Motorist Detected Travelling at Dangerous Speeds During Bank Holiday Garda Operation.
A motorist in Tipperary was detected travelling at 158 km/h in an 80 km/h Zone yesterday.
An Garda Síochána has confirmed that a motorist was detected travelling at excessive speed as part of the ongoing Bank Holiday Roads Policing Operation in Co. Tipperary.
The incident occurred yesterday Sunday May 3rd, on the R498 at Inch, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, where the driver was recorded travelling at 158km/h in an 80km/h zone, almost double the legal speed limit.
Gardaí have reiterated that such levels of speeding significantly increase the risk of serious or fatal collisions and will be dealt with robustly under road traffic legislation.
Under current regulations, motorists detected speeding face a fixed charge fine and penalty points. However, cases involving extreme speeds may be referred to the courts, where higher penalties, including increased fines, additional penalty points, and potential driving disqualification, may apply.
The detection forms part of a nationwide Garda operation aimed at improving road safety over the busy bank holiday period. Authorities continue to urge all road users to slow down, remain alert, and comply with speed limits at all times.
An Garda Síochána has stated that enforcement activity will remain heightened throughout the holiday period.
Aldi customer parking area pictured in January 2026. Pic: G. Willoughby.
Following serious concerns raised regarding ongoing flooding at the ALDI store car park on Kickham Street, Thurles, with customers continuing to face unsafe and unusable parking conditions more than three years after the issue was first reported, work finally began yesterday.
A photograph taken on the morning of January 26th, 2026, clearly shows extensive surface water flooding across the main entrance and parking bays, forcing customers to navigate large pools of standing water. In some cases, shoppers had been compelled to use spaces designated for disabled parking due to the inaccessibility of standard bays.
Local customers have described the situation as “a recurring winter problem since at least 2023,” with reports and complaints dating back several years. Despite this long-standing issue, only now, in mid-April 2026, have works finally commenced on site, following repeated delays linked to drainage issues associated with the adjacent public roadway.
Contractors yesterday move in to sort out long awaited flooding issues in Aldi carpark, Thurles. Pic: G. Willoughby.
Correspondence from ALDI Customer Services indicates that these delays were due to dependencies on council-managed drainage works. However, questions remain as to why a long-term solution was not implemented earlier, particularly given that public drainage infrastructure at the site sits significantly lower than the store’s car park level; a factor that would typically allow for effective water runoff if properly engineered. Loyal customers question whether the issue has been adequately escalated within ALDI management, asking whether the Area Manager has visited the site since the problem was first identified and whether repeated reports from store staff have been acted upon.
The ongoing situation raises broader concerns regarding customer safety, accessibility, and the impact on local trade, particularly for a store known for its strong community engagement and loyal customer base.
While the commencement of works is now acknowledged, it comes after three consecutive winters of disruption, and customers will be watching closely to ensure that a permanent and effective solution is finally delivered.
An Garda Síochána Tipperary are asking those wishing to attend the Tipperary V Cork match on Sunday next April 19th, to please be aware that there is roadworks around the Semple Stadium, Thurles, which may affect your journey time. Please see image hereunder.
Image courtesy An Garda Síochána Tipperary.
An Garda Síochána Tipperary are asking that attendee’s leave plenty of time for your trip to Tipp.
The Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) has formally notified the National Ambulance Service (NAS) of planned strike action next month, marking a significant escalation in a long-running dispute with the Health Service Executive (HSE) over pay and working conditions.
Around 2,000 SIPTU members working across the ambulance service in Ireland, including Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), paramedics, advanced paramedics, specialist paramedics and supervisors, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, up to and including full strike action.
The planned industrial action will begin with a 24-hour strike on 12 May, followed by a 48-hour stoppage starting on 19 May and a 72-hour stoppage from 26 May. Further strikes are also scheduled for June.
In addition, a work-to-rule will commence on 11 May, meaning staff will not cooperate with new procedures or changes introduced by management.
The dispute centres on the HSE’s failure to implement recommendations from an independent review published in 2020, which called for updated salary scales to reflect the increased responsibilities and workload of ambulance staff over the past two decades.
According to SIPTU, ambulance personnel now provide a far higher level of pre-hospital care than in the past, requiring additional training, qualifications and clinical decision making. The union argues that despite these expanded duties,including a significant increase in medication administration, staff pay and grading structures have not been updated to reflect these changes.
Government Announces Extended Fuel Relief Measures as Pressure Mounts to End Disruptive Protests.
The Government has confirmed a further extension of fuel cost relief measures, as Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin announced new steps aimed at easing the financial burden on households and businesses amid ongoing nationwide protests.
Under the revised plan, temporary reductions in excise duty on petrol, diesel, and marked gas oil will now remain in place until the end of July, rather than expiring at the end of May.
Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin.
The updated measures include:
A 10 cent per litre reduction on both petrol and diesel.
A 2.4 cent per litre reduction on marked gas oil (“green diesel”).
A deferral of the planned carbon tax increase, originally due in May, now postponed until the Budget in October.
These steps are intended to provide immediate cost relief in response to sustained increases in fuel prices linked to global supply pressures.
Despite these concessions, significant disruption continues across the country as protest actions, largely organised via informal networks of transport operators, farmers, and drivers, have blocked key transport routes and fuel depots.
The Government has reiterated that it recognises the financial strain facing those in fuel-dependent sectors. However, it has strongly criticised the ongoing blockades, warning that such actions are having serious and disproportionate consequences for the general public.
With schools reopening and workers returning after the weekend, the continuation of these protests risks widespread impact on daily life. Commuters face delays, families are affected in getting children to school, and essential services, including healthcare and emergency response, remain under pressure due to fuel supply concerns and traffic disruption.
The obstruction of critical infrastructure, including fuel depots and major roadways, has also raised concerns about the availability of medicines, agricultural supplies, and other time-sensitive deliveries. Authorities, including An Garda Síochána, have now moved into an enforcement phase, and the Defence Forces remain on standby to assist in removing vehicles where necessary.
Public Interest and Proportionality. While the Government’s latest measures demonstrate a willingness to respond to rising costs, the continuation of large-scale disruption raises serious questions about proportionality.
The burden of these protests is not being carried by policymakers alone, it is being felt most acutely by ordinary members of the public. Workers attempting to commute, parents preparing for the school week, and vulnerable individuals relying on timely access to services are all directly affected.
In this context, the persistence of blockades appears increasingly difficult to justify, particularly as concrete measures have now been introduced to address core concerns around fuel pricing.
The Government has urged all participants to disengage from disruptive actions and instead pursue dialogue through established representative bodies, emphasising that meaningful progress can only be achieved without jeopardising public safety and national infrastructure.
Further developments are expected in the coming days as pressure intensifies to restore normality across the country.
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