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So who was the Rose of Tralee stage invader?

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9 years ago

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Cavan Rose Lisa Reilly interrupted by a protester onstage in the Festival Dome during TV Rose Selection on Monday night. PICTURE: DOMNICK WALSH
Cavan Rose Lisa Reilly interrupted by a protester onstage in the Festival Dome during TV Rose Selection on Monday night. PICTURE: DOMNICK WALSH

I

IN WHAT was a first in the Rose of Tralee International Festival’s 57-year history, a protester stormed the stage.

The gate crasher scaled the stage in the middle of Cavan Rose Lisa Reilly’s interview with host Daithi O Se.

Dressed as a priest, Fathers4Justice founder Matt O’Connor called upon the audience to “join him and the broken families of Ireland”.

As the audience looked on bewildered, RTÉ cut to a break and afterwards the Cavan Rose received a resounding round of applause as she carried on with her interview.

Fathers4Justice have carried out similar stunts over the years and took responsibility for the incident on Twitter shortly afterwards.

The Cavan Rose was commended for her composure.

Meanwhile, O’Connor told Newstalk’s Lunchtime he does not regret his protest.

“I think it will be judged to be an effective protest, I think people are talking about the issue,” he said, adding he had received much positive support on social media and via email.

“This will kick-start a very important debate, let's get talking about the fact that we have equal rights for everyone in Ireland apart from fathers. Why is that?”

Asked if he wished to apologise to Ms O'Reilly, he said: "Apology's the right word – obviously nobody wants to disrupt anybody's evening, but we have to put it in the context of what we campaign for – a very, very serious issue."
 

 
Cavan Rose Lisa Reilly interrupted by a protester onstage in the Festival Dome during TV Rose Selection on Monday night. PICTURE: DOMNICK WALSH

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Killarney welcomes home Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin

Boxer Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin received a warm homecoming in Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar on College Street on Sunday evening following his victory in Dublin last weekend, where he was […]

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3 hours ago

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18 October 2025

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Boxer Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin received a warm homecoming in Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar on College Street on Sunday evening following his victory in Dublin last weekend, where he was crowned Irish Light Heavyweight Champion.

Mayor of Killarney Cllr Martin Grady was on hand to officially welcome the new champion home, congratulating him on what he described as “a proud moment for Killarney and for Kerry sport.”
Cronin, who is sponsored by Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar, claimed the vacant national title after a hard-fought ten-round battle against Cork’s Cathal Crowley at the National Stadium, Dublin, on Friday night last.
The Kerry fighter won by majority decision, with the judges scoring the contest 95-94, 97-93 and 95-95. The result capped off years of dedication and hard work for Cronin, who now holds an 11-3-1 professional record.
Speaking at the homecoming, Cronin thanked his supporters and sponsors for their backing throughout his career.
“It’s unbelievable to bring this title to Kerry,” he said. “The support from home means everything. This one’s for everyone who’s been with me from the start.”
Crowds packed into Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar to celebrate the achievement, with music, photos and plenty of local pride on display.

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Concerns over future of St Mary of the Angels

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for […]

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22 hours ago

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17 October 2025

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Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for children and adults with profound disabilities and special needs.

The campus, set on lands generously donated by the Doyle family, offers 30 acres of grounds, existing buildings, and services, making it a valuable asset for the provision of respite care in Kerry. TD Michael Cahill emphasized that the Doyle family’s wishes should be respected, and that the grounds should be made accessible immediately.
“The special needs community in Kerry has a major respite crisis and families don’t have time to wait. Families need help — they are not asking for full-time residential care but respite care, a break, a helping hand,” Deputy Cahill said.
He added that a bespoke approach is needed to meet the individual needs of children attending St Francis Special School. “Many of the children in the county with profound needs need a safe haven where they can roam the grounds freely, and St Mary of the Angels offers this.”
Deputy Cahill has accompanied several Ministers to the Beaufort campus to highlight its value to Disability Health Service providers. A working group has been formed including St John of Gods, the HSE, representatives of residents at St Mary of the Angels, and St Francis Special School, to explore options for maintaining and expanding respite services.
“Parents are worn out and at the end of their tether. This needs to be dealt with expeditiously, in an environment of cooperation between the relevant Government Departments of Health, Disability, and Education. We need to get this across the line urgently and put it permanently in place,” he said.
Deputy Cahill pointed to the current shortfall of respite services in Kerry. “As of now, Cunamh Iveragh respite in Cahersiveen is only open Friday to Sunday, running at half capacity — two adults per night instead of four. The issue is staffing, and the HSE will not release funding to open full-time. The Beaufort campus is available and should be utilised as parents are crying out for overnight respite. Cooperation and compassion could see this done quickly.”
TD Danny Healy Rae echoed these concerns during a Dáil speech this week. “We are still short of respite beds on the southern side of the constituency. Families caring for people with disabilities just want a break, but there is nowhere available locally. Places are being offered only in Tipperary or Meath for those needing new residential care. It makes no sense. St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort has 40 or 50 acres of grounds that could be expanded, with facilities already in place such as swimming pools. It could be developed as a model for the rest of the country.”
Both TDs are urging the Government and the HSE to take immediate action to utilise the Beaufort campus for respite care, in line with the intentions of the Doyle family and the needs of Kerry families.

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