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Senator Paul Coughlan apologises for attending controversial golf event

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Former Killarney Senator Paul Coughlan has admitted to the Killarney Advertiser that he did attend the controversial golf outing in Clifden, County Galway last week but said he did so in good faith.

The event, organised by Oireachtas Golf Society, was attended by over 80 people including some of the biggest names in Irish politics.

It took place, last Wednesday night, August 19, the day after the Government announced a range of new restrictions in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The measures included a ban on spectators attending sporting events and a limit of six people socialising together indoors.

The Ballydowney politician, a former mayor of Killarney, retired from active politics ahead of this year’s General Election.

He was invited to attend last week’s golf outing and dinner as a former captain of the Oireachtas Golf Society.

The event caused widespread anger in a community who felt forced to live by different rules of the political elite. The fallout forced the resignation of Agricultural minister Dara Calleary and EU Commissioner Phil Hogan’s career is hanging by a thread.

Mr Coughlan refused to be drawn into the political controversy surrounding the event but did offer an apology.

“I am no longer in public life,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “I do apologise for being there and never set out to hurt anyone. I attended in good faith and I did not intend to cause any offence to anyone.”

Mr Coughlan shared a table with former RTE broadcaster Seán O’Rourke. Mr O’Rourke retired from the state broadcaster in May this year but was hoping to return with a Saturday morning political programme in coming weeks. That has now been cancelled as a result of his attendance at the event.

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Motorists advised to be careful during bad weather

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Kerry County Council is appealing to people to stay away from exposed coasts while the weather warnings are in place this week.

Met Éireann has issued an Orange Warning for wind for Kerry which is effective from 7am to 3pm on Tuesday. There is also a Yellow warning for rainfall which is in place from 9pm tonight to 9am on Tuesday.

Storm Bram is expected to bring a very strong to gale force southerly winds with the strongest winds along the coast.

Motorists are advised to expect travel disruption on Tuesday with surface water likely on many routes.

Wave overtopping and high tides are expected to contribute to possible flooding in coastal areas.

The Local Coordination Group which includes Kerry County Council, the HSE, An Garda Síochána, emergency services and utilities, is meeting this afternoon to prepare for the impact of Storm Bram.

Kerry County Council announced today that Rossbeigh beach car park had been closed to the public until further notice. Members of the public are also advised not to park or walk near the coast during this period.

Kerry County Council’s weather emergency phoneline will be operational during the weather warning and issues can be reported to 066 7183588.

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Killarney Civic Arts Group to hold first AGM

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Killarney Civic Arts, a new group formed to advance cultural awareness and promote participation in the arts, is inviting the public to its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) this month.

The group, made up of artists and arts workers, aims to share experiences and insights with the community regarding the future and direction of cultural development in Killarney and the wider Munster region.


Killarney Civic Arts invites anyone who cares about shaping creative places in the community to connect with them and share their thoughts and stories.


The first AGM will be held in the Deer-hunter lounge at the Dromhall Hotel, (V93PY80), on Saturday, December 13, at 10.00am. The event offers free entry and is hosted in an accessible room.


For further information, the public may contact Dolores Lyne at 087 263 8720.

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