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Paddy Murphy, the local Thurles chicken farmer, entered the Arch Bar in Liberty Square, Thurles and taking a seat at the counter, he called for a brandy and white lemonade.
It was the middle of the afternoon and the place was partially deserted except for a rather attractive 35 year old woman, socially distancing, 2 metres away, also seated at the counter.
The woman was first to break the silence by announcing “How about that? I just ordered a brandy and white lemonade too!”
Paddy turns to her and says, “What a coincidence. This is a special day for me, I’m celebrating.”
“This is a special day for me, too, and I’m also celebrating,” says the woman.
“What a coincidence,” said Paddy.
On being both served, they stretch out and clinked glasses and Paddy, now curious, asks, “What are you celebrating?”
“My husband and I” said the woman,” have been trying to have a baby for the last 5 years. Today, my gynaecologist in Kilkenny Hospital, informed me that I’m pregnant!”
“Now that is a real coincidence,” says Paddy. “I’m a chicken farmer. For years all my hens appeared to be infertile, but today they’re finally fertile.”
“That’s great,” says the woman. “How did your chickens become fertile?”
“I switched to a younger cock,” Paddy replied.
“Why if that isn’t yet another coincidence,” said the woman.
The new virus surge caused by the Delta variant is now well under way here within the Irish Republic. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan has stated that the cases of Covid-19 are increasing in 22 out of 26 counties, as the Department of Health confirms 1,377 additional cases.
The Department of Health has further confirmed that there are now 78 people in hospitals with 22 of those in intensive care units (ICU’s).
An Taoiseach Mr Micheal Martin, has firmly stated that the way people behave, as our controls begin to end, will be crucial in determining the path of the pandemic over the coming months. How we behave over the next few weeks will have a material difference.
The 14-day incidence rate in the local electoral areas of Tipperary, (in the 14 days between Jun 29th, 2021 and Jul 12th 2021) reads as follows:- 6 cases in Thurles, 6 in Roscrea – Templemore, 13 in Nenagh, 12 in Newport, 25 in Cashel-Tipperary, 5 in Cahir, 16 in Clonmel and 0 in Carrick-on-Suir.
In Northern Ireland, 1,400 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the past 24 hours, along with, sadly, 2 further coronavirus-related deaths. The Southern Health Trust, in Northern Ireland, which manages healthcare in much of counties Down and Armagh, announced yesterday evening that hospital visitors would be suspended until further notice, with exceptions only made for end of life visiting.
Ireland is entering a new phase of the pandemic involving dramatically rising cases, with a total of 2,777 cases confirmed on the whole island of Ireland.
Meanwhile, so called opposition party TD’s have voted against legislation, which will allow for the introduction of only vaccinated persons being permitted to enter the indoor hospitality sectors, stating it was “discriminatory”.
Discrimination of course occurs only when persons are being treated less favourably, i.e. because of their gender, civil status, family status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins).
To attempt to prevent citizens from contacting a killer disease must surely be seen to actually trivialise the true meaning of the word ‘discrimination’. I now greatly fear that if pubs and restaurants (because of greed), do not behave correctly, it will affect not just the reopening of schools, but also reverse the decision to reopen this same hospitality sector down the line. With Government and so called opposition politicians now on holidays, probably best not for them not to travel far, as they may be needed very shortly to reverse some of the reopening decisions undertaken following pressure from various agencies, all of whom saw health & safety as secondary to material wealth.
Meanwhile, Barcelona and other cities in Spain’s north eastern Catalonia region will impose a night-time curfew, same starting this weekend to fight a surge in virus cases, after the measure has been granted full court approval. This curfew is intended to discourage social gatherings on beaches and in parks, thus curbing a spike in cases of this new highly-contagious Delta variant, especially among unvaccinated young people.
Sydney in Australia also has ordered a shutdown of all building sites; have banned non-essential retail and threatened fines on employers who make staff come into the office, as new Covid-19 cases keep rising three weeks into a citywide lock-down. Do we wish to return to all of that?
If you’re out and about this weekend, please remember to maintain 2 metres (6.5 feet) of a distance from each other; wear face covering, and maintain good hand hygiene to prevent the further spreading of this disease .
It is with the deepest regret that we learned of the death, today Friday 16th July 2021, of Mr Dan Whelan, No.10 Sean Treacy Avenue, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, and formerly of No.1 Shyann Terrace, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Predeceased by his wife Frances, daughter Helen, sisters Kitty, Alice and Lena, brothers Thomas and John; Mr Whelan passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.
His passing is most deeply regretted by his son Danny, daughters Carmel, Philomena, Frances and Majella, sister Margaret, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr Whelan will repose at his residence, for family and close friends, on Sunday evening, July 18th from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Removal on Monday morning to be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles at 10:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am. Same will be followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
For the many persons who would have liked to have attended the funeral service for Mr Whelan, but are unable to do so, due to current coronavirus pandemic restrictions; same can be viewed online HERE.
[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending (limited to 50 mourners) will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering and the refraining from handshaking.]
The extended Whelan family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Note Please: Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice.
The family would like to thank most sincerely his home carers over the past few years, for their exceptional care and kindness.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
The Department of Health has confirmed 1,173 new cases of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland. The number of people in intensive care units has risen to 23, with 79 people being treated for the virus in our overcrowded hospitals.
Persons who are awaiting full vaccination are being strongly urged to take all necessary precautions, particularly during this warm weekend.
Persons who are awaiting full vaccination are being strongly urged to take all necessary precaution, particularly during this fine weekend.
A total of 4,995,719 Covid-19 vaccines have now been administered in the Republic of Ireland. Of the latter; 2,803,491 are first doses and 2,192,228 are people who had received two doses.
National Public Health Emergency Team member Professor Mr Philip Nolan is warning that we are seeing very rapid increases in incidence rates in those aged 16-18, 19-24 and 25-34 age groups.
Time now for parents to speak more sternly to their teenage offspring’s and their young adults, highlighting Delta virus dangers.
In Northern Ireland another 1,380 people have tested positive for coronavirus. That figure compares with 1,083 people, just yesterday.
Figures confirmed on the whole island of Ireland, today, totals 2553, an increase of 476 compared to yesterday.
Time also for unqualified, irresponsible and injudicious opposition government TD’s to ‘dry up’, stop wasting valuable government debate time and follow the wisdom being handed out by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) and this present government; latter who have served the Irish people extraordinarily well over the period of this pandemic, to date.
The Draft National Hazardous Waste Management Plan 2021 to 2027 and associated Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment are now open for public consultation.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published the draft National Hazardous Waste Management Plan 2001-2007 and associated Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment. These documents are open for public consultation until September 17th 2021. The objectives of the draft National Hazardous Waste Management Plan 2021 – 2027 are to:
- Support and drive prevention of hazardous waste.
- Improve the collection infrastructure for hazardous waste.
- Endorse the proximity principle so that hazardous wastes are treated as close to the point of production as possible – including within Ireland.
- Support effective regulation of the movement and disposal of hazardous wastes in line with national policy priorities.
- Promote safe reuse and recycling pathways in support of the circular economy.
Ms Laura Burke, Director General of the EPA said: “The purpose of the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan is to protect the environment and human health, through promoting awareness, driving prevention and advocating for best-practice management of hazardous wastes. National waste statistics published by the EPA have highlighted the steady increase in hazardous waste generated in Ireland with the majority exported for treatment. This draft plan sets a range of recommended and co-ordinated actions across a range of stakeholders to raise awareness, prevent hazardous waste and improve the collection network for hazardous waste. I encourage interested stakeholders to contribute to the public consultation.”
While good progress has been made based on the actions from the previous National Hazardous Waste Management Plan 2014 – 2020, there are still many challenges such as an increasing trend in hazardous waste generated, inadequate collection systems for certain hazardous wastes and the over-reliance on export.
Ms Mary Frances Rochford, Programme Manager, EPA Office of Environmental Sustainability said: “Moving to a less wasteful and circular economy where the focus is waste prevention, reuse and recycling is an important element of the plan. However, materials with hazardous properties are widely used throughout our economy and society; from highly regulated industrial settings through to our households. These hazardous materials can pose significant risks to human health and the environment if they are not properly used and managed. Actions within the plan are wide ranging and include support the move to a less wasteful and circular economy including those that support awareness about the risks associated with using and storing hazardous substances and improved national collection systems for priority hazardous wastes, such as farm hazardous waste and unused and out-of-date medicines.”
The draft National Hazardous Waste Management Plan, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment are available to view and download HERE. Submissions and observations are now invited from the public and interested stakeholders. The consultation period closes at 5:00pm on Friday September 17th 2021. For information on how to make a public consultation please see HERE. Further information: Emily Williamson: EPA Media Relations Office, Tel: 053 9170770 (24 hours) or Email: media@epa.ie.
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