioner who, he said, was equally upset at the findings of the report and the handling of the matter by gardai back in the 1980s.

He also confirmed that the Government will be bringing in new legislation to make sure that the mistakes of the past re: the case will never again be made in this country.

This morning (Wed), Colin Power - one of the group who attended the meeting - was a studio guest on 'Deise Today'.

You can listen back to his chat with Damien by clicking on the image.

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