Crime « Thurles Information

Gardaí Raid Cannabis Grow House In North Tipperary

Officers from Tipperary Divisional Drug Unit, assisted by Newport Gardaí, seized some €50,000 worth of cannabis plants at a grow house in North Tipperary yesterday (Monday May 11th, 2020). The officers carried out the search shortly before 5:00pm.

A man aged in his 60s was arrested at the scene, before being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at Nenagh Garda Station. The man has since been charged and is expected to appear before Thurles District Court on Tuesday May 26, 2020.

During the course of the search, Gardaí found two rooms which had both been converted into growing areas. One of the rooms was located via a hidden doorway, latter concealed behind a shelving unit.
Here cannabis plants, all at various stages of upward growth, were located in the rooms; the total amount having an estimated value of some €50,000.

Both the grow rooms were fitted with extractor fans, heaters, lighting and necessary irrigation systems.

All of the cannabis plants were seized by Gardaí and remain the subject of further analysis.

Public Co-operation Leads To Recovery Of Stolen Property

A caravan, latter stolen here in Co. Tipperary, has been recovered within hours in Co. Laois, by Portlaoise Gardaí.

The caravan, described as being in mint condition, was removed from the Clogheen area of Co. Tipperary, either late on Friday night last or possibly in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The events leading to its quick recovery yesterday prove, as if proof was needed, the importance of co-operation between law enforcement and the general public.

The stolen caravan was recovered yesterday, following a call from a member of the public to Gardaí; the former who reported what was described as “suspicious activity” in the area where the stolen property was located.

Meals On Wheels!

Members of An Garda Síochána, here in Co. Tipperary, early this morning arrested a driver. Following a procedure intended to establish the quality of the driver’s ability, he failed a roadside drug test for cannabis.

Following the drivers arrest Gardaí located his lunchbox, which contained what they described as “a different variety of salad”.

Gardaí were at pains to point out that: – “Driving whilst under the influence puts lives at risk”.

Tipperary Greyhound Trainer Loses Racetrack Exclusion Appeal

In a judgement delivered yesterday, a three-judge appeal court, comprising of Ms Justice Ann Power, Ms Justice Caroline Costello and Mr Justice Brian Murray, unanimously dismissed an appeal by a Tipperary dog handler, latter who previously used a live piglet, to train greyhounds.

Mr Christopher Connolly, of Farney’s Cross, Cappawhite, Co Tipperary, had brought an appeal against an earlier High Court’s refusal in 2019, to reject as invalid, a decision by the Irish Greyhound Board (Bord na gCon) and the Irish Coursing Club (ICC); to exclude him from all racetracks and coursing events in the state.

These events initially occurred when Mr Connolly was then residing in Australia back in 2014, when he was the subject of a ban, imposed by the Victoria State regulatory authority, legally prohibiting his operation, after he was found guilty of using a live piglet as bait, at Tooradin Trial Track, east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

The RSPCA who had raided Tooradin dog trial track, run then by leading dog trainer Stuart Mills, showed film footage where live rabbits and possums were being tied to a mechanical lure, in order that they could be chased and brutally mauled to death by greyhounds.

Mr Connolly had received a lifetime ban, but this was later reduced on appeal in 2015, to five years with another five suspended, on condition he be of good behaviour.

Mr Connolly returned to Ireland in 2015 and in 2016, applied to the Irish Greyhound Board for “Kennel Hand Authorisation”, which would allow him to become employed in the Greyhound industry.

His application was refused, after which he then appealed to the Bord na gCon control committee. Latter also found he was not a fit and proper person to be granted certification.

€90,000 Worth Of Drugs & Cash Seized In Tipperary

A man in his 30’s has been arrested following a series of drug searches in South Co. Tipperary, which has resulted in the seizure of €90,000 worth of drugs, cash and other associated paraphernalia.

The searches were carried out in the Kilfeacle area of the county near Tipperary Town; on three separate properties, at around noon on Wednesday last, April 29th. Same raids were undertaken by Gardaí from the Tipperary Divisional Drug Unit, ably assisted by colleagues from Tipperary Town Garda Station.

The drug, cash and paraphernalia seized and identified during the course of the three searches, were cannabis with an estimated value of €74,000; €16,600 in cash; a set of weighing scales and a number of small bags.

The 30-year-old man was arrested on sight at one of the three properties, before being taken into custody and detained at Cahir Garda Station.

Also, on April 29th last, Cahir Gardai, on a routine patrol in a local housing estate, arrested a motorist after he tested positive for cocaine.
We understand the driver had narrowly avoided colliding with the arresting officer in charge of the Garda patrol car.