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Fines for 16 Road Safety offences to double

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By John Healy of Healy Insurances

Drivers caught speeding, using a mobile phone whilst driving, or not wearing seat belts will now pay double the fine amount.

The increases were announced by the Minister for State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton.
The fines that are doubling include speeding from €80 to €160, mobile phone use from €60 to €120, non-wearing of seatbelts from €60 to €120 and failing to ensure that a child is properly restrained rising from €60 to €120.

Fines relating to offences committed by learners and novice drivers are also increasing. The fines for a learner permit holder driving a vehicle unaccompanied by a qualified person will increase from €80 to €160. The fine for novice drivers not displaying ‘L’ or ‘N’ plates (or tabards in the case of motorcyclists) will double to €120.

Minister Hildegarde Naughton also announced that three new Fixed Charge Notices would come into force in the New Year.

These relate to the misuse of a disabled parking permit (€200). Illegally parking in an electric charging bay (€80) and breaching an HGV ban and entering a specified public road without a valid permit (€200).

Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority, said the fines continue to increase if not paid within 28 days.

"In addition to the fines it is worth remembering that the choice to speed, use a mobile phone while driving or not properly restrain a child could lead to you losing your licence,” she said.

"If you are detected speeding you will receive three penalty points on your licence, if you get 12 penalty points in three years you will be disqualified for six months.

"A lower threshold of seven points applies for learner and novice drivers.”

If you have penalty points imposed, you should bring this to the attention of your motor insurer.

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Céilí Mór will send ‘em home sweatin’

It will be a case of all around the house but mind the dresser at a traditional Céilí Mór which will be one of the real entertainment highlights of this […]

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It will be a case of all around the house but mind the dresser at a traditional Céilí Mór which will be one of the real entertainment highlights of this year’s St Patrick’s Festival in Killarney.

It will take place on the eve of the big feast day in the Killarney Great Southern and there will be a wonderful party atmosphere guaranteed on the night.
Providing the tunes will be the very highly regarded Uí Bhriaín Céilí Band and they promise to send everybody home sweating after what will be a memorable night for locals and visitors.
The March 16 céilí will commence at 9.00pm and continue right through until midnight and the admission for a wonderful night of pure Irish trad is just €10.00.
Bookings can be made on the festival website or patrons can pay at the door on the night.

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St Brendan’s student Aodhagan O’Sullivan crowned CPR champion

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Aodhagan O’Sullivan, a student at St Brendan’s College, Killarney, has been named the 2026 School CPR Challenge Champion.

The prestigious award was presented on Thursday, 26 February, during a large-scale event at the Gleneagle Hotel, where approximately 300 students from post-primary schools across the county gathered to compete for the title of “who can compress the best.”


Now in its fourth year, the event is organised by the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) Community First Responders.

The KCRU is a volunteer-led group that provides vital emergency response services to Killarney, Beaufort, Killorglin, Firies, Rathmore, and Kenmare.

The challenge focused on “Quality CPR” (QCPR), combining a high-stakes competition with practical life-saving training and the chance for students to engage directly with local emergency and community services.


The competition utilised advanced QCPR technology to measure the depth and rate of compressions, ensuring that students aren’t just learning the motions, but are performing life-saving techniques to a clinical standard.

Beyond the competitive element, the day served as an educational hub, highlighting the “chain of survival” and the importance of immediate bystander intervention in the event of a cardiac arrest.


The 2026 challenge was made possible through the support of the Vodafone Foundation, The Gleneagle Hotel, and First Aid Systems Ltd, alongside a variety of local sponsors. Organisers praised the enthusiasm of the 300 participants, noting that such events are essential for building a “heart-safe” community and equipping the next generation with the skills to save a life.

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