Thurles Information

Public Planning Exemption Meeting Re. Thurles IPAS Centre Postponed.

Local Cllr. Mr Jim Ryan has confirmed that a planning exemption has been granted for the creation of an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre, to be accommodated on Mitchel Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

IPAS provides accommodation to people who have applied for international protection. It arranges accommodation and co-ordinates other services (including health, social services, welfare and education) for asylum seekers and people who have international protection.

In a post published on social media yesterday, (19/03/2025), Cllr Mr Jim Ryan stated that: “I can confirm that an application for an IPAS Centre for Thurles is progressing. A Section 5 permission has been granted by Tipperary County Council, to Kilbrin Homes in Cork, for exempted development status at an old commercial building in Mitchel Street. Based on initial drawings it looks like they will be constructing 15 internal units that can accommodate 81 people seeking IPAS accommodation.”

Note: To facilitate the full attendance of all stake holders; including officials and elected representatives, a meeting in relation to this matter, which was originally scheduled for Friday evening next, March 20th, has now been postponed until Thursday March 27th next, (this day week) starting at 7:30pm sharp in the Anner Hotel, Dublin Road, Thurles.

Unbelievably, Cllr Ryan has also revealed that this move has occurred without any consultation with local residents, their elected Councillors, TDs, Gardaí and other pertinent stakeholders.

Local residents and indeed residents of the whole town are dismayed and outraged that a development of this kind should progress without consultation with themselves and their elected Councillors.

**Readers Please Note: This building is no longer in the ownership of the Fitzgibbon family and is presently owned by Kilbrin Homes**.

Section 5 Exemption Declaration.
Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act outlines a mechanism through which individuals can seek formal clarification on whether a proposed development or a specific part of it would be considered exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission. This is a crucial tool for property owners, developers, and architects, as it provides legal certainty before proceeding with any development activities. Below is a summarised, detailed overview of Section 5 regarding exemptions from development.
Section 5 allows individuals to seek formal clarification from their local planning authority on whether a proposed development, or any part of it, is considered exempted development. This is particularly useful for ensuring that a project can proceed without the need for formal planning permission, provided it falls within the specified criteria for exemptions.
If the planning authority determines that the proposed development is exempt from planning permission, they will issue a declaration to that effect. This declaration provides legal assurance that the development can proceed without planning permission, subject to the conditions of the exemption.
Conversely, if the planning authority concludes that the proposed development does not qualify for exemption, they will inform the applicant that planning permission is required. This outcome ensures that all necessary regulatory and planning standards are met before the development proceeds.
Simply by obtaining a Section 5 declaration, same provides property owners and developers with legal certainty, reducing the risk of proceeding with a development that may later be deemed unauthorised due to the lack of planning permission.
This means that the developers will be able to convert the building without going through the usual planning processes.

In recent years, the residents of Mitchel Street have been subjected to the progression of developments that have brought significant problems to the area. Again, these developments progressed without consultation and unfortunately, it is the local residents of the area that have been forced to shoulder the brunt of serious difficulties that have arisen since. Tipperary County Council officials have been of little help.

It is fair to say that local residents are outraged, but the outrage stems from the lack of consultation on a development that will have an indisputable impact on this predominantly residential area of the town. Anyone who drives or walks along Mitchell Street will point out its many needs, least of all its narrow footpaths, that are frequently mounted by cars attempting to navigate the almost impassable narrow sections of the street.

As before, it will be the people of Mitchell Street and surrounding areas that once again will bear the brunt of any difficulties that may arise. It will not be the people who progress planning applications without consideration or consultation of those living nearby.

It is understood that no contract has yet been signed with the Department of Integration, but local Cllr Mr Jim Ryan states that plans indicate that there could be up to 80 asylum seekers housed at the identified site in the near future.

Important – Readers Please Note: Cllr. Mr Jim Ryan has confirmed that invitations to attend the public meeting have been issued to officials from the Department of Integration, representatives of the developer Kilbrin Homes Ltd and local elected TD’s.

Cllr. Ryan also has stated that he has seen a letter from the Department of Integration that was attached to the Section 5 Exemption application, that states they would be interested in signing an agreement with Kilbrin homes for accommodating IPAS applicants, once all relevant permits, permissions and licenses have been approved with the relevant bodies.

Thurles St Patricks Day Parade – Part 3

We share hereunder with our readers further images, of onlookers, who viewed this year’s (2025) St. Paddy’s day parade, held here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary on Monday afternoon last.

Photography courtesy Mr Stewart Willoughby.

Once again a huge “Thank You” to the work undertaken by Mr John Kenehan and his Thurles committee, and to the many individuals, in reflective jackets, together with Thurles Gardaí, who ensured the health and safety of the public in attendance and controlled the traffic.

FSAI Recall Organic Sunflower Kernels – Presence Of Salmonella.

Food Safety Authority Recall Batch of Do It Organic Sunflower Kernels Due to the Possible Presence of Salmonella

Alert Summary dated Wednesday, March 19th 2025.

Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2025.14.
Product Identification: Do It Organic Sunflower Kernels; pack size: 5kg.
Batch Code: L2402615.
Best Before Date: 18/04/2026.
Country Of Origin: Netherlands.

Message: The above batch of Do It Organic Sunflower Kernels is being recalled due to the possible presence of Salmonella.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Nature Of Danger: People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. Other symptoms may include fever, headache and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers and Retailers:

Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batch from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Wholesalers/distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batch and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retail customers.
Caterers should not use the implicated batch.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.

Thurles St Patrick’s Day Parade-Part 2

A few further images, (with more promised), of those who viewed this year’s (2025) St. Paddy’s day parade held here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

A huge “Thank You” to the work undertaken by Mr John Kenehan and his committee, and to the many individuals, in reflective jackets, and the Gardaí, who ensured the health and safety of the public in attendance and controlled the traffic.

Welcome Reduction In Nitrogen Levels In Rivers In 2024, says EPA

There has been a welcome reduction in nitrogen levels in rivers in 2024, says Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator for 2024, published by the EPA, shows that nitrogen levels in rivers have reduced in 2024.
Despite the reduction, nitrogen remains too high in the southeastern half of the country and further reductions will be needed to bring them to satisfactory levels.
Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in our waters. Significant actions are underway by the sector to reduce nitrogen losses.
Ongoing and sustained actions will be needed to reduce nutrient levels so that the ecological health of our waters can improve.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published early insights into nitrogen levels in rivers in 2024. The Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator 2024 has been developed to provide more timely information on nitrogen levels and is based on monitoring data at 20 major and representative rivers. Overall, the early insights indicator shows that nitrogen levels have improved in 2024. However, nitrogen remains too high in the southeastern half of the country. Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in these areas.

Commenting on the report, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said: “The EPA continually strives to produce timely information and evidence on Ireland’s environment. Specifically, this publication responds to a need for early insights into trends in nitrogen levels. Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in Irish rivers and there is significant action underway within the sector to improve water quality. It is therefore very welcome to see these early signs of improvement. It is important that the sector builds on this momentum and continues to implement actions to reduce nutrient losses in a targeted way.”

The EPA will publish its three-yearly assessment of water quality in Ireland, for the period 2019 – 2024, later in 2025. This future report will combine data on nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in waterbodies, with the biological quality monitoring data on fish, aquatic insects and plants, to give a comprehensive assessment of the ecological health of all waters.

Ms Jenny Deakin, EPA Programme Manager, added: “It is very positive to see this improvement in nitrogen levels in 2024, following a period of little positive change in recent years. However, nitrogen levels remain too high in the southeastern half of the country. Further actions will be necessary to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses to levels which will support good ecological health in our water bodies. The ecology will not improve until nutrient levels are reduced in the areas where they are elevated. The EPA will be reporting on the ecological health of our waters later in 2025.”

The Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator 2024 report is now available on the EPA website.

Further information on local water quality and targeting agricultural measures is available on the EPA website.