Law - Thurles Information

Male Sustains Gunshot Wound At Tipperary Sports Venue.

A man has sustained a gunshot wound to the arm following an incident at a sports venue in Rural Co. Tipperary.

The incident happened shortly after 9:00pm during a soccer match, being held under floodlights, near the village of Rear Cross in Co Tipperary.

Gardaí have confirmed that the as yet unnamed victim locally was treated at the scene by emergency services personnel, before being taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) for the further assessment of his gunshot wound. We understand that his injury is not life-threatening.

Investigating Gardaí are now appealing for witnesses and have preserved the scene for further forensic and technical examination.

It is thought that the shooting may have been accidental and to this end, Gardai are particularly anxious to confirm if any individual may have been hunting in the area at the time and have invited such person or persons to make themselves known.

Any person with further information are requested to contact Nenagh Garda Station, Tel: 067-50450 or the Garda Confidential Line on Tel: 1800 666 111 or indeed any Garda Station.

Thurles Born Circuit Court Judge Gerard O’Brien Resigns.

Circuit Court Judge Mr Gerard O’Brien has resigned from his post as Circuit Court Judge.

The 59-year-old native of Thurles, Co Tipperary was convicted last month of the sexual assault of six young men, latter who were students at the school where he was a teacher.

Mr O’Brien was aged in his 30s at the time, while the six complainants were aged between 17 and 24 years. Mr O’Brien is expected to be sentenced on March 4th 2024.

In a statement, the Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee T.D., has confirmed that Circuit Court Judge Mr Gerard O’Brien conveyed his resignation today, effective from January 5th 2024.

His resignation has been conveyed to the President in accordance with the requirements of section 6 (2) of the Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Act 1961.

The Minister will be making no further comment on this matter prior to the court finalising the case by sentencing, which is adjourned, as stated, to March 4th 2024.

Cuan – New Domestic, Sexual & Gender-Based Violence Agency Officially Established.

‘Cuan’ is an Irish word meaning a safe haven, harbour or place of shelter, and will be the working name of the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Agency newly established.

‘Cuan’ will drive and co-ordinate the Government’s response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, including refuge delivery.
New Agency will Lead Government Plan to Double the Number of Refuge Spaces.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has today announced that she has signed an order to officially establish ‘Cuan‘, the statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), thus supporting victims and survivors.

Minister McEntee commenced the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Agency Act yesterday, which establishes Cuan in law from January 1st, 2024.

Minister McEntee said, “This is a hugely significant moment in our efforts to tackle all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and the realisation of a key priority in Zero Tolerance, our strategy to combat these heinous crimes.
Both the DSGBV sector and the Government have accepted that the State needs to intensify and better integrate its response across all relevant areas – from policy coordination to strategy, from research to education and raising awareness – to help ensure victims of DSGBV have access to services of a consistently high standard.

These responsibilities and more will be the focus of the work done at Cuan in the months and years ahead, with the core functions identified by the DSGBV sector as part of the co-design process. The establishment of Cuan today is a crucial step in our plan for zero tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender based violence in Ireland, and I want to thank everyone who has helped bring is to this point.
I would like to thank everyone in the sector, including NGO and domestic violence services, who have worked with us to establish Cuan.”

The new agency will work collaboratively with the NGO and DSGBV services sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors.

It is tasked with:-

Coordinating and reporting on the delivery of Government strategies relating to DSGBV (including the current National Strategy).
Supporting and overseeing the doubling of safe and accessible refuge accommodation, and ensuring the delivery of excellent services to victims of DSGBV, (including helpline and other supports).
Developing robust standards for funded DSGBV services in collaboration with the sector, and monitoring adherence to these standards by funded service providers.
Leading on awareness-raising campaigns designed to reduce the incidence of DSGBV in Irish society as well as ensuring that all victims know the full range of supports available and how to access them.
Liaising with the Minister for Justice and her Department to ensure that the work of the Agency aligns with overall Government DSGBV policy.
Leading on research to inform DSGBV policy development, working with others, such as the CSO, who have research and data projects underway.

Under Pressure To Smuggle Drugs Into Prisons?

Family and friends will be enjoying in-person visits to prisons this Christmas festive season.

However, some such visitors may be pressured to smuggle drugs or mobile phones into prisons.

If this is happening to you, contact the confidential telephone and text line for support at Tel. No.1800 855 717,

Gardaí Make Arrest Following Location Of Dead Body in Co. Tipperary.

Following the conclusion of a post-mortem examination at University Hospital Waterford on the body of a 30-year-old Polish man, found dead at a rented house in the townland of Ballycrana, close to Kilross village, in Co Tipperary; a man has now been arrested.

The arrest follows a forensic examination at the rented accommodation over previous days.

In a statement yesterday, Gardaí confirmed that a man aged in his 20’s has now been arrested as part of their inquiries into the death. The suspect has been detailed for questioning at a garda station in the Munster region; held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, thus allowing detention for questioning for an initial period of six hours, extended for a further six hours, subject to further Garda investigation.

It is also understood that a number of people had gathered at the rented house on St. Stephen’s night for a birthday celebration and Gardaí are now anxious to speak to all those who attended this event.

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact Tipperary Town garda station Tel: 062 80670, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda station.