Crime « Thurles Information

Cuan – New Domestic, Sexual & Gender-Based Violence Agency Officially Established.

‘Cuan’ is an Irish word meaning a safe haven, harbour or place of shelter, and will be the working name of the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Agency newly established.

‘Cuan’ will drive and co-ordinate the Government’s response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, including refuge delivery.
New Agency will Lead Government Plan to Double the Number of Refuge Spaces.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has today announced that she has signed an order to officially establish ‘Cuan‘, the statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), thus supporting victims and survivors.

Minister McEntee commenced the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Agency Act yesterday, which establishes Cuan in law from January 1st, 2024.

Minister McEntee said, “This is a hugely significant moment in our efforts to tackle all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and the realisation of a key priority in Zero Tolerance, our strategy to combat these heinous crimes.
Both the DSGBV sector and the Government have accepted that the State needs to intensify and better integrate its response across all relevant areas – from policy coordination to strategy, from research to education and raising awareness – to help ensure victims of DSGBV have access to services of a consistently high standard.

These responsibilities and more will be the focus of the work done at Cuan in the months and years ahead, with the core functions identified by the DSGBV sector as part of the co-design process. The establishment of Cuan today is a crucial step in our plan for zero tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender based violence in Ireland, and I want to thank everyone who has helped bring is to this point.
I would like to thank everyone in the sector, including NGO and domestic violence services, who have worked with us to establish Cuan.”

The new agency will work collaboratively with the NGO and DSGBV services sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors.

It is tasked with:-

Coordinating and reporting on the delivery of Government strategies relating to DSGBV (including the current National Strategy).
Supporting and overseeing the doubling of safe and accessible refuge accommodation, and ensuring the delivery of excellent services to victims of DSGBV, (including helpline and other supports).
Developing robust standards for funded DSGBV services in collaboration with the sector, and monitoring adherence to these standards by funded service providers.
Leading on awareness-raising campaigns designed to reduce the incidence of DSGBV in Irish society as well as ensuring that all victims know the full range of supports available and how to access them.
Liaising with the Minister for Justice and her Department to ensure that the work of the Agency aligns with overall Government DSGBV policy.
Leading on research to inform DSGBV policy development, working with others, such as the CSO, who have research and data projects underway.

Under Pressure To Smuggle Drugs Into Prisons?

Family and friends will be enjoying in-person visits to prisons this Christmas festive season.

However, some such visitors may be pressured to smuggle drugs or mobile phones into prisons.

If this is happening to you, contact the confidential telephone and text line for support at Tel. No.1800 855 717,

Gardaí Make Arrest Following Location Of Dead Body in Co. Tipperary.

Following the conclusion of a post-mortem examination at University Hospital Waterford on the body of a 30-year-old Polish man, found dead at a rented house in the townland of Ballycrana, close to Kilross village, in Co Tipperary; a man has now been arrested.

The arrest follows a forensic examination at the rented accommodation over previous days.

In a statement yesterday, Gardaí confirmed that a man aged in his 20’s has now been arrested as part of their inquiries into the death. The suspect has been detailed for questioning at a garda station in the Munster region; held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, thus allowing detention for questioning for an initial period of six hours, extended for a further six hours, subject to further Garda investigation.

It is also understood that a number of people had gathered at the rented house on St. Stephen’s night for a birthday celebration and Gardaí are now anxious to speak to all those who attended this event.

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact Tipperary Town garda station Tel: 062 80670, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda station.

Thurles Circuit Court Judge Found Guilty Of Sexual Assault Of 6 Men.

A circuit court judge, former secondary school teacher, former Fianna Fáil councillor, former state solicitor for North Tipperary, has been convicted, in the Central Criminal Court, of the sexual assault of six young men, some of whom were students at a Dublin school where he once taught, almost 30 years ago .

Mr O’Brien was aged in his 30s at the time of the alleged assaults, while the six complainants were aged between 17 years and 24 years. The accused had initially denied any sexual contact with any of the not named complainants, but he had later informed Gardaí that there had been consensual sexual activity with three of the six young men.

Currently aged 59 years, and a native of Thurles Co. Tipperary, residing at the Old School House, Slievenamon Road, in the town; Mr O’Brien had pleaded not guilty in the Central Criminal Court, to one count of attempted rape and eight counts of sexual assault in relation to six complainants on dates between March 1991 and November 1997.

Five of the complainants claimed that they were awakened to find the accused sexually assaulting them, while one said the assault took place in a pub toilet.

The accused, Mr O’Brien had denied any wrongdoing, however, a ten member jury took just over seven-and-a-half hours to reach guilty verdicts on all nine counts. Mr O’Brien made no reaction, when the jury returned the guilty verdicts in the Central Criminal Court today.

Mr O’Brien, who is a Thalidomide drug victim; born with no arms and only one leg, will be sentenced on March 4th next, 2024.

Statement from the Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee.
In a statement from the Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee published this afternoon, the Minister said quote, “I note that a criminal conviction has been secured in the case of a judge of the Circuit Court.
My thoughts are with the victims – these are appalling cases of sexual assault, I thank them for coming forward. I would also like to thank the Gardaí.
I have been clear that we have a lot of work to do to achieve my aim of zero tolerance in our society for all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
Part of that is clearly demonstrating that nobody, no matter what position they hold in our society, is above the law or immune from prosecution for such crimes. Today is clear proof of that.
I will now be considering the options open to the Government and the Oireachtas.
I have asked the Attorney General to advise”.

Male Arrested By Tipperary Gardaí Following Drugs & Offensive Weapons Seizure.

A male, aged in his 20s, was arrested by Gardaí in Clonmel on Wednesday last and was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in Co. Tipperary. The arrest followed the seizure of firearms and ammunition, undertaken as part of a multi-agency search operation.

The search was conducted as part of ongoing investigations into organised criminal activity within the Clonmel area.

In all a total of 12 properties were searched by Gardaí, in association with Revenue Customs Officials and members of the Defence Forces (Engineers No 1 Brigade).

The searches led to two shotguns being seized together with ammunition, a machete and incapacitant spray, all of which are now the subject of further technical examination by investigating gardaí.
Also seized, during the course of this search operation, was suspected crack cocaine and heroin with an estimate street value of €2,500 and €1,500 in cash.