Thurles Information

Yesterday, July 3rd, 2021, Tipperary Gardaí stationed at Clonmel and while on routine patrol, observed a vehicle with two males on board acting suspiciously on the N24, Clonmel Bypass.
They halted the vehicle and upon carrying out a search, discovered tablets with a street value of some 10,000 euro concealed within the interior of the vehicle.

Consumption of the drug sold under the name Ksalol, which was seized by Gardaí, will cause renal and hepatic impairment; depression/anxiety thus precipitating or increasing the risk of suicide; together with respiratory depression; coma hypersensitivity to light, noise and physical contact; hallucinations or epileptic seizures and death.

Both men were arrested and are currently detained at Clonmel Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

The arrests come as Gardaí commit to a major new operation aimed at protecting communities from the scourge of illegal drugs.

“Operation Tara” will see hundreds of Gardaí assigned to Divisional Drug Units across every Garda Division in the country take on individuals and groups involved in the drug trade at all level within local communities.

“Operation Tara” it is hoped will “disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, both international, national, local, all involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs”.

A man who was caught attempting to bring a stolen shotgun into a Tipperary Rehabilitation Centre has been jailed for three years for robbery.

Mr Darren McDonnell, aged 38 years, had for 2 days been resident at the Rehabilitation Centre when he was discovered missing from the grounds. On his return an employee noticed that he had a shotgun concealed inside his trousers. When confronted, Mr McDonnell admitted he had been involved in a burglary nearby and handed over the shotgun, together with ammunition and a tablet he had stolen during his crime spree.

The pastor at the Rehab Centre later drove Mr McDonnell to a local train station and then contacted Gardaí, after the accused had taken himself off.

Mr McDonnell was later arrested a few days later in Co. Dublin, having carried out a robbery at knife-point; stealing some €280 from a Spar Shop in Coolock, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was informed.

Mr McDonnell, with an address at Macroom Avenue, Coolock, Co. Dublin, pleaded guilty to burglary of a residence in Curraheenduff, Coalbrook, Thurles, Co Tipperary, on November 4th, 2020, and to robbery and possession of a knife at a Spar shop, in Tonlegee Road, Coolock, Dublin, some 5 days later. Gardaí confirmed that the defender was declared unfit for interview, following his arrest due to the amount of drugs in his system.

The court heard that Mr McDonnell had over 40 previous convictions for robbery and the unauthorised taking of a vehicle.

Judge Ms Elma Sheahan stated that the victims of the burglary in Tipperary were an older couple who previously had been nervous having the Rehab Centre close to their home. Indeed numerous residents living in the area had complained about the presence of the centre which was being partially funded by a second hand furniture store in Thurles. The Court heard that the victims of the burglary were since afraid of returning home for fear they could encounter further intruders.

Judge Sheahan sentenced Mr McDonnell to five years in prison but suspended the final two years on strict conditions, that Mr McDonnell remain under the supervision of the Probation Service for three years.