News
“He’d have been a superstar” – brother pays tribute to teen who died in crash
By Michelle Crean
The eldest brother of tragic teen Thomas Healy - who will be laid to rest tomorrow (Saturday) following a road accident this week - said that his much loved little brother would have been "superstar".
Jack Patrick Healy, who rushed home from London yesterday (Thursday) to be with his family, described how his heart is broken after hearing the shock news that Thomas passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning following an accident on Ross Road.
There was widespread shock and devastation at the news of the talented youngster from Beaufort - just hours after another tragic accident at Listry bridge which claimed the life of James O'Connor from Killorglin.
Thomas died after the car, a 95-KY reg Green Toyota Corolla Saloon that he was driving, crashed in a single vehicle accident at approximately 1.10am. A male passenger in the car, also aged 14, was rushed to University Hospital Kerry where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
The vehicle was subject to interaction with Gardaí prior to the collision and has been referred to GSOC.
Gardai again yesterday (Thursday) renewed their appeal for witnesses and for dash cam footage.
"I'm the eldest and he's the smallest," Jack Patrick, who himself is an entertainer, told the Killarney Advertiser.
"If he had the opportunity he'd have been a superstar. His ability as a singer was incredible, he had it naturally. He never got the opportunity."
A cousin of TD Michael Healy-Rae, Thomas also played for Beaufort GAA and Killarney Athletic. This week tributes were paid to his family, parents Julie and Ger 'The Singing Jarvey', by the clubs, as well as Cullina NS where he attended primary school, The Intermediate School Killorglin where he had just finished Second Year, as well as Kate Kearney's Cottage where he had just begun summer work collecting bottles.
Funeral Mass for Thomas will take place in St Mary's Church, Beaufort tomorrow (Saturday) morning and will be live streamed on the Beaufort Parish Facebook page at 11am, followed by burial in Churchtown Cemetery, Beaufort.
He is survived by his heartbroken parents, Julie and Ger, his brothers Jack, Danny and Michael, his grandmother Cathy Shine Griffin, uncles John, Anthony and Timmy, aunts Jackie and Nikki, cousins Joshua, Dominic, Timothy and Ceara, relatives, neighbours, Laura and Leona (brothers partners), his team mates in Beaufort GAA and Killarney Athletic AFC, his school friends in the ISK, Killorglin and his many friends.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information to contact them at Killarney Garda Station on 064 6671160 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
KWD Recycling shortlisted for national environmental awards
Killarney-based KWD Recycling has been announced as a finalist in the 2026 Repak Resource Awards, securing a spot on the national shortlist for environmental achievement.
The local waste management company has been nominated in the Best Recovery Operator Innovation category, sponsored by DNV, for its state-of-the-art residual waste recovery system.
The Killarney facility utilizes optical sorting, screening, and mechanical processing to extract recyclable plastics and organic material from municipal waste. In its first year of operation, the technology recovered more than 10 per cent of plastic packaging from residual waste for recycling and diverted almost 50 per cent of organic material toward composting.
KWD Recycling will compete alongside Dublin operators Panda and Thorntons Recycling for the category title.
Repak CEO Zoe Kavanagh commended the Kerry firm for demonstrating environmental leadership and bringing local ambition to the national awards.
Category winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony at the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday, October 23, where each winner will also compete for the Overall Repak Resource Award.
Local businesses have a strong track record at the national event, with Killarney town venue The Killarney Park and The Ross previously taking home the overall title in 2023.
Drivers warned as deer rutting season begins
Motorists in Killarney are being urged to exercise extreme caution as the annual deer rutting season gets underway, causing animals to stray far beyond their usual habitats inside Killarney National Park.
The autumn mating season sees deer becoming highly active and unpredictable, leading to increased sightings and collisions on local roads outside traditional park boundaries.
Two separate incidents highlighted the growing hazard on local routes this week. A reader contacted the Killarney Advertiser to warn drivers after spotting a deer roaming near Tiernaboul towards the school on Sunday afternoon around 7.30pm.
Later that same night, in the early hours of Monday morning, a local driver collided with a deer near Kerry Airport around 1am while returning home from an event.
Despite attempting evasive action, the motorist struck the animal, which died at the scene and temporarily blocked the road before local Gardaí were alerted to clear the obstruction.
The driver sustained substantial vehicle damage, requiring repairs to the bumper, headlamp, and internal components, leaving her facing significant garage costs and time off the road.
Gardaí and road safety advocates advise motorists travelLing during early morning and late evening and remain vigilant along tree-lined routes.
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