Thurles Information

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Thursday 29th September 2022, of Mrs Anna Stapleton (née Broggy), Derrymore, Meelick, Co. Clare; Co. Limerick and formerly Clohessy Place, The Rag, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her husband Neddie, brothers Matthew, Jimmy, Seanie and Donal and her sister Moyra (Cahill); Mrs Anna Stapleton passed away peacefully in Derrymore, Meelick, Co. Clare, surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted by her brother Noel, sisters Kathleen Baumann (Switzerland), Teresa McCurtain (Oklahoma, Texas), sister-in-law Bridget, brothers-in-law Jerry and Paul, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours, friends and kind carers.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Stapleton will repose on tomorrow evening, Saturday, October 1st, in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Meelick, Co. Clare from 5:00pm–7:00pm.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, October 2nd, at 12:00 noon. Interment will take place immediately afterwards in Moneen Cemetery, Meelick, Co. Clare.

For those unable to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs Stapleton, same can be viewed online HERE.

The extended Stapleton family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Note Please: House strictly private.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.

A BBC Spotlight investigation [Research: Conor Spackman & Pippa Cooke] has found that a Church of Ireland clergyman in east Belfast was transferred to the rural parish of Kilcooley, Co. Tipperary here in the Irish Republic, following child sex abuse allegations, having been made against him back in the 1970s.

Considered a high flyer in the Church of Ireland; Rev. Canon Billy Neely was for 10 years a protestant minister at Mount Merrion Parish Church, Cregagh, Belfast in the 1970s. He was also a Scout leader, who was later banned from the scouting organisation, after being moved in 1976 to the Parish of Kilcooley; latter in the Dioceses of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, (encompassing churches at Littleton, Crohane and Johnstown), in the barony of Slievardagh, Co Tipperary; 5 miles south of Johnstown in Co. Kilkenny.

In a statement to the BBC, the Scouting Association confirmed it had become aware, in 1977, of inappropriate behaviour by the now deceased Rev. Billy Neely; which in turn was confirmed by the then Bishop of Down and Dromore, Right Reverend George Quin (1970-1980).

In October 1977, Rev. Neely was removed from his role as ‘volunteer scout leader’, and action was also taken to ensure he could never re-join the Scouting organisation.

Allegations made against him are understood to be that he was beating small boys for personal sexual gratification.

BBC Spotlight investigations have revealed that Rev. Neely’s ministry in Tipperary, meant that despite having been banned for life by the Scouts, he continued to have access to young children, through his ministry, which involved presiding over a Sunday school group and visiting at a local school.

We understand that the Church of Ireland are refusing to comment on these allegations, because of ongoing legal proceedings, thus preventing any further prejudice to legal cases.

Rev. Neely returned to Northern Ireland in the 1980s, to serve in the parish of Keady, Co. Armagh, before once again given the honorary title of Canon, granted to some senior or retired ministers of the Church.

Rev. Neely passed away in 2009 and was interned in the grounds of St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have confirmed that it has no records of allegations made to the RUC in the 1970s.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Tuesday 27th September, 2022, of Mrs Kathleen Quirke (née Maguire) Nodstown, Boherlahan, Co. Tipperary and formerly Golden, Co. Tipperary.

Mrs Quirke passed away peacefully, following a long illness most bravely borne, surrounded by her loving family, and while in the care of staff at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary and Padre Pio Nursing Home, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her devoted husband P., sister Eileen (Power) and brother Bryan; the passing of Mrs Quirke is most deeply regretted by her much loved children, Margaret, Mary, Paul, Thomas, Catherine and AnneMarie, sister Mary (Corbett), adored grandchildren, daughter-in-law Martha, sons-in-law, nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law Josie and Margaret, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Quirke will repose in Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on Friday evening, Septtember 30th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, before being received into the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Boherlahan, Cashel at 8:00pm.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning, October 1st, at 11:30am.
Interment will take place immediately afterwards in Ardmayle Graveyard, Castlemoyle North, Co. Tipperary.

For those unable to attend Requiem Mass in Church for Mrs Quirke, same can be viewed online HERE.

The extended Quirke family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.