Thurles Information

Killer Covid-19 Cases In Irish Republic Today Reach 21,302.

The Department of Health has been notified of 21,302 additional cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours here within the Irish Republic.

There are 884 people in hospital with the Covid-19 virus, an increase of 80 on yesterday, while 90 of these patients are in ICU, across the country down 3 on yesterday.

According to Health Service Executive CEO Mr Paul Reid, there is no indication that the Irish Republic has reached the peak of the current wave of Covid-19 cases.

The Health Products Regulatory Agency (HPRA) has received a number of reports from medical professionals and members of the public over the performance of the Genrui antigen test. The stated brand is one of the cheapest and most popular rapid antigen test brands; sold in supermarkets such as Dunnes Stores and Lidl.
Results indicated as positive when using the Genrui test are not being confirmed, when those who believed they were affected have gone for a PCR test.
Medical practitioners have confirmed that there appear to be a large proportion of ‘false positives’ with these named test kits and have warned that this could have major implications, especially now that antigen kits have taken on a greater role in the testing process here in the Republic.

Meanwhile, following a meeting between education Minister Norma Foley, public health representatives, the HSE and education stakeholders it has been accepted that a full reopening of schools will go ahead on Thursday next.

However, a World Health Organization official has stated that evidence is now emerging that the Omicron coronavirus variant is affecting the upper respiratory tract, thus causing milder symptoms than previous variants.

The HSE has confirmed that so far, around 50,300 children aged 5-11 years are now registered for Covid-19 vaccination. Just over 4,000 doses have been administered to date, amongst those children identified as a priority by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee.

Here in Co. Tipperary, two post Offices, in the villages of Cappawhite & Kilsheelan remain closed, caused by staff shortages, caused by the pandemic

In Northern Ireland including today, the number of positive Covid-19 cases confirmed over the past seven days was 50,627.
Today also there were 348 patients with Covid-19 in hospitals, with 31 infected patients in northern hospital intensive care units.

Today Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has also, sadly, reported 15 more Covid-19-related deaths, over the past 4 days, bringing their total death number, since the start of the pandemic, to 2,995.

The USA recorded more than one million Covid-19 cases yesterday, according to data published by Johns Hopkins University, as the Omicron variant there also continues to spread rapidly in communities.

Perhaps You’d Like To Buy A Flower?

According to Ireland’s meteorology service, Met Éireann, our provisional weather data shows that the Autumn of 2021 was the warmest on record.
The temperature between the start of September and the end of November averaged at 12.02°; 1.8° degrees above average, making it the 11th consecutive year where Irish temperatures increased above our norm.
A bitterly cold northern breeze this afternoon has now changed all that, with temperatures reduced to 6.00°.

Meanwhile, poking about in the garden today, I find that the daffodils bulbs, while arriving a month later this year, are now rapidly emerging above ground.

Their arrival always reminds me of that wonderful poetry of American Poetess Emily Dickinson, (December 10th, 1830 – May 15th, 1886).
Emily, who choose to live much of her life in isolation, once stated that she was “a lunatic on bulbs”; same statement referring to her absolute passion for daffodils and other spring perennials, which she grew at her family home in Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S.

Her poem “Perhaps You’d Like To Buy A Flower?” shown hereunder, fully confirms her true love of gardening and flowers and possibly reveals, for the first time, the secret feelings of all passionate gardeners.

Perhaps You’d Like To Buy A Flower?

Perhaps you’d like to buy a flower?
But I could never sell.
If you would like to borrow
Until the daffodil
Unties her yellow bonnet
Beneath the village door,
Until the bees, from clover rows
Their Hock and Sherry draw,
Why, I will lend until just then,
But not an hour more!
END

The word ‘Hock’, contained in the poem above, refers to a British term for German white wine, made from an aromatic grape variety grown in the Rhine region.

Killer Covid-19 Cases In Irish Republic Reach 16,986 Today.

The Department of Health has confirmed a further 16,986 cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours here in the Irish Republic.

The number of people with Covid-19 retained in our hospitals has risen to 804, an increase of 87 on yesterday’s reported figures and almost double the figure confirmed on the same day last week.

The number of people in intensive care units with Covid-19 around our Republic has risen by 6 overnight, with 93 patients now receiving care.

The Health Service Executive has confirmed that all children aged 5 years to 11 years can be registered for the Covid-19 vaccine as and from today.

In Northern Ireland, with no figures confirmed again today; at least 120 care homes are known to have been dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks over the weekend, according to Northern Irelands Public Health Agency (PHA).
Stormont ministers have been informed that the Omicron variant now accounts for about 90% of cases within Northern Ireland, with virus cases continuing to surge.

Do please continue to cancel plans to celebrate until later, rather than celebrate now and grieve later.

Death Of Sr Mary Brett, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Monday 27th December 2021, of Sr Mary Brett, No.535 Sacramento Street, Auburn, California, USA and formerly of Coolderry, Upperchurch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her beloved parents Patrick and Kitty and brother Philip; Sr. Mary passed away peacefully following a short illness, while in the loving care of Sisters and staff at Auburn California.

Her passing is most deeply regretted by her loving brothers Jerry, Willie and Michael, sisters Sheila Ryan (Newport) and Brigid Ryan (Rossmore) brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, niece, grandnephews, grandnieces, Convent of Mercy sisters, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

Sister Mary’s interment will take place on Tuesday Jan 4th, 2022, in Calvery Cemetery, Citrus Heights, Sacramento CA 95621, USA, and her memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

The extended Brett family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.

Death Of Betty Callanan, Late Of Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Saturday 1st January 2022, of Mrs Betty Callanan (née Dunne), Fursey Road, Shantalla, Co. Galway; Maynooth, Co. Kildare and late of Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her husband Kevin and daughter Elizabeth; Mrs Callanan passed away peacefully, while in the loving care of staff at Moyglare Nursing Home, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

Her passing is most deeply regretted by her immediate family; Paul, Jennifer, Lorraine, Kevin and Ronan, grandchildren Katie, Sarah, David, Jaxson, Mason, Rory, Mary, Caoimhe, Conor, Fia and Ruth, brothers and sisters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Callanan will repose at Reilly’s Funeral Home, Leinster Street, Maynooth on Tuesday evening next, January 4th, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
Her body will be received into the Church of St. Mary, Moyglare Road, Maynooth, Co Kildare, on Wednesday morning, January 5th, to arrive at 11:00am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11.30am. Interment will follow immediately thereafter in Laraghbryan Cemetery, South Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

Persons who would like to line the route of the funeral cortège, may do so while observing safe social distancing.

For the many persons who would have liked to have attended Requiem Mass for Mrs Callanan, but are unable to do so; same can be viewed online HERE.

[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending Requiem Mass will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]

The extended Callanan family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.