Thurles Information

It’s Good to See You.

Lyrics: British singer-songwriter Allan Taylor.
Vocals: American country music singer, songwriter and 2010 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the late Don Williams, (1939 – 2017).

Yet another beautiful song from the “Gentle Giant” himself, the late Don Williams. The song is one of those quiet, heartfelt tunes that reminds us how special it is to reconnect with someone after time apart. It’s about friendship, memories, and the simple joy of seeing a familiar face again; something we surely all understand.

It’s Good to See You.

It’s good to see you, so good to see you,
Oh, how I’ve missed you, since I’ve been gone.
I’ve crossed the ocean, travelled through many lands,
And it’s good to see you, to be in your home.
There’s something in me that makes me wander,
There’s many a land I have to see.
And when I’m far away in a land of strangers,
I know my good friends think on me.
It’s good to see you, so good to see you,
Oh, how I’ve missed you since I’ve been gone.
‘Cause I’ve crossed the ocean, travelled through many lands,
And it’s good to see you, to be in your home.
Oh, it’s a wonder, when it comes to friendship,
No matter how far away, no matter how long.
There’s a constant thread that’s never broken,
And it ties me to, my friends at home.
It’s good to see you, so good to see you,
Oh, how I’ve missed you since I’ve been gone.
I’ve crossed the ocean, travelled through many lands,
And it’s good to see you, to be in your home.
It’s good to see you, so good to see you,
Oh, how I’ve missed you, since I’ve been gone.
‘Cause I’ve crossed the ocean, travelled through many lands,
And it’s good to see you, to be in your home.

END

Former Ceann Comhairle Mr Seán Barrett TD Dies Aged 81.

The death has been announced of Seán Barrett, former Teachta Dála (TD) and Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, who has passed away at the age of 81 years.

Mr Barrett was a long-serving member of Fine Gael and represented the Dún Laoghaire constituency for several decades. First elected to Dáil Éireann in 1981, he served until 2002 and later returned to public office from 2007 until his retirement in 2020.

Mr Barrett was elected Ceann Comhairle in 2011 and served in that role until 2016. He was widely regarded as a fair and authoritative chair who upheld parliamentary standards and oversaw important developments in the modernisation of Dáil proceedings.

During his political career, he held a number of senior government positions, including Minister for Defence and Minister for the Marine between 1995 and 1997. He also served as Government Chief Whip during the mid-1990s.

Seán Barrett is remembered for his long-standing commitment to public service and his dedication to his constituents over many years.

Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Sheila, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

National Fuel Protest Planned Across Ireland, Including Tipperary.

A large-scale national protest concerning fuel costs is set to take place on Tuesday morning, with participants expected to mobilise from early hours across multiple regions, including Tipperary.

Organisers have confirmed that convoys will begin departing from 6:00 a.m., converging on key towns and cities nationwide. Demonstrations are also expected at various locations throughout Tipperary, as part of the coordinated action. The protest aims to call for a further reduction in excise duty on fuel, as well as the removal of the carbon tax, which organisers argue is placing significant strain on households and businesses.

Participants involved in the protest have expressed serious concerns about the current economic climate. They warn that rising fuel costs are contributing to increasing financial pressure across sectors, with some suggesting that urgent action is needed to prevent wider economic instability.

Law enforcement authorities have been notified in advance of the planned routes and assembly points, including those in Tipperary. Traffic disruptions are expected in several areas, and the public is advised to plan journeys accordingly.

Government sources have indicated that, at present, there is no immediate concern regarding fuel supply shortages. However, officials have acknowledged that the situation remains fluid, particularly in light of ongoing developments affecting global energy infrastructure.

Calls have been made for urgent attention to the energy crisis, with growing pressure for swift and coordinated action to address rising costs and their impact on citizens.

Further updates are expected as the situation develops.

Inland Fisheries Ireland – From “Leading Light” To Governance Crisis.

Why Accountability Must Now Rest at the Top of Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Once held up as a model of best practice, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is now facing one of the most serious governance controversies in recent Irish public sector history. So what went wrong, and how did it go unchecked for so long?

A Reputation Built on Safety Leadership
Back in 2018, IFI stood as a benchmark for excellence. The organisation earned national recognition for its fleet safety standards, with its Logistics Manager receiving a prestigious Road Safety Authority “Leading Light” award. Alongside this, IFI secured a “Van Safe” award, reflecting strong operational controls across a fleet of approximately 200 vehicles supporting critical environmental and enforcement work.
At the time, IFI wasn’t just compliant; it was leading.

A Very Different Picture Emerges
Fast forward to recent years, and that reputation has been fundamentally challenged. Investigations by the Comptroller and Auditor General and scrutiny from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have revealed deep-rooted issues, raising serious questions about governance, transparency, and leadership.

The Uninsured Vehicle Incident
At the centre of the controversy is a 2021 road collision in County Donegal involving an IFI vehicle that was not insured. The fallout has been significant, with the employee involved not informed that the vehicle lacked insurance and An Garda Síochána not notified of the issue.
The employee only discovered the truth later through legal correspondence.
Even more concerning, multiple uninsured vehicles were also identified during the same period

Misleading Information and “Drip-Feeding” of Facts.
IFI’s engagement with oversight bodies has also come under sharp criticism.
The PAC was told that the organisation provided “inaccurate” evidence, while committee members raised alarm about incomplete disclosures and a pattern of withholding information. This has led to serious concerns about credibility at senior levels.

A Breakdown in Governance.
What initially appeared to be an isolated incident has instead exposed systemic failures.
A “near-total collapse of governance” was highlighted during PAC hearings. Internal controls were found to be inadequate, undermining confidence in IFI’s operations. Governance issues have persisted for years, prompting multiple investigations and repeated committee hearings. In short, this is not a one-off error, it is a structural problem.

Potential Legal and Financial Consequences.
The implications extend beyond governance. A protected disclosure report linked to the incident has, we understand, been referred to the Garda Commissioner. The uninsured collision alone resulted in repair costs of approximately €230,000. However, the reputational cost may be even greater.

Where the Responsibility Lies.
It is increasingly difficult to view these failures as administrative oversights.
Instead, they point to:-

A breakdown in risk management.
A failure of duty of care toward staff.
A lack of transparency with statutory oversight bodies.

And most critically, a failure of leadership at senior management and board level. These are the individuals responsible for ensuring compliance, safeguarding employees, and maintaining public trust. Yet, as PAC hearings have shown, confidence in IFI’s leadership has been significantly eroded, with elected representatives openly questioning the organisation’s honesty and competence.

Rebuilding Trust: What Must Happen Next.
IFI now faces a defining moment. Restoring credibility will require more than procedural fixes, it demands decisive action:-

Clear accountability at senior level.
Full transparency with oversight bodies and the public.
Structural reform to prevent recurrence.

Without these steps, trust cannot, and will not, be restored.

Final Thought.
The contrast is stark. From a “leading light” in road safety, to an organisation under scrutiny for governance failures, uninsured vehicles, and misleading disclosures.
The real question now is not just how this happened, but why it was allowed to continue for so long without intervention at the highest levels.

Death Of Phyllis Lawlor, Formerly Of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday, Saturday 4th April 2026 of Mrs Phyllis Lawlor (née Kinsella), Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford and formerly of Camolin, Co. Wexford and Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her husband Kevin; Mrs Lawlor passed away peacefully in the presence of her loving family and carers at Knockeen Nursing Home, Barntown, Co. Wexford.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving sons Diarmaid, Philip and Cormac, daughter Roisín, sister Teresa, brother Declan, daughters-in-law Catrin, Susana and Lee, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren Rhys, Niamh, Cormac, Nayara, Edurne, Aoibheann and Ivy, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Lawlor will repose at her place of residence at Rosslare Harbour on Monday afternoon from 3:00pm until 7:00pm, same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Camolin, on Tuesday morning, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

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

The extended Lawlor and Kinsella 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 Please: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to the Rosslare Harbour and Kilrane Environment Group, who provided Mrs Lawlor with great joy and purpose in her later years.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.