Finance « Thurles Information

Tipperary Farmer Loses Appeal As Permanent Ban On Family Lands Upheld.

A long-running land dispute in Tipperary has taken another decisive turn after the High Court upheld a permanent ban preventing a local farmer from accessing lands once owned by his family.

Farmer Mr Patrick Heffernan failed in his bid to extend the time to appeal a Circuit Court ruling that bars him from entering or trespassing on an 83-hectare farm near Fethard, Co. Tipperary. The lands were sold in 2022 for €1.5 million, to US-based businessman Mr Maurice Regan.

Court Rejects Late Appeal.
The High Court heard that Mr Heffernan sought extra time to appeal an earlier decision but filed his application 63 days after the deadline had expired. Justice Eileen Roberts ruled that while he may have intended to appeal, there was no valid reason for missing the 28-day time limit.

The judge noted that Mr Heffernan claimed he “forgot” the deadline, while attempting to obtain court documentation, but this did not constitute a sufficient excuse.

Background to the Dispute.
The lands had been mortgaged to financial institutions before being transferred to finance firms and ultimately sold by receivers in June 2022.
Following the sale, tensions escalated when Mr Heffernan refused to remove livestock from the property. Court records described “serious difficulties” between both parties, leading Mr Regan to seek legal intervention.

Last year, January 2025, the Circuit Court granted an injunction restraining Mr Heffernan from entering the lands, interfering with locks or signage, or obstructing access.

Criminal Convictions and Garda Intervention.
The dispute also involved multiple legal breaches. Mr Heffernan was twice convicted of criminal damage for cutting locks and once for removing CCTV cameras. He spent 87 days in custody after refusing bail conditions that required him to stay away from the farm.
Gardaí were called to intervene during the conflict, and further legal consequences were warned if trespassing continued.

Claims Rejected by Court.
Mr Heffernan argued that the receivers had no legal authority to sell the land and alleged fraud in the transaction. He also claimed the property was worth €3.5 million, placing it outside the Circuit Court’s jurisdiction.
However, Justice Roberts rejected these claims, stating the €1.5 million sale price, reflecting land without vacant possession, fell within the court’s remit.

Final Outcome.
The High Court concluded that there had been no breach of fair procedures and that proper notice of the original hearing had been given.
Mr Heffernan’s application was dismissed in full, with costs awarded against him, leaving the permanent ban firmly in place.

Ending Youth Wage Inequality In Ireland.

On International Workers’ Day, the spotlight has once again turned to a controversial issue in Ireland’s labour market: sub-minimum wages for young workers. According to the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), more than 27,000 young people are currently earning less than the standard minimum wage; a figure that has sparked renewed calls for reform.

Ireland remains one of the few countries in the EU where workers under 20 can legally be paid less than the full minimum wage. These reduced rates are structured by age, meaning younger employees may receive as little as 70% – 90% of the adult rate, regardless of their experience or responsibilities.
The NYCI argues that this system amounts to “age-based pay discrimination,” sending a troubling message that younger workers’ contributions are inherently less valuable. Ms Kathryn Walsh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at NYCI, has warned that such policies deepen inequality and undermine living standards for young people already facing rising costs of living.

Beyond fairness, there are growing concerns about exploitation. Research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) suggests some employers may rely on lower youth wage rates to offset rising labour costs as the national minimum wage increases. This creates a system where young workers are not only paid less, but may also be more vulnerable to insecure and precarious employment conditions.
For many young people, minimum wage jobs already offer limited stability. Lower pay rates can make it even harder to afford basic living expenses or plan for the future.

The NYCI believes abolishing sub-minimum wages is a necessary step toward ensuring dignity, equality, and fair treatment in the workplace.

As Ireland moves toward a “living wage” model in the coming years, pressure is mounting on policymakers to act. Ending sub-minimum pay rates would not only align Ireland with broader European standards but also signal a commitment to valuing all workers equally,regardless of age.

New ESRI Report Reveals Hidden Depth of Energy Poverty in Ireland.

New study from Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) sheds fresh light on scale and complexity of energy poverty in Ireland, thus revealing the issue is far more widespread than traditional measures suggest.

€480 Could Make a Critical Difference.

According to the research, households experiencing energy poverty would need an average income boost of €480 per year to escape the condition. This relatively modest figure highlights how targeted financial supports could significantly improve living conditions for vulnerable groups, at a fraction of the cost of broader, universal schemes.
The study estimates that delivering this targeted support would cost approximately €370 million, notably less than the €550–€575 million spent on universal electricity credits in 2024, suggesting more efficient policy solutions are within reach.

Energy Poverty Affects More Households Than Expected.
While official figures indicate that just over 10% of households spend more than a tenth of their disposable income on energy, the ESRI warns this measure alone understates the reality.
When multiple indicators are considered, the findings show that:

Around 14% of households report being unable to afford adequate warmth or fully pay utility bills.
More than 30% of households experience some form of energy affordability challenge.

This aligns with broader ESRI research showing energy costs place a disproportionate burden on lower-income households, where energy spending takes up a larger share of income.

Why Current Measures Fall Short.
The report emphasises that relying on a single metric—such as income share spent on energy—fails to capture the full picture. Energy poverty is driven by a combination of:

Low disposable income.
High energy costs.
Poor housing quality.

A household may not appear “energy poor” by one definition, yet still struggle to heat their home adequately or cut back on essential energy use.

A Call for Smarter Monitoring.
To better understand and address the issue, the ESRI recommends adopting a multidimensional monitoring system, focusing on three key indicators:

Inability to afford adequate warmth.
High energy costs relative to income.
Unusually low energy usage (often due to under-heating homes).

This approach would provide policymakers with a more accurate and actionable picture of need.

Who Is Most Affected.
The research identifies several groups at higher risk of energy poverty, including:

Low-income households.
Renters.
Households with unemployed members.
Female-headed households.
Rural communities.
Single-adult families.

These findings reflect long-standing evidence that energy poverty is closely tied to income inequality and housing conditions, with disadvantaged groups often living in less energy efficient homes .

Policy Implications: Targeted Action Over Blanket Measures
Experts behind the study stress that better coordination between social protection, housing, and energy policy is essential. Dr Andrés Estévez noted that tackling energy poverty requires recognising the multiple ways it is experienced, while Dr Miguel Tovar Reaños highlighted the importance of integrated policy responses to strengthen protections for vulnerable households.

Conclusion.
This latest ESRI report makes one thing clear: energy poverty in Ireland is both more widespread and more complex than headline figures suggest. However, it also shows that targeted, data-driven interventions could deliver meaningful relief, efficiently and effectively.
As Ireland continues its transition toward a cleaner energy future, ensuring that no household is left behind will require smarter measurement, sharper policy focus, and sustained investment in those who need it most.

Major Housing Setback In Clonmel, Tipperary As Developer Enters Liquidation.

A significant residential development in Clonmel has been thrown into uncertainty following the collapse of its developer, in what is shaping up to be a major blow to the town’s housing ambitions.

Construction work on the Coleville Road site, latter a planned 122-unit housing scheme, had already stalled in recent weeks. Now, the situation has escalated further, with Torca Developments Limited among a group of companies placed under provisional liquidation by the High Court.

The development forms part of the wider Torca Homes network, where a total of 20 associated companies have been deemed insolvent. Of these, 13 have entered court-appointed provisional liquidation, while the remaining seven are expected to follow through voluntary liquidation proceedings.

Local Impact and Community Concerns.
The collapse has raised immediate concerns for prospective homeowners, particularly those who had already committed deposits. Local people described the situation as a serious setback for both the town and buyers:
The key concern now is safeguarding deposits and ensuring the project can be revived under new ownership.

Despite the setback, there remains cautious optimism. The site’s prime location, on the southern bank of the River Suir and close to the town centre, continues to make it attractive for future investment, especially given the strong demand for housing in the region.

A Promising Development Now in Limbo
Originally granted planning permission for 115 homes, the scheme was later expanded following approval from An Bord Pleanála in late 2024.

The revised proposal included:
122 residential units (up from 115).
A mix of houses, duplexes, and apartments.
A childcare facility with capacity for 33 children.
Expanded car and cycle parking.

Community-focused features such as:
Bike parking areas.
Soft play spaces.
Shared communal areas and quiet seating zones.

The project had been designed as a modern, sustainable community aimed at families and individuals alike, making its current halt all the more significant.

What Happens Next?
With provisional liquidators now in place, the immediate priority will be securing assets and assessing whether the development can be transferred or sold to a new builder.
For Clonmel, Co. Tipperary the hope is clear, that this stalled project will not remain idle for long, and that a new developer will step in to complete what was one of the town’s most important housing schemes in recent years.

Fraud In Ireland: A Growing Problem We Can’t Ignore.

Recent news articles have shed light on a troubling reality; fraud is becoming increasingly common across Ireland, and in many cases still go unreported. While scams have long existed, the scale and sophistication of fraudulent activity today make it a serious and evolving threat that affects people from all walks of life.

What’s particularly concerning is not just how widespread fraud has become, but how often it goes unspoken. Many victims feel embarrassed, unsure of what to do, or even doubtful that reporting the incident will make a difference. As a result, countless cases remain hidden, allowing criminals to continue operating with little resistance.

Fraud is no longer limited to obvious or easily identifiable schemes. Modern scams can be highly convincing, most often involving social media through fake emails, phone calls, or websites that closely mimic legitimate organisations such as banks, delivery services, or even government agencies. With the rise of digital banking and online services, fraudsters have more opportunities than ever to exploit trust and access sensitive information.

It’s important to recognise a simple truth; fraud can happen to anyone. No level of education, awareness, or caution makes a person completely immune. Scammers rely on manipulation, urgency, and psychological pressure, not just technical tricks. They are skilled at creating scenarios that feel real and demand immediate action, catching people off guard.

Because of this, the conversation around fraud needs to shift. Instead of focusing on blame or embarrassment, there should be greater emphasis on awareness, support, and prevention.

If you’ve been affected by fraud, it’s crucial to understand that reporting it is one of the most effective ways to combat the problem.

By contacting your financial provider as soon as possible, you increase the chances of limiting financial loss and preventing further unauthorised activity. Banks and financial institutions have dedicated teams that can respond quickly to suspected fraud, freeze accounts, and investigate suspicious transactions.

Equally important is reporting the incident to An Garda Síochána. While it may seem like a small step, every report contributes to a broader understanding of how fraud operates in Ireland. This information helps authorities identify patterns, track criminal networks, and develop strategies to prevent future scams.

Reporting fraud doesn’t just help you, it helps others. When scams go unreported, criminals remain free to target more victims using the same tactics. By speaking up, you play a role in disrupting these schemes and making it harder for fraudsters to succeed.

Education also plays a key role in prevention. Staying informed about common scams, being cautious with unsolicited communications, and taking time to verify requests for personal or financial information can significantly reduce risk. Simple actions, such as double-checking a sender’s email address or contacting a company directly through official channels, can make a big difference.

However, even the most careful individuals can be caught out. That’s why creating an environment where people feel comfortable reporting fraud is essential. Open conversations help remove stigma and encourage others to come forward if they experience something similar.

Fraud is a growing challenge, but it’s not one we are powerless against. Through awareness, vigilance, and a willingness to report incidents, individuals and communities can work together to reduce its impact. The more we talk about it, the harder it becomes for fraud to thrive in silence.