Health - Thurles Information

Thurles Pedestrians & Motorists – Take Great Care.

**Road crater at Lognafulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary**.
*Pic: G.Willoughb*y.

The many persons driving, travelling from the west side of Thurles, and having visited St. Patrick’s cemetery on Moyne Road east of Thurles, same on the return journey are being advised to take great care. A large deep crater exists outside the Mace Supermarket at No. 10 Mitchel St, Lognafulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. A partially submerged plastic bollard may currently mark the spot. [See picture immediately above.]

**Road crater at Dublin Road, Wrensborough, Thurles, Co. Tipperary**.
*Pic: G.Willoughby*.

Meanwhile; on the Dublin Road, travelling west, at Wrensborough, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, east of Ronayne’s Homevalue Store; an even larger crater currently exists. Pedestrians using the footpaths at both of these locations are being asked to take care to avoid flying stones and airborne mucky water.
Stupid attempts to fill these identified water-filled craters, using cold tarmac, are obvious, as shown in the attached pictures. [See pictures immediately above.]

**Failure to provide proper public lighting in the area of Thurles Shopping Centre.**
*Pic: G.Willoughby*.

Take care also, both motorists and pedestrians; in the area of the raised roundabout, outside Thurles Shopping, Centre, situated on Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, (N62) on the south side of the town, the public lighting in this area has not worked for many months.
While much of the Thurles public lighting system has remained burning 24 hours each day over many previous months, the failure to ensure that a public lighting exists on this N62 section, which boasts 2 marked, but unlit and uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, now demonstrates a total lack of care by officials and Councillors, employed at the Thurles Municipal District Offices.
Christmas Eve saw dangerous interaction taking place between blinded motorists and large numbers of rushing pedestrians, in this new Thurles town centre area, at Slievenamon Road. [See picture with burned out light fixture, inset, immediately above.]

Tipperary Man Awarded €365,000 After Sustaining Serious Back Injuries.

The High Court has awarded €365,000 in damages to a Co. Tipperary man, latter unable to work after injuring his back in a 2017 workplace accident.

The award was made by Mr Justice Tony O’Connor in favour of Mr Patrick Ryan, with an address at Ormonde Crescent, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary.
Mr Ryan had sued his previous employer, Queally Pig Slaughtering Limited, at the companies meat processing facility located near Waterford City; following injuries he sustained on April 13th 2017, while lifting a bag containing pork.

The claims had been denied.

Mr Ryan claimed he was no longer able to undertake manual work, and claimed that future surgery would not help him. Physiotherapy had not given him any relief, and he had less than an optimal response to injections and other medications provided.

In his judgement, Mr Justice O’Connor said he was satisfied that Mr Ryan was left unable to work due to the pain he was suffering following the accident. Mr Ryan claimed he was unable to go fishing anymore, or attend local sporting events because of the continuous pain; while any long periods of time spent driving, left him experiencing great difficulties.

Mr Justice O’Connor further stated that Mr Ryan’s injuries had resulted in a drastic deterioration of the previously active life, that he had once enjoyed, prior to his accident.

The judge said that that he was satisfied that Ryan, who was “a good manual worker” wished to return to work, despite his significant pain and had attempted to return to work undertaking light duties, some months after the accident. However, his pain and discomfort got worse, and he ceased working for Queally Pig Slaughtering Limited in April of 2018.

Mr Justice O’Connor said Mr Ryan was entitled to damages, including past loss of earnings, future loss of earnings, and general damages same totalling €365,500.

Irish Water & Tipperary County Council Issued Urgent Boil Water Notice.

Irish Water and Tipperary County Council have issued an urgent boil water notice to come into immediate effect, in the areas of Glengoole, Gortnahoo, Ballinure, Ballinunty, Killenaule, Cloneen, Mullinahone, Drangen, Moyglass, and surrounding areas.

Some 6,700 people are expected to be affected within the 9 areas, and same are being urged to take immediate action, by boiling all water from the public Fethard supply feeding the stated areas.

This alert has been put in place following issues with the treatment and disinfection process at the Fethard Regional Water Treatment Plant.

We understand that the Fethard town area is not affected, as it is supplied from yet another supply.

Consumers in the areas affected are being advised to boil all their water before drinking, or when preparing all foods, which are not cooked prior to eating; brushing their teeth or in the making of ice etc.

Work to rectify issues at the Fethard water treatment plant, by Tipperary County Council, will continue, until this boil water notice can be safely lifted.

Chief Medical Officer Breda Smith Warns Of Increase In Flu & Covid Cases.

The Irish public health specialist and Chief Medical Officer, Professor Breda Smith, warned of a surge in flu cases, ahead of the 2022 Christmas festive season.

Professor Smith has confirmed that flu cases are up some 80% over the past 7 days, while Covid-19 infections have also increased considerably over the last three days.

Messaging on social media, she appealed to parents and guardians to consider getting the free nasal flu vaccine for their children.

Professor Smyth is urging people to stay at home, if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms, thus
preventing any spreading of this winter viruses.

She stated: “With Christmas just one week away, we are reporting a significant surge in flu cases, up 80% on last week’s numbers. We have a number of patients in ICU with flu this week, and unfortunately, none of them had have had their flu vaccine.
This year’s flu season seems to be having a severe impact on children in particular. In Australia 60 per cent of hospitalisations were among children. Flu is also causing a huge spike in child hospitalisations in Canada.
Covid cases have increased rapidly in the last three days. Test positivity is now almost one in five. On average, we are now seeing 75 new hospitalisations per day with Covid.”

Professor Smith further added: “We all know that vaccination saves lives. It decreases the chances of being infected and reduces the risk of severe illness from Covid-19 and flu. So please come forward and get yours.”

University Hospital Limerick, Serving Co. Tipperary, Most Overcrowded In November 2022.

Irish hospitals have recorded their worst November ever in 2022, with regards overcrowding, according to latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

Over 12,624 people were unable to access a bed in Irish hospitals in November, with over 563 children left resting on trolleys.

As Tipperary politicians wander about aimlessly, making no effort to demonstrate leadership; the most overcrowded hospital in the Irish Republic was University Hospital Limerick, latter supposed to be serving North Co. Tipperary, with some 1596 patients without a bed over the 30 day period.

In second place was Cork University Hospital with 1334 patients; followed by Letterkenny University Hospital with 1108 patients; Sligo University Hospital with 783 patients and Galway University Hospital with 703 patients.

Meanwhile, the Minor Injury Unit in Nenagh, North Co. Tipperary was closed today, due to unclarified staffing issues. Patients in need of assistance were being asked to travel to Ennis hospital (119km [74mls] or 1hr 30min drive subject to traffic) or to St. John’s acute General Voluntary Hospital located in Limerick City, (some 110km [69mls] or 1hr 15min drive, subject to traffic).

This situation is no longer acceptable or indeed supportable in 21st century rural Ireland.