Health - Thurles Information

Teenager Dead & Man Critical Following Crash In Tipperary.

Teenager Dead & Man Critical Following Crash In Dundrum, Co. Tipperary.

Following the single vehicle collision, which happened on the R505/R661 junction at Dundrum village around 6.20am yesterday morning; a teenager has sadly died and a man in his 30s remains in a critical condition.

The occupants of the car, a man in his 30s and two male teenagers following the collision, were rushed to University Hospital Limerick to be treated for serious injuries.

The junction remained closed for a time yesterday to allow for an examination to be conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, but has since reopened.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses who may have dash-cam footage obtained while travelling on the R505 or R661 between 5:00am and 6:30am to please contact them at Tipperary Town Garda Station on Tel. No. 062 806 70; the Garda Confidential Line Tel. No. 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda Station.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tipperary Town Garda Station on 062 806 70, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Cases Of Bird Flu Identified On Lough Derg.

The Department of Agriculture have issued a warning, following the discovery of bird flu in a number of sick and dead birds found near Dromineer, in North Co. Tipperary.

Same has resulted in a warning system being put in place through the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Birdwatch Ireland, and the Regional Game Councils, seeking close surveillance on further signs of the possible HPAI strain in all wild birds. Members of the public are also being asked to contribute to this surveillance, by directly notifying the Department of Agriculture of any location where sick or dead wild birds have been identified.

It is understood that up to 50 dead birds have been found located within the Dromineer area, since the start of 2023, with the H5N1 subtype having been confirmed in the carcasses. In the past year, more than 90 wild birds with H5N1 HPAI have also been detected nationally

The H5N1 subtype viruses naturally spreads among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other animal species. However the risk to humans is considered very low; nevertheless sporadic human infections have indeed occurred.

Members of the public, (especially children attempting to catch sick birds), are therefore advised not to handle same, and to keep their dogs on a leash in known areas where sick or dead birds have already been identified.
Poultry flock owners are asked to remain vigilant for any signs of this disease in their flocks and to report any disease suspicion immediately to the Department of Agriculture.

In domestic poultry flocks the form of this virus is understood to present itself suddenly, with very high mortality, and with affected birds developing swollen heads, a blue colouration of the comb and wattle area [latter the skin under the chin], lack of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and a significant drop in egg production.

To date no evidence has been found to suggest there being any risk associated with the consumption of poultry meat or associated products of poultry meat, or indeed eggs.

Safeguard Risk Of Drowning In Thurles.

We pointed out previously, in November last, the total lack of Litter Bins provided on the Suir river walkway here in Thurles, resulting in cheap wine bottles, cans and other litter being dumped into an already polluted and slowly dying river.

But another problem has also now arisen. Overgrown Willow tree branches are holding back our floating filth, (plastic bags, drink cans, waxed paper tubs, milk cartons, wine and beer bottles); and this litter filth, in turn, is holding back footballs (we counted 6) and tennis balls (we counted 4), close to the edge of the river bank.

**Above 3 separate images demonstrate a need for Lifebuoys on River Suir in Thurles**.

So what’s the problem, I hear you ask?
The river Suir is presently in flood and some child or indeed adult is likely to attempt to retrieve one of these footballs. Should any person slip into the river, there is not one item that can be used, with which to assist in their recovery from this extremely deep water.

There is not one Lifebuoy or Life Ring in the vicinity of this unguarded river.
The purchase cost of one MOB Ring with 30m of floating rope costs a mere €17.00. A galvanised steel pole and base for use as a Lifebuoy Case, is more expensive at €166.50, but when you consider how much money is already wasted by Tipperary Co. Council on other projects; the cost of basic lifesaving equipment is a mere pittance in comparison.

Readers, do take a stroll along this unguarded river walk yourself, next fine day, and surely you will agree three Lifebuoys are immediately required to meet the basic need for health and safety.
Note also people have carved out their own grass path close to the river’s edge, preferring same to the overpriced tarmacadam strips.

Tipperary Boy, With Cerebral Palsy, Awarded €4.58m Interim Payment.

Tipperary University Hospital has apologised for deficiencies provided to a mother, which lead up to the birth of her son some five years ago.

Lennon Meaney Shanahan had, through his mother Ms Anne Marie Meaney, sued the HSE over the management of his mother’s pregnancy leading to his delivery.
The settlement against the HSE includes a pledge of €1 million towards night nursing care for the little boy, who has quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy, resulting in his inability to speak and visual impairment.

Counsel acting on behalf of Lennon; Mr Bruce Antoniotti SC, instructed by Mr Jamie Hart of Agustus Cullen Law Solicitors, Dublin, confirmed to the High Court that Lennon suffers from the most severe level of cerebral palsy.

It was claimed, through their Council, that there had been a failure to offer induction of labour and that his mother had been allowed to leave Tipperary University Hospital in circumstances where her blood pressure was significantly elevated, thus warranting further medication. It was also claimed that there was a failure to carry out the induction of labour during the mother’s admission between May 21st and May 22nd, of 2018 last.

It was further alleged, that there had been a failure to ensured Ms Meaney remained in hospital for maternal and fetal monitoring; rather than being sent home as was the case, until induction was feasible from the perspective of hospital management.

The HSE admitted it was in breach of its duty of care in relation to the management of the mother’s pregnancy on different occasions in May 2018, thus resulting in a failure to induce labour. It further admitted it was in breach of its duty of care, in relation to the management of the mother’s pregnancy, following spontaneous rupture of membranes on May 24th, of 2018.

In a letter to the parents of Lennon; Mr Paul Shanahan and Ms Anne Marie Meaney, which was read to the court, the hospital said it accepted responsibility for these failings, which should not have happened.

Lennon’s case will come back once again before the court, in five years’ time, when future care needs will be further assessed.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey, in approving the settlement, stated that same was reasonable, before wishing Lennon and his family all the best for the future.

Closure Order Issued For Fethard Restaurant-Café.

On February 3rd last, a HSE closure order, under Regulation 30 of the European Union (Official Controls in relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 79 of 2020) was issued to Mr Richard Gleeson, with an address at Dooks Dunes Ltd., Dooks Fine Foods, Kerry Street, Fethard, Co. Tipperary.

The closure order states:
“I being an authorised officer of the Health Service Executive under the Food Safety Authority of
Ireland Act, 1998 and S.I. No. 79 of 2020, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by Regulation 30 of S.I. No. 79 of 2020, hereby direct that all or part of the business, it’s establishments, holdings or other premises including internet sites or social media sites, specified in Part 1 of the Schedule, be ceased with immediate effect until the earliest of : –
(i) An order to contrary effect by a Court of competent jurisdiction.
(ii) Further written direction by the Health Service Executive.

I make this order being of the opinion that there is failure to comply with food legislation for the particular reasons set out in Part 2 of the Schedule and being of the opinion that all of the activities of the business concerned and, where relevant, of the internet sites or social media sites it operates or employs, to which the order relates as identified in Part 1 of the Schedule be ceased.

This Closure Order further directs that:
All the business, its establishments, holdings or other premises be closed.

The Legislation Infringed:
Non compliance: The food business operators did not put in place, implement and maintain a permanent procedure or procedures based on the HACCP principles. Adequate HACCP based procedures had not been put in place and implemented for the production of parsley mayonnaise, beetroot hummus, rocket pesto and chicken and chorizo bap.

The results of microbiological analysis of official samples of the aforementioned products on 01/02/2023 found unsatisfactory levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli).
*The presence of E.Coli in the parsley mayonnaise, beetroot hummus, rocket pesto and chicken and chorizo bap, indicates that faecal pathogens may also be present or that poor hygiene practices occurred during processing and /or post processing.

The closure order is dated 03/02/2023.