Thurles Information

In-Service Drug & Alcohol Testing For Garda Members Being Finalised.

Department of Justice is Finalising Regulations to Enable In-Service Drug and Alcohol Testing for Garda Members.

The Department of Justice has confirmed it is finalising regulations required to enable the testing of serving members of An Garda Síochána for drugs and alcohol. Once the regulatory framework is completed, it will be open to An Garda Síochána to implement an in-service testing regime.

The move follows continued focus on strengthening anti-corruption safeguards within the organisation, including recommendations set out in the Garda Síochána Inspectorate’s 2020 report on countering internal corruption.

The Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) has this week published a review of progress on the 2020 report’s recommendations, finding that 56% of the 34 recommendations have been implemented or partially implemented to date.

PCSA review highlights.
The PCSA noted progress in several key areas, including:

The formation and resourcing of the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit (GACU), and new policies addressing abuse of power for sexual gain and professional boundaries.
A prohibition on acceptance of gifts or hospitality from covert human intelligence sources (CHIS).
Strong support among members for reform measures, including in-service vetting (supported by 83% in a survey referenced by the PCSA).

The PCSA also highlighted areas where further action is needed, including the absence of a policy and supporting technology to detect and prevent misuse of Garda IT systems, and ongoing concerns regarding compliance with rules on gifts, hospitality and sponsorship.

Regulation drafting “complex” and at an advanced stage:
The Department of Justice has previously indicated that regulations underpinning an in-service drugs testing scheme are complex and require detailed consideration, and that drafting work is now at an advanced stage and expected to be finalised.

Engagement with Garda leadership:
The PCSA has said the review will be discussed at a public meeting between the Authority and the Garda Commissioner on today, (Thursday, 26th February 2026).

Death Of Sean Moynihan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 25th February 2026, of Mr Sean Moynihan, Gleann Rí, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his wife Josephine, his parents Annie and Mick, brothers Noel, Michael and Martin; Mr Moynihan passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, while in the care of staff at Padre Pio Nursing Home, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving daughter Christine, sons John, Michael and Gerard, granddaughters Kelly, Shauna and Aine, brother Paddy, sisters Marian and Eileen, son-in-law Mark (Millea), daughter-in-law Jackie (Cullen), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Moynihan will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59), on tomorrow afternoon, Friday February 27th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the former Cistercian Monastery Abbey, at Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, (Eircode E41 PH01), at 11:00am on Saturday morning, February 28th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

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

The extended Moynihan 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Multi-Agency Operations in Clonmel and Emly Co. Tipperary Yesterday.

Tipperary – Multi-Agency Operations in Clonmel and Emly (Wednesday, 25 February 2026).

Gardaí have completed planned multi-agency operations at a site in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary and a property in Emly, Co. Tipperary, yesterday, Wednesday, 25th February 2026, as part of an ongoing investigations into incidents within the region.

**Firearm, stolen vehicle and cocaine, recovered by Gardai.**

During a search at the Clonmel site, a stolen vehicle was recovered. The vehicle will now be subject to technical examination, before being returned to the owner.

Ten dogs were also seized during the searches at the site by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), latter due to animal welfare concerns. The dogs are currently receiving veterinary care.

During a search at a property in Emly, a firearm was seized and will be subject to further technical and ballistic analysis. Gardaí also recovered approximately €70,000 worth of cocaine, which will be analysed by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

Investigations are ongoing.

Protests & Presidential Election To Headline 2026 GAA Annual Congress.

Protests and Presidential Election to Headline 2026 GAA Annual Congress at Croke Park, Dublin.

The GAA Annual Congress takes place this weekend at Croke Park, with major attention focused on the election of the next President of the Association and a planned protest outside the stadium on Saturday.

Presidential election (Friday night).
Three candidates will stand for election as President of the GAA on Friday evening:
Mr Ger Ryan (Tipperary) – served as Munster Chairman (2022 to 2025) and currently chairs the Central Referees Appointment Committee (CRAC), having also led several national committees including medical, scientific and welfare, and communications.

Mr Derek Kent (Wexford) – recently concluded a three-year term as Leinster Chairman and previously served as Head of the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC).

John Murphy (Sligo) – a current GAA Trustee, former Connacht Chairperson (2021–2024), former Sligo County Board chair, and previously involved with the national infrastructure body.

Incumbent President Jarlath Burns will have completed two years of his three-year term at Congress. The successful candidate on Friday will take the role of Uachtarán Tofa (President Elect) and will have 12 months to prepare for the position.

Congress motions (25 in total).
Delegates will debate 25 motions over the weekend. Key proposals include:

Extending the inter-county season, with the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final played on or before the second week in August, alongside a later start to the inter-county season (fourth Sunday of the year) and the effective removal of pre-season competitions.
A Gaelic Players Association proposal to formalise a maximum of 30 competitive weekends for the inter-county season.
A Clontarf GAA motion requiring players to have played eight club league/championship games in a season to be eligible to play inter-county the following year.
A Laois proposal to end the format whereby Joe McDonagh Cup finalists progress to All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals in the Liam MacCarthy competition.
A hurling discipline proposal that would see a dissent free moved forward 30 metres (or up to the opposition 20-metre line).
A Central Council proposal for replays in provincial senior football finals if level after extra time.
A Fermanagh proposal to restore minor finals as curtain-raisers on All-Ireland senior final day.
A proposal to allow County Boards organise competitions down to 11-a-side to support clubs affected by depopulation.
A proposal requiring County Boards to obtain a high-performance licence to enter teams in senior inter-county competitions.

Planned protest outside Croke Park (Saturday, 11:00am)
Separately, organisers have indicated a protest will take place outside Croke Park at 11:00am on Saturday opposing Allianz’s sponsorship of the GAA.
Those behind the demonstration have stated their opposition relates to Allianz’s corporate links and reference a United Nations Special Rapporteur report (June 2025) which named a number of companies, including Allianz through its German parent company, in the context of sustaining and financing Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories. Protest activity has also occurred at some recent league venues.

While nine counties passed motions calling for an end to sponsorship links, none of those motions are included on the official Congress agenda.

Vehicle Drivers In The Area Of HolyCross Village Take Care.

Vehicle drivers are being asked to take care, if travelling the R659 roadway, between the junction of Galbertstown Lower and Holycross village this morning.

The area was the scene, last evening, of a single vehicle collision, which saw an English registered Land Rover strike a ditch. Thankfully the driver was uninjured and the vehicle was subsequently removed.

However, early this morning a telephone pole, close to the area collapsed, blocking the roadway.
Members of the Thurles Fire Brigade attended at the scene at approximately 7:20am and were joined later by telephone technicians, both of whom currently remain at the scene.
Note: Stop and Go signs are currently being manually operated on a very narrow road section close to a dangerous blind bend.