Finance « Thurles Information

Garda-Led Gold Auctions Generate Over €1.8 Million For State Funds.

A series of public online auctions involving gold assets seized during criminal investigations has successfully generated more than €1.8 million for the State, authorities have confirmed.

The auctions were conducted following extensive operations led by An Garda Síochána, specifically targeting proceeds linked to drug trafficking and money laundering activities uncovered by the Dublin Crime Response Team.

In total, approximately 18.8 kilograms of gold bullion were sold across four separate auction events, raising a combined €1,803,810. The initiative forms part of ongoing law enforcement strategies aimed at dismantling organised crime networks by confiscating and repurposing illicit assets.

The auctions, which began earlier this year and were facilitated by Wilsons Auctions, were accessible to members of the public, ensuring transparency throughout the disposal process. Individual auction rounds generated significant returns, with proceeds of €456,395, €500,430, €438,265, and €408,720 respectively.

Officials emphasised that reclaiming criminal proceeds is a critical component of disrupting illegal operations. Detective Inspector Ken Holohan of the Dublin Metropolitan Region highlighted that redirecting such funds to the State not only removes financial incentives for crime but also reinforces public trust in the justice system.

All net proceeds from the auctions will be transferred to the national Exchequer, reinforcing State resources and underscoring a continued commitment to combating organised criminal activity.

LAWPRO Small Grants And Events Scheme 2026 – Overview.

Community Water Officer Mr Darragh Kelly with LAWPRO (Local Authority Waters Programme) reports:

I am delighted to announce that the 2026 Small Grants & Events Scheme is now open for applications.
I attach a copy of the revised 2026 guidelines and also a link HERE to the Small Grants and Events Scheme 2026 portal.

This grant scheme is designed for community groups seeking support for small-scale initiatives and events that fall outside of LAWPRO’s targeted funding calls. It supports activities such as World Wetlands Day, Biodiversity Week, Science Week, and similar events.

Funding may also be used for awareness-raising initiatives including surveys, action plans, citizen science projects, meetings, workshops, litter picks, publications, biodiversity signage, and other small-scale projects.

Note: All applications must demonstrate a clear focus on water quality or water awareness.
Please Also Note: This application form must not be used for events taking place during Heritage Week (15th–23rd August 2026). A separate application process for Heritage Week funding will be announced in advance.

Download Guidelines for LAWPRO Small Grants and Events Scheme 2026.
→ Please ensure you are logged in as a registered user, before you start completing a form.
◘ You must contact your local Community Water Officer before making an application.
→ Contact details for LAWPRO’s CWOs can be found HERE.
◘ Each application will be assessed based on its merits as it is submitted.
→ There is no obligation on LAWPRO to request any outstanding or supporting information.
◘ Please read the Guidelines carefully before making an application.

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.