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Councillor raises planning issues following river clearing

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Councillor Maura Healy-Rae.

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By Michelle Crean

Many people simply cannot get planning or even be considered at pre-planning stage as a result of the clearing of a local river, according to a local councillor.

At the recent meeting of Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Maura Healy-Rae tabled a motion asking if Kerry County Council has consideration to planning applications changed as a result of the clearing of the River Flesk from Loo Bridge to Gortahoosch.

She highlighted that there are a number of issues for people seeking planning here.

"Ever since the flood study was done, an entire region in the Glenflesk/Clonkeen area was deemed a flood plain regardless of the fact that some areas within this region were never flooded and were never in any remote danger of being flooded," she said. "The implications of the study were too far reaching. As a result many local people simply cannot get planning or even be considered at pre-planning stage. There are instances where applicants have been told they could build on an extension to an existing dwelling but a stand alone dwelling would not be considered."

She queried the thought process behind this approach and how an extension could be "considered less of a flood risk than a stand alone property in the same area of land".

Cllr Healy-Rae objected to the last line of the response from KCC that read: "The study found that these vegetation removal works would result in a negligible reduction in flood levels".

She also outlined that she is talking about the stage which is now at post-clearing of the river where local residents have deemed these works as a success and called for a study or assessment following this river clearing to be done to ascertain its effectiveness. She also requested a common sense approach be taken to planning applications in this area "as the flood study has had a wholly prohibitive impact on local people in this regard and in many cases unjustifiably so".

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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