A round-up of today’s other stories in brief
Work to get under way on €4.2m eco-tourism nature park in Tralee
A contract for the first phase of a €4.2 million eco-tourism nature and activity park in Tralee Bay was signed yesterday at Tralee Town Council,
writes Ann Lucey.
Work on the Lee Valley Project, which will feature a nature park, an artificial lake with boats, and a train platform, is due to begin in the coming days.
The park, on the main Tralee to Dingle road, will link with other projects completed in the 1990s such as the restoration of the windmill at Blennerville and the old railway steam train, which will run through the new park.
Offaly protest over fire stations
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Tullamore, Co Offaly, yesterday in response to the standing down of three of the county's eight fire stations, writes Eoghan MacConnell.
Representatives from Daingean, Banagher and Kilcormac criticised the county council's decision to stand down the stations. They fear it may lead to the loss of their fire services.
Daingean and Banagher stations were stood down on Thursday, Kilcormac's earlier this year. Citing health and safety, financing and manning issues, the council first suggested closing the stations last year.
At yesterday's protest Johnny Dunne from Daingean said the losses would have serious implications for the safety of the community.
French actor to get Irish award
The French actor Juliette Binoche is to receive this year's Maureen O'Hara award at the Kerry Film Festival, it has been announced, and festival organisers have confirmed she will travel to Tralee to receive it,
writes Anne Lucey.
Irish actor Brenda Fricker is a previous winner.
The award-giving will take place at the Kerry Film Festival Awards Ceremony in Siamsa Tíre in Tralee on Saturday, November 6th, at 4pm. The Kerry Film Festival runs from October 30th to November 6th.