Thurles Information

A Dark Vote for Ireland: TDs Move To Remove A Last Safeguard For The Unborn.

The Dáil vote to advance Sinn Féin’s morally reprehensible Bill, abolishing the mandatory three-day waiting period before abortion, is a deeply troubling moment for Ireland.

While this was not yet the final passing of this law, it was nevertheless a decisive and shameful step. The Bill passed Second Stage by 86 votes to 70, with no abstentions recorded. It now moves to further scrutiny, but the message from a majority of TDs is already clear; one of the few remaining safeguards in Ireland’s abortion law is now in their sights.

The three-day wait was not an extreme measure. It was a modest pause. It recognised that abortion is not ordinary healthcare, but the ending of a developing human life. It gave space for reflection, for pressure to ease, and perhaps for a mother to receive support, hope and alternatives. Removing it makes abortion faster, easier and more routine.

This is Sinn Féin’s Bill.
Under Mary Lou McDonald’s leadership, a party that speaks constantly about housing, poverty, families and equality has chosen to put its political weight behind stripping away a safeguard for unborn children. That says a great deal about the moral direction of the party. Sinn Féin presents itself as the voice of ordinary Ireland, yet here it has helped lead an attack on the most voiceless human beings in the Irish State.

Will there be a referendum?
As things stand, probably not. The 2018 referendum removed constitutional protection for the unborn and handed the Oireachtas power to legislate for abortion. That means TDs can now change abortion law without returning to the people, unless a future constitutional amendment is proposed. This is exactly why voters were previously warned that legal protections could be steadily dismantled once the Eighth Amendment was gone.

The voting record also deserves close attention. Published breakdowns show no abstentions, but several TDs were absent or not recorded as voting. The absent/not-recorded names listed include, note; Tipperary TD Alan Kelly, Thomas Byrne, Niamh Smyth, Peter “Chap” Cleere, James O’Connor, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, James Lawless, Conor D. McGuinness, Denise Mitchell, John Brady, Rose Conway-Walsh, Sorca Clarke, Helen McEntee, Hildegarde Naughton, Patrick O’Donovan, Neale Richmond, Verona Murphy, Charles Ward and Richard O’Donoghue.

In Tipperary, Mr Alan Kelly of Labour, (Tipperary North), was listed as absent. Both Mr Michael Lowry and Mr Ryan O’Meara voted NO; in Tipperary South, Mr Séamus Healy voted YES, while Mr Mattie McGrath and Mr Michael Murphy voted NO.

And where are the Churches?
The bishops have made statements defending life, but many ordinary christians feel the public witness has been far too quiet, cautious and muted. At a moment like this, Ireland does not need whispers. It needs moral clarity.

This vote should not be forgotten. Every TD who voted Yes, and every TD who failed to vote should be remembered.
Ireland deserves better than this.

POINT Youth Diversion Project Opens In Thurles, Tipperary.

POINT Youth Diversion Project Opens in Thurles; as Youth Diversion Reaches Every Community in Ireland.

Minister of State Ms Catherine Ardagh has officially opened the Providing Opportunities in North Tipperary Youth Diversion Project, known as POINT YDP, in Thurles.

The project will support young people and families across Thurles, Templemore and surrounding areas in central Tipperary.

The opening marks an important milestone for youth justice in Ireland, with Youth Diversion supports now available to children and young people nationwide. There are now 92 Youth Diversion Projects and 4 Targeted Youth Diversion Projects operating across the State.

Youth Diversion Projects play a vital role in helping young people move away from anti-social or criminal behaviour and towards positive opportunities, personal development, education, training and stronger community connections.

Speaking at the opening, Minister Ms Ardagh highlighted the life-changing impact these projects can have for young people, their families and their wider communities. She said diversion gives young people the chance to access support early, build confidence, make positive choices and avoid the long-term consequences that can come from entering the criminal justice system.

POINT YDP is administered by Foróige, Ireland’s largest youth organisation, which delivers youth services and projects across the country.

The Government has also confirmed continued investment in youth justice services, with total funding for Youth Justice measures rising to €43 million this year.

This new project is a welcome and significant development for North Tipperary, ensuring that young people in the area can access the guidance, support and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

Food Allergen Alert.

Undeclared allergens in batches of Moin Bio Croissants.

Alert Summary dated Thursday, June 18th 2026.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2026.A18.
Allergens: Cereals containing gluten, milk, mustard, sesame seeds, nuts.
Product Identification: Moin Bio Croissants Vegan; pack size: 300g (frozen) and Moin Bio Butter Croissants: pack size: 300g (frozen).
Batch Code: All packs that are not labelled in English.
Country Of Origin: Germany

Message: The list of ingredients of some packs of Moin Bio Croissants Vegan and Moin Bio Butter Croissants is not labelled in English. Both products contain cereals containing gluten, mustard and sesame seeds. In addition, Moin Bio Croissants Vegan contains nuts and Moin Bio Butter Croissants contains milk. This may make the implicated packs unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of cereals containing gluten, mustard, sesame seeds, milk and/or nuts.

The affected batches are being recalled.

Death Of Bob Ely, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, of Mr Robert (Bob) Ely, (published today Thursday June 18th 2026) of Burma Road, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Margaret and Patrick, brother Jerry, sister-in-law Mary, brothers-in-law Jim and Paddy; Mr Ely passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, while in the care of staff of St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny and Fennor Hill Care facility, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving and devoted wife Peggy (née Normoyle), son Robert, daughter Jean, grandchildren Bobby, Danny and Billy, Robert’s partner Aisling, Jean’s partner P.J. brothers Pat and Murty, sisters Anna (Kiely), Rita (Hally) and Mary (Hayden), nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Ely will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59), on Friday afternoon, June 19th, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
His remains will be received into the Church of St Mary, Moyne, Thurles on Saturday morning, June 20th, at 11:00am to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in St Mary’s Cemetery, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Ely and Normoyle 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 anam dílis.

Did You Get A Card, Or Just The Bill?

The Dáil That Keeps on Giving – With Your Money.

Did you get your taxpayer-funded Christmas card, calendar, sympathy card, congratulations card, bookmark, postcard, or perhaps a handy copy of the 1916 Proclamation?

No? Strange. Because since the start of last year, TDs and Senators managed to produce more than 10.5 million customised print items through the Oireachtas print facility, all in connection, we are told, with “parliamentary duties”.

Among the highlights from this festival of ink and entitlement were: – 167,600 calendars, 65,210 Christmas cards, 45,225 greeting cards, 25,570 sympathy cards, 3,990 congratulations cards, customised bookmarks, postcards, and 8,700 copies of the 1916 Proclamation.

Nothing says “Republic” quite like printing the Proclamation at public expense while 85,000 newsletters and leaflets end up being pulped because they were never collected.

One batch of 35,000 newsletters apparently had an error. Another 30,000 booklets were printed in double the required amount. A further 20,000 were not collected after illness and, understandably, “went out of his head”.

Of course, mistakes happen. Usually, when ordinary people make them at work, there is a cost. In Leinster House, the cost appears to be paper, ink, staff time, recycling and the taxpayer’s patience.

From Leinster House with Love – Postage Included?

And here is the real festive question: if all these cards and calendars are being printed at our expense, who is paying for the stamps? Did TDs and Senators have access to prepaid Oireachtas envelopes?

So, did you get a card? Did you get a calendar? Did you get a bookmark? Did you get a sympathy card before you even knew you needed sympathy?