Environment « Thurles Information

Shannon-To-Dublin Water Supply Project – Key Objections & Core Facts.

Uisce Éireann is to submit a Strategic Infrastructure Development planning application, alongside a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) application, to An Coimisiún Pleanála for the Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region, described as the largest-ever water project in Irish history.

What does the project propose?
Uisce Éireann plans to abstract water from Parteen Basin (Lower River Shannon), treat it near Birdhill, Co Tipperary, and pipe treated water about 170km through counties Tipperary, Offaly and Kildare to a new termination reservoir at Peamount, Co Dublin, connecting into the Greater Dublin Area network.

How much water would be taken?
Uisce Éireann says the scheme would abstract a maximum of 2% of the average/long-term average flow at Parteen Basin.

Why is it being pursued?
Uisce Éireann says the Eastern & Midlands region is over-reliant on a single source (the River Liffey system) and that population/economic growth and climate pressures will increase demand; it says a new source is needed for resilience.

What is the cost and timeline?
Subject to planning, Uisce Éireann proposes construction starting in 2028, completing within five years, with an estimated budget of €4.58bn–€5.96bn and more than 1,000 direct jobs at peak construction.

How many landowners are affected?
Reporting on the scheme states the underground pipeline would cross lands belonging to about 500 owners.

What are objectors saying?
1) Environmental impact on the Shannon / Natura 2000 protections.
A key objection is potential ecological impact on the Shannon system. Parteen Basin is within the Lower River Shannon SAC (site code 002165), and critics argue abstraction/infrastructure must be proven not to adversely affect protected habitats/species.

2) “Fix the leaks first”.
Opponents argue Dublin’s deficit should be tackled primarily through leakage reduction and network upgrades. Uisce Éireann’s own figures state about 37% of treated water is lost through leaks nationally.
(Analysis has cited 37% nationally and 33% in the Greater Dublin Area lost to leaks.)

3) Demand and climate assumptions.
Some stakeholders have challenged the robustness and horizon of demand forecasts,raising issues such as planning beyond 2050, climate impacts and high-demand users (including data centres and large energy users), particularly during drought.

4) Cost escalation and value-for-money.
Objectors highlight the multibillion price tag (often described as “about €6bn”) and warn of further escalation; reporting has referenced a worst-case risk scenario exceeding €10bn in official correspondence.

5) Land access, CPO concerns, disruption and compensation/tax.
Landowner objections include disruption during construction, long-term land constraints, and concerns about compensation treatment (including tax/VAT implications).

What is Uisce Éireann’s response ?

It says the abstraction would be capped at 2% of Parteen Basin flows and that the application includes an EIAR and Natura Impact Statement.
It says leakage reduction is part of the solution, but that a new source is still required for resilience.
It points to landowner liaison and a negotiated voluntary wayleave/land package agreed with farming bodies.

What happens next ?
Uisce Éireann says planning notices run from 12 December 2025 and planning documents will be available from 19 December 2025 once lodged.
The project page states submissions/observations to An Coimisiún Pleanála may be made from January 6th 2026 until February 25th 2026 at 5.30pm.

Tipperary To Consult On New Parking Regime – Thurles Calls Grow to Abolish Charges.

Tipperary parking shake-up to go to consultation in early 2026, with Thurles calls growing to scrap charges.

A countywide overhaul of parking charges and permits across Tipperary’s nine pay-parking towns is due to go to public consultation in early 2026, after councillors examined proposals at a series of workshops aimed at “harmonising” how parking is managed from town to town.

The characterisation of Thurles town centre as *“just a drive through area”* reflects ongoing public concerns about traffic congestion and the impact of traffic management schemes on the town’s future vitality.

The nine towns currently within the Council’s eParking/pay-parking system are Thurles, Cahir, Carrick-on-Suir, Cashel, Clonmel, Nenagh, Roscrea, Templemore and Tipperary Town.

What’s in the proposals (as currently outlined)?
Three-tier classification: the nine towns would be grouped into Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3, with a different pricing structure depending on classification.
First 20 minutes free: the plan would introduce a formal 20-minute free-parking period in each town when implemented (reported for September 2026).
Charging hours: parking charges are proposed to apply 8.30am–6.30pm, every day except Sunday.
Permit overhaul: reforms are proposed for the full range of permits, including categories such as residential and visitor permits, alongside other permit types.
Off-street incentives and local “return” of revenue: the outline includes lower charges for off-street parking and a new approach to how parking income is used locally (with towns retaining a share of additional revenue above an agreed baseline).
Submissions urged: the public are being encouraged to make submissions, seeking calls for one hour duration in free parking, rather than 20 minutes.

Why Thurles is central to the debate.

Despite Tipperary County Council initiatives framed as boosting Thurles town-centre trade and footfall (including measures such as time-limited free parking promotions), local retailers have long argued the centre cannot compete with shopping centres offering easier/free parking.
They say that, following recent town-centre parking changes and the loss/uncertainty around key capacity, shopper activity has increasingly gravitated towards Thurles Shopping Centre and LIDL on Slievenamon Road, to the detriment of town-centre shops, because sufficient convenient parking has not been maintained with recent upgrading.

In Thurles, the conversation is being shaped by a series of recent town-centre parking and traffic changes, including:

A push to increase short-stay turnover in central areas, following concerns that all-day parking by workers was squeezing out shoppers.
Ongoing controversy around plans linked to Liberty Square, where parking spaces have been a recurring flashpoint.
The introduction of updated local rules under Thurles Municipal District Parking Bye-Laws 2025, adopted by elected members and brought into effect in April 2025.
Pressure on supply from the loss/closure of key town-centre parking, including the Munster Hotel car park closure, Market Area and The Source closures, alongside other long-term reductions referenced locally (reported as over 100 spaces).

“Abolish charges altogether” – the emerging Thurles position.
Against that backdrop, the argument being made by some in Thurles is straightforward: because the town centre has already absorbed significant disruption and a tightening of parking availability, parking charges should be abolished altogether rather than “rebalanced.”
There is precedent for this stance in the Liberty Square context, with calls previously made for parking charges to be suspended in Thurles during major works to help protect footfall.

What happens next ?
The Council is expected to publish consultation details in early 2026, allowing residents, traders and commuters to lodge submissions on:

the tiering model,
the free-parking period,
charging hours and enforcement,
permit eligibility and pricing,
how parking income should be reinvested locally.

Tipperary County Council already uses its online portal to run formal public consultations on matters of upgrading and parking bye-law proposals, however, the petty exercise of same authority, by minor officials is perceived only as a “tick box” exercise, rather than a meaningful tool for future public consultative policy development.

Thurles Planning Alerts From Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2561248.
Applicant: Joseph Hawe
Development Address: The Heath , Thurles , Co. Tipperary
Development Description: an as constructed domestic garage and all associated site works
Status: N/a
Application Received: 03/12/2025
Decision Date: N/A
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2561248/0

Application Ref: 2560884.
Applicant: Nicole O’Brien & Liam Moore
Development Address: Beakstown , Thurles , Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: a storey & a half dwelling with entrance, garage, septic tank and percolation area with all associated siteworks and ancillary works
Status: Conditional
Application Received: 08/09/2025
Decision Date: 04/12/2025
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560884/0

Widespread Power Outages In Co Tipperary Caused By Storm ‘Bram’.

Storm ‘Bram’ has caused flooding, travel disruption and widespread power outages, with Co Tipperary among the counties affected, as high winds and heavy rain lashed the country.

Some 25,000 homes and businesses were still without electricity last night, with significant outages reported in parts of Tipperary, (villages of Borrisoleigh, Holycross, Littleton), Cork, Wexford, Limerick and Kildare. ESB Networks crews worked into the evening to restore supply where it was safe to do so, but in rural pockets of Tipperary many customers were warned they may remain without power overnight.
Winds reached 113km/h at Roches Point in Cork, and Status Yellow wind warnings were in place for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo until midnight. Earlier nationwide alerts had highlighted particular risks for inland counties including Tipperary, where saturated ground increased the likelihood of fallen trees and localised flooding.

Throughout the day there were multiple reports of flooding and downed trees, particularly in the south and south midlands where the storm first made landfall. In Co Tipperary, emergency crews responded to incidents of blocked roads and spot flooding on routes into Thurles, Clonmel and Nenagh, with motorists urged to exercise extreme caution.

Rail and bus disruption also affected Tipperary commuters. Services at Waterford train station were suspended for a time due to tidal flooding on the line but later resumed, while knock-on delays were reported on services linking Waterford with Tipperary towns. The Department of Education confirmed that while the vast majority of schools opened as scheduled, around 70 schools — predominantly in coastal areas in the west — chose to close. Several schools in Co Tipperary reported reduced attendance due to power cuts, blocked roads and safety concerns for school transport.

Air and sea travel were also badly hit as Storm Bram moved across the country. A number of flights were cancelled at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, with further delays reported. Ferry sailings on a number of routes were cancelled due to adverse sea conditions, and passengers were advised to check with their operators for the latest information and details of alternative sailings.

At Dublin Airport, more than 100 flights were cancelled. Media Relations Manager at daa, Graeme McQueen, said Storm Bram had “a significant impact” on operations, with challenging crosswinds making it impossible to land or depart for extended periods during the afternoon. While winds eased considerably after 7pm and operations resumed, passengers were warned of possible ongoing disruption to schedules, particularly on early-morning services, as airlines work to reposition aircraft and crew.

Local authorities, emergency services and utility crews in Co Tipperary and across the region are expected to continue clean-up and repair operations today, with motorists and the public advised to remain cautious of debris, surface water and lingering power outages as the impact of Storm Bram is assessed.

Surge In Dumped Battery & Electronic Devices Sparks Urgent Fire Warning.

A Tipperary waste management company, Ryan Brothers Environmental Services, has launched a public awareness campaign following a rise in fires caused by batteries, vapes and electronics being thrown into household wheelie bins, skips and public street bins.

Items such as vapes, power banks, cordless power tools, e-bikes, and e-scooters are increasingly appearing in municipal waste streams and are now the leading cause of fires in the waste management industry.

**Rise in fires caused by batteries, vapes and electronics**.

The Christmas STAR (Stop Think And Recycle) initiative highlights the urgent need for action and comes ahead of the festive and New Year period, when households typically dispose of old electronics and batteries while also bringing new ones into the home.

Facility Manager of Ryan Brothers Environmental Services, Mr Bill Ryan said the sharp increase in batteries, vapes and electronics is creating serious safety risks.

He said the improper disposal of batteries and electronic items “puts lives, property, the environment and businesses at risk”.

Mr Ryan urged the public not to dispose of batteries, vapes or electronic devices in household or public bins, but to bring them to designated WEEE/battery collection points.

He said many people do not realise how easily fires can start.

“A fire can begin when a battery is compacted/pierced in a bin lorry. If the casing cracks it can short-circuit, producing intense heat and sudden flames. Inside one of our trucks it can spread in seconds,” Mr. Ryan explained.

He continued, “It only takes one vape or power bank to trigger a serious incident. We have had fires start while trucks were on the road, forcing crews to stop, isolate the fire and in conjunction with fire services, unload burning material to save the vehicle. There are far too many reports from around the country of waste transfer stations and recycling facilities experiencing fires caused by batteries and other electronics.”

Mr Ryan said preventing fires “starts with proper disposal” and that using the correct facilities helps protect homes, vehicles and recycling infrastructure.

The public is urged to visit www.weeeireland.ie for WEEE Ireland recycling locations and for advice on the safe disposal of batteries and electronic waste.