Thurles Information

“You Will Die in Prison”, A Tipperary Story – RTÉ One Tonight -10:35pm.

“You Will Die in Prison”, is a Tipperary man’s true story, which will be featured on RTÉ One Tonight, September 3rd, at 10:35pm.

A Tipperary man, wrongly imprisoned in Iran, states that he continues to suffer following his treatment in an Iranian prison. Mr Bernard Phelan, a Tipperary man who spent some seven months in an Iranian prison, has said the trauma of his ordeal continues to affect both him and his family.

Mr Phelan, originally from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, revealed that he recently suffered a stroke, which doctors have conclusively linked to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The 65-year-old, who holds both Irish and French citizenship, had been travelling to Iran since 2017, first as a tourist and later to develop trekking holidays. In October 2023, he was arrested, accused of providing information to an enemy state, before being held in prison until May of 2023. He was forced to go on hunger strike, before finally being pardoned and released on humanitarian grounds.

Speaking about his time in captivity, Mr Phelan said he was haunted by fears that his father would die before his release. Their reunion following his eventual return was he stated, “deeply moving”.
He later got a chance to meet President Michael D Higgins, latter who failed to criticise Iran for its constant call for the total destruction of the state of Israel and for its funding and the arming of terrorist organisations, namely Hamas and Hezbollah, not to mention its violations of human rights against its very own citizens.
In mid-2024, Irish President Mr Higgins had written to Iran’s new president Mr Masoud Pezeshkian to congratulate him on his new appointment. The letter was not officially published by the President’s office, but was circulated online and received some criticism, including from members within Fine Gael, who rightly accused President Higgins of being “tone deaf” to civil rights issues within Iran.
Former Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Charlie Flanagan had rightly informed the Press that he felt Mr Higgins’ views on Iran were “somewhat misplaced”.
The Irish President then falsely accused the Israeli embassy in Ireland of circulating the letter, when in fact it was proven to have been circulated by the Iranian embassy as a “Look Ireland Supports Iran” PR stunt.

Mr Phelan now called for stronger EU action in securing the release of European citizens wrongly imprisoned abroad. Mr Phelan believes, and with justification, that European citizens are not being helped by EU authorities.

His story will be told in a new RTÉ documentary entitled, “You Will Die in Prison”, being airing tonight on RTÉ One at 10.35pm.

Death Of Eileen Fleming, Formerly, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, on Thursday 15th May 2025, of Mrs Eileen Fleming (née Ryan), Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, England; formerly of Fontenoy Terrace, Stradavoher, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and Loughmore, Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her husband Tom, parents Mathew and Nan (Ryan) the passing of Mrs Fleming is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughter Margaret, son Thomas, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, son-in-law Kenny, daughter-in-law Debbie, sister Ann O’Dwyer (Hill View, Killahara, Thurles), nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Fleming will repose for Requiem Mass on Sunday morning, September 7th, in the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, Loughmore, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, at 11:00am, followed by interment of ashes in the adjoining graveyard.

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

The extended Flemming and Ryan 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Death Of Sean McLoughlin, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Monday 1st September 2025, of Mr Sean McLoughlin, Willowmere Drive, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, formerly of Rahelty, Thurles, Dwans Mineral Waters, Cantrell & Cochrane Limited (C & C), and proud former player with Thurles Sarsfields and Tipperary GAA.

In his 90th year and pre-deceased by his loving wife Eileen (née Moloney), parents Bill and Annie, adored sisters Madeline (New Zealand) and Agatha (Westport), brother Seamus (Dublin), sisters-in-law Kathleen and Maura, brothers-in-law Michael and Gar; Mr McLoughlin passed away peacefully following a brief illness, while the care of his family and staff at University Hospital, Limerick City, Co. Limerick.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving daughters Lucy and Carmel, sons Liam, Brian and Jim, their partners, sisters Anne O’Donovan (Tullamore) and Carolyn O’Flangan (Blackrock, Dublin), wonderful grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law Seamus Moloney, Billy O’Donovan and Peter Flanagan, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours, carers Joanne, Margaret and Zaville, friends and his much loved and admiring GAA community.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr McLoughlin will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode ) on Thursday afternoon, September 4th from 5:00pm until 8:00pm same evening.
His funeral cortège will walk from his place of residence (Willowmere Drive, Thurles), on Friday morning, September 5th, to be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles at 10:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended McLoughlin 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: House strictly private.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Death Of Kitty Hickey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Sunday 31st August 2025, of Mrs Kathleen (Kitty) Hickey (née Dorney), No. 3 Boherlug, Killenaule, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mrs Hickey passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family and members of staff at Tír na nÓg, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughters Maureen, Susan, Diane, Alice, son Sean, beloved partner Davy, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Hickey will repose at O’Connell’s Funeral Home, Killenaule, Thurles (Eircode E41 HH66) on Tuesday afternoon, September 2nd, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm.
Her remains will be received into the Church of St. Mary, Bailey Street, Killenaule, Thurles, on Wednesday morning, September 3rd, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Crosscannon Cemetery, Killenaule, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Hickey 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.

New Storm Names Revealed For 2025–26 Weather Season.

Twenty one New ‘Storm Names’ have been revealed for the 2025–26 weather season.

The new list, chosen entirely from public submissions, also honours cultural figures, loved ones – and even heavy snorers.

Same will be used in the following order:-Amy, Bram, Chandra, Dave, Eddie, Fionnuala, Gerard, Hannah, Isla, Janna, Kasia, Lilith, Marty, Nico, Oscar, Patrick, Ruby, Stevie, Tadhg, Violet and finally, Wubbo.

The second storm of the season will carry a Gothic twist; “Bram,” selected in honour of Dublin-born ‘Dracula’ author Bram Stoker.

More than 50,000 suggestions were sent to Met Éireann, the English Met Office and the Dutch weather service KNMI, for the upcoming season, which begins from today Monday September 1st until August 31st 2026. Each of the three respective meteorological services has contributed seven names to this season’s list and this is the first time all three organisations have relied solely on names submitted by the public. In all more than 10,000 names were received from 4,137 members of the public.

The naming of upcoming storms has proven benefits by raising awareness and helping to save lives since the scheme began in 2015. Naming storms isn’t just about giving them a label; it is about making sure people take notice. When a storm has a name, it becomes easier for the media and public to talk about it; share information; stay safe and in many cases prepare.

This year, which marks 10 years since the storm naming programme began, some of the chosen names carry personal or light-hearted connections.

‘Amy‘ was the most popular submission, with many associating it with loved ones.
‘Dave‘ was suggested as a tribute to “my beloved husband who can snore three times louder than any storm.”
‘Stevie‘ was inspired by singer Stevie Nicks, who famously sang “Oh, thunder only happens when it’s raining” in Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams.

Before compiling the final list, officials considered pronunciation, cultural meaning and whether a name might be somehow controversial.

Last season, 2024–25, saw six named storms; same fewer than the record of 12 experienced the year before.

Note: In line with international convention, the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z are not used in the list.
Storms named by other countries keep their names if they reach British, Irish or Dutch shores.