A non-native freshwater turtle has been spotted basking on the banks of the Lakes of Killarney near Dinis.

The unexpected sighting was made by local Green Party representative Diarmuid Griffin, who works as a tour boat driver for Ross Castle Boat Tours.

Mr Griffin first spotted the terrapin on Monday, August 31, while navigating passengers through the Meeting of the Waters area.

Recent rainfall had raised water levels sufficiently to reopen the boat route near Dinis, which had previously been closed due to dry conditions.

Unable to secure a photo during the initial encounter, Mr Griffin returned to the same basking spot the following day, Tuesday, September 1.

He maneuverred the boat into position, allowing a passenger to take photographic evidence of the reptile.

Freshwater turtles and terrapins are not native to Ireland, with such species typically introduced to wild waterways through released or escaped pets.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff have been informed of the location to monitor the area and determine how the animal made its way into Loch Léin.

Strict Sunday deadline applies for emergency government financial support
Torrential downpour damaged homes and closed major local roads

Killarney homeowners directly impacted by last week’s torrential flash flooding have just days left to apply for government emergency aid before the application window closes this Sunday evening, September 6.

The Department of Social Protection activated the Emergency Response Payment, formerly known as the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, to support households in County Kerry that suffered physical damage and unanticipated expenses during last Thursday night’s severe weather event.

Local residents whose primary residences were flooded can access financial aid to cover essential needs, replace ruined white goods and basic furniture, and address structural damage. Household representatives are urged to contact the Community Welfare Service immediately to begin the application process before Sunday’s cutoff.

Infrastructure Overwhelmed

The activation of state aid follows an extraordinary weather event last Thursday evening that submerged key residential areas and main transport arteries across Killarney. Emergency services mobilised rapidly from 7pm as a localised cloudburst battered the town.

Met Éireann instruments recorded 57 millimetres of rainfall over a four-hour window, with 30 millimetres falling in a single hour. The sheer volume of water overwhelmed local drainage infrastructure, turning several busy residential streets into impassable waterways.

Park Road, Woodlawn Road, and Countess Road suffered heavy surface flooding, leaving motorists stranded and forcing temporary road closures. The N22 national primary route at Pike Hill was completely shut down for a period while Kerry Fire Service deployed high-capacity pumps to clear floodwaters from the carriageway.

Kerry County Council staff, the Kerry Fire Service, and Kerry Civil Defence worked through the night to assist stranded residents, divert traffic, and protect vulnerable properties. Council crews began damage assessments early on Friday morning, clearing debris and liaising directly with affected property owners across the municipal area.

The flooding also impacted public amenities. Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre was forced to close on Friday morning after floodwaters entered the building, undergoing emergency clean-up operations before re-opening to the public on Saturday.

Support available for residents

With council assessments continuing across the town, the focus has shifted toward securing financial support for households facing heavy clean-up and repair bills.

The Emergency Response Payment operates across three distinct stages designed to alleviate initial hardship and fund essential property restoration:

Stage 1 provides immediate, non-income-tested payments to cover urgent personal needs such as food, clothing, bedding, and essential sanitary items required in the direct aftermath of the flooding.

Stage 2 assists with replacing damaged essential household furniture and white goods. This stage is subject to an income test, though limits are structured more generously than standard social welfare thresholds to ensure working families and non-social welfare recipients can qualify.

Stage 3 covers critical structural repairs to primary residences, including dry-lining, replastering, floor replacement, electrical rewiring, and painting. Structural payments are subject to expert assessment by a loss adjuster and require proof that the property could not reasonably be covered by standard home insurance.

Strict Sunday cutoff

Department guidelines state that the scheme does not extend to general compensation, commercial properties, agricultural losses, second homes, rented properties, or damaged motor vehicles. Structural damage to council properties or approved housing body accommodation is similarly excluded from the emergency household scheme.

Items deemed non-essential, such as garden sheds, boundary fences, driveways, and general landscaping, are not eligible for coverage. Additionally, the department confirmed that local authorities are providing dehumidifiers and waste skips directly to affected areas where required.

Homeowners seeking access to the Emergency Response Payment must submit their details to the Community Welfare Service by calling 0818 60 70 80 before the deadline on Sunday night, September 6. Further details on eligibility and documentation requirements are accessible via the official government portal at