Continuing our Review of 2014, here’s the news from October…
• WE reported early in October that drugs with an estimated value of €16k were found in the Ballyseedy area.
Members of the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit, acting on confidential information, uncovered the suspected amphetamines weighing over a kilo, in an area of woodland on the outskirts of town, near a popular walking and jogging spot. (click here)
• Tommy Walsh confirmed that was leaving the Sydney Swans and coming home to Tralee.
The former Kerry star told Sydney Swans TV he was leaving and returning to Ireland at the end of 2014. (click here)
Continued below…
• It was revealed that Paul Galvin was appointed the new style editor for men’s lifestyle website Joe.ie
The former Kerry player was appointed to give style tips to Joe.ie readers the length and breadth of the country. (click here)
• We told you the story of a young Tralee woman who enjoyed the trip of a lifetime when she flew with her family to New York courtesy of the Make A Wish Foundation.
Abbie O’Sullivan, from Ballyseedy, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes four years ago and the 16 year old Mercy Mounthawk student stayed in a beautiful mid-town Manhattan hotel, two blocks from Times Square. (click here)
Continued below…
• A Tralee Municipal District councillor said that a meeting should take place with members of the GAA county board about the lion’s share of big Kerry games being allocated to Killarney.
Sinn Fein Cllr, Pa Daly, brought up the issue at the October monthly meeting and said he would like councillors to meet with board officials about the issue. (click here)
• It was announced in October that the Tralee Central Hotel in Maine Street was now under the ownership of Boyle Brothers.
According to a spokesperson for the company, it’s hoped the hotel will re-open in March 2015 following significant refurbishing and rebranding. (click here)
• It as revealed that former Tralee town councillors shared over €111,000 in retirement gratuities according to figures released by Kerry County Council.
The six who receive the payments are Ted Fitzgerald (FF) €52,623; Johnnie Wall (FF) €28,851; Pat Hussey (FG) €16,650; Gillian Wharton-Slattery (Lab) €13,667; Mairead Fernane (FG) €8,316 and Dan Galvin (Lab) €5,154. (click here)
• We brought you the story of how aerial archive images of Tralee have recently been made available to view on the website, ‘Britain From Above’.
The photos, which were taken in 1933, give a fascinating insight into what Tralee looked like 81 years ago. (click here)
• There was more good news on the sporting front when it was announced that Kieran Donaghy and fellow Tralee man David Moran had won All-Stars.
Legion’s James O’Donoghue, as expected, also won an All-Star as well as Kenmare’s Paul Murphy and Laune Rangers Peter Crowley. (click here)
• Austin Stacks and Mid Kerry played out a draw in Austin Stack Park in the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SFC final.
They would have to do it all over again in Killarney on November 1. Of course the Rockies fans created an incredible atmosphere on the day. (click here)
• Veteran athlete Stephen Griffin enjoyed a happy 58th birthday when he came first in the Over 55s category in the Dublin City Marathon.
And the Blennerville man dedicated his feat to his late friend and St Pat’s GAA stalwart, Tony O’Donoghue, who died in September. (click here)