Transport « Thurles Information

Irish Government Warns Against Fuel Price Gouging.

Irish Government warns against fuel price gouging amid current Middle East tensions.

Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin has said there is “no excuse for prices going up at the pumps yesterday, or indeed anywhere”, warning fuel and home-heating suppliers against taking unfair advantage of consumers in response to escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking ahead of a Cabinet meeting, Mr Martin said Ireland currently has adequate supplies and noted that much of the State’s oil is sourced from the North Sea, including Norway. He acknowledged the situation could have implications over time if it does not stabilise, but said immediate price rises are not justified.

The Taoiseach said he has raised the issue with Minister for Energy Mr Darragh O’Brien and has engaged with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The Government has asked the CCPC to examine the sector for any unfair pricing practices. He also pointed to ongoing work on energy affordability and wider EU-level discussions on energy pricing structures.

Enterprise Minister Mr Peter Burke said energy price rises are a concern for the economy, noting prices increased on Monday, while emphasising the country has continued to see solid growth despite geopolitical instability.

Tipperary Secures Major 2026 Roads Investment Package Worth About €57.7m

A significant roads funding package for 2026, announced in February 2026, has been outlined for Tipperary, covering both regional/local roads and national roads.

Regional & Local Roads (Tipperary County Council): €49,379,670.
The largest share of the allocation is directed toward the day-to-day upkeep and long-term resilience of the county’s regional and local network.

Over last weekend, you’d be forgiven for thinking Thurles, Co. Tipperary, had been abandoned, judging by the state of our streets. Once again we’re driving on loose gravel, while yesterday’s potholes are “repaired” with cold tarmac tipped straight into puddles, as if water were a suitable foundation.

Worse than that, a drain cover was left open since last Thursday, near to the junction at Bowe’s corner; the grate cover having been dislodged in direct line with vehicle wheels. (See picture featured hereunder.)

*Pic 1 Left:* **Grate cover dislodged.**
*Pic 2 Right:* **On Barry’s Bridge, once again, a sinking surface**, **as 18 wheelers bounce over a raised pedestrian platform.**
*Pictures: G.Willoughby.*

**Parnell Street, Thurles beginning to sink and unravel with footpath now at a distinct sloaping angle.**
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

“Protection & Renewal”: €36,234,670.
Within the regional and local roads budget, €36,234,670 is assigned to Protection & Renewal. This funding supports a wide range of works and programmes, including:

restoration, improvement, and maintenance works
discretionary schemes
bridges and structures
drainage projects
road safety measures
climate adaptation works
community involvement initiatives (and other related supports)

National Roads (Tipperary): €8,360,343.

In addition, €8,360,343 has been allocated for national roads within Tipperary, supporting key routes that play a major role in commuting, freight, and regional connectivity.

A Combined Local Package of Approximately €57.7m.
Taken together, the figures referenced locally bring the overall roads investment package for Tipperary to around €57.7 million for 2026.

National Context: Over €1.5bn for Roads in 2026.
For broader context, the Department of Transport has stated that more than €1.5 billion was provided nationally in 2026 for national roads and regional/local roads, placing the Tipperary allocation within a substantial nationwide investment programme.

No. 171 “Slieve Gullion” Steams into Thurles Town.

The No. 171 “Slieve Gullion” Steams into Thurles at 11:57am This Morning, Marking Another Milestone for Irish Main Line Steam.

Great Northern Railway (Ireland) S Class 4-4-0 No. 171 “Slieve Gullion”, arrived into Thurles Railway Station at 11:57am this morning, drawing a warm welcome as the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s (RPSI) flagship steam locomotive continues its return to regular main line operation.

Today’s working forms part of the RPSI’s “An Sáirséal” Steam & Diesel Special operating between Dublin Connolly and Limerick, with No. 171 hauling the train from Dublin Connolly to Thurles, before an 071 Class diesel takes over for the onward run to Limerick.

Built by Beyer, Peacock & Co. in Manchester in 1913, No. 171 is one of the celebrated GNR(I) S Class express passenger locomotives, named after a mountain in the south of County Armagh, Northern Irelandand, is synonymous with the golden age of Irish main line steam.

Following an extensive overhaul and a long period out of traffic, No. 171 returned to steam in July 2024, officially launched back into service at Whitehead in September of that year, and later resumed main line, revenue-earning passenger work in November 2025, its first such duties since 2002.

An RPSI spokesperson said the Thurles arrival is “another proud moment for everyone who contributed to bringing ‘Slieve Gullion’ back; proof that Irish main line steam remains very much alive, and still capable of turning heads wherever it goes.”

Vehicle Drivers In The Area Of HolyCross Village Take Care.

Vehicle drivers are being asked to take care, if travelling the R659 roadway, between the junction of Galbertstown Lower and Holycross village this morning.

The area was the scene, last evening, of a single vehicle collision, which saw an English registered Land Rover strike a ditch. Thankfully the driver was uninjured and the vehicle was subsequently removed.

However, early this morning a telephone pole, close to the area collapsed, blocking the roadway.
Members of the Thurles Fire Brigade attended at the scene at approximately 7:20am and were joined later by telephone technicians, both of whom currently remain at the scene.
Note: Stop and Go signs are currently being manually operated on a very narrow road section close to a dangerous blind bend.

Pedestrian In His 60s Dies – Struck By Lorry On L8109 In Co. Tipperary.

Gardaí and emergency services have confirmed that a man in his 60s has died following a fatal collision with a lorry on a rural road in County Tipperary yesterday afternoon.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:35pm on Thursday, 19th February, along the L8109 road at Ardloman, Breansha, near the Glen of Aherlow, in the west of the county.
Emergency services, including local Gardaí and ambulance crews, responded swiftly after the alarm was raised informing them that a pedestrian had been struck by a heavy goods vehicle.

Despite the rapid response by first responders, the pedestrian, latter a male aged in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Gardaí have confirmed that no other injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

A technical examination of the collision site has been conducted by Garda forensic personnel to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash. Standard procedures have been followed, with both the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Coroner notified as part of the ongoing process. Representatives from the HSA have acknowledged the fatality and indicated that a formal investigation has been launched.

Gardaí say that investigations remain ongoing, and they have not released further details regarding the victim’s identity or specific causes at this time.
Gardaí are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who may have relevant dash-cam footage from the L8109 area around the time of the incident, to come forward to assist with inquiries.

No additional information has yet been provided about the circumstances leading up to the collision, and it is not yet clear if road or weather conditions were a contributing factor.