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41,000 people receive Christmas Bonus in Kerry – Griffin

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A 100% Christmas Bonus is being paid this year to 41,000 people in Kerry, according to Deputy Government Chief Whip, Brendan Griffin TD.

The Christmas Bonus is paid to long-term social welfare recipients such as pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and lone parents. This year, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys announced changes to the criteria, meaning more people will benefit.

For example, the qualifying period for people in receipt of an eligible Jobseeker’s payment was reduced to 12 months from 15 months.

In addition, long-term recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) are receiving this year’s Christmas Bonus.

And time spent on the PUP by those who have since moved to a Jobseeker’s payment will count towards reaching the 12-month requirement.

As we enter the Christmas period, Deputy Griffin has urged people in receipt of the Christmas Bonus to spend it in their local communities.

“We all know that the Christmas period can be a very expensive time of year for families,' Deputy Griffin said.

“I therefore really welcome the fact that we are once again in a position to provide a 100% Christmas Bonus this year. For me, it’s really important, where possible, that people spend their Christmas Bonus locally. We all know the difficult year that businesses in Kerry have endured due to COVID-19. By making a special effort to shop locally this year, we will support local retailers and local jobs.”

The bonus will be paid into people’s bank accounts or their post offices this month, depending on the type of payment they receive.

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Garda Seán O’Sullivan honoured as 2025 Radio Kerry Hero

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Killarney’s Seán O’Sullivan has been named as one of the Fexco Kerry Heroes of 2025 following his life-saving actions earlier this year.

The award, organised by Radio Kerry and Fexco, recognises Seán’s courage and his subsequent work as an advocate for CPR training.

In April 2025, Seán saved the life of his 24-year-old son, Seán Óg, who had suffered a cardiac arrest at the family home.


The incident occurred on a Sunday afternoon when Seán Óg, a fit and healthy non-smoker, suddenly became unresponsive.


His younger brother Conor (15) began CPR before Seán took over, maintaining the effort until paramedics arrived ten minutes later.

Seán Óg was then flown by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital. Medical staff confirmed that the immediate CPR performed at home was the deciding factor in his survival.


Since the incident, Seán has used his platform to encourage everyone to learn CPR, highlighting that such emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere.

He was one of eight recipients chosen by a judging panel for their outstanding community spirit and service to the county.


The winners were announced on the Kerry Today programme just before the Christmas break, and each received a specially commissioned Fexco Kerry Heroes wall plaque.


Also honoured in the 2025 awards was Jerh O’Donoghue of the Social Action Group in Rathmore.

Founded by Jerh in 1975, the group has delivered vital services like meals on wheels and a day care centre for 50 years.

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Killarney Suzuki dealer wins national customer service award

A Killarney motor dealership has been recognised at national level after Dineen O’Donoghue Suzuki was named Aftersales Customer Experience Dealer of the Year at the 2025 Suzuki Ireland Dealer of […]

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A Killarney motor dealership has been recognised at national level after Dineen O’Donoghue Suzuki was named Aftersales Customer Experience Dealer of the Year at the 2025 Suzuki Ireland Dealer of the Year Awards.

The awards ceremony took place at Carton House in Maynooth, Co Kildare, where Suzuki Ireland honoured dealerships from across its 24-strong national network for performance and customer service over the past year.
The Killarney dealership received the accolade in recognition of its consistently high standards in customer care and aftersales service.
Suzuki Ireland Managing Director Takanori Suzuki praised the overall dealer network for its achievements, noting that 2025 delivered record results for the brand in Ireland, including a new market share high and more than 2,350 vehicles sold before year end.
He added that Suzuki dealers will play a key role in the brand’s plans for 2026, including the launch of the new fully electric e Vitara next spring.

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