Connect with us

News

Michael Healy-Rae tops Kerry poll in Election ‘24

Published

on

The 2024 General Election proved to be another commanding performance for Michael Healy-Rae, who topped the poll with a staggering 18,596 first-preference votes.

This marks the third time the Kilgarvan TD has led the constituency since his initial run in 2011. Healy-Rae surpassed his 2020 result by 1,778 votes, dedicating his win to his supporters and team.

Sinn Féin’s Pa Daly secured the second seat, receiving 13,751 votes. Daly’s victory was solidified with transfers from his running mate, Stephanie O’Shea, which pushed him 668 votes over the quota.

Danny Healy-Rae also regained his seat, joining his brother Michael to re-establish the Healy-Rae family’s dominance in Kerry politics. Following the 11th count Danny took 13239 votes to exceed the quota. In his acceptance speech, he honoured his late father, the legendary Jackie Healy-Rae.

Fianna Fáil enjoyed a resounding success in Kerry, with both Minister Norma Foley and Cllr Michael Cahill claiming seats.

Minister Foley reached the quota on the 13th count with 13,654 votes.

Cahill secured the final seat with 10,932 votes, falling short of the quota but benefitting from key transfers.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael suffered a major blow, losing its long-held seat in Kerry. Billy O’Shea, who ran to replace outgoing TD Brendan Griffin, fell short with 10,175 votes—757 behind Michael Cahill. The campaign was marred by early controversies over O’Shea’s selection and failed to ignite the necessary support, particularly in key Mid Kerry areas.

Final Vote Breakdown:

  1. Michael Healy-Rae (Independent): 18,596 votes
  2. Pa Daly (Sinn Féin): 13,751 votes
  3. Norma Foley (Fianna Fáil): 13,654 votes
  4. Danny Healy-Rae (Independent): 13,239 votes
  5. Michael Cahill (Fianna Fáil): 10,932 votes

Advertisement

News

Minister Niall Collins visits KCYS Youth Diversion Project

Kerry Community Youth Service (KCYS) was pleased to welcome Minister Niall Collins to its Youth Diversion Project in Kilarney last week. The visit gave the Minister an opportunity to meet […]

Published

on

Kerry Community Youth Service (KCYS) was pleased to welcome Minister Niall Collins to its Youth Diversion Project in Kilarney last week.

The visit gave the Minister an opportunity to meet staff and hear directly about the work of the Kerry Youth Diversion Project, including early intervention, family support, court accompaniment and wider youth justice practice across the county.
KCYS supports young people across a broad continuum of services in Kerry, from preventative and developmental youth work through to highly targeted interventions for young people and families facing significant challenge and complexity. The Youth Diversion Project forms an important part of that wider continuum of support.
Speaking following the visit, Seamus Whitty, CEO of KCYS, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Minister Collins to Kerry and to have the opportunity to give him a sense of the breadth and depth of the work being carried by the Youth Diversion Project here.
The Youth Diversion Project in Kerry is a strong and well-developed intervention, grounded in practice, informed by evidence, and marked by innovation in how it supports young people and families. It is part of a broader continuum of supports provided by KCYS, and it depends on strong collaboration across teams, services and community partners to make a real difference in people’s lives.
It is also important to acknowledge the Department’s continued commitment to youth justice. The policy direction in this area has been a progressive one, and that has created space for work of this kind to develop and respond to need in a meaningful way.”
The visit highlighted the scale and complexity of the work being carried by the KCYS team, and the importance of sustained investment in youth work responses for young people and families.

Continue Reading

News

Cllr O’Callaghan highlights deep-rooted bond between town and rally

Representing the Killarney Municipal District at Sunday’s Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes launch, Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan praised the enduring partnership between the Rally of the Lakes and the […]

Published

on

Representing the Killarney Municipal District at Sunday’s Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes launch, Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan praised the enduring partnership between the Rally of the Lakes and the local community.

For the O’Callaghan family, the event is deeply personal; they own and operate the Failte Hotel on College Street, a landmark business that has grown alongside the rally for decades.
Cllr O’Callaghan noted that the history of the Failte Hotel is inextricably linked with the rally’s heritage, serving as a hub for competitors and fans since the early days of the event.
He said that the rally has become a vital part of the fabric of Killarney life, providing a massive economic and social boost to the town. “The rally has been part of the hotel’s history as much as the hotel has been part of the rally’s history,” he told the gathered crowd, expressing his pride in seeing the tradition continue.
He welcomed the organisers and sponsors to Gleneagle, wishing the event continued success as it remains a cornerstone of the Killarney sporting calendar.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport