On 21st August 2026, Tipp FM reported Councillor Mr Jim Ryan’s warning that lives were being put at risk after a lifebuoy was thrown into the River Suir, behind the shopping centre in Thurles.
Despite the publicity and confirmation that the relevant bodies had been contacted, the lifebuoy remains visible in the overgrown, stagnant, cesspool-like, stretch of river today, 6th September, 16 days after the initial report.
The photograph hereunder accompanying this post was taken today.
Pic: G. Willoughby.
Despite a new buoy being replaced, there appears to have been no successful effort to recover this vital piece of lifesaving equipment. If action has been taken, the public deserves to know why the buoy is still in the river and unavailable for use in an emergency.
Each lifebuoy reportedly costs approximately €55.00, with the rope adding further expense. More importantly, its absence from its proper station could have had life-or-death consequences.
Tipperary County Council has previously warned that damaging or taking a ring buoy is a criminal offence and has urged the public to report missing or damaged equipment to the council or Water Safety Ireland.
Condemning vandalism is not enough. This lifebuoy must now be recovered or replaced, the location made safe, and responsibility taken for ensuring that essential rescue equipment along the Thurles river walk is inspected and maintained.
A stolen or abandoned ring-buoy is a stolen life.
” condeming vandalism is not enough ” i agee 100% its not enough what is needed are more garda patroling areas that are kknown for such behaviour , the area further along opposite lidl store is just as bad , people sitting drinking all day, ,leaving litter using the wooded areas as toilets , either get the gardai to patrol the area or EMPLOY litter wardens with power to fine and move on those responsable .also WHY isnt tipp co co getting onto inland waterways ireland to get them to sort out the problem of the river flowing ? its quite simple the river isnt flowing properly because of the amount of weed ,overgrown vegetation and detritus in and along the river itself . if / when we get the heavy prolonged winter rains and the river bursts its banks causing damage to pathways and other infrastructure WHAT excuse will we get from the authorities then ? our rivers are in a disgracefull state and its down to 1 thing LACK OF PROPER MAINTAINANCE CAUSED BY GREED ! paying a small fortune to ” executive officers”and boardmembers instead of spending TAX PAYERS MONEY on maintainance .