Garda Training Set For Major Changes As Minister Announces 21 Recommendations For The Future Of Policing.
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan has announced the publication of a major review of Garda education and training, setting out 21 recommendations aimed at strengthening An Garda Síochána over the next decade. The report, prepared by the Garda Training Review Group under the chairmanship of Mr Jim Breslin, examines how Garda recruitment, professional development and specialist training can be improved to meet the changing demands of modern policing.
Templemore to Remain at the Heart of Garda Training: One of the most significant findings is that a second Garda training college is not currently required. Instead, the review recommends that the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary, remain the primary training centre for new recruits. Ongoing investment and improvements to this facilities are expected to enable the college to accommodate approximately 1,000 new Garda recruits each year.
Greater Opportunities for Education and Professional Development. The report also highlights the importance of strengthening partnerships between An Garda Síochána and universities and Technological Universities throughout Ireland. These partnerships could provide Garda personnel with greater access to specialist education, professional qualifications, research and career development opportunities. The aim is to ensure that Garda members have the knowledge, skills and training necessary to respond effectively to increasingly complex policing challenges.
21 Recommendations to Shape the Next Decade The Review Group has put forward 21 recommendations covering three key areas:
Strategic and operational planning, including workforce requirements and investment in training facilities.
Planning for future flexibility to ensure Garda training can respond to changing organisational needs.
Future education and training development, including closer cooperation with higher education institutions.
The recommendations are intended to support a more modern, adaptable and professionally developed police service. Minister to
Discuss Next Steps with Garda Commissioner Minister O’Callaghan welcomed the findings and thanked Mr Jim Breslin and his Review Group for their work. He reaffirmed his commitment to Templemore, as the country’s principal Garda training college, while supporting closer relationships with regional Universities and Technological Universities. The Minister has confirmed that he will discuss the recommendations with the Garda Commissioner.
A Significant Step for the Future of An Garda Síochána. The publication of this report represents an important opportunity to strengthen Garda training, improve professional development and ensure the organisation is equipped to meet the policing challenges of the years ahead.
Attention will now turn to how the recommendations are implemented, the investment required and the practical benefits they can deliver for Garda personnel and the communities they serve.
Pre-deceased by his sister Angela and brother Jimmy; Mr Malone passed away peacefully at his place of ordinary residence following a long illness.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Margaret, stepdaughters Clare and Catherine, grandchildren Jade, Amber, Caolan and Conor, sisters Lall and Aileen, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
For those persons who would wish to attend the Farewell Service of Cremation for Mr Malone, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Malone 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 Milford Care Centre.
A Wake-Up Call For Every Family – What We Eat Today Could Determine Our Health Tomorrow!
Imagine sitting down to enjoy your favourite breakfast cereal, biscuits, packaged snacks, instant noodles, or ready-made meal, never suspecting that some of these everyday foods could be contributing to serious long-term health problems. Well, growing scientific evidence is raising an alarming question; Are we sacrificing our physical and mental health for convenience?
Researchers investigating ultra-processed foods are uncovering troubling associations with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and potentially declining brain health. This is not just another food scare. It is a warning worth taking seriously.
Your Brain May Be Paying The Price! For years, we have heard about the effects of unhealthy diets on our waistlines and hearts. But scientists are now examining what ultra-processed foods might be doing to our brains. A 2026 scientific review published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health found concerning associations between higher consumption of ultra-processed foods and poorer cognitive outcomes in several studies. Other research has linked diets high in these products with greater risks of depression, anxiety, and poor sleep. Although scientists have not established that ultra-processed foods directly cause dementia or mental illness, the findings raise important concerns about their long-term effects. Our brains need proper nourishment, not just calories!
The Damage May Go Beyond The Brain. Many ultra-processed foods contain excessive amounts of added sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and refined ingredients, while providing insufficient fibre and other essential nutrients. A major 2024 review published in The BMJ, drawing on research involving nearly 10 million participants, identified associations between higher ultra-processed food consumption and numerous adverse health outcomes.
Even more concerning, a controlled study by the US National Institutes of Health found that participants consuming ultra-processed diets ate approximately 500 extra calories per day and gained weight compared with when they ate minimally processed foods. This suggests that certain industrially formulated foods may encourage overeating, even when we do not intend to eat more.
Our Farmers And Natural Foods Deserve Support! While supermarket shelves overflow with highly manufactured products, our local farmers work tirelessly to produce fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, eggs, and other nourishing foods. Why should we overlook these valuable resources while increasingly depending on packaged convenience foods? Supporting local agriculture is more than an economic decision. It can also help communities improve access to fresh, nutritious food. When we support our farmers, we invest in healthier families, stronger communities, and a more sustainable food future.
It Is Time To Take Back Control Of Our Plates! Fortunately, healthier eating does not have to be complicated or expensive. Here Are Practical Steps We Can Take:
Choose more fresh vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains.
Prepare home-cooked meals whenever possible.
Drink water instead of sugary soft drinks.
Read food labels and compare added sugar, salt, and saturated fat.
Replace heavily processed snacks with fruit, nuts, or other nutritious options.
Buy fresh, seasonal produce from local farmers when affordable.
Teach children healthy eating habits from an early age.
Remember, not all processed foods are harmful. Frozen vegetables, plain yoghurt, canned beans, and other nutritious processed foods can form part of a healthy diet. The real concern is excessive dependence on ultra-processed products that displace balanced, nourishing meals.
The Time To Act Is Now! Our health is too precious to leave entirely in the hands of convenience and aggressive food marketing. We must demand clearer food information, better nutrition education, affordable healthy choices, and stronger support for local food producers. Let us return to real nourishment, protect our children’s future, and make healthier food choices a community priority. Because what we put on our plates today can influence the quality of our lives tomorrow.
Eat Wisely – Think Clearly – Live Healthier – Support Our Farmers!
Share This Message With Your Family And Friends. Awareness Today Could Inspire Healthier Choices Tomorrow!
Motorists travelling through Tipperary are being advised to prepare for significant disruption as a five-week resurfacing programme gets underway on the M8 motorway.
The southbound carriageway between Junction 4 at Urlingford and Junction 5 at Two-Mile-Borris will be closed daily from 8am to 6pm until Friday, November 13th, 2026.
The restrictions, which began on Monday, 12 October, are part of planned road resurfacing works aimed at maintaining and improving the motorway. During the closures, southbound motorists will be diverted off the M8 at Junction 4, travelling via the R693 before joining the R639, formerly the N8.
Drivers will continue along the R639 towards Horse and Jockey, where they can rejoin the M8 southbound at Junction 6. The diversion covers approximately 19 kilometres along the R639 and may result in additional journey times, particularly during busy commuting periods.
Additional closures around Cashel Further traffic disruption has also been reported between Junction 6 at Horse and Jockey and Junction 7 at Cashel North.
As already reported a night-time closure on November 6th, between 9:00pm and 5:00am, will affect both directions. However note, this November closure has not yet been verified against an official council notice. Motorists are therefore encouraged to check the latest official announcements before travelling.
Advice for motorists Drivers using the M8, particularly those heading towards Cashel, Cork and surrounding areas, should allow extra travelling time and follow designated diversion signs. Local traffic on the R639 may also experience increased congestion while motorway resurfacing continues. Road users are advised to remain alert, drive carefully through affected areas and monitor updates from Tipperary County Council.
Please share this information with anyone regularly travelling on the M8.
The entertainment world is mourning the heartbreaking loss of American actor and producer Roy Frank “RJ” Mitte III, best known for playing Walter White Jr., also known as Flynn, in the critically acclaimed television series “Breaking Bad”.
Mitte died yesterday Monday, 12th October 2026, aged just 34, in Texas. TMZ has reported that his death was by suicide, citing a county official, although his representatives have not publicly confirmed the cause of death. The circumstances remain under investigation.
For millions of viewers, Mitte will forever be remembered as the son of Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, in one of television’s most celebrated dramas. Appearing throughout all five seasons of Breaking Bad, Mitte brought warmth, vulnerability and emotional honesty to Walter Jr., a young man struggling to understand the increasingly destructive behaviour of his father. His character became an important emotional centre of the series, often representing the innocent family members caught in the consequences of Walter White’s decisions.
Away from the cameras, Mitte made an equally meaningful impact. Living with cerebral palsy himself, he used his growing fame to challenge stereotypes, champion disability rights and encourage greater representation of disabled actors in film and television. His career extended beyond Breaking Bad, but it was his portrayal of Walter Jr. that introduced him to audiences around the world and secured his place in television history.
At just 34, his passing is a devastating loss for his family, friends, colleagues and the many fans who admired both his talent and his advocacy. His death is also a reminder of the importance of compassion, mental health awareness and looking out for those around us. We should never assume we know what another person may be experiencing.
Our thoughts are with RJ Mitte’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Recent Comments