A statue is to be erected in Killarney commemorating Second World War hero Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, who risked his life to save over 6,500 Jewish people and British POWs from the Nazis in German-occupied Rome.

As plans to erect a monument in Killarney to renowned humanitarian Mgr Hugh O’Flaherty progress, a trip to Rome is being organised for devotees of the war hero.

TOURISM and business interests locally have warned the future of Kerry Airport could depend on the continuation of a government subsidy, through the Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract payment.

TRANSPORT Minister Noel Dempsey last night met nine of Kerry’s TDs and senators in Dublin in the wake of Ryanair’s decision to cut its Kerry/Dublin service.

HOPES are rising that the virtual disappearance of horse dung from the streets of Killarney could help the tourist haven win the top award in the national Tidy Towns competition.

KERRY is set to capitalise on the huge international publicity given to the 3 Irish Open Golf Championship, held in Killarney.

TOURISM and business interests in Killarney yesterday appealed to a group of local workers not go ahead with a decision to protest during the 3 Irish Open Golf Championship in the town, later this month.

AN experienced detective has been appointed to investigate the illegal poisoning of protected eagles in Co Kerry, Gardaí confirmed yesterday.

Some 75,000 golf fans are set to give Kerry a €30m tourism boost next year, business chiefs said today.

Freed aid worker Sharon Commins has been honoured with a humanitarian award.

IT MAY be a poor season, but top tourist town Killarney is “bullish” about the future, according to business leaders.

DRIVERS in Kerry have been urged to take special care during the August bank holiday, following a recent series of road deaths in the county.

A LEADING tourism figure in the south-west, who yesterday warned it would be a “tough year” as far as the American market is concerned, welcomed a new marketing initiative.

A NATIONAL route linking Cork and Kerry continues to be a key negative factor for tourists travelling to Killarney, it has been claimed.

IT’S an ill wind that doesn’t blow somebody some good, as a recreational facility in Kenmare discovered this summer.

AS the tourist season reaches its peak, the industry in Killarney was yesterday urged to use phosphate-free cleaning agents to protect the world-famous lakes, a renowned scenic attraction.

DESPITE objections from farmers, white-tailed sea eagles are to be introduced into Kerry this year.

KERRY councillor Michael Healy-Rae yesterday came under fire for “scaremongering” about plans to re-introduce white-tailed sea eagles to the south-west.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern and Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue have signed a petition supporting a plan to re-introduce white-tailed sea eagles to Kerry, it was revealed yesterday.

THE tourism industry, community organisations and conservationists came out strongly, at the weekend, in support of a controversial plan to reintroduce the white-tailed sea eagle to the south-west.

LIMERICK IT, who host this year’s Datapac Fitzgibbon Cup weekend, will be anxious to be involved but must first beat Cork IT in Saturday’s quarter-final.

KILLARNEY has been chosen to host an informal council meeting of the EU’s agriculture ministers from May 9-11 next year.