Thurles Information

EPA Announces Funding Of €6.5m For New Research.

EPA announces funding of €6.5m for new research to address climate and environmental policy needs.

EPA announces funding of €6.5 million for 24 new research projects in the areas of:

climate change,
the natural environment,
the green & circular economy and
the environment & human health.

The funding will address emerging research needs of policy makers in Ireland and respond to identified knowledge gaps for policy development and implementation.
In terms of building research capacity, the funding will support 148 research staff across 10 Higher Education Institutions and will have a wide reach through 34 collaborating organisations across the public and private sectors in three different countries.
Reflecting the cross-sectoral nature of environmental and climate policy, the EPA is working in partnership with Met Éireann and the Office of Public Works to co-fund a number of the research projects.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced new funding for environmental and climate research in Ireland, with funding of €6.5 million awarded for 24 new research projects. As well as addressing key knowledge gaps, these innovative projects will support the development of vital research capacity and expertise in strategically important areas.

Research plays a critical role in informing robust policy and decision-making as set out in Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy, Impact 2030. The EPA Research Programme has an established focus on policy-relevant research addressing identified knowledge gaps relevant to environmental and climate policy. The outcomes of the EPA Research Call 2025 will contribute to the evidence base for environmental policy in Ireland, strengthen connections between the research and policy communities and deliver positive environmental outcomes.

Projects that will receive EPA funding this year include topics such as:

Assessing impacts of national policies on climate targets
Use of technology in peatland monitoring
Impacts of dams and barriers on rivers and lakes
Streamlining Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) through the use of AI
Greening of laboratory analysis protocols and
Greater understanding of sources and sinks of methane

Announcing the funding awards, Dr Eimear Cotter, (EPA Deputy Director General) said: “We face complex challenges in becoming a resilient, competitive and sustainable society. Research, such as that funded through the EPA Research Call, will play a vital role in supporting robust policy- and decision-making while ensuring the protection of our environment and climate. The projects announced today will support targeted, policy‑relevant research and build connections with policy-makers and practitioners, and ultimately support more effective action. I congratulate the successful teams and look forward to seeing the positive impacts of their work.”

The latest EPA funding is significant in terms of further building environmental research capacity in Ireland. It will support 148 research staff across 10 Higher Education Institutions and will have a wider reach through 34 collaborating organisations across the public and private sectors in three different countries. University of Galway received the highest number of successful research awards in 2025.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr Aengus Parsons, (Vice-President for Research and Innovation (Acting) at University of Galway), said: “Our researchers are to be commended for their vision and dedication to addressing the urgent environmental challenges of our times. We thank the Environmental Protection Agency for this support, which strengthens our commitment to research and innovation around sustainable and resilient environments. I look forward to seeing these projects progress to impacts across climate policy, coastal risk, air quality, emissions reduction, peatland resilience, the bioeconomy, and water quality.”

Reflecting the importance of collaboration in addressing climate and environmental challenges, the EPA is working in partnership with Met Éireann and the Office of Public Works to co-fund a number of projects in areas including flood probability, flow statistics for our rivers and climate modelling.

The list of funded projects made under the EPA Research Call 2025 is available on the EPA website. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Details of the EPA Research Call 2026 will be made available on the EPA website.

Thurles Planning Alert From Tipperary Co. Council.

Application Ref: 2560703.
Applicant: Darragh Fitzpatrick.
Development Address: Cloghmartin, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: the construction of a new dwelling house, effluent treatment system, works to existing entrance together with all associated site works.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 18/07/2025.
Decision Date: 11/02/2026.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560703/0.

Death Of Claire Donnelly, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Wednesday 18th February 2026, of Mrs Claire Donnelly (née Burke), Mount George, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Loughmore, Castleiney, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her father Billy; Mrs Donnelly sadly passed away, while in the care of the staff at the Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughters June and Becky, sons Vincent and William and their partners Daniel, Paul, Wissam and Aoife, grandson Mark, her beloved mother Helen, sisters Alice and Sinéad, brothers Michael, Noel, Liam and Decky, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Donnelly will repose at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Castle Quarter, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, (Eircode E41 VX81) on Thursday afternoon, February 19th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the nearby Church of the Sacred Heart, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, on Friday morning, February 19th, at 11:00am, to further repose for Requiem Mass, followed by interment in St Michael’s Cemetery, Bouladuff, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Donnelly 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. Donations if desired to the Palliative Care Unit at the Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Death Of Michael Kelly, Formerly Of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Wednesday 18th February 2026, of Mr Michael Kelly, Harrow, London and formerly of Ballynonty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents John and Bridget (Bridie), his brothers Jim and Kevin, sister-in-law Sally and nephew Kristian; Mr Kelly passed away peacefully following a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Breage, sons Stephen, Ciaran and daughter Fiona, daughters-in-law Siobhan and Caroline and Fiona’s partner Shane, grandchildren Aislinn, Niamh, Niall, Emily, Alara and Robbie, sisters and brothers. Nancy (O’Connor) Jackey, Eamon, Gerald and Marie (Campion), brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends in both the UK and Ireland.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Kelly will repose in the funeral home of James Funeral Services, 502 Kenton Lane, Harrow, UK, (Postal Code HA3 8RD), on Thursday afternoon, February 26th, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of Our Lady and St Thomas of Canterbury, 22 Roxborough Park, Harrow-On-The-Hill, UK, (Post Code HA1 3BE), on Friday morning, February 27th 2026, at 11:00am to further repose for Requiem Mass.

The extended Kelly 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 anam dílis.

Ireland’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Plan – So What’s Really On The Table.

The Irish government (Cabinet) is due to consider a new digital and AI strategy this week, and the standout proposal is the Government’s intention to legislate to restrict social media access for those under 16 years old.
The political context matters. Ireland is heading into its EU Presidency (July–December 2026) and online safety is being positioned as a priority. The strategy is expected to reflect a familiar line: Ireland would prefer EU-wide rules, but will take national action if Europe moves too slowly.

Enforcement, Not Slogans.
The key question isn’t whether protecting children is important, it’s how the State can make any restriction meaningful.
Last year’s plan for a “digital wallet” age-verification pilot points to the enforcement challenge. An under-16 restriction is only as strong as the age assurance behind it. If access is still controlled by “enter your date of birth”, then the ban becomes more of a headline than a barrier.
But age checks raise a second concern, that of privacy. Any system must avoid becoming an online ID-by-stealth, or creating new data trails for children and families. If the public believes age verification means uploading identity documents for everyday apps, trust will evaporate quickly.

Algorithms are moving to centre stage.
One of the most significant elements of this debate is the focus on “recommender systems”, the algorithms that decide what users see next, i.e. instead of showing you posts in simple time order, the platform uses algorithms to predict what will keep you watching/scrolling/clicking and then automatically serves more of that.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence has urged that “recommender systems” should be off by default, and that platforms should be prevented from switching them on for children’s accounts. This goes beyond moderation and into product design, the mechanics that can drive compulsive use, extreme content pathways, and unhealthy comparison.
If Government wants to reduce harm, recommender controls may prove more effective than an age line on its own.

The wider EU backdrop.
The strategy also comes as European regulators intensify scrutiny of platforms and AI systems. It includes discussion about engaging the European Commission to ensure the EU AI Act’s prohibited practices remain fit for purpose as AI capability grows.
At the same time, Big Tech is lobbying hard. Meta has told Government it should prioritise efforts to scrap the planned EU Digital Fairness Act, which is expected to target addictive design and dark patterns. That alone signals where the next regulatory battles will be fought, not just content, but the way products are built.

Will it work?
Supporters say an under-16 restriction is a clear, protective line that reflects what many parents want. Critics, including CyberSafeKids CEO Mr Alex Cooney, argue a blanket ban could be porous, children will find workarounds and that it risks shifting responsibility onto families, rather than forcing platforms to reform.
Ultimately, Ireland will be judged on outcomes. If this is to be more than a headline, it needs three things, workable age assurance, credible privacy safeguards, and real obligations on platforms, especially around said “recommender systems” and addictive design.

Opinion: the ban headline isn’t enough, tackle harm by design.
An under-16 ban is an easy political sell. But it risks becoming a comforting story we tell ourselves while the underlying machinery remains untouched.
The platform problem isn’t mainly that teenagers exist online. It’s that many products are engineered to maximise attention, and the fastest way to do that is through emotional escalation, endless recommendations, and compulsive loops.

If Ireland wants a serious policy, it must do more than draw a line at 16. Age assurance has to be privacy-preserving, not a backdoor ID requirement. And the real test of ambition will be whether Government is prepared to confront “recommender systems“, the very engines that push users from one piece of content to the next.
A mature approach would target companies, not children, transparent design rules, meaningful enforcement, and algorithmic limits for minors. Otherwise, we’ll get a strong headline, and the same problems, just simply shifted around.