Health - Thurles Information

EPA Calls For Measures To Urgently Tackle Packaging Waste Generation.

Ireland generated 1.2 million tonnes of packaging waste in 2021.
Ireland is continuing to achieve high levels of recycling for glass (84%) and paper/cardboard (73%).
Plastics present a serious challenge. Only 28% of plastic packaging waste was recycled in 2021, a long way off the 2025 EU target of 50%. The majority of Ireland’s plastic packaging waste is being incinerated.
Ireland’s overall recycling rate fell from 62% in 2020 to 58% in 2021. It must reach 65% in 2025.
Fiscal measures to incentivise householders and businesses are also urgently needed. The new levy on waste sent for recovery, and increases to the landfill levy, will reward better practices of segregation of waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published its latest figures on packaging waste in Ireland.

Ireland is meeting current EU recycling targets and achieving high recycling rates for some streams such as glass, paper/cardboard and ferrous metals. However, in 2021, the overall recycling rate for packaging waste fell by 4% to 58%, putting the 2025 target of 65% at risk. While the quantity of packaging waste being recycled is increasing every year, it cannot keep up with the total increase in packaging waste being generated in the first place.

Plastic packaging waste recycling rates remain low, at 28%. Most plastic packaging waste was sent for incineration, with less than one third recycled. Ireland will face significant challenges in meeting the 2025 and 2030 recycling targets for plastic of 50% and 55%.

Commenting on the figures, Mr Micheal Lehane, (Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Sustainability) said: “Urgent measures are needed to reduce the quantity of packaging waste generated in Ireland each year. Our current rate of production and consumption of packaging represents a poor use of materials and energy and is a growing source of emissions. With Ireland’s packaging waste exceeding 1.2 million tonnes per year, we need to intensify efforts to avoid unnecessary packaging use in the first instance. Packaging waste can be avoided and reduced by replacing single use with reusable packaging, current examples include pallets, boxes and trays, and through better product design such as lightweighting packaging.”

Poor segregation practices at businesses and homes is leading to high volumes of packaging waste being diverted to energy recovery. This includes materials which can be recycled.

Improved separation by householders and businesses at source is needed to collect higher quantities of recyclable packaging materials. Ensuring waste charges to businesses and householders are clearly incentivising reduction and recycling of packaging wastes will support better separation of materials. Continued awareness and enforcement measures are also needed to support better behaviours.

Mr Warren Phelan, (Programme Manager of the EPA’s Circular Economy Programme) noted: “The fall from 62%to 58% recycling in 2021 is disappointing but not unexpected. Better practices are needed by householders and especially businesses, where there are significant opportunities to divert good quality materials from the residual bin. The new levy on waste sent for recovery, and increases to the landfill levy, will reward better practices of segregation provided customer charging is appropriately incentivised.”

Thurles Boil Water Notice Lifted After A Five Week Period.

The ‘Boil Water Notice’ issued on July 14th last, some five weeks ago, has today been lifted in Thurles and surrounding areas with immediate effect.
However, residents should be aware that contaminated water may still remain in water pipes and header storage tanks for a short period, as static water is being refreshed.

The news will be much welcomed by local residents, who have at great expense, been obliged to purchase water from local shops at a cost of €1.45 per 5 litre bottle, spending up to €5.80 per day over the past 35 day period.

No real explanation for the five week old ‘Boil Water Notice’ request has been forthcoming from the relevant Tipperary authorities and elected public representatives.

Traffic Accident On Slievenamon Road (N62), Thurles Brings Town To A Standstill.

A traffic accident on Slievenamon Road (N62), Thurles this afternoon (August 10th 2023), close to the entrance to Liberty Square town centre, which occurred at approximately 4:00pm, once again brought the town to a standstill.

***Motorists beware. Traffic accident on Slievenamon Road (N62), Thurles, Co. Tipperary***.
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

The accident involved two cars, both travelling in the same direction, with one vehicle being overturned.
Two ambulances together with Gardaí and three sections of Thurles fire brigade quickly attended the scene.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported and in the past half hour the overturned vehicle has been righted.

The road still remains closed, however, and traffic remains congested, particularly with vehicles coming from their places of work, from south of the town.
Drivers are advised to avoid the Thurles area until the roadway is reopened to normal traffic.

UPDATE: N62 Slievenamon Road Road has reopened to traffic.

New Variant Of Covid-19, Named ‘Eris’ Detected In Ireland.

A new variant of Covid-19, a descendant of Omicron, designated EG.5 and named ‘Eris’ has been detected in Ireland, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has not designated EG.5 as a variant of concern or while being closely monitored, is not a variant of interest. The HSE have stated that ‘Eris’ however is more transmissible than previous circulating variants and has been associated with recent outbreaks in hospitals in Ireland, the USA and in England; in the case of the latter classified as a variant on July 31st last.

The symptoms of ‘Eris’ are as follows: Sore throat; Runny nose; Blocked nose; Sneezing; Dry cough; Headache; Wet cough; Hoarse voice; Muscle aches and Altered smell.

**New variant of Covid-19, a descendant of Omicron, designated EG.5, on the rise.**
*Pic. G. Willoughby*.

The Public Health Agency said that the Sars-COV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19, remains in circulation and is constantly evolving, with new variants arising frequently. With summer holidays the rise in cases at home and internationally is being driven by greater indoor interaction, increased international travel and obviously waning immunity.

There remain currently known, some 408 cases in hospitals with the virus, up from 121 two weeks ago, and of these, 12 people remain in ICU.

However it should be kept in mind that sadly, since the pandemic began, there have been some 1.7 million PCR cases confirmed as having Covid-19 and 9,125 deaths recorded in Ireland.
Globally, some 1 million new covid-19 cases and more than 3,100 deaths were reported in the 28 days up to August 3rd last, according to the latest World Health Organization report. This brings the death toll to almost 7 million since the pandemic began.

Covid-19 Infections Rise Last Month.

The Heath Service Executive (HSE) has said it is currently seeing a slight increase in Covid-19 infections here in the Irish State, which in turn is causing a slight increase in hospital admissions.

During May and June infection indicators had shown a downward trend, however same began to increase again at towards the end of June, possibly due to overseas travel; as a similar trend is also occurring in the UK.

The number of patients in ICU, with Covid-19 infection did increase slightly during the month of July, but remained relatively low. Currently this month saw ten patients in ICU’s, compared to three patients one month earlier, at the start of July.

St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny has acknowledged that it is dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19 infections resulting in the suspension of visitors, except for their maternity unit and in other exceptional circumstances.
St Luke’s Hospital has stated that there are a number of Covid and non-Covid patients presenting to its emergency department and while all urgent care cases should still attend the hospital, it did urge people to consider other options, if possible, before coming to their emergency department.

Several outbreaks are also being managed on inpatient wards at University Hospital Limerick.

Earlier this week, University Hospital Galway said it was also dealing with a Covid-19 outbreak, with 39 Covid patients in the hospital; thus leaving five wards affected. Visiting restrictions are fully in place in areas of the hospital affected by these outbreaks.