Politics « Thurles Information

Tipperary County Council: World Leaders in Revenue Collection.

Tipperary County Council: World Leaders in Revenue Collection, but still Struggling With… Roads.

Tipperary County Council has proudly confirmed that it extracted a tidy €308,112 in parking fines in 2025, proving once again that when it comes to collecting money, efficiency is not an issue.

Fixing roads, however, remains a bold and experimental concept. See in particular Emmett Street, Westgate junction, Barry’s Bridge etc. etc. here in Thurles,

Across nine towns, thousands of motorists were “caught red-handed”, — “embarrassed even”, according to local press reports, having been photographed by traffic wardens, committing the heinous crime of allowing two wheels to exist slightly outside a faded white line or failing to have their hair permed within the 15 minute permitted free time frame.

Thurles, notably, now continues to excel in two key areas:
(1) Generating revenue.
(2) Avoiding pothole repairs.

Of course, as one would expect, Clonmel led the charge with 2,469 fines, followed by Nenagh with 1,346 fines, Thurles (God help us in a town where most car parks were closed in 2025) 1,258 fines, while Carrick-on-Suir tried and failed to catch-up with a mere 1,052 fines.

A further breakdown reveals a more refined vehicle operator:
Tipperary Town: 914 fines.
Cashel: 548 fines.
Templemore: 267 fines.
Roscrea: 256 fines.
Cahir: took the wooden spoon, with a miserable 142 fines only.
Still all admirable figures, if the goal is to run a highly efficient penalty collection service, rather than maintain public infrastructure.

Motorists are charged €40 – €80 for parking offences, rising by 50% after 28 days, because nothing says “public service” like interest rates that would impress a credit card company.

Other highlights include:
♣ €60 for failing to display a tax disc.
♣ In keeping with Health & Safety, No Charge for failing to display a NCT disk.
♣ €150 for parking in a disabled space.

Meanwhile, in Thurles, the surface of Barry’s Bridge is once again disintegrating, bravely demonstrating the council’s innovative “Natural Erosion Management Strategy.”

Residents are reportedly delighted to see their contributions; over €300,000 worth, being reinvested into… somewhere; possibly sending salaried staff on St Patrick’s weekend junkets; but certainly not road surfaces.

A spokesperson, (latter who does not wish to be named), standing carefully to avoid loose flying gravel, stated: “We take great pride in maintaining strict parking enforcement, while also maintaining a flexible, evolving interpretation of the word ‘roadworthy.”

Local drivers have expressed confusion, noting that while their tyres are expected to meet exact legal standards, the road beneath them appears to be auditioning for a gravel pit.
Experts confirm that if potholes themselves could be fined, Tipperary County Council would likely be running a budget surplus.

Until then, motorists are advised to:
♦ Display their tickets correctly facing upwards.
♦ Pay promptly.
♦ Have a suspension system worthy of Dakar Rally conditions▲ when crossing Barry’s Bridge.
{▲The Dakar Rally is considered the world’s most challenging endurance motorsport event, held annually over two weeks in extreme desert conditions.}

Wonder would Tipperary Sinn Féin TDs meet and move a motion of no confidence in Tipperary Co. Council. Ops, sorry, forgot that the Tipperary electorate failed to elect Sinn Féin TD’s, last election. I wonder why?

Yes, here in Tipperary, the fines are fixed – but the roads are anything but.

Statement By Minister For Justice, Home Affairs & Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan TD.

Minister For Justice, Home Affairs & Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan TD has stated in a press release issued at 6:28pm this evening that, quote:
“Over the past four days An Garda Síochána has engaged extensively with protestors seeking to allow access to critical sites and ensure certain trucks containing fuel, medicine and animal feed were allowed pass through blockades.

Despite the increasingly difficult situation facing people across the country and requests from Government to end the blocking of critical infrastructure, the blockades continued. This is unacceptable.

While we all acknowledge the impact of higher fuel prices, and seek to minimise that impact, no groups are entitled in our Republic to hold our people to ransom in such a manner.

An Garda Síochána has commenced operations to allow critical infrastructure to operate, so that people have access to fuel.

I will continue to engage with the Garda Commissioner and my colleagues in Government as these operations continue.

I want to thank the Gardaí and their colleagues from the Defence Forces, for carrying out these difficult duties in such a professional manner.”

We now understand that An Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin has convened a Cabinet meeting for tomorrow where an update on ongoing fuel crisis talks, undertaken between ministers and sectoral representatives will be given.
However, the Government has stated that nothing will be announced until protesters end their blockades.

Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan – Ongoing Protests.

The Minister for Justice Mr Jim O’Callaghan has confirmed that it is well established in law that the Defence Forces may assist An Garda Síochána in aid to the civil power, when requested and when required.

On each occasion that the support of the Defence Forces is required, An Garda Síochána issues a form C70, to the Defence Forces, to request their assistance.

The blocking of critical national infrastructure will not be permitted to continue and the assistance of the Defence Forces has been requested. Large vehicles blocking critical infrastructure will be removed. Owners of those vehicles should remove them immediately this morning and should not complain later about any damage caused to those vehicles during removal.

Denying people access to fuel and clean water is an unacceptable interference in the most basic of human rights.

Former Ceann Comhairle Mr Seán Barrett TD Dies Aged 81.

The death has been announced of Seán Barrett, former Teachta Dála (TD) and Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, who has passed away at the age of 81 years.

Mr Barrett was a long-serving member of Fine Gael and represented the Dún Laoghaire constituency for several decades. First elected to Dáil Éireann in 1981, he served until 2002 and later returned to public office from 2007 until his retirement in 2020.

Mr Barrett was elected Ceann Comhairle in 2011 and served in that role until 2016. He was widely regarded as a fair and authoritative chair who upheld parliamentary standards and oversaw important developments in the modernisation of Dáil proceedings.

During his political career, he held a number of senior government positions, including Minister for Defence and Minister for the Marine between 1995 and 1997. He also served as Government Chief Whip during the mid-1990s.

Seán Barrett is remembered for his long-standing commitment to public service and his dedication to his constituents over many years.

Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Sheila, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

National Fuel Protest Planned Across Ireland, Including Tipperary.

A large-scale national protest concerning fuel costs is set to take place on Tuesday morning, with participants expected to mobilise from early hours across multiple regions, including Tipperary.

Organisers have confirmed that convoys will begin departing from 6:00 a.m., converging on key towns and cities nationwide. Demonstrations are also expected at various locations throughout Tipperary, as part of the coordinated action. The protest aims to call for a further reduction in excise duty on fuel, as well as the removal of the carbon tax, which organisers argue is placing significant strain on households and businesses.

Participants involved in the protest have expressed serious concerns about the current economic climate. They warn that rising fuel costs are contributing to increasing financial pressure across sectors, with some suggesting that urgent action is needed to prevent wider economic instability.

Law enforcement authorities have been notified in advance of the planned routes and assembly points, including those in Tipperary. Traffic disruptions are expected in several areas, and the public is advised to plan journeys accordingly.

Government sources have indicated that, at present, there is no immediate concern regarding fuel supply shortages. However, officials have acknowledged that the situation remains fluid, particularly in light of ongoing developments affecting global energy infrastructure.

Calls have been made for urgent attention to the energy crisis, with growing pressure for swift and coordinated action to address rising costs and their impact on citizens.

Further updates are expected as the situation develops.