Community News « Thurles Information

North Tipperary Welcomes New 96-Bed Unit Opening At UHL.

New 96-bed unit opened today at University Hospital Limerick.

A new 96-bed unit has opened at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), as part of efforts to ease chronic overcrowding at the Mid West’s main hospital serving North Tipperary.

Minister for Health Ms Jennifer Carroll MacNeill officially opened this new facility, which includes four wards of 24 beds each.

Around 400 additional staff are required to operate the unit, most of whom are already in place, according to the hospital.

UHL, which provides the only 24-hour emergency department for North Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, has consistently recorded the highest number of patients on trolleys in the country.

The expansion comes two weeks after the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) urged immediate action and investment to increase bed capacity in the HSE Mid West.

HIQA outlined three options: expanding the Dooradoyle campus, developing a new nearby site, or constructing a new hospital. Ms Carroll MacNeill said all options remain on the table, adding that increasing inpatient capacity is her priority.

Ms Carroll MacNeill also welcomed the recent granting of planning permission for a second 96-bed block at the Dooradoyle site.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), 100 people were waiting for treatment at UHL on Monday; 70 in the Emergency Department and 30 admitted patients still awaiting a bed.

Emergency departments in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals were closed in 2009 by under a Fianna Fáil led government, pursuing a reconfiguration of services, centralising emergency care at UHL.

Man Set On Fire In Tipperary Assault.

A man, understood to be aged in his 40s, remains fighting for his life after being doused in petrol and set on fire, during a violent incident in South Co Tipperary

Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating what they described as a serious assault in the Knockane area of Tipperary, shortly after 9:00pm last evening (Saturday October 11th).

We understand that emergency services treated the victim at the scene, before he was transferred by ambulance to Cork University Hospital suffering with critical injuries.

Two men, both in their 20s, were arrested a short time later in connection with the incident and are being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at an unnamed Garda station in Tipperary.

In a statement, a Garda spokesperson has stated that investigations are continuing.

Death Of Patrick Mullally, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Saturday 11th October 2025, of Mr Patrick Mullally, Green Street, Callan, Co. Kilkenny and formerly of Lismolin, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Thomas and Kitty, brothers Gerard, PJ and Tomás (latter recently), sisters-in-law Kitty Mullally (née Cleary) and Philomena Mullally (née McGovern); Mr Mullally passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Altamount House, Dublin Road, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving brothers Bobby, Michael and John Joe, sister-in-law Anne, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Mr Mullally will repose at Molloy’s Funeral Home, West Street, Callan, (Eircode R95 Y443) on tomorrow afternoon, Monday October 13th, from 5:00pm, concluding with Rosary and Vigil Prayers at 7:00pm same evening.

Funeral prayers will be recited on Tuesday morning, October 14th at 10:15am, before his funeral cortège is received into the Church of the Assumption, Green Street, Callan, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Kilvemnon Cemetery, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Mullally 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.

Death Of Jack Costello, Currabaha, Templederry, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Saturday 11th October 2025, of Mr John (Jack) Costello, Currabaha, Templederry, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Jeremiah and Winnie, brothers Tom and Ned, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; Mr Costello, sadly, passed away while in the care of staff at Nenagh Manor Nursing Home.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Chriss, daughters Winnie and Breda, granddaughters, Laoise and Éabha, son-in-law Pat, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, great-grandniece, extended relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Costello will repose at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Castlequarter, Borrisoleigh, (Eircode E41 VX81) on tomorrow afternoon, Monday October 13th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, before being received into the nearby Church of the Sacred Heart, Pallas Street, Borrisoleigh Thurles, same evening.

Requiem Mass for Mr Costello will be offered on Tuesday morning, October 14th, at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in nearby St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Upper Main Street, Mountgeorge, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Costello 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.

Thurles Blisters Burst After Just 6 Weeks.

Blister tactile paving, installed in early September of this year; same, as part of the long awaited and current upgrading at the junction at Irerrin Road and Kickham Street in Thurles, are already disintegrating.

**New blister style tactile paving & kerbing shows signs of physical breakdown just 6 weeks after installation**.

This paving is designed especially for visually impaired pedestrians (and those with the more modern affliction of staring intently at their mobile phone screens, surfing Google), while out walking.

Seriously, same should indicate controlled and uncontrolled street crossings, thus warning pedestrians that the pavement is about to end and the road begins.

The paving on this junction indicates an uncontrolled crossing and is earth buff (light earth brown) in colour, same designed colour to provide an additional visual cue for those with low vision.

Sadly, as in this case, engineers in their design, failed to understand that same are not suitable for busy street corners or for parking areas where 18 wheeler trucks halt, forced to park on a narrow street in an effort to off-load their merchandise.

Ah, sure it’s only another €1,000 or so of taxpayers money to spend to correct; a small price to pay for engineering stupidity.