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Irish Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Man who pleaded guilty to electoral fraud worked for Healy-Rae company, Fine Gael senator claims
A man who pleaded guilty to election fraud worked for a company owned by the Healy-Rae political family in Co Kerry, a Fine Gael senator has claimed. Senator Michael Kennelly said: 'We had voter impersonation at a Kenmare polling station at the local and European elections in June 2024 caught on CCTV.' Raising the issue in the Upper House, he referred to the case in Kenmare District Court earlier this month. 'A Cahersiveen man pleaded guilty but avoided a conviction for election fraud after he used a polling card not in his name that went missing from a vehicle. READ MORE 'It is even more extraordinary to learn, as every dog and divil in Kerry knows, that the defendant works for the Healy-Rae Plant Hire company.' Using Seanad privilege, the Listowel Senator said the defendant was 'cited in court as a farmer and a contractor, but his employer, the Healy-Rae firm, was unusually not identified, even though he has worked for it for years'. Mr Kennelly said he had called for a 'thorough investigation into the facts of the incident', adding that 'we still need clarity as to how this was quietly hushed up'. He said the issue 'has made a mockery of our democracy'. Mr Kennelly added: 'There have been no answers as to how this man got the polling card before he drove 40 miles (64km) from his home to vote in another town. 'He did not acquire it himself, the court was told, so who exactly gave it to him?' Offering further information, he said: 'This guy was not even asked for identification. To say we are running proper registration on voting day is wrong. We do not know how many of these cases exist.' The Healy-Rae Plant Hire company is owned by the family of Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae. Contacted for comment, Mr Healy-Rae said: 'I have no comment.' Mr Healy-Rae is brother of Minister of State for Agriculture, Michael Healy-Rae. Mr Kennelly, a Senator on the Labour panel, also highlighted another case in Kerry in 2019. A decision is still pending from the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to that case. He said: 'This case centres on allegations that, ahead of the May 2019 local elections, a Garda officer, in the Killarney electoral area, stamped hundreds of supplementary voter registration forms without the applicants being physically present, which is a legal requirement. 'An Garda Síochána launched a formal investigation led by a superintendent from outside Kerry and a file was prepared. As of April 2024, GSOC forwarded a file to the DPP, with a decision still pending. This is over six years ago. When will we see this case brought to a conclusion?' He added that every 'fraudulent vote cancels out the voice of a lawful voter'. He pointed out that he won a seat in the 2014 Listowel local elections by two votes. Mr Kennelly called on Minister of State for Local Government, Christopher O'Sullivan, 'to clean up the whole voting process, to review the cases I have mentioned and to make sure that everything possible is done to eradicate this kind of behaviour'. Mr O'Sullivan said he could not comment on individual cases but he agreed 'fraudulent behaviour in the voting process strikes at the core of democracy'. He added that he does not think it happens widely, but stated: 'Where it is blatant and obvious and someone has been caught red-handed, I agree there should be serious consequences'.
Irish Times
12-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
‘Beautiful, crisp and clear': Winning pictures in Biodiversity Photographer of the Year contest are announced
The winners of the National Biodiversity Week biodiversity photographer of the year competition have been announced. The awards showcase the work of amateur photographers and celebrate Ireland's diverse wildlife. All photographs were taken in May. The contest again featured an Ocean category this year for marine life. The winning image in the General category, taken by Lorraine Kelly, of a four-spotted chaser dragonfly in Co Meath impressed the judges, who were Frank Miller, former picture editor of The Irish Times, and Nick Bradshaw, photographer with The Irish Times. READ MORE They said her photograph was 'an obvious winner … beautifully captured with excellent composition, crisp and clear'. Second place was of a photograph of startled squirrel in Ballyseedy Wood, Co Kerry, and was taken by Karol Waszkiewicz. It was described as 'a super capture of a fairly elusive and fast-moving subject'. They said they loved the creature's expression and said 'the wild garlic, moss and ivy all add to the success of this image'. A photograph of two meadow pipits with caterpillars in their beaks, taken by Chris Howes, at the duck pond in Arklow town, Co Wicklow, took third place. 'Bird photography needs plenty of patience, photographic craft and, indeed, luck – a single bird portrait can be captivating, but to get the pair in the same frame is a bonus for the photographer,' the judges said. The exhibition runs until August 31st at Sonairte Eco Centre, Laytown, Co Meath. 'Garlic Guardian on Patrol' taken in Ballyseedy Wood, Co Kerry, came in second place. Photograph: Karol Waszkiewicz 'Meadow Pipits', captured at the duck pond in Arklow town, came in third place. Photograph: Chris Howes 'Garden Dwellers' was shortlisted. Photograph: Aleksandra Shylo 'Hare among the Daisies' was highly commended. Photograph: Edele Cunningham 'Herring Gull with Crab Catch' was shortlisted. Photograph: Mark Collins 'The Common Lizard', taken in The Raven Forest in Curracloe, Co Wexford, was highly commended. Photograph: Pat Somers 'Mother and Cub Fox' was shortlisted. Photograph: Shay Connolly 'Harbour Anemones', taken in Kerry, was the winning entry in the Ocean category. Photograph: Daniel Fildes 'Sunset Moons', taken in Kerry, was shortlisted in the Ocean category. Photograph: Daniel Fildes 'Candy Striped Lights' was shortlisted in the Ocean category. Photograph: Stephen Frawley 'Shrimp on the Lookout', taken in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, was highly commended in the Ocean category. Photograph: Sinead Keys
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
‘Tremendous story' – Message in bottle lost at sea for 13 years discovered in Co Kerry after making journey from Canada
A HANDWRITTEN message in a bottle containing a "tremendous love story" was today discovered on the coast of Ireland. The glass bottle had been travelling the Atlantic Ocean for 13 years before it was found on the shores of Co 3 The message contained a number and a request to call it Credit: facebook 3 The bottle had been at sea for 13 years Credit: facebook It was discovered during a beach clean up at Scraggane Bay, in the Magharees, but it originated in The The island is a popular beauty spot in the eastern region of Labrador and Newfoundland. And the note was dated from 2012, meaning it had been at sea for well over a decade. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS It would have travelled over 3,000 kilometres to reach the shores of Kerry. At the time of setting off, Democrat In the time the bottle was at sea, Obama was replaced by And during the 13 years, the world saw a global Most read in Irish News Meanwhile in Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper was replaced by The hand written message on the letter inside the bottle reads: "Anita and Brad's day trip to Bell Island. Today, we enjoyed dinner, this bottle of wine and each other, at the edge of the island." 'PLEASE CALL US' It adds, "if found please call us on" followed by a phone number. Kate and John Gay, a Co Kerry couple, found the bottle during a beach clean up yesterday. They opened it at a meeting held yesterday evening alongside Creative Ireland Project Maharees Heritage and Conservation group members. The group followed the instructions on the letter and rang the number provided. 'TREMENDOUS STORY' It had been 4,680 days since the message had been sent. And Kate said those who made the phone call were praying for a happy ending to Brad and Anita's love story. Although the phone rang multiple times, there was no answer, at which point the group sent out a However, late last night, Anita got in touch after hearing about the story from her connections in Co And she confirmed that she and Brad got married in 2016 and are still together. The couple are now living happily in Newfoundland, with the Maharees Conservation Association calling it "a tremendous story". 3 The wine bottle came from Bell Island in Canada Credit: facebook
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
New statue of Daniel O'Connell for Leinster House to mark 250 years since birth
Leinster House is to receive a new statue of Daniel O'Connell as part of State-led commemorations marking 250 years since his birth. It is to be donated by Bank of Ireland, with the unveiling expected in September. O'Connell, who was born on August 6th, 1775, was the foremost Irish nationalist leader of the 19th century. The anniversary will also be marked by a special State-led commemorative event, which will form the central part of the commemorations. It is to be held at O'Connell's home in Derrynane House, Co Kerry. READ MORE Speakers from Ireland, the United Kingdom and United States will attend the annual Daniel O'Connell summer school at the end of August in Cahersiveen and Derrynane. Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan will update the Cabinet on Tuesday about the programme of events. Trinity College Dublin will hold a symposium this month on liberty, democracy and rights, while RTÉ is making a one-hour documentary on O'Connell in partnership with UCC and the University of Notre Dame, which will be distributed to schools and libraries. [ Daniel O'Connell, the greatest of all politicians Opens in new window ] The Central Bank of Ireland will issue commemorative coins in gold and silver to mark the anniversary, while An Post will also issue commemorative stamps at the end of July. The Irish Georgian Society will hold a study day consisting of a special event of lectures at City Assembly House in South William Street in Dublin, where O'Connell once led a three day debate on repealing the Act of Union. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs will be organising events across the State's Embassy network, including in London. The Irish Embassy will host an event in September at London's Reform Club, where O'Connell was once a member.
Irish Times
06-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
A ‘typical but unique teenager' - Darragh Byrne, who died at Conor's Pass in Kerry, remembered in service
A 16-year-old boy who died following a fall near a lake on the Conor Pass in Co Kerry was remembered at his requiem Mass as a warm, kind and talented youngster who was taken from this life 'far too soon'. Darragh Byrne of Ballysally in Charleville, Co Cork, was visiting the area with his parents when he fell from a height at Pedlar's Lake close to Daingean Uí Chúis on Tuesday afternoon. He was the only child of James Byrne and his schoolteacher wife Siobhan. Fr Pat Corkery told mourners at noon requiem Mass in the Holy Cross Church in Charleville on Sunday that Darragh made very good use of his life. READ MORE 'Ever since a very young age, Darragh had a great interest in computer and technologies,' he said. 'Many an old laptop he patched up. He enjoyed many outdoor pursuits including swimming, cycling and hiking.' He had a great love for music and took up drums at an early age, the Mass heard. He had also recently begun to teach himself the guitar and was a keen reader who loved history and the classics. 'He was a strong believer in wrongs and rights and was deeply concerned about current world affairs. He had a deep desire for peace.' Fr Corkery, who celebrated the Mass alongside two other priests, said classmates of Darragh had gathered at CBS Charleville earlier this week to remember their close friend. His friends were asked to write down memories they had of Darragh. Fr Corkery read out a sample of the notes, one of which said Darragh 'liked to get his point of view across' while also being 'fun in class.' Another boy said Darragh 'liked the craic and the joke'. 'Darragh always showed great loyalty to his family and friends. Family was very important to Darragh,' Fr Corkery said. 'Darragh will be so missed by all who loved him. In many ways Darragh was a typical teenager. But he was also completely unique. Darragh has gone ahead of you far too soon. But he is waiting for you in eternity.' Fr Corkery said the family had asked that he thank doctors, paramedics, gardaí, Dingle and Killarney Mountain Rescue, Shannon Rescue 115, CBS Charleville, family, neighbours and friends for their help since tragedy struck. Locals had formed long lines to sign the condolence book for Darragh in the church foyer. A picture of a smiling and happy Darragh had been placed next to it. A photograph of the youngster had also been put on his wicker coffin at the top of the church. Pupils of CBS Charleville, dressed in their school uniforms, were among the mourners. Darragh is survived by his parents, his grandfather George Fehilly, grandmother Marie Byrne, and extended family and friends. Following the Mass a cremation service took place at Shannon Crematorium. In a post on social media earlier this week management at CBS Charleville said Darragh was much liked teachers and classmates alike. 'Darragh was a bright and uplifting presence in our school community – a gentle, kind hearted and considerate young person who radiated warmth and positivity,' it said. 'Whether in the classroom, walking our corridors, or spending times with his friends, he left a meaningful and lasting impact. His generous nature, intelligence and talent inspired all who knew him. 'Darragh will be missed deeply by his friends, his classmates, and all the staff here at CBS Charleville. His absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, and we will remember him with great affection and sorrow.' A file on his death is to be prepared for the Coroner and an inquest will take place at a later date.
