A pact between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour yesterday ensured the election of FG Cllr Pat McCarthy as chairman of Kerry County Council.

Calls have been made for a crackdown on "sinister elements’’ allegedly involved in a protection racket at a fair in a top tourist town.

Gardaí are leading an initiative to crack down on alcohol misuse in Kerry, in particular underage drinking and drink-related crime.

MORE than 1,000 passengers have already booked to travel on the ferry MV Julia, which will ply the Cork-Swansea route from March 1.