Thurles Information

EU Council Meeting Discusses Return Of Third-Country Nationals.

EU Council Meeting discusses the return of third-country nationals, internal security of the Union, and better supports for Member States responding to emergencies.

Progress made towards agreeing a common European returns system to ensure the swift return of third-country nationals staying unlawfully in the EU.
Focus on strengthening cooperation between Member States to investigate and prosecute serious and organised cross-border crime.
Examination of ways in which the European Union can better coordinate support for Member States responding to natural and human induced emergencies.
Discussion on how to ensure free and open debate while at the same time protecting those involved in politics from threats and violence.

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Mr Jim O’Callaghan, met with his European counterparts in Brussels this week to discuss co-operation on migration, internal security and cross-border justice.

During two days of meetings, Ministers for Home Affairs and Migration considered proposals for a common European return system for migrants, latter who have no legal permission to remain in the EU.

Minister O’Callaghan reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to the initiative, saying: “Ireland is committed to the establishment of a common EU return system that is effective, fair and functional. We will continue to engage with our partners to finalise a robust mechanism to achieve this.”

Ministers also discussed the impact of the conflict in Gaza on EU internal security, with concerns raised about societal divisions and extremism.
“While Ireland is not currently experiencing the same levels of polarisation as some other Member States, we share concerns about the rise of racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia,” Minister O’Callaghan said. “Ireland remains committed to promoting equality, inclusiveness and respect for human rights.”

Discussions extended to how the EU can better prepare for and respond to emergencies, including climate-related events. Minister O’Callaghan highlighted Ireland’s experience of EU support following Storm Éowyn, noting that greater cooperation will be vital in the face of growing global challenges.

At the meeting of Justice Ministers, strengthening Eurojust, the EU agency supporting Member States in tackling serious cross-border crime, was a key topic.

“Irish prosecutors and Gardaí have successfully handled many cross-border cases with Eurojust’s support,” the Minister said. “Ireland welcomes efforts to ensure the agency has the resources it needs to continue this vital work.”

Ministers also discussed protecting open political debate while ensuring the safety of public representatives.
“Those in public life should not be subjected to personal abuse or intimidation,” Minister O’Callaghan said. “Protecting democracy means protecting the people who serve it.”

Other issues on the agenda included law enforcement access to data, protection of fundamental rights, and simplification of the EU’s regulatory framework.

Death Of Ann Grainger, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, today Tuesday 14th October 2025, of Mrs Ann Grainger (née O’Connell), late of Wexford and formerly of Glenageary, Co. Dublin and Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her husband Richard and son Richard Jnr, sister Sheila and brother Michael; Mrs Grainger passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, while in the care of staff at Wygram Nursing Home, Wygram House, Davitt Road, North, Co. Wexford.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughter Maria, son Barry, brother Chris, sister Elsie, grandchildren Keith, Andrea and Reece, great-grandchildren Molly, Mila, Max, Lucy and Alex, son-in-law Larry, daughter-in-law Paula, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Rest In Peace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The remains of Mrs Grainger, will repose at Macken’s Funeral Home, Distillery Road, Wexford, (Eircode Y35 HP29) on Wednesday afternoon, October 15th, from 4:00pm until 6:00pm same evening.
A celebration of life and a service of cremation will be held at Macken’s Funeral Home at 12:00 noon on Thursday, October 16th next.

For those persons who would wish to attend the service of cremation for Mrs Grainger, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Grainger and O’Connell families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Clay Pigeons.

Lyric: American singer-songwriter Blaze Foley.
Vocals: American actor, country singer and songwriter Luke Grimes.

Clay Pigeons.

I’m going down to the Greyhound station,
Gonna get a ticket to ride.
Gonna find that lady with two or three kids,
And sit down by her side.
Ride till the sun comes up and down around me about two or three times,
Smoking cigarettes in the last seat,
Trying to hide my sorrow from the people I meet,
And get along with it all.
Go down where people say y’all,
Sing a song with a friend.
Change the shape that I’m in,
And get back in the game,
And start praying again.

I’d like to stay but I might have to go to start over again.
I might go back down to Texas.
I might go somewhere that I never been,
And get up in the morning and go out at night,
And I won’t have to go home.
Get used to being alone.
Change the words to this song,
And start singing again.

I’m tired of running round,
Looking for answers to questions that I already know.
I could build me a castle of memories,
Just to have somewhere to go.
Count the days and the nights that it takes,
To get back in the saddle again.
Feed the pigeons some clay.
Turn the night into day.
And start talking again when I know what to say.

I’m going down to the Greyhound station,
Gonna get a ticket to ride.
Gonna find that lady with two or three kids,
And sit down by her side,
Ride till the sun comes up and down around me about two or three times.
Smoking cigarettes in the last seat,
Trying to hide my sorrow from the people I meet,
And get along with it all,
Go down where people say y’all.
Feed the pigeons some clay.
Turn the night into day.
Start talking again when I know what to say.

END

Temporary Traffic Management, Turtulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Public Service Announcement – Commuters Take Note.

**Turtulla Junction, N62 Thurles, Co. Tipperary**.

Temporary Traffic Management will be operational on the N62 at Turtulla Junction, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, beginning, Thursday October 16th 2025 until October 17th 2025.

Delays can be expected.

Prohibition Order Served On Cashel Co. Tipperary Retailer.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) report that Ten Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses in September.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) served five Closure Orders and five Prohibition Orders on food businesses during the month of September for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.

Three Prohibition Orders were served under European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
Nearby Cashel (Retailer), 3 Main Street, Cashel, Tipperary. Enforcement report.
XL Convenience Store (Retailer), Main Street, Drumconrath, Navan, Meath.
BK Foods Limited (Wholesaler/ Distributor), Clongorey, Newbridge, Kildare.

Three Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
SuperValu Hollyhill (Retailer), Hollyhill Shopping Centre, Hollyhill, Cork (served 04/09/2025).
Wok In Noodle Bar (Restaurant/ Café), 48-50 Stephen Street Lower, Dublin 2.
SuperValu Hollyhill (Retailer), Hollyhill Shopping Centre, Hollyhill, Cork (served 29/09/2025).

Two Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
New Leaf (Closed activities: the preparation and sale of sushi and sashimi) (Take Away), 18 New Street, Skerries, Dublin.
The MOMO House (ceased trading on 10/10/2025) (Take Away), East Ocean, 61 Port Road, Letterkenny, Donegal.

Two Prohibition Orders were served under the FSAI Act 1998 on:
Food Business trading as Vitalorganico and website vitalorganico.ie operating at the domestic dwelling house (Wholesaler/ Distributor), Castleknock, Co. Dublin.
Duud (Retailer), Pinewood House, Huntstown Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in September include: evidence of pest activity; a live rat observed on a premises and rat droppings visible on floors and shelving throughout areas where food and food packaging were stored; holes and gaps in the cavity wall behind a shelf on a shop floor; no hot water, soap or hygienic drying materials available at wash hand basins in the kitchen or staff toilets; ceilings, walls and floors of food preparation and cooking areas not clean, with significant accumulations of grease, dirt and old food residues; no evidence of controls in place to manage the risks associated with the storage, preparation and sale of food products containing raw fish; chilled and frozen foods stored at potentially unsafe temperatures; no evidence of adequate staff training in necessary food safety controls; food products offered for sale past their sell-by date.

Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said “It’s concerning that we continue to see serious and recurring breaches of food safety law. These types of breaches are preventable where food businesses have a proper robust food safety management system in place and ensure staff are adequately trained. The FSAI has numerous free resources and a learning portal to help support food businesses. Our new Guidance Note on Food Safety Culture, published recently, provides practical advice to help food businesses develop a food safety culture within their business, comply with their legal obligations and prevent these kinds of non-compliance issues from arising.”

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.