The Indian metal and mining giant, Vedanta Resources Corporation, has paid US$698 million, nearly N$5 billion, for Skorpion Zinc as part of a deal to buy Anglo American’s zinc assets and become the biggest zinc producers globally.

The Namibian mine, the eight largest zinc producer in the [...]]]>

Lisheen Mine

The Indian metal and mining giant, Vedanta Resources Corporation, has paid US$698 million, nearly N$5 billion, for Skorpion Zinc as part of a deal to buy Anglo American’s zinc assets and become the biggest zinc producers globally.

The Namibian mine, the eight largest zinc producer in the world, fetched the highest price in the US, $1,3 billion deal.

Vedanta forked out US$332 million or €261.1 million for 74 per cent interest in Black Mountain Mining in South Africa and US$308 million or €242.2 million for the Lisheen mine, situated near Thurles Co.Tipperary. In both the Skorpion and Lisheen transactions, Vedanta has acquired 100 per cent of the share holdings.

The transaction however is subject to regulatory approval, which is expected over the next 12 months.

Lisheen, which presently employs about 370 workers, is due to wind down in 2014.

Analysts yesterday speculated that Vedanta could look to sell on Lisheen quickly, possibly to mining rival Xstrata, which is involved in a joint venture with Minco, on lead and zinc licences at Pallas Green on the Tipperary / Limerick border.

Vedanta is a FTSE-100 company, controlled by India billionaire Anil Agarwal. The company has annual revenues of $6.6 billion and employs more than 30,000 staff.

More than two million tonnes of ore a year are shipped from Lisheen mine.

The historic “Tom Semple‘s Field” (Semple Stadium) here in Thurles, is expected to host both the Division 1 and Division 2 Allianz National Hurling league finals on May 2nd next, after GAA President Christy Cooney confirmed that Division 1 table toppers would not [...]]]>

GAA President Christy Cooney

The historic “Tom Semple‘s Field” (Semple Stadium) here in Thurles, is expected to host both the Division 1 and Division 2 Allianz National Hurling league finals on May 2nd next, after GAA President Christy Cooney confirmed that Division 1 table toppers would not be gifted a home advantage.

Last year’s final was observed by many commentators to be a ‘home venue’ for Tipperary after their high-scoring Division 1 league decider against Kilkenny was played in front of a Semple Stadium capacity crowd.

However, much like Dublin footballers being afforded a ‘home venue’ at Croke Park, the decision to fix the game in Thurles was in line with current thinking.

The last five league finals have been hosted at this historic stadium here in Thurles, together with 22 of the 39 finals (including replays), which have taken place since 1975.

GAA President Christy Cooney confirmed that a home venue for either Cork or Galway for the final has not as yet been suggested within GAA headquarters.

Further clarification as to the truth of this statement appears to be now [...]]]> One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790) stated in a letter to Jean Baptiste Le Roy on the 13 November 1789, “But in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”.

Further clarification as to the truth of this statement appears to be now confirmed with the new imposition of VAT on burials in council cemeteries.

The new tax of 13.5% will push up the cost of acquiring a grave in a local authority cemetery from July 1st. and is a consequence of a European Court of Justice ruling, which is forcing local authorities to apply VAT to a range of services, including our waste collections.

The new “Grave Tax” will add as much as €150 to the cost of the one of the cheaper graves currently on offer and up to €2,000 in the case of a larger grave plot, should you wish to be buried in some of the bigger city cemeteries.
One consoling fact however worth noting, consumers, expecting to die in the near future, may be able to avoid this tax by buying their grave in advance, before July1st of this year.

Cremations and graves in private cemeteries are already taxed at 13.5% VAT, so this EU ruling will not affect their current price structure.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has confirmed that local authority cemeteries will become subject to VAT from July 1st after the passage of the 2010 Finance Bill.

It is understood that 12 adults, all men in their 20′s, [...]]]> Twelve people were rescued from the River Shannon on the Tipperary Clare border, near Killaloe Bridge late night. Two of these were plucked from the freezing waters having jumped from an overladen vessel on which they were partying and which had begun to take on water.

It is understood that 12 adults, all men in their 20′s, who had been attending a house party near the shoreline, decided to go boating in a 22 foot long speedboat.

Killaloe Bridge

A tragedy was only narrowly averted by the quick response of the emergency services, who managed to reach the scene within minutes of the alarm being raised.

The vessel was almost 3 kms south of the bridge and about 500 metres from the shore, in the darkness, when it began to take on water. Two of the occupants are understood to have jumped into the freezing water to attempt to swim ashore.

Rescuers found an amount of alcohol cans and bottles, in the area around the boat and most of those on board are understood to have been wearing inadequately fitting life jackets, for the intended voyage.

Killaloe Coast Guard spokesman Mr. Michael Quigley said: “So much could have gone wrong on Friday night and there is no doubt twelve lives could so easily have been lost.”

He also warned that  when people gets into trouble, they should only ring 999 or 112 and not a member of the public or individual Coast Guard members. This only wastes time and can put lives further at risk.

Killaloe and Ballina is an area much sought out by tourists visiting the Clare and Tipperary region.

Third placed Tipperary Hurling Team, through their manager Liam Sheedy, have announced two changes to the side which drew with Waterford last time out and which will play current league leaders Cork in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 1 on Sunday in Pairc Ui [...]]]>

Eoin Kelly returns

Third placed Tipperary Hurling Team, through their manager Liam Sheedy, have announced two changes to the side which drew with Waterford last time out and which will play current league leaders Cork in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 1 on Sunday in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, throw-in 2.30pm.

Michael Cahill of Thurles Sarsfields replaces Shane Maher at left half-back, while captain Eoin Kelly, who has recovered from his injury, returns in place of John O’Brien, to captain the side.

The named Tipperary Team is as follows:
B Cummins; P Stapleton, P Maher, P Curran; D Fanning, C O’Mahony, M Cahill; B Maher, S McGrath; N McGrath, L Corbett, G Ryan; E Kelly, T Hammersley, P Kelly.

Rehearsels are well advanced for local theatre group “Phoenix Productions” who are set to return to The Source Theatre, Thurles, Co.Tipperary this April, for their annual fundraising cabaret performance.

This years show, entitled “Heart & Music”, will take to the stage on the 9th and 10th [...]]]>

Heart and Music

Rehearsels are well advanced for local theatre group “Phoenix Productions” who are set to return to The Source Theatre, Thurles, Co.Tipperary this April, for their annual fundraising cabaret performance.

This years show, entitled “Heart & Music”, will take to the stage on the 9th and 10th of April next .

The Phoenix Production Cabaret will feature a unique mix of classic musical theatre styling’s, as well as contemporary pop music motifs brought to life through the music of Michael Jackson, Michael Buble, Abba, The Andrews Sisters and through seminal musical offerings of  Wicked, Beauty and The Beast and Chicago, to name but just a few.

Tickets are going to be scarce for this popular event, so get in there quickly if you want to be sure of a seat.

Tickets are priced at just €10 and €12 for students and adults respectively.

You can book your tickets by calling the Source Box Office on 0504 90204 or log on at www.thesourceartscentre.ie

This issue may well result in those caught up in this delay, incurring [...]]]> It would appear that the failure to repair craters in our road structure is’nt the only problem haunting North Tipperary County Council presently. Serious concern have now been expressed over the two month backlog in issuing driving licences by the said same County Council.

This issue may well result in those caught up in this delay, incurring penalty points and a hefty fine as a result.

North Tipperary County Council’s Customer Action Plan 2005 – 2009 states that you may apply for a new drivers licence or to renew your licence through the post or by calling to the Motor Taxation Section in Nenagh. On receipt of the completed drivers licence application, the section aim to issue you with your licence within three working days.

While this may be the aim of the said County Council the reality of the situation is far from the stated target.

North Tipperary TD Deputy Noel Coonan stated:

“The Council is currently processing applications for mid January and is endeavouring to address the arrears as soon as possible. People deserve a more efficient service  from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government which governs County Councils. Applicants should not to be left without a valid drivers licence through no fault of their own. Constituents are frustrated with waiting times as they try to comply with policing laws, which require persons to be in possession of a driving licence when driving.
I’ve been in contact with the Council to assess the problem, seek a solution and offer any help I can give. Officials informed me that there is currently a backlog in the motor tax section in connection with the issuing of driving licences and this has  arisen since last November.
The Head of Finance has informed me that in normal circumstances the staffing levels should be able to deal with the level of transactions in the section but due to circumstances outside of the Council’s control arrears have built up. The Council has recently allocated additional staff to address the arrears. It is also intended to re-assign additional staff to Motor Tax and Council management is seeking clarification from a Trade Union with regard to this proposal.
I welcome this response from Liam McCarthy, Head of Finance and Corporate Services in North Tipperary County Council and the steps he is taking to help the situation. Staff working in Motor Taxation are undoubtedly working as usual to the best of their ability but hindered by inefficient Government policies that continues to fail the people of North Tipperary.
I’m calling on Minister John Gormley to introduce efficiencies into local government to ensure the public gets the service it is entitled to.” Deputy Coonan concluded.

North Tipperary County Council’s Customer Action Plan 2005 – 2009 further states: We strive to continually improve the services we provide to the public and would welcome any comments or observations from our customers which can be submitted via e-mail to countysecretary@northtippcoco.ie or in writing to Corporate Services Section, North Tipperary County Council, Civic Offices, Limerick Road, Nenagh.

The Save our Hospital Action Group holding the meeting will have as its guest speaker Dr Paud O’Regan, Consultant Physician at South Tipp General.

The hospital action group claim that [...]]]> A meeting is being held next Monday night at the Clonmel Park Hotel at 8.30pm, to raise further awareness of the current threat to hospital services in Clonmel.

The Save our Hospital Action Group holding the meeting will have as its guest speaker Dr Paud O’Regan, Consultant Physician at South Tipp General.

The hospital action group claim that the recent announcement of the closure of mental health services in Clonmel confirms that plans are already in place to remove all acute services from the hospital.

The HSE has announced the closure of St. Michael’s Hospital, with its services to be transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital in Co. Kilkenny.

Senior hospital clinicians and local politicians recently met Taoiseach Brian Cowen to discuss the surprise decision by the HSE to close this 49-bed acute psychiatric unit and Minister of State Martin Mansergh with consultants and local Oireachtas members, had requested a deferral of the decision until submissions could be taken from all those affected by the move.

At the February meeting of South Tipperary County Council recently, a motion called for a letter to be written from the council to the Minister for Health and CEO of the HSE requesting them to reverse the decision to remove all psychiatric services from South Tipperary.

The HSE told hospital management recently it had accepted the findings of the Mental Health Commission that St Michael’s Unit was “not fit for the purpose in caring for mental health patients”.

The Irish Mental Health Coalition (IMHC), previously called  for the immediate appointment of a National Director for Mental Health by the HSE to address the absence of accountability for mental health services.

Met Éireann says prolonged outbreaks of snow are likely later today in west Connaught and Munster.

Opposition parties [...]]]> The current spell of bitterly cold weather is set to continue until the end of February or early March, interspersed with the occasional day or two of mild weather,according to predictions issued today by Jonathan Powell from Positive Weather Solutions.

Met Éireann says prolonged outbreaks of snow are likely later today in west Connaught and Munster.

Opposition parties are calling on the Government to declare a national weather emergency and to mobilise the Defence Forces in assisting with road gritting.

Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O'Dea TD

The Fianna Fail Defence Minister, Mr Willie O’Dea says members of the army may be deployed to help as the freezing weather looks set to continue. Large parts of the country are still in the grip of ice and snowy conditions today, as local authorities battle to keep roads clear and keep transport flowing. Before Christmas soldiers were deployed across the country to help residents and businesses during severe flooding in the South and West.

Speaking in Limerick this morning Willie O’Dea said they may be used again in the coming days.

“If you have a situation whereby people, such as farmers or people living in remote areas get isolated, can’t get food, can’t get fodder to cattle;  then the army may very well have a role”, he said.

Italy has sent hundreds of soldiers to the streets of Milan to help ease circulation after heavy snowstorms and freezing temperatures closed airports and grounded trains, stranding thousands of commuters and holiday shoppers.

The Government’s Emergency Response Committee is to meet this morning to review the impact of the ongoing cold snap.Officials from the Departments of Transport, the Environment and Health will attend the meeting, as will representatives from the various emergency services.

Meanwhile, motorists are advised to look out for potential skid traps, black ice and frost (particularly on bridges).Black ice is most rampant on very cold days on wet roads, especially at night, on exposed bends, underneath trees and bridges and also on higher ground. Reduce speed as soon as you see a potential skid spot.

Fine Gael North Tipperary Deputy Noel Coonan said the Government must immediately:-
1. Put one body in charge of overseeing the national response.
2. Conduct an immediate audit of all grit supplies. Thousands of tons of low cost grit are readily available here in Ireland.
3. Assess the state of all significant roads, both national and regional, on an ongoing basis.
4. Plan ahead for the next weeks and months.

What To Do If You Find Yourself Skidding

1) Don’t brake fast under any circumstance – if it’s too late and you have already braked, release them immediately, then reapply, quicker but gently.

2) Reduce acceleration but don’t take your foot off the accelerator completely.

3) Use the highest gears possible under the conditions, and as you gently brake, move down in your gears to come to a gradual halt.