Thurles Information

Sam Stone.

Lyrics and Vocals: American country folk singer/songwriter and guitarist, the late John Prine (1946 – 2020).

The late John Prine.

“Sam Stone” is ultimately about the hidden cost of war; not glory, not victory. A soldier comes home alive, but not whole, and his pain turns into addiction, family suffering, and finally death. The author, the late John Prine, uses Sam’s story to show how veterans can be praised for their service, yet still be left alone to deal with trauma and dependence, once they return home, making the song both a personal tragedy and a quiet anti-war statement.
The line about Jesus Christ, expresses Sam’s feeling that sacrifice, patriotism, religion, and public ideals have failed to save him.

Sam Stone.

Sam Stone.

Sam Stone came home,
To his wife and family,
After serving in the conflict overseas.
And the time that he served,
Had shattered all his nerves,
And left a little shrapnel in his knees.
But the morphine eased the pain,
And the grass grew round his brain,
And gave him all the confidence he lacked.
With a purple heart and a monkey on his back,
There’s a hole in Daddy’s arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin’ I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don’t stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios, (mmhmm).
Sam Stone’s welcome home,
Didn’t last too long.
He went to work when he’d spent his last dime,
And Sammy took to stealing,
When he got that empty feeling,
For a hundred dollar habit without overtime.
And the gold rolled through his veins,
Like a thousand railroad trains,
And eased his mind in the hours that he chose,
While the kids ran around wearin’ other peoples’ clothes.
There’s a hole in daddy’s arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin’ I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don’t stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios, (mmhmm).
Sam Stone was alone,
When he popped his last balloon,
Climbing walls while sitting in a chair.
Well, he played his last request,
While the room smelled just like death.
With an overdose hovering in the air.
But life had lost its fun,
There was nothing to be done,
But trade his house that he bought on the GI bill,
For a flag-draped casket on a local hero’s hill.
There’s a hole in Daddy’s arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin’ I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don’t stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios, (mmhmm).

END.

HSA Investigation Underway Following Workplace Death In Co. Tipperary.

The Health and Safety Authority has launched an investigation following the death of a man in his 40s at a meat processing facility in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Patrick Gleeson, who was from Youghal, Co. Cork, was pronounced dead after an incident at the Roscrea factory at approximately 3:00pm on Monday last, March 9th 2026. Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene, and the local coroner was notified.

Mr Gleeson, a father of one, was laid to rest following his funeral Mass. His family said they have been left devastated and are trying to understand the circumstances surrounding his death. Gardaí confirmed that the Health and Safety Authority was notified and is carrying out its own investigation into the incident.

No further details on the circumstances of the death have been made public at this stage.

According to provisional figures published by the Health and Safety Authority, 58 people died in work-related incidents in Ireland during 2025, up from 36 in 2024.

Gardaí Seize Drugs and Cash Following Operation In West Co. Tipperary.

A man in his 30s has been arrested after drugs, with an estimated value of €280,000, were seized in Co. Tipperary.

**€280,000, estimated value of drugs seized in Co. Tipperary on Thursday last.**

The discovery was made in the Birdhill area of Tipperary on Thursday last, after gardaí attached to Nenagh Garda Station responded to an incident involving a van on the M7. During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered suspected cannabis worth approximately €280,000, along with €20,000 in cash. A small quantity of suspected cocaine was also seized.

The arrested man was taken to a Garda station in Tipperary for questioning, while investigations into the incident remain ongoing.

The seizure underlines the ongoing impact of illegal drugs on communities across Ireland. Drug trafficking is closely linked to organised crime and can bring intimidation, violence, addiction and deep social harm. Beyond those directly involved, the drugs trade places a heavy burden on families, neighbourhoods and local services, damaging the sense of safety and wellbeing in society.

Gardaí have continued to stress the importance of disrupting the supply of illegal drugs and protecting communities from the serious dangers associated with the trade.

You Needed Me.

Lyrics: American songwriter Randy Goodrum.
Vocals: Canadian country, pop and adult contemporary music singer Anne Murray.

You Needed Me.

Here’s a beautiful classic made famous by Ms Anne Murray, “You Needed Me“.
It’s a song about love, comfort, and being there for someone when they need you most.
I hope this one brings back a few memories.”

You Needed Me.

I cried a tear, you wiped it dry,
I was confused, you cleared my mind,
I sold my soul, you bought it back for me,
And held me up and gave me dignity,
Somehow, you needed me.

You gave me strength to stand alone again,
To face the world out on my own again,
You put me high upon a pedestal,
So high that I could almost see eternity,
You needed me.
You needed me.

And I can’t believe it’s you I can’t believe it’s true!
I needed you and you were there,
And I’ll never leave, why should I leave? I’d be a fool,
‘Cause I finally found someone who really cares,

You held my hand when it was cold,
When I was lost you took me home,
You gave me hope when I was at the end,
And turned my lies back into truth again,
You even called me friend.

You gave me strength to stand alone again,
To face the world out on my own again,
You put me high upon a pedestal,
So high that I could almost see eternity,
You needed me.
You needed me.
You needed me.
You needed me.
END

New Figures Expose Ongoing Pothole Damage In Co. Tipperary.

Fresh figures showing compensation paid to motorists for pothole damage underline the continuing burden poor road conditions are placing on drivers across county Tipperary.

Tipperary County Council has paid out €50,105 in compensation for pothole-related vehicle damage since 2023. While this is below the very highest totals seen elsewhere in our emerald isle, it still places Tipperary among the more significant local authority payouts and points to a persistent problem on our counties roads.

These figures must be seen in the wider national context. Local authorities paid approximately €1.3 million in compensation to motorists over the past three years for pothole-related damage. That is a serious cost to the public purse, but it is also a direct cost to families, workers and business owners, latter who rely on safe and passable roads every day.

What is particularly concerning in Co. Tipperary is that the claims issue does not appear to be isolated or short-term. Council management reports have shown an ongoing stream of pothole claims during 2024 and 2025, reinforcing the view that this is a recurring roads maintenance issue, rather than a once-off spike.

There is also concern that some motorists feel they were deliberately ignored or did not receive adequate responses, after raising road damage issues. That only adds to public frustration. When people take the time to report hazardous road conditions or seek redress for damage caused, they are entitled to clear communication, fair treatment and timely follow-up.

It is important to state that councils are not automatically liable for every pothole-related incident. In general, compensation arises where there is evidence of negligence or where repairs or interventions may have been carried out to an insufficient standard. However, that makes it all the more important that repairs are durable, properly inspected and carried out before defects worsen and place more motorists at risk.

The real issue here is not only compensation after the fact. The real issue is prevention.
Tipperary needs a stronger and more proactive road maintenance programme, faster response times to reported defects, better quality control on repairs, and greater transparency for the public on how complaints and claims are handled.

Real Costs of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle here in Ireland.
Irish motorists continue to face an escalating financial burden, with basic motoring-related taxes and charges estimated to generate some €6.2 billion annually for the State. From high fuel costs driven by excise duty, carbon tax, VAT and additional levies, to Vehicle Registration Tax and annual motor tax, drivers are contributing at every stage of car ownership and use. On top of these standard charges, motorists must also absorb insurance levies, tolls, NCT fees, parking charges and a growing range of fines and penalties for road traffic and parking offences, all of which add to the overall cost of getting behind the wheel.
Yes, and I haven’t mentioned property tax which is partially associated in housing same vehicle.
While electric vehicle owners currently benefit from reduced rates in some areas, concern is mounting that further measures, including a proposed weight-based tax on heavier vehicles such as SUVs, could place even more pressure on drivers in the years ahead.
Motorists should therefore not be left paying the price for road failures that could and should have been addressed months earlier.

Motorists are calling on Tipperary County Council to:

prioritise lasting repairs on known problem routes, the streets of Thurles town being one neglected area
improve response systems for motorists reporting potholes and road damage,
ensure all complainants receive timely acknowledgement and follow-up,
publish clearer local data on pothole complaints, repairs and claims outcomes.

People across Tipperary deserve safer roads, better accountability, and a council response that is effective, transparent and fair.