Law « Thurles Information

DrugWipe Tests Identify Tipperary Drug Drivers.

Tipperary Roads Policing Unit, in the last number of days, patrolling the Roscrea area, identified a motor vehicle attempting to evade Gardaí.
The vehicle was halted before being seized for no Insurance, no NCT and no Motor Tax. The driver of the vehicle was also arrested on suspicion of Drug Driving, having failed a DrugWipe test for Cannabis.

On January 7th last, Tipperary Roads Policing Unit halted a vehicle for having a densely tinted windscreen and side windows. An examination which was carried out, confirmed that the driver, as a result of the tinting, had poor visibility of the roadway, which is both illegal and constituted a danger to other road users.
The driver was also arrested on suspicion of Drug Driving, having failed a DrugWipe test for Cocaine.

Teenagers In Tipperary Hospitalised After Eating Sweets Containing Synthetic Cannabinoids.

Over the Christmas festival period, here in Co. Tipperary, three teenagers have been reported as hospitalised, having eaten jellies containing synthetic cannabinoids.

We understand that two of the teenagers became seriously ill after consuming this product; packaged as “Jolly Rancher Jellies” and sold as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) edibles.

Question: So what are Synthetic Cannabinoids?
Answer: Chemicals designed to act like the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, and also called Amsterdam Gold; Annihilation; Black Mamba; Blue Cheese; Bombay Blue Extreme; X; Clockwork Orange; Devil’s Weed; Ecsess; Exodus Damnation; K2; Mary Joy; Spice; and Tai High Hawaiian Haze.

The effects of consuming Synthetic Cannabinoids are similar to smoking cannabis but stronger. Side effects can include:- known associated death; acute kidney injury; nausea, vomiting and mood swings; sweating and tingly feelings in fingers and toes; loss of muscle coordination; a worsening of mental health; a triggering of psychotic episodes which can last for weeks; memory problems, and dependence on the use of synthetic cannabinoids, if used regularly.

As we stated yesterday, a search by Gardaí of a house in the Clonmel area of Tipperary on New Year’s Eve resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of suspected cannabis-infused edibles; including cash and vape oil.

The seized products have now been submitted to Forensic Science Ireland for further analysis and Gardaí are advising the public to seek immediate medical attention if others have consumed such products and are feeling unwell.

A Garda spokesperson has confirmed that a criminal investigation into this seizure is ongoing.
Gardaí are also appealing to anyone with information relating to this seizure, to contact them at Clonmel Garda Station, Tel. No: 052 617 7640, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111 or indeed any Garda Station.

Tipperary Gardaí Seize Quantity Of Edibles Possibly Containing Synthetic Cannabinoids.

Gardaí in Co. Tipperary recently seized a large quantity of edibles suspected of containing synthetic cannabinoids.
An investigation into this product seizure, latter intended for sale or supply, remains ongoing.
If you have consumed any of these products and have become unwell, you are being asked to seek immediate urgent medical attention.

The HSE is currently concerned about the public health risks associated with synthetic cannabinoids appearing in jellies and sweets, being sold as Tetrahydrocannbinol (THC) edibles in Ireland.

Today January 6th 2023, the HSE National Social Inclusion Office has issued a risk communication on the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids appearing in cannabis and THC products. A small number of hospitalisations have occurred following the consumption of edible products (Jolly Rancher jellies) during the period of December 2022, here in the Tipperary Region.

Note: Upon analysis from Forensic Science Ireland, these edible products have been found to contain new and risky substances known as synthetic cannabinoids.

Synthetic cannabinoids are man-made chemicals produced to mimic the effects of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Often, products do not contain THC, but instead, they can contain a synthetic cannabinoid which will produce similar, more potent effects. They will greatly increase the risks of a drug emergency occurring, because they produce more intense adverse effects. Their use has caused many serious poisonings, mass poisonings and deaths internationally in recent years.

There has been increased concern in Ireland and throughout Europe regarding the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids, contained within products sold as cannabis or THC edibles and a number of warnings have been issued throughout Europe to raise awareness among the general public, including warnings from the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland. The HSE have previously expressed concern in relation to the risk of synthetic cannabinoids appearing in herbal (plant material),vape liquid/oil, edible and other THC products in Ireland through their website Drugs.ie.

It is anticipated that counterfeit edible products available on the market are made in clandestine laboratories and the potency and contents of products cannot be guaranteed. A number of these products seized recently have been analysed by Forensic Science Ireland and have been found to contain only new and extra risky synthetic cannabinoids and not in fact any THC as indicted on the packaging.

Synthetic cannabinoid exposure: signs for concern:

Feeling dizzy, confusion, abnormal sweating, respiratory issues (difficulty breathing or lack of breathing), chest pain/rapid heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, agitation, aggression, psychotic behaviour, hallucinations, delusions, seizures or fits. They can also lead to sudden loss of consciousness.

The HSE advise the public that there is a high level of risk associated with THC edibles currently being sold illegally in Ireland, as on occasion they do not contain THC but instead contain a synthetic cannabinoid.

For people who use cannabis, we remind them of the current risk of synthetic cannabinoid exposure and encourage people not to be afraid or hesitate to get medical help, if someone has an unexpected reaction or becomes physically or mentally unwell, following use.

Death Of Peter Pringle, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Funeral procession of Garda John Morley and Garda Henry Byrne, Knock, Co. Mayo, 1980. Garda Byrne and Garda Morley were the fifth and sixth Gardaí officers to die in the Troubles, and the 21st and 22nd Gardaí to die violently since the foundation of the state in 1922.

The death occurred, on Saturday 31st December 2022, of Mr Peter Pringle, Casla, Connemara, Co. Galway, and formerly of Killybegs, Co. Donegal, and Banba Terrace, Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his daughter Lulu and his sister Pauline; Mr Pringle passed away peacefully, aged 84, at his place of residence in Co. Galway.

While a resident here in Thurles in the late 1960s, Mr Pringle was one of the organisers of the then well attended “Peoples Debating Society”, whose Public Relations Officer, back then, was Thurles Author & Poet, Mr Tom Ryan “Iona”, Rahealty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Pringle would later be wrongfully convicted of murdering two Gardaí (Garda John Morley and Garda Henry Byrne), in a Roscommon bank raid in Ballaghaderreen in the 1980s. He had served almost 15 years in prison before being released in 1995; following his conviction, later deemed unsafe and unsatisfactory.

It was on July 7th 1980, that three armed and masked men had raided the Bank of Ireland in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon; holding staff and customers at gunpoint, before leaving with some IR£35,000 in cash.

Unarmed Gardaí had arrived on the scene, but were unable to stop the armed robbers from escaping in a blue Ford Cortina car. However, the perpetrators of the bank raid were intercepted by a Garda patrol car containing four Gardaí, summoned from Castlerea Garda station. The occupants of the Garda car included Detective Garda John Morley, who was armed with an Uzi submachine gun. Both cars collided at Shannon’s Cross, Aghaderry, Loughglinn, Co. Roscommon.
One of the raiders jumped out of the blue Ford Cortina and sprayed the patrol car with bullets, killing the aforementioned Garda Henry Byrne. Another man also left the Ford Cortina and ran away, while his two accomplices, both wearing balaclavas, ran in the opposite direction.
There was an exchange of shots in which Garda Morley wounded one of the robbers, but he himself was, sadly, fatally wounded. Two men were later apprehended, while a third man Mr Peter Pringle was arrested in the city of Galway, almost two weeks later. The two other Gardaí, namely Sergeant Mick O’Malley and Garda Derek O’Kelly both survived the shootout.

Mr Pringle was sentenced to death for both murders, alongside two others, named as Mr Colm O’Shea and Mr Pat McCann. The three robbery suspects were identified as being associated with the Irish National Liberation Army, (Irish: Arm Saoirse Náisiúnta na hÉireann) [INLA], same an Irish republican socialist paramilitary group formed on December 10th 1974.
However, Mr Pringle, Mr O’Shea, and Mr McCann each had their sentences commuted to penal servitude of 40 years, by the then Irish President Mr Patrick Hillery, back in 1981.
Mr O’Shea and Mr McCann would later serve 33 years behind bars, before being released from jail 10 years ago, in 2013. Mr Pringle, on the other hand, (whose son Thomas is an Independent Donegal TD), spent 14 years and 10 months in prison, before the Court of Criminal Appeal found his conviction to be unsafe and unsatisfactory.

In 2012, Mr Pringle married Ms Sunny Jacobs, latter named who was similarly placed on death row in Florida in 1976, also for the murder of two police officers. Ms Jacobs served 17 years before she was exoneration. It was following her release, that Ms Jacobs had travelled to Ireland to speak at an Amnesty International event in 1998, where she met Mr Pringle.

The passing of Mr Pringle is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his wife Sunny (nee Jacobs), daughter Anna, sons Thomas and John, his brother Pat, his in-laws Eric and Christina, twelve grandchildren, nephew Roschard, niece Rosana, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

The remains of Mr Pringle reposed at Naughtons Funeral Parlour, Knock House, Knock, Inverin, Co. Galway, on Monday evening last, January 2nd, 2023, from 5:00pm-7:00pm, before his remains were cremated on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023, following a 2:00pm ceremony in Shannon Crematorium, Illaunmanagh, Shannon, Co. Clare.

€5.25m In Funding For Organisations Supporting Victims Of crime Announced.

Funding for more than 65 organisations providing supports and services across the country.
Minimum 5pc funding increase granted when sought by NGOs to meet increased costs.

The Minister for Justice, Mr Simon Harris TD, has announced funding totalling €5.25m for more than 65 organisations to support victims of crime.

The allocations range from €3,000 to €740,000, and they cover: –

National and larger organisations such as Women’s Aid, Ruhama, and One in Four.
Local organisations across the country working with victims such as Offaly Domestic Violence Support, Bray Women’s Refuge and Wexford Rape Crisis.
General victims support organisations including Victim Support at Court.
Specialist organisations including Migrant Rights Centre and Dignity 4 Patients.

There is an increased budget of €5.8m allocated to the Department of Justice specifically for victims of crime in 2023, and the remaining funding will be made available later in the year, once further service need assessments have been completed.

This budget compares with an allocation of €4.6m in 2022 and €1.712m in 2019.

Minister Harris said, “The work of so many organisations across the country that help victims of crime is outstanding, and I’m delighted to provide this funding to help ensure these services are available to all victims who need them, to a consistently high standard, and throughout the State.
We recognise the significant difficulties faced by many through increased costs and inflation.
Where organisations sought an increase on last year’s funding, they have been granted a 5pc cost-of-living increase, at a minimum.
We are committed to building a victim-centred criminal justice system and, in general terms, this funding will increase the organisations’ ability to provide supports and services as victims engage.”

Last October, the Department invited applications for funding from registered charities, voluntary community groups, and other organisations which provide services – or plan to provide services – supporting victims in the criminal justice system.

Applicants included organisations that provide support, information and advice on the rights of victims, outreach work, court accompaniment and crime victim helplines.

Funding is given to organisations that meet the objectives and that can show they have the required management and compliance policies and procedures in place.

The Department of Justice currently funds a number of NGOs that provide supports for victims of crime on a multi-annual basis. These agreements aim to assist the organisations with their long-term planning and cash flow, and to ensure more effective and efficient use of funding. These organisations will see an increase in funding of 7.9pc in 2023

Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Mr James Browne TD said, “I know that being the victim of a crime can be very traumatic and difficult, and we’re determined to ensure that the necessary range of supports and services to help is available.
Prioritising the needs and experience of the victim is central to our ongoing work under ‘Supporting a Victim’s Journey’ and this funding is a significant element of that.
We will also continue other victim-centred initiatives this year, including our Victims’ Forum which provides a space for many of the organisations we are funding – and other State actors – to articulate their views in order to help us all make real improvements in how victims and survivors are treated.”

Under Budget 2023, the Department of Justice was also allocated €6.09 million for measures to tackle Domestic, Sexual & Gender Based Violence Services (DSGBV), including through awareness raising and campaigns and funding for perpetrator programmes.