Thurles Information

Death Of Dan O’Connell, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death today, Friday 4rd November 2022, of Mr Dan O’Connell, Main Steet, Ballingarry (South Riding), Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Williamstown, The Commons, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Michael and Mary, his brother Din and sisters Alice and Ellen; Mr O’Connell passed away peacefully at St. Lukes Hospital, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted by his loving wife Mary; his immediate and extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr O’Connell will repose at Ronan’s Funeral Home, Ballingarry Upper, Thurles on Sunday evening, November 6th, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
His body will be received into the Church of the Assumption, Ballingarry, Thurles on Monday morning, November 7th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended O’Connell family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Death Of John O’Grady, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Thursday 3rd November 2022, of Mr John O’Grady
Cloughmartin, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Margaret and Jim, and his sister Nora; Mr O’Grady passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Padre Pio Nursing Home, Holycross, Thurles.

His passing is most deeply regretted by his brother Seamus, sister Josie, nieces Marguerite, Anne-Marie and Fiona, nephew Anthony, brother-in-law Tony, sister-in-law Anne, cousins, extended relatives, Padre Pio nursinghome community, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr O’Grady will be received into the former Cistercian Abbey Church at Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary on Saturday morning, November 5th at 11:00am, to repose for Requiem Mass at 11.30am.
Interment will take place immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.

For those unable to attend Requiem Mass for Mr O’Grady, same can be viewed, streamed online HERE.

The extended O’Grady family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those 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 North Tipperary Hospice.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Consultation On Scheme To Disregard Historic Convictions Of Gay & Bisexual Men Opened.

Public consultation an opportunity for affected people and groups to inform the development of the disregard scheme.
Survey will run online for several weeks, closing on Friday 9 December.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has today launched a public consultation that will inform the development of a scheme to disregard historic convictions relating to consensual sexual activity between men.

Affected persons and representative organisations are being asked to provide input on a number of key issues, based on their lived experience. Their responses will inform the final recommendations of a working group who are examining the development of a scheme of disregard convictions for consensual sexual activity between men prior to decriminalisation in 1993.

Minister McEntee said: “We want to ensure that any potential scheme is as effective and accessible as possible, so that we can exonerate those impacted by these outdated laws and address some of the lingering harms of the past.

I would encourage any of the affected men, their families, loved ones and the wider LGBTQ+ community to engage with this consultation so that we can be mindful of their unique perspectives, as we move forward.”

The consultation survey will consist of seven questions, based on key issues identified by the Working Group that would benefit from stakeholder input. The survey will ask how a potential scheme could be made more accessible, how to encourage participation in the scheme and how to minimise potential for re-traumatising applicants, amongst other issues.

The deadline for completion of the survey is 5pm on Friday 9 December 2022.

Following the close of the consultation, the Working Group will prepare a summary report which will give an overview of the submissions received, identifying key themes that will inform the final recommendations of the Working Group.

Minister McEntee added: “The damage that was caused by these laws continues to impact negatively on too many people’s lives.

While we cannot undo the hurt inflicted on people who were discriminated against for simply being themselves, we can contribute to the healing process.

Both the Programme for Government and my Justice Plans commit to putting in place a scheme to disregard the convictions of people convicted of consensual same-sex activity prior to decriminalisation.

This consultation is another important step on that journey towards meeting those commitments, and to addressing the individual harm that was done to generations of gay and bisexual men, while also showing that we are willing to re-visit and confront uncomfortable aspects of our past.”

Pouldine Area Of Tipperary Without Broadband Services Following Collision.

Thurles Gardaí have arrested a male on suspicion of drink driving after his motor vehicle lost control and crashed into an ESB pole and a fibre broadband junction box in the area of Pouldine cross located between Thurles town and the village of Horse & Jockey. The area is expected to be without a broadband service for possibly up to 7 days.

Meanwhile, Tipperary Roads Policing Unit have also removed two other cars from our roads yesterday.
The first vehicle was intercepted in Thurles, with the driver found to have no insurance and no Road Tax.

The second vehicle was seized in the Templemore area, with the driver found to be without Insurance; NCT; Road Tax; being a Learner Driver unaccompanied, and exhibiting no L-Plates.

All drivers now face court proceedings.

Former Tipperary Native Jailed For 4 years Following Threats To Kill.

A former Tipperary native and homeless man, who tried to choke his girlfriend after she refused to eat a meal, which he had cooked for her, has been jailed for four years, with the final 12 months suspended to encourage his rehabilitation.

The former homeless man, named as Mr Stephen Coveney-Ryan, attacked Ms Roisin MacNeilis, after she had invited him into her home, following the pair having met on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, 2021, at Dublin’s BusÁras bus station, just weeks earlier. Following their first meeting, the couple had communicated, keeping in contact by text messaging.

Mr Coveney-Ryan threatened to kill Ms MacNeilis and other family members, on July 10th 2021, and to inter them in a shallow grave, following his explosive fit of rage at her home.

Mr Coveney-Ryan, aged 26 years, appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court in Co Donegal, where he admitted threatening to kill Ms MacNeilis, while also assaulting her and threatening her with a fishing knife.

Ms MacNeilis had invited him to stay with her at her home in Donegal town and they then began a relationship.

The court was told that the accused had made dinner but Ms MacNeilis said she was not hungry and decided to eat a bowl of cereal instead.

Ms MacNeilis, who was eight weeks pregnant at the time was continuously choked and abused, until she finally managed to escape by jumping out of a window.

She drove to the woods around Harvey’s Point near Donegal town, before receiving messages and calls threatening to chop her up and feed her to pigs, adding that he would also kill her parents and put them into the boot of the car and bury them in a shallow grave.

She later informed her parents about the ordeal two days later, before contacting Gardaí to make a statement.

Mr Coveney-Ryan, with an address at O’Clerigh Avenue, Donegal town, but originally from Co Tipperary, was arrested and taken to Ballyshannon Garda station.

The court was informed that Mr Coveney-Ryan had a number of previous charges for various incidents including burglary, theft, intoxication, breach of a barring order, possession of drugs and using threatening and abusive language.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice John Aylmer said that such offences, merited a sentence of five years in prison.
The Judge took into account Mr Coveney-Ryan’s plea of guilty and apparent genuine remorse; noting he had undertaken a number of courses, while remaining in custody.
He therefore reduced the five year sentence to four years, suspending the final 12 months and also backdating same to when Mr Coveney-Ryan was initially taken into custody.
He was also ordered to abstain from alcohol and drugs and to comply with the prison resettlement programme.