Crime « Thurles Information

Wanton Malicious Damage To Business Premises In Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The windows and glass doors of two popular business premised situated on Liberty Square, in Thurles town centre, were severely damaged sometime over the past 24 hours.

*“Treasure Box”*, No. 36 Liberty Square, Thurles.

One of the premises and the building most severely damaged was a recently opened convenience store known as “Treasure box”, latter situated at No. 36 Liberty Square, (formerly Stakelum’s Ladies Boutique), close to Barry’s Bridge and opposite the medieval Butler Castle.

“**Roma”** **Fish & Chips Take Away at No. 59 Liberty Square**, **Thurles**.

The other businesses damaged were a Take Away Fish & Chips premises known as “Roma”, situated at No. 59, central on Liberty Square.

We understand that local investigating Gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry and have identified the individual involved in this senseless behaviour.

The reason for the malicious damage caused, is not fully understood, but locals strongly condemn it as a possible racist attack, by one badly informed individual.

Coffee Morning Saturday March 8th, In Support Of Women’s Aid.

Cashel Garda Station are to host a Coffee Morning, on Saturday March 8th next, 2025 in conjunction with Women’s aid National day.

Women’s Aid is a national feminist organisation working to prevent and address the prevalence of domestic abuse within Irish society; how it impacts especially women during pregnancy and how employers can lead in addressing domestic abuse within the workplace.

The coffee morning will run from 11:00am until 1:00pm and the public are invited to pop in for something nice, to help support a worthy cause or even for a bit of advice or information.

Gardaí Investigate Sexual Abuse Allegations At Tipperary Educational Facility.

Gardaí are understood to be investigating several complaints of alleged sexual abuse at St Anne’s special school, latter located on the grounds of Sean Ross Abbey, in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

The abuse is understood to involve up to nine studets and the alledged abuses date back to the years 1995 and 1996.
We also understand that a Garda investigation was launched from Templemore Garda Station, in October 1996 into the incidents, but same allegations received no public attention during that period of time.

Currently Gardaí state that they are continuing an ongoing criminal investigation into these alleged assaults at this Tipperary facility, but are not in a position to comment any further. However, they confirm that they are not aware of any political interference with this criminal investigation, which is also being alleged.

The abuse is understood to have come to the attention of parents, through students in attendance; the former who subsequently contacted Gardaí.

To current date, no criminal proceedings have been brought by the State, despite the formal complaints made to Gardaí, however a file is understood to have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Domestic, Sexual & Gender-Based Violence Awareness Raising Campaign Launch.

Launch Of New Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Awareness Raising Campaign.

National campaign that places survivors and victims centre stage to be launched.
First awareness-raising campaign from Cuan, the DSGBV Agency, aiming to empower people to tell their stories.

A powerful new campaign to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence, focusing on the importance of victims and survivors telling their story, is being launched today.

‘Hardest Stories’ is the first national awareness-raising campaign by Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency.

The campaign, with a tag-line of ‘The stories that are hardest to tell need to be told’, aims to shine a light on particular stories of violence, while acknowledging that too many of these stories exist, and to empower people to tell their own personal story.

Both domestic violence and sexual violence are crimes that have traditionally been under-reported, and significant work is being done to increase reporting, including through awareness campaigns.

The campaign is centred on two television adverts, both of which provide a snapshot into what the survivor remembers of the abuse that they themselves suffered; how they felt, and how they continue to feel.
Further assets, which will run across radio and digital channels, will feature more stories from men, women, and the LGBT+ community. They are stories of harassment, abuse, rape and stories of violence.

While the stories are difficult to tell and to hear; the intention behind the campaign is to encourage and empower people to come forward.
In addition to raising the importance of these stories, the campaign calls on the public to take an active role in tackling DSGBV and provides information on how to support someone who is a victim or survivor; on what signs to look out for, and on how they can use their voice to make change happen.

Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, (CEO of Cuan), said, “Centring the experience of victims and survivors of DSGBV is at the heart the values we bring to our work in Cuan. This is why we felt that our Agency’s first public awareness campaign should bring this experience centre-stage. The overarching message of the campaign is that Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is prevalent in Irish society, however it is often hidden or ignored. With this campaign we hope to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence within our society, encourage victims and survivors not to suffer in silence and to recognise that by telling their story they can reclaim their power.”

The campaign will run across TV; national and local radio; in press; digital and social media; in cinemas; on billboards and digital screens, throughout Ireland from Thursday February 27th.

The ‘Hardest Stories’ campaign website can be found LINKED HERE

NOTE: Details of Local Support Services available in Co. Tipperary can be found HERE.

Cuan Saor Refuge Locations In Tipperary:
Clonmel: Helpline Number 1800 57 67 57 or Email support@cuansaor.org.
Roscrea: Helpline Number 0505 23999 or Email ascend@ntdc.ie.

Services Provided: Include Refuge Accomodation, Helpline, Support and Information, One to One Support, Counselling, Outreach, Court Accompaniment, Training and Awareness-raising, Child and Family Support.

New Central Criminal Court Protocol To Expedite Rape & Murder Cases.

Today, (Friday February 21st), marks the launch of a new Central Criminal Court protocol at the Criminal Courts of Justice, to expedite rape and murder cases, latter involving victims and defendants under 18 years of age.

The protocol was drafted by a working group established in April 2024, chaired by Judge Caroline Biggs. The work was undertaken under the aegis of the Criminal Justice Users’ group which is convened by Judge Paul McDermott. The aim of the protocol is to expedite rape and murder cases involving victims and defendants under 18 years of age.
The protocol recognises children’s vulnerability and that delays in the criminal justice system can be detrimental to child victims and child defendants.

The protocol states that in cases involving rape or/and murder involving victims and defendants under 18 years of age reduced timelines for a case to go to trial should be adhered to. The expedited timeline would be 52 weeks approximately and apply to cases in the Central Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ).

As part of the protocol a ‘Court Accompaniment Support Worker’ will be provided for child offenders by the Youth Diversion Projects funded by the Department of Justice. The Court accompaniment is not an advocacy role, but they will explain in laypersons terms, to the young defendant what is happening at various stages of the court proceedings.