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Concerns over accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees

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A Kerry County Councillor has said that prior to the granting of licenses to open accommodation centres for the housing of asylum seekers/refugees, Kerry County Council, as the Planning Authority, should first be allowed view such applications prior to any decision being reached.

“The influx of large numbers into small rural towns and villages could have the effect of increasing the population by as much as 50 percent, in places where infrastructure and facilities are already sadly lacking,” Councillor Michael Cahill stated at a recent Municipal District meeting.

“Medical and childcare facilities, transport, employment, water and sewerage are very often totally inadequate for present population levels, and the Planning Authority should be allowed advise the Licensing Body of where improvements need to be made prior to any permissions being granted. The advice of the HSE should also be sought and strictly adhered to in advance of any future contracts being signed."

Already, in Kerry, there are six such facilities, seven prior to the wholly unsuitable centre being closed in Cahersiveen, he added.

“Also, the distribution of licenses as per the statistics, raises another issue. How is it six centres were issued with licenses in county Kerry, seven including Cahersiveen, while Dublin have only two. The breakdown shows 10 counties with one centre each, six counties with two and five with none at all. 22 of the 44 licenses were granted to applicants in five counties. 50 percent of the licenses granted to 19 percent of the counties. This is astonishing and it has led to a very real fear amongst communities throughout our county. It is obvious that Kerry has taken on comparatively more than its obligations in regard to providing accommodation for asylum seekers at this point.”

Following Councillor Cahill's proposal, it was unanimously agreed to write to the relative Government Departments in respect of the matter.

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Chamber pays tribute to late Dick Henggeler

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee. Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at […]

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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee.

Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at his home in Baltimore, USA surrounded by his Aghadoe-born wife Eibhlin (née Moriarty), their son Franz, and other family members.
Dick and Eibhlin purchased The Rose Hotel in 2015 in tribute to their late daughter Dorothy, who represented Washington DC in the 2011 Rose of Tralee Festival.
The Chamber said Mr Henggeler would be remembered for his warmth, good nature and positive approach, as well as for being a forward-thinking and knowledgeable businessman.
“He knew how to run a good hotel and that was and still is very obvious at The Rose Hotel, which is a great success story,” the Chamber said.
It added that continuity of ownership will remain in place, with Eibhlin, Franz, daughter-in-law Amber, and grandchildren Conrad and Rowan continuing to honour Dick’s legacy and vision for the hotel.
“Dick took enormous personal pride in Tralee and all of Kerry and he was always available to generously support any community initiative or endeavour undertaken in Killarney,” the Chamber said.
“He will be greatly missed by all that knew him but he leaves a wonderful legacy.”

He will repose at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney, on Friday (October 17), from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. The funeral will arrive at St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday morning at 10:00am for Requiem Mass at 10:30am, with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Cemetery. The Requiem Mass will be live streamed at https://www.churchservices.tv/killarneycathedral.

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Beaufort Film Night returns with French drama-comedy

Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band. The film tells the story of Thibaut, […]

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Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band.

The film tells the story of Thibaut, a successful conductor recently diagnosed with leukaemia. A search for a bone marrow donor reveals that he was adopted and has a brother, Jimmy, a cafeteria worker.
The two meet, discover a shared love of music, and form a strong bond through an unexpected collaboration with Jimmy’s workplace band.
The Marching Band (French title En Fanfare) will screen at 8.30pm. Admission is €7, cash only, and will cover the motion picture licence fee.
The film has a 12A rating and is in French with English subtitles.
Beaufort Film Night is a non-profit community group that screens cultural English and international films that usually do not receive general release in Kerry.
The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office and Access Cinema. Cullina National School is providing the venue.
Further details are available on Beaufort Film Night’s Facebook page @BeaufortFilmNight.

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