Latest news with #BrendanO'Brien
Irish Independent
12-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Kerry students join forces with Tidy Towns members in ‘heartening' and successful litter pick
The volunteers eliminated rubbish from the environs of The Green and various other locations around Tralee on Wednesday. The clean-up marked a continuation between the local Tidy Towns association and the students as part of the CBS Tralee Summer Programme, which was established around the theme 'Building Confidence and Connections'. Students were kitted out with gloves, bags and litter pickers from Tralee Tidy Towns and they spread out across the town. The pupils picked up litter at the Brandon Car Park and town centre lanes as well as at the Dan Spring Road. The effort of the students and Tidy Towns members resulted in the collection of three bags of litter. The three bags marked a significant decrease on the amount of litter collected in the same litter pick last year, demonstrating the impactful work going in to the town's appearance. Those who participated in the initiative enjoyed senses of camaraderie and achievement from improving the appearance of their hometown. The organisers have extended their thanks to all students who took part in the demonstration of community spirit. Tralee Tidy Towns chairperson, Brendan O' Brien, said it was 'heartening to see so many young people come together during this summer season to help us at a time when we are being adjudicated for the national Tidy Towns competition'.
Irish Independent
28-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Volunteer efforts set to be honoured at upcoming Tralee Tidy Towns awards
An awards ceremony, supported by co-sponsors Cara Credit Union, Garvey's Supervalu Tralee, The Rose Hotel and Kerry County Council, will take place at the Rose Hotel in October to honour the efforts of Tralee residents, businesses, and public buildings in enhancing the town's appearance. The event will highlight the contributions of individuals and communities maintaining their homes, gardens, estates, and green areas. This year, several award categories will be available for residential estates: Large, Medium, and Small Estates, along with an Estate Biodiversity Award and an Estate Feature Area Award. Garden-related awards will include Large and Small Gardens, a Garden Biodiversity Award, a Plant Bed/Container/Flower Basket Award, a Favourite Plant Award, and a Favourite Spot in My Garden Award. Businesses and public buildings can also apply in one of six categories: Best Hotel, Shop, Bar/Public House, Café/Restaurant, Service Station, and Public Buildings. Tralee Tidy Towns Chair, Brendan O'Brien, had the following to say at the launch: 'Tralee is looking well and there's a lot of work going into the town – we want to recognise this and increase the growing sense of pride in Tralee. This awards event is a great way to do that. As a means of including more people in the awards event this year, we have categories like 'favourite spot in the garden' and a great idea by the organising committee is a 'favourite plant' award – so those who don't own a garden but are growing plants can be recognised.' 'We have to say a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting this event, what we hope will be an even better event in 2025 – to Cara Credit Union, Garvey's Supervalu Tralee, The Rose Hotel and Kerry County Council, we just could not put this event on without this support. "We're launching this event this week and I'm asking the estates, the gardens and the businesses to enter and it might inspire that extra bit of effort or draw more volunteers in to the overall Tidy Towns effort in Tralee. We know this will build community and help Tralee progress in the Tidy Towns competition but ultimately it will help to make Tralee a better place to live in, work in and visit,' he continued. To take part, entrants should send their name, contact details, and chosen category to tidytownstralee@ or send a private message to the Tralee Tidy Towns Facebook page. Application forms will be available via email, on social media, and in hard copy from the Kerry County Council Tralee Municipal District Office on Princes Quay. The closing date for entries is July 18. The awards ceremony will be held in October at the Rose Hotel.
Irish Examiner
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Lions Tour Podcast: Special occasion but Pumas deliver long list of learnings
Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis review Argentina's defeat of the Lions in their Aviva Stadium pre-tour clash. Just how bad was it for the Lions? The Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast Lions Tour Special is brought to you in partnership with Dove Men+Care – the official Personal Care Product of Choice for the British and Irish Lions. Video available later today
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Shooter in 2022 Chicago-area parade massacre sentenced to life in prison
By Brendan O'Brien Chicago (Reuters) - An Illinois judge on Thursday sentenced a man to life in prison without the possibility of parole for a 2022 mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in a Chicago suburb that killed seven people, local media reported. Robert Crimo III, 24, pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery in March shortly before his trial was set to begin for the shooting in Highland Park that also injured over 40 people. Crimo was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences by Circuit Court Judge Victoria Rossetti, according to the Chicago Tribune. "This court hopes this sentence brings a sense of justice and an end to the continued horror," Rossetti said. Crimo is accused of climbing out the roof of a building in downtown Highland Park, a suburb 25 miles (40 km) north of Chicago, and opening fire on spectators and participants at a Fourth of July parade in 2022. A synagogue teacher, a Mexican grandfather, and the parents of a two-year-old were among the victims. Crimo confessed to the shooting, according to prosecutors.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democratic US Senator Shaheen says she will not seek reelection in 2026
(Reuters) - Democratic U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced on Wednesday that she will not seek re-election in 2026, saying it was "just time" in a video posted online by Punchbowl News. "There are urgent challenges ahead, both here at home and around the world and while I am not seeking re-election, believe me, I am not retiring," she said. (Writing by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Katharine Jackson)
