Latest news with #JackieHealy-Rae
Irish Independent
05-08-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Cllr Healy-Rae – ‘culture of silence' on men's mental health needs challenging
The funding aims to break down barriers and to recognise that while men are more likely to experience serious mental health difficulties, they are less likely to seek help. Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae welcomed the initiative saying the challenges facing his generation of young men can best be tackled by talking and interactive counselling. He said men make up around 80 per cent of all suicides, nationally, yet women represent two-thirds of clients in existing counselling services. This new service will provide counselling annually through GPs, the HSE helpline, and The new programme will also include targeted supports for young Traveller men and the promotion of tailored mental health programmes such as 'Minding Your Wellbeing for Men'. Cllr Healy-Rae explained that the initiative will give men a safe space to talk in a way that suits them and make those services easy to access. 'As a 30-year-old man, I see first-hand the challenges my generation, and men in general, face when it comes to mental health,' Cllr Healy-Rae said. 'Too often, men suffer in silence because of stigma, pride, or the belief that asking for help is a sign of weakness. The reality is the exact opposite – reaching out is one of the strongest and most important things you can do,' he added. Cllr Healy-Rae said that whether it is stress, relationship pressures, financial worries, or feeling overwhelmed, help is there. 'I would urge any man who is struggling to take that first step and talk to someone, whether it's a counsellor, your GP, or even a friend,' he said. 'Men of all ages, but especially young men, need to know that it's okay to speak up. This funding is a big step in the right direction, but we must also keep challenging the culture of silence around men's mental health. If this announcement encourages even one man to open up, it will already be a success,' Cllr Healy-Rae concluded. The announcement of funding of €2 million was made by Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler.
Irish Independent
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
‘Fitting tribute' to the late Kerry TD as local bridge dedicated to Jackie Healy-Rae
On a Thursday evening the family of the renowned politician gathered with many from the local community and their supports to dedicate the local bridge to the Kerry TD. Fittingly, the honour of unveiling the specially inscribed memorial this week fell to Jackie Healy-Rae's granddaughter, Maura, who was officiating at one of her last engagements as Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municipal District Council. It was she that first suggested the bridge dedication and the proposal received unanimous backing from her Killarney Municipal District Council colleagues. It was a project very close to his heart during his high-profile political life and now his name will be forever associated with it. The landmark Barraduff Bridge – on the busy road from Killarney to Mallow – has now been officially dedicated to the memory of colourful Kerry TD Jackie Healy-Rae who campaigned long and hard for a new structure to be built there. The long-awaited replacement bridge, located at what had been a notorious accident blackspot, was close to the top of the no-nonsense Independent TD's famous €100 million deal, agreed with the then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, in return for his support after the 2007 general election. It is understood that the Kilgarvan politician had initially sought €4 million for a new super bridge but Healy-Rae later agreed to the existing bridge being widened and the road realigned at a considerably reduced cost of €1.5 million. The new structure, which crosses over the Owneycree River and was unveiled in 2011, now has a plaque dedicated to the politician with the trademark tartan peaked cap and it has been described as a fitting tribute shortly after the 10th anniversary of his passing last December. 'This plaque and the dedication of this bridge serves to recognise Jackie's contribution as an elected public representative over a period of time that spanned 40 years,' Cllr Healy-Rae said. She explained that she chose the Barraduff bridge as tribute to her grandfather as it was one of the bases that helped his election wins. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more "Many might wonder why I chose this location and many more may not be surprised at all. Back in 1973, a veteran councillor for the Killarney area, Michael Doherty, died unexpectedly and there came Jackie's 'big break' so to speak into the political arena. He contested the convention and won narrowly to ensure his co-option onto Kerry County Council. The late Michael Doherty hailed from Lisnagrave, Headford, a short distance from here. Taking over the mantle from an East-Kerry man, it is no exaggeration to say that this area became the beating heart of Jackie's support base that ensured his success in many subsequent elections, both local and general,' she explained in her speech. She recalled her grandfather as being straight talking, charismatic, witty, colourful, shrewd and serious when the situation demanded but, above all else, he had an ability to connect with people, his constituents trusted him, and he treated their concerns or problems as his own. 'It is very difficult to encapsulate his political career and the contribution he made to this area, and indeed the county, but I guess the greatest compliment that can be paid to Jackie is that when he achieved the unimaginable in getting elected to Dáil Éireann in 1997, he never forgot the people that put him there. 'He demanded and ensured funding was provided for key pieces of infrastructure in Kerry which he believed had been neglected – this bridge being an example of such,' Cllr Healy-Rae added. She said many criticised Jackie for the famous list of projects and schemes he presented in return for government support but when asked towards the end of his career if he would have done anything different in this respect, Jackie replied: 'No, I'd do a hell of a lot more of the same'. 'That was a key attribute of his – he meant what he said and said what he meant. It didn't matter to him what the media or his political opponents said if he felt he was doing right by his constituents.' The Healy-Rae family and supporters were out in force for the unveiling with Minister of State Michael and Deputy Danny both celebrating their father's great legacy. Also in attendance were outgoing Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald, Killarney Municipal District Manager Angela McAllen and Killarney Municipal District Engineer John Ahern.
Irish Independent
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
From the Kerry archives, June 2, 2000: Healy-Rae defiant, Tralee musician's success & Aqua Golf opens
Healy-Rae defiant in his stance on refugees Independent Deputy Jackie Healy-Rae remained defiant this week on his public utterances on asylum seekers. His assertion follows a weekend homily by Bishop Bill Murphy warning public figures and leaders generally that they had a 'profound responsibility' in this regard. Asked if he had heard the Bishop's homily, Deputy Healy-Rae, who 'has been strongly criticised over comments that there would be 'civil rumpus' because of the asylum seeker issue, said he had been too busy. "Attitudes of discrimination toward another person because of their race, ethnic background, colour or medical condition are inherently unchristian and to be trenchantly condemned," Bishop Murphy said. "There should be no public comments or statements in this sensitive and difficult debate that in any way contribute to such racist beliefs and prejudices." When the above paragraph was read to him over the telephone in his Dáil office and he was asked if he would be following it, Deputy Healy-Rae denied there was anything racist in his case and said: "I'm not contributing to any racist beliefs. I wasn't sent up here to keep my mouth shut. I'm not a dummy. Regardless of what any person will say to me that's what I'm going to do. The Kilgarvan deputy said he was not going to welcome people jumping off the backs of lorries in Rosslare or driving 'broken down useless cars' without tax or insurance. In the light of his outspoken views on the issue of asylum seekers, it was revealed last week through a Freedom of Information Request made by Radio Kerry that Deputy Healy-Rae had made representations in March on behalf of a Killarney woman who had applied for 'the Asylum Seekers Project'. "I would be very grateful if you could arrange the inspection at your very earliest convenience," he wrote, adding. "She is anxious to be offered a contract for two to three years." Asked if there was a conflict between his public statements and this approach, Deputy Healy-Rae said if the same thing happened tomorrow he would do the same thing. He said he had been approached by someone who said he was buying a big house and getting a mortgage and needed some guarantee of income. He said the person was considering taking in four or five asylum seekers in the house with the family over a three-year period. Asked how he would have responded if the person wanted to accommodate 40 asylum seekers, he said he couldn't condone that under any circumstances because since then, Killarney was accommodating more asylum seekers than it 'wants or requires'. "There's absolutely nothing racist in my case," he said. "My position is as follows. I'm totally disgusted with the way they are coming in illegally." He said between 80 per cent and 85 per cent of asylum seekers were illegal. Asked how he knew that, he replied "Amn't I giving you that figure?" He also said it was printed in his head. Pressed further as to where he got the figure, he said, "I'm not going to tell you that." Asked if it was his view or a proven fact, he said: "It's the information I have received.' Tralee man makes it big in Germany Tralee man Raymond Garvey looks set to take the world of pop music by storm, — he has just signed a lucrative record deal with Virgin Music, and this week saw his group's latest single 'Supergirl' enter the German charts at number six. Talented Raymond, who is the son of Supt Fred Garvey and his wife Anne of The Kerries, Tralee, is the front man with a rock group called 'Reamonn', which includes four other musicians, all of whom are German. The band has been going from strength to strength since signing the deal with Virgin—their first single has already shifted over 150,000 copies. Raymond's sister Colette Garvey O'Doherty said the band's German management company was totally astounded by the sales figures and by the band's meteoric rise in this week's German singles charts. Raymond Garvey started his musical career at the age of ten with the purchase of his first guitar. After finishing school, he enrolled in the Dublin Institute of Technology where he studied Marketing by day and toured the Dublin music circuit by night. But it was in Germany that his career really took off. He met up with the four other band members; christened the band after the Irish version of his first name, signed the record deal and hasn't looked back since. Since the release of the single Supergirl, Raymond and the band are following a hectic schedule, playing up to four gigs a day and doing radio and television appearances. He hopes to return to Tralee during the forthcoming Rose of Tralee festival to play a gig on August 22. "I'm looking forward to playing on home ground and to coming home and spending some time with my family. It will be the first time the other members of the band will have been in Ireland and they are really looking forward to it," he said. Aqua Dome unveils £840k golf facility The Aqua Dome in Tralee unveiled its latest crowd puller at a special reception on Tuesday night — an 18 hole miniature golf course known as Aqua Golf. The course has taken the castle theme from inside the dome and recreated it outside, with castle towers, drawbridges, moats and battlements dominating the scenery. In between these are enough roughs and bunkers to keep any serious golfer entertained, while a huge 40 foot fountain and cave have been added to make things even more interesting Also included are remote control boats and trucks which can prove to be frustratingly tricky to handle. The boats are located in a pond, which also contains a light house and a water volcano which have targets positioned on them. Anyone who hits the target sets off all manner of special effects that celebrate their score. For the official opening, the Aqua Dome closed their doors from 5pm and invited 300 guests to celebrate the new venture with a food and drinks reception. Chairman of the Aqua Dome, Denis Reen acted as MC for the night, while chairperson of Tralee UDO, Norma Foley performed the official opening. Norma Foley told the crowd that the toughest thing about being a success was staying a success and for this reason she was delighted to see the Aqua Dome adding new features to their facility. The new facilities were built at a cost of £840,000 by Denis Moriarty construction and designed by Liam Waldron of O'Sullivan Campbell Architects. The entire facility took seven months to build and was completed with the scheduled time. Kieran Ruttledge (Aqua Dome) said that although the course was designed for fun, it was in no way a walkover for experienced golfers. "We are very different from other courses in that we have included roughs and bunkers and our holes vary in difficulty from par two to par three and even par four," he said. "It is great to see parents showing their children how to play and then watching the child proceed to beat them. It also offers a few chances for golfers to get that elusive hole in one!" Mr Ruttledge told the crowd that the staff at the Aqua Dome were delighted at the reaction from their initial customers and were now looking forward to an excellent summer period.
