Thurles Information

Liberty Square Falls Foul Of Storm Barra.

Liberty Square in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, has suffered some mild damage as a result of current prevailing Storm Barra, with the strong gale and heavy rain, removing one strand of Christmas lighting, west of the junction with Liberty Square and Slievenamon Road, [On the money side].
Council personnel were fast on the scene to remove the electric cabling and lights crossing the roadway.

At least one of the badly staked, newly sown ‘Italian Alder’ (Alnus Cordata), trees on the Square has also bowed its knee to the prevailing south westerly galeforce wind.

Stay indoors and stay safe for the remainder of this evening.

Killer Covid-19 Cases On Irish Mainland Reach 7,248.

The Department of Health has confirmed 5,590 further Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, in the Republic of Ireland.

The number of people currently in hospital with the virus stands at 505, a decrease of 31 since yesterday, however, there are 117 Covid patients in intensive care units, up 7 on yesterdays reported figures.

The Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin has informed the Dáil that tens of thousands of people are not turning up for booster vaccines. In the week beginning November 22nd, some 208,000 vaccine appointments were offered to the public and unbelievably just 80,000 people only met their appointment.

Last week 180,000 booster appointments were available with only 93,000 attending. Currently, some 1,005,656 boosters doses had been successfully given.

Another 1,658 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Northern Ireland on today, up from 1,635 on Monday.

Today, there were 317 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals, up from 301 on yesterday. Sadly, 5 more Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today.

In New York, the biggest city in the United States, Mayor Mr Bill de Blasio has announced a blanket Covid-19 vaccine mandate for the private sector; beginning from the end of this month.

It is now essential that we continue to listen to science and keep ourselves and our families safe by regularly washing our hands; wearing a mask when appropriate, and cut down on unnecessary social contacts.

Cabinet Approves Nomination For Chairperson Of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

Government agree to nominate Judge Rory MacCabe as a member of and the next chairperson of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
Judge MacCabe also nominated by Government for appointment to the High Court
His appointment to GSOC will be made by the President following nomination by the Government and the Oireachtas. Judge Rory MacCabe was called to the Bar in 1984 and admitted to the Inner Bar in 1999. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2007. Prior to joining the Bar he was a Civil Servant.
The Term of Office of the current Chair, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, ends on 11th December 2021.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has today received the approval of the Government for the nomination of Judge Rory MacCabe as a member of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) and as its next Chairperson. The nomination follows a selection process which sought expressions of interest from serving or retired judges to fill the role of Chairperson upon the completion of the term of office of the current Chairperson.

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides that the GSOC chairperson and commissioners are appointed by the President on the nomination of the Government, following resolutions in the Dáil and Seanad. The Hon. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, a High Court judge, is GSOC’s current Chairperson; her term of office is due to end on 11 December 2021. She will now return to the High Court.

Minister McEntee said,

“The nomination of Judge Rory MacCabe follows an assessment process conducted by a selection committee established by the Chief Justice; to identify suitable candidates to be appointed to the position of Chairperson of GSOC. I am delighted to be able to nominate a person of Judge MacCabe’s experience and calibre to this important body. In light of the significance of the role of the Chair of GSOC and the recent precedent, I have also received the approval of the Government to nominate Judge MacCabe to the High Court.

I will now arrange for the necessary resolutions to be moved in the Oireachtas recommending his appointment as Chair of GSOC by the President.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the outgoing Chairperson, the Hon Ms. Justice Mary Ellen Ring. Over the last six years, Ms Justice Ring has served with distinction as Chairperson, providing strong and effective leadership to the organisation and has ensured that its reputation as an independent, impartial investigator of complaints against members of An Garda Síochána, has been enhanced”

TUS Campus Closures Due To Storm Barra.

Information relating to TUS campus closures as a result of the Storm Barra Red and Orange warnings.

The Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) will close three of its six campuses this evening from 10:00pm and they will remain closed tomorrow Tuesday, December 7th, 2021, on the advice of the Department of Further and Higher Education.

The LSAD, Clare Street Campus, Limerick; Moylish Campus, Limerick; and the Ennis Campus, Co. Clare will close this evening and remain closed until Wednesday December 8th, as a result of the Red Alert and Orange warning from Met Éireann.

Athlone, Clonmel and Thurles campuses will remain open, but staff and students are asked not to travel from a red or amber area, to attend these campuses. This includes those who have assessments and exams. Contingencies will be put in place for those who cannot travel.

Staff and student are advised to follow the TUS social media channels for any updates or changes to this information.

Death Of John Maher, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Friday 3rd December 2021 of Mr John Maher, Springfield, Tallaght, Co. Dublin and formerly of Gortnahoe, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Maher passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, while in the care of staff at Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross, Dublin.

Mr Maher will be forever loved and very sadly missed by his loving family; son Phillip, grandchildren Max and Sophie, daughter-in-law Sabela, Max’s mam Geraldine and her partner Paul, sister Anne, brothers Jim, Philip, Richard, Anthony and Martin, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours, friends, (especially Liam and Robert).

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Maher, will repose at the Brian McElroy Funeral Home, The Square, Tallaght, Co. Dublin, (opposite Tallaght Stadium), on Tuesday evening, December 7th, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
His body will further repose for Requiem Mass in St Mark’s Church, No.68 Maplewood Rd, Springfield, Dublin, on Wednesday morning December 8th, at 11:15am, followed by cremation afterwards in Newlands Cross Crematorium, Ballymount Road, Ballymount, Dublin 24.

For the many persons who would have liked to have attended Requiem Mass for Mr Maher, but are unable to do so; same can be viewed online HERE.
His Cremation Service on Wednesday afternoon at 12:40pm, can be viewed on line HERE.

“The family of Mr Maher would ask that over the coming days, everyone who knew him would take some time to light a candle or say a prayer in his memory”.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.