Crime « Thurles Information

Thief Steals From Grave in St. Patrick’s Cemetery During Covid-19 Lockdown

“Every action has a consequence”.

If you’ve read this headline in disbelief, trust me when I say that my whole family also share your shock, disbelief and horror.

**Replica of the medium sized unusual *‘Terracotta Basket’* container and the area it was wrenched from on the grave site**

**Basket container photographed last week**.

Sadly, it would appear that among us continue to walk those who have absolutely no respect for anyone or anything, least of all my deceased wife lying in her final resting place in St. Patricks cemetery in Thurles.

The vast majority of us take our civic responsibility seriously and with the latest wave of restrictions, as with everything else, we had reduced the number of times we visited our lost loved one’s resting place.

Disturbingly, certain individuals are taking advantage of our country’s crisis and using this time as a pathetic opportunity to steal pots and plants from the graves of our deceased family members.

The monetary value of these items is relatively little, €3.50 for the common garden purple ‘Aubrieta’ creeper, and €20.00 for the medium sized unusual ‘Terracotta Basket’ container, but the sentimental value is priceless. (See pictures)

This act of vandalism, theft and disrespect shown, has caused immeasurable anguish and distress to my family. We regard the theft from any person’s grave as among the most abhorrent acts of sheer selfishness and thoughtlessness.

Shame on the perpetrator of this most pathetic and disrespectful crime.

If anyone has any information regarding this latest theft from St. Patrick’s cemetery or you have been the victim of a similar theft, please now contact www.thurles.info or Thurles Gardaí. Tel: (0504) 25100.

Have you observed over the past number of days this unusual ‘Terracotta Basket’ container, filled with purple ‘Aubrieta’ creeper, decorating the front or back garden of someone’s house. The ‘Terracotta Basket’, taken from my wife’s grave, can be easily identified by markings.

A considerable reward, well above the value of the items stolen, is available to any person who can identify the thief involved.

Covid-19 Scam Targets New Special Welfare Workers

With another 219 cases of coronavirus announced in the Republic of Ireland tonight; taking the total to 1,125 identified cases [20 of which are in Co. Tipperary], the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection are warning of a new Coronavirus scam being aimed at new special welfare payment workers.

These low life confidence trickster are phoning people who have applied for the special welfare payment, after being temporally sent home because of Covid-19 pandemic and are posing as officials from banks, seeking financial details in order, supposedly, to process their personel payments.

BE WARNED: This is a total SCAM and note Financial Institutions and Government Departments will NEVER phone or Email individuals seeking details regarding private financial information.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection wish to specifically state that they have become very aware of a number of members of the public having received such phone calls from individuals purporting to be from financial institutions; while requesting individual private financial details.

Hijacking & Post Office Robbery In Co. Tipperary

This afternoon here in South Co. Tipperary, a car was hijacked and a post office robbed by a male brandishing a knife.

Gardaí received a report just after 3:00pm, that a man had approached a woman; latter driving a red Volkswagen Passat, in Clonoulty Village, Cashel Co. Tipperary. The man threatened the car owner, demanding she get out of the car, before hijacking and absconding with the vehicle.

Some 20 minutes later, the local post office in Rossmore, Thurles, Co. Tipperary was robbed by a man, also wielding a knife; who threatened staff before fleeing with a sum of money.

Gardaí now believe the car, stolen in Clonoulty, was the same vehicle used during this post office robbery, carried out in Rossmore.

The stolen vehicle has since been discovered in the area of Semple Villas, close to the grounds of the Church of St. Joseph and St. Brigid, Bothar na Naomh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

No personnel were injured during either of the altercations.

Witnesses, with any information, are being asked to contact Thurles Garda Station, Telephone: 0504 25100; the Garda Confidential Line on Tel: 1800 666 111 or indeed any Garda Station.

Major Drugs Seizure In South Tipperary

Two people; a man in his late teens and a woman in her mid-30’s, have been arrested after drugs and cash were seized, following the executed a search warrant by Gardaí in South Tipperary.

The search warrant was executed by members of the Gardaí from the Tipperary Town Garda Station; the Divisional Drug Unit and the Southern Region Dog Unit, at approximately 10.30am yesterday morning, Tuesday, March 2nd 2020, on a house in the Bansha area of the county.

The drugs seized included cannabis (estimated value €30,000) and cocaine (estimated value €17,500); total value of drugs seized being €47,500.

Also seized were mobile phones; weighing scales and a knuckle duster, together with a sum of cash amounting to €3,900.

The couple, who were arrested at the scene, were taken to Tipperary Town Garda Station for questioning, before being later released.

A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Teen Arrested Following Shooting Incident In Tipperary

A number of licensed firearms and ammunition have been seized by Gardaí and a teenager was arrested following a shooting incident in rural Co Tipperary last night.

Last night Gardaí responded to reports of shots being fired outside of a house in the Clashbeg area of Mullinahone, east of the county, at around 10:30pm.

Spent shell casings were found close to the scene where a number of people were inside the house at the time. No injuries have been reported.

A follow-up operation using the helicopter support unit, led to a man in his late teens being arrested, (detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984), and taken to Clonmel Garda Station.

This is the second incident of its kind here in Tipperary in recent weeks; the last taking place in the village of Killenaule, some 28km distance; on February 19th last, 2020.