Latest news with #Tralee
Irish Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Michael Healy Rae's property management firm records over €840,000 in profit over two years
A property management firm owned by Independent TD Michael Healy Rae has recorded combined profits of €841,908 over a two-year period. That is according to new accounts filed by the Kerry TD's Roughty Properties Ltd which show the company recorded post-tax profits of €376,048 in the 12 months to the end of May 2024. Accounts lodged last week by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture's property company showed it recorded a €465,860 post tax profitfrom May 9th, 2022 to May 31st, 2023. The profits for the two periods add up to a combined €841,908 post tax profit. READ MORE Mr Healy Rae's entry in the Dáil Register of Members' Interests statesthe firm's main activity is 'management of rental properties'. He describes himself in the register as an owner of rental properties and lists 17 separate properties for letting, including 14 houses. Separate figures published by the Department of Childrenshow Mr Healy Rae's Rosemont House in Tralee, which is used to house Ukrainian refugees, has received €1.22 million over two years and three months to the end of December last. In 2022, Kerry County Council refused planning permission to Roughty Properties Ltd's planning application for a three storey extension to expand the Rosemont Guest House. The property firm is now Mr Healy Rae's most profitable enterprise.
Irish Examiner
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kerry SFL: Austin Stacks and Kerins O'Rahillys clash to decide title
This year's Kerry County League Division 1 title will be decided when Austin Stacks and Kerins O'Rahillys clash in the second last round at Connolly Park. Both sides are locked at top of the table on fifteen points each. It looks like a winner takes all game as both will be playing teams positioned towards the foot of the table in their final match. Stacks travelled to Beaufort who are battling relegation and emerged victorious 1-20 to 1-16. It was level after the opening quarter at 0-5 each. Fergal Hallissey was accurate from placed balls for the home side while Ferdia O'Brien (2), Brendan O'Sullivan and Sean Quilter had scored for Stacks. The Tralee side stretched 0-11 to 0-17 clear by the 25th minute thanks to two Ryan O'Driscoll points from play, and a two-point free and a close-in free from Quilter. They looked in control. But Beaufort, thanks to a Hallissey free and a goal from Ger Hartnett, saw the sides retire 1-9 to 0-12 at the interval and it was all to play for. Stacks were two clear by the 40th minute thanks to two Joe Reidy points, 0-15 to 1-10, when disaster struck for Beaufort when Sean Coffey, now playing outfield, picked up a yellow card following a clash with Ryan O'Driscoll. He then received a black and Beaufort were reduced to 14 players. But Beaufort refused to throw in the towel and Liam Carey fired over a two-pointer to level the contest 1-14 to 0-17 in the 59th minute. But Stacks finished the stronger with a Ferdia O'Brien goal and a point, and a point each from Ryan O'Driscoll and Joe Reidy. Stacks escaped to victory despite a late Fergal Hallissey two-pointer which brought his total to 0-9. Kerins O'Rahilly's had things far easier against a depleted Rathmore who were not only missing their county players but also those gone to the US. The Tralee club won as they liked on 6-15 to 2-10. O'Rahillys led 4-4 to 1-5 at half-time thanks to a brace of goals each from Conor Hayes and Darragh O'Connor despite an Alan Dineen goal from play for Rathmore. Ciaran Collins was waging a one-man battle for Rathmore but early second half two-pointers from O'Connor and Tom Hoare removed all doubt while O'Connor completed his hat-trick as the Tralee side moved 5-11 to 1-7 clear by the 46th minute. O'Rahillys cruised to a 17-point win. Glenflesk travelled to Glenbeigh to play the locals and they beat them 1-21 to 1-10 with a power-packed second half. This result means that Glenbeigh/Glencar are relegated but they fought hard in the opening half and trailed 1-10 to 1-6 with Callum Cronin and the Roche brothers Darragh and Dylan on the scoresheet. Glenbeigh could only manage four points in the second half while Tommy Bowler kicked three two-pointers and Darragh Roche continued to find the target. Glenflesk move to 10 points in fifth spot. In a relegation four-pointer, Laune Rangers managed to beat Ballymacelligott 2-16 to 1-14 but neither side are safe with Ballymac needing a miracle to stay up as they play Legion and Crokes, along with Beaufort, in their final games. There was nothing in the game at the interval with Rangers leading 1-7 to 0-9. A John Tyther goal from a penalty was the difference at the break with Niall Collins, Aidan Breen and a two-pointer from Donal Daly keeping Ballymac in touch. A point each from Eoin and Darragh Clifford and a two-pointer from Tyther pushed Rangers four clear but a Jack Joy two-pointer offered Ballymac hope. But then once Daire Cleary struck for a Rangers goal, they always controlled the game. Dr Crokes, who will probably have to settle for third place this year, won the Killarney derby by a point, beating Killarney Legion 1-11 to 0-13 with David Shaw kicking some fine second half scores. Crokes led by the minimum at half time, 1-6 to 0-8. Brian Looney, who lined out at midfield for Dr Crokes, kicked two points including the final score of the game. Kilcummin beat Spa 1-21 to 2-11 and that means Spa are still not safe. Philip O'Leary got the all important goal for the winners.
BreakingNews.ie
07-06-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Saturday Sport: Limerick face Cork in Munster final, Leinster take on Glasgow in URC
GAA Cork will bid to prevent Limerick from claiming a seventh successive Munster hurling title this evening. John Kiely has made just one change for the defending champions, with Aidan O'Connor named for his first Championship start. Advertisement The Rebels, meanwhile, have Rob Downey named on the bench, with Damien Cahalane and Diarmuid Healy both starting. Throw-in at the Gaelic Grounds is at 6. The Tailteann Cup reaches the knockout stages this afternoon. Offaly take on New York in their preliminary quarter-final clash at Glenisk O'Connor Park from 2. Advertisement At 5 o'clock, Westmeath and Laois duke it out at Cusack Park. There's a double-header of All-Ireland minor football quarter-finals at O'Moore Park, Right now, Kerry lead Cavan by 6 point to 5 in Portlaoise, Next up, Tyrone and Cork do battle at 1.45. Advertisement While Roscommon and Louth contest today's other last-eight tie in Breffni Park, where throw-in is at 7. The Kerry women's team begin their All-Ireland Football title defence this afternoon. Mayo are the visitors to Tralee for a Round 1 encounter, which gets underway at 2. At the same time, Galway meet Tipperary in Tuam, while Meath welcome Armagh to Páirc Tailteann an hour later. Advertisement It's Round Three of the All-Ireland Camogie Championship this afternoon. Clare welcome Limerick to Ennis at 2 o'clock, while at the same time, Dublin face Kilkenny at Parnell Park. Two games throw-in at 4 - Waterford take on Derry, while winless Wexford are at home to Tipperary. Rugby Leinster will look to book their place in a first-ever URC final this afternoon. Advertisement Leo Cullen's side host defending champions Glasgow Warriors at the Aviva Stadium. Kick-off is at 2.45. It's an all-South African affair in the other semi-final, with the Bulls hosting the Sharks in Pretoria from 5.15. Athletics Sarah Healy claimed the first Diamond League win of her career in the women's 1500 metres in Rome last night. The Dubliner put in a sensational run in the final 100 metres to edge out the Australian duo of Sarah Billings and Abbey Caldwell in a time of 3:59.1-7. Elsewhere, Cathal Doyle ran a personal best in the men's 15-hundred, for a fourteenth place finish at the Stadio Olimpico. Golf Lauren Walsh remains in a one-shot lead midway through her third round at the Tenerife Women's Open. The Kildare woman is one-over-par for the day, moving back to eight-under. Shane Lowry is four shots off the lead heading into Day Three of the Canadian Open. The Clara native carded 68 yesterday to sit in a tie for seventh on eight-under - he's out on course just after 6 Irish Time. Cam Champ leads the way at the midway point on 12-under. Rory McIlroy missed the cut yesterday after a disastrous second-round 78 saw him finish on nine-over
BreakingNews.ie
05-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Healy-Rae company linked to refugee accommodation records bumper post-tax profits
A property management firm linked to Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae's guesthouse accommodating Ukrainian refugees recorded bumper post-tax profits in 2023. Mr Healy-Rae, the Independent TD for Kerry, was appointed earlier this year as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with special responsibility for forestry. Advertisement New accounts filed by Mr Healy-Rae's Roughty Properties Ltd show it recorded a €465,860 post-tax profit during its first year in operation from May 9th, 2022, to May 31st, 2023. The abridged accounts do not disclose revenues but they do show that at the end of May 2023, the company's cash funds totalled €555,933. The overdue accounts were filed after a district court order dated May 13th this year extended time in which the annual return could be lodged with the Companies Office. The annual return shows that Mr Healy-Rae owns 100 per cent of the share capital of the company. The Kerry TD's entry in the Dáil Register of Members' Interests state that the main activity of Roughty Properties Ltd is "management of rental properties". Advertisement In the register, Mr Healy-Rae describes himself as an owner of rental properties and his entry lists 17 separate properties for letting including 14 houses. Separate figures published by the Department of Integration show that Mr Healy-Rae's Rosemont House in Tralee has received €1.22 million over two years and three months to the end of December last year. In 2022, Kerry County Council refused planning permission to Mr Healy-Rae's Roughty Properties Ltd's planning application for a three-storey extension to expand guest capacity at Rosemont Guest House. The new accounts confirm that the Roughty property firm is now Mr Healy-Rae's most profitable enterprise. Advertisement Separate accounts filed earlier this year by Mr Healy-Rae's plant hire firm, Roughty Plant Hire Ltd, show that its accumulated profits increased by €74,887 from €734,024 to €808,911 in the 12 months to the end of April 2024. The post-tax €74,887 profit at the plant hire services business for the 12 months was an 80 per cent increase on the €41,415 post tax profit for the prior 12 months. During the 12 months the company's cash funds more than doubled from €198,748 to €434,224. Numbers employed at the Kilgarvan based business during the year declined from 12 to five. Advertisement Ireland Family of woman who died after being hit by Healy-... Read More Separate accounts for another Michael Healy-Rae firm, which operates a fuel station and grocery shop in Kilgarvan, show it recorded post-tax losses of €26,986 last year. Accounts for Black Cap & Company Ltd show that the firm recorded the post-tax losses of €26,986 in the 12 months to the end of April 2024 are down sharply on the post-tax losses of €67,583 in the prior year. Last year, numbers employed by the business declined by one to 15, including directors. The company operates from a building housing a shop at Kilgarvan village. Mr Healy-Rae's entry to the Dáil's members' register of interests lists his other occupations as postmaster, farmer, service station owner and owner of rental properties. The Kerry deputy also has shares in the New York Times and owns 146 acres of farmland/forestry.
Irish Times
05-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Ireland is like the paradox of Schrödinger's cat: a wet country that has too little water
Debates about whether we need 50,000 new houses a year, as the Government says, or 93,000, as some analysts say, are arguably pointless: neither total is possible as there simply isn't the water there to supply them, or to process their waste. Just 30,000 to 35,000 new houses can be supplied each year for the foreseeable future according to Uisce Éireann . Quite the gap. In 2013, Irish Water – as it was called – inherited a severely neglected water infrastructure system. The average age of a water pipe is about 75 years – double the European average – and leaky as a Government backbencher. At about 37 per cent, our water leakage levels are among the highest in western Europe due to these ageing underground pipes and a legacy of fragmented ownership of the network with historically variable levels of maintenance. Tralee alone loses 6.5 million litres a day in leaks, enough water for a town twice its size. Ireland also uses a lot of water compared to the rest of Europe, 1.7 billion litres daily, with domestic usage accounting for two-thirds of this and non-domestic consumers the balance. Uisce Éireann is expecting non-domestic demand in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) to increase by 67 per cent by 2040. READ MORE As in housing, geography matters. While the west and south of the country has more rainfall and better water supplies, it is in the east of the country that demand is intensifying, exactly where rainfall is lower and river systems are smaller. About 80 per cent of our drinking water comes from rivers and lakes with the remainder from groundwater, mostly in rural areas. The GDA, with 40 per cent of the country's population, relies heavily on Vartry reservoir and the Liffey, the latter of which supplies 85 per cent of Dublin city's water. Such a narrow base of water supply means systemic vulnerability in case of drought or peak demand. At the same time, population growth means that domestic water demand across the country will increase by 26 per cent to 2044. [ Fixing 'known' water system issues will take until 2050 and cost up to €60bn, says Uisce Éireann ] In the east, the demand for drinking water will increase by 45 per cent to 800 million litres a day in the GDA by 2040, vastly exceeding current capacity. Two-thirds of towns and villages do not have the 'infrastructural headroom' to support new development without upgrades, which is essential for rural revitalisation. We also need to deal with wastewater. More than half of our wastewater treatment plants are not always compliant with their licences, and Ireland has been in continuous breach of various parts of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for more than 30 years. In rural areas, more than half the septic tanks inspected last year failed. Just 1,390 of nearly 500,000 were tested, meaning significant risks for surface and groundwater quality. Various studies have noted evidence of faecal contamination in rural wells. There are solutions, the quickest of which is to change usage behaviour and the quickest way to do that is to charge for water. That didn't go down well the last time it was tried. Tánaiste Simon Harris recently promised the Government will not introduce water charges, although he also promised we'd complete 40,000 houses last year. The actual number of new homes completed was 30,330. There is a plan to charge for 'excess' water and wastewater usage (above 213,000 litres per average household annually), but there's no timeline or legislation yet for its introduction. Behavioural interventions like awareness campaigns are also useful: more nudge, less sludge. Better planning decisions about where new housing is allowed to integrate water supply and output also have a role. Rainwater and downpipe harvesting should be part of every new house. Fixing leaks and upgrading existing infrastructure are, however, key. Uisce Éireann spends €250 million a year reducing leaks from 46 per cent in 2018 and is aiming for 25 per cent by 2030. The proposed 170km Shannon pipeline to serve the east and midlands will take 350 million litres a day from the Parteen Basin near Birdhill, Co Tipperary. Without this pipeline, there will be no new housing or commercial water connections in the GDA, which will have significant implications for the national economy, the delivery of housing, social equality and sustainable patterns of development. [ Renters forking out €2,000 per month are paying the price for water charges debacle ] This will cost money, which goes to the heart of the issue: successive governments, all of which contained parties of the current Government, have repeatedly underfunded water infrastructure, exactly as they have housing, in both instances expecting the private sector to do the heavy lifting for them. Whereas expensive and volatile private sector reliance has grown exponentially in housing, no private sector involvement in water infrastructure has happened. Maybe no harm. Across the Irish Sea, privatisation of water in England has led to increased shareholder profits and directors' remuneration, and worse leakage and poorer quality water. In housing, ministers castigate local authorities for not doing enough at the same time as cutting funding. In water, there are announcements of increased funding, but as in housing, this is not always new funding, but recycled old funding. Indeed, Uisce Éireann's chairman recently accused the Government of allowing misleading messages of additional funding to permeate ' within Government circles, industry and the general public ', even though there was no additional funding (while politicians simultaneously blame Uisce Éireann for shortages). Pretend money – particularly annually allocated pretend money – won't solve our water supply issue. A wealthy but still penny-wise pound-foolish Government hasn't made the link between functioning infrastructure and housing output, and indeed climate. As a result, Ireland is now the geographical manifestation of Schrödinger's cat: a wet country that is at the same time lacking in water for new housing; a country with numerous energy-hungry data centres, but also a looming potential shortage of electricity for new houses; and more than 15,500 homeless in a country with over 160,000 vacant homes. You'd have to wonder whether anyone is in charge. Dr Lorcan Sirr is senior lecturer in housing at the Technological University Dublin
