Thurles Information

Focus Ireland Founder, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, Passes Away.

Focus Ireland Founder Sister Stanislaus Kennedy (Sr Stan) has sadly passed away aged 86 years

The Religious Sisters of Charity are deeply saddened to announce the death of Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, known to so many across Ireland simply as ‘Sister Stan’, who passed away peacefully this Monday morning at St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown, Dublin.

A lifelong advocate for social justice, equality and compassion, Sister Stan devoted more than six decades to improving the lives of people experiencing homelessness, poverty and exclusion. Her remarkable legacy includes the founding of Focus Ireland, one of Ireland’s leading homelessness organisations, and several other initiatives that continue to have a profound impact on Irish society.

A powerful and fearless voice for change, she dedicated her life to service, compassion and justice, and her tireless work inspired hope in those most in need. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and the congregation. While there will be expressions of deep sadness across the country, it is hoped that her extraordinary legacy will continue to inspire future generations of activists and social innovators.

Born Treasa Kennedy on June 19th, 1939, near Lispole on the Dingle Peninsula, in Co Kerry, Sister Stan was one of five children in a farming family. Deeply influenced by her rural upbringing and her parents’ sense of community and care for others, she entered the Religious Sisters of Charity in 1958, inspired by the life and mission of the order’s founder, Mary Aikenhead. She was professed in January 1960 and went on to dedicate her entire life to helping others.

In the years that followed, Sister Stan became one of Ireland’s most respected and influential advocates for social change. Her vision and determination led to the establishment of ‘Focus Point’, later Focus Ireland, in 1985, an organisation founded to respond to the growing crisis of homelessness. Under her leadership, Focus Ireland grew, from a small advice and support service, to a national organisation providing housing, advocacy and a voice for people without homes.

Her commitment to inclusion extended far beyond homelessness. She played a leading role in supporting new communities in Ireland, co-founding the Sanctuary in Dublin, a spiritual centre for mindfulness and wellbeing and contributing to the development of a range of initiatives addressing loneliness, mental health and social cohesion.

Throughout her life, Sister Stan challenged policymakers and institutions to confront inequality and injustice. She was never afraid to speak truth to power and believed that real change required both compassion and courage. Her advocacy influenced social policy, helped shape public attitudes, and encouraged a deeper national conversation about homelessness and human dignity.

Sister Stan received numerous awards and honours for her work, including honorary doctorates and civic recognitions, but she always regarded these tributes as belonging to the people and communities she served.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Death Of Chris Heaney, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday, Sunday 2nd November 2025, of Mrs Chris Heaney (née O’Connell) Turtulla Cross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her beloved husband Eamon, sisters Nancy, Sheila, Elsie and brother Michael; Mrs Heaney, sadly, passed away while in the care of the Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughters Mary, Catriona and Michelle, sons Denis and Eamon, grandchildren Crystal, Adam, Róisín, Shane, James, Grace, Ellen, Donnacha and Jacob, sons-in-law Merle, Kevin and Tom, daughters-in-law Kate and Debbie, sister-in-law Breda, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours, wonderful carers and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Heaney will repose at Dan Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Upper Kickham Street, Dublin Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 XY47), on tomorrow afternoon Tuesday, November 4th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the nearby Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, on Wednesday morning, November 5th, to further repose for Requiwm Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Lognafulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Heaney 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.

HIQA Reports A Rise In Radiation Overexposure Incidents in 2024.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has reported an almost 11% increase in cases of radiation overexposure from medical imaging and radiotherapy services in 2024. A total of 145 incidents were notified; the highest number since HIQA became the regulator for medical exposure to ionising radiation some six years ago.

Human error accounted for 68% of cases. The number of incidents has more than doubled since 2019, when 68 cases were reported.

Notifications linked to diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, CT scans, MRI and ultrasound, rose by 19% to 129 last year, while incidents in radiotherapy fell from 23 to 16. Sixty-eight per cent of all cases involved CT scans.

HIQA said more hospitals and healthcare providers are reporting incidents, increasing from 47 to 59. The authority noted that most diagnostic imaging incidents occurred at the point of imaging, often due to incorrect protocol selection, and that many could have been prevented through better verification checks.

HIQA warned that common corrective actions such as staff reminders and education sessions are low-level strategies with limited long-term impact. It urged healthcare providers to address underlying factors such as workload, resources and skill mix.

The full report is available on the HIQA website at www.hiqa.ie.

Write-Off’s On Welfare Payments Total More Than €15 Million Over Two Years.

Irish Taxpayers have carried the cost of more than €15 million in incorrect welfare payments over the past two years.

In the year 2024 alone, the Department of Social Protection (DSP) wrote off €7.97 million, up from €7.64 million in 2023. These write-offs occur when overpayments are deemed irrecoverable; for example, where the recipient has died or the cost of pursuing same outweighs likely recovery.

Approximately 75% of the write-off’s relate to individuals who are deceased; smaller amounts (typically under €100) are also cancelled when recovery is judged uneconomical. The DSP operates a structured debt-management policy, issuing annual statements to claimants and reserving the right to reopen a case, if a recipient’s financial circumstances improve.

Of the 2024 total, nearly €3.1 million was attributed to non-contributory state pensions, while some €1.44 million related to the contributory state pension, and around €841,000 to illness benefits. Other six-figure losses include invalidity pensions, jobseeker’s benefit, widows/widowers’ pensions and one-parent-family payments.

Over the same 2023-24 period, welfare overpayments in total amounted to €273 million, with a marked rise from €115.8 million in 2023 to €157.5 million in 2024. These overpayments stem from instances of false or misleading information by claimants, as well as errors by either applicants or the department itself.

The DSP states that overpayments in any year account for less than 0.5 per cent of total welfare expenditure. In 2023 the department recovered more than €87 million, and in 2024 the figure rose to just over €100 million.

Where overpayments occur, the DSP seeks full recovery, while balancing collection efforts with fair treatment of claimants with limited means. Deductions of up to 15 per cent of ongoing welfare payments may be made. If a debtor is in full-time employment and refuses to repay, an “attachment of earnings” order may be considered. The department emphasises it will strive to avoid causing “undue financial hardship” in any repayment plan.

Death Of Margaret Butler, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, today Sunday 2nd November 2025 of Ms Margaret Butler, St Theresa’s Nursing Home, Dublin Road, Thurles and formerly of Coumnagella, Kilcommon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her parents Nora and Patrick, brothers Nicholas, Matthew and P.J., sisters Bridie and Nora; Ms Butler passed away peacefully while in the care of staff of St Theresa’s Nursing Home, Dublin Road, Thurles.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving sister Sr. Mary Raphael L.C.M. (Little Company of Mary Mission), nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms Butler will repose tomorrow afternoon, Monday November 3rd, at McCormack’s Funeral Home, Kilcommon Cross, Thurles, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, before being received into the Church of the Little Flower, Curreeney Commons, Co. Tipperary, arriving at 8:00pm, same evening.
Requiem Mass will be offered for Ms Butler on Tuesday afternoon, November 4th, at 1:00pm, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

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

The extended Butler 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.