Health « Thurles Information

Dog Faeces & Civic Pride.

Thurles as a midland town has everything one could wish for; Theatres, Nightclubs, a Swimming pool, Gyms, a Museum, a County Library, excellent Shops, Restaurants, Hotels, Top Primary & Secondary Schools, Two Excellent Third Level Institutions and a very low crime rate. Indeed, as a place to live you could not find better, with caring neighbours and for the moment at least, affordable housing.

The Covid-19 pandemic in Co. Tipperary has seen an upsurge in the purchase of dogs as household pets. In turn, prices for dogs have soared in value and lockdown has even led to a higher business turnover for vets, because of this wish to increase canine ownership.

During lockdown people have turned to ‘man’s best friend’ for comfort and support and dogs have been a positive addition, great company and even protection for those living alone in many homes.

This sudden increase in dog ownership has regrettably demonstrated a negative side also. One major downside for people residing in Thurles, (whether they own a dog or not), has been an increase in dog fouling around our streets and public park areas. This has suddenly given an annual voice to some local councillors and to community activists, latter with an eye to becoming possible future councillors.

**An bhfuil cead agam dul go dtí an leithreas?** **Irish**: *Can I go to the toilet?*

With more people out exercising their new dogs, instances of dog defecation on footpaths have risen somewhat and many local residents have become mildly annoyed by the problem, especially those whose homes directly open unto footpaths and road frontage.

Dog Fouling – One Solution.

If dog fouling is a problem on our streets, what can we do to solve it and who can we turn to for help?

Local authorities are responsible for the control of dogs under the Control of Dogs Act 1986. They can appoint dog wardens, impose fines and take court action against dog owners. Tipperary County Council currently employ two dog wardens.

Although one might be quick to criticise Tipperary County Council officials and their appointed dog wardens, for failing to deal with the situation, dog fouling is a nationwide problem that all Municipal District Councils are finding extremely difficult to manage.
Why? Because Dog fouling is almost impossible to police under current legislation. To impose a fine on a dog owner who lets their dog defecate on a footpath without appropriate remedy; you need to catch them in the act and they have to refuse to clean it up. Most people when directly shamed or threatened with a fine by the dog warden, will pick up their dog’s faeces.

Under these conditions, it’s not realistic to expect a dog warden alone, to deal with such issues, especially when one also considers the fact that the majority of people walk their dogs early in the morning and late in the evening, when the dog warden is off duty.
With few onlookers and the public in general reluctant to shame such individuals into compliance, and with the dog warden’s back turned, it is a temptation during quieter times of the day to leave dog faeces on the footpath.

Thankfully, this issue has already been recognized at government level. The existing laws to deal with dog fouling are now recognised as being inadequate. A more logical and practical approach to policing irresponsible dog owners has been proposed through a Bill (Deputy Seán Crowe TD, Dublin South West), to amend the Litter Pollution Act of 1997. Mr Crowe seeks to amend existing legislation to, “make it an offence for a person, in charge of a dog in a public area, to fail to produce evidence of having a suitable bag or other instrument with which to dispose properly of dog faeces, when requested to do so by a dog warden, a litter warden or a member of An Garda Síochána”.
This proposal Bill therefore if adopted, (and there is every probability that it will be unobstructed) will make recent local radio and press reports almost antiquated.

More However Is Still Needed

More effective policing is certainly one solution, but much more is also needed. Once a dog owner picks up their dog faeces, it is vital that they have a suitable place to dispose of it. This is one small area where Tipperary County Council can do more; by simply installing an adequate network of bins on our streets and in our park lands. At least then, dog owners won’t be deterred from cleaning up, in the knowledge they are no longer forced to carry dog faeces on their person, over long distances.

To be fair to Tipperary County Council, same have provided dispensers and free bags (Mutt Mitt a degradable pick-Up Mitt), and raised awareness of the issue.

Dog fouling is not only an unsightly and filthy nuisance, but it is also a dangerous health risk. Dog faeces can expose us to illnesses, with children and pregnant women most at risk. Toxocariasis, an albeit rare condition, can be contracted from infected dog faeces and can cause organ damage and eye disease.

“Every problem has a solution and if a problem doesn’t have a solution, then it’s a fact of life, legislate or live with it.”

There’s a wise old saying, “Every problem has a solution and if a problem doesn’t have a solution, then it’s a fact of life, legislate or live with it.”
Dog fouling doesn’t have to be a fact of of life, but the solution to the problem of dog faeces isn’t simple either. It will involve a combination of better legislation, policing, deterrents, facilities, education and greater public awareness.
Tipperary County Council will have a lot more work to do, to change dog owners mindsets, but in the end local pedestrians, prampushers and cyclists will be extremely grateful and supportive.

Covid-19 Update: Sat. 8th May 2021 – 1 Death – 408 New Cases.

The Department of Health this evening has confirmed that there has been 1 further death caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 4,919.

There have been 408 new additional virus cases reported here within the Irish Republic. This leaves the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception, at 252,303.

Of the cases confirmed today, 77% of persons in the Irish Republic were under the age of 45 years.

There are 110 people with Covid-19 remaining in hospital today, and of that number 33 are in ICU’s, according to Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub.

There have been 5,929 virus cases confirmed here in Co. Tipperary, since the pandemic began, same figure relevant up to and including May 6th, 2021.

In Northern Ireland, there were no further Covid-related deaths reported today, while 81 new positive cases were confirmed.

Some 1,267,167 first doses of Covid-19 vaccines have now been administered here in Ireland up to May 6th, with 479,745 persons having received their second dose.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan continues to warn that the virus is still very active in the community and still remains a risk, particularly to people who have not yet been vaccinated.

The total worldwide number of virus cases identified up to 5:00pm this evening, now stands at well over 157.03 million confirmed, with global deaths at well over 3.27 million.

Please Do Continue To Behave Responsibly.

Covid-19 Update: Fri. 7th May 2021 – 4 Deaths – 434 New Cases.

Under 5 new cases of killer Covid-19 virus confirmed in Co. Tipperary in past 24 hours.

Student nurses and midwives are set to receive a backdated promised Pandemic Placement Grant of €100 per week by June 1st, the Minister for Health Mr Stephen Donnelly has confirmed; as recommended in a review by Professor Tom Collins.

The Department of Health this evening has confirmed that there has been 4 further deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 4,918.

There have been 434 new additional virus cases reported here within the Irish Republic. This leaves the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception, at 251,904.

Of the cases confirmed today in the Irish Republic; 197 are in Dublin, 44 in Cork, 34 in Kildare, 20 in both Limerick and Meath, with the remaining 119 cases located across 16 other counties.

Of the cases confirmed today, a colossal 80% of persons were under the age of 45 years.

There are 127 people with Covid-19 remaining in hospital today, and of that number 34 are in ICU’s, according to Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub.

There have been 212 Covid-19 cases confirmed in Co. Tipperary within the last 14 days and under 5 new cases confirmed in the same area, within the last 24 hours. There have been 5,925 virus cases confirmed here in Co. Tipperary, since the pandemic began, same figure relevant up to and including May 5th, 2021.

Some 1,233,067 first doses of Covid-19 vaccines have now been administered here in Ireland up to May 5th, with 467,471 persons having received their second dose.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan continues to warn that the virus is still very active in the community and still remains a risk, particularly to people who have not yet been vaccinated.

The total worldwide number of virus cases identified up to 5:00pm this evening, now stands at well over 156.19 million confirmed, with global deaths at well over 3.25 million.

Please Do Continue To Behave Responsibly.

Single Use Plastic – A Major Environmental Challenge

Plastic is everywhere and at the rate we discard it, some experts predict, that by 2050, our oceans could contain more plastic than fish. It is estimated that about 8 million tonnnes of plastic ends up in our oceans each year. Once there, it is difficult to get rid of, because plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose.

Plastic waste is a major environmental challenge and one of the biggest plastic problems concerns single use plastic. Items like plastic straws, cups, cutlery, food wrapping and bottles account for at least half of the plastic dumped each year. We use these items once, sometimes for a matter of minutes, and they end up polluting the planet for hundreds of years. Instead of using plastic items once and then dumping them, we can try these simple but powerful alternatives.

Get a Refillable Water Bottle.

In Thurles, we are blessed with a clean and healthy drinking water supply, so why not opt for tap water instead of bottled water? If a person buys a bottle of water ever day, that’s 365 plastic bottles a year. Imagine that sight in your back garden? By simply buying a refillable bottle, not only will you be saving the planet, but you’ll also save yourself a lot of money.

Get a Coffee KeepCup.

We all enjoy a takeaway coffee but although the cups are often made from paper, the lids are typically made from plastic. Thankfully, coffee shops, including our own local Costa and Deja Brew, sell KeepCups. KeepCups are reusable hot drink cups. Once purchased, you bring your KeepCup to your coffee shop every time you fancy a coffee and they will fill that instead of a single use cup.

Bring You Own Container.

Just like the reusable KeepCup in coffee shops, it is becoming increasingly popular for customers to bring their own containers to shops. Many eco-conscious consumers bring their own container to a shop, deli or butcher. Instead of having their produce put in a plastic bag, they ask that their food items be put in their own reusable containers.

Dump the Plastic Wrap.

Each year we wrap food in millions of metres of plastic wrap. Instead of reaching for cling film, why not keep your food covered in a reusable container. Glass containers are best because they cut down on plastic production. It is also generally accepted that heating food in plastic containers is not good for your health, because of the potential for chemicals to be released into foods from plastic when heated.

Many of us too depend on cling film to wrap our sandwiches, but there is a healthier and more environmentally friendly alternative. Made by ‘The Paper Lunch Bag Co. Ashbury, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary’, Lón an Lae, [translated “The days Lunch”], are paper sandwich bags perfectly sized for school or work sandwich snacks. They are available to buy in local Thurles grocery shops in packs of 50.

Opt for Food in the Nude.

No, we are not suggesting that you walk around Thurles naked eating an apple, God forbid! No, ‘Food in the Nude’ is a movement that started in New Zealand and aims to stop the practice of buying fruits, vegetables and other products wrapped in plastic where possible. So, for example, instead of selling carrots on a polystyrene tray wrapped in cling film, shops sell loose carrots. The practice has proven extremely successful in New Zealand. It has not only reduced plastic use, but it has proven to be more economical for consumers and reduced food waste, because customers buy what they actually need, rather than being forced into buying a big bag of something that they won’t use in its entirety. We are very fortunate here in Thurles that our local grocery shops sell loose fruit and vegetables, so ditch the plastic wrapped options when you can.

These are just some of the ways that you can help to reduce plastic waste. Remember, the smallest changes can have a powerful impact. Single use plastic remains a huge international scourge. The problem is so serious that the EU have even developed a directive on single use plastic. For more information on single use plastic and it’s fate under new EU plans click HERE.

Covid-19 Update: Thur. 6th May 2021 – 8 Deaths – 393 New Cases.

12 new cases of killer Covid-19 virus confirmed in Co. Tipperary in past 24 hours.

The Department of Health this evening has confirmed that there has been 8 further deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 4,921.

There have been 393 new additional virus cases reported here within the Irish Republic. This leaves the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception, at 251,474.

In Northern Ireland, 102 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the past 24 hours, with no further deaths reported.

Seven confirmed cases of the Covid-19 variant which was first detected in India have now been reported in Northern Ireland, their Department of Health has confirmed.

Partners of pregnant women should now be allowed attend the 20-week scan and be also present at the birth of the baby, the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Colm Henry has stated; as neo-natal and maternity units are now much safer places than they were in January, at the height of the third wave of the pandemic.

Of the cases confirmed today in the Irish Republic; 175 are in Dublin, 42 in Cork, 34 in Kildare, 26 in Donegal, 15 in Meath, with the remaining 103 cases located across 20 other counties.

Of the cases confirmed today, 79% were under the age of 45 years.

There have been 237 Covid-19 cases confirmed in Co. Tipperary within the last 14 days and 12 new cases confirmed in the same area, within the last 24 hours. There have been 5,914 virus cases confirmed here in Co. Tipperary, since the pandemic began, same figure relevant up to and including May 4th, 2021.

There are 131 people with Covid-19 remaining in hospital today, and of that number 36 are in ICU’s, according to Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub.

Some 1,201,373 first doses of Covid-19 vaccines have now been administered here in Ireland up to May 4th, with 454,493 persons having received their second dose.

Canada has now approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in children aged over 12 years thus becoming the first country to do so.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan continues to warn that the virus is still very active in the community and still remains a risk, particularly to people who have not yet been vaccinated.

The total worldwide number of virus cases identified up to 5:00pm this evening, now stands at well over 155.33 million confirmed, with global deaths at well over 3.24 million.

Please Do Continue To Behave Responsibly.