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Government “must upgrade infrastructure” for electric vehicles

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The Kerry chairman of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), David Randles, says the Government needs ‘to get up to speed’ if a new EU directive on electric cars is to work.

Earlier this week the EU voted to phase out the sale of any new international combustion engine cars by 2035.

That means in 12 years’ time it will be impossible to buy a new petrol or diesel engine car anywhere in the European Union.

Mr Randles, whose family have been involved in the Kerry motor industry for over one hundred years, has welcomed the news from a car sales and manufacturing point of view.

“Electric is the way forward,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.

“But it is up to the Government to provide the infrastructure and enough power. This can only work if everyone is up to speed.”

Meanwhile Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Cahill has renewed his call on the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Tourism to initiate a grant scheme, supporting the installation of Electric Vehicle chargers at hotels, guesthouses and other tourism sites.

“The prevalence of Electric Vehicles on our roads is increasing by the day as more people are encouraged to reduce their emissions to help the environment. Our network of EV chargers is small and long delays can occur when using them, even at present. When the expected rise in visitor numbers begins for the upcoming tourist season of 2023, we are not ready for a large increase in EV's requiring a daily charge,” said Cahill.

“If proprietors of all accommodation outlets were encouraged and financially supported to install EV chargers at their properties, this would be not alone attractive to potential guests, but would also be helpful in reaching our national target for emission reduction and at the same time would encourage more people to switch to Electric Vehicles.

“I am surprised that this initiative has not already been implemented as it is a quick fire way of increasing our EV charger network, which is woefully inadequate at present. I moved a Notice of Motion at a recent meeting of Kerry County Council in regard to this important matter and I was pleased to receive all party support to put pressure on the relevant departments to follow up on it.”

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Adventure runner completes all Dublin streets

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Adventure runner completes all Dublin streets


Killarney native Seanie Clifford has completed an extraordinary 25-day endurance challenge that saw him run all 4,400 named streets in Dublin while sleeping rough on the city’s pavements every night.



The local athlete completed his final stretch in the capital on Saturday, August 29, after covering a total distance of 2,000 kilometres. Running under the project banner 4400 Streets & Nowhere to Go, Clifford undertook the gruelling schedule to raise vital funds for Focus Ireland, Liberty Soup Run, and Dublin Homeless Awareness.

To mirror the reality faced by thousands of individuals across the country, the Killarney man spent 25 consecutive nights sleeping out on the very streets he ran during the day. Averaging close to 80 kilometres every 24 hours, he navigated heavy traffic, intense asphalt heat, and constant route adjustments alongside his partner and sole support crew member, Alicja.

Reflecting on the experience, Clifford praised the overwhelming backing he received from members of the public throughout the capital. He stated that he went into the challenge with extreme positivity and was rewarded with extraordinary kindness from people across Dublin, with residents from Ballymun to Donnybrook coming out to offer support.

Local support carries



By the midpoint of the challenge, physical exhaustion presented severe hurdles. However, local running clubs and individuals joined Clifford on various sections of the daily routes to assist his progress.

On Day 12, runners from Artane Beaumont Running Club and local supporters joined him on the road, allowing him to complete his daily 80-kilometre target ahead of schedule as community support carried him through the toughest miles.

The final stage of the run coincided with the release of official monthly figures from the Department of Housing, which recorded a record 17,527 people living in emergency accommodation across the country, including 5,659 children.

During the closing days of the project, Clifford was invited into Leinster House to meet with TDs and discuss the conditions he witnessed while sleeping on the streets. He stressed throughout the campaign that while his temporary homelessness would end with a return home to Kerry, thousands of families across Ireland remain without permanent shelter.


Triple Crown completed



Following his arrival at the final street, members of the national ultra-running community confirmed that Clifford had achieved what is widely regarded as the Triple Crown of Irish Endurance.

A former student of St Oliver’s Primary School and St Brendan’s College in Killarney, Clifford first set a national record in 2024 by running all 275 Irish mountains over 600 metres in 21 days. In 2025, he ran the entire 2,700-kilometre length of the Wild Atlantic Way from Malin Head to Kinsale in under 30 days.

Despite his previous mountain and coastal records, Clifford described the urban street challenge through Dublin as his most difficult undertaking to date.

Clifford, who now organises trail running retreats and uses endurance projects to highlight mental health and social issues, finished his final street run on Saturday afternoon to complete the historic trilogy of Irish endurance challenges.

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Kerry Stars volunteer appreciation night

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Kerry Stars volunteer appreciation night


Kerry Stars Special Olympics Sports Club hosted a volunteer appreciation night at the International Hotel on Monday, August 31, ahead of the upcoming sports season.


The event brought together both new and long-standing volunteers to celebrate their contribution to the club, which provides sporting opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across the region.
Run entirely by volunteers, the club relies on helpers who dedicate an hour each week from September through May. The gathering provided a chance to recognise their effort following a successful summer where four Kerry Stars athletes secured a haul of gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games in June.
The club caters to both competitive athletes and members who participate primarily for the social aspect and inclusion. With the new season resuming in mid-September, Kerry Stars is inviting new volunteers and athletes to join its weekly training schedule.
Weekly sessions take place at various local venues, including Monday athletics at Spa GAA from 6pm to 7pm, Wednesday basketball at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre from 7pm to 8pm, and Thursday soccer at the same location from 7pm to 8pm. The club also runs therapeutic horse riding and swimming programs in Killarney and Tralee, both of which currently operate waiting lists.
Anyone interested in getting involved as a volunteer or athlete can contact the club directly at kerrystars63@gmail.com.

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