89% of adults agree that the environment is a valuable asset to the people of Ireland.
84% of people felt access to nature was important for their mental health in 2020.
54% placed climate change as one of the top three environmental concerns facing Ireland.
3 in 5 adults used less fuel for transport during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The EPA today published its EPA 2020 Year in Review report, which highlights key activities throughout the year. This was accompanied by results of an EPA/Red C poll to measure attitudes toward the environment.
This survey found that 89% of adults agree that the environment is a valuable asset for the people of Ireland. In comparison to last year’s survey, this marks an increase of 2%.
The value of the work of the EPA in protecting Ireland’s environment was highlighted by the survey finding that 84% of people felt access to nature was important for their mental and physical health, in a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic. The new research also highlighted that 4 in 5 people took steps to help protect the environment in 2020.
The Year in Review highlights the progress achieved by the EPA on its remit in 2020. In terms of air quality, the EPA continued to strengthen the capacity and capability of the air quality network. With the addition of 14 stations in 2020, real-time monitoring has nearly trebled in Ireland since implementation of the programme began. The National Priority Sites for Enforcement continued to be a driving force for change, designating twelve sites as National Priority Sites in 2020.
Commenting on the report highlights, Ms Laura Burke, Director General of the EPA said,
“It is extremely encouraging to see that so many people have personally taken steps to help the environment, as engaging the public on environmental issues is key to the EPA. This underlines the importance of the work we do throughout the year. The monitoring and reporting activities of the EPA remained in place, and even increased in many areas, despite the ongoing pandemic.
The EPA plays a key role, on behalf of the State, in monitoring threats, informing the public and enforcing regulatory measures and our Year in Review 2020 highlights progress in several areas including licensing and enforcement, and citizen engagement.
In 2020, in addition to our reports on waste, water, radon and air quality we published the most comprehensive look at Ireland’s environment to date, the State of the Environment report, which provides a bedrock of research upon which future decisions on environmental protection and priorities can be based.”
The results of the EPA/Red C survey also showed that 3 in 5 adults used less fuel for transport during the pandemic, while the majority of the Irish population have started walking or cycling, considered buying locally produced goods and have increased recycling. In addition, 54% said they placed climate change as one of the top three environmental concerns facing Ireland, with one third stating that it affects them personally.
Laura Burke concluded by stating,
“Now is the time for an overarching environmental policy position for Ireland – to be clear on our ambition to protect Ireland’s environment in the short, medium and long-term. Such a policy position would provide a national vision that all government departments, agencies, businesses, communities and individuals can sign up to, to play their part in protecting our environment. The EPA will continue to work with all stakeholders to place the environment at the heart of decision making, as these survey results clearly demonstrate that the environment is an asset that Irish people clearly value and should be protected and improved for all the people of Ireland.”
[No laughing please, this is not a laughing matter.]
What you have read is a statement sent to Tipperarylive.ie. with the keyword or hashtag ‘potholes‘.
Everyone knows that Tipperarylive.ie do not fill potholes, so we must assume that Councillor Mr Jim Ryan in his statement, was in contact with them, simply to build his dwindling profile as a public representative.
In this statement Councillor Mr Jim Ryan congratulates, quote, “our local District Engineer and his outdoor team for all that they have done within the district and they are fully aware of these roads and have been filling in potholes, but the problem is that these works are getting washed away with heavy rain.”[No mention of the ‘Double Ditch’ issue, latter situated 2 minute walking time from Mr Ryan’s home; to Tipperarylive.ie.]
Truth is “local District Engineer and his outdoor team” do not know how to fill a pothole. Too much cold tarmac sitting above in their yard.
No Sir, Councillor Mr Jim Ryan; these slovenly works are being unravelled by heavy traffic e.g. large tractors wheels, heavy laden cattle trucks, eighteen wheeler container trucks, not to mention inadequate drainage; before this ‘maintenance team’ reaches the next pothole.
Reported by : George Willoughby(Not a local councillor [MDCC]).
Attention Tipperary County / Municipal District Councillors – Please Take Special Note.
Councillers, I am aware that you have received very little training during this COVID-19 pandemic, (except on how to fill-in claims for salary and expenses). So carefully try to learn, the correct way to report Pot Hole issues, Broken Pavements, Street Lighting, Fly Tipping, Rotten Trees, Weeds, and unacceptableRoad Surfaces.
The beauty of this link is that you must supply your name and email address, thus automatically giving you a God-like profile in time for the next local election, when you continuously report an issue.
If the issue has already been reported then they will inform you. The race is on — first to report the issue and get your profile promoted. [See picture above, look who stole the fame, renown and prestige resulting from this great achievement.] and I won’t need to go running to TippFM or Tipperarylive.ie, since none of the latter undertake any road repairs, whatsoever.
Should any County / Municipal District Councillor need help operating the programming on FixMyStreet , we here at Thurles.Info will be happy to assist (for a small Fee of course).
We also reported the “Crater at Turtulla Cross”, latter which has been ignored for seven weeks, by “local District Engineer and his outdoor team“.
Report confirmation again received by : George Willoughby
I should point out that any frustraited motorist can contact the site FixMyStreet to report an issue. This also helps when you are seeking compensation for damage to their vehicle or a death caused due to neglected road works. Tipperary Co. Council or TII can no longer use the excuse in court, “We were not aware of the problem”, since the MYGOV website FixMyStreet notify the relative authority immediately and also notify the person making the complaint of any future progress.
Who needs money wasting, powerless, County / Municipal District Councillors in the 21st century? We can do their work and eradicate Local Property Tax charges.
Thurles Golf Club offers a new nineteen hole course to golfing enthusiasts.
On December 14th, 2020 last, [View HERE and note date.] we warned motorists of road surface problems on the corner of where the Mill Road joins the N62 at Turtulla Cross; west of the Archerstown Industrial Estate and south of Thurles Golf Club, on the south facing corner of that junction, one mile from Councillor Jim Ryans House.
Open crater or new hole for Golfing enthusiastsat Turtulla Cross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Since then, last week this issue was again raised by Councillor Mr Seamus Hanifin at a Templemore / Thurles, Municipal District Council ‘convocation’, so I understand.
To day is February 5th, 2021, almost two months later and this small piece of roadway still remains an accident waiting to happen.
Alas, further proof that elected, salaried, Thurles Municipal District Councillors are powerless and a complete waste of Tax-Payers money.
Send us a picture if you encounter a larger pot hole.
Motorists using the minor, long ignored, Yellow Lough Road (R659) this morning, running south west of Thurles Town, linking the village of Holycross and Pouldine School Junction with Thurles, are asked to please take great care.
Yellow Lough road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, last evening.
Yesterday evening at dusk, the area close to Cabragh Bridge was extremely flooded, the flood water having burst through a ditch unto the roadway carrying with it, assorted debris including stones.
After tonight’s heavy rain, do expect the worst. (See picture above).
River Suir, Cabragh Bridge, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, last evening.
As can be seen in the picture directly above; further on, the farm lands either side of Cabragh Bridge, on yesterday evening, were also heavily under water, badly flooded by a slow moving and for many years, a choked River Suir.
So again, do remain alert travelling in this area.
Today’s work being carried out on Liberty Square was initially the brainchild of visionary Mr Tomas (Tom) Barry, latter former Thurles Town Manager.
Back in 2002, following discussions with his Council Administrative Staff including Mr Michael Ryan, (latter then holding the post of Town Clerk), Mr Barry decided to promote a proposal to Thurles District Councillors [Today’s paid elected Municipal District Councillors], to increase the town’s overall ‘Commercial Rates’ by 25%, in the upcoming 2003 Budget estimates, bringing it into line with other Irish towns of a similar size.
His forward looking plan was that some 15% of this 25% increase would be immediately ‘ring fenced,’ to meet local contributions required for a possible number of future Capital Projects within the town. It was anticipated back then that this 15% would yield some €200,000.00 per annum.
Barry’s 2002 Vision for the Future of Thurles.
Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Photo January 2021, George Willoughby.
Mr Tom Barry, in his five point visionary plan to drag Thurles town into the 21st century and into line with other Irish towns of similar size, unveiled the following projects as listed hereunder:- (1). Thurles Town Centre Enhancement. (2). A Regional Arts Centre. ✓. (3). A Leisure Centre. ✓. (4). Thurles Town Park ✓ and a River Walk. (5). Upgrading / Extension to Thurles Council Offices, ✓, (Latter then grossly overcrowded and unfit for day to day business transactions.) In relation to the Town centre Enhancement Scheme, he stated that such would dramatically augment an overall appearance of Thurles town centre.
Having shared his vision with Town Councillors, Mr Barry’s proposals were considered 19 years ago, at the 2003 Budget Meeting, latter which was held on Thursday, December 19th 2002. This aforementioned Budget meeting, which called for the introduction of this 25% Commercial Rates increase, was formally adopted by Thurles Council, by a 5 votes majority, with two other councillors unavoidably absent from that meeting.
One of those councillors who voted ‘Against’ Mr Tom Barry’s future vision for Thurles, was current day, Thurles Municipal Councillor, Mr Jim Ryan. Nevertheless, despite Councillor Jim Ryan’s objections, Thurles, within the next 16 years could rightly boast a new Regional Arts Centre, a new Library, a new Leisure Centre, an Extension to Thurles Council Offices and a new Thurles Town Park, courtesy of Thurles Commercial Rate payers.
All that is missing from Mr Barry’s vision today, is a properly maintained River Walk and the full completion of the enhancement to the Thurles Town Centre, latter now currently well advanced.
Alas, those were the days when rate payer’s money was carefully minded; local councils had employees; streets were kept clean and potholes were filled.
Note: All of these facts, above stated, are contained in Thurles Town Council Minutes, requested by me in the past, for my own perusal and available on request by the public for little charge.
Today, February 2nd, 2021; as part of the current upgrade to Liberty Square, it appears that sewer pipes are being installed.
It is therefore interesting to note that not one single politician or Municipal District councillor was present at a meeting in Thurles on Friday November 13th 1846, when the first ever sewage system was installed.
Present were the administrators of varying churches; Rev. Dr. Henry Cotton (Chairperson), Rev. Mr Laffan, Rev. Dr. O’Connor, Rev. Mr Barron. Rev. P Leahy, Rev. Mr Baker, Mr Francis O’Brien Esq. (Latter Justice of the Peace) and our old friend now well introduced to present day unproductive Municipal District councillors and useless politicians, yes, Dr. Robert Charles Knaggs, who had urgently instigated the building of a “Double Ditch”, thus placing food into the mouths of those close to starvation and death.
At this meeting in 1846, which began promptly at 3:00pm in today’s Ulster Bank building on Liberty Square, (then the home of the said Dr. Robert Charles Knaggs), details of the number of paupers then in the Poor House (former site of today’s Hospital of the Assumption) were recorded by the acting secretary, yes the same Dr. Robert Charles Knaggs.
“The original Poor House built in 1840, to accommodate 700 persons, had contained within it, “84 men, 184 women, 414 children — in all a total of 682 homeless, destitute persons.“
Being a medical doctor, Dr. Robert Knaggs was well aware of problems linked to a severe lack of hygiene. There were within the town of Thurles no sewers, people merely emptied their defecation into the nearest three cornered ‘shit well’, latter located, staggered in the various back lanes within the town. Contents of same wells would be removed weekly by an operating ‘Honey Waggon’(Horse drawn covered wagon) to be spread on farm land as fertiliser and also, quickly recycled, by Crows, Jackdaws and other bird life.
“Having discussed and resolved that 20 barrels of wheat should be purchased in the local market the following day, to be ground into meal, for distribution to those starving. Meal tickets (the 2nd only provision of such in Thurles) were issued on that same day, numbered as follows:- Stradavoher 601 to 700, Garryvicleheen (Abbey Rd. Area) 701 to 800, Pudding Lane (O’Donovan Rossa Street) 801 to 900, Quarry Street (Mitchel Street) 901 to 1000, Pike Street (Kickham Street) 1001 to 1100 and Main Street (today’s Liberty Square & Cathedral Street combined) 1101 to 1120.”
However, before the meeting concluded and adjourned to 3:00pm on the following Monday, the acting secretary Dr. Robert Charles Knaggs suggested that a large number of unemployed men could be employed on making the first sewers through the town, if there was a quarry made available. Chairperson Rev. Dr. Henry Cotton offers the use of a quarry situated on his land.
In less than 3 weeks, by November 30th 1846, plans had been drawn up as follows: –
To construct 42 perches (231yds/211.2m) of sewers from Rich’d Ryan’s to the Derheen, costed at £84.
To construct 96 perches (528yds/482.8m) of sewers from Danl Dwyer’s to the bridge, costed at £192
To construct 66 perches (363yds/331.9m) of sewers from Butler’s Gate to James Maher’s Yard, costed at £132.
To construct 9 perches (49.9yds/44.8m) of sewers from the Barracks (Opposite todays Premier Hall) to the Main Street, costed at £185.
To construct 66 perches(363yds/331.9 m) of covered drain or sewer from the bridge to the turn of the Mall with a tunnel under the river, and open a drain from the bridge in Thurles to Byrne’s Mill with a tunnel under the Drish River to carry up the levels for the drains of the town, costed at £800.
Total for this complete work, on wages of 8p per day, was estimated at costing £1,226.
A section of the sewer built in Thurles in 1846, during the Great Famine. Pictured in 1995, note the neat hand cut stone positioned on either side of the drain, lead lined and hidden by the water a flat 2.5in slate bottom. These sewers were so well built that many years later, they were used to accommodate modern day sewage pipes, by Thurles town council.
Additional works had also been approved of earlier for the Thurles area, on Thursday November 26th 1846, by the then Board of Works, consisting of the following, using available labour: –
Construct 400 perches (2,200yds / 2011.6m) of the road from Thurles to Urlingford between Lisduff and the Fort on the Widow Keogh’s farm at Rahealty, costed at £150.00.
To lower and remake two footpaths one from the corner of Pierce McLoughlin’s Delph shop(Today’s AIB Bank building, Liberty Square) to the Thurles Court House pier, being 22½ perches (123.75yds/113.16m) and the other from John Finn’s Hardware shop corner (Todays Carphone Warehouse, Liberty Square), back to the Police Barracks on the other side, (Opposite todays Premier Hall), being 19 perches (104.5yds/104.7m) costed at £10-7-6.
To repair 600 perches (3,300yds/3,017.5m) of the road from Athlumon Ford to Godfrey’s Mills costed at £80.00.
To repair 200 perches (1,100yds/1005.8m) of the road from Patrick Lahey’s gate at Kilrush to the Widow Shea’s house, Burris Road.
“Following a meeting held on December 4th 1846 the committee confirmed that 740 persons were in the Thurles Work House, as already stated, latter built only to accommodate 700 souls.”
By Tuesday, February 9th 1847 (Black 47), 1,991 persons were now employed, receiving wages from mostly local funding, at the above works listed hereunder: –
At Ballygammane – 84 employed persons, Pierstown Road – 56 persons, Seskin – 59 persons, cutting stone at the Stone Depot – 535 persons, at Drish Hill – 40 persons, at Rossestown Hill – 100 persons, working on Thurles Sewers – 163 persons, doing ‘Pathing’ – 225 persons, working on Embankment – 116 persons, on Kilrush Road – 47 persons, on the Widow Shea’s Road – 41 persons, on Turtulla Towpath – 82 persons, on Garrenrow Road - 100 persons, in Rahealty and Lisduff - 35 persons.
The then Member of Parliament (MP) for Tipperary, Mr Nicholas V Maher Esq. (Repeal Association MP and a member of the all-male, liberal Reform Club founded in 1836), subscribed £50 to the project. The absent then owner / landlord of Thurles, Viscount de Chabot, (Louis William de Rohan) also subscribed £50 and his son Count de Jarnac (Philippe-Ferdinand-Auguste de Rohan-Chabot). subscribed £10.
Their subscriptions compared dismally with the generosity of the aforementioned committee member present at the meeting, Mr Francis O’Brien Esq. JP (Justice of the Peace), who subscribed £30, and Rev. Dr. Michael Slattery, Archbishop of Cashel & Emly who subscribed £50.
This is the Dr. Robert Charles Knaggs, whom Tipperary Co. Council officials, together with Thurles Municipal District Councillors and our ever “Welcoming”,“Paste & Copy pictures of myself standing beside achievers to Facebook “ local elected politicians, through their ignorance, over the past 12 months, have stupidly decided to erase from our rich Thurles history.
One wonders if the “Double Ditch” got a mention in the first draft of the Renewal Strategy report presented to Thurles Councillors and their silent senior officials, on Monday, January 18th, 2021.
Thurles People can now surely understand fully, the phrase, “Eaten bread is soon forgotten”.
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