The latest radio listenership figures show a further significant increase in listenership to Radio Kerry. JNLR figures published today shows that the station now has a market share of 55.6% in Kerry, an 11% increase on the same period last year. The stations market share is more than 5 times higher than its next nearest rival RTE 1 at 11%, 2fm at 10% and Spin South West at 9.9% 91,000 people in Kerry now listen to Radio Kerry on a weekly basis.

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association are warning Kerry businesses of a scam involving a tourism directory. ISME says this county and others which rely on the tourism industry are being targeting by the scam artists who invite them to list their business in the directory. Chief Executive of the group Mark Fielding is warning businesses to be wary of such offers this summer.

A Kerry woman has won the Best Dressed Ladies Competition at the Galway Races. Ann Marie O'Leary from Camp in County Kerry won the prize for her vintage style ivory fitted dress with shoulder bow details by Karen Moriarty. Her hat was designed by Tralee based Carol Kennelly, and is an antique sequinned vintage inspired hat in bronze gold with chrysanthemums blooms. Ann Marie's won a prize package worth over 12 thousand euro to include a one carrot diamond solitaire pendant, a shopping spree for 1 thousand 500 euro in Anthony Ryan's and 1,000 euro cash. Ann Marie was absolutely delighted to win especially as it's her 40th birthday today, she describes her dress.

Tralee Fire brigade along with Banna Rescue put out a sand hill fire in Banna this afternoon. This is the fourth such fire in the last month. Gardai are investigating a similar fire which took place on Monday. There was no damage to property in these incidents. A spokesperson for the fire service says sand hill fires are common at this time of year and asks people to remain vigilant.

Parental apathy is part of the problem in relation to an increase in juvenile crime in Kerry. The first ever court date to deal with young offenders is taking place at Tralee Courthouse today. The majority of those appearing are teenage boys between 16 and 17 years of age. Solicitor Pat Mann is representing some of the youths at today's court date.

He says many juveniles who come before the courts begin with drunk and disorderly charges, which can lead onto more serious offences such as assault and mugging. Mr Mann doesn't see the rise in youth crime declining anytime soon:

he Health Minister says the ongoing saga surrounding the delayed opening of Dingle Hospital isn't a matter for her. North Kerry Fine Gael Deputy Jimmy Deenihan approached the Minister after it emerged the facility was to remain closed. The Dingle Community Hospital was due to open last Tuesday however this was postponed to allow time for the HSE to complete the required registration process for the Health Information and Quality Authority. It means the transfer of 43 older people from the existing hospital has been delayed.

The office of the Health Minister Mary Harney told Deputy Jimmy Deenihan the issue is very much a matter for HIQA. Although the Authority couldn't give Deputy Deenihan a specific date for the completion of the process it says its conscious of the requirement and need for the facility. Local Councillors including Brendan Griffin and Seamus Cosai Fitzgerald have also been calling for the urgent opening of the hospital. Councillor Griffin was disappointed with the response he got to a letter he wrote to the Health Minister asking her to ensure HIQA would prioritise this case.

A former director of Fáilte Ireland feels we need to watch the cost of playing golf in this country. Paidi O'Se was speaking as the 3 Irish Open began in Killarney today. An estimated eight thousand people are expected to attend the four day event at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club.

It's hoped the television coverage of the event will attract more tourists to the county in the coming seasons. Paidi O'Se says not everyone coming to Ireland can afford to play golf at the expensive rates.

The HSE is currently assessing the proposed appointment of a Consultant Rheumatologist at Kerry General Hospital. It says it's hoped the position will be approved shortly by the Consultant Appointment Unit, which regulates the number and type of consultant posts. If approved, it'll be advertised through the Public Appointments Service.

Currently, rheumatology services at Kerry General Hospital are provided by a visiting consultant from Cork once a month. Recently, the HSE made arrangements to have 50 people on the current outpatient list to be dealt with through the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

The British Ambassador is visiting Killarney today. Julian King will be given a guided tour of Muckross House at 2pm; having accepted an invitation from the Board of Trustees to visit the historic landmark. Last month, the Taoiseach extended an official invitation to Queen Elizabeth, which could see the monarch coming to Ireland before November next year, the 150th anniversary of Queen Victoria's visit to the area.

Udaras na Gaeltachta should be left intact in any government cutbacks according to Keel/ Castlemaine native and Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Pat Carey. The Bord Snip group has recommended that the functions of Udaras na Gaeltachta be given to Enterprise Ireland. It estimates that this would save the tax payer almost 7 million euro a year.

Minister Carey said that Udaras has experience of creating jobs in Gaeltacht areas and should be left intact to continue its work. He was speaking at an Oireachtas Joint Committee which is developing a 20 year strategy for the Irish Language.

Over 200 Liebherr workers are staging a protest this morning as the 3 Irish Open begins in Killarney.
It's due to the company's plans to close during the golf tournament.
Liebherr Container Cranes says it's closing today and tomorrow to facilitate car parking for the 3 Irish Open, but this means workers have to take two days holidays.
The company says the large numbers expected to attend the 3 Irish Open in Killarney, and the ensuing traffic congestion will lead to difficulties with deliveries, movement of parts, and the ability of employees to commute to and from work.
Liebherr insists it's not breaching any employee agreements.
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has harshly criticised the decision of Liebherr staff to protest.
SIPTU, which represents some of the workers, says while the demonstration is regrettable, workers are being forced to lose out on two days holidays.
The protest began at 8am and is continuing until 12noon outside the 3 Irish Open at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club.

Calls are being made for producers to enter their products into Dingle's Blas Na hEireann All-Ireland Food Awards.
The Dingle Peninsula Food and Wine Festival takes place from October 1st to 3rd, and the deadline for entries into the awards is August 2nd.
There are up to 30 categories for producers to enter, with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals being handed out for the finest produce in each.