Environment « Thurles Information

Importance Of Thurles One Hundred Million Trees Project.

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” – Greek Proverb.

It was great to see, once again, biodiversity being restored to the area of the Thurles Double Ditch, latter situated beside Dun Muileann Housing Estate, on Mill Road, in Thurles yesterday and sponsored by Allied Irish Banks (AIB).

In this area, not alone had the biodiversity been totally eradicated back in March 2023, but also a substantial piece of Thurles Heritage had been torn down and obliterated, courtesy of Tipperary Co. Council, led by now retired Thurles Fianna Fáil Councillor, Mr Seamus Hanafin and his known associates.

**Tree planters pictured above are students from Thurles Ursuline Convent Secondary School with Ms Anne Marie Fleming,** *(Tipperary County Council Biodiversity Officer)* **and Mr John Lanigan** *(Refresh Thurles)*.

**Tree planters pictured above are students from Thurles Presentation Convent Secondary School with Mr** **Richard Mulcahy** *(Co-founder of the 100MT Project initiative)*

So, how important was yesterday’s Thurles undertaking?

The two videos, shown immediately hereunder, should assist, greatly, in granting an understanding into the importance of yesterday’s Thurles project.

So what can we expect to see here in just 2 years from now?

Congratulations to all those responsible for yesterday’s undertaking, which, sadly, saw no elected politicians making themselves available to turn sods; however, in mitigation I suppose it wasn’t an election year and the trees were too small to allow the holding up of election posters, using tech screws.

Supported By AIB – One Hundred Million Trees Campaign Arrives in Thurles.

Mr Peter McCreevy Reports:

Regional Planting of Special Mini Forest Close to Dun Muileann Housing Estate, Mill Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
550,000 Trees to be Planted Nationwide Over Coming Months.

The One Hundred Million Trees (100 MT) Project is delighted to announce a new partnership with Tipperary County Council as part of the next phase of its 2025 national planting campaign. This ambitious initiative, which deploys a novel planting technique perfected in Japan* is well on course to plant 550,000 trees across Ireland at hundreds of sites by May of this year.

The regional planting programme now moves to County Tipperary with a significant event at the Dun Muileann Housing Estate, just outside Thurles undertaken today, sponsored by Allied Irish Banks.
A site has been cleared and transformed into a thriving green space with 5,500 native-variety tree saplings, contributing to the 100MT Project’s mission of fostering environmental sustainability and enhancing biodiversity.

**Pictured above are Ms Clodagh Loughnane**, *(AIB Customer Service & Sales)*, **Ms Nora Doherty** *(AIB Savings & Deposit Advisor)*, **Mr Richard Mulcahy** *(Co-founder of the 100MT Project initiative)* **and Mr Niall O’Gorman** *(AIB Business Customer Advisor)* **who attended, suitably attired for today’s tree planting in Thurles.**

Local volunteers, transition year students from local secondary schools gathered today to participate in this important crusade to create a greener, more sustainable future for the region.

Founded in 2022 by siblings Richard, David, and Tina Mulcahy, the 100MT Project has already passed some impressive milestones with 20,000 trees planted in its first year and 200,000 in its second year across 85 sites in 23 counties. The ambitious goal for the current planting season, is to plant a further 550,000 trees across 230 sites in 29 counties, by May of this year.

“AIB is delighted to support the tree planting at Dun Muileann Housing Estate for this meaningful native Irish tree planting project,” said Mr Nial Hogan, AIB Branch Manager Thurles. “AIB is committed to supporting communities and the transition to a low carbon economy and by combining our efforts, we are creating a lasting impact on the local environment.”

Ms Sharon Scully, Thurles Municipal District Administrator and coordinator, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, saying, “We are thrilled to partner with the 100MT Project and AIB for this important initiative. It is inspiring to see the response from the local community in Thurles who are coming together to make a small but important positive environmental impact, protecting biodiversity and contributing to the future wellbeing of future generations.”

Mr Richard Mulcahy, (Latter grandson of the late General Richard James Mulcahy TD) co-founder of the 100MT Project initiative, commented, “This event highlights the power of collaboration between local authorities, businesses, and communities in tackling environmental challenges. By working together, we can create lasting change and build a more sustainable future. We are rolling out this campaign at hundreds of locations this year in the knowledge that Ireland was once a densely-forested island with ideal conditions for tree growth. So far this winter season we have planted over 250,000 new trees throughout Ireland. It is ironic perhaps to call it a grassroots campaign when we are actually bringing back hundreds of thousands of native variety trees in to the heart of local communities around the country”

The 100MT invites community members, environmental advocates, and volunteers to get involved in achieving this season’s ambitious goal.

*Japan-The Miyawaki Method.
The project’s ambitious aim is to densely plant between 1,000 and 2,500 native Irish trees at a time across small areas of land using ‘the Miyawaki method’, named after Japanese Botanist, Professor Akira Miyawaki. This method of overplanting trees has been successful in creating over 1,700 forests worldwide, including three established forests in Ireland. By planting excess trees together, they grow considerably faster, denser, are more biodiverse, and most importantly create a very rapid carbon sink. This inexpensive approach requires significantly smaller planting areas and can be conducted on unused or fallow land across Ireland. Dense areas of afforestation can also actually play a role in reducing the impact of forest fires, while at the same time provide excellent areas of biodiversity.

For more information and on how to participate, visit https://100milliontreesproject.ie/.

Public Planning Exemption Meeting Re. Thurles IPAS Centre Postponed.

Local Cllr. Mr Jim Ryan has confirmed that a planning exemption has been granted for the creation of an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre, to be accommodated on Mitchel Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

IPAS provides accommodation to people who have applied for international protection. It arranges accommodation and co-ordinates other services (including health, social services, welfare and education) for asylum seekers and people who have international protection.

In a post published on social media yesterday, (19/03/2025), Cllr Mr Jim Ryan stated that: “I can confirm that an application for an IPAS Centre for Thurles is progressing. A Section 5 permission has been granted by Tipperary County Council, to Kilbrin Homes in Cork, for exempted development status at an old commercial building in Mitchel Street. Based on initial drawings it looks like they will be constructing 15 internal units that can accommodate 81 people seeking IPAS accommodation.”

Note: To facilitate the full attendance of all stake holders; including officials and elected representatives, a meeting in relation to this matter, which was originally scheduled for Friday evening next, March 20th, has now been postponed until Thursday March 27th next, (this day week) starting at 7:30pm sharp in the Anner Hotel, Dublin Road, Thurles.

Unbelievably, Cllr Ryan has also revealed that this move has occurred without any consultation with local residents, their elected Councillors, TDs, Gardaí and other pertinent stakeholders.

Local residents and indeed residents of the whole town are dismayed and outraged that a development of this kind should progress without consultation with themselves and their elected Councillors.

**Readers Please Note: This building is no longer in the ownership of the Fitzgibbon family and is presently owned by Kilbrin Homes**.

Section 5 Exemption Declaration.
Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act outlines a mechanism through which individuals can seek formal clarification on whether a proposed development or a specific part of it would be considered exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission. This is a crucial tool for property owners, developers, and architects, as it provides legal certainty before proceeding with any development activities. Below is a summarised, detailed overview of Section 5 regarding exemptions from development.
Section 5 allows individuals to seek formal clarification from their local planning authority on whether a proposed development, or any part of it, is considered exempted development. This is particularly useful for ensuring that a project can proceed without the need for formal planning permission, provided it falls within the specified criteria for exemptions.
If the planning authority determines that the proposed development is exempt from planning permission, they will issue a declaration to that effect. This declaration provides legal assurance that the development can proceed without planning permission, subject to the conditions of the exemption.
Conversely, if the planning authority concludes that the proposed development does not qualify for exemption, they will inform the applicant that planning permission is required. This outcome ensures that all necessary regulatory and planning standards are met before the development proceeds.
Simply by obtaining a Section 5 declaration, same provides property owners and developers with legal certainty, reducing the risk of proceeding with a development that may later be deemed unauthorised due to the lack of planning permission.
This means that the developers will be able to convert the building without going through the usual planning processes.

In recent years, the residents of Mitchel Street have been subjected to the progression of developments that have brought significant problems to the area. Again, these developments progressed without consultation and unfortunately, it is the local residents of the area that have been forced to shoulder the brunt of serious difficulties that have arisen since. Tipperary County Council officials have been of little help.

It is fair to say that local residents are outraged, but the outrage stems from the lack of consultation on a development that will have an indisputable impact on this predominantly residential area of the town. Anyone who drives or walks along Mitchell Street will point out its many needs, least of all its narrow footpaths, that are frequently mounted by cars attempting to navigate the almost impassable narrow sections of the street.

As before, it will be the people of Mitchell Street and surrounding areas that once again will bear the brunt of any difficulties that may arise. It will not be the people who progress planning applications without consideration or consultation of those living nearby.

It is understood that no contract has yet been signed with the Department of Integration, but local Cllr Mr Jim Ryan states that plans indicate that there could be up to 80 asylum seekers housed at the identified site in the near future.

Important – Readers Please Note: Cllr. Mr Jim Ryan has confirmed that invitations to attend the public meeting have been issued to officials from the Department of Integration, representatives of the developer Kilbrin Homes Ltd and local elected TD’s.

Cllr. Ryan also has stated that he has seen a letter from the Department of Integration that was attached to the Section 5 Exemption application, that states they would be interested in signing an agreement with Kilbrin homes for accommodating IPAS applicants, once all relevant permits, permissions and licenses have been approved with the relevant bodies.

Welcome Reduction In Nitrogen Levels In Rivers In 2024, says EPA

There has been a welcome reduction in nitrogen levels in rivers in 2024, says Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator for 2024, published by the EPA, shows that nitrogen levels in rivers have reduced in 2024.
Despite the reduction, nitrogen remains too high in the southeastern half of the country and further reductions will be needed to bring them to satisfactory levels.
Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in our waters. Significant actions are underway by the sector to reduce nitrogen losses.
Ongoing and sustained actions will be needed to reduce nutrient levels so that the ecological health of our waters can improve.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published early insights into nitrogen levels in rivers in 2024. The Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator 2024 has been developed to provide more timely information on nitrogen levels and is based on monitoring data at 20 major and representative rivers. Overall, the early insights indicator shows that nitrogen levels have improved in 2024. However, nitrogen remains too high in the southeastern half of the country. Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in these areas.

Commenting on the report, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said: “The EPA continually strives to produce timely information and evidence on Ireland’s environment. Specifically, this publication responds to a need for early insights into trends in nitrogen levels. Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in Irish rivers and there is significant action underway within the sector to improve water quality. It is therefore very welcome to see these early signs of improvement. It is important that the sector builds on this momentum and continues to implement actions to reduce nutrient losses in a targeted way.”

The EPA will publish its three-yearly assessment of water quality in Ireland, for the period 2019 – 2024, later in 2025. This future report will combine data on nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in waterbodies, with the biological quality monitoring data on fish, aquatic insects and plants, to give a comprehensive assessment of the ecological health of all waters.

Ms Jenny Deakin, EPA Programme Manager, added: “It is very positive to see this improvement in nitrogen levels in 2024, following a period of little positive change in recent years. However, nitrogen levels remain too high in the southeastern half of the country. Further actions will be necessary to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses to levels which will support good ecological health in our water bodies. The ecology will not improve until nutrient levels are reduced in the areas where they are elevated. The EPA will be reporting on the ecological health of our waters later in 2025.”

The Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator 2024 report is now available on the EPA website.

Further information on local water quality and targeting agricultural measures is available on the EPA website.

Inland Fisheries Secure Conviction Against Tipperary Cheese Company.

IFI secures conviction against cheese maker for slurry pollution offence.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured a conviction against a dairy production firm for slurry pollution of a tributary of the River Suir, and have been ordered to pay fines and costs of €7,440.

The Tipperary Cheese Company Ltd was found to have caused slurry to flow into the Clover River system at Leigh, Two Mile Borris, Thurles Co. Tipperary

**Slurry in Clover River latter a tributary of the River Suir**.
*Pic: Courtesy Inland Fisheries Ireland*.

Commenting, Ms Lynda Connor (South-Eastern regional director at IFI) said: “The Clover River was found to be in a poor condition, with polluting material discharging into this river from a drain full of slurry”.
Ms Connor added “Ensuring clean and healthy water is not just a responsibility, but a necessity for the survival of fish and the ecosystems they thrive in. This successful prosecution is part of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s very determined efforts to protect the State’s rivers, streams, and lakes.”

The court heard the evidence for the defence did not match up with photographs which showed deep slurry in the water, not just a spillage, and the issue had been ongoing for a considerable time before action was taken.

It was noted that the pollution constituted a very serious breach on the part of The Tipperary Cheese Company Ltd.

Evidence was given by IFI Fisheries Environmental Officer Mr Oliver McGrath who outlined the facts to the court. The incident took place in December 2023 and was heard at Thurles District Court on February 18th 2025.

IFI urge people to report water pollution, illegal fishing activity, habitat destruction, fish kills or issues of concern in their local rivers/lakes; to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.