Business « Thurles Information

Thurles Sinn Féin Protest Set To Disrupt Town As Questions Grow Over Judgment and Impact.

A fuel and cost-of-living protest is set to take place in Thurles this Saturday, April 18th, with organisers urging a public turnout in the town centre.

The demonstration, organised by Sinn Féin representative Mr Dan Harty, is due to assemble in the Munster Hotel car park before proceeding to Liberty Square at approximately 2:30pm.

However, the decision to stage yet another protest in the heart of Thurles is already being met with growing frustration locally, particularly among business owners and residents who have seen at first-hand the disruption caused by similar demonstrations nationwide in recent days.

Across Ireland, recent fuel protests have led to gridlock, blocked roads, and major disruption to daily life, including key routes and town centres. These events have not only delayed commuters but also interfered with trade, deliveries, and normal business activity.

Against that backdrop, many are now asking why Thurles; an already congested town on a busy weekend, has been chosen as the venue for another large gathering.

Liberty Square is a central commercial hub. Even limited disruption at peak times can have an outsized effect on small businesses, many of which are already under pressure from rising energy and operating costs. For traders trying to keep doors open, any reduction in access or footfall is not a minor inconvenience, it is a direct hit.

Critics argue that while people have every right to protest, repeating tactics that have already caused widespread disruption, risks alienating the very communities such movements claim to represent.

There are also growing questions about whether protests of this nature are achieving anything tangible, or simply creating further pressure on towns and local economies, without delivering any real meaningful outcomes.
The organiser of the event, Sinn Féin representative Mr Dan Harty, previously had a fairly modest result in the 2024 local elections in the Thurles LEA, with only an 8% share of first-preference votes numbering just 742. This left him below the quota and behind all other elected candidates, to be eliminated relatively early, due to his support base being relatively small compared to the other leading candidates.

The heavy cost of fuel, driven mainly by global supply disruptions, and with the protest expected to draw a flag waving crowd, into an already busy town centre; the focus now shifts to the real impact on Thurles town itself, its streets, its businesses, and the people who rely upon both.

As frustration mounts, many will be watching closely to see whether this latest demonstration reflects responsible leadership, or simply a continuation of disruption that local communities can ill afford.

RTÉ Reaffirms Commitment To Responsible Spending.

While Renewing Essential Transport Services, RTÉ Reaffirms Commitment To Responsible Spending.

Keeping in mind that RTÉ, in the recent past, needed €56 million from taxpayers to survive, same has confirmed the renewal of a controlled, multi-year contract for chauffeur-driven transport services, emphasising that the arrangement is a standard operational requirement and represents a modest, capped cost within a tightly managed budget framework.

The contract, valued at up to €175,000 over five years, relates to the provision of pre-booked chauffeur services for programme contributors, visiting guests, and official engagements. This equates to a maximum of approximately €35,000 per annum, and will operate on an as-needed basis, under a competitive tender process.

RTÉ has stressed that this arrangement is not new spending, but a continuation of an existing framework first established in 2021 and now being renewed following its expiry. The service is separate from general taxi usage and is intended for specific operational scenarios requiring reliability, scheduling precision, and discretion.

Accountability in the Context of Public Funding.The renewal comes in the context of significant public scrutiny following the €56 million State bailout in 2024, alongside broader reforms aimed at restoring trust and ensuring financial sustainability.
RTÉ acknowledges the importance of demonstrating clear value for money to licence fee payers and taxpayers, particularly in light of commitments made as part of its restructuring programme, including cost controls, workforce reductions, and tighter oversight of discretionary expenditure.

A spokesperson stated: “All procurement decisions are subject to rigorous internal governance and public procurement rules. This contract reflects a defined operational need and is structured to ensure cost efficiency, transparency, and accountability.”

Operational Necessity and Cost Controls.
The broadcaster noted that transport services are a core requirement for live broadcasting, where timing, coordination, and reliability are critical. Chauffeur services are used selectively for:

Time-sensitive programme contributors
International or high-profile guests
Situations requiring confidentiality or logistical coordination

The contract will be delivered through a multi-supplier framework (up to three providers), ensuring competitive pricing and flexibility, while preventing over-reliance on any single vendor.
RTÉ also highlighted that the €175,000 figure represents a maximum ceiling rather than guaranteed expenditure, with actual usage expected to vary depending on operational demand.

Ongoing Commitment to Reform
RTÉ reiterated that it remains focused on:

Strengthening financial oversight
Reducing unnecessary expenditure
Delivering public service broadcasting efficiently

The organisation confirmed that all spending decisions will continue to be assessed against the principles of necessity, proportionality, and public accountability.

Three Years of Flooding At Thurles ALDI – Works Finally Begin in 2026.

**Aldi customer parking area pictured in January 2026.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

Following serious concerns raised regarding ongoing flooding at the ALDI store car park on Kickham Street, Thurles, with customers continuing to face unsafe and unusable parking conditions more than three years after the issue was first reported, work finally began yesterday.

A photograph taken on the morning of January 26th, 2026, clearly shows extensive surface water flooding across the main entrance and parking bays, forcing customers to navigate large pools of standing water. In some cases, shoppers had been compelled to use spaces designated for disabled parking due to the inaccessibility of standard bays.

Local customers have described the situation as “a recurring winter problem since at least 2023,” with reports and complaints dating back several years.
Despite this long-standing issue, only now, in mid-April 2026, have works finally commenced on site, following repeated delays linked to drainage issues associated with the adjacent public roadway.

**Contractors yesterday move in to sort out long awaited flooding issues in Aldi carpark, Thurles.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

Correspondence from ALDI Customer Services indicates that these delays were due to dependencies on council-managed drainage works. However, questions remain as to why a long-term solution was not implemented earlier, particularly given that public drainage infrastructure at the site sits significantly lower than the store’s car park level; a factor that would typically allow for effective water runoff if properly engineered.
Loyal customers question whether the issue has been adequately escalated within ALDI management, asking whether the Area Manager has visited the site since the problem was first identified and whether repeated reports from store staff have been acted upon.

The ongoing situation raises broader concerns regarding customer safety, accessibility, and the impact on local trade, particularly for a store known for its strong community engagement and loyal customer base.

While the commencement of works is now acknowledged, it comes after three consecutive winters of disruption, and customers will be watching closely to ensure that a permanent and effective solution is finally delivered.

End Of An Era: PTSB Sale Signals New Chapter For Irish Banking.

In a landmark move for Ireland’s financial sector, Permanent TSB (PTSB) is set to be acquired by Austria’s BAWAG Group in a deal valued at approximately €1.6 billion. The agreement marks a significant milestone; not just for the bank itself, but for the Irish State, which is finally exiting its last remaining stake in the country’s banking system, following the financial crisis.

The Government has agreed to sell its 57.5% shareholding in PTSB for around €931 million, based on an offer price of €2.97 per share. While shares dipped slightly following the announcement, the broader significance of the deal lies in what it represents: the closing chapter of a turbulent period that began with the 2008 banking collapse.

Back then, Irish taxpayers stepped in to rescue the banking system, investing billions to stabilise institutions like PTSB. In total, €3.9 billion was injected into the bank. Over time, through dividends, fees, and share sales, the State has recovered approximately €4 billion, bringing the overall return slightly above break-even when combined with other bank investments.

**PTSB Thurles Branch**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

For customers, including those served by PTSB’s branch in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, the message is reassuring: it’s business as usual. The bank has emphasised that day-to-day services, accounts, and customer support will not be disrupted by the transition. Instead, the acquisition is being positioned as an opportunity to enhance services and expand offerings.

BAWAG Group, headquartered in Vienna, operates across several European countries as well as the US and UK, serving around four million customers. Its focus on retail banking and small-to-medium enterprises aligns closely with PTSB’s core business, making the deal a strategic fit. The combined entity is expected to become a stronger challenger to Ireland’s dominant banks, potentially increasing competition and improving customer choice.

PTSB’s leadership has expressed confidence in the new ownership. Chair Julie O’Neill highlighted the “long-term ambition, capability and capital” that BAWAG brings, while CEO Eamonn Crowley noted the potential for growth and innovation. From BAWAG’s perspective, the acquisition represents a key step in building a broader European and US banking platform.

Irish Minister for Finance Mr Simon Harris described the deal as one of the most significant developments in Ireland’s retail banking market in over a decade. He emphasised that the sale not only delivers value back to taxpayers, but also supports the ongoing normalisation of the banking sector.

Importantly, this transaction follows the State’s earlier exits from AIB and Bank of Ireland, completing a long process of unwinding public ownership in Irish banks. It also reflects renewed international confidence in Ireland’s economy and financial system.

As the deal progresses; subject to regulatory approvals, the focus will shift to integration and future growth. For communities across Ireland, including towns like Thurles, the hope is that this new chapter will bring stronger services, increased competition, and continued investment in local banking.

In many ways, this isn’t just a sale, it’s a signal that Ireland’s banking sector has come full circle.

FSAI Serve One Prohibition & One Closure Order On Two Tipperary Retailers.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) served twelve Closure Orders and two Prohibition Orders on food businesses during the month of March for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.

Two Prohibition Orders (one in Tipperary) were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
♦Al-Eman Halal Shop Limited (Butcher Shop/Retailer), 21 Irishtown, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary .
Pinoy Sari Sari (Retailer), 25-26 Mary Street, Dublin City.

Four Closure Orders (one in Tipperary) were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
♦ Arsh Bazzar (Closed area: Butcher area) (Retailer), 6 Mary Street, Clonmel, Tipperary.
Bruno Gomes (Wholesaler/ Distributor), A food business in operation from a domestic dwelling at Ferndale, Navan, Meath.
Mars Pizza (Take Away), Coolbeg, Kildimo, Limerick.
Meet Brazil (Closed area: the kitchen area upstairs serving the restaurant and take away. The retail area downstairs can remain open.) (Retailer), Castle Hill, Enniscorthy, Wexford.

Eight Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
Kebab House 66 (Service Sector), Moore Street Mall, 58 Parnell Street, Dublin 1.
Georgian Delight (Restaurant/ Café), Unit 3, Moore Street Mall, 58-66 Parnell Street, Dublin 1.
Dailo Nepali Kitchen (Restaurant/ Café), Kitchen 4, Moore Street Mall, 58-66 Parnell Street, Dublin 1.
Tiramisu Mania (Manufacturer), Moore Street Mall, 58 Parnell Street, Dublin 1.
Spicy Bite (Restaurant/ Café), Unit 1, Moore Mall, Moore Street, Dublin 1
Glanmore Foods Limited, Grange Community College (Service Sector), Grange Abbey Road, Donaghmede, Dublin 13.
Eskimo Pizza Bandon (Closed area: the potato peeling room at the rear of the premises) (Take Away), 1 St Patrick’s Quay, Bandon, Cork.
Eurospar (Retailer), 25-27 Annesley Bridge Road, Fairview, Dublin 3.

Among the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in March are: active cockroach infestation; dead cockroaches noted inside a fridge; evidence of rodent activity; dead mouse in a cockroach trap; rodent droppings under the sink area; meat being air dried in a bedroom; no suitable hand washing facilities available to food workers; no hot water or soap for hand washing; cleaning materials stored in dirty stagnant water; thick waste discharge covering an entire floor in a kitchen; equipment observed to be heavily soiled and in an unclean condition; insufficient traceability information; no food safety management system or procedures in place for food safety; no commercial documents or other suitable records to establish the traceability of the foods.

Commenting today, Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, reminded food businesses of the importance of having proper food safety management systems in place:
“It is disappointing that we continue to see enforcement action being necessary due to fundamental breaches. Inspectors are finding recurring incidents of pest infestations and unhygienic practices in food businesses. These are entirely preventable non-compliances when proper food safety management systems are in place. Consumers have a right to safe food. Under food law, it is the legal responsibility of food businesses to ensure that the food they sell to the consumer is safe to eat.”

“If anyone experiences unfit food, poor hygiene standards or notices a breach of food law in a food business, we encourage them to contact us via our online complaint form at www.fsai.ie/makeitbetter. Reporting inappropriate and unsafe food practices provides us with information that we can act upon. We strongly encourage food businesses to continuously improve their food safety standards via regular training, availing of our free online learning portal, as well as promoting a strong culture of food safety within their businesses,” added Mr Dempsey.

Separately, during the month of March one prosecution was taken by the Health Service Executive in relation to:
Sheela Palace Foodstall (Trading at Kerala House Carnival, Fairyhouse Racecourse, Ratoath, Co Meath) Vela, Liffey Valley Complex, Dublin 22.

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.