Community News « Thurles Information

Thurles Special Olympics Basketball Club.

Thurles Special Olympics Basketball Club – Annual General Meeting.

Club Chairperson Mr Enda Bourke (Secretary) Reports:-

The 2025 Annual General Meeting of Thurles Special Olympics Basketball Club took place on Tuesday 24th March last at the Order of Malta premises, Bohervaroon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
A good attendance representing athletes, volunteers and family members were present to get an update on Club affairs over the past year.

With a full agenda, reports were given by Club Chairperson Mr Enda Bourke (Secretary), Ms Mary Ryan Maher (Treasurer), Ms Carmel Sammon (Club Safeguarding Officer), Ms Marian O’Reagan and Mr Dennis Jordan (Medical Officer).

The reports confirmed a satisfactory year for the Club and the Chairperson complimented the athletes for their commitment and dedication to weekly basketball and training sessions at the Presentation Convent Sports Hall.

**Pictured following a presentation made to silver medals winner Ms Maureen O’Shea, are L-R**: **Mr Enda Bourke, Ms Catherine Dwan, Ms Maureen O’Shea, Ms Mary Ryan Maher and Ms Carmel Sammon.**

The Club acknowledged the support of family members and carers, Presentation Sports Hall Manager, Mr Martin Hehir, Meitheal 21 staff, Tipperary Co Council, Mr Jim Ryan MC, Mr Paul Scully (Thurles Photo Station), Mr Darren Hassett (Tipp Star) and Mr George Willoughby (Thurles Information).

Officers for the various roles were selected for 2026 and the Chairperson wished the athletes and members success for the year ahead.

At the conclusion of the AGM a special presentation was made by the Chairperson to athlete, Ms Maureen O’Shea, (See image above), to acknowledge the 30th anniversary of her fantastic performance at the 1995 Special Olympics World Games in the U.S. when she won 2 silver medals representing Ireland.
Ms O’Shea is a member of the Thurles Club since its inception in 2004 and is the athlete representative at all Club meetings. There was huge applause for what Ms O’Shea achieved in 1995, and she proudly showed off the medals to all in attendance.

The meeting concluded with refreshments at the impressive Order of Malta premises and our thanks to them for facilitating our visit.

Death Of Bridget Keane, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Thursday 26th March 2026 of Ms Bridget Keane [Prop. Keane’s Wallpaper and Paints], Friar Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her parents Patrick and Mary and brother Tim; Ms Keane passed away peacefully, following a long illness most bravely borne.

Her passing is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving sister Josephine (Molloy), nieces Carmel, Patricia and Marie, nephews Frank and Gerard, grand-nephew Tadhg, brother-in-law Joe, sister-in-law Vivienne, cousins, extended relatives, loyal customers and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms Keane will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59) on Sunday afternoon, March 29th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, (Eircode E41 A528), on Monday morning, March 30th, at 10:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Lognafulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Keane 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.

Death Of Joe Cooney, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Thursday 26th March 2026 of Mr Joe Cooney, Turtulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Ballybeg, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Michael and Katie, brothers Marty, Michael, Seamus, John, Paddy and Phil, sister Kitty (Cooke), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law; Mr Cooney passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, while in the care of staff at Fennor Hill Care Facility, Urlingford, Co Kilkenny and St Luke’s Hospital, Co. Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; devoted and loving wife Maura (née O’Meara), sons James and Declan, daughter Edel, grandchildren Aaron, Anthony, Jack, Sam, Kilian, Kiara and Evan, great-grandson Arthur, daughters-in-law Alice and Anna, sisters Mary (Ryan) and Nellie (Lee), nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law Ted, Sean and Dinny, sisters-in-law Patsy, Josie and Kathleen, cousins, extended relatives, Sean Treacy Pipe Band members, the community and staff at Fennor Hill, neighbours,and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Cooney, will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59), on tomorrow afternoon, Saturday March 28th, from 5:00pm until 7:30pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, (Eircode E41 A528), on Sunday morning, March 29th at 10:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Lognafulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Cooney and O’Meara families 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 Paddy Nolan, Loughmore, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, Thursday 26th March 2026, of Mr Paddy Nolan, Castlequarter, Loughmore, Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his son David, parents Teresa and Luke and sister Anna; Mr Nolan passed away peacefully at his place of ordinary residence, surrounded by his loving family,

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Mary, daughters Theres (Tolena), Antoinette (Russell) and Frances (Long), sons Richard and Pat, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, sisters Noreen and Sr Margaret Mary, step brothers Luke, Kevin and Richard, grandchildren Anya, Peter, Sarah, Patrick, Aisling, Ursula, David, Claire, Loughlin, Jack, James and Tommy, great-grandchildren Daiti, Siún, Hally and Nessa, nephews, nieces, extended relatives neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Nolan will be received into the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady Loughmore, Templemore, (Eircode E41 F5NO), on Sunday afternoon next, March 29th, to repose for Requiem Mass at 1:00pm, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended Nolan family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of James Dorban, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, on Monday 23rd March 2026, of Mr James Dorban, Ballycullen, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his beloved parents Peggy and Fred, and his sisters Eileen and Sheila; Mr Dorban, sadly, passed away suddenly.

His passing is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; heartbroken wife Theresa; sons William, Jack, Frederick and Finnbar, daughter Georgia, adored grandson Theodore and granddaughter Adeline; brothers David, Brian and Michael, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Dorban will repose at Brett’s Funeral Home, Mullinahone, Thurles, (Eircode E41 EV78), on Tuesday evening next, March 31st, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.
His remains will be received into the Church of St Michael, Kickham Street, Mullinahone, Thurles, on Wednesday morning, April 1st, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Killaghy, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The extended Dorban 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.

Note Please: House strictly private. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Critical Emergency Medical Response National Ambulance Service in memory of Mr James Dorban.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.