Thurles Information

More Non-Returnable Drinks Containers Found On Sale In Thurles As Litter Concerns Grow

On August 2nd, 2026, Thurles.Info highlighted the growing litter problem caused by drinks containers being discarded on streets, roadsides and in public spaces around Thurles and other Irish towns.

Among the containers increasingly being found are round aluminium BuzzBallz cocktail cans and miniature plastic bottles used for spirits and cocktail mixes. Many of these containers cannot be returned through Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme.

The scheme generally covers PET plastic drinks bottles and aluminium or steel drinks cans with a capacity of between 150ml and three litres. However, containers must also display the Re-turn logo and carry a barcode registered with the Irish scheme. To be accepted, they must be empty, undamaged and retain their original shape.
Consequently, an imported or unregistered container may be rejected by a Reverse Vending Machine, even when it is made from aluminium or PET plastic and falls within the specified volume range. Miniature glass bottles and containers made from plastics other than PET remain outside the scheme.

Our original report can be read here: Alcohol Containers Fast Becoming New Litter Menace In Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Government Minister’s office contacted
Following publication of that report, we contacted Minister of State Mr Alan Dillon, who has responsibility for the Circular Economy at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.

We received the following standard automated acknowledgement:
“Thank you for your email to Minister of State Alan Dillon’s Office. Your correspondence will be brought to the attention of the Minister and relevant officials in the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
Please be advised that if the issue raised in your correspondence is more appropriate to another Government Department or Agency, your correspondence will be forwarded to that organisation for direct response, in accordance with the provisions of the Department’s Data Protection Policy.”

This acknowledgement merely confirms receipt of our correspondence. It provides no substantive response to the litter problem raised and offers no indication as to what action, if any, may be taken.

**“100% recyclable” is not the same as being eligible for a deposit refund**. **Result littering**.

Bottled water without the Re-turn logo
We have again contacted Minister Dillon’s office after observing Irish retailers selling multipacks of bottled water whose packaging states that the bottles are “100% recyclable”, but which do not appear to display the official Re-turn logo.

“100% recyclable” is not the same as being eligible for a deposit refund
Under the published scheme rules, in-scope containers must display the Re-turn logo and carry a barcode registered with the scheme. Re-turn states that all in-scope drinks containers placed on the Irish market must meet these labelling requirements.

The water shown in our accompanying photograph above is sold in 500ml plastic bottles; a size that would normally fall within the scope of the Deposit Return Scheme if the bottles are made from PET plastic and properly registered. Their apparent lack of a Re-turn logo therefore raises questions as to why such products are being offered for sale and whether Irish consumers can return them for a deposit refund.

Without a financial incentive to return these bottles, more of them are ending up discarded along roadsides, on streets and in other public places, adding to an already serious litter nuisance.

Consumers who see a recycling symbol may understandably believe that a bottle can be placed in a Reverse Vending Machine. If the machine then rejects it because its barcode is not registered or because it lacks the required Re-turn marking, the system becomes confusing and public confidence is weakened.

We now respectfully ask Minister Dillon and his Department to clarify:

Why drinks containers that appear to fall within the scheme’s material and volume requirements are still being offered for sale without the Re-turn logo?
Whether retailers are permitted to sell such products in Ireland?
Which authority is responsible for inspecting retailers and enforcing compliance/
What measures will be taken to include, or otherwise address, aluminium cocktail containers, miniature bottles and other drinks packaging currently falling outside the scheme?
Whether the Deposit Return Scheme will be reviewed to prevent avoidable gaps that contribute to litter?

Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme can reduce litter only when the containers most likely to be discarded are included and when consumers can easily identify what is returnable.

A recyclable container that cannot be returned is still a container that can become litter.

Remembering Detective Garda Frank Hand – Murdered In The Line Of Duty At Drumree

Today marks the anniversary of the murder of Detective Garda Frank Hand, who was fatally shot by members of the Provisional IRA; latter the paramilitary organisation historically and politically associated with Sinn Féin, while protecting a delivery of pension and social-welfare money in County Meath.

On the morning of August 10th 1984, Detective Garda Hand and his colleague, Detective Garda Michael Dowd, were travelling in an unmarked Garda car as the armed escort for a Post Office mail van.
When the vehicles stopped outside Drumree Post Office, they were confronted by an armed Provisional IRA unit attempting to rob the delivery. Gunfire was exchanged between the raiders and the Gardaí. Both detectives were wounded, but Detective Garda Hand’s injuries sadly proved fatal.

The stolen money was subsequently recovered. Mr Tony Eccles, Mr Patrick McPhillips and Mr Brian McShane were convicted of Detective Garda Hand’s capital murder. They all received death sentences, which were commuted to 40 years imprisonment. The three men were later released early under the provisions associated with the Belfast Agreement.

Detective Mr Frank Hand was born on August 29th 1957, the fourth of seven children from Ardmullen, Curraghboy, County Roscommon, (near Athlone). He joined An Garda Síochána on July 20th 1977.
After completing his training, at the Garda Training Centre in Templemore, County Tipperary, (Today called the Garda College), he was assigned to Donnybrook Garda Station in Dublin.
On April 16th 1982, he was appointed to the Central Detective Unit at Harcourt Square.

During his short but distinguished career, he also played an important part in the arrest of murderer Mr Malcolm MacArthur in 1982. Detective Hand played a key role in the August 1982 arrest of murderer Mr MacArthur at the Attorney General’s apartment in Dalkey. Detective Hand had remained stationed at the rear of the property, while other officers moved towards the front; Assistant Garda Commissioner Mr Tony Hickey later recalled that this decision had prevented MacArthur from escaping.

Detective Hand was killed just19 days before his 27th birthday. He had married Ms Breda Horgan; also a member of An Garda Síochána, only five weeks earlier. His newly married wife was then pregnant at the time of his death, and their daughter, Fiona, was born after her father was murdered.

On December 4th 1986, Detective Garda Frank Hand was posthumously awarded the Scott Gold Medal for exceptional courage and bravery.

Detective Hand gave his life while protecting his colleagues and the public. Behind the uniform was a young husband, an expectant father and a dedicated Garda whose future was taken from him in an act of criminal violence.

Today, we remember Detective Garda Frank Hand, his widow Mrs Breda Hand, his daughter Fiona, his wider family and all those affected by the attack at Drumree.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Ger Doheny, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, on Saturday 8th August 2026 last, of Mr Ger Doheny, Grawn, Ballingarry (South Riding), Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Collins Park, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.

Pre-deceased by his son JJ, parents Jimmy and Annie and sister Angela; Mr Doheny sadly passed away unexpectedly.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; heartbroken wife and best friend Julie, son Keith, adored granddaughters Abbie and Lucy, daughter-in-law Fiona, brothers Jimmy, Anthony and Kieran, Julie’s children Dean and Leah, sisters-in-law, aunt Nell Wall, uncle Timmy Bergin, special cousins Ann Jackman and Bea Doheny, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

Rest in Peace.

Funeral Arrangements.

Funeral arrangements will be published later as soon as final details are confirmed.

The extended Doheny family 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.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

The Bike You Didn’t See – Drivers Urged to Look Again at Junctions

A brief pause at a junction could prevent a death on Ireland’s roads.

Above is the message behind a new Road Safety Authority campaign asking motorists to check twice for motorcycles before entering a road, particularly when pulling out from a T-junction.

Sixteen motorcyclists have already died on Irish roads this year, adding urgency to the campaign.
The danger often develops in an instant. A driver reaches a junction, checks both directions and begins to move. An approaching motorcycle, however, may have blended into the background or appeared farther away than it really was.

Unlike a car or van, a motorcycle occupies very little of a driver’s field of vision. This can make both its presence and its approaching speed difficult to judge during a quick check.
The RSA wants motorists to break that routine by pausing and looking once more before proceeding.

Evidence gathered between 2021 and 2025 shows why that extra check matters. During those five years, 954 motorcyclists suffered serious injuries, while 117 lost their lives. Around two-thirds of the riders seriously injured were involved in crashes with another vehicle.
Road Safety Authority confirm that failure to observe was the action most frequently identified in those multi-vehicle incidents. Junctions were also the scene of 38% of serious motorcyclist injuries.

The campaign arrives during a period when greater numbers of motorcycles are likely to be on the road. Drivers are being asked to approach junctions slowly, remove distractions and allow themselves enough time to make a proper assessment.
Motorcyclists may be smaller and less visible than other vehicles, but they have the same right to be seen and protected.

Before pulling out, pause and check again. The bike missed on the first look could be visible on the second.

Death Of Mary Joyce, Formerly Hollyford, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, on Saturday 8th August 2026 last of Mrs Mary Joyce (née Ryan), Ard na Greine, Cré Dubh, Spiddal, Co. Galway, and formerly of Hollyford, Co. Tipperary and London.

Pre-deceased by her parents, William and Josephine and brother Eddie; Mrs Joyce passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, while in the care of staff at University Hospital, Galway.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving husband Festus, son Sean, daughter Karen, and son-in-law Geoff, brothers, sisters-in-law, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Joyce will reposing at her home, Ard na Greine, Cré Dubh, Spiddal, Co. Galway, (Eircode H91 YR6Y) on this afternoon Monday, August 10th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, same evening. (Please note: No removal will take place this evening).
Her remains will be received into the Church of Mary Immaculate Queen, Knockaunnacarragh, Barna, Co. Galway, on Tuesday, August 11th, at 12:00 noon to further repose for Requiem Mass, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Rahoon Cemetery, Rahoon Road, Co. Galway.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs Joyce, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Joyce and Ryan 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.

Note: Donations, if desired, to Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiac and Stroke Foundation, in Memory of Mrs Mary Joyce (née Ryan).

“The family of Mrs Joyce would like to sincerely thank all of her carers and the wonderful staff at the University Hospital Galway for their kindness and compassion.”

Solas na bhflaitheas agus leaba i measc na n-aingeal di.