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Continuing our review of 2020, here’s some of the stories we brought you from March…
• News on March 1 from the INMO revealed the organisation recorded the highest number of patients waiting on trolleys in UHK for the month of February since records began.
There were 449 patients waiting on trolleys in the hospital during the month which beats the previous highest figure of 359 in February of last year.
• At the beginning of the month, the Council announced that a new free parking period would be introduced in town from St Patricks Day, March 17, where parking would be free every day from 4pm.
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• A Government grant of €200,000 has been awarded for works at Day Place in Tralee. The heritage grant was made under the Historical Towns Initiative 2020 and would be used for the refurbishment of the steps and railings.
Timmy Sheehan
• There was great sadness in town at the sudden passing of Timmy Sheehan. The Austin Stacks clubman was known far and wide for his contributions, commentary and analysis of sport on Radio Kerry, his writing in The Kerryman newspaper and a glittering club career for the Rockies.
• On March 6, strict visitor restrictions were introduced with immediate effect at University Hospital Kerry and seven other hospitals in the South/ South West Hospital Group, due to Infection Control concerns over the COVID-19 virus began to escalate nationally.
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• On March 9 is was announced that there wouldn’t be a St Patrick’s Day parade in Tralee or anywhere else in Kerry and nationwide, due to concerns about the Coronavirus.
• Tralee-based Ard Rí Marble Group Ltd was been named as one of Ireland’s Best Managed companies in the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards programme, in association with Bank of Ireland.
The company, which demonstrated superior business performance, was recognised at a gala awards dinner in Dublin in early March.
• On March 12, the Government stepped up its measures to limit the spread of the Coronavirus.
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that schools, colleges and childcare facilities were to close and where possible, teaching would be done online or remotely.
Cultural institutions would close. All indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor mass gatherings of more than 500 people were cancelled.
People could continue to go to work, but where possible people should work from home. Public transport would remain open and shops would continue to operate and the supply lines will not be interrupted.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes could remain open but should adhere to health advice on social distancing. The restrictions were imposed until March 29.
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• Tralee Chamber Alliance asked the public to support local businesses during the Coronavirus crisis to safeguard jobs and prevent closures.
They also asked suppliers, service providers, landlords and lenders to businesses in the retail, restaurant, import/export, hospitality and tourism sector, to allow payments to be put on hold during the confinement period.
• The Aqua Dome has took the decision to close its doors until further notice as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
On March 13, the directors agreed to close the facility with immediate effect in the interests of public safety.
• There was disappointment and anger in Tralee basketball circles as Belfast Star were declared winners of the Men’s Superleague 2019/20 title, after Garvey’s Tralee Warriors were deducted six points after an unintentional rule violation by the club earlier that season.
The Men’s National Competitions Committee (MNCC) at Basketball Ireland confirmed the decision which comes following the outcome of an arbitration hearing held earlier this week, which has found that Garvey’s Tralee Warriors committed the unintentional rule violation for the illegal registration of American player Andre Berry.
• Speaking on March 26, CEO of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, Anthony O’Gara, said the Rose of Tralee Festival would still take place in 2020, but it’s a possibility that it may need to be put back to September.
He said they were hoping that local selections might take place over June and July, depending on the Coronavirus situation, as health and safety is their priority.
• Dr Oliver Murphy, President of IT Tralee, announced his retirement in late March. Mr Lionel Alexander, on behalf of The Governing Body of the Institute, thanked Dr. Murphy for his significant commitment to the Institute and for the contribution he has made to the development of the Institute over a 26 year period.
• By March 31, Kerry had 66 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus since records began earlier that month.
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