Environment « Thurles Information

Bottle Bank In Parnell Street Thurles Overflowing Again.

We pointed this Thurles bottle bank problem out less than 5 weeks ago, on February 22nd last, resulting in the area being cleaned. Four weeks later, it is back to square one.

Filthy dirty glass collection containers sit, once again packed to overflowing, with bottles falling out and broken glass littering the ground.

“Covert CCTV will Capture Offenders”.

On these filthy, dirty bins; in large white and yellow lettering, we read a sign declaring, “Do not leave boxes or bags – full or empty. Covert CCTV will capture offenders”.

Same sign now raises at least 4 obvious questions:

Does the public €100,000 Thurles CCTV system work correctly; either throughout the town or in the Parnell Street Carpark area? [We asked this question first back in 2017. No reply received].
If working, why then can those employed to operate the CCTV, not observe that the bin containers are full to capacity, spewing out part of their intended load?
If “Covert CCTV will capture offenders” why the need for private individuals to phone 1800 20 26 27, to inform contracted collectors that their unhygienic bins are overflowing?
Surely, if local citizens actively carry out their civic duty, showing concern for the condition of their local community, then should they not be actively encouraged and fully supported in their actions?

Dumping Continues On Mill Road, Thurles.

With the flood water subsiding on the Drish river flood plane, close to Manor Mill Bridge (today better known as Byrne’s Mill bridge), evidence suggesting further illegal dumping reveals itself.

The two tyres have appeared close together, thus suggesting that they were callously dumped over the bridge wall, by someone with little respect for other people.

It should be noted that it is a criminal offence not to dispose of tyres in an appropriate manner.

It should be remembered that the rubber from recycled shredded tyres has many uses, e.g. in playground areas, as equine bedding or on football pitches. The steel recovered from recycled tyres is also a valuable resource.

Some recycled tyres can also be retreaded. Note, a retreaded truck tyre requires only 33% of the oil utilised in manufacturing a new tyre, thus making a saving of up to 56 litres each time a truck tyre is retreaded.

The cost of recycling a tyre is minimum, €2.80 for a car tyre and €1.50 for motorcycle tyres.

Finalist Larry Doherty Wins RTE’s Irish Flora & Fauna Photo Competition

“Eye on Nature” Wildlife Photographic Competition

Congratulations to Thurles, Co. Tipperary photographer Mr Larry Doherty, who has won RTÉ’s ‘Mooney Goes Wild’ and ‘The Today Show’ photography competition, announced today.

His macro photograph of an orange ladybird was originally photographed at the Cabragh Wetlands site, situated south of Thurles town.

Mr Doherty was one of only 12 photographers, shortlisted from some 7,000 entries to the competition, and will now receive a trophy and a cash prize of €1,000, for his talented efforts.

Orange ladybirds are a bright orange in appearance, with light brown antennae and between 14 &16 creamy white spots on its outer wing casing. The edges of their wing cases are slightly transparent. They grow in size up to 5mm, feeding mainly on mildew that forms on leaves, together often with the leaves themselves and sometimes small aphids.

Keep an eye out for our orange friend, during the months between March and October, especially on the leaves of ash or sycamore trees.

Two Tipperary Men, Shortlisted For RTE Nature Photography Award.

RTÉ’s ‘Mooney Goes Wild’ and ‘The Today Show’ both launched a photography competition in January 2021, with the aim of celebrating our Irish flora and fauna.

This competition not surprisingly received an massive response, with more than 7,000 entries being forwarded for final adjudication.

The judging panel, which consist of Mr Matthew Jebb (National Botanic Gardens), Mr Niall Hatch (Bird Watch Ireland) and Ms Sheena Jolley (Wildlife Photographer), have now shortlisted the final 12 pictures, with two of the excellent photographs selected; the work of Tipperary photographers.

Finalist Mr Larry Doherty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, “Orange Ladybird” located at Cabragh Wetlands, Thurles.

Finalist Mr Philip Greaves, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, “Leaf Cutter Bee” spotted in the area of his back garden.

The winner will to be announced on ‘The Today Show‘ tomorrow, St. Patrick’s Day, on RTÉ Radio One, with Mr Derek Mooney himself presenting the winning photographer with a trophy and a cash prize of €1,000.

Best of luck to both men.

In the coming months, it is planned that the exhibition will travel to Office of Public Works sites around Ireland.

New Area For Fly Tipping In Thurles

“Men prefer darkness, because their deeds are evil”.
Gospel according to St. John, Chapter 3 -Verse 18.

When Mother Nature removed her warm “overcoat of green and pleasant foliage” last winter, she revealed the fact that Fly Tippers had located a new area in which to secretly dump their domestic rubbish, here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Obviously, conscience of the Covid-19 virus restrictions, the criminal in question did not go past the 5 kilometre (3.1 miles) limits, to the bog lands of Templetouhy or Littleton.
No, thankfully, instead they took advantage of the dark area on the north side of the Archerstown Road, to the rear of Thurles Golf Club, (close to the bad bend), to rid themselves of their beer bottles, toys and other unwanted trash.

Hopefully, Ms Cora Morrissey (Administrative Officer Environment & Climate Action Section, Tipperary Co. Council) will now scramble her forensic investigation team, to check out the contents, or maybe the ‘Fly Tipper’ responsible, may since have obtained his trash /recycling bins and suffering pangs of conscience; could rush back to erase all evidence of this deed, most foul.

Then again “Pigs may fly” and “Hell may freeze over”.