Latest news with #Kennelly
Irish Examiner
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Healy-Rae firm linked to election fraud case, Kerry senator claims in Seanad
"Every dog and divil in Kerry" knows that a man who pleaded guilty to election fraud works for a business owned by members of the Healy-Rae family, the Seanad has been told. Fine Gael senator Mike Kennelly today accused a man — who last week avoided a conviction for voting in last year's local elections using a polling card that was not in his name — of being an employee of Healy-Rae Plant Hire. The company is run by the family of Kerry Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae, including his son Johnny, who is a councillor for the Kenmare area. In the Seanad on Thursday, Mr Kennelly told junior housing minister Christopher O'Sullivan that the issue was a 'worrying and serious matter.' Under parliamentary privilege, the Kerry senator said: "We had voter impersonation at a Kenmare polling station at the local and European elections in June 2024, caught on CCTV. "A Cahersiveen man pleaded guilty but avoided a conviction for election fraud after he used a polling card not in his name that went missing from a vehicle. It is even more extraordinary to learn, as every dog and divil in Kerry knows, that the defendant works for the Healy-Rae Plant Hire company. He was cited in court as a farmer and a contractor, but his employer, the Healy-Rae firm, was unusually not identified, even though he has worked for it for years. "I called for a thorough investigation into the facts of the incident last week, and we still need clarity as to how this was quietly hushed up. It has made a mockery of our democracy. There have been no answers as to how this man got the polling card before he drove 40 miles from his home to vote in another town. "He did not acquire it himself, the court was told, so who exactly gave it to him? The electors of Kerry, and indeed the rest of the country, deserve to know." Mr Kennelly went on to say that there were more irregularities in the Kerry electoral area. He said that he had been elected a councillor in 2014 by two votes and that individual cases do matter. "Another case in Kerry centres on potential criminal wrongdoing in the form of irregular supplementary registration. This case centres on allegations that, ahead of the May 2019 local elections, a garda officer in the Killarney electoral area stamped hundreds of supplementary voter registration forms without the applicants being physically present, which is a legal requirement. "An Garda Síochána launched a formal investigation led by a superintendent from outside Kerry and a file was prepared. As of April 2024, GSOC forwarded a file to the DPP, with a decision still pending. This is over six years ago. When will we see this case brought to a conclusion? "I have stated that these cases have made a mockery of our democracy. Illegal voter fraud strikes at the very heart of our democracy." In response, Mr O'Sullivan said he could not comment on individual cases but that trust in the system was paramount. "We all, as the Senator said, have put ourselves up for election. It is a stressful time, including for our families and our friends, and one does so in the hope that we can trust the electoral system. If there is fear that fraud may be carried our or that votes are cast inappropriately, it undermines that. "It undermines not only us as candidates but also democracy in general and means that people's voices, essentially, are not heard in the way they should be." Danny Healy-Rae has been contacted for a response to Mr Kennelly's statements.
Irish Examiner
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Ireland ready to end 50-year wait to host European Amateur Team Championship
Mark Kennelly has more reasons than being Golf Ireland chief executive for his excitement at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club's staging of the European Amateur Team Championship this week. The top 16 nations in elite men's amateur golf are in the Kerry town to play Killarney's renowned Killeen course this week with the first of two days of stroke play getting underway on Tuesday morning to be followed by three days of match play as teams battle for medals or strive to avoid relegation to Division 2. Surprisingly it is only the second time that Ireland has hosted this prestigious European Golf Association tournament that has provided a stepping stone on the route to professional stardom for the likes of Team Europe Ryder Cuppers Jon Rahm and Ludvik Aberg as well as Irish major winners Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. It is 50 years since these shores welcomed the European Amateur Teams Championship and so it is fitting the event should return to the club where it was first staged here, and Kennelly could not be happier. The Golf Ireland CEO remembers that 1975 staging because his father Colm was in charge of score recording during that week half a century ago. 'It's the only golf club of which I am a member,' Kennelly told the Irish Examiner. 'I'm originally from Killarney and joined when I was a child, and have maintained my membership ever since. 'Even though I lived abroad for a number of years, I always kept up my membership. There's a family connection, my dad Colm was heavily involved as both captain and president and my aunt, who's still with us was also very heavily involved, and was captain and her husband was also captain and president. 'So even though I haven't lived in Killarney since the day I went to college I still keep up the connection. 'My dad's original sport was Gaelic football. He had been an All-Ireland medal winner for Kerry back in the 50s, then took up golf in the 1960s, when he lived abroad for a while. Then he came back into Killarney and got the golf bug. 'He was captain of Killarney in 1971, which is actually the year the Killeen course opened, and where the four Irish Opens have been played and this championship will also be played. 'So it was a new-ish course for the event in '75, which I actually remember even though I was a very young child at the time, but it is one of my early childhood memories. I was seven at the time and my dad was in charge of score recording. 'I was looking at the club history and there's a picture of him at the scoreboard, but I do remember the big walkie talkies and the big scoreboard, and the other thing I remember about it, I was chatting with my aunt a couple of weeks ago, when I was home, was the weather. 'It was played in an absolute heatwave. That does stick in my memory and in fact, even though we're now 50 years on, it was originally due to be played in Killarney two years earlier but because of the security situation in Northern Ireland at the time in the early 70s, a couple of countries refused to travel and eventually the EGA withdrew the event and rescheduled it for it two years later, when all the teams came but it was a difficult time from a security point of view then. 'So it was quite a big deal. When you think in the intervening years, Killarney has hosted the Curtis Cup and the professional Irish Open four times but in 1975, this was quite a big event for the club to host.' Kennelly believes Killarney's successful hosting of the EGA event paved the way for the club's subsequent hosting of a Curtis Cup and four Irish Opens. 'It helped put Killarney on the map. And even meeting people in the club who remember it, and whom I have come across since we secured the hosting of it, they caddied for players in 1975 and have vivid memories of it. It was quite a big deal for the club at the time to host what really is the premier amateur golf event in Europe, it was very exciting.' Coming full circle 50 years on this week is another cause for excitement and a lot has been invested in making the 2025 edition a big success. 'First of all we had to engage in a bidding process to secure the hosting because it was quite a sought-after event. That mainly happened during 2023 with the announcement made early last year that it was being awarded to Killarney. 'We've had really great engagement with the club. Our Championships team have been down a number of times to meet with the club representative and management and head greenkeeper, and preparations have gone really well. 'The club are very excited about it. We definitely are, and it's only the second time it's ever been played in Ireland, with a 50-year intervening gap obviously, so it's very exciting for us to be going back. 'We've had fantastic cooperation from (Killarney director of golf) Colin Finlay, who has been a huge help to us, as has his team and the management committee there and the head greenkeeper. 'And credit to Killarney, they've done really fantastic course improvements on both courses but especially on Killeen and it's going to be a spectacular test. All we're hoping for now is a repeat of the weather from 1975, but I'm not sure we can depend on that. 'But this is a really special place and we're reminding people that this is really a future champions event if you look at the top players in the world, the ones from Europe representing their countries in this event before turning professional, you know, Rory and Shane but also Jon Rahm and Aberg. 'I think all but one of the European Ryder Cup team from Rome played for their countries in this event so it's really the pinnacle of their amateur career for players who go on turn professional and for leading amateurs, this is what they aspire to play in. So there's going to be a lot of a talent on display.'
Irish Independent
27-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Around the Districts: Boherbue, Buttevant and Clondrohid
Rev Fr Jim Kennelly The Parishioners of Boherbue and Kiskeam Parish are presently in the process of bidding farewell to their Parish Priest for the past 21 years Rev Fr Jim Kennelly. The change will take place in conjunction with the Diocesan reshuffle in mid-July. He will be dearly missed of course for a number of reasons, each one with their own story to tell. He was the first Cork native, a Millstreet man, to take the role of Parish Priest in the area. Many years ago his neighbour Fr Bill Radley and the late Fr O'Sullivan from Ballydaly were Curates in the Parish. During his reign he endeared himself right throughout the Parish and even though the words of the song state that '21 years is a mighty long time' it literally flew. Now, I'm not stating that we grew older quicker because of his presence, no not at all, but he was so easy to converse with and such a caring and helpful Priest that he will never be forgotten by this generation. We thank him and we will pray that he will have a long and happy retirement at the family home in Millstreet and as its just around the corner there is no doubt he will be visiting and helping out if required. When he first arrived in 2024 his Secretary Sheila O'Keeffe took up that role in the Parish and we too express our gratitude to her for all the help and additional duties, such as Mass booklets for special occasions etc., nothing was too much trouble. I believe the new Parish Priest will be announced this weekend and we will too welcome him and help to try and make his stay a happy and peaceful one. On Sunday last the Kiskeam side of the Parish held their Mass of Thanksgiving and Farewell to Fr Kennelly followed by refreshments in the Community Centre. The Boherbue function takes place on Friday July 4th with Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 7.30pm followed by refreshments in the Pearse Memorial Hall where people will have the opportunity to chat with Fr Kennelly. Organising Chairman Ned Vaughan is encouraging Clubs etc with crests to wear their colours or uniforms as a mark of appreciation to Fr Jim for his support and encouragement during his time here. For those wishing to drop in homebaking to the hall it will be open from 6pm onwards. ADVERTISEMENT GOLF SOCIETY Boherbue Golf Society held an outing to Killarney on Saturday. There was a good attendance and some keen competition. Results were as follows 1st Catherine Sheahan, Cork 42pts; 2nd Frank Sheahan, do., 40pts; 3rd Tadgh Leahy, Main St. 38pts; 4th Bryan Leahy, Airport Hill 36pts. Visitors 1st Batt Murphy, Monkstown 40pts; 2nd John Leahy, Watford, England and Causeway 39pts. Afterwards, all enjoyed a meal which was followed by the presentation of prizes. Society Secretary John McAuliffe presided. Football Both the Intermediate and Nevin Cup sides were in action at the weekend. On Thursday the Nevin Cup squad reached the final with a 3-19 to 1-7 win over St. John's in Millstreet Town Park while the Intermediate team recorded a 1-14 to 1-7 away win over Buttevant on Sunday. Here the sides were close until ten minutes from the restart when a two pointer from Andrew O'Connor was followed by a Jerry O'Sullivan goal and another orange flag from John Corkery to put the issue beyond doubt. Garda station The opening hours this week are Thursday 26th and Friday 27th from 7.30pm to 9pm. Active Retired Both trips organised by the Active Retired group are fully booked out with a waiting list. Retirement gift The Boherbue/Kiskeam Parish Account for the Retirement Gift from the Parish for Kennelly P.P is as follows A/C Name Fr Kennelly Retirement Fund Location Newmarket Credit Union IBAN IE38NEEU99224810181853 Closing Date Friday July 11th Please note that those wishing to present their own gift directly to are welcome to do so. Lotto The numbers were 15, 29, 30, 32. Lucky Dip €50 Connie the Pipe. €20 each Nora O'Connell, Killarney; Billy Murphy, East End; Anne O'Sullivan, Tureenavoscane. On line Helen Ducey. Seller Charles Ankettell. BUTTEVANT Heritage Group Buttevant Heritage Group are celebrating Irish Walled Town Network Day on July 5th and have organised a programme of events over that weekend to coincide with the event. Anybody who wishes to exhibit their items etc should contact Francis Trimm at the local Post Office. There will be numerous events taking place in the playground and the Market Green area. There will also be many stalls exhibiting their various wages and produce on the footpath along Richmond Street. There will medieval war combat and various other exhibits taking place. All will be under the watchful eye of Fionn MacCumhail which was expertly sculptured by local artist Michael Culloty. There will be something to keep all age groups entertained. Your support will be greatly appreciated. Vigil Mass The Vigil Mass for the month of July will be celebrated in Lisgriffin Church. Lisgriffin Church is to undergo many renovations including interior painting exterior power washing and treatment in the Autumn. A sloped pathway to the Church entrance is also on the agenda. Extra street lighting is also to be provided in the Church vicinity. St Vincent De Paul The Buttevant Conference of St. Vincent de Paul has a dedicated mobile number for those who may be in need of advice help generally of financially life in general. Assistance can be made in the strictest confidence by telephoning 086029477 or www Bingo The weekly bingo session cotinues on Monday night in the local G.A.A. hall where a substantial monetary jackpot can be won or shared. There are also numerous other monetary prizes associated with bingo sessions to be won. All get under way from 8.30pm. Running Club Buttevant Running Club held their annual 4-mile road race recently which attracted large attendance and was very well supported. Sponsored by Greenhall Motors annually this event has become more popular with each passing year. Club training continues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7.15pm. in the G.A.A. grounds. Over-18-years is the required membership age and hi-vis gear compulsory. Lotto The locally promoted Lotto Draw continues to be held locally on Thursday evening in the Buttevant Soccer Club Pavillion where a monetary jackpot of €6,100 can be won or shared on the choice of four lucky numbers to match the four lucky numbers drawn on draw night. Draw cards can be purchased at appointed local retail outlets or some club members. Your support is greatly appreciated. Buttevant Walking Club Buttevant Walking Club continue their activities weekly on Monday nights from 7p.m. Meeting point is adjacent to Scoil Mhuire na Trocaire. Cul Camp Buttevant G.A.A. club is holding their annual Cul Camp from July 7th to July 11th inclusive again this year in their local grounds. Golf Classic As a 50th anniversary celebration Buttevant A.F.C. will hold a Golf Classic in Doneraile Golf Club on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th August inclusive. Teams of 3 will compete in a Champagne Scramble. Pick the best drive and play your own ball after that. One score to count at every hole. GUI handicap is playable on the day. Anyone without a handicap will be as follows; Gents 16; Ladies 24. Summer rules apply. Entry fee for a team of 3 is €150 which includes a meal on the day. Entries and queries can made to the Club's email address: afcbuttevant@ Your support will be greatly appreciated. Sympathy Sympathy is extended to those who have suffered a bereavement or personal loss recently. Well wishes Well wishes go to those who are ill at home or in hospital at this time. Weather Do enjoy the good weather while it lasts and do take care. CLONDROHID Curra Road Grotto Rosary The annual Curra Road Grotto Rosary will take place on Sunday June 29 at 7pm Everybody welcome. Movement of Continuous Prayer for marriage and family life: Next 24 hours of prayer 12pm Friday June 27 to 12pm Saturday June 28. Please remember your Hour. Corpus Christi Procession This important annual ceremony took place after 9.30am Mass last Sunday. A great crowd attended, with many of those who received their First Holy Communion in May in attendance. They led the procession around the outside of church strewing flowers ahead of Fr Jim who was carrying the Monstrance. The choir sang their hymns and the congregation followed.. Thanks to all who helped, and took part. Singing in the Tavern This lovely sing a long group or tell a story group meet every second Monday night in The Tavern from 9pm. They would love to see you there. Jackie's Scoraiocht continues in The Laine Bar Ballinagree on the last Wednesday of every month. Give it a call. Weekly summer history tours These have commenced on Tues June 24, and will continue every Tues night at 8pm with Dr. Con Kelleher, starting at Macroom Bridge Choice of 3 talks. The Historic Centre, New Street, and Macroom 20th Century Centres of Entertainment.. Everybody welcome. Clondrohid Dev Group Its all systems go for this group at the moment, as they try to improve their marks in the Tidy Towns. Everybody can help by keeping the area outside their house clean and rubbish free. If you see the group out doing clean ups etc., please feel free to join them. Big Thank You to our CE worker. Active Retired Clondrohid Parish Active Retired headed off to Wexford last week for a few days holidays. A brilliant time was had by all, staying in the Talbot Hotel, and visiting places of interest during the days, Dunbrody Famine Ship, John F Kennedy Homestead, Wheellocks Strawberry Farm, and Johnstown Castle. Thanks to all who travelled and helped to make the break full of laughs, stories and memories. The weather was super, roll on next years one. Lotto
RTÉ News
26-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Golf contributes €717m to the Irish economy annually
Around one in ten adults on the island of Ireland play golf at least once a year, with the sport contributing €717 million annually directly to the economy as well as supporting 15,600 jobs, according to a new study from Golf Ireland. The research, carried out in collaboration with global golf body the R&A, looks at the impact of golf across areas such as consumer spending, employment, gross value added, and tax revenue. Conducted in 2023, it found the €717 million figure marked significant growth fuelled by increased participation, strong club membership, and a recovery in golf tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic. The study says that consumer spending from the sport reached €703 million (€509m in ROI and £170m in NI) in 2023, averaging €100 per head of population. It suggests that €1 in every €200 spent in the economy on the island is related to golf. It also notes that club memberships alone accounted for €143 million, or 20% of all golf expenditure. Meanwhile, it estimates that golf generates over €277 million annually in taxes from consumption, income, and corporate profits. Golf Ireland Chief Executive Mark Kennelly said the findings "highlight golf's major economic role here, underscoring our sport's ability to drive growth and create employment across Ireland. "Through initiatives like Get into Golf, Unleash Your Drive, and iGolf, we are actively working to make golf more accessible and inclusive, ensuring its continued appeal." Mr Kennelly added that the organisation is "particularly encouraged" by the growth in golf tourism and event attendance on the island of Ireland. £100m boost from 2019 Open Championship Golf Ireland, which is the sport's governing body for the island of Ireland, says the return of The Open Championship to Royal Portrush next month will provide a significant economic boost. Research from the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University (which also conducted the latest Golf Ireland study), determined that the 2019 Open held at Royal Portrush in 2019 generated more than £100 million for the economy in the North. While estimates suggest the hosting of the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Limerick could contribute more than double that figure to the Irish economy. Opportunity to grow female participation in golf The Golf Ireland report further identifies opportunities for future growth by encouraging higher female participation, investment in infrastructure, and leveraging Ireland's international reputation as a world class golfing destination. Director of the Sport Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Professor Simon Shibli said golf in Ireland "is an industry that has grown impressively since our 2017 study, based on 2014 data. "The fundamentals are in place for future growth in economic impact, notably in the form of invisible exports from visitors coming to play or to watch golf."
Irish Examiner
24-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Oireachtas committee to see Arts Council chief's emails warning about botched €6.6m IT system
The head of the Arts Council alerted department officials to concerns over a botched IT system as far back as 2021, a raft of emails show. Almost 60 pieces of correspondence have been handed over to members of the Oireachtas arts committee which show that the outgoing director of the Arts Council Maureen Kennelly had sought "urgent" meetings with senior department officials and repeatedly raised the need for resources to address cost and time overruns. As far back as July 2021, 'variations arising on the project' were highlighted in relation to the €6.6m system which was ultimately abandoned, one document reveals. The committee recently heard that a senior civil servant did not act on serious concerns around the Arts Council's failed project, which Ms Kennelly described as 'very disappointing and frustrating'. The documents, seen by the Irish Examiner, show that updates on the ICT [information and communications technology] project were provided at various meetings across 2022. In November 2022, correspondence showed that the department was informed that the system was due to go live in late 2023, but 'there are cost overruns which are being monitored carefully'. Ms Kennelly also stressed that recruitment of roles associated with the project were a 'critical priority' for 'the timely and cost-efficient delivery of the new system, the roles referred to above are a critical priority'. In December 2023, Ms Kennelly sent an email 'about the Arts Council's urgent requirement to get a senior ICT resource into place'. 'As referenced at our liaison meeting on Monday last, we are at a critical junction with the business transformation project. To guarantee the delivery of current and future Arts Council strategy, a particular skillset of CIO is required,' she wrote, before expanding on the need to recruit staff 'to help us with the current challenges of the Business Transformation Programme'. Another email sent in February 2024 requested an 'urgent meeting with the secretary general' and other senior civil servants on the project. Issues with the abandoned IT project first came to light in February, with the plan originally expected to cost in the region of €3m for a bespoke grant application system. However, the project ballooned in costs and eventually cost the State €6.6m before it was cancelled. The council is still using its previous system, but has sought to purchase an off-the-shelf system, which would cost an initial €1.5m to install. There would then be an annual €241,000 subscription fee for the service. However, the Arts Council confirmed to the committee the bespoke system would cost €560,000 per year to operate. Appearing before the committee on June 11, Ms Kennelly said it was 'very disappointing and frustrating' that correspondence, which raised concerns around the project, was not sent to more senior civil servants. She said it seemed as if issues with the IT project were not being escalated up the chain of command and this had been a 'great surprise'.
