Community News « Thurles Information

Ms Catherine Connolly Elected Ireland’s 10th President.

Ms Catherine Connolly has been elected Ireland’s 10th President following a lacklustre campaign.

In an election marked by voter apathy and political disillusionment, Teachta Dála Ms Catherine Connolly has been elected as Ireland’s 10th president, securing an overwhelming victory that nonetheless leaves the Government politically bruised.

While the presidency is a largely ceremonial office, with limited constitutional powers, the result represents a symbolic blow to the coalition led by Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin. The centre-right parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, suffered from weak campaigns and uninspiring candidates, paving the way for Ms Connolly’s decisive win.

Aged 68, Ms Connolly has lived in the Claddagh area of Galway City since 1988 with her husband, retired woodwork teacher Mr Brian McEnery, latter now aged in his early 70s. The couple have two adult sons. Her brother-in-law is Sligo-based socialist politician Mr Declan Bree.

Ms Connolly’s election marks the third time a woman has held Ireland’s presidency, following Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.

A clinical psychologist by training, she previously worked with the Western Health Board in Ballinasloe and Connemara before practising as a barrister. She is fluent in Irish and also speaks German, having studied psychology in Germany. Raised a Roman Catholic, she has described herself as not practising any religion.

Throughout the campaign, Ms Connolly faced scrutiny over past associations and her personal judgement. A long-time advocate of Irish neutrality, she has voiced opposition to what she describes as “the creeping militarisation of Europe” and has cautioned against efforts to dilute Ireland’s traditional stance of non-alignment. While supported in this election by left-leaning parties, including Sinn Féin, she has reiterated that Irish unity can only be pursued peacefully and with the consent of voters in both jurisdictions, a stance that may in time test her future relationship with Sinn Féin.

Presidential Election does not reflect a surge of enthusiasm for the left as the left would have people believe.
Despite her clear victory, voter turnout tells a more complex story. Just 46% of the electorate cast a ballot, with 13% of those votes spoiled. Overall, only one in three of the total electorate voted for a candidate, while 54% stayed at home. In total, 67% of voters were either disengaged or disillusioned, many citing dissatisfaction with the non availability of candidates.

Analysts note that Ms Connolly’s vote share represents support from around just 20% of the total electorate; less than the combined vote secured by Sinn Féin and other left-wing parties in the last general election. Her success, they argue, reflects not a surge of enthusiasm for the left, but rather the collapse of confidence in the traditional parties.

Low turnout, disaffected voters, and an opposition campaign run with ruthless efficiency combined to produce Saturday’s result. For Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, it was a political humiliation, years in the making. Both parties, critics argue have drifted from the values that once defined them and appear increasingly out of touch on core issues such as housing, healthcare, and the cost of living.

In chasing narrow blocs of voters that distrust them, the two main government parties stand accused of abandoning the liberal, economically moderate, centre ground that long anchored Irish politics. The resulting vacuum, political observers warn, will have to be filled before the next Irish general election.

Death Of Joan Moloughney, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Saturday 25th October 2025, of Mrs Joan Moloughney (née Lowry) New Street, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Bouladuff, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her husband Christy, brothers Liam and Paddy, sisters Mai, Esther and Josie; Mrs Moloughney passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Padre Pio Nursing Home, Holycross, Thurles.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving son Gerard, daughter Teresa (Ryan H, Glenreigh, Holycross), grandchildren Thomas, Conor, James, Aidan and Paul, great-grand-daughter Katie, son-in-law Paddy, nephews, nieces, sister-in-law Breda (Moloughney, Coldfields, Two Mile Borris), brother-in-law Eamon (Wilson), extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Moloughney will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59) on Monday afternoon, October 27th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, before being received into the Church of Our Lady and St Kevin, Littleton, Thurles, (Eircode E41 HD90) at 7:45pm same evening.
Requiem Mass will be offered for Mrs Moloughney on Tuesday morning, October 28th, at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in Two-Mile-Borris Cemetery, Two Mile Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The extended Moloughney 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 h-anam dílis.

Shortage Of Garda Staff At Thurles Station Raises Serious Concerns.

The staffing situation at Thurles Garda Station has been flagged by local people as being inadequate to meet the demands of the districts community. Thurles Garda station is indeed struggling from a lack of Garda manpower as our picture hereunder shows today, with Garda vehicles parked up due simply to the lack of Garda drivers.

**A Rank of Garda Vehicles with no officers available to drive them**.

In other areas we are aware from Oireachtas Data, that on some days of the week, there are only six Gardaí; (two in Newport-Killaloe, two in Nenagh on outside duty, and one or two in the Roscrea area), thus rendering the current situation in the north of Tipperary as being totally insufficient.
This leads to the obvious concerns now being raised by our local community, regarding response times and the ability of Gardaí to continue to provide a visible, reassuring presence in the now Thurles sub-district.

At national level Senior Gardaí are constantly reviewing the allocation of resources solely in the context of operational need, crime trends and policing demands, e.g, Dublin City centre, however, no specific timetable for additional deployment of Gardaí to the Thurles area has as yet been publicly communicated.

Implications for the area within the Thurles sub-district and the overall Tipperary community.

The shortage of Garda personnel has several practical implications:

Fewer officers are available for community-based policing and visible patrols, thus undermining public confidence.
Potential delays in response to incidents, especially in Tipperary’s rural hinterlands served by the Thurles sub-district.
Administrative and procedural tasks (such as sign-offs for passport forms, motor-tax documentation) may become harder to obtain locally, increasing inconvenience for local citizens.
The burden on those Gardai on duty greatly increases, with fewer officers available for proactive policing, referrals and outreach.

What is now needed?

A clear commitment is now required from the Department of Justice and the Garda Commissioners’ office, regarding the allocation of additional Gardaí to be deployed in Thurles and required in the districts rural outlying stations.
Enhanced support for community policing models that allow for proactive engagement, rather than purely reactive responses.
Transparent monitoring of whether the new operational model being rolled out in the Garda service will result in more boots on the ground in Thurles, not continuous reduced cover.

Conclusion:
The current staffing shortfall at Thurles Garda Station poses a legitimate concern for local residents especially the elderly. Without timely action to bolster numbers, there is a risk that both the visible policing presence and the capacity for community engagement will remain constrained.
As the Garda service progresses with reforms and new deployment models, ensuring that rural and regional stations like Thurles are adequately resourced remains a matter of extreme urgency.

I searched the available public databases [including the An Garda Síochána and the Oireachtas (Parliament PQ records)] for station-specific deployment figures (e.g. cars, drivers, shifts) for Thurles Garda Station, but could not locate any recent publicly-released data that details:-

the number of patrol vehicles assigned to Thurles Garda station;
the number of available drivers or officers authorised to drive same vehicles;
the shift-cover breakdown for drivers/vehicles at Garda station:

Next Question: Are all our salaried Public Representatives still on Summer Holidays or have they hibernated for the Winter?.

Recall Of SLUSH PUPPiE Products Due To Elevated Levels Of Glycerol.

Recall of various SLUSH PUPPiE products due to elevated levels of glycerol.

Alert Summary Dated Friday, 24th October 2025.

Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2025.58.
Product Identification: Please see table below for product information.
Batch Code: Please see table below for batch codes and best before dates.
Country Of Origin: China.

Message: The implicated batches of SLUSH PUPPiE products listed below are subject to recall as they contain high levels of glycerol. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Product name.	Pack size.	Batch code.	Best before date.	Item number.
SLUSH PUPPiE, Slushie 4 Pack of Syrups set, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry, Lemon & Lime and Cola flavours.	4 x 180 ml.	20672.	End 11/2026.	300178.
SLUSH PUPPiE, Slushie 4 Pack Syrup set; ZERO Sugar!; Cola, Blue Raspberry, Lemon & Lime and Strawberry Flavour Syrup with Sweeteners set	4 x 180 ml 300053 20459.	20181. 20459.	End 11/2025. End 03/2026.	300053. 300053.
SLUSH PUPPiE, Slushie 2 Pack Syrup set; ZERO Sugar!; Blue Raspberry & Strawberry Flavour Syrup with Sweeteners.	2 x 500 ml	20181.	End 11/2025.	300052.
SLUSH PUPPiE, Slushie Making Cup & Straw; ZERO Sugar!; & Strawberry Flavour Syrup with Sweeteners set.	180 ml.	20069.	End 07/2025.	300071.
SLUSH PUPPiE, Slushie Making Cup & Straw; ZERO Sugar!; & Blue Raspberry Flavour Syrup with Sweeteners set.	180 ml.	20006.	End 05/2025.	300045.

Nature Of Danger: Glycerol (E 422) is an approved food additive in the European Union (EU). It is used in slush ice drinks as a substitute or partial substitute for sugar and helps maintain the slushy texture by preventing the liquid from freezing solid. There is no maximum level set for its use in flavoured drinks, however, according to legislation, it must be used in foods at a level not higher than is necessary, to achieve its intended purpose. Because young children have a lower body weight, if they consume large quantities of glycerol in a short period of time, it is possible that some young children may experience side effects, such as headaches, nausea and/or vomiting.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers & Retailers:

Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Wholesalers/Distributors: are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batches and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

Celebrating Poetry & Place: Circling the Square Festival Returns To Thurles.

Popular “Circling the Square” Festival Returns To Thurles, Co. Tipperary, With Stellar Line-Up of Poets and Musicians.

Thurles is set to celebrate poetry, music and creativity in style as the fourth annual Circling the Square Festival returns to The Source Arts Centre over the weekend of October 31st to November 2nd, 2025.

Now firmly established as one of the region’s premier arts events, this festival honours the legacy of acclaimed Thurles-born poet Dennis O’Driscoll, drawing together leading voices from Ireland and abroad for a packed programme of performances, readings and workshops.

“Outside new antique pubs, young consultants
— well-toned women, gel-slick men —
drain long-necked bottles of imported beer.
Lip-glossed cigarettes are poised
at coy angles, a black bra strap
slides strategically from a Rocha top”.

Above extract from the poem “The Celtic Tiger” by the late, acclaimed Thurles poet, Dennis O’Driscoll.

This year’s performances promise a vibrant mix of poetry, live music and discussion, with four main headline events across Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night concluding with a guided walk of Thurles, followed by Poetry readings and Open Mic Poetry on Sunday November 2nd.

The festival opens officially on Friday afternoon at 4:00pm with a reading by US former Poet Laureate and Novelist Joseph Bathanti in Bookworm No 1 Parnell Street in Thurles, followed by the first major performances at The Source Arts Centre, Cathedral Street, Thurles from 7:45pm. The evening, introduced by Jimmy Duggan, will feature music by Brendan Collins (Uilleann pipes), Gina Oberoi (Mezzo-Suprano) and Pat O’Callaghan (Saxophone), Hidden Highways, The Ed Dwan Trio and Leslie Dowdall & Hugh Buckley, alongside readings from poets Polina Cosgrave, Sean Lysaght, Moya Cannon, Joseph Bathanti, and Mary O’Donnell.

Same evening will be followed, at 10:30pm, with an Après Festival, featuring a gathering of poets, musicians and a wide audience, in the relaxed setting of “The Monks” historic licenced hostelry, on Mitchel Street, Thurles.

Saturday’s programme, November 1st, begins with a Poetry Workshop at 10:30am in the Community Rooms (above the Library) at The Source, presented by Professor Joseph Bathanti.

This event will be followed in the afternoon at 2:00pm by a panel discussion on the poetry of the late, great Irish poet Seamus Heaney. For this event Rosie Lavin & Bernard O’Donoghue, (latter editors of the newly published definitive edition of Seamus Heaney’s poetry) will join in conversation with Declan O’Driscoll.

Same will be followed by poetry readings from Amy Abdullah Barry, Michael Dooley, Charlotte Buckley, and Laoighseach Ni Choistealbha, accompanied by Classical Flautist Emma Roche from 2:30pm.

The Saturday evening showcase beginning sharp at 7:45pm, promises another standout event, featuring music from Classical Flautist Emma Roche, Hidden Pathways, Leslie Dowdall and Hugh Buckley, and the Ed Dwan Quartet, interwoven with poetry from Eleanor Hooker, Mark Roper, Bernard O’Donoghue, Grace Wilentz and Jane Clarke.

Again the night will round off at 10:30pm with the ever-popular Après Festival in The Monk’s licenced hostelry with a relaxed acoustic music session.

Note: For this event, tickets are available from The Source Arts Centre box office and website.

On the final day Sunday November 2nd at 11:30pm, commencing from the Anner Hotel, a guided heritage and history walk around Thurles will take place led by local historian Jimmy Duggan.

Finally, at 2:30pm, in The Monk’s, a Poetry Reading session, will take place, including an open Mic Session (For the latter those wishing to take part are invited to submit their names in advance). Those already taking part are D’or Seifer, Philip Lynch, John Noonan, Cathy Conlon, Trish Bennett, Linda Tavokali, Susan Miller Demars, Lauren Mc Namara, Cora Peters and Ron Carey.