Education - Thurles Information

Ms Dolores Cahill Removed From UCD Online Staff Directory.

Anti-vaccination; anti-Irish EU Membership campaigner and failed Tipperary politician Ms Dolores Cahill is understood to be no longer an employee and lecturer at University College Dublin (UCD), with her details having been removed from the University’s online staff directory.

**General Election Poster at Monakeeba, Thurles, Co. Tipperary survives “Storm Ellen”.**
*Picture G. Willoughby. [Photo taken 21st August, 2020]*

UCD had faced criticism in the past for not taking action against Ms Cahill over false and misleading claims she made about Covid-19, over the course of the pandemic. There were also calls from some members of the university’s 40-member governing body, including from more than 130 students for an investigation into her conduct publicly.

A former Chair of the Irish Freedom Party; a failed Tipperary General Election candidate; Ms Cahill had publicly stated that ‘Lockdown’ and ‘Social Distancing’ was not needed to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. People who recover are then “immune for life” after 10 days and deaths and illnesses could have been prevented by extra vitamins.
Opposing vaccinations, Ms Cahill had publicly stated; “politicians and the media” are using Covid-19 “as a fear-mongering propaganda tool to try and take away rights from people and to make them more sick (sicker) and to force vaccinations on us.”
Speaking at an anti-lockdown rally in Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day, Ms Cahill claimed that children who wore face masks would have a lower IQ as their brains were being “starved” of oxygen.

Following such statements Ms Cahill was asked, in 2020, to resign as Vice Chair of the Scientific Committee of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), latter a partnership between the European Commission and the drugs industry, to promote new drugs.
In seeking her resignation the European Commission said that the claims made by Ms Cahill; then a professor of translational medicine in UCD, could cause “significant harm”, if taken literally by inhabitants around the world.

On August 10th last, a warrant was issued for Ms Dolores Cahill’s arrest. The bench warrant for the arrest was issued in London, for her failure to turn up to a number of scheduled court hearings.
The misinformed and prominent Covid sceptic and anti-vaccination campaigner, now faces charges arising out of an alleged illegal rally, involving more than 30 people, held in Trafalgar Square, London in September of 2020.

Ms Cahill failed to appear before a court hearing on July 3rd last. She again failed to appear at a hearing on July 20th and at her latest hearing scheduled on August 10th last. It was at this hearing that a warrant was issued for her immediate arrest.
Her case was adjourned until September 10th last, the outcome of which, so far, is not known.

Living Accommodation Sought In Thurles By LIT Student.

Thurles.Info has received a request from a parent who is anxious to find accommodation for their son.

The parent writes:- “My son is starting his first year in LIT Thurles.
Unfortunately, it is practically impossible to find accommodation. We have searched everywhere without success. Getting very anxious as he starts next Monday.
Can any of your readers help or advise us. Your help would be much appreciated. Thanking you. …………”

Anyone out there in the locality with a room or other accommodation to rent, or any other students looking to share accommodation, may contact us here at Thurles.Info by clicking HERE and we will put you in contact with the parent concerned.

In any communication, please supply, in strictest confidence, your Name, Address and Telephone No.

Many Thanks

Tipperary Winners In 67th Texaco Children’s Art Competition

Paying tribute to the winners, not least those in younger age groups and special needs categories, Mr James Twohig, (Director of Ireland Operations for Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited), congratulated all the young
artists who, he said, “continue to demonstrate their skills and ability in the incredible prize-winning entries we see this and every year.”

Celebrating an unbroken 67 year history, the Texaco Children’s Art Competition was conducted, this year, in the face of school Covid-19 closures and other limitations applying over the past 12 months, which required amendments to the announcement of winners; the presentation of prizes; and other activities which are traditionally held in April and May each year.

Not surprisingly therefore, Mr. Twohig should praise not just the
artists, but also their parents and teachers for what he calls “their enthusiasm and continued interest in the Competition, as a platform on which they can showcase their imagination, exercise their creativity and display their very exceptional talents.”

Past winners whose early interest in art and the arts may well have been encouraged by their participation in the Texaco Children’s Art Competition include artists Graham Knuttel, Robert Ballagh, Bernadette Madden, Dorothy Cross, fashion designer Paul Costelloe, and artist and former broadcaster Thelma Mansfield.

This year’s Co. Tipperary winning entries, whose work can be viewed HERE are named as follows:-

Frankie Burke, aged 8, representing Killurney National School, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, with artwork entitled “Butterfly Fish”.
Ailbhe Treacy, aged 12, representing Lissenhall National School, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, with artwork entitled “Life Going On”.
Anna Chirubvu, aged 16, from Scoil Ruain, Killenaule, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, with artwork entitled “New Life In A Pandemic”.
Chloe Egan, aged 16, representing Borrisokane Community College, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, with artwork entitled “Procrastinating”.
Heather Barnett, aged 17, representing Cashel Community College, Cashel , Co. Tipperary, with artwork entitled “Lost In Music“.

From now until October 2nd next, Drogheda’s Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition of the top 126 winning paintings in this year’s Competition.
Admission is free and further information is available at www.highlanes.ie.

Laugh Out Loud Book Awards Free Event for Schools.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go”. – Dr. Seuss

Since 2016, the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards (the Lollies) have celebrated the best and funniest children’s picture books and chapter books from Ireland and the UK.

Now in its fifth year, and voted for by children, this year’s shortlist of books is among the funniest yet. With titles including “101 Bums” by Sam Harper and “Zombierella: Fairytales Gone Bad” by Joseph Coelho, everyone is sure to get a laugh from this year’s nominated books (CLICK HERE).

From Monday September 20th, schools can get in on the fun by taking part in a free weeklong online Lollies event, featuring writing activities, drawalongs and readings from the shortlisted authors and illustrators, as well as from the beloved children’s author and poet, Head Judge, Michael Rosen.

To register for a week of free Lollies fun click HERE.

For access to free resources and activity packs based on this year’s shortlisted books, click HERE.

To vote for your favourite shortlisted book visit HERE.

Third Level Students Forced To Use Hotel Accommodation.

Third-level students attending college in Limerick are being forced to stay in hotels, because they cannot locate suitable rented accommodation within the city.

Those studying in Limerick claim they are forced to pay up to €390.00 weekly for five night’s accommodation in a hotel, as part of a deal struck between the Mary Immaculate College (MIC) students union and three city hotels.

We learn that MIC Students Union has come to a similar accommodation agreement with one hotel here in Thurles; where the college operates a smaller MIC third level institution, based on the former St. Patrick’s College, campus.

However, the latter information is being viewed by Thurles residents as somewhat misleading, possibly in an effort to bolster MIC Students Union claims, affecting the Limerick City problem.

The five-night accommodation shortage, required from Sunday to Thursday, is being caused in Limerick by a number of factors including : –
(1) Remote learning caused due to the coronavirus over the past 18 months, thus resulting in houses that used to be available to students having been taken out of that market and being rented to long-term tenants.
(B) A dramatic fall in the number of people offering traditional “digs” to students.
(C) Numerous reports of anti-social behaviour, leading to extensive property damage; same attributed to alcohol consumption and drugs.