Community News « Thurles Information

Death Of Mary Slattery, Drangan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 24th September 2025, of Mrs Mary Slattery (née Bowe), Main Street, Drangan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

Pre-deceased by her parents Elsie and Mick, sister Phyllis; Mrs Slattery passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, while in the care of staff at South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving husband Anthony, daughter Dawn, son Mark, son-in-law Adrian, daughter-in-law Jean, granddaughter Sophie, sisters Paula and Anne, brothers Sean, Pj and Michael, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Slattery will repose at Brett’s Funeral Home, Mullinahone, Thurles, (Eircode E41 EV78) on Saturday afternoon, September 27th, from 5:00pm until 8:00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Drangan, Thurles, on Sunday morning, September 28th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended Slattery and Bowe 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.

Note Please: House strictly private.

The Slattery and Bowe families would also like to express their sincere thanks to the Palative Care Team and to all those who cared for Mrs Slattery, throughout her life and illness.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Next Week – 96 Additional Beds Will Become Available At UHL.

University Hospital Limerick (UHL) is set to open 96 additional beds in the coming days, in what health officials say marks the first step in a long-term plan to ease chronic overcrowding at the Mid West Region’s main hospital.

The €96 million development, which has been under construction over the past three years, will deliver 96 single en-suite rooms, all of which are new bed stock. It is understood the unit will be fully staffed once it becomes operational next week.

This is the first of three 96-bed blocks planned for the UHL campus, with the second expected to open in 2027 and the third in the 2030s.

UHL has consistently been ranked the country’s most overcrowded hospital. This morning, figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) recorded 86 patients waiting on trolleys across the hospital’s emergency department and wards, while on the previous day, the figure stood at 118.

The hospital has come under repeated scrutiny from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), which has found UHL to be understaffed and posing significant risks to patient safety. Inspections reported that patient dignity and privacy were routinely compromised in the overcrowded emergency department.

Public concern over safety at UHL intensified following the death of 16-year-old Ms Aoife Johnston in December 2022. An independent review by former Chief Justice Frank Clarke concluded her death was “almost certainly avoidable” after she waited 13.5 hours for life-saving medication. The report warned that without urgent action to address staffing and capacity, further avoidable deaths would remain an “inevitable” risk.

The emergency department at UHL is the only 24-hour facility serving the Mid West region-covering North Tipperary, Limerick, Clare, and parts of Cork and Kerry – since a controversial reconfiguration of services by Fianna Fáil government, back in 2009.
Campaign groups, including families bereaved at the hospital, continue to call for additional emergency departments to be established in the region.

Listeria monocytogenes Found In Café Sol Pesto Pasta & Chicken

Food Safety Authority of Ireland recall a batch of Café Sol Pesto Pasta & Chicken, due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes

Alert Summary dated Thursday, September 25th 2025.

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.50
Product Identification: Pesto Pasta & Chicken; pack size: 224g
Batch Code: Use by date: 25/09/2025
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message: Freshways is recalling the above batch of Café Sol Pesto Pasta & Chicken due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Nature Of Danger: Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

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

Air Quality In Ireland Report 2024

‘We need to do more to protect clean air in towns, villages and cities across Ireland’ says EPA

Air quality in Ireland is generally good and was compliant with 2024 air quality standards, meeting all EU legal requirements.
It will be more challenging for Ireland to meet new and more stringent air quality limits that will come into force from 2030.
Clean air is essential for our health. Around 1,700 premature deaths occur in Ireland each year because of poor air quality.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published its report, Air Quality in Ireland 2024, which is based on data from Ireland’s extensive air monitoring network of 115 stations. It reveals that while Ireland currently meets EU air quality standards, we are projected to fall short of the stricter air quality standards set for 2030 under the new Ambient Air Quality Directive.

The new EU Directive, part of the Zero Pollution Action Plan, aims to reduce premature deaths from air pollution by 55 per cent by 2030. Ireland faces significant challenges in meeting these targets, with projected compliance levels of only 93 per cent for fine particulates (PM2.5) and 78 per cent for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Ireland also continues to fall well short of achieving the more stringent World Health Organization (WHO) health-based 2040 guidelines for several key pollutants.

The primary sources of air pollution in Ireland are solid fuel burning and traffic emissions. The European Environment Agency estimates that in Ireland, more than 1,700 premature deaths annually are attributable to air pollution, with links to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, dementia, type 2 diabetes and neonatal mortality. Vulnerable groups, including children and older adults, are particularly at risk.

Mr Pat Byrne, Director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, stated:
“Many of us have grown up with the comfort of an open fire and limited alternatives to travelling by car—but these familiar habits contribute to poor air quality. Supporting people to shift towards cleaner heating and more sustainable travel isn’t about giving something up—it’s about gaining healthier air and healthier lives.”

Air pollution in Ireland is not confined to cities — towns and villages are also affected. The EPA website www.airquality.ie provides hourly-updated information on air quality and a 3-day air quality forecast. Having these online tools can help us make choices to protect our health during periods of poor air quality.
Ms Roni Hawe, EPA Programme Manager for Environmental Monitoring and Surveillance, added:
“Ireland is facing considerable challenges in its efforts to meet the more stringent air quality standards set for 2030, as well as the World Health Organization targets for 2040. Achieving these goals will require a decisive shift away from solid fuel burning, alongside the adoption of electric vehicles, efforts to reduce traffic and encouraging the use of public transport.”
To find out more about how we can improve air quality read the EPA’s “How we can improve the air we breathe“ infographic or check out the “Government of Ireland Clean Air“, which highlights some simple steps we can all make and help reduce pollution from solid fuels.
The Air Quality in Ireland 2024 report is available on the EPA website HERE.

Irish Government Appoint New Director General Of Forensic Science.

Irish Government announce the appointment of Dr Ciarán Seoighe as Director General of Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). His appointment will take over from his predecessor Mr Chris Enright, with effect from October 6th next, 2025.

Dr Seoighe brings senior experience in the fields of science and research, most recently as Deputy CEO of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland. Dr Seoighe joined Science Foundation Ireland in 2018, which amalgamated with the Irish Research Council to form Taighde Éireann in 2024.

He has led the Strategy and Transformation Directorate and played a key role in shaping Ireland’s strategic direction in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.

Prior to this appointment, Dr Seoighe spent nearly two decades as a global management consultant, advising leading organisations across ICT, finance and more.