Thurles Information

Gardaí Hunt Suspect Following Armed Raid At Fethard Post Office, Tipperary.

Gardaí are investigating an armed robbery at Fethard Post Office on Main Street in Co Tipperary after a man entered the premises and allegedly threatened staff while brandishing, what is believed to have been a firearm.

The incident happened on yesterday (Wednesday afternoon), prompting a local Garda response and an appeal for public assistance. The man fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed sum of cash. No injuries were reported, although it has not yet been confirmed how many people were inside the post office when the robbery took place.

The raid has caused concern in the local community, particularly given that it occurred during daytime business hours in the centre of Fethard. Gardaí are now working to establish the full circumstances of the incident, including the route taken by the suspect after leaving the post office.

According to local reports, the suspect was described as a lone male wearing a dark-coloured, long-sleeved hoodie with a grey front. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the Main Street area, or elsewhere in Fethard, around the time of the robbery to come forward.

Investigators are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have noticed suspicious behaviour between 2:00pm and 3:00pm, or who may have dashcam, mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell camera footage from the area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clonmel Garda Station Tel: (052) 617 7640 or the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda Station.

A Song For A Sunday.

Heroes and Friends.

Lyrics and Vocals:
American country and gospel music singer, film/television actor and songwriter Randy Travis, (Randy Bruce Traywick) in association with the late songwriter Don Alan Schlitz (1952 – 2026).

Hereunder video “Heroes and Friends,” is the voice of Randy Travis with a heartfelt country song about the people we look up to and the friends who stand by us.
With Randy’s warm, unmistakable voice, the song reminds us that heroes can inspire us, but true friends help carry us through life.
From his North Carolina roots to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Randy helped bring traditional country music back to the spotlight with a voice full of warmth, faith, and truth.

Heroes and Friends.

I ain’t live forever but I’ve lived enough,
And I’ve learned to be gentle and I’ve learned to be tough.
I’ve found only two things that last till the end,
One is your heroes and the others your friends.
Your heroes will help you find good in yourself,
Your friends won’t forsake you for somebody else,
They’ll both stand beside you through thick and through thin,
And that’s how it goes with heroes and friends.
I grew up with cowboys I watched on TV,
My friends and I sometimes pretended to be,
Years have gone by but now and again,
My heart rides the range with my heroes and friends.
Your heroes will help you find good in yourself,
Your friends won’t forsake you for somebody else,
They’ll both stand beside you through thick and through thin,
And that’s how it goes with heroes and friends.
And that’s how it goes with heroes and friends.

END.

Death Of Eileen Egan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, on Tuesday 26th May 2026, of Mrs Eileen Egan (née Kennedy), Clontarf, Co. Dublin; Donnycarney, Co. Dublin and formerly of Ballingarry, (South Riding), Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her beloved husband John and her brother Phillip; Mrs Egan passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, while in the care of staff at Ashford Nursing Home.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughters Anna Maria and Movita, sons-in-law Paul and Dermot, grandchildren Darragh, Ronan and Louis, brothers Martin and Gus, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Egan will repose at Staffords Funeral Home, Strand Road, Burrow, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin, on Friday afternoon, May 29th, from 2:00pm until 4:00pm.
Her remains will be received into the Church of St. Anthony, Clontarf West, Co. Dublin, (Eircode DO3TY23), on Saturday morning next, May 30th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 10:00am, followed, immediately afterwards, by a Service of Cremation in Glasnevin Crematorium, Finglas Road, Glasnevin, Dublin, (Eircode D11 XA32) at 11:30am.

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

The extended Egan 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.

Note Please: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to St Francis Hospice, Raheny, Co. Dublin, in Memory of Mrs Eileen Egan (née Kennedy).

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Thurles Planning Alert From Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2660479.
Applicant: Mary Mockler.
Development Address: Grange Brittas, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: development which will consist of the replacement of the current septic tank and soak pit with a new septic tank to meet current regulations and percolation area including all associate site works.
Status: N/A.
Application Received: 21/05/2026.
Decision Date: N/A.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2660479/0.

Application Ref: 2660295
Applicant: Mark Cummins.
Development Address: Rathcriddogue, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: construction, renovations & extensions to existing house including the provision of a new waste water treatment system with all associated site works.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 02/04/2026.
Decision Date: 20/05/2026.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2660295/0.

Application Ref: 2560813.
Applicant: Mary Immaculate College.
Development Address: St Patrick’s College, Cathedral Street, Thurles. Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: (1) a new sports pavilion building with rooftop viewing terrace, (2) new all weather pitch with associated fencing and floodlighting, (3) realignment of existing perimeter path and (4) paths and access road, bicycle shelter together with all associated services and site development works. The works are in the curtilage of a Protected Structure.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 20/08/2025.
Decision Date: 21/05/2026.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560813/0.

When Humanitarian Causes Become Political Theatre.

The recent controversy around the Global Sumud Flotilla (Sumud – Arabic for ‘steadfastness’ or ‘resilience’), deserves more closer scrutiny than it has received. It is entirely possible to care deeply about civilians in Gaza, to support genuine humanitarian relief, and still ask serious questions about the people, tactics, and political movements operating under that so called humanitarian banner.

Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of the Irish President Mrs Catherine Connolly, was among the Irish citizens involved in the flotilla mission. That fact alone does not mean she endorsed every participant, knew every individual’s background, or supported violence of any kind. It would be unfair and irresponsible to make that leap without evidence.

However, it is fair to ask why a mission, presented primarily as humanitarian, appears to have attracted such politically charged company.
Spanish reporting has identified José Javier Osés, a man previously convicted in France for membership of terrorist group ETA,(Euskadi Ta Askatasuna) being present among those detained following the disorder at Bilbao airport.

Other reports have also referred to former ETA-linked figures being associated with the wider flotilla movement. That should concern anyone who believes public causes must be judged not only by their stated intentions, but also by their associations and methods.

Ireland has already committed real substantial aid to Palestinians, including Gaza – €144 million since January 2023.

Date / Period.	Irish support announced.	Notes.
Since January 2023 to end-2026.	€144 million.	Official Irish Government figure for support to people in Palestine.
2026 allocation.	€42 million.	Announced for Palestine, including humanitarian and development support.
February 2025.	€20 million.	Ireland provided this to UNRWA for humanitarian work in Gaza, the West Bank, and Palestinian refugees across the region.
October 2025.	Additional €6 million.	Announced for people in Gaza as UN and aid agencies prepared to increase supplies after the ceasefire.
October 2023.	Additional €13 million.	Humanitarian assistance for Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, shortly after the war escalated.

The scenes at Bilbao airport only deepen those concerns. Supporters of the flotilla will argue that activists were mistreated and that police conduct should be investigated. Others will point to the confrontational nature of the welcome, the charged atmosphere, and the apparent appetite for spectacle. Both issues can be true at once: police conduct can be questioned, and so can the behaviour and judgement of activists who place themselves at the centre of highly staged political confrontations.

This is the core issue. Humanitarian language carries moral weight. It should not be used as a shield against scrutiny. When activists join missions that mix aid, propaganda, confrontation, celebrity politics, and radical associations, the public is entitled to ask whether the objective is relief for civilians or political self-recognition.

Ireland should as a nation be capable of supporting genuine humanitarian assistance for Gaza if needed, while also being honest about the political baggage attached to some of those claiming to act in its name. Compassion should not require naivety. Nor should criticism of Israel mean ignoring the questionable alliances and tactics of activist movements.

The question is not whether civilians in Gaza deserve help. The question is whether this flotilla was the best and most responsible way to provide it and whether those who joined it exercised sound judgement about the company they kept.