CARA Credit Union will report on another satisfactory year in business at the annual general meeting at 8pm on Monday, December 9, at The Rose Hotel.
Ahead of the meeting, they have published their annual accounts and report, which shows assets now standing at over €242m.
In her report, Chairperson of Cara Credit Union, Caroline Sugrue said; “Cara Credit Union has continued to deliver on its strategic priorities during 2019. Our assets now stand at €242m with members savings growing to over €200m and Loan Book increasing to over €90m for the first time.
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“We are delighted to report a surplus for the financial year of over €1.6m in what continues to be an unstable economic environment. There has been an overall growth of €9m in the net worth on the Balance Sheet at 30th September, 2019.”
Ms Sugrue said the board continues to challenge the financial performance of the credit union and keep a tight rein on costs and an increase in members shares of €6.9m to over €200m has remained a challenge for the management team.
As with last year, the board is proposing a dividend of 0.01% at the AGM. “We feel this is a competitive and while the same dividend rate for the past two years, we are also able to strengthen our reserves,” said Ms Sugrue.
A TRALEE man is making people smile with his random paintings of cats, mice, bikes, dancers and other subjects on buildings all over town.
Mike O’Donnell, who also works as a court sketch artist, has painted murals recently of dancers on the side of the building at Ela Maria boutique and another near Rock Street of Mikey Sheehy.
Speaking on Deirdre Walsh’s ‘Talkabout’ programme on Radio Kerry, Mike said he is painting the murals to make people smile and cheer up. They certainly do that and have provided talking points for people going about their daily business in town.
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Mike spent around six years teaching physics and chemistry in Abu Dhabi and since he has returned he has noticed a marked change in the mood of Tralee people and they have more of “a swagger” now.
Mike also says he is showcasing his talent so he might get businesses to employ him to paint on their buildings and expand this business idea outside the town. You can follow Mike on twitter at @mikodonnell or instagram mikodonnell
.Thirteen of the participants in the Movember fundraiser for Recovery Haven have one last feel of their beards before shaving at The Rose Hotel. Front from left; Mike Walsh, Eoin O’Hanlon, Mike Slattery, John Martin, Joseph Sweeney. At back; Kevin Foley, Tommy Brosnan, Kevin Boyle, John McCrohan, Anthony Doyle, John O’Sullivan, John Denny and Pat Tobin. Photo by Dermot Crean
SIXTEEN men had a close shave at The Rose Hotel last night to raise funds for Recovery Haven Cancer Support House.
It’s the second year the charity has held the Movember Challenge and many other men are having their facial hair removed at locations all over the county in the coming days.
There were men of varying ages going under the razor from staff at The Barber, including Mercy Mounthawk student, John McCrohan, who raised over €600 for the cause.
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Many of the men were doing it to support loved ones or friends who had gone through cancer and had used the Recovery Haven services.
One man, Kevin Foley, had a moustache for 50 years, while another, Pat Tobin from Tralee was doing it for the second year in a row.
Recovery Haven thanked all the men involved who delivered over €4,000 on the night as well as MC for the evening, Mike O’Halloran and The Rose Hotel.
Further mass shaves are taking place on Saturday in The Abbey Tavern Ardfert, the The Half Way Bar in Ballymac and in Ballyheigue. Scroll down for photos…
Doing the shaving were, in front; Joe O’Brien and Sean Jackman. At back; Maldrit Xhemaili, Laura Horgan and Gary Carey from The Barber in Tralee/Listowel. Photo by Dermot Crean.Tommy Brosnan, Eoin O’Hanlon, Kevin Foley, Pat Tobin and Joseph Sweeney about to go under the razor….…and all finished. A clean-shaven bunch. Photo by Dermot Crean.Eoin O’Hanlon getting shaved by Maldrit Xhemaili. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kevin Doyle being shaved by Laura Horgan. Photo by Dermot Crean.Joseph Sweeney relaxes while Gary Carey shaves. Photo by Dermot CreanMC Mike O’Halloran interviews Pat Tobin. Photo by Dermot Crean.Joe O’Brien gives MC Mike O’Halloran a few tips as he attempts to shave Tommy Brosnan. Photo by Dermot CreanApplying the finishing touches. Photo by Dermot Crean.JP O’Carroll all set to go. Photo by Dermot CreanJoe O’Brien interviewed by MC Mike O’Halloran. Photo by Dermot CreanDan Hayes getting shave. Photo by Dermot CreanA clean shaven John McCrohan. Photo by Dermot CreanThe participants, barbers and volunteers from Recovery Haven at the shave-off in the Rose Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
.The festive lighting at Ballygarry House Hotel is always special.
ALTHOUGH the big Christmas tree in the grounds of Ballygarry House Hotel has only been there for a couple of years, it’s already become a beacon for many to signal the festive season is here.
The lights on the 40ft tree were switched on last night and motorists were treated to a heartwarming sight as they travelled into and out of town.
It’s the piece de resistance of the festive lighting at the hotel and last night invited guests were treated to festive refreshments and a visit from Santa to mark the switching on ceremony.
Well done to Padraig McGillicuddy and the team for providing a wonderful festive welcome for visitors at the gateway to our town.
FIANNA Fáil TD for Kerry, John Brassil, says patients and staff are suffering as a result of, what he describes as, Fine Gael’s failure to properly manage the health service.
He was responding to the latest HIQA National Inpatient Experience Survey, which found that the bulk of patients attending UHK had a mostly positive experience, but the majority of patients spent longer in the Emergency Department before admission, than HSE recommended targets.
Deputy Brassil said; “According to this survey, more than two thirds of patients admitted to University Hospital Kerry waited longer than the six hour timeframe. In fact, 11% of them were over 24 hours in ED before they were given a bed on a ward. Seven people who took part in the survey waited more than 48 hours for a bed.
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“Despite these shocking statistics, patients did not necessarily have a negative overall experience, and this is solely down to the amazing staff at the hospital. They are working under unacceptable conditions, yet always put patient care first – and this is reflected in the experiences of patients. I want to thank them for the care and support they give their patients, and for the dignity with which they treat them.
“The situation at UHK is completely unacceptable; overcrowding in the Emergency Department, thousands of lost bed days as a result of delayed discharges and cuts to services mean that patients and staff are being adversely affected.
“We need a radical rethink of how our health services are being run, with a bigger focus on community healthcare. Unless we see a shift in direction soon, our hospitals will be unable to cope”, concluded Deputy Brassil.
TRALEE Art Group are holding a Christmas Market at Baile Mhuire Day Centre, Balloonagh, on Sunday next, December 1 from 12.30-4pm.
Santa Claus will be there with his very own mailbox. Music will be provided by Paulie O’Brien with a Tea Dance at 2pm. Prizes galore with a Monster Raffle.
Admission €5 (includes a raffle ticket) and kids go free. There will be an opportunity to purchase some local artworks, crafts and delicious bakes all in time for Christmas.
The encounter between CBS Tralee and St Brendan’s Killarney took place under wet, slippery conditions on Wednesday last in Connolly Park.
This highly anticipated game was to decide who would top the group after both teams had already overcome IS Killorglin and Colaiste Chriost Ri.
The Sem started the game the strongest, scoring the first two points before The Green responded with points from Cian Purcell, Sean Quilter and Conor Horan.
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With both teams trading scores midway through the first half, the first major goal chance came for The Green when inform Conor Hayes narrowly put the ball left and wide.
A goal was bound to come and did when Cian Purcell contested a high ball and flicked over The Sem’s goalkeepers head.
Watch highlights of the game here…
The Sem then quickly replied with a goal chance of their own but was denied by a brilliant save from Devon Burns. The Sem scored the last point of the half to put them ahead by one at the break. HT: CBS Tralee 1-5 St Brendan’s Killarney 0-9.
When the second half resumed, The Green were the team to come out firing from the blocks with two points from Luke Barrett and Sean Quilter to put them one ahead.
Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Another big goal chance came from The Sem but the outstanding Devon Burns tipped it onto the post. The Sem kept on the pressure and the pursuit for a goal and it finally came when the initial shot was saved and rebounded off an awaiting forward to put The Sem four up.
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The Green slowly cancelled out the goal with scores from Conor Hayes and Fergal O’Brien (f). A lovely ball played into Sean Quilter resulted in The Green’s second goal when he blasted it into the roof of the net.
In this period where The Green dominated scoring an additional three points as well as the goal without reply put them three up going into the last ten minutes. Stray kick passing and not making use of attacks from The Green brought The Sem back into the game as they produced five points with no response.
Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
The Green did bring the margin back to the minimum from a pointed free by Fergal O’Brien but The Sem travel back to Killarney as victors and top the group.
Man of the match goes to Conor Horan; the midfielder kicked a point from play while also having a major impact around the middle of the field and worked tremendously hard throughout the game.
CBS Tralee Scorers and Team:
Sean Quilter (1-02), Fergal O’Brien (0-05,3f) Cian Purcell (1-01), Conor Hayes (0-2), Luke Barrett, Conor Horan, Darragh Reen (0-1)
Devon Burns (NaG), Ruairi O’Sullivan (NaG), Luke Chester (AS), Luke Barrett (), Paudie White (JM), Armin Heinrich (AS), Eoghan Carroll (AS), Joe Linehan (CChill), Conor Horan (AS), Fergal O’Brien (StPats), Darragh Reen (NaG), Jordan Kissane (AS), Cian Purcell (AS), Sean Quilter (AS), Conor Hayes (KOR). Subs Used: Sean Kennedy (Annascaul) for Jordan Kissane (41 mins), David Moriarty (Currow) for Luke Barrett (45 mins), Conor Myers (AS) for Cian Purcell (52 mins)
Photo by Adrienne McLoughlinPhoto by Adrienne McLoughlinPhoto by Adrienne McLoughlinPhoto by Adrienne McLoughlinPhoto by Adrienne McLoughlin
CARA Credit Union will report on another satisfactory year in business at the annual general meeting at 8pm on Monday, December 9, at The Rose Hotel.
FIANNA Fáil TD for Kerry, John Brassil, says patients and staff are suffering as a result of, what he describes as, Fine Gael’s failure to properly manage the health service.
TRALEE Art Group are holding a Christmas Market at Baile Mhuire Day Centre, Balloonagh, on Sunday next, December 1 from 12.30-4pm.
