Law « Thurles Information

Irish Government Appoint New Director General Of Forensic Science.

Irish Government announce the appointment of Dr Ciarán Seoighe as Director General of Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). His appointment will take over from his predecessor Mr Chris Enright, with effect from October 6th next, 2025.

Dr Seoighe brings senior experience in the fields of science and research, most recently as Deputy CEO of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland. Dr Seoighe joined Science Foundation Ireland in 2018, which amalgamated with the Irish Research Council to form Taighde Éireann in 2024.

He has led the Strategy and Transformation Directorate and played a key role in shaping Ireland’s strategic direction in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.

Prior to this appointment, Dr Seoighe spent nearly two decades as a global management consultant, advising leading organisations across ICT, finance and more.

Fatal Road Traffic Collision In Co. Tipperary.

Gardaí are investigating a fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the N24 at Cahir, Co. Tipperary, this morning, Sunday 21st September 2025.

The collision, which took place at approximately 11:05am, involved a motorcycle and a van. The motorcyclist, a man aged in his 70s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward.
Road users who were travelling in the area between 10:45am and 11:15am and who may have phone camera footage or dash-cam footage are asked to make same available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cahir Garda Station Tel: (052) 7445630, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda Station.

Further investigations are continuing.

Prisoner In Tipperary Murder Inquiry Injured in Alleged Portlaoise Assault.

A major investigation is underway after a prisoner, Mr Hasan Ali Gori, latter a suspect in the murder of Mrs Josephine “Josie” Ray (89) at her home in St Joseph’s Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, was seriously injured in an alleged assault at Portlaoise Prison.

Mr Gori, aged in his 50s, suffered a collapsed lung and currently remains in hospital. The incident is to be referred to An Garda Síochána for investigation.

Mr Gori had been transferred to Portlaoise last Friday from Limerick Prison, where days earlier he allegedly assaulted three prison officers, leaving one hospitalised.

The Nenagh man had previously been arrested and questioned, alongside his partner, Ms Mary Ray over the death of Ms Ray’s mother, Josie, whose killing on August 4th, 2024 had shocked the Tipperary town of Nenagh. Both individuals had denied any involvement in the fatal assault.

Garda interactions with Ms Ray at her St Joseph’s Park home in the days prior to her death had also been referred to the Garda Ombudsman.
A file on the murder is currently being prepared for the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP).

Court Proceedings in Relation To Death Of Retired Tipperary Bus Driver.

Thurles District Court, September 17th 2025.
A 31-year-old man, named as Mr Sean Harding, appeared before Thurles District Court yesterday morning via video link from Limerick Prison.

Mr Harding had previously appeared at Nenagh District Court on Monday, September 15th, where he was charged with three counts of burglary and one count of assault causing harm. His arrest followed an investigation into the assault of retired bus driver, Mr Teddy Murnane, which occurred on Friday, September 12th last.

Gardaí confirmed that Mr Murnane, aged in his 80s, passed away at University Hospital Limerick on Monday morning, September 15th .

During today’s proceedings, Judge Mr Adrian Harris adjourned the case to Wednesday September 24th, at Tipperary Town District Court. Mr Harding is due to again attend that hearing via video link.

Rural Safety Plan 2025-27 To Be Launched At Ploughing Championships Today.

Plan has been developed by the National Rural Safety Forum, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration, to build safer rural communities across Ireland.
Building on the previous Plan which covered 2022-24, the latest Plan identifies four priority areas which member organisations will focus on: Community Safety & Engagement, Property Crime, Roads Safety, and Animal & Wildlife Crime.
The development and publication of the new Plan fulfils a commitment in the Programme for Government 2025.

The Irish government will launch the Rural Safety Plan 2025-27 at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co. Offaly today.

The Rural Safety Plan 2025-27 has been developed by the National Rural Safety Forum in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.

This Plan’s vision is to continue to build safe communities across rural Ireland. Achieving this vision requires a multi-agency, collaborative approach, including everything from having more visible Gardaí in the community – to providing safe public spaces and amenities.

The Core objectives of the Forum are:-

Community Reassurance.
Information Sharing & Communication Network
Increased Community Engagement
Crime Prevention & Crime Opportunity Reduction

Following an analysis of the previous Rural Safety Plan 2022-24; this new Plan identifies four priorities to address: Community Safety & Engagement, Property Crime, Roads Safety, and Animal & Wildlife Crime.
Under these four pillars, the 24 member organisations of the National Rural Safety Forum have committed to 18 actions which will be enabled by 53 sub-actions, all with a view to ensuring people are safe and feel safe in rural Ireland.

The National Rural Safety Forum is comprised of organisations and people with a common purpose of ensuring rural safety. The Forum is co-chaired by the IFA and An Garda Síochána, and is supported by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.

The Forum works to develop a nationwide network for the distribution of consistent, highly effective crime prevention advice while also increasing engagement within communities and reducing the opportunities for crime.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Ms Paula Hilman said, “An Garda Síochána remains committed to rural Ireland and our community policing ethos. Through various collaborations including the National Rural Safety Forum, Community Alert schemes and new Community Safety Partnerships, An Garda Síochána is listening to and working with rural communities. This collaboration, must be and is supported by Gardaí who work, live, socialise and are embedded as part of all our communities.
Through initiatives such as Operation Thor, An Garda Síochána has targeted and taken on crime gangs who have caused significant worry to rural communities, leading to a significant decline in residential burglaries by 75% since its introduction in 2015.
An Garda Síochána will continue to listen, respond and support rural communities across all four pillars on the National Rural Safety Plan, Community Safety & Engagement, Property Crime, Roads Safety, and Animal & Wildlife Crime. An Garda Síochána is steadfast that we are here to help.”

The National Rural Safety Forum will now monitor the implementation of the Plan and evaluate the progress of the Plan during its lifetime.

A copy of the National Rural Safety Plan 2025-27 can be downloaded HERE.
More information can be found on the National Rural Safety Forum HERE.