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It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 10th December 2025, of Mr Richard (Ritchie) Purcell, Kilbraugh, Coalbrook, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pre-deceased by his parents Peter and Maggie, brothers Eddie and Paddy, sisters Lizzy, Peggy, Alice and Eileen; Mr Purcell passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, while in the care of staff at University Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving sons Richard, Patrick and Lee, daughter Michelle, grandchildren, sisters Bridget, Mary, Joan, Ann and Bernie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr Purcell will repose at Doyle’s Funeral Home, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny,(Eircode E41 XO38), onFriday afternoon, December 12th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of the Assumption, Ballingarry (South Riding), Thurles, Co. Tipperary on Saturday morning, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 10:30am, followed by a service of cremation at the Island Crematorium, Rocky Island, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork at 2:00pm, (Eircode P43 DD71).
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Purcell, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, at a link as yet to be confirmed.
The extended Purcell 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. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to the Irish United Nations Veterans Association Post 4 Tipperary.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Alleged School Bus Tender Collusion Case Hears Claims of ‘Loaded Dice’ in Tipperary and Surrounding Counties.
The Central Criminal Court has heard allegations that five school bus operators attempted to “load the dice” in their favour by distorting competition in the tender process for school transport services across five counties.
Five Tipperary men are being prosecuted by the Competition Authority in connection with the provision of school transport services. All five deny the charges.
The accused are:
Mr Andrew Walsh aged 62, Derrymore, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
Mr Raymond Heney aged 54, Camas, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.
Mr Noel Browne aged 77, Bansha, Co. Tipperary.
Mr Larry Hickey aged 73, Ardmayle, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.
Mr Anthony Flynn aged 51, Golden Road, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.
Each man faces a single charge under the Competition Act 2002. It is alleged that, between 1st November 2014 and 31st December 2016, they engaged in a concerted practice which had as its object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition in trade in the provision of school transport services.
The trial has heard that all of the accused were involved in bidding for tenders to provide school bus routes during the period in question. It is alleged that, rather than competing independently, the men colluded in how they would bid.
The jury was told that one of the accused arranged meetings with other bus operators, ostensibly to assist with administrative processes. At these meetings, it is alleged that operators discussed the allocation and pricing of school bus routes and agreed to bid for tenders in a coordinated manner.
Counsel for the prosecution, Dominic McGinn SC, said that parties in a tender process cannot lawfully discuss who is bidding for what, or at what price. He told the jury that there was a “degree of coordination” between the parties so that tender prices would end up higher than they would be in a genuinely competitive process.
Mr McGinn explained that competition law exists to protect consumers and taxpayers by ensuring value for money and preventing manipulation of markets.
He told the jury that:
“Agreements or understandings not to charge below a certain amount, amounted to price fixing and provided no benefit to consumers.
Market sharing”, where competitors agree among themselves to allocate specific areas or routes so that there is effectively only one provider, is also prohibited.
Any manipulation of that or distortion of that is unfair to us,” he said, noting that, as this case concerns public contracts, the people ultimately affected are taxpayers.
Mr McGinn said the alleged conduct did not require a formal written agreement, but involved collusion, an exchange of information and coordination that led to “the disappearance of competition” in the relevant tenders.
He told the jury that the case was not about the importance of school transport for children in Tipperary, nor about the fact that the accused men are approaching retirement and are alleged to have committed the offences late in their careers. Rather, he said, the case concerns whether the five men, and possibly others, attempted to “load the dice” to distort competition in the school transport market.
All five accused have pleaded not guilty.
The trial continues today, Thursday, before Mr Justice David Keane and a jury of seven men and four women.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Tuesday 9th December 2025, of Mr Donal Byrne, No 8 Hawthorn Walk, Parc na Gowan, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny, formerly of Tullamaine, Callan, Co. Kilkenny and The Islands, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pre-deceased by his parents Liam and Mary, his sister Marie, his brothers Liam Jnr., Andrew and Joseph (Joe), his nephew Paddy; Mr Byrne passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny, surrounded by his loving family.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving daughter Anne-Marie, his grandchildren Calum and Eamon, his brothers Eddie, Michael and Oliver, his sisters Frances (Wheeler), Lily (Lyng), Bernadette (Murphy) and Ena (Collins), aunts Ena (Dunne) and sister Martina (Fox), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr Byrne will repose at Molloy’s Funeral Home, Callan, Co. Kilkenny (Eircode R95 Y443) on Thursday afternoon, December 11th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, concluding with Rosary and Vigil Prayers.
Funeral Prayers will be recited on Friday morning, December 12th, at 10:15am, prior to being received into the Church of the Assumption, Callan, Co. Kilkenny to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in Kilbride Cemetery, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Ryan, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended 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.
Note Please: House strictly private. Family Flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to the Irish Cancer Society.
“The Byrne family would like to thank all the staff at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City for the compassion and exceptional care shown to Mr Byrne over the last number of weeks.“
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Application Ref: 2561248.
Applicant: Joseph Hawe
Development Address: The Heath , Thurles , Co. Tipperary
Development Description: an as constructed domestic garage and all associated site works
Status: N/a
Application Received: 03/12/2025
Decision Date: N/A
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2561248/0
Application Ref: 2560884.
Applicant: Nicole O’Brien & Liam Moore
Development Address: Beakstown , Thurles , Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: a storey & a half dwelling with entrance, garage, septic tank and percolation area with all associated siteworks and ancillary works
Status: Conditional
Application Received: 08/09/2025
Decision Date: 04/12/2025
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560884/0
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) served fourteen Closure Orders on food businesses during the month of November; two of which relate to premises in Tipperary, due to breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.
Eight Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
The Bridge House (Closed area: Storage Room and Back Bar area) (Public House), Corner of Persses-Lot & Main St (N74), Golden, Co. Tipperary.
Bodega Cafe @ Inspire (Service Sector), Unit 12M, Ard Gaoithe Business Park, Cashel Road, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
McHales Catering Base and Stretford End Bar (Closed areas: Main kitchen and all storage areas behind the kitchen including food storage and food preparation areas) (Restaurant/Café), Drumkeen Causeway, Co. Kerry.
Big Johns (Take Away), Main Street, Upper Mohill, Co. Leitrim.
Umami (Retailer), 76 Main Street, Swords, Co. Dublin.
United Foods (Wholesaler/ Distributor), 76 Main Street, Swords, Co. Dublin.
The Mekong (Take Away), 307 Swords Road, Santry, Dublin 9.
The Glendalough Hotel, Glendalough, Wicklow.
Six Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
Trading as Enzos (Take Away), 87 Parnell Street, Dublin 1.
Coffee Shack (Take Away) (Closed area: The room in the building being used as a food store, at the rear of the Coffee Shack), Station Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo .
Akanchawa Honey Pot (Restaurant/ Café), Unit 39, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.
A.M.K Sushi (Take Away), Domestic Kitchen at Moynalty Road, Kells, Co. Meath.
Benny’s Kitchen (Service Sector/ Residential), Domestic Kitchen at Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15.
Cruncheesz (Take Away), Cavan Road, Oldcastle, Co. Meath.
Details of all Enforcement Reports can be found HERE.
Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in November include: rodent infestation in the main food preparation area with rodent droppings throughout the main kitchen area and an old rodent carcass in a bar area; both dead and live cockroaches visible in the staff kitchen; food business not registered with the HSE; kebab slab removed from the rotisserie grill at close of business each night and held at ambient temperatures until the food business reopened the following day; cigarette butts noted in the food preparation area in old food containers; the ponding of a grey sludge-like material from the discharge pipe leading from the potato preparation area which may serve as an attractant for pests; unidentifiable food stored in plastic shopping bags in a chest freezer; floors, walls and ceilings covered in dirt, grime and cobwebs; no labelling on any of the cooked food in the fridge/freezer; staff not demonstrating adequate knowledge of the basic principles of food safety.
Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that November’s Enforcement Orders serve as a reminder that all food businesses must maintain the highest standards of food safety and hygiene at all times and especially during the busy Christmas and new year periods.
“Consumers have a right to safe food, and there is a personal responsibility on owners, managers, and all employees to comply with food safety legal requirements at all times. During the busy festive period, it is especially important that food businesses have proper procedures in place to manage increased demands and pressures. All food businesses must comply with their legal requirement to notify the competent authorities prior to operating to ensure there are adequate food safety processes, procedures and facilities in place.”
“Takeaway businesses account for almost a quarter of all businesses served with Enforcement Orders so far in 2025. To support this sector, the FSAI has launched a dedicated section on its website for starting and running a takeaway business. The resource includes guidance tailored specifically to takeaway operations, highlights the most frequent compliance issues in Ireland, and provides practical advice on how to prevent and control them,” added Mr Dempsey.
Separately, during the month of October one prosecution was taken by the Health Service Executive in relation to:
The Green Ways Café, Main Street, Nobber, Meath.
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.
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