“He thought his happiness was complete when, as he meandered aimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a full-fed river. Never in his life had he seen a river before—this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again. All was a-shake and a-shiver – glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and swirl, chatter and bubble.”
Excerpt From “The Wind in the Willows”, by Kenneth Grahame
The local tourist office does its best to attract both national and foreign visitors into Thurles; with very few local attractions left standing. But one fantastic Thurles amenity that remains somewhat overlooked on tourism promotional material, and which has indisputable tourism potential, can be located within ‘The Source’ Thurles County library facility on Cathedral Street. I refer of course to the vast knowledge so generously dispensed to the vacationer, courtesy of Ms Mary Darmody and her colleagues working within this busy Thurles history research department.
This said; imagine, if you would, a visiting tourist climbing up the front steps of this same ‘The Source’ building in Thurles Town centre. Their first impression is aided by the south-westerly breeze, same delivering the smell of raw sewage, which emanates from the lower end of Liberty Square, mixed with the not to dissimilar aroma of the river itself.
The visitor then halts momentarily to look westward unto the River Suir. Here now they spot the few remaining ducks still residing in the area, as shown in the video hereunder; resting standing on one foot as if trying to avoid coming into contact with the deplorable condition of the shallow river bed.
Ground water from Cathedral Street and elsewhere, as shown in the video above, continues to carry paper and God knows what else, directly into this river in the town’s centre; with the full knowledge of Municipal District Council officials, who have left a drain cover deliberately unlocked.
The river wasn’t always in this deplorable and totally unacceptable state. Even way back in this river’s ancient history; when horse and donkey carts were driven in at Barry’s bridge, in an effort to retard the release of moisture from wooden spokes in wheels, thus expanding same, or later to wash creamery churns; was this natural stream of what should be turquoise-blue flowing water, allowed to become almost an open sewer to the eyes of our residents and visitors.
This summer season it has rained frequently. One wonders what weather our Autumn, Winter and Spring seasons will bring to an area that is known to regularly floods.
A group of local people, led by engineer, the late Mr Wilbert Houben, fought off officials from Inland Fisheries and local Fianna Fáil councillors, to spent two Summer seasons covering the river banks with limestone, planting the existing trees, and in 1990 installing 3 fountains. The expensive pump used for the fountains (a Grundfus submersible pump) was gifted to Thurles Tidy Towns, free of charge and courtesy of Cantwell Electrical Engineering Ltd. It was officially switched on by then Progressive Democrats, Minister of State with responsibility for Environmental Protection, Ms Mary Harney, that same year. A forgotten memorial plaque now hidden in the weeds and dirt, on the river bank still records this much welcomed event.
So where is this pump now I hear you ask? I was informed recently (rightly or wrongly) that it is now enjoyed by the residents of Templemore, providing a fountain in their local town-park.
Back almost two years ago (September 2022) local press and radio raised this issue regarding the river’s over growth, algae, the missing fountains and the overall neglect of same, by our local authority. In a press release, back then, the local authority confirmed that plans were currently being developed in conjunction with Inland Fisheries, LAWPRO and the OPW River Drainage, to carry out maintenance works on the local River channel to mitigate potential flooding. In tandem with this work the above named organisations claimed, according to the local authority, that same would look to enhance the area down-stream of the bridge crossing in Thurles, including the installation of deflectors which would move on the algae bloom. They also confirmed proposed works for selective pruning of overhanging vegetation and the removal of bank vegetation encroaching on the channel and acknowledged that illegal dumping on the river banks was an ongoing issue, which was investigated and removed by the Council regularly. (“Regularly” being the operative word. See the wooden pallet lodged near the now demolished second weir, which has remained there since May 2024) Responding to concerns over a smell and dumping in the area the council says they are not aware of a smell or of there being large amounts of rubbish in the river itself. Presently, to return this river to its oxygenated state, which existed in 1993, same will now cost a small fortune, after 20 years of continuous neglect. Furthermore, distressingly, we no longer appear to have the professionalism, the funding or indeed the will, to turn things around.
The waste and neglect at local authority level continues.
Food Safety Authority of Ireland warn of incorrectly declared allergens in some Mayil products.
Alert Summary dated Friday, August 16th 2024
Allergy Alert Notification: 2024.A27 (Update 1) Allergens: Mustard, sesame seeds, fish and crustaceans Product Identification: Please see table below. Batch Code: All batch codes and all best before dates. Please see table hereunder. Country Of Origin: India
Product name.
Pack size.
Allergen(s) ingredient.
Mayil Vaduka Puli Pickle.
400g.
Mustard and sesame seeds.
Mayil Cut Mango Pickle.
1kg.
Mustard and sesame seeds.
Mayil Uluva Nellicka.
300g.
Mustard and sesame seeds.
Mayil Hot and Sweet Lime Pickle.
400g.
Mustard and sesame seeds.
Mayil Dry Chilly Chutney.
400g.
Sesame seeds.
Mayil Prawn Chutney Powder.
200g.
Crustaceans.
Mayil Uluva Mango.
300g.
Mustard.
Mayil Tender Mango Pickle.
400g.
Mustard and sesame seeds.
Mayil Fish Chutney.
200g.
Fish and sesame seeds.
Mayil Kaduku Mango Pickle.
400g.
Mustard and sesame seeds.
Mayil Crushed Chilly Chutney with Prawn.
200g.
Crustaceans and sesame seeds.
Mayil Prawn Pickle 400g.
400g.
Crustaceans, mustard and sesame seeds.
Mayil Lemon Pickle
400g.
Mustard and sesame seeds.
Mayil Bitter Gourd Pickle
400g.
Sesame seeds.
Mayil Bitter Gourd Pickle (Home Made)
200g.
Sesame seeds.
Message: Further to FSAI food allergen alerts 2024.A27 and 2024.A28, the affected Mayil products listed in the table below contain certain allergens which are incorrectly declared on the label. This may make the batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of mustard, sesame seeds, fish and/or crustaceans.
Food Safety Authority warn of recall of batch of Kombucha Na Dálaigh due to an elevated alcohol level.
Alert Summary dated Thursday, 15 August 2024
Category 1: For Action Alert Notification: 2024.38 Product Identification: Kombucha Na Dálaigh Sláinte Turmeric, Ginger & Honey; pack size: 330ml, and Kombucha Na Dálaigh Sú Mara Carrageen Moss & Berry; pack size: 330ml Batch Code: 01L; best before: 02/2025 Country Of Origin: Ireland
Message: The above batch of Kombucha Na Dálaigh is being recalled due to an elevated alcohol level. Alcohol is not declared on the label of this product.
In total, 16 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses across Ireland in July 2024, most of which were in our capital city.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that 16 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses during the month of July 2024 for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Enforcement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Three Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on: Boba Bar (restaurant/café), 139 Parnell Street, Dublin 1. Hartigans (public house), 100 Leeson Street Lower, Dublin 2. Duud (retailer), Unit 2 Pinewood House, Huntstown Road, Huntstown, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.
Nine Closure Orders, including one in Cahir, Co. Tipperary, were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: Riverhouse Café, No 1 Castle Street, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. [Full report can be found here, which indicates am overall failure to implement, and maintain an appropriate food safety culture, which in turn was likely to pose a risk to food safety, and thereby to public health.] The Garden @ The Shannon Bar, Termonbarry, Roscommon. Fayrouz Restaurant, 117 Cork Street, Dublin 8. *Eurasia Supermarket, Unit 1, Fonthill Retail Park, Fonthill Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Evergreen Retail Limited (retailer), Unit 1, Fonthill Retail Park, Fonthill Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Humeera Traders Limited (retailer), Unit 1, Fonthill Retail Park, Fonthill Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. *Spice Village Indian Street Food (retailer), Unit 1, Fonthill Retail Park, Fonthill Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. *Eurasia Supermarket (Closed area: First floor food storage hall & attached kitchen area only), Unit 1, Fonthill Retail Park, Fonthill Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. *Spice Village Indian Street Food (Closed area – First floor food storage hall & attached kitchen area only)(retailer), Unit 1, Fonthill Retail Park, Fonthill Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Three Prohibition Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on: Baltic Market (retailer), 2 Dominic Street, Drogheda, Louth. Goa Indian Spice Kitchen Ltd (takeaway), Unit 103, St Patrick’s Woollen Mills, Douglas, Cork. Select Asia (retailer), Unit 103, St Patrick’s Woollen Mills, Douglas, Cork.
One Prohibition Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: Quality Foods (butcher shop), 59-61 Dublin Street, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.
Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in July include: Evidence of ongoing cockroach activity, which led to the serving of six Closure Orders on food businesses at one location; live cockroaches found in equipment and on traps in the kitchen area; multiple holes and gaps in the walls along with rodent droppings; a rodent carcass in a snap trap; failure to implement adequate pest control measures; failure to implement an appropriate food safety culture; food with either expired, missing or altered use-by dates; food not thawed safely; food items stored at unsafe temperatures; inadequate regular and thorough cleaning throughout the premises; equipment like meat slicers congealed with fat and stale food debris; continuous failure to maintain consistent cleaning standards; filthy cleaning equipment and cleaning cloths.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, emphasised that compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations should be of the highest priority for all food businesses.
“Filthy premises, unsafe food storage and inadequate pest control measures are once again the primary reasons for this month’s Enforcement Orders. These violations demonstrate a total disregard for food safety requirements and highlight the ongoing failure of some food businesses to maintain basic, consistent cleaning practices, and this failure poses a significant risk to public health. Food businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of the food they produce, distribute or sell by maintaining proper storage temperatures, ensuring staff are properly trained, having stringent hygiene practices and ensuring their food businesses are fully pest proofed. Achieving a strong food safety culture requires continuous and consistent training for all team members”.
Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month from the date the Order was lifted.
Food Safety Authority Of Ireland warn of undeclared almonds in various Eat & Go wraps and burritos.
Alert Summary dated Tuesday, August 13th 2024.
Allergy Alert Notification: 2024.A29. Allergen: Nuts. Product Identification: Eat & Go Thai Style Massaman Wrap; pack size:- 252g. Eat & Go Chipotle Chicken Burrito: pack size:- 247g. Eat & Go Spice Bag Wrap:– pack size: 236g Batch Code: All use by dates up to and including use by 15/08/2024
Message: The above batches of Eat & Go wraps and burritos contain nuts (almonds) which are not declared in the list of ingredients. This may make these batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of nuts (almonds).
These products were sold in the German multinational owned discount supermarket chainknown as Aldi stores.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Recent Comments