Thurles Information

Over €1.1 Million Spent On Taxis For IPAS Residents Since 2024.

More than €1.1 million has been spent on taxi services for residents of International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres since the start of last year, according to new figures supplied from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

The costs, which cover transport to and from IPAS centres and urgent journeys such as medical appointments, totalled €904,222 in 2024 and €228,107 up to the end of May 2025. These figures exclude any direct payments made by accommodation centres.

Justice Minister Mr Jim O’Callaghan said transport forms part of the State’s legal obligation to provide accommodation and basic supports for international protection applicants. He noted that taxis are used when smaller groups require travel, or when transport is needed urgently or outside regular hours.

“The IPAS system involves residents regularly arriving, leaving, or moving between centres. Transport is required as part of these movements and for specific urgent needs,” the Minister stated.

He added that overall taxi costs have “reduced significantly” since last year.

Separately, the Department has spent over €12 million on wider transport for international protection applicants — including buses and taxis — since February 2022, following the activation of the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

Undeclared Sesame, Soya & Celery In Fit Foods Product.

Undeclared sesame, soya and celery in a batch of Fit Foods Beef and Mash with Pepper Sauce.

Alert Summary dated Friday, October 10th 2025.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A35
Allergens: Sesame seeds, soybeans and celery
Product Identification: Fit Foods Beef & Mash with Pepper Sauce; pack size: 400g
Batch Code: 2528101; use by date: 20/10/2025
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message: The above batch of Fit Foods Beef & Mash with Pepper Sauce contains sesame, soya and celery which are not declared in the list of ingredients. This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of sesame, soya and / or celery and therefore, these consumers should not eat the implicated batch.
The affected batch is being recalled.

FSAI Recall Pekish Breaded Chicken Products.

Recall of specific batches of Pekish breaded chicken products due to incorrect cooking instructions on the label.

Alert Summary dated Thursday, October 9th 2025.

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.55
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Code: Please see table below.

Message: The below batches of Pekish breaded chicken products are being recalled due to incorrect cooking instructions on the label, which are insufficient to cook the products to a core temperature of 75°C.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Product name.	Pack size.	Use by dates.
Pekish Chicken Goujons.	400 g.	All use by dates up to and including 14/10/2025.
Pekish Chicken Nuggets.	320 g.	All use by dates up to and including 16/10/2025.
Pekish Breaded Chicken Fillets.	400 g.	All use by dates up to and including 18/10/2025.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers and Retailers:

Retailer: Same are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Wholesalers/Distributors: Same are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batches and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

Death Of Peg Mockler, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 8th October 2025 of Mrs Margaret (Peg) Mockler (née Rooney), Abbott Mews, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, and formerly Rossa Street, Thurles; Paddington, London and Illford, Essex, England.

In her 90th year and pre-deceased by her husband Frank, parents Samuel and Nora, siblings Jean, Mary and Brian; the passing of Mrs Mockler, is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughter Joanne, nieces nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Mockler will be received into the former Cistercian Monastery Abbey, at Holycross, Thurles, County Tipperary on Saturday morning, October 11th, at 11:00am to repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs Mockler, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Mockler family 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

FSAI Publishes Guidance Note On Food Safety Culture.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today published a new Guidance Note on Food Safety Culture, which aims to support food businesses in meeting their legal requirements to establish and maintain an appropriate food safety culture in their business. This new resource will assist food businesses in embedding food safety into their everyday practices and will also provide a framework for inspectors to assess food safety culture during inspections.

To produce safe food, behaviour and awareness must align with safe food practices. Food safety culture encompasses how everyone, including managers and employees, think and act in their job on a consistent basis. It reflects the commitment to food safety at every step and within every role. The Guidance Note contains practical tools such as a self-assessment checklist and questionnaires to help businesses evaluate their own culture and prepare for inspections.

By increasing awareness and adopting safe food behaviours, an appropriate food safety culture can:

Maintain high food safety and hygiene standards and regulatory compliance.
Aid in keeping consumers safe from foodborne illness.
Increase transparency and improve communication among all employees.
Help prevent problems that results from unsafe food.

Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said: “Having the right food safety knowledge and skills is not just a regulatory requirement; it is essential for building and sustaining an appropriate food safety culture within a food business. This reduces food safety incidents, protects public health and also strengthens consumer trust and brand reputation. Our new Guidance Note is designed to support businesses in meeting their legal obligations while embedding best practices that safeguard consumers and support a stronger, safer food system. We encourage all food business operators to make full use of this new resource and commit to promoting a positive food safety culture.”

The FSAI’s Learning Portal also has a training module on food safety culture to assist food businesses that can be used in tandem with the Guidance Note.

Under an amendment to EU Regulation 852/2004, all food businesses with the exception of primary producers are now required to establish, maintain, and provide evidence of an appropriate food safety culture, taking in account the size and nature of the food business.

Guidance Note on Food Safety Culture HERE