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Deputy Healy-Rae brings bypass woes to the Dail

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Deputy Danny Healy-Rae has once again raised the urgent need for a Killarney bypass in the Dáil, highlighting the ongoing traffic congestion and safety concerns plaguing the town.

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During a Topical Issue debate in the Dail on Wednesday night, Healy-Rae pressed the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Ossian Smyth, for updates on the long-awaited project.
"The safety of motorists is being compromised daily at the existing junctions at Coolcaslagh, Ballycasheen, Lewis Road, and Aghadoe," Healy-Rae said.

"People's lives are in their hands trying to cross that road with cars coming out from Killarney."
He also emphasised the severe traffic congestion in the town, with roads like the Tralee Road and Mission Road often gridlocked.
"Many of the roads into Killarney are dedicated car parks," he added.
Healy-Rae urged Smyth to expedite the process of selecting a preferred route for the bypass, which has been under consideration for years.
"Hundreds of acres of land have been effectively sterilised for more than 20 years," he said, referring to the planning restrictions imposed during the assessment of potential routes.
In response, Smyth confirmed that the Killarney to Farranfore bypass project remains part of the National Development Plan and that sufficient funding is allocated to complete the route options phase in 2024.
However, he acknowledged that the project's delivery timeline may be subject to review in future years based on the overall funding available.
Healy-Rae expressed his disappointment with the slow progress and reiterated the urgent need for government support to ensure that the bypass project proceeds to the design and environmental evaluation stage. He highlighted the economic benefits that the bypass would bring to the region and the frustration experienced by residents and visitors alike due to the current traffic congestion.

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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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Tributes to Paudie O’Callaghan of the Fáilte Hotel

The town of Killarney and the wider Kerry community have been mourning the loss of Paudie O’Callaghan, who passed away peacefully over the weekend after a long illness. Paudie, pre-deceased by […]

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The town of Killarney and the wider Kerry community have been mourning the loss of Paudie O’Callaghan, who passed away peacefully over the weekend after a long illness.

Paudie, pre-deceased by his father Dermot and his brothers Donal and Dermot, was deeply loved by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Valerie, his daughter Megan, granddaughter Rubie, his mother Eileen, his brothers Michael, Colm, and Niall, sisters-in-law Noreen, Eliza, Carol, and Kathy, and extended family, including nieces, nephews, brothers- and sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours, and friends.
Paudie was widely recognised as a true gentleman and a cornerstone of Killarney’s business and social life. Minister Michael Healy-Rae TD paid personal tribute, saying: “This week brought very sad news with the passing of my great friend, Paudie O’Callaghan. Paudie was one of life’s true gentlemen, full of life, laughter, loyalty, and heart. He was a man who’d do anything for a friend, and I was blessed to count him as my very best. Even in difficult days, Paudie’s strength and spirit never left him.”
Minister Healy-Rae recalled meeting Paudie every Saturday in Killarney, walking the town together, meeting people, and enjoying the simple but meaningful moments that defined their friendship. He also noted the pride Paudie had in becoming a grandfather, a joy that brightened his final weeks.
The Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also paid tribute to Paudie’s contribution to the town. A statement from the Chamber said: “Paudie O’Callaghan played a very active and progressive role in the business life of Killarney and was always willing to lend a hand and contribute positively to whatever projects the town was engaged with. He spearheaded the Killarney Vintners Association for many years and was a very able and influential representative for that sector. His enormous contribution to the sporting and social life of the town is already well documented, and he contributed hugely to the town he loved in so many ways.”
Paudie reposed at the Fáilte Hotel on Monday evening. The funeral cortège arrived at St Mary’s Cathedral,on Tuesday morning, followed by burial at Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.
Tributes highlighted Paudie’s warmth, loyalty, and dedication to family, friends, and the Killarney community.
Minister Healy-Rae summed up the sentiment shared by many: “People come and go throughout our lives, but every so often, someone truly special comes along who makes life better just by being part of it. That was Paudie. I’ll miss him dearly.”

Photos by Eamoon Keogh

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