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Continuing our Review of 2016, here’s some of the stories we brought you in July…
• Drink-driving figures revealed at a meeting of the Joint Policing Committee on July 1, showed an increase in intoxicated while driving incidents from 134 in the first half of 2015 to 151 in the first six months of 2016.
It showed 51 of these cases were detected in people aged 21-30, 46 of whom were male. The Chief Supt said the figures were disappointing and debunks the myth that young people are being more responsible than the older generation when it comes to drink driving and that the message is not getting through to them. Only 17 out of the 151 detected were female.
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Paul Murphy shoots for a point during the Munster Final. Photo by Dermot Crean.
• THE Kerry minors retained their Munster title in a sun-drenched Fitzgerald Stadium in early July beating Cork by 3-14 to 3-8 with David Clifford the star of the show, netting one and setting up goals for Bryan Sweeney and Sean O’Shea.
In the senior game, Kerry beat Tipperary to win another Munster title by 3-17 to 2-10.
• AN American satellite-based technology company announced it was creating more than 30 specialised jobs over the course of five years in a new premises in Killarney, where it has moved to from its Tralee office.
In 2014, the US based company bought out Altobridge, which was based in Kerry Technology Park, Tralee and established an office at Liber House in Monavalley.
However, the company moved out of that Tralee office to set up their new home in Killarney.
• There was good news for the town when it was announced that 20 jobs were to be created with a new restaurant in Tralee town centre.
Lana Asian Street Food had plans to open at a premises in Ashe Street which was previously The Dragon Inn and later the Royal Palace Chinese restaurants.
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• A FORMER Park FC player signed a professional contract with an English Championship side.
Shane McLoughlin joined five other young players in signing one year deals at Ipswich town at the weekend. The contract also has an option of a further 12 month stay at Portman Road.
• THE achievements of a young man from Tralee were recognised by Kerry County Council with a civic reception to recognise his sporting achievements.
Jockey Bryan Cooper was joined by his family at Council Chambers where he was feted for his achievement of winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Don Cossack earlier this year.
• IT was a good month for students in the Kerry ETB/Radio Kerry training course.
Dan Kearney from Castleisland received a City and Guilds Global Gold Medal of Excellence in London against global competition for his outstanding work during his training course in radio production techniques at Kerry ETB Training Centre.
He also received the Further Education Learner of the Year Award. This is reserved for learners in the UK and Ireland and he was the overall winner.
Another student of the course also won a major international award.
Tralee woman Gráinne McPolin, a student of radio broadcasting at the Kerry ETB Training Centre won the 2016 Clarion International Radio Award for a documentary about her experience of working in Saudi Arabia – ‘Saudi Dreams of a Camper Van.’
• Comedian Brendan Grace arrived by horse and trap to Blennerville to unveil a plaque dedicated to the memory of Tralee character, Nedeen Kelliher.
Nedeen, ‘Tralee’s last jarvey’ was a great friend of Brendan Grace and was wonderful fodder for the funnyman’s standup routines.
• PLANS for two way traffic to return on Denny Street received the go ahead along with a number of other changes to Tralee town centre at the meeting of Tralee Municipal District on Tuesday.
There had been considerable opposition over the loss of 66 car spaces on Denny Street and the effect it will have on business in the town centre. After a consultation period with traders and taxi drivers, a number of amendments were made to the original plans.
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• A TRALEE lady won the Best Dressed Lady at the Dublin Horse Show.
Claire Murphy was wearing a Carol Kennelly (Tralee) Millinery headpiece and a Tina Griffin (Killorglin) designed dress making her dressed head to toe in Kerry designs.
Claire won a €10,000 Dundrum Town Centre voucher that can be redeemed anywhere in the centre for her troubles.
• HUNDREDS of people made their way to Banna Beach in late July for a fantastic celebration of culture and dance at Féile Fáilte.
The day-long event had everything from a ceili to a disco with local and global styles mixing on stage making for a hugely enjoyable experience for performers and the audience.
