Kerry Today

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

Billionaire businessman Denis O’Brien sparked debate with his claim that today’s graduates are “entitled” and that the public sector has become less efficient due to remote work. Is he right — or just taking aim at young people and civil servants? Jerry got the views of Fred McDonogh, managing director of Red Chair Recruitment, which is based in Killarney. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/11/11/irelands-graduates-entitled-and-tax-regime-digital-colonialism-denis-obrien/

Jerry caught up with Fianna Fáil councillor Mikey Sheehy to discuss the latest developments at Fels Point and what may be next for the area’s growth and investment.

Yesterday, Catherine Connolly was inaugurated as the 10th President of Ireland. Jerry spoke with Joe Harrington, PRO of the Kerry for Connolly campaign, about the historic moment and what her presidency could mean for the country.

Judges in Kerry have been praised for not allowing convicted motorists avoid penalty points via the poor box.

In some criminal prosecutions, a judge can order the defendant to donate money to a charity of the court’s choice, instead of getting a conviction and being fined or imprisoned.

Department of Justice figures provided to Deputy Michael Murphy show that 459 drivers had their charges dismissed or struck out since 2022 after making a financial contribution.

Kerry is one of the few districts where the practice has been stamped out.

Susan Gray is with the PARC Road Safety Group.

Killarney householders who are facing eviction have organised a protest to take place later this month.

The residents of Loreto Chapel estate have joined forces with CATU, the Community Action Tenants’ Union.

The evictions are entirely legal, with no suggestion by the tenants that the landlords have done anything illegal.

The tenants are calling on the government to provide emergency funding for Kerry County Council to buy the properties.

Jerry spoke to Michael Sheehan of CATU.

Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann Senator Mark Daly from Kenmare talks to Jerry about today’s inauguration of Catherine Connolly as the state’s tenth president. He also pays tribute to Michael D Higgins.

Fr John Ahern talks about his connections to the former president and why he has such admiration for him.

At around midnight, the four survivors of industrial and reformatory schools ended their hunger strike. They began their protest outside Leinster House on September 21st because they believed the State needed to provide more to survivors of the industrial school and orphanage system including enhanced medical cards. The protestors are Maurice Patton O’Connell, Miriam Moriarty Owens and Mary Donovan who were child inmates of Pembroke Alms Industrial School in Tralee, and Mary Dunlevy Greene who attended an industrial school in Limerick.

Miriam Moriarty Owens spoke to Treasa Murphy this morning and confirmed that the protest was over following a meeting with the Taoiseach and Education Minister Helen McEntee.

In a riveting exposé, author Eimear Ní Bhraonáin details the extraordinary fall of Kilkenny hurling star DJ Carey, who has been sentenced to five and a half years for defrauding 22 people out of nearly €400,000 by falsely claiming he had cancer. For nearly three years, Eimear conducted over one hundred interviews to uncover the depths and impact of his financial scamming and deceit.

The number of fines issued to learner drivers in Kerry has dropped over a twelve-month period. Jerry spoke to Fianna Fáil councillor for the Kenmare Municipal District Tommy Cahill, who obtained data which shows that nationally, there has been a reduction in fixed charge notices issued to learner drivers.