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Residents’ concern over plans for asphalt plant

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By Sean Moriarty

Residents of the Clasheen area have expressed concerns that Roadstone is to build a mobile asphalt plant on the site of the old quarry on the Cork road.

They have raised concerns after the construction firm recently changed a planning permission request with Kerry County Council.

They are also worried that the new plant will go against Killarney Smoke Free Zone policy that came into effect on September 1. The Clasheen Quarry is within the boundaries of the Killarney Smoke Free Zone.

Planning permission for this asphalt plant was originally received in 2011 but not constructed at the time.

It's understood that Roadstone renewed this planning permission sometime in 2015 and 2016 and this is due to expire by early 2021.

As recent as last month Roadstone applied for an Air Emissions Licence to operate the asphalt plant.

“We are extremely concerned about the effect of this plant which will have emissions of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and other products of combustion on the local and greater Killarney areas,” resident David Murphy told the Killarney Advertiser. “This was lodged with Kerry County Council at the end of October and a notice was in a local newspaper on October 14 but they [Roadstone] were not required to erect a local notice.”

Residents say they have not been properly informed of the latest development by Roadstone.

“There seems to be no knowledge of this plant going ahead and locals are concerned that people of Killarney are not aware of the plan. As Killarney was included in the area where the sale of smokey coal was banned this year should this plant be going ahead? What effect will it have in terms of pollution, air quality and noise and smell?”

Kerry County Council declined to comment on the matter.

“As this is a live planning matter, the Council is not in a position to comment,” a Council official told the Killarney Advertiser.

Roadstone declined to comment when contacted by the Killarney Advertiser.

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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