Thurles Information

Death Of Joan O’Connell, Late Of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Friday 18th July 2025, of Mrs Joan O’Connell (née Fitzgerald), Woodlands, Greystones, Co. Wicklow; (former Proprietor of Annabeg Nursing Home, Ballybrack, Co. Dublin) and late of Glengoole, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

In her 94th year, and pre-deceased by her husband William; Mrs O’Connell passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, while in the care of staff at Annabeg Nursing Home, Dublin.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving sons William, Padraig, Barry and Brendan, daughter Miriam, sister Marian, daughters-in-law Bríd and Martina, son-in-law Barry Maye, her adored grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and large circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs O’Connell will be received into the Church of St Kilian, Chapel Rd, Kindlestown Lower, Blacklion, Greystones, Co. Wicklow (Eircode A63 AW93) on Monday evening, July 21st, at 6:00pm, to repose for evening prayer.
Her funeral cortège will arrive, to be received into the Church of St Patrick and St Oliver, Glengoole, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, (Eircode E41 TOH6), on Tuesday morning, July 22nd, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended O’Connell and Fitzgerald 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: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, in memory of Mrs O’Connell, to St. Vincent de Paul, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, c/o St. Kilian’s family centre, Greystones, Co. Wicklow.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

J Block At Garda Headquarters Restored & Re-Opened.

J Block at Garda Headquarters, in Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, (Eircode D08 HN3X), has now been fully restored and re-opened. This project involved the full refurbishment of some 1,770 sq.m, of the two-storey, historic and protected structure; same to be now used as offices to accommodate a highly specialist unit within An Garda Síochána.

The Phoenix Park was chosen as the location for the constabulary originally in 1836, and the current buildings, which include the J Block, have been in use since 1923

The origins of the J Block building, itself, dates back to 1842, when it was a barracks and training building for recruits up until 1964, when the Garda Training College at Templemore, Co. Tipperary then took over.
As already stated, the J Block building was first used as a barracks and training building, later evolving to house administrative personnel and in more recent times, to serve as a base of operations for An Garda Síochána’s Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) department.
Now, following this significant refurbishment project, J Block has been modernised and will become home to the Roads Policing Bureau, the Community Engagement Bureau and Youth Diversion Bureau. The office of the Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Roads Policing and Community Engagement will also be based there.

This project involved some complex refurbishment works in a live, operational policing environment, requiring careful phasing and constant coordination to ensure the safety of Garda staff, subcontractors, and the buildings occupants.

Key elements of the refurbishment included:

Replacement and restoration of approximately 80 historic sash windows.
Repair and restoration of original external masonry.
Complete replacement of the roof finish and flashings and the strengthening of the roof structure.
Repair of eight original chimneys, including lead and copper flashings.
Sensitive internal reorganisation to provide modern office spaces while respecting historic features.
Removal of poor-quality rear extensions and prefabricated units, significantly improving both the building’s external presentation and staff amenity area.
The additional of sustainable heating systems including an electrically powered heat pump.
The upgrade of the building fabric where possible including increased insulation where possible.

All interventions were carried out with the utmost care for the character and physical fabric of this protected structure. The design and execution have ensured that the building remains in beneficial use for the long term, while also safeguarding its heritage value.
The overall cost of the refurbishment to the taxpayer has not been published as yet.

HSE Report XFG Variant Covid-19 Cases Skyrocketing.

Covid-19 cases have been sharply increasing nationwide this week, with some 477 new infections identified within the last seven (7) days .

This worrying figure marks a stark rise from the previous 302 cases identified the previous week. Professional medical staff attribute the rising number of cases is possibly due in part to a new variant, known as Stratus or XFG.

Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) indicate that the proportion of Covid cases currently associated with this new XFG variant has begun to skyrocket, with figures soaring from 16.3% to 40.9% over the past 14 days.
While the symptoms are understood to be milder than what has been previously experienced, the World Health Organisation is reportedly categorising this new strain as a “variant under monitoring” and advise that same may spread more rapidly.

Once again, the HSE advice that if you exhibit any symptoms of Covid, you should stay at home for 48 hours after the symptoms have completely subsided. The HSE also advise individuals to avoid contact with other persons, particularly those who are more vulnerable to Covid. i.e. elderly or immuno-compromised persons.

The HSE are also reminding the public of the extensive list of Covid symptoms to be aware of. These include: Fever (high temperature). Chills – Dry cough – Fatigue (tiredness) – Shortness of breath (or breathing difficulties)– Loss of smell or taste – Nasal congestion – Conjunctivitis (red eye or pink eyes) – Sore throat – Headache – Muscle or joint pain – Skin rash – Vomiting/Diarrhoea – Chills or dizziness – Loss of appetite – Confusion and finally Pain or Pressure on the chest.

Recall Of Ballymaguire Foods Turkey & Ham Dinners.

Recall of various branded Turkey and Ham Dinners, produced by Ballymaguire Foods, due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Alert Summary dated Friday, July 18th 2025.

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.33
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Code: All pack sizes, all batch codes and all use by dates.
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message: The below Turkey & Ham Dinners are being recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Product name.	Approval Number.
Centra Turkey & Ham Dinner.	4008
Supervalu Turkey & Ham Dinner.	4008.
Good Food Turkey & Ham Dinner 4008.	4008.

Nature Of Danger: Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers and Retailers:

Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated Turkey & Ham Dinners from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Wholesalers/Distributors: Same are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated Turkey and Ham Dinners and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers.
Caterers: should not use the implicated Turkey & Ham Dinners.

Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated Turkey and Ham Dinners.

Death Of Samanta Kimene, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, on Sunday 13th July 2025 of Ms Samanta (Sammy) Kimene, Slí na Siuire, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly Latvia.

Aged 25 years, Ms Kimene sadly passed away expectedly following a short illness while in Tenerife, Spain.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving mother Inese, brother Kevin, uncles Arturs, Andrins and Dzintars, aunts Mija and Ieva, cousins Elvis, Sophia, Joshua and Emily, work colleagues, extended relatives, neighbours, great friends both in Ireland and Spain, former pupils and staff at Presentation Convent, Secondary School, Thurles.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms Kimene will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59), on Monday afternoon, July 21st, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm.
Her remains will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, (Eircode E41 E084), on Tuesday morning, July 22nd, 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 Ms Kimene, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Kimene 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.