Thurles Information

TD Highlights Land Concentration Ownership In Tipperary.

Independent TD Michael McNamara, highlights concentration of land ownership in South Co. Tipperary.

Independent TD Mr Michael McNamara has called on Dáil Éireann to set aside time for a discussion on the purchase of vast tracts of farmland in South Tipperary by Mr John Magnier and called for measures to combat further concentration of ownership.

The Independent TD for Co. Clare has expressed his concern that the accumulation of thousands of acres of land in the Golden Vale is leading to local farmers being priced out of land, at a time when the agriculture sector is already facing excessive operating costs.

Deputy McNamara said the situation reflects the ongoing, profound changes underway in rural Ireland regarding the acquisition of prime agricultural land by trust funds and the resultant negative consequences for the agriculture sector.

Addressing the Ceann Comhairle today, Deputy McNamara asked, “Will all of South Tipperary have to be owned by one man and trust funds linked to him, before the matter is debated in this house and measures are taken to prevent that concentration of land ownership, because of the economic and social consequences of that?”

Speaking during the Order of Business in Dail Éireann, the Independent TD added, “Just because one is a large donor to the parties in government should not preclude one from examination in this house.”

Following Deputy McNamara’s request, a vote on the Order of Business for this week was held and subsequently defeated by the government parties.

Driver With Learner Permit Arrested For Drug Driving In Tipperary.

Tipperary Roads Policing Unit; latter carrying out speed compliance checks in the Tipperary North area, detected a vehicle travelling at 89km/h in a 50km zone in the Birdhill area of the county.

The driver, a new learner permit holder, was identified driving unaccompanied and with no L-plates displayed.
Having failed a ‘DrugWipe’ test for Cannabis, he was arrested on suspicion of Drug Driving.

The motor vehicle has now been seized, with a Court appearance to follow.

They Never Came Home (Stardust Song)

In the early hours of the morning of Saturday February 14th 1981, a fire occurred at the Stardust Ballroom in Artane, Dublin, in which forty eight persons tragically lost their lives. ~
The song “They Never Came Home”, refers to the victims and families of this tragic event.

They Never Came Home (Stardust Song)

Lyrics: Christopher Andrew “Christy” Moore.
Vocals: Irish folk singer, songwriter and guitarist Christy Moore.

They Never Came Home (Stardust Song)

When St. Valentine’s day comes around once a year,
Our thoughts turn to love, as the time it draws near,
Sweethearts and darlings, husbands and wives,
Pledge love and devotion for the rest of their lives.
As the day turns to evening soon night time does fall,
Young people get ready for the Valentine’s Ball,
As the night rings with laughter, some families still mourn,
The 48 children who never came home.

Chorus
Have we forgotten the suffering and pain,
The survivors and the victims of the fire in Artane,
The mothers and fathers forever to mourn,
The 48 children who never came home.

It was down to the Stardust they all made their way,
The bouncers looked on as they lined up to pay,
The records were spinning, there’s dancing as well
Just how the fire started sure no one can tell.
In a matter of seconds confusion did reign,
The room was in darkness, fire exits were chained,
The firefighters wept for they could not hide,
Their sorrow and anger for those left inside.

Repeat Chorus

Throughout the city the bad news it spread,
There’s a fire in the Stardust, with 48 dead.
Hundreds of children are injured and maimed,
And all just because the fire exits were chained.
Our leaders were shocked, grim statements were made,
They shed tears by the graves, as the bodies were laid,
The injured have waited in vain for 4 years,
It seems like our leaders shed crocodile tears.

Repeat Chorus

Half a million was paid in solicitor’s fees,
A fortune to the owner and his family,
It’s hard to believe that not one penny came,
To the working class people, who suffered the pain.
The days turn to weeks and the weeks turn to years
Our laws favour the rich, or so it appears.
A woman still waits for her kids to come home,
Injustice breeds anger and that’s what’s been done.

Chorus
Let us remember the suffering and pain,
The survivors and victims of the fire in Artane,
The mothers and fathers forever to mourn,
The 48 children who never came home.
END

Thurles Area Speeds Detected By Garda Traffic Unit Today.

“It won’t kill you to slow down”.

One Tipperary Road Policing Unit detected the following speeds this morning, during speed compliance checks carried out in just one 60km/h zone within the Thurles, Co. Tipperary District.

From the picture shown directly above; readers can view a total disregard, by some motorists, for other road users, pedestrians and recommended speed limit signs.
The speeds shown are truly well in excess of the recommended speed limit signs clearly/visibly posted within that vicinity.

Fixed charge notices showing exact fines and penalty points will now issue to all offenders.

Eve Of Destruction.

The song hereunder references social issues experienced in the mid 1960’s, including the turmoil, both then and now, in the Middle East.

Lyrics: American singer and songwriter, Philip Gary “Flip” Sloan.
Vocals: American singer and songwriter Barry McGuire.

Eve Of Destruction.

The Eastern world, it is explodin’,
Violence flarin’, bullets loadin’,
You’re old enough to kill but not for votin’,
You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’?
And even the Jordan river has bodies floatin’,
But you tell me,
Over and over and over again, my friend,
How you don’t believe,
We’re on the eve of destruction.
Don’t you understand what I’m trying to say,
Can’t you feel the fears I’m feeling today?
If the button is pushed, there’s no runnin’ away,
There’ll be no one to save with the world in a grave,
Take a look around you boy, it’s bound to scare you, boy,
And you tell me,
Over and over and over again, my friend,
How you don’t believe,
We’re on the eve of destruction.
Yeah, my blood’s so mad, feels like coagulatin’,
I’m sittin’ here just contemplatin’,
I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation,
Handful of senators don’t pass legislation,
And marches alone can’t bring integration,
When human respect is disintegratin’,
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’,
And you tell me over and over and over again, my friend,
How you don’t believe,
We’re on the eve of destruction.
And think of all the hate there is in Red China,
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama,
Ah, you may leave here for four days in space,
But when you return, it’s the same old place,
The poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgrace,
You can bury your dead, but don’t leave a trace,
Hate your next door neighbor but don’t forget to say grace,
And you tell me,
Over and over and over and over again, my friend,
You don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.
No no, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.
END