Politics « Thurles Information

New Hate Crime Legislation Comes Into Force.

Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 increases prison sentences for certain crimes motivated by hatred.
Law will protect people targeted because of certain characteristics including race, colour, sexual orientation, gender, and disability.

An order has been signed, which will come into force today (Tuesday 31 December), under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024, which increases prison sentences for certain crimes motivated by hatred.

This new legislation provides for crimes, which are proven to be motivated by hatred, or where hatred is fully demonstrated. For example, the legislation ensures that assault aggravated by hatred, or damage to property aggravated by hatred, will attract higher prison sentences. Where hatred is not proven, a person can still be charged with assault or damage to property.

This legislation will protect people targeted because of certain identity characteristics namely – race; colour; nationality; religion; national or ethnic origin; descent; disability; gender; sex characteristics and sexual orientation. The Act creates new, aggravated forms of certain existing offences – i.e. hate crimes – where they are aggravated by hatred of one or more of these protected characteristics.

Ireland has faced criticism from the Council of Europe and other International Human Rights bodies, which had, until now, highlighted that there was no specific or statutory provision for hate-aggravated offences in Ireland.

Incitement to hatred and hate speech are criminalised separately under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, which continues to remain in force.

Budget Changes With Effect From January 1st 2025.

Following payment increases, tax changes, new grants etc, announced by the Irish Government back on October 1st last, many new measures will now come into effect within the coming days.
Some of these cost-of-living changes will now include:- See full changes HERE.

The national minimum wage will increase by 80 cents to €13.50 per hour.
The 4% rate of Universal Social Charge (USC) will be reduced to 3%.
A €125 energy credit, to be paid to all households, regardless, from January 1st 2025.
Means test to be disregarded for Fuel Allowance will be extended to those aged 66 years and over – €524 (single person) and €1,048 (for a couple).
Carer’s Allowance will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, subject to meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the Fuel Allowance means test.
Weekly rates of Child Support Payment will increase by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 years and over, and by €4 to €50 for those aged under 12 years.
A €15 increase in Maternity Benefit, Paternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent’s Benefit.
Newborn Baby Grant of €280 in addition to the first month of Child Benefit (€140) for children born on or after December 1st 2024.
A €12 increase in most weekly social welfare payments, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and people obtaining a reduced rate.
An increase by €60 a week in the case of the Working Family Payment; regardless of family size.
A €20 increase per month in Domiciliary Care Allowance.
The amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January 2025
Those in receipt of State Pensions (Non-contributory); Disability Allowances or Blind Pensions; the amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January1st 2025.
Carer’s Benefit to extend to persons who are self-employed.
VAT for installing a heat pump will be now be reduced from the current standard rate of 23% to the reduced rate of 9%.

Local Councillors Row Over Redevelopment Of Liberty Square.

We posted earlier this month (December 5th 2024 last), confirmation of the idiotic plans accepted under Phase 2 of Thurles towns upgraded traffic plans; same formulated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and proposed and seconded by Fine Gael’s Cllr. Ms Peggy Ryan and Fianna Fail’s Cllr. Mr Sean Ryan.

These plans are now expected to proceed some years down the line, despite angry local opposition by traders, who have already suffered the loss, they claim, of some 40% – 60% of footfall and who now fear a dramatic decline in the value of their business properties.

Following a meeting held on Monday last, Fine Gael Cllr. Ms Peggy Ryan has proposed a motion, seeking that parking bye-laws in Thurles, should be reviewed to bring in more short term parking in the centre of town.
This proposed motion follows her earlier proposed acceptance of the idiotic Phase 2 plan, which will see 12-14 car park spaces eradicated from west of the town centre.

**State of *“The Source”* Car Park**, **Thurles**, **now closed for over one year**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

Question: When will “The Source” car park be re-opened to the public?

This new proposal, by Cllr. Ms Peggy Ryan, appears to ignore the fact that for well over a year, parking under “The Source” building has remained closed, while the existing car parks are filled five days each week by workers, using all-day parking tickets; thus leaving no spaces for those attempting to shop in the town centre.

We the electorate are no longer being kept informed of what is being discussed behind closed doors at Council meetings.

Liberty Square Phase 2 Plans:
Quote from the Phase 2 Report: “It is proposed to limit traffic flow to one way, with no vehicles permitted entry to Cuchulain Road (formerly Nicholas Street) at the junction with O’Donovan Rossa Street (Formerly Pudding Lane and Jail Street).”

**The** **Cuchulainn Road and O’Donovan Rossa Street Junction pictured in 2013.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*

**The** **disused and weed infested area, located currently at the junction with O’Donovan Rossa Street and Cuchulain Road, Thurles town.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

Question: Following the purchase, by the Local Authority (2013) , (which used taxpayer funding), of property at the corner of Cuchulainn Road/O’Donovan Rossa Street, formerly known as Campbell’s Tyre Centre, can parking spaces not now be made available here?

Presently, this area remains disused, weed infested and like other areas of our town, is no longer maintained in an appropriate manner.

Motorists Seen As Easy Targets For Further Price Hikes.

Road Safety Authority announces price increases.

New government – New price hikes.

In a country which is unable to properly maintain road surfaces outside of Dublin city; the Road Safety Authority has announced price increases for a number of its services, including driving licence fees and NCTs.

The price of a driving licence is now set to increase in price by €10.00; from the current price of €55.00 to €65.00, while the price of a learner permit will also increase by €10.00 from €35.00 to €45.00.

A full NCT will now also increase in price by €5.00 from €55 to €60, while a retest currently costing €28.00, will now cost an extra €12.00; increased to €40.00.

A commercial vehicle roadworthiness test will also increase by 15% in the pre-VAT cost.

All price changes are expected to come into effect from January 1st 2025.

The RSA maintain that the increase in prices is due to a planned €18m expenditure on “public interest activities and government priorities”, (whatever they are).

Note: Ireland’s current national car fleet currently stands at some 2.36 million vehicles. Petrol and Diesel model account for 89% (two million vehicles) of this National Fleet, while Electric Vehicles (EV & PHEV) represent some 5%. Ireland’s current population in 2023 was 5.262 million.

Government Appoint 8 Members To Legal Services Regulatory Authority.

Legal Services Regulatory Authority responsible for the regulation of the legal professions in Ireland

Government has yesterday appointed eight members to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA), including six new appointments and two re-appointments.

The 11-member Authority is responsible for the regulation of the provision of legal services by legal practitioners. The 2015 Act sets out, at section 13(4), the six statutory objectives of the Authority:

Protect and promote the public interest.
Support the proper and effective administration of justice.
Protect and promote the interests of consumers relating to the provision of legal services.
Promote competition in the provision of legal services in the State.
Encourage an independent, strong and effective legal profession.
Promote and maintain adherence to the professional principles of legal practitioners as specified in the Act.

The Government appointed Mr. Tom Boland, who was nominated by the Higher Education Authority, to be the Authority’s new chairperson. He will replace the outgoing Chairperson Dr Don Thornhill, who has held the position since the establishment of the Authority in 2016.

The eight appointees/re-appointees are:

Bríd O’Donovan, nominated by the Citizens Information Board (CIB).
Paul O’Donovan, nominated by the Consumer’s Association of Ireland (CAI).
Tom Boland, nominated by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) – An tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas.
Paul Mc Garry SC, nominated by the Honourable Society of King’s Inns.
Eilis Barry, nominated by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC).
Emily Sherlock, nominated by the Legal Aid Board (LAB).
Michele O’Boyle SC, nominated by the Law Society of Ireland.
Simon Murphy, nominated by the Law Society of Ireland.

Ms. Barry and Mr. Murphy are being re-appointed while all other appointments are first time appointments. Under section 10 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, appointments to the Authority will be for a term of 4 years, after which they will be eligible for re-appointment for an additional 4 years, provided that they do not hold office for more than eight years in all.