Crime - Thurles Information

Robbery Takes Place At Bookmakers In Fethard, Co. Tipperary.

Tipperary Gardaí from Fethard and Clonmel are currently seeking your help with regards to a robbery which took place at Ladbrokes Bookmakers, The Square, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, on Thursday night, September 28th 2023, at approximately 8:15pm.
Two men are understood to have entered the premises with their faces covered.
The men gained entry to the staff area of the premises and forced staff to open a safe, before exiting the premises with a quantity of cash and fleeing on foot in the direction of Burke Street, in the town.
Suspect No.1 was of heavy build and wore a grey hoody and blue jeans; while suspect No. 2 was of slim/medium build; was taller than his companion and wore a green hoody and black shorts.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have observed these males in or around the Burke Street and or Fethard Square area in or around 7:30 to 8:00pm, or who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour, which may be linked to this incident.
Similarly, any drivers with dash-cam footage who were in this area at the time are asked to contact Gardaí immediately.
Gardaí are particularly interested in speaking with a male who was walking a large dog, in the Burke Street / Main Street area of Fethard, at that time and may have encountered both these individuals.

Any person with any information is asked to contact Clonmel Garda Station in strictest confidence Tel: 052-6177640 or email CT.TipperarySouth.CE@garda.ie or contact the Garda Confidential Line Free-phone 1800 666 111.

Citizens’ Assembly Expected To Liberalise Current Laws On Illegal drugs.

There was a total of 45 drug driving offences detected in Co. Tipperary so far this year, despite fewer Garda checkpoints; the latter checkpoint reductions due to severe weather conditions; incidents such as traffic collisions; thefts and domestic disturbances.
Garda checkpoints are down some 27% from the 2,580 conducted over the same period last year.

Even more worrying we learn is the fact that the Irish Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use is expected to agree on recommendations to liberalise laws around possession of sales of common illegal drugs.
This is despite opposition to this same liberalisation from the Gardaí; the Chief Medical Officer and some medics; latter who claim that the liberalising of current drug laws will lead to more widespread drug use and will not help combat the stigma surrounding this issue.

The Irish Citizens’ Assembly (Irish: An Tionól Saoránach) is a convocation established in Ireland, back in 2016, to consider several political questions including the ‘Constitution of Ireland’; ‘abortion’; ‘fixed term parliaments’; ‘referendums’; ‘population ageing’ and ‘climate change’ with reports expected to be produced on the aforementioned topics.

Should the ‘Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use’ recommendations now be implemented, it is widely believed that the current existing major drugs problem will create an even more widespread drugs issue. Same would see individuals, families and communities being ravaged by addiction, previously never before experienced in this island, not to mention the serious crimes anticipated; same committed by those addicted; in order to fund their existing drug habit.

Same liberalisation it is believed will result in increased overall health problems, with lives destroyed, parent unable to take care of their children, and an overall decline in the way we live our daily lives, with the overburdened tax payer, once again, picking up the tab for required addiction drug treatment, medications, e.g. Methadone, Naltrexone (Vivitrol) etc, plus the necessary comfort, over-the-counter medications, suggested by GP’s, all readily available without a prescription and also commonly abused.

The Irish Citizens’ Assembly will not and must not be allowed to take the place of the majority of the law abiding, Irish voting public.

Use Of Cannabis In Ireland Is Of Huge Concern.

The chief medical officer Professor Breda Smyth has warned that the use of cannabis in Ireland is of huge concern.

Professor Smyth speaking at the fifth meeting of the ‘Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use’, stated that one in five adult cannabis users will become dependent on the drug, and one in three young persons are likely to become addicted, if they continue to use the drug as little as just once a week.

Professor Smyth stated, that the strength of cannabis potency, has increased by 57% in the 10 years from 2011-2021, with people using the drug often on a daily basis.
Some 45,000 people with cannabis-use disorders, is show in the latest data available, with those under 18 years of age accounting for 80% of new presentations to cannabis addiction treatment services, making it now a significant public health problem here in Ireland.

Professor Smyth confirmed that there were 409 drug-induced deaths in 2020, with drug-related hospitalisations accounting for approximately 53,000 inpatient bed days, each year, and a steady increase in admissions to psychiatric services, all associated with drug-related causes.

She continued by stating that the profile of drug users in Ireland has changed significantly over the last 30 years and while it can affect everyone, from all social classes across Ireland; it in particular, affects most severely, those in deprived areas of our society.

Prison Staff Under Investigation For Alleged Fuel Card Misappropriation.

A number of employees, possibly 5 in total, within the Irish Prison Service are currently under investigation following allegations that they misused fuel cards registered to State vehicles for their own personal motor vehicles.

It is alleged that approximately some €3,000 worth of fuel was purchased and paid for, using fuel cards property of the Irish Prison Service Escort Corp (PSEC) and correctly used to buy fuel for vehicles independently providing prisoner escorting services.

The Prison Service Escorts Corps (PSEC) was established in 2005, on an independent basis within the Irish Prison Service, to provide a prisoner escorting service. PSEC is sub divided into three regional areas, namely Munster, Connaught and Leinster, headquartered in Cloverhill Prison in Co. Dublin. [Ulster is incorporated into area of Connaught and Leinster.]

PSEC is a dedicated corps of staff, whose task is to escort prisoners to and from court and to other scheduled and necessary engagements in the community. ie. Hospital Appointments. The profile of the unit includes 58 cellular vehicles of varying capacity which enables the corps to securely transport prisoners of all security categories, throughout the State.
The staff also man the dock in courts throughout the country and specialise in providing a highly efficient service as a support to prison operations.

The Department of Justice confirm that they have been made aware of the claims and have organised investigations into the allegations.

Stash Of Illegal Fireworks Seized In Roscrea Co. Tipperary.

Today, Gardaí from Roscrea and Nenagh Garda Station, both assisted by the Southern Region Dog Unit, searched a property in Roscrea Town, North Co. Tipperary.
This search resulted in the seizure of a stash of Illegal fireworks.

Investigations are on-going and a file will now be sent to the DPP for further directions.

As pointed out earlier on Thurles.Info, today An Garda Síochána will launch “Operation Tombola” on October 1st, 2023, latter their annual strategy to combat the importation, sale and use of fireworks. This operation seeks to create an awareness of the legislation which prevents the possession of unlicensed fireworks, but moreover to increase understanding of the harm that can arise from their use.
An Garda Síochána will work with their partners and stakeholders to implement a strategy as we approach Halloween to keep people safe from the dangers of fireworks.