Gardaí in Tralee are investigating criminal damage to the town’s Christmas crib, in which the figure of St Joseph was subjected to a violent attack in the early hours of Sunday.

Rare images of Tralee in the 1860s, believed to be the earliest-ever of Kerry’s county town, will form part of a two-day conference to explore the complex and “eventful” 800-year-old history of the Anglo-Norman settlement.

A 2.3-acre site in the historic heart of Tralee is set to become a catalyst for the wider revitalisation of the town.

A joint approach from politicians in Cork and Kerry has been urged to progress a bypass route on the main road linking the counties.

The eldest daughter of the Kerry Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae has lost out in her bid to take over the chair of the municipal district of Killarney.

Spontaneous and warm tributes by councillors and management were yesterday paid to Irish Examiner journalist Donal Hickey at his last county council meeting after almost half a century.

Kerry County Council plans to spend €62m in providing 1,058 housing units in the next three years.

Despite warnings from senior management, members of Kerry County Council yesterday unanimously voted to include what are claimed to be two long-established rights-of-way in a county development plan.

Concern has been voiced by the public spending watchdog about more than €300,000 spent by the Institute of Technology, Tralee, on consultant fees for the design of the Kerry Sports Academy without capital funding for the project being in place.

A local authority is taking a lead in trying to end the "scourge" of many church-goers being intimidated by some political parties taking up annual cash collections.

Not even the rise of Sinn Féin, which took the last seat in South and West Kerry and out-polled Labour in the Killarney area, could dwarf the gigantic performance of the Healy-Rae organisation.

A new chairman of Institute of Technology Tralee has yet to be appointed by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, 12 weeks after Flan Garvey announced he would be stepping down from job.

Cork County Council has defended the quality of its coastal bathing water, blaming a more stringent marking criteria and the wettest summer for 50 years on the loss of Blue Flag status on four beaches.

The true grit of the men from Currow is legendary in rugby circles.

A bid by Kerry councillors to let motorists in rural areas break drink-drive laws has been condemned by alcohol-awareness groups.

The chairman of Institute of Technology Tralee has handed over his duties on the governing body while claims he plagiarised other people’s work for a degree at the college are investigated.

Kerry could earn an additional €150m from The Gathering next year, according to the tourism industry.

A two-year campaign to enforce the derelict sites act in Kerry’s county town is also targeting unfinished housing sites along with well-established eyesores.

Basic services such as water, waste, housing, and roads will bear the brunt of €1.3m in government cuts to Kerry County Council.

Four mayors yesterday protested at what they described as “exhorbitant” parking charges at Kerry General Hospital, Tralee.

INDEPENDENT presidential candidate Mary Davis looks guaranteed to make it to the ballot paper this autumn after securing the support of two more councils, Kerry and north Tipperary.

IN a bid to boost business during the Christmas shopping period, a number of towns in Kerry have reduced or removed parking charges.

The Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague resumes this weekend with in-from UCC Demons making the trip to the capital to face DCU Saints, while DART Killester host Limerick Lions hoping to maintain their fine start to the season.

Sinn Féin’s Martin Ferris has been returned in Kerry North to join poll-topper Jimmy Deenihan.

AN election poll in Kerry North has suggested Sinn Féin’s Martin Ferris could lose a sizeable amount of his 2002 vote.

THE nurses’ dispute is set for a major escalation if the Health Service Executive (HSE) goes ahead with its threat to cut nurses’ pay by 20% next week.

TWO candidates are preparing to do a U-turn on a retail store controversy which has become an emerging election issue in north Kerry.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has picked up two awards in the Magill Politician of the Year awards.

A RETAIL park for Tralee has been turned down by Kerry County Council.

THE Evening Echo Cork Co SFC commenced over the weekend and Douglas got just the start to the new campaign they desired at Ballyanley on Saturday.

STRIKE action by security staff which forced the cancellation yesterday of 18 operations at Waterford Regional Hospital was called off last night after a meeting between SIPTU and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

SO close they can almost touch it. Midleton face St Flannan’s at Ennis tomorrow in the Harty Cup final and want to end 11 years of waiting.

IT doesn’t look anything like a conventional council estate. It even has solar panels on roofs that top buildings of varied shapes and sizes. It’s more like a housing development of the future.

TAXI drivers in Tralee have called for extra gardaí to be put on duty in the town at night to curb public disorder.

DESPITE reservations by residents of the select Ballyard area of Tralee, the town council is to proceed with plans to build 85 social houses there.

‘HITLER’ taunts were shouted at county councillors yesterday who refused to give Dana Rosemary Scanlon a nomination to contest the Presidential election.

THE Sasha chain of ladies fashion stores has been bought by Cork-based Dynasty Accessories in a deal believed to be worth at least €10 million. The combined group will employ more than 400 and generate annual sales of more than €50m.

COUNCILLORS in Tralee have called on Circuit Court Judge Brian Curtin to resign from his position.

Donal Hickey

TRALEE Mayor Terry O’Brien was yesterday holding out little hope that his council will be saved from dissolution, after failing to adopt a budget for 2004.

AS one blooming bunch of roses is about to arrive in Tralee for the annual rose festival, another is disappearing from the town’s park.

They began betting on the worst excesses of the bad weather this weekend.