Thurles Information

Superhero Litter Of 15 Pups Born To Parents Omma & Mango In Tipperary.

“Superhero litter” of 15 pups born in Tipperary as Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland marks record milestone

Two-Mile-Borris Correspondent Mr Gerry Bowe Reports:-

Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) has welcomed a record-breaking litter of 15 Labrador puppies; nine males and six females, born to proud parents Omma and Mango at a foster home in Leigh, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co Tipperary.
The puppies arrived between 4:00am and 1:00pm on October 22nd at the home of Mr/Mrs Robert and Bridget [nee Kerwin (formerly Moycarkey Thurles)] Hayes, thus marking the largest litter in the charity’s personal history.

**Mr Robert & Mrs Bridget Hayes, Leigh, Two-Mile- Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**
*Photo Courtesy Ms Sophie Duchaney*.

Affectionately dubbed the “Superhero Litter”, each puppy has been named after a superhero to reflect the life-changing role many of them may one day play for autistic children and their families: Marvel, Phoenix, Harley, Rogue, Storm, Wanda, Peter, Rocket, Falcon, Groot, Loki, Flash, Thor, Hulk and Dara.

“Every puppy born here has the potential to become someone’s superhero,” said Ms Elaine Cannon, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland Brood Programme Manager.

**Pic Shows: Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) members Ms Elaine Cannon, Ms Sarah Murphy, Ms Jessica Santos, Mrs Bridget Hayes, and Ms Rose Hurley.**
*Photo Courtesy Ms Sophie Duchaney*.

Behind the milestone is a quieter story of nights interrupted and hands-on care: AADI said volunteer puppy raisers Bridget and Robert Kirwan, opened their home to Omma and her litter during the crucial early weeks, helping ensure each pup was warm, fed and thriving.

The celebration comes amid sharply rising need. AADI says it has seen a 53% increase in interest over the past two years, with more than 1,000 families expressing interest in 2025 alone’ but without direct government funding, the charity could only commit to supporting 38 families.

“An assistance dog isn’t just a companion; it’s a lifeline,” Ms Cannon said, pointing to the daily barriers many autistic children face in ordinary outings and public spaces.

AADI estimates each dog costs €25,000 to train and is provided free of charge to families; the organisation says it has delivered 138 assistance dogs since its founding, while demand continues to grow.

One puppy, Dara, carries a special tribute. The name honours Dara Kissane from Castledermot, Co Kildare, whose family fundraiser has raised €25,474 for AADI.

AADI CEO Ms Nuala Geraghty said: “By supporting us, you’re not just making a donation, you’re giving a child independence and helping families live more freely together.”

Work Of Mid-West Health Campaigners Pays Off.

Clare Fine Gael TD Mr Joe Cooney has welcomed Health Minister Mrs Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill’s confirmation that the Government will proceed with all three HIQA options to expand hospital capacity in the Mid-West, while paying tribute to hospital and health service campaign groups across the wider Mid-West region for their sustained advocacy.

Deputy Cooney said the Minister’s decision represents a significant milestone that would not have been reached without the persistence and commitment of local campaigners.

“I want to acknowledge and pay tribute to the hospital and health service campaign groups in Clare and right across the Mid-West who have worked tirelessly over many years to keep the pressure on and to ensure the voices of patients, families and frontline staff were heard,” he said.
“In my year since becoming a member of Dáil Éireann, and previously during my time as a member of Clare County Council, I have witnessed at first hand the relentless, science-driven and people-centred approach adopted by these campaign groups. Their advocacy has always been grounded in evidence, focused on patient outcomes and carried out with dignity and determination.”

Deputy Cooney said the Minister’s statement also reflects the collaborative political effort undertaken in recent weeks across the Mid-West.

“Over recent weeks, I initiated a grouping of TDs and Senators from across Tipperary, Clare, and Limerick to build political consensus on the options for delivering healthcare services in the Mid-West, as outlined in the HIQA review of urgent and emergency care services,” he said.

“The group met on three occasions, including a detailed engagement with the HSE Mid-West management team, a meeting with the Mid-West Patient and Service Users Council, and a final meeting with the Minister and her officials,” he explained. “There was unanimous agreement among the 14 Oireachtas members that all three HIQA options must be progressed in parallel to relieve the ongoing and unacceptable pressure at University Hospital Limerick.”

In its presentation to the Health Minister and her officials last month, the group fully endorsed a three-tier approach to expanding hospital capacity across the region, which is what has been announced this week. The group held a further meeting with the Minister following her announcement.

Deputy Cooney added that while immediate and medium-term delivery is essential, planning for the long-term solution must now begin in earnest.
“With the Government decision now taken to progress all three HIQA options, it is vital that Department of Health officials immediately commence structured engagement with the HSE and with clinical experts to identify a clear and credible timeline for the delivery of Option C and a new Model 3 or Model 4 hospital for the Mid-West,” he said.

“Population growth, patient demand and clinical need all point to the necessity of an additional hospital in the region. Early and transparent planning will be critical to ensuring that this project moves from concept to reality and that the Mid-West finally has the hospital infrastructure required to meet the needs of current and future generations,” he concluded.

Death Of Jack Gardiner, Formerly Of Thurles, Co Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday 15th December 2025, of Mr John (Jack) Gardiner, (Emeritus Professor of Forestry at UCD), Blackrock, Co. Dublin and formerly of Poulacapple, Mullinahone, Co Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his beloved wife Brenda, brother Michael, sisters Beatty, Kathleen and Nellie and grandson Darragh; Mr Gardiner, sadly, passed away suddenly, at his place of ordinary residence.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving daughters Martina and Cathy, sons Ed, John and Bob, father-in-law to Kevin, Bern, Catriona, Roisin and John, grandchildren Cormac, Kate, Eoin, Thomas, Eliot, Hannah, Rian, Tadgh, Fionn and Sadhbh, brothers Jim and Eamonn, sisters Mary and Anne, extended Gardiner and O’Gorman relatives, neighbours and his many great friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Gardiner will repose at his home on Thursday afternoon, December 18th, from 5:30pm until 8:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of St Brigid, Cabinteely, Co. Dublin, to further repose for Requiem Mass on Friday morning, December 19th 2025, at 10:00am, followed by interment in Deansgrange Cemetery, Deansgrange Road, Dublin.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Ryan, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Gardiner and O’Gorman families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Note Please: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to the Irish Heart Foundation in Memory of Mr John (Jack) Gardiner.

[Please also note parking is very restricted in church car park.]

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Ged Urbonas, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Saturday 13th December 2025, of Mr Gediminas (Ged) Urbonas, Abbey Court, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

His tragic passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing and heartbroken family; loving parents Jolanta and Saulius, sister Saulena, aunt Zaneta, cousin Ridas, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Urbonas will repose at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Upper Kickham Street, Dublin Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 XY47), on Wednesday afternoon, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, same evening.

His remains will be received into the former Cistercian Monastery Abbey, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, (Eircode E41 PH01), on Thursday morning at 11:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass, followed afterwards by private cremation.

The extended Urbonas family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

When Christmas Feels Lonely After Loss Of A Loved one.

Christmas is often wrapped in the idea of togetherness; that familiar chair at the table; those “same as always” routines, those comforting little repetitions that once kept a home feel steady.
When someone you love is no longer there, the season can suddenly feel out of tune. Carols can seem too bright, laughter can land too sharply, and even the smallest decoration can become a soft, relentless reminder of what’s really missing.

Grief has always had its own calendar.
Special dates have a way of drawing it back to the surface, the first Christmas without them, the first time your mouth forms their name before you remember, the first moment you realise you’re holding a memory where a person used to be. If it feels like you’re slipping backwards, it may simply be your heart meeting an anniversary it never asked for, and remembering same in vivid colour.

A Living Love.

Lyrics and Vocals: Tammy Wynette and George Jones.

Sadly grief does not take instructions.
If Christmas feels lonely, that loneliness is not evidence that you’re failing. It’s evidence that you loved, deeply, properly, and with your whole self. The world can insist that Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of each year, but grief doesn’t take instructions. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to tell the truth, but is hurts to express what is real, without apology.

You may heal with time, but the scaring never disappears.
If comfort comes, it often arrives in gentler shapes than we expect. Keep plans simple. Let people help in practical ways. Speak their name out loud if you want to. Light a candle, hang a decoration for them, place a photo where you’ll see it, or tell one story that makes everyone smile and ache at the same time. These aren’t ways of “moving on”, they’re ways of carrying love forward, and making room for the person or persons who still matter.

So if Christmas feels lonely this year, be sympathetic with yourself. Take each day in smaller pieces. Let grief come and go like weather. Your loved one may be absent from the living room, but not from the meaning of your life, and even in the quietest house, love still has a presence.