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Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service – Free Smoke Alarms & Installation For Over-65s.

Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging people aged 65 and over to apply for a free smoke alarm and installation under the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme, aimed at protecting the most vulnerable households across the county.

The scheme targets those at greatest risk in the event of a house fire, including older people, people living alone and residents in isolated rural areas, by providing and fitting smoke alarms where needed.

Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service said it is working to increase the number of smoke alarms in homes countywide, with the goal of ensuring a minimum of two working smoke alarms in every home.

A spokesperson said: “Smoke alarms provide an early warning that can save lives. We are urging households, particularly those with older residents or anyone living alone, to apply and to make sure their alarms are working.”

National fire safety advice consistently stresses that many fatal fires occur in homes without a working smoke alarm, underlining the importance of fitting and maintaining alarms.

How to apply.
Application forms: Same are available online through Tipperary County Council and can be returned by email or by post/hand delivery.
Email: smokealarms@tipperarycoco.ie
Post/Hand delivery: Smoke Alarms, Fire Service HQ, Nenagh Fire Station, Limerick Road, Nenagh

Simple safety checks
Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service is also reminding households to:

  • Ensure there are at least two working smoke alarms, including one on each level of the home.
  • Keep exits clear and have an escape plan.

For general council contact details, see Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service information pages HERE.

HSE In Talks With Bon Secours Limerick To Ease Peak-Time Pressure At UHL.

The HSE has confirmed ongoing discussions with Bon Secours Hospital Limerick on a proposal that would allow appropriate medical patients to be transferred from University Hospital Limerick (UHL) during periods of peak demand, in a bid to relieve chronic overcrowding.

Under the proposed arrangement, patients would be treated and cared for in Bon Secours Limerick as the private hospital continues the phased opening and expansion of services at its new facility, which is reported as a €213 million development.

UHL remains the region’s only 24-hour Emergency Department, serving a catchment of more than 400,000 people across North Tipperary, Limerick, Clare and parts of Cork and Kerry.

Current position
In a statement, Bon Secours said: “As the new Bon Secours Hospital Limerick opens an additional ward, discussions are being finalised to support the public system in providing care for several medical patients from University Hospital Limerick.”

The HSE Mid West said it has been in discussions with Bon Secours “about transfer of appropriate patients… to alleviate pressure on UHL during periods of peak demand”, adding that it hopes an agreement will be finalised “in the coming weeks”.

Overcrowding context
Latest figures, reported this week, show UHL continuing to account for the highest numbers of patients awaiting admission. On Friday, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation reported 107 patients on trolleys and in other inappropriate spaces at UHL, while the HSE’s TrolleyGAR, reporting, indicated 55 admitted patients waiting on trolleys at the hospital.

Overcrowding has persisted despite recent expansion works, including the official opening of a €105 million 96-bed block at the UHL campus in October 2025.

Background and longer-term planning
The current pressure on UHL is widely linked to the mid-west reconfiguration in 2009, which saw 24-hour emergency departments closed and services centralised, including in Ennis, Co. Clare and Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, as well as St John’s Hospital Limerick.

The Government has also recently indicated it will progress a “blend” of options advised by HIQA to address urgent and emergency care capacity in the region, following its review, as outlined by Minister Ms Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

Death Of Marie De Boer, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Friday 6th February 2026 of Mrs Marie De Boer (née Hynes), Castleview, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mrs De Boer passed away while in the care of staff of St. Theresa’s Nursing Home, Thurles.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; nephews Sean, Mark and Paul, niece Jackie and grandniece Ciara, extended relatives neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs De Boer will repose at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Castlequarter, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, (Eircode E41 VX81), on Saturday evening from 6:00pm until 7:30pm, before being received into the nearby Church of the Sacred Heart, Pallas Street, Borrisoleigh, Thurles.
Requiem Mass for Mrs De Boer will be offered on Sunday afternoon, February 8th at 1:00pm, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in Templeree Cemetery, Ballinroe, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended De Boer 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.

Batches of Aptamil And Cow & Gate Infant Formula Recalled.

Danone recall specific batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate infant formula and follow-on formula due to the possible presence of cereulide.

Alert Summary dated Friday, 6th February 2026.

Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2026.05.
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Code: Please see implicated expiry dates in the table below.
Country Of Origin: Ireland
.

Message: Danone is recalling the below specific batches of its Aptamil and Cow & Gate infant formula and follow-on formula sold in Ireland due to the possible presence of cereulide. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Product name.
Pack size.Expiry dates.
Aptamil 1, From Birth, First Infant Milk.800g.05-07-2026
14-07-2026
24-07-2026
03-08-2026
03-09-2026
31-10-2026
11-11-2026
26-11-2026
Aptamil 2, 6-12 months, Follow on milk.800g.07-06-2026
12-07-2026
20-07-2026
30-07-2026
17-09-2026
26-10-2026
28-10-2026
21-11-2026
05-12-2026
20-12-2026
Aptamil Hungry, 1 From Birth, First Infant Milk.800g.31-07-2026
16-11-2026
24-02-2027
Cow & Gate Hungry First Infant Milk From Birth.800g.01-08-2026
16-12-2026
Cow & Gate 1, First Infant Milk from Birth.800g.05-07-2026
05-01-2027
Cow & Gate 1, First Infant Milk from Birth.800g.10-06-2026
07-07-2026
03-08-2026
20-09-2026
30-10-2026
08-11-2026
11-12-2026
05-01-2027

Please see Questions and Answers: Danone is advising customers to contact its Aptamil careline team on Tel: 1800 22 1234 (https://www.aptaclub.ie), or its Cow & Gate careline on Tel: 1800 570 570 (https://candgbabyclub.ie) if they have any queries regarding this recall. 

In addition, Danone is recalling specific batches of its Aptamil and Cow & Gate infant formula and follow-on formula sold in the UK due to the possible presence of cereulide. The below batches may indirectly be distributed to Ireland from the UK.

Nature Of Danger: Cereulide toxin is produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. The toxin may be pre-formed in a food and is extremely heat resistant. Consumption of foods containing cereulide toxin can lead to nausea and severe vomiting. Symptoms can appear within five hours. The duration of illness is usually 6 to 24 hours.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers & Retailers:

Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale. 
Wholesalers/distributors: Same are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batches and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers.
Consumers: Parents, guardians and caregivers are advised not to feed the implicated batches to infants or young children.

Death Of PJ Bourke, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Tuesday last, 3rd February 2026, of Mr Patrick Joseph (PJ) Bourke, Cuan Mhuire, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Tipperary and formerly of Ballycahill, Thurles and Jersey, Channel Islands.

In his 83rd year and pre-deceased by his brothers Willie and Eddie, sisters Biddy and Nuala; the passing of Mr Bourke is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Jessie, brothers John Joe, Mike, Tony, Gerry, Ollie and Pascal, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, former work colleagues in The Ommaroo Hotel, St Helier, Jersey, and a wide circle of friends in Ireland and Jersey C.I.

Rest in Peace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The remains of Mr Bourke will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59), on Monday, February 9th, from 12:00 noon until 1:00pm.
Funeral Service will take place at 1:00pm in Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, followed by a Service of Cremation in Shannon Crematorium, Illaunmanagh, Shannon, Co. Clare, (Eircode V14 PV30) at 4:00pm same afternoon.

The extended Bourke 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.