Kerry Today

Jerry spoke to Aisling Ní Néill, assistant director of nursing at University Hospital Kerry, about the generous donations that have been made to the hospital by many groups and individuals. This includes members of Kerry's Traveller community who gave toys to children in the Cashel Ward.

Chief Superintendent Colm O’Sullivan, with the responsibility of Regional Chief Superintendent for the Southern Region, spoke to David Nelligan.

The recipients of this year’s Fexco Kerry Heroes awards have been announced.

Over the last month listeners to Radio Kerry were invited to nominate the individuals or groups they considered made them proudest to be from the county over the past year.

The eight recipients received awards which are sponsored by Fexco and created by dsigns of Tralee.

Forbairt na Dromoda Teo, a community social enterprise in the Iveragh Gaeltacht, saved the local shop and pub, when the group bought The Inny Tavern and foodstore, thereby providing a vital social space for the community.

Dingle Coast Guard volunteers were honoured for their dedication, bravery and commitment to safety.

Lisselton’s Padraic Kissane, a financial advisor, confronted the banks and made them face up to their role in the tracker mortgage scandal, which led to over €1 billion in refunds and compensation to home owners.

Jerh O’Donoghue founded the Social Action Group in Rathmore in 1975 to give young people an opportunity to become involved and help their community. The group’s achievements include developing a day care centre, meals on wheels, and raising over a quarter-of-a-million euro to help those in developing nations.

The Kerry senior football team and management were also chosen for winning the All-Ireland and bringing Sam Maguire back to the Kingdom.

Killarney’s Seán O’Sullivan saved his son, Seán Óg’s life when the 24-year-old collapsed and had a cardiac arrest last April. Sean Senior is now an advocate for widespread CPR training.

Anthony O’Carroll from Ballyduff is honoured for his courage and hard work after a life-changing motor bike injury, which had left him with multiple and complex fractures as well as a brain injury. His mother Mary describes him as a warrior.

Marian Barnes is recognised for her work in founding Recovery Haven, to support people diagnosed with and recovering from cancer.

In June, Jacqui Browne from Tralee and Fenit, disability rights advocate and campaigner, passed away. Jacqui was born with physical disabilities as a result of the drug Thalidomide. Jerry spoke to her sister Sharon Browne, GP and advocate Dr Austin O’Carroll who lives with the effects of Thalidomide, and Damien Walshe, CEO of Independent Living Movement Ireland.

This evening, GAA-Réabhlóid Shóisialta, airs on TG4 at 7.45pm. Jerry spoke to AnnaMay O’Connor Mullins, producer and co-director of the documentary, and two members from Kerry’s Golden Era, Jimmy Deenihan and Mickey Ned O’Sullivan.

Separately, Jimmy Deenihan, as a former Fine Gael minister, pays tribute to the late Gerard Lynch, who was former Fine Gael TD for North Kerry.

Fianna Fáil councillor Fionnán Fitzgerald has received several calls from people who are frightened at the speed of some motorists.

Jerry spoke to the Kerry Sinn Féin TD whose argument that it was unconstitutional for so-called ‘super junior’ ministers be present at Cabinet meetings was rejected by the High Court. Jerry also asked him for his views on the statement by the CEO of the HSE that the process to fire public sector workers, who are not performing, should be speeded up. Pa Daly also outlined why he believes there needs to be a new public building for Tralee.

Killarney man, James Cahill, who says he owes his life to Kerry Mountain Rescue Team following an horrendous fall on Bothar na Gíge (the Zig Zags) while descending Carrauntoohil in July 2016. James was treated at the scene by KMRT and airlifted to University Hospital Kerry by Rescue 115. James sustained horrific injuries that left him paralysed on his right side. That followed several months of treatment at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, with constant support from his wife Carmel and their families.  He’s organising a fundraiser for KMRT on Saturday, December 27th

Former Cork TD, Senator, and councillor, Máirín Quill, who was born and raised in Kilgarvan, has passed away at age 89. Independent councillor in Kenmare Dan McCarthy paid tribute to her

The Rosary Wheel has been taking the market by storm. This is a steering wheel cover designed to guide users through praying the Rosary while driving safely. Helen Drumm is selling The Rosary Wheel in Sound Quality in Monaghan