The Irish Government reportedly spent €4.1 million in less than one year on security at a modular housing development for Ukrainian families in Clonmel, County Tipperary.
The figure relates to the development on Heywood Road, Clonmel, where 82 modular homes were constructed under the State’s Rapid Build Housing Programme. Designed for four residents per unit, the complex can accommodate approximately 328 people who fled the war in Ukraine.
€4.1 million security bill to protect 82 Tipperary homes.
At first glance, a €4.1 million security bill for 82 homes is extraordinary. However, it is important to understand why extensive security was introduced. In May 2024, while the site was being developed, security workers were assaulted and several vehicles were set on fire. One worker required hospital treatment. Gardaí launched an investigation and appealed for witnesses and video footage.
The security concerns did not disappear when construction finished. After Ukrainian families began moving into the homes in July 2025, residents reported broken windows and fences, stones being thrown, bicycles and scooters being stolen, and children being threatened or deliberately provoked.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan subsequently said he feared some of the violence was being orchestrated for broader political purposes. Residents told journalists that they simply wanted to feel safe.
Nevertheless, the scale of the expenditure demands a detailed explanation. Spread over 11 months, €4.1 million would equal approximately €373,000 per month, €12,250 per day or €50,000 for each modular home. These are illustrative calculations because the exact payment period has not yet been publicly confirmed.
Several important questions therefore remain unanswered. How many guards were employed? Was security provided around the clock? Which company received the contract? Was it awarded through a competitive tender? Did the €4.1 million cover only security personnel, or did it also include fencing, CCTV, lighting, vehicles, VAT and other protective measures? It should also be made clear that the money was not paid to the Ukrainian residents. It was Government expenditure on protecting a State-supported construction project, its workers and the families eventually accommodated there.
The attacks provide a genuine explanation for enhanced security, but they do not remove the requirement for financial accountability. The Government should now publish the full contract, the dates covered, the procurement process and an itemised breakdown of the €4.1 million.
Protecting vulnerable families is necessary. Explaining how €4.1 million of public money was spent is equally necessary.
Gardaí have renewed their appeal for caution on Irish roads after 121 motorists were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the August Bank Holiday weekend to date.
The nationwide roads policing campaign began on Thursday morning and is due to remain in place until Tuesday morning. Checkpoints, speed enforcement and patrols are continuing as large numbers of people travel home following the long weekend.
Tipperary RPU arrested 4 motorists on suspicion of intoxicated driving over the last day. This afternoon Tipperary RPU with the assistance of TII carried out a mandatory intoxicated checkpoint on the M8 Motorway outside Thurles which led to 3 motorists being arrested on suspicion of Intoxicated driving. Last eve on the outskirts of Tipperary Town, Tipp RPU intercepted a motorist driving while disqualified, the motorist failed a roadside breath test for alcohol, was arrested and their car seized with court to follow.
More than 2,700 speeding offences have already been detected. Among the most serious incidents was a motorist recorded travelling at 172km/h in a 120km/h zone. Another driver was caught doing 115km/h on a 50km/h road in Clontarf, Dublin, while a vehicle on the R463 at Rosmadda West, Parteen, Co Clare, was detected at 101km/h where the limit was 60km/h.
Garda Superintendent Mr Liam Geraghty said bank holiday periods present particular dangers because of the increased volume of traffic. He confirmed that officers were carrying out an extensive enforcement campaign and urged every road user to take responsibility for safety.
The warning follows two fatal collisions on Sunday. A motorcyclist in his 40s died following a crash at Leighlinbridge in Co Carlow, while a man in his 20s lost his life in a separate collision at Pettigo in Co Donegal. Their deaths brought the number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year to 110.
In addition to the drink, drug and speeding detections, approximately 310 motorists were found either holding a mobile phone while driving or travelling without a seatbelt.
The scale of the wider problem is reflected in figures for the first six months of the year. More than 119,000 fixed-charge notices were issued for speeding, over 14,500 for mobile-phone use and more than 3,000 for seatbelt offences. Gardaí also seized upwards of 18,000 vehicles in cases involving no insurance, licence or valid NCT/CVRT, as well as unaccompanied learner drivers.
Motorists travelling through Tipperary are being reminded to exercise particular care on heavily used routes such as the M8, N24, N52 and the county’s extensive regional-road network. Drivers should reduce speed, allow extra time, avoid distractions and never drive after consuming alcohol or drugs.
Gardaí say these basic precautions could prevent another family from receiving devastating news. The message for the remainder of the holiday operation is simple: slow down, buckle up and give the road your full attention.
A 29-year-old Tipperary man has pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the attempted murder of Mr Patrick Williams, in Ballylooby last year.
Mr Luke Caplice, of Knockane, Ballylooby, Co Tipperary, entered the guilty plea on Friday, July 31, to attempting to murder Mr Williams at Knockane, Cruboge, Tipperary, on October 11th, 2025.
Previous court reports stated that Mr Williams, who was then aged 42, suffered serious burn injuries after being doused with petrol and set alight. He reportedly spent several weeks in hospital receiving treatment.
The court heard that Mr Caplice is currently being held in Limerick Prison, but is “anxious to be sentenced in Dublin”.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case until November 2nd, 2026, and directed that a victim impact statement be prepared ahead of sentencing.
A second man was previously charged in connection with the incident. Those proceedings are separate, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Born Clothing Group, Including Former Thurles Outlet, now at Centre of €1m Thai Villas High Court Claim.
The collapsed Born Clothing group, which previously operated a store in Thurles Shopping Centre, County Tipperary, is at the centre of High Court proceedings concerning the alleged use of almost €1 million in company funds to purchase two luxury villas in Thailand. The retail group operated 15 shops around Ireland before entering liquidation with reported debts of €7.82 million. This included approximately €2.2 million owed to the Irish Revenue Commissioners.
Thurles Shopping Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The allegations have been made by the company’s joint liquidators, Mr David O’Connor and Mr Ian Barrett. They claim that Mr John Curley, whom they describe as the group’s de facto managing director and “controlling mind”, used company money to acquire the Thai properties for his personal benefit, while the businesses were experiencing serious financial difficulties. Mr Curley strongly disputes the liquidators’ account. He maintains that the properties were purchased under a voluntary co-investment arrangement with the company. He claims that he contributed €220,000 and was entitled to a 30 per cent interest in the villas, although the properties were registered solely in his name.
The liquidators allege that various payments totalling close to €1 million were transferred from the company between April 2022 and November 2024 to fund the purchases. One of the properties is reportedly believed to have generated rental income of approximately €3,505 per month through the Kamala Falls Residential Resort.
Mr Curley has said that he was an employee of an associated company, Elland Distributors Ltd, earning €24,000 annually, and that he acted under the instructions of those controlling the business. However, the liquidators claim that he exercised substantial influence over Born Clothing’s daily operations. They say this included dealing with staff, negotiating with landlords and providing personal guarantees connected with company financing. Mr Curley had previously served as a company director before resigning in 2011.
The court was also told that he had the use of a BMW 7 Series company car reportedly worth approximately €110,000. The liquidators believe the vehicle remains in his possession. Born Clothing’s sole registered director at the time of liquidation was Joan Lynch. According to the liquidators, Ms Lynch has said that she knew nothing about the alleged co-investment arrangement involving the Thai villas.
At a one-sided preliminary hearing on Friday, Judge Brian Cregan permitted the liquidators to serve proceedings at short notice. They are seeking injunctions preventing Mr Curley from selling or otherwise disposing of the villas, along with declarations that he holds the properties on trust for the company. No final findings have been made against Mr Curley, and the allegations remain strongly contested.
The matter is due to return before a vacation sitting of the High Court on August 12th 2026.
The case will be of particular local interest in Thurles and across County Tipperary, where Born Clothing formerly operated from Thurles Shopping Centre before the nationwide closure of the retail group.
The Irish Government has confirmed the deportation of six Nigerian nationals, following a coordinated return operation involving Irish authorities and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex.
The six men, all aged between 25 and 40, were removed from Ireland on a charter flight from Dublin Airport to Rome before joining a Frontex-managed flight to Lagos, Nigeria.
The Dublin flight departed at 7:40 a.m. and arrived in Rome at 10:34 a.m. Irish time. The onward flight left Rome shortly after 1:00 p.m. and landed in Lagos at approximately 9:00 p.m.
According to the Government, deportation orders had been issued against all six individuals. Five of the men had accumulated a combined total of 35 criminal convictions and had received sentences for a range of offences.
Officials said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws, remove individuals involved in criminal activity and maintain public confidence in Ireland’s immigration system.
The Government also highlighted the operational and financial benefits of working with Frontex and other European partners on joint return operations.
Members of An Garda Síochána accompanied the deportees, alongside medical personnel, an interpreter and an independent human rights observer.
The aircraft used for the Irish stage of the operation cost €76,895, excluding VAT.
Further charter deportation operations are expected to take place throughout 2026.
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