News
Storm Desmond batters Kerry
Code red: Glenflesk farmer Johnny O'Brien heading back to his flooded house after rescuing his sheep and guiding them to higher ground during Storm Desmond. Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan
The first-ever Red Alert for rainfall was issued in the county as Storm Desmond lashed Kerry from Friday to Sunday morning. Killarney Advertiser reports.
Evacuations became commonplace as flooding wreaked havoc throughout Kerry last week. Kenmare and Tralee suffered extensive flooding and the Glenflesk and Loo Bridge areas were rapidly submerged with boats and canoes replacing cars in some areas.
Killarney Water Rescue swung into action to ferry stranded residents – including one elderly couple in Glenflesk – to safety. In Killarney, Ballycasheen and Whitebridge were the most seriously stricken areas. Meanwhile the Lake Hotel also faced following water in the hotel grounds and building.
An excess of 70 millimetres of rain fell, with the main Cork to Killarney road impassable.
The chairman of Kerry County Council, Councillor Pat McCarthy, thanked the emergency service providers who were in action all weekend, including the local authority workers, the Fire Service, the Gardaí, the Health Service Executive and the Army.
“We also wish to thank sincerely the very significant contribution made by the Civil Defence, Irish Red Cross and Killarney Inshore Rescue who had over 100 volunteers responding to the emergency and were assisting onsite from Friday afternoon,” said Cllr McCarthy.
Through the collective planned efforts by all of these agencies, almost 10,000 sandbags were distributed to high-risk areas and the risk of injury to life was managed.
“The contribution of the public in heeding the safety advice given by the emergency services is greatly acknowledged, in particular the community spirit and resilience shown in attending to elderly and vulnerable neighbours,” he added.
“In the aftermath of the storm we are presently working on the clean-up and are working with communities to attend to those areas affected and working with residents to assist them as required.”
Contactless payments launched on Local Link services
Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using...
How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?
Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place...
Town centre-based software firm marks two years in business
A Killarney-based software company is celebrating two years in business since expanding into the European market. QT9 Software Ltd, which...
High-profile keynote speaker at Chamber lunch
The vastly experienced Liam Hession, a partner with BDO – one of the world’s leading accountancy and advisory firms –...
MARIE MEETS: No use crying over spilt milk… Unless it’s Mike’s last round
By Marie Carroll O’Sullivan. So, what does almost four decades on the road as a milkman look like when it...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
