Finance - Thurles Information

Michael Lowry T.D. Successfully Challenges Revenue Assessments

Local Thurles and Co. Tipperary TD, Mr Michael Lowry, has successfully challenged a Revenue Assessment which alleged that his tax affairs were not in order. This appeal decision comes as the former government minister faces trial on four charges of allegedly filing incorrect tax returns and a fifth count, latter relating to an alleged breach of the Ltd Companies Act. Following some two days of hearings before the Appeal Commissioners, same have resulted in official confirmation that Mr Lowry’s tax affairs were completely in order. The case against the 60-year-old alleged he had filed incorrect tax returns in 2003 and 2007.

In a statement this lunch time the local Deputy has confirmed that he is now seeking to have all charges struck out; on foot of this ruling by the Tax Appeal Commissioners.

Statement by Tipperary T.D. Mr Michael Lowry this lunchtime

“It is a matter of public knowledge that the Revenue Commissioners initiated a criminal prosecution against me before the courts. They took this extremely serious action on the grounds that I had committed a criminal offence by filing incorrect tax returns. This presumption by Revenue has now been proven to be unfounded.

I am very pleased to confirm that the Tax Appeal Commissioners have unanimously ruled that I have no tax liability and that my tax returns were correct. Two days of hearings before the Appeal Commissioners have resulted in official confirmation that my tax affairs were in order.

Garuda Ltd. T/A Streamline Enterprises was also successful in its appeal against a Revenue assessment for PAYE and PRSI tax.

From the outset the Revenue Commissioners were informed by my Legal team, my Accountants and by independent experts that their assessment was incorrect and that their assertions were grounded on false information. My professional advisers cooperated fully providing all relevant information and documentation which has disproved the allegations.

Further to the Appeal Commissioners decisive, clear-cut rejection of Revenue’s position, my legal team will now be asking the Courts to dismiss the Prosecution against me.”

Statement ends.

Mr Lowry’s legal team had already initiated a High Court Judicial Review of the Prosecution’s case prior to today’s decision.

Thurles CBS Annual Awards Night Ceremony

Thurles Christian Brothers School (CBS) held their ‘Annual Awards Night Ceremony’ on Thursday night last, in the school’s splendid James O’Donoghue Sports Hall: and indeed what a year of Academic and Sporting excellence this year (2015) turned out to be.

With Master of Ceremonies for the evening Mr Theo Lloyd and with standing room only available, a wide spectrum of achievements were quickly introduced and recognised by teaching staff and parents at the night’s event, with awards ranging from ‘Full Attendance’, ‘Academic Excellence’, ‘Sport’, ‘Music’, ‘Construction’, ‘Culture’ to individual ‘Artistic Accomplishment’.

Pictured above are Mr Donal Scannell (CEO Thurles Credit Union) Eoin Corbett (CBS Student of the Year 2015) with parents Michael & Eithne, His Grace Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly (Cashel & Emly Diocese) and Mr Tiernan O’Donnell (Thurles CBS Principal).

The guest speaker for the evening was past pupil, Mr. Aidan Fogarty, who spoke fondly of his own time spent in Thurles CBS, while also outlining, for all pupils and parents in attendance, the importance of hard work and continued real determination. Also in attendance on the night was special guest, His Grace Kieran O’Reilly, (Archbishop of Cashel & Emly Diocese).

Awards
In ‘Athletics’, Daniel Ryan and Fred Crowley both picked up awards; while David Ryan was named ‘Basketball Player of the Year’. The ‘Ronaynes Junior Certificate Materials Technology Award’, latter which recognises the best Junior Certificate project, went to Darragh Taylor; while Eric Fanning won the ‘A.I.B. Construction Studies Award’.

James Ryan won the ‘Junior Hurler of the Year’ award while the ‘Senior Hurler of the Year’ award went to Chris McCullough. Niall Heffernan won the ‘Harty Cup Hurler of the Year’ and Keith Ryan picked up the prize for best ‘First Year Hurler’. There were also hurling awards for Darren Flood, Jack Fallon, Jack Taylor, Michael Purcell and Conor Stakelum. Fred Crowley picked up the award for ‘Junior Footballer of the year’. The overall prize for ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ went to Billy McCarthy.

The award for the ‘Best Junior Certificate 2014’ went to Mark Fortune with Peter Carragher taking the award for ‘Best Leaving Certificate 2014’.

The George Willoughby sponsored ‘Cultural Award’ was presented to Diarmaid Meagher, while there were awards in ‘Music’ for Micheal Bourke and Christopher Carew. In ‘Art’, there were awards for David Conway and John Shanahan while other Cultural awards went to Adam O’Dwyer and Eoin Corbett.

The Parent’s Council sponsored ‘Creative Writing Awards’ went to Brian O’Callaghan, Brendan Atkins and Adam O’Dwyer. Daniel Ryan was named as ‘Junior Student of the Year’.

Student of the Year 2015 Award
The highlight and most coveted accolade of the night, as is usual in Thurles CBS, was the award for ‘Student of the Year’, sponsored annually by Thurles Credit Union. Introducing this year’s winner, School Principal Mr Tiernan O’Donnell described the winner as; “He is caring, demonstrates friendly attitudes to fellow students and strives to help others. These attributes are the sign of an outstanding person. He has friendly relationships with his peers and a positive relationship when coming into contact with all staff. Various people in his surroundings characterize this student as being pleasant, caring and an attractive person.

As a school Principal I can emphasize character features which are especially important for studying; his strength of will and diligence. This student always tries hard, works a lot and never gives up.

Aristotle once stated “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit”. This student does not strive for recognition: he focuses on the real and true values and the overall contributions he himself can make.

I therefore believe that Eoin Corbett is worthy of the Thurles Credit Union 2015 sponsored Student of the Year Award.”

Thurles Credit Union’s Mr Michael Harty (Business & Strategy Manager) stated; “This evening, we recognise the achievements and accomplishments of the very talented students on their progression through second level education and ultimately on to third level. I want to congratulate the recipient of the Student of the Year – he is a worthy winner of this award. I would also like to acknowledge the huge efforts of all teaching staff , together with the parents of students at Thurles CBS, who both invest hugely in terms of their time, money and effort.

This much coveted ‘Student of the Year Award’ was presented by Mr Donal Scannell (CEO Thurles Credit Union).

Thurles Rotary Club Continue Support Of Local Charities

Pictured Above: (L-R; Back Row):- Mr Barry Cagney (Thurles Rotary), M/s Jill Moore (Thurles Rotary) and Mr Michael Walsh (Thurles Rotary). (L-R; Front Row):- Mr Sean Spain (Thurles Rotary), M/s Evelyn Nevin (Thurles Rotary President) and Mr Billy Shanahan (Rep: Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind), with his own guide dog ‘Bess’.

Thurles Rotary Club member Mr Sean Spain, pictured here, presenting a cheque for €500 to Mr Billy Shanahan, latter representing ‘Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind,’ following the clubs successful ‘Run – Walk – Cycle’ fund-raising event held on St. Stephen’s Day, December 26th 2014 last.

The fund-raising events, which took place from Thurles Rugby Club, involved a 55k Cycle Event, a Family Fun Cycle, a 10k Walk and 10k Road Race. For this event Thurles Rugby Club provided access to the full resources of their Clubhouse, thus assisting with the parking of vehicles together with shower and changing facilities for all those taking part.

In presenting the cheque Thurles Knights of Malta, Thurles Rugby Club and Thurles Gardaí were warmly thanked by the club membership for their great assistance in making this event such an outstanding success.

Thurles Credit Union April 2015 Cash Draw Winners

Thurles Credit Union held its monthly Members’ Cash Draw today, Saturday April 4th, 2015, at Credit Union House, Parnell Street, Thurles, Co.Tipperary.

The lucky winners for this month have now been announced. Congratulations to the following winners.

The first prize of €10,000 goes to M/s Bridget Kinsella, Iona Avenue, Thurles, Co Tipperary.

Three other prizes of €1,000 each went to Mr Edward & Mrs Mary White, Littlefield, Gortnahoe, Thurles, Co Tipperary, M/s Josie Kennedy, Aubery Road, Glengoole, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and last but by no means least M/s Nicola Veasey, Ballygemmane, Thurles, Co.Tipperary.

The staff at Thurles Credit Union would like to take this opportunity to wish all their customers a very safe and happy Easter holiday period.

Rejuvenating Thurles Town Centre

Liberty Square, Thurles.

Officials inform us that residents and businesses will soon get their final say on the long awaited and planned €3 million revamp of Liberty Square here in Thurles, Co Tipperary.

The already unveiled basic blueprint planned for Liberty Square, was viewed by ‘all and sundry’ last summer, while inviting suggestions from the resident public. Now local officials confirm these plans and all submitted suggestions are ready for final viewing in the weeks ahead, thus allowing for further final discussions.

This planned project to-date involves the removal of car parking facilities, presently restricted to the central median, in favour of off-street car parking behind the south side of the town’s business premises. Some limited, on-street parallel parking will continue, however wider footpaths are en-envisaged, together with 3 courtesy pedestrian crossing.

Tipperary Co. Council have also this month launched a new initiative aimed at rejuvenating businesses in the centre area of Thurles. (This new initiative will also include 8 other towns in the county, e.g. Templemore, Nenagh, Roscrea, Tipperary Town, Cashel, Cahir Carrick-an-Suir and Clonmel.) This newest initiative involves commissioning a ‘Retail Expert’ to work with each town’s stakeholders in the hope of preparing a viable future vision for Co.Tipperary’s main town centres. The council is making €500,000 (county-wide) available for this initiative with the hope of securing additional funding from other external sources.

For Thurles presently this new plan arrives “after the horse has bolted,” coming into being against the difficult backdrop of already trading multiple discounters like Aldi, Lidl and Dunnes Stores, latter who control the entrance to the three main arterial corridors into Thurles.

The arrival of these latter multiple discounters was inevitable and indeed in most cases welcome, especially to those households in receipt of low incomes. However while offering discount pricing, they also offer ‘Free Parking’ to all customers, an option not readily available to shoppers choosing to frequent shops in the Thurles town centre. Other previously established free to use car parking areas like Thurles Railway Station, Hayes Hotel, Costcutters etc., which heretofore provided free car parking space for customers, found themselves also introducing car park charges, latter forced on them to halt non customer parking, latter to avoid paying the local authority enforced charges.