Politics « Thurles Information

Record Surge in Irish Homelessness -16,614 Now In Emergency Accommodation.

Ireland’s homelessness crisis has deepened to its worst level on record, with 16,614 people living in emergency accommodation during the week of September 22nd to 28th 2025, according to the latest figures from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The data show 11,376 adults without a home, same up from 10,683 in January, marking a 6.5% increase in just nine months. Even more alarming is the rise in child homelessness: 5,238 children were recorded as homeless in September, compared with 4,603 in January, a jump of 13.8%; more than double the rate of increase among adults.

Breaking down the adult figures, male homelessness rose by 232 people (3.5%), while female homelessness climbed by 461 people (11.2%), significantly narrowing the gender gap.

Year-on-year, the total number of people in emergency accommodation is up by 1,854 (12.6%) compared with the same period in 2024.

These statistics exclude people who are sleeping rough, “couch-surfing”, or staying in hospitals, asylum-seeker centres or domestic-violence refuges—meaning the true scale of homelessness is even higher.

The Simon Communities of Ireland described the figures as “deeply worrying”. Executive Director Mr Bér Grogan said: “Children should be thinking about dressing up and going trick or treating, not wondering where they’ll sleep tonight. Families should be planning fun activities – not counting how many nights they have left in an emergency bed. Young people should be starting their lives, not starting adulthood in homelessness.”

With homelessness numbers climbing month after month, pressure on the housing system remains acute, fuelled by rising rents, ongoing evictions, and a shortage of secure, long-term accommodation.

The Simon Communities are urging Minister for Housing Mr James Browne to ensure that the forthcoming housing and homelessness strategy focuses on eradicating long-term homelessness, with an emphasis on prevention, targeted supports, and the rapid delivery of social and affordable housing.

Concern Grows Over Flooding Vulnerability In Thurles Town Streets.

**A flooded Stradavoher, Thurles.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

Thurles has in recent years has become increasingly vulnerable to flooding, following heavy rainfall, with drainage systems across the town found frequently struggling to cope with pluvial (rain-related) flood events.

A Tipperary County Council document on flood risk management notes that several parts of the county are exposed to flooding from multiple sources, including groundwater and intense rainfall, highlighting Thurles as an area of particular concern. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has also designated Thurles Town as an “Area for Further Assessment” under its national flood risk programme.

**Emmet Street Thurles**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

This evening, several areas of Thurles; including Friar Street, Railway Road, Stradavoher, Junction at Sarsfield Street, an area at Slievenamon road Traffic lights, Emmet Street, and the Mitchel Street/Borroway junction, all experienced severe flooding, following a heavy downpour at around 6:00pm this evening. Local reports indicate that inadequate drain cleaning and blockages contributed significantly to the surface water build-up.

**Blocked Thurles drains due to litter and fallen leaves.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

While there is broad agreement that extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent, the issue in Thurles is often compounded by insufficient maintenance of the town’s drainage network, particularly during autumn when falling leaves and litter exacerbate blockages.

Legacy development on flood-prone lands, including housing estates, car parks, and other construction in low-lying areas, has further increased vulnerability.

**Junction at Sarsfield Street, Thurles***Pic: G. Willoughby.*

Such conditions are calling for an enhanced early warning systems, such as MapAlerter, to deliver real-time alerts on severe weather and localised hazards. We also stress the need for ongoing drainage upgrades and regular maintenance, ensuring that gullies, storm drains, and car park outlets are capable of managing heavy rainfall surges.

The economic and social consequences of this flooding in smaller towns like Thurles can be severe, damaging homes and businesses, disrupting commerce, reducing property values, and potentially affecting insurance availability.

Unlike larger urban centres, smaller towns often lack extensive flood defence infrastructure, making local planning, awareness, and preventative maintenance essential.

Community cooperation remains key. Local councils, residents, and business owners are urged to work together to strengthen resilience and ensure Thurles is better prepared for the challenges of increasingly unpredictable weather.

However, Thurles has endured recurring flooding during the autumn and winter months for years, and the local authority has consistently failed to address or resolve the problem.

Ms Catherine Connolly Elected Ireland’s 10th President.

Ms Catherine Connolly has been elected Ireland’s 10th President following a lacklustre campaign.

In an election marked by voter apathy and political disillusionment, Teachta Dála Ms Catherine Connolly has been elected as Ireland’s 10th president, securing an overwhelming victory that nonetheless leaves the Government politically bruised.

While the presidency is a largely ceremonial office, with limited constitutional powers, the result represents a symbolic blow to the coalition led by Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin. The centre-right parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, suffered from weak campaigns and uninspiring candidates, paving the way for Ms Connolly’s decisive win.

Aged 68, Ms Connolly has lived in the Claddagh area of Galway City since 1988 with her husband, retired woodwork teacher Mr Brian McEnery, latter now aged in his early 70s. The couple have two adult sons. Her brother-in-law is Sligo-based socialist politician Mr Declan Bree.

Ms Connolly’s election marks the third time a woman has held Ireland’s presidency, following Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.

A clinical psychologist by training, she previously worked with the Western Health Board in Ballinasloe and Connemara before practising as a barrister. She is fluent in Irish and also speaks German, having studied psychology in Germany. Raised a Roman Catholic, she has described herself as not practising any religion.

Throughout the campaign, Ms Connolly faced scrutiny over past associations and her personal judgement. A long-time advocate of Irish neutrality, she has voiced opposition to what she describes as “the creeping militarisation of Europe” and has cautioned against efforts to dilute Ireland’s traditional stance of non-alignment. While supported in this election by left-leaning parties, including Sinn Féin, she has reiterated that Irish unity can only be pursued peacefully and with the consent of voters in both jurisdictions, a stance that may in time test her future relationship with Sinn Féin.

Presidential Election does not reflect a surge of enthusiasm for the left as the left would have people believe.
Despite her clear victory, voter turnout tells a more complex story. Just 46% of the electorate cast a ballot, with 13% of those votes spoiled. Overall, only one in three of the total electorate voted for a candidate, while 54% stayed at home. In total, 67% of voters were either disengaged or disillusioned, many citing dissatisfaction with the non availability of candidates.

Analysts note that Ms Connolly’s vote share represents support from around just 20% of the total electorate; less than the combined vote secured by Sinn Féin and other left-wing parties in the last general election. Her success, they argue, reflects not a surge of enthusiasm for the left, but rather the collapse of confidence in the traditional parties.

Low turnout, disaffected voters, and an opposition campaign run with ruthless efficiency combined to produce Saturday’s result. For Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, it was a political humiliation, years in the making. Both parties, critics argue have drifted from the values that once defined them and appear increasingly out of touch on core issues such as housing, healthcare, and the cost of living.

In chasing narrow blocs of voters that distrust them, the two main government parties stand accused of abandoning the liberal, economically moderate, centre ground that long anchored Irish politics. The resulting vacuum, political observers warn, will have to be filled before the next Irish general election.

Cowardly Vandalism At Thurles TD’s Office Is To Be Condemned.

The office of Fianna Fáil TD Ryan O’Meara, situated in Thurles, have been vandalised sometime within the past 24 hours. The incident took place at his rented premises on the junction of Parnell Street and Cuchulain Road, latter a busy local landmark, better known as Hanafin’s Corner.

**Office of Fianna Fáil TD Ryan O’Meara vandalised in Thurles**.

This was not protest, nor was it political expression, it was pure vandalism. Whoever carried it out has shown nothing but disrespect for the local community and also for the democratic process.

Disagreeing with a public representative is one thing; attempting to intimidate or deface their workplace is quite another. Acts like this achieve nothing but division and damage the very tone of public life.

In a democracy, there are proper channels to voice frustration; through open debate, the ballot box, and community engagement. Resorting to mindless destruction is a coward’s substitute for reasoned argument.

No doubt local people will express shock and disappointment at the incident, and it is expected Gardaí will investigate. Those responsible should be ashamed of their actions, they have let down not only themselves but the town of Thurles as a whole.

Government Approval Granted To Progress Criminal Law Bill 2025.

Government gives approval to progress the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025.

Bill will includes measures to:

Introduce ‘Jennie’s Law’ – a new publicly accessible Domestic Violence Register of Judgements managed by the Courts Service
Strengthen the law on sexual consent
Replace the term ‘child pornography’ in legislation with more appropriate term of ‘child sexual abuse material’

The Irish Government has approved the drafting of legislation to establish a publicly accessible Domestic Violence Register of Judgements, same to be published by the Courts Service. This new law will allow those convicted of domestic violence against a partner or former partner, to be publicly named on this Register of Judgements.

The General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025 will also:

Strengthen the law on sexual consent.
Bolster our legislation on preventing and combating human trafficking;
Remove dual criminality in respect of certain offences including forced marriage; and
Replace references to “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material” in legislation and in legal proceedings.

The General Scheme will now be referred to the Justice Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny and, when its report is received, work on finalising the Bill will be prioritised.

In practice, this means that when a person says they thought the other person had consented to sexual activity, this must be based on objective circumstances and not simply be the subjective belief of the accused. Under the new legislation this will apply not just to sexual intercourse but to all types of sexual activity between adults.

The proposed Register of Domestic Violence Judgements is a mechanism to facilitate publication of written judgments following conviction on indictment for serious offences relating to domestic violence, setting out details of the offence, the perpetrator, and other relevant information. Once issued, judgments will be published on the Courts Service website. The Court will retain the discretion to decide if a judgment should be delivered in a specific case, and the victim must provide their consent. The Register of Domestic Violence judgments will also signpost users to guidance on reporting domestic violence incidents and information on domestic violence supports.

In line with EU obligations and Council of Europe recommendations, the General Scheme also removes the requirement for dual criminality for sexual violence offences including rape, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and forced abortion and forced sterilisation. Until now, if such offences were committed abroad by an Irish citizen, they could not be prosecuted by the State unless this behaviour was also a crime in the place where it occurred.

The General Scheme can be read in full here: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025.