Thurles Information

Tipperary: Woman & Teenage Girl Charged Following Serious Roadside Assault.

The charges relate to an incident on the R494 at Birdhill, Nenagh on Saturday, March 21st, during which a woman, Ms Scarlett Faulkner, sustained severe injuries. She remains in critical condition in hospital following the attack.

An adult woman and a teenage girl have been formally charged in connection with a serious assault that occurred in Co. Tipperary earlier this month.

Both accused are due to appear before a special sitting of Limerick District Court today Saturday March 28th.

Gardaí have confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing and continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

In particular, anyone who was travelling on the R494 between Birdhill and the M7 motorway between 5pm and 6pm on the day of the incident is asked to contact investigating officers. Road users who may have relevant footage, including dash-cam recordings, are urged to make this material available to Gardaí.

Investigators are especially interested in information regarding the movements of two vehicles; a grey 162 Ford Transit van and a blue 161 Volkswagen Touran, both of which were observed travelling in convoy or being driven dangerously between approximately 4:30pm and 5:30pm. The vehicles were seen in and around Birdhill village and the surrounding townlands, including Cooleen, Crag Cross, Shower Cross, Kylebeg, Annaholty, and Thornhill.

Gardaí are also aware of video footage of the incident circulating online. Members of the public are strongly urged not to share this content on social media or messaging platforms, but instead to provide it directly to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nenagh Garda Station Tel: (067) 50450, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda station.

Man Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter In Co. Tipperary 2023 Case.

A 29-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a Polish national in County Tipperary, bringing a significant development in a case that dates back more than two years.

Mr Tomasz Rozpeda, of no fixed abode, entered the guilty plea before the Central Criminal Court on Friday morning. He had originally been charged with the murder of 32-year-old Mr Maciej Nowak, who died following an incident in late December of 2023.

The court heard that the unlawful killing occurred on or about December 26th or 27th, 2023, at Ballycranna, Kilross, Co. Tipperary. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed that the State has accepted the plea to manslaughter.

During proceedings, the court was informed that the victim’s family, who are based in Poland, wish to attend the sentencing hearing. In light of this, a sentencing date has been scheduled for May 18th next.

Ms Justice Karen O’Connor adjourned the case to that date and directed that a victim impact report be prepared. Mr Rozpeda was remanded in custody pending sentencing.

The court also heard that a nolle prosequi, (not to wish to prosecute), will be entered on the original murder charge at the conclusion of sentencing proceedings, meaning the State will not pursue that count further.

Further details, including sentencing, will be determined at the next court hearing.

Blue Bayou.

Lyrics: Co-written by American singer, songwriter and guitarist the late Roy Orbison and award-winning American singer/songwriter Joe Melson.
Vocals: The late Roy Orbison (1936–1988).

This song hereunder; written by Orbison and Joe Melson, was released in 1963, and is known for its longing, nostalgic tone about returning to a peaceful place and a lost love.

Blue Bayou.

I feel so bad, I got a worried mind.
I’m so lonesome all the time,
Since I left my baby behind on Blue Bayou.
Saving nickels, saving dimes,
Working till the sun don’t shine,
Looking forward to happier times on Blue Bayou.
I’m going back someday, come what may to Blue Bayou,
Where you sleep all day and the catfish play on Blue Bayou.
All those fishing boats with their sails afloat, if I could only see,
That familiar sunrise through sleepy eyes, how happy I’d be.
Go to see my baby again,
And to be with some of my friends,
Maybe I’ll be happy then on Blue Bayou.
I’m going back someday, gonna stay on Blue Bayou,
Where the folks are fine, and the world is mine on Blue Bayou.
Oh, that girl of mine by my side, the silver moon and the evening time,
Oh, on some sweet day, gonna take away this hurtin’ inside.
I’d never be blue, my dreams come true,
On Blue Bayou.

END.

Death Of Peg Malone, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, on Thursday 12th March 2026 last of Mrs Margaret (Peg) Malone (née Sheppard), Eccles, Manchester, U.K. and formerly of Aughnagomaun, Horse & Jockey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

In her 102nd year and pre-deceased by her husband Lawrence, brothers Jim and Tom, sisters Mary (Broome), Susan (Ryan), Kitty (Grove) and Hannie (Gleeson); Mrs Malone passed away peacefully at her place of ordinary residence, surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving sons Peter and Brian, daughters Susan and Geraldine, son-in-law Paul, daughter-in-law Wendy, grandchildren Suzanne, Sam and Anna, brother John, sister-in-law Josie, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Malone will repose at Devitt’s Funeral Home, The Green, Cashel, on Sunday afternoon next, March 29th from 5:30pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Church of St Peter, Moycarkey, Thurles, (Eircode E41 FY29), to further repose for Requiem Mass on Monday morning, March 30th, at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in nearby St Peter’s Cemetery, Moycarkey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Thurles Special Olympics Basketball Club.

Thurles Special Olympics Basketball Club – Annual General Meeting.

Club Chairperson Mr Enda Bourke (Secretary) Reports:-

The 2025 Annual General Meeting of Thurles Special Olympics Basketball Club took place on Tuesday 24th March last at the Order of Malta premises, Bohervaroon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
A good attendance representing athletes, volunteers and family members were present to get an update on Club affairs over the past year.

With a full agenda, reports were given by Club Chairperson Mr Enda Bourke (Secretary), Ms Mary Ryan Maher (Treasurer), Ms Carmel Sammon (Club Safeguarding Officer), Ms Marian O’Reagan and Mr Dennis Jordan (Medical Officer).

The reports confirmed a satisfactory year for the Club and the Chairperson complimented the athletes for their commitment and dedication to weekly basketball and training sessions at the Presentation Convent Sports Hall.

**Pictured following a presentation made to silver medals winner Ms Maureen O’Shea, are L-R**: **Mr Enda Bourke, Ms Catherine Dwan, Ms Maureen O’Shea, Ms Mary Ryan Maher and Ms Carmel Sammon.**

The Club acknowledged the support of family members and carers, Presentation Sports Hall Manager, Mr Martin Hehir, Meitheal 21 staff, Tipperary Co Council, Mr Jim Ryan MC, Mr Paul Scully (Thurles Photo Station), Mr Darren Hassett (Tipp Star) and Mr George Willoughby (Thurles Information).

Officers for the various roles were selected for 2026 and the Chairperson wished the athletes and members success for the year ahead.

At the conclusion of the AGM a special presentation was made by the Chairperson to athlete, Ms Maureen O’Shea, (See image above), to acknowledge the 30th anniversary of her fantastic performance at the 1995 Special Olympics World Games in the U.S. when she won 2 silver medals representing Ireland.
Ms O’Shea is a member of the Thurles Club since its inception in 2004 and is the athlete representative at all Club meetings. There was huge applause for what Ms O’Shea achieved in 1995, and she proudly showed off the medals to all in attendance.

The meeting concluded with refreshments at the impressive Order of Malta premises and our thanks to them for facilitating our visit.