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Excitement at fever pitch at St Brendan’s College THE community is getting behind St Brendan’s College in the lead-up to its contesting the Senior Colleges Gaelic Football Final on Saturday, April 2. The team and management lined out yesterday (Thursday) for a press day at St Brendan’s College. Coach Garry McGrath praised the players highly, pointing to their “calm, understated approach and their sense of unity” as they approach the biggest game in the college sports calendar. All are invited to support the team in its bid for the Hogan Cup by donning your thinking caps and joining a monster table quiz in The Malton Hotel on Wednesday, March 30. The fundraiser, which is being organised by parents of students at the school, will support the final preparations of the college’s Hogan Cup team. Adult tables of four cost €40 while student tables are also available at €20. Tables for the quiz can be booked from the school office, on 064-6631021, or simply by coming to The Malton on Wednesday, March 30, at 8.30pm. The team will take on St Patrick’s College, Maghera, at 3pm on April 2 in Croke Park.
St Brendan's College football team manger Gary McGrath, left, and captain Dan O'Brien (extreme right) with squad members and selectors Arthur Fitzgerald and Hugh Rudden at a press briefing in advance of the Hogan Cup final against St. Pats Maghera, on Saturday, April 2, in Croke Park. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Killarney insurance business on the global stage LEADING Kerry insurance business JP Healy & Co Insurances Ltd, Killarney, has been hitting international headlines as it was profiled in prestigious financial magazine Acquisition International. John Healy, managing director of the New Street company, provides an in-depth feature in the publication, which is read in over 170 countries. JP Healy & Co Insurances Ltd previously featured in this magazine in early 2015. In the February 2016 edition, John Healy gives an overview of the insurance industry in Ireland. “The Irish insurance industry was frontpage news for the last quarter of 2015. Furthermore, latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures confirm that John Healy, MD, JP Healy car insurance rates increased by a whopping 31.1% & Co Insurances. to the year ending in December,” said John. “This increase was flagged since about February of 2015 and each month saw percentage increases tagged on. This is a huge increase, especially considering road traffic act cover is mandatory and cashstrapped customers are reeling from years of recession and austerity budgets. Unfortunately, we have seen further increases tagged on in January 2016 that have yet to be confirmed by the CSO.” So why is this happening and is there any end in sight? “The simple answer is that claims have increased. However, you need to drill down further into a statement like that to find the real information. For instance, in 2014 the limit for personal injury awards in the circuit court was increased from €38,000 to €64,000. This level of claims inflation was felt across the insurance market and was immediate,” he added. Mr Healy also outlines how the weather has also played a part in the industry. “Although we have been weathering storms financially, it is actual storms that severely affected us in the fourth quarter,” he said. Further rate increases appear to be on the way for 2016, he added. “I do hope we are the ceiling of these price pressures as any further increases could hamper our national economic recovery. However, there are some highly positive actions that could see fruition in 2016,” said Mr Healy.
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Killarney Advertiser 25.03.16
Michael Healy-Rae says he feels lucky to be alive after farm accident KERRY TD Michael Healy-Rae has spoken this week about how he feels lucky to be alive after a farm accident. Deputy Healy-Rae was cornered by the cow and pinned between the slats of a holding pen. The last thing Deputy Healy-Rae remembers about the incident on Sunday is lying on the ground with the cow standing on his face. His son Kevin and neighbour John Joe Reilly rushed to his aid. If not for that, the outcome would have been fatal, he believes. Deputy Healy-Rae sustained badly bruised ribs in the attack but miraculously escaped major damage to his face and head. The Kerry TD said his experience underlined the importance of farm safety awareness. On his release from hospital on Tuesday, the Independent TD thanked all who had helped him in recent days. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank so much everyone who has been so kind to me over the last number of days since my accident,” he said. Thanking the management and staff in Cork University Hospital as well as the Gardaí who provided support on Sunday, he said: “The extent of my injuries is not too serious – just a few fractured ribs – but I will just have to take it easy for a number of days.” Deputy Michael Healy-Rae pictured recuperating at home in Kilgarvan. PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE