Thurles Information

Members of An Garda Síochána, here in Co. Tipperary, early this morning arrested a driver. Following a procedure intended to establish the quality of the driver’s ability, he failed a roadside drug test for cannabis.

Following the drivers arrest Gardaí located his lunchbox, which contained what they described as “a different variety of salad”.

Gardaí were at pains to point out that: – “Driving whilst under the influence puts lives at risk”.

In a judgement delivered yesterday, a three-judge appeal court, comprising of Ms Justice Ann Power, Ms Justice Caroline Costello and Mr Justice Brian Murray, unanimously dismissed an appeal by a Tipperary dog handler, latter who previously used a live piglet, to train greyhounds.

Mr Christopher Connolly, of Farney’s Cross, Cappawhite, Co Tipperary, had brought an appeal against an earlier High Court’s refusal in 2019, to reject as invalid, a decision by the Irish Greyhound Board (Bord na gCon) and the Irish Coursing Club (ICC); to exclude him from all racetracks and coursing events in the state.

These events initially occurred when Mr Connolly was then residing in Australia back in 2014, when he was the subject of a ban, imposed by the Victoria State regulatory authority, legally prohibiting his operation, after he was found guilty of using a live piglet as bait, at Tooradin Trial Track, east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

The RSPCA who had raided Tooradin dog trial track, run then by leading dog trainer Stuart Mills, showed film footage where live rabbits and possums were being tied to a mechanical lure, in order that they could be chased and brutally mauled to death by greyhounds.

Mr Connolly had received a lifetime ban, but this was later reduced on appeal in 2015, to five years with another five suspended, on condition he be of good behaviour.

Mr Connolly returned to Ireland in 2015 and in 2016, applied to the Irish Greyhound Board for “Kennel Hand Authorisation”, which would allow him to become employed in the Greyhound industry.

His application was refused, after which he then appealed to the Bord na gCon control committee. Latter also found he was not a fit and proper person to be granted certification.

Tipperary Gardaí today seized €13,400 of drugs (subject to analysis) in Fethard, Co. Tipperary.

Shortly after 1:00pm, Gardaí from the Clonmel District Drugs Unit and Clonmel Garda Station executed a search warrant on a residence in the Fethard area.

During the course of this search, Gardaí seized what they believe to be cocaine with a street value of €12,200 and cannabis with a street value of some €1,200.

Gardaí arrested a woman, understood to be aged in her 30’s, at the scene; she remains currently detained at Clonmel Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

Earlier Seizures
In the early hours of Tuesday morning last, April 7th 2020, at 2.30am, just 5 days previously, Gardaí on patrol in the area, recovered €1,900 worth of suspected cocaine and cannabis resin, also in the Fethard area.

A man aged in his early 20’s, was arrested at the scene and brought to Clonmel Garda Station. His arrest will result in a file being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Back in the end of January last, 2020 in the early afternoon the Tipperary Divisional Drugs Unit and Southern Region Dog Unit, also located cocaine during a planned search of a house, also in the Fethard area of Co. Tipperary.