Law « Thurles Information

Thurles Gardaí Investigate Hit & Run Road Traffic Accident.

Gardaí in Thurles are investigating a ‘Hit and Run’ Road Traffic Accident, which happened in the vicinity of Bowe’s Corner, latter situated west of Thurles town, leading unto Friar Street, yesterday evening, (Friday November 24th 2023).

The accident which involved a pedestrian saw the vehicle involved, failing to remain at the scene of the accident.

Locals in the area quickly gave the victim, understood to be male, assistance having summoned a paramedic, who quickly attended at the scene.
The present condition/injuries sustained by the victim are understood to be non life threatening.

The recent upgrading of this area, back in late 2022, at a cost of 1/2 a million Euro made available, has given cause to much discontent with bus and heavy goods vehicles, who find it almost impossible to manoeuvre within the confined space currently allotted.

Thurles Gardaí are now anxious to speak to any person who may have witnessed the accident or who may hold dash-cam footage, to contact them immediately, in strictest confidence on Tel No: 0504 25100 or contact the Garda Confidential Line Free-phone 1800 666 111.

Tipperary Gardaí Arrested Suspected Drug Dealer.

Last night, Tipperary Gardaí arrested a suspected male drug dealer, while on patrol in the West Tipperary area.

Latter male, aged in his early 20s, and the driver of a moving vehicle, was observed acting in suspicious circumstances, in the area of Golden village.
Following a routine patrol stop, he was arrested on suspicion of drink/drug driving.

A follow-up search of his vehicle revealed a quantity of suspected cocaine and other drug related items, normally associated with drug dealing.

Items, which could be construed as weapons; included a kitchen knife and a slash hook with broken handle, were also recovered from the searched vehicle.

Statutory Agency Dedicated To Tackling Domestic Abuse Passes Through Oireachtas.

A statutory agency under the remit of the Department of Justice and dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic; sexual; and gender-based violence (DSGBV) while supporting victims and survivors has passed through the Oireachtas.

The establishment of the DSGBV Agency, which is expected to be operational by January 2024, will deliver on commitments under Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV.

The Bill was passed by the Seanad today, having been approved by Government for publication last September and passed through the Dáil earlier in November. The next step is for the Bill to be signed into law by the President.

The working name for the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency is expected to be called Cuan, (meaning ‘harbour’ or ‘haven’). The name is regarded as user-friendly, memorable and, above all, most suited to the functions and objectives of the new Agency.
The new agency will work collaboratively with the NGO and DSGBV services sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors.

The Agency will be tasked with:

Coordinating and reporting on the delivery of Government strategies relating to DSGBV (including the current National Strategy).
Supporting and overseeing the delivery of safe and accessible refuge accommodation, and ensuring the delivery of excellent services to victims of DSGBV (including helpline and other supports).
Developing robust standards for funded DSGBV services in collaboration with the sector, and monitoring adherence to these standards by funded service providers.
Leading on awareness-raising campaigns designed to reduce the incidence of DSGBV in Irish society as well as ensuring that all victims know the full range of supports available and how to access them.
Liaising with the Minister for Justice and her Department to ensure that the work of the Agency aligns with overall Government DSGBV policy.
Leading on research to inform DSGBV policy development, working with others, such as the CSO, who have research and data projects underway.

A competition to appoint a CEO for the agency is currently underway, while a process to recruit members to the board of the new Agency went live on Stateboards.ie yesterday (22/11/23) and will be open for three weeks.
The statutory name of the Agency will be An Ghníomhaireacht um Fhoréigean Baile, Gnéasach agus Inscnebhunaithe, Irish Translation “The Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency”.

Extra Funding Provided For Domestic, Sexual & Gender-based Violence Services Announced.

Extra support to meet critical service needs and emerging demands.
Some €7.9m in additional funding secured under Budget 2024.
Details of additional funding for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) services for 2024.

An amount of approximately €3.8m will be made available through a targeted call to established DSGBV organisations operating services and supports specifically focused on victims and survivors of DSGBV. The funding will be administered by the new DSGBV Agency, latter to be established in January 2024; supported by Tusla in the interim period.

This record level of funding will also support the implementation of Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV.

DSGBV organisations currently funded through Tusla will be invited to submit requirements or proposals for additional funding in a number of areas including:

€2.5m available to domestic violence services to address acute sustainability and service demand pressures, and to support organisations to ensure greater coverage in rural areas and for children’s support services.
€1.3m available for sexual violence services to meet the needs of younger people and to address geographical gaps in provision.

Approximately €2.5m for safe accommodation will be focused on the priority sites, identified under the Third National Strategy, with a significant portion allocated to the staffing of new safe houses for women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse where they can live safely while they decide what to do next.

To aid in offsetting cost pressures, sustainability funding has increased by 9% since 2022.
Tusla will contact the relevant organisations directly with details of how to apply for funding.

In total, Tusla has been allocated €46m for funding DSGBV services in 2024. Separate to the funding of DSGBV services, the Department of Justice has allocated €6.8m for measures to tackle DSGBV, including awareness raising campaigns and funding for perpetrator programmes.

The Department of Justice has allocated a further €7.5m for providing funding to promote and assist the development of specific support services for victims of crime within the criminal justice system, which includes victims of domestic and sexual crime.

Thurles Man Receives Fine & Suspended Sentence Following Cannabis Seizure.

A 26-year-old Thurles, Co. Tipperary man, named as Mr Dean Champion, formerly with an address at Wolfe Tone Place, Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, has appeared in court having been first arrested on December 9th, 2021 last, following advertisements offering cannabis for sale.

At the time of his arrest Mr Champion was residing at an apartment on Washington St, in Cork city and had advertised cannabis using Snapchat, latter the social media messaging app that allows users to send messages that self-destruct after a few seconds.
The cannabis being offered by Mr Champion was being offered for sale in various weights.

Cork Garda Divisional Drugs Unit attended at his accommodation on Washington Street, armed with a warrant granting the right to search the home of Mr Campion. The accused was located, present outside the property, thus allowing Gardaí, to use his key to gain entry to the accommodation.

On entry, Garda officers recovered €43,000 worth of cannabis, together with €200 in cash. Mr Campion was immediately arrested at the scene and on being later interviewed; eventually pleaded guilty to charges made against him and cooperated with interviewing Gardaí.

In Court, presiding Judge Mr James McCourt stated that the quantity of over 2kg of cannabis, brought the seizure to well over the €13,000 value which allows for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. However, having considering the full factors in the case, Judge McCourt imposed a fine of €2,000 with a suspended 4-year sentence on condition that Mr Champion remains of good behaviour.