Thurles Information

Council Encourages Festive Civility, As “Reptile References” Slither Into Ethics Report.

Tipperary County Council notes the publication of an Ethics Registrar report arising from a complaint concerning conduct at a meeting of Thurles Municipal Council in July 2025.

The complaint, submitted by Fianna Fáil Councillor Mr Michael Smith, relates to remarks alleged to have been made by Independent Team Lowry Councillor Shane Lee during an adjournment period.

In his engagement with the review, Cllr Mr Lee stated he was frustrated at being excluded from discussions relating to rates enhancement funding. He accepted that he used the term “sneak” and referenced Cllr Smith’s general election defeat, while denying the use of profanity and denying the term “tramp”.

The Ethics Registrar, having considered accounts from those present, found prima facie evidence of a breach of the Code of Conduct, indicating that terms including “snake”, “sneak”, “tramp” and “rat” were used in a hostile manner and that the comments were personal, inappropriate and heated.

Recommended Next Steps: Apology, Training, Fewer Zoological Comparisons.

The report recommends:

a formal apology at a subsequent meeting of the municipal district council.
mandatory training in respectful conduct and workplace behaviour.

No formal apology has been recorded to date. It is understood the matter has now been referred to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO), which considers certain complaints under Ireland’s ethics framework.

A Council spokesperson said:
“Tipperary County Council fully supports robust debate, particularly on funding, rates and local priorities. However, the Code of Conduct expects members to keep disagreement focused on the issue at hand, rather than the person, and ideally without introducing a wildlife documentary into proceedings.”

Seasonal Guidance (Gentle, But Firm).
With the festive season bringing busy diaries, tight deadlines and the occasional short fuse, the Council reminds all members that seasonal goodwill is best delivered without reptile references, and that respectful engagement remains the standard, even when views are strongly held.

Using the following analogy, my grandmother, Eliza Jane, once stated to me – “While it is easy to squeeze toothpaste from its tube, returning it to that same tube poses a more difficult problem”.
Squeezing toothpaste, latter an irreversible and messy process, illustrates more abstract ideas about things that are easily done, but difficult or impossible to undo, such as words spoken in haste, reputational damage caused or the consequences of an action; thus explaining the concept of irreversibility.

The local government ethics framework is provided for under the Local Government Act 2001 and associated codes of conduct.
Information on SIPO complaints procedures is available from SIPO.

Where My Heart Is.

Lyrics: Randy Travis & long-time friend, bus driver and songwriter, the late Ron Avis (1957-2023).
Vocals: American country and gospel music singer and songwriter, as well as a film and television actor, Randy Bruce Traywick (Randy Travis).

Where My Heart Is.

Where My Heart Is.

There’s a magic in the air you can feel this time of year,
All around the world as Christmastime draws near,
And just like travellers everywhere, I’m on my way back home,
To be with those that I hold dear and miss when I am gone.

Don’t start the celebration without me,
You know I wouldn’t wanna miss one thing,
From hanging every decoration,
To opening the front door, when we hear carollers sing,
And the peaceful quiet of the falling snow, by the fire on Christmas evе,
I wanna be where my hеart is, with friends and family.

Something tells me this could be the best Christmas yet,
’Cause when I make my entrance I know I’ll be met,
With a warm embrace from the one I love and friends from all around,
It won’t be long until I see the lights of our home-town.

Don’t start the celebration without me,
You know I wouldn’t wanna miss one thing,
From hanging every decoration,
To opening the front door when we hear carollers sing,
And the peaceful quiet of the falling snow, by the fire on Christmas Eve,
I wanna be where my heart is, with friends and family.
I wanna be where my heart is, with friends and family.

END.

€26.3m Outstanding Nationwide As Councils Collect Small Fraction Of Charges.

Derelict site levies: €26.3m outstanding nationwide as councils collect small fraction of charges.

Local authorities imposed levies of almost €8.6 million on the owners of 778 derelict sites nationwide last year, but collected less than 10% of the amount billed in-year, according to newly published figures.

A report published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage shows that €26.3 million was outstanding in respect of unpaid levies at the end of 2024, while 1,916 sites were recorded on the statutory derelict sites register.

Under the Derelict Sites Act, councils may apply a levy of up to 7%, and unpaid amounts accrue interest at 1.25% per month. The report also records a total of 2,869 notices or demands issued by local authorities under the legislation, with Cork City accounting for more than 10% of that total.

Limerick City and County Council issued 267 notices or demands, while Dublin City Council issued 245. No notices or demands were issued in Leitrim, while only two were issued in Wicklow, and six each in Donegal, Offaly and Sligo.

By county and city, Limerick recorded the highest number of derelict sites on the register (427), followed by Mayo (284), Cork City (158) and Dublin City (109). The lowest numbers were recorded in Wicklow (two) and County Galway (three).

The report indicates that €7.9 million was owed to Dublin City Council in respect of levies imposed under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, with a further €5.9 million owed in Cork City.

In terms of outcomes, issues were resolved and no further action was required in 566 cases following the issuance of notices or demands. The report also records five sites acquired by agreement and 126 acquired compulsorily.

Tipperary: local levies and revenue measures in 2025.
We understand that in 2025, Tipperary County Council issued derelict site levy notices to the owners of
77 properties on the county’s Derelict Sites Register.

Levy Notices: In July 2025, the council prepared to issue levy notices to 77 property owners. These notices involve an annual levy amounting to 7% of the property’s market value.
Derelict Sites Register: As of October 15th, 2025, the Tipperary Derelict Sites Register listed a total of 115 properties. This represents a significant increase from the 71 properties registered at the end of 2023.
Recent Additions: In late 2025, 25 houses in the Glen Court Estate in Emly were added to the register on October 1st. Earlier in July 2025, 22 properties in Clonmel were added.
Enforcement Actions: In addition to levies, the council issued legal letters to 84 site owners in early 2025 reminding them of their obligations to carry out remedial works.
Total Official Demands: According to data presented in the Oireachtas in November 2025, the total number of sites in Tipperary for which a notice or demand under the Derelict Sites Act was issued (historically up to that point) was 140.

For the most up-to-date or specific figures, you may check the Tipperary County Council Management Reports.

Recall Of Puckator Little Tractors Children’s Tableware Set.

Recall of Puckator Little Tractors tableware set for children as they are unsuitable for microwave use.

Alert Summary dated Tuesday, December 23rd 2025.

Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2025.67 (View Update 1.)
Product Identification: Puckator Little Tractors Tableware Set; barcode number: 5055071785467.
Country Of Origin: China.

Message: Further to food alert 2025.67, the recall has been extended to cover Puckator Little Tractors Tableware Set.
The above children’s tableware sets are being recalled as they contain a material which should not be microwaved. The product label states that the implicated products are suitable for microwaving.

Action Required: Customers and Retailers:

Consumers: Consumers are advised not to use the implicated product.
Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated product from sale and display a recall notice at point-of-sale.

Technical Examination Underway – Discovery of Body Near Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

Investigations are under way following the discovery of a woman’s body near Clonmel, Co. Tipperary,

Gardaí are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body of a woman in Co Tipperary.

The body is understood to have been discovered by a walker, shortly before 3.00pm yesterday, (Monday 22nd December 2025), in a drain, in a rural area near the Holy Year Cross, about 4km south of Clonmel. It is understood (but not confirmed by Gardaí in their public statements) that the discovery may be linked to the disappearance of a local woman.
However, Gardaí are treating the death as suspicious at this point, pending the post-mortem.

The scene remains preserved presently and members of the Garda Technical Bureau are currently carrying out a technical examination.

The Office of the State Pathologist and the local Coroner have been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. The results of the post-mortem will now assist investigating Gardaí in determining the course of their future investigation.

Appeal for information:
Anyone with information is asked to contact Clonmel Garda Station TEL: +353 52 617 7640, the Garda Confidential Line TEL 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda station.