Moreclarityneededonroadworks
MORE clarity is now needed on funding for local road projects according to Fine Gael Councillor Patrick O’Connor-Scarteen.
Following an online meeting last week of councillors from the Kenmare Municipal District to discuss road projects, the Kenmare councillor is calling for clarity on the future of local improvement schemes. Funding is provided to local authorities for this scheme for works on rural roads.
Councillors from the Kenmare Municipal District will meet this week to pass the roads budget for the year. This is a statutory function of councillors as Kerry County Council look to the future and return to work on projects.
Councillors have been informed that road projects funded by the Government in the Kenmare Municipal District will go ahead, but clarity is still needed on local improvements schemes across the county, and these may depend on the finances of the council and the necessary Government funding following the COVID-19 crisis.
“There are around 800 applicants for local improvement schemes. This is a big measure for rural Ireland,” said Cllr O’Connor-Scarteen.
GARDAÍ discovered cannabis plants growing within an elaborately rigged-out tent in a room in a North Kerry home – in one of two raids connected to drug supply in the greater area in the week.
Over €17,000-worth of drugs was uncovered in the raid of a premises in the Abbeydorney area on May 8 last, gardaí said.
Gardaí from the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit, assisted by Gardaí from the Tralee District and the Southern Region Dog Unit, executed a search warrant before entering the building.
During their search the gardaí discovered a tent set-up in one of the bedrooms, and within it found €7,200-worth of cannabis plants, all growing under an elaborate system of fans, heat lamps and ventilation.
The officers also found €2,100-worth of cannabis herb in other rooms, as well as €700 of cocaine, €7,100 in cash and a small quantity of Xanax tablets, a prescription tranquilliser.
The gardaí seized all the drugs and related paraphernalia including two weighing scales and zip-lock bags.
Nobody was arrested in relation to the discovery but a file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Meanwhile, gardaí smashed another link in the drug supply chain into North Kerry and West Limerick with a raid of a house in Shanagolden two days prior to the Abbeydorney operation – on May 6.
A man was arrested at the scene with over €13,000 in drugs, cash and counterfeit cash seized.
Gardaí said the move on the house was part of an ‘ ongoing operation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the West Limerick and North Kerry areas’.
The warrant and subsequent search was executed by gardaí from the Newcastle West District Drugs Unit – on Main Street in Shanagolden at around 3pm. €4,900 of suspected cocaine, €7,000 in cash and €520 of counterfeit cash was seized, as was a car and a false driving licence. A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene, but has since been released without charge. A file is being prepared for the DPP. A follow-up search of a house in Abbeyfeale uncovered €700-worth of cocaine. Gardaí also seized a car at that premises.
No arrest was made, but gardaí said they are following a definite line of inquiry.