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Continuing our review of 2020, here’s some of the stories we brought you from April…
• The Kerry Cycling Campaign called for motorists to slow down and take more care following an increased number of road deaths and injuries so far in 2020.
With so many people out walking and cycling within 2 kilometres of their homes motorists are asked to slow down and be careful. The dramatic reduction in traffic volumes has resulted in some drivers increasing their speed – particularly in urban areas.
• On April 1 it was revealed a Kerry shop had sold a €500,000 EuroMillions Plus winning ticket for the second time in five weeks. The ticket was purchased at Sheahan’s Centra in Glenbeigh village. It sold another EuroMillions Plus winning ticket on February 28.
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• Tralee Sinn Féin councillor Cathal Foley called on the HSE to provide clarity on Covid-19 testing and waiting times for results.
Cllr Foley was contacted by several constituents, who were worried about the length of time they were waiting to be tested and were experiencing long delays in getting their results. One cancer patient who had a planned chemotherapy treatment postponed on a number of occasions was awaiting results of a test taken two weeks previously.
• In the interests of limiting the spread of the coronavirus, Kerry County Council announced the closure of all public car parks at beaches around the county for the Easter weekend.
The Council also issued an unprecedented appeal for people not to travel to Kerry over the Easter Weekend and to postpone their visit to Kerry for the duration of the the COVID-19 travel restrictions.
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• Debenhams announced it was placing its Irish operations into liquidation. The company said the majority of its Irish stores, including the one in Manor West, are not expected to reopen after the Covid-19 crisis is over. It led to an industrial dispute with employees which continued for the rest of the year.
• On April 9, Gardai and emergency personnel attended the scene of an incident where a teenager suffered multiple stab wounds. The incident occurred near a laneway between Kerins Park and Caheranne. Gardaí closed off the laneway and the 19 year old who suffered injuries was taken to University Hospital Kerry.
• Garvey’s Tralee Warriors lost their Head Coach, Pat Price, after he decided to step down from his role as Head Coach. During his two year term, Price coached the Warriors to Super League glory in 2019.
• Daly’s Supervalu in Killarney sold two winning Euromillions and Lotto tickets worth over €10m in the space of three days.
Someone who bought their ticket was €500,000 richer after winning the EuroMillions Plus top prize in the April 15 draw.
Three days later on April 18, Kerry players were asked to check their Lotto tickets after one lucky ticketholder scooped €9,772,175 after buying the ticket in the same store.
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• The antics of a group of residents from a small row of houses made a top US chat show in April.
The video featured, among others, Cllr Terry O’Brien and his 91 year old mother Mary O’Brien. They all came out of their houses dressed up in retro gear for a singalong to ABBA’s ‘Mamma Mia’.
Having been featured on national and local media, it caught the attention of James Corden who featured it on his ‘Late Late Show’ last night on CBS in the States.
• It was announced that the Rose of Tralee International Festival had been cancelled for this year and would be back in August 2021.
In a statement released by Anthony O’Gara, Executive Chair of The Rose Of Tralee Festival , he said they have taken the decision with health and safety concerns foremost in their minds.
• By April 30, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kerry stood at 292.
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