Community News « Thurles Information

Man Remanded After Murder Charge In Death Of Tipperary Town Pensioner.

A 31-year-old man has appeared before a District Court sitting in Thurles, charged with the murder of Timothy (“Teddy”) Murnane, aged 81, a retired bus driver from St Michael’s Avenue, Tipperary Town.

The accused, Mr Sean Harding, of Marian Terrace, Tipperary Town, had previously faced a charge of assault causing harm to Mr Murnane at the same address on September 12th 2025.
On Wednesday, that assault charge was withdrawn on the direction of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and Mr Harding was charged with murder.

The court heard Mr Murnane was discovered with head injuries at his property at about 9.35pm on September 12th 2025.
Paramedics attended before the victim was taken to University Hospital Limerick, where he died on September 14th 2025.

Det Garda Conor Gleeson, of Cashel Garda Station, gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. The court was told that when the charge was put to Mr Harding after caution, he replied “No.”

Sgt Cathal Godfrey told the court the DPP had directed that Mr Harding be tried on indictment on the murder charge at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court.

The court also heard Mr Harding had previously been charged with three counts of burglary, with the DPP directing that he be sent forward on two of those charges, while clarification was being sought in relation to the third.

Mr Harding, represented by solicitor Mr Colin Morrissey, was remanded in custody to appear at Tipperary Town District Court (sitting in Thurles) on February 4th 2026 for service of the book of evidence and to address outstanding directions relating to the burglary charges.

Thurles Planning Alerts From Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2561181.
Applicant: John Ryan (Ned).
Development Address: Wolfe Tone Place, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: the construction of an extension (south of existing structure) and undertaking of alterations to a property adjoining and within the curtilage of a protected structure (TRPS2503) E41 PX09. Permission for completion of works relating to this extension – decision made.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 19/11/2025.
Decision Date: 20/01/2026.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2561181/0.

Application Ref: 2461122.
Applicant: Board of Directors, Thurles Lions Trust.
Development Address: Croke Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: (1) a two storey apartment building fronting onto Croke Street, comprising of 1 number one-bed apartment at ground floor level and 1 number one-bed apartment at first floor level and (2) a two storey apartment building located to the rear of the site.
Status: Planning Permission Granted – Conditional.
Application Received: 19/12/2024.
Decision Date: 20/01/2026.
Further Details: Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/.

Become a Fáilte Isteach Volunteer Tutor At Cashel Library.

Ms Maura Barrett, (Cashel Library) Reports:

Our free conversational English classes are starting again next Month, February, and we’re hoping to welcome new volunteer tutors to our team!

No teaching experience is needed – Fáilte Isteach provides full online training.

If you enjoy meeting people, supporting your community, and sharing everyday English,
this is a wonderful and rewarding opportunity.

New volunteers will feel very welcome and will be learning alongside an experienced, supportive team.

Time: Tuesdays, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

If you’re interested in volunteering we’d love to hear from you!

Death Of Jonathan Whyte, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Thursday 22nd January 2026, of Mr Jonathan Whyte, Surrey, England, and formerly of Ballyvadlea, Drangan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Sonny and Bonny; Mr Whyte passed away peacefully on Thursday, 22nd January, surrounded by his loving family and friends, while in the care of staff at London Bridge Hospital, 27 Tooley St, London SE1 2PR, United Kingdom.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving son and daughters, their partners, cherished grandchildren, sister, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

Funeral arrangements in England to follow.

A memorial Mass will be held in Church of the Visitation, Cloneen, Church, Kilburry West, Ballyhomuck, Co. Tipperary, at 12:00 noon on Friday February 20th next.

The extended Whyte 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.

Site Clearance Begins For Drive-Thru McDonald’s On Slievenamon Road, Thurles.

Site clearance works have begun in recent days to facilitate the construction of a drive-thru McDonald’s restaurant on Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary — a development which has generated strong local reaction, particularly among homeowners living nearby.

According to information published by Tipperary County Council, the proposed works are scheduled to run from February 2nd, 2026 to July 8th, 2026.

The development is described as follows:

Development Type: Assembly and Recreation
Overview: Construction of a 478.8 sq. m. single-storey drive-thru restaurant, including:
Access from the existing access road serving the Lidl and Insomnia units to the north
Drive-thru infrastructure including a height restrictor and customer order points with canopies
Outdoor seating area
Corral area with bins and general storage
Plant and associated infrastructure works
All related site works above and below ground

“Over the moon”… apparently.
While the development has been termed “controversial” by some, a number of local residents, particularly those with mortgages in the immediate vicinity, have been described as “over the moon” about the works, albeit in a tone that suggests the “moon” in question may be made of concrete, brake lights and late-night engine noise.

Speaking informally, several locals said they were “delighted” at the prospect of increased convenience food, traffic movements and, potentially, the sort of atmospheric ambience only a busy drive-thru can provide, especially at peak times.

In what residents stressed was “pure excitement” (and absolutely not weary sarcasm), some even expressed hope that the area could be further “enhanced” over time, with suggestions including an underground techno club, an industrial music venue, or a large-scale rave facility, should anyone (who needs to go to work in the morning), feel the neighbourhood needed more “vibrancy” after midnight.

Election season expectations:
Others said they were eagerly looking forward to the next local and general elections, when they expect to have an opportunity to express, in their own words, their “genuine, sincere and unfeigned gratitude” to whoever they believe most deserves it.

For now, the diggers are in, the clearing has started, and residents say they will be watching the project closely, if only because it may become difficult not to.