A HEATED war of words has erupted between Killarney and Tralee over which town will host the count for the forthcoming general election.
For previous polls, counts were held in both locations as Kerry South and Kerry North were separate three-seat constituencies but the county is now a single five-seat base.
Tralee councillors insist that, as the county town, the count should be held there but Killarney has also lobbied for approval claiming the town has facilities more suited to catering for crowds.
There have been complaints that the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre and the John Mitchels GAA Clubhouse in Tralee – where the counts were held for the 2014 local elections – were not ideal because there was no hot food available to candidates, their supporters and other observers. Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae complained that the venue even ran out of milk for tea during the last local elections.
“They have a fine swimming pool and a gym and a basketball court but it should be used for what it was built for.
“You’re on your feet for 14 or 15 hours and the best you could get is tea without milk or a cold bar of chocolate. It’s just not good enough,” he said.
He maintained that a hotel would be a much more suitable venue as, at least, hot food would be available throughout the day and night.
Cllr Healy-Rae said a venue like the Gleneagle Hotel or the Malton Hotel in Killarney would be perfect as they have ample parking, sufficient space and professional catering.
But Sinn Fein councillor, Pa Daly, insists that Tralee is the obvious choice and that a town centre hotel, like the Brandon, would be ideal.
“It’s a no brainer. Tralee has been kicked around for the past couple of years and it could do with a boost,” he said.
Cllr Daly said the cost of hiring a venue should not be a factor as the difference between a town centre hotel and a sports complex would only be “a couple of hundred of euro”.
The ultimate decision on the venue will be left to Kerry County Registrar, Padraig Burke, who said there are a number of factors to consider, including the availability of premises, car parking, access, catering and other facilities.
He is currently assessing a number of potential venues but he insisted that Tralee’s county town status would not be his chief consideration when choosing the venue.
Given the nature of the new-look five-seat constituency this year’s Kerry count is likely to last for two if not three days.
