Thurles Information

Irish Historic First – European School Chess Championships Get Underway At UL.

History is being made this weekend with the hosting of the European School Chess Championships taking place in Ireland for the first time.

More than 200 children, aged between 5 and 16 years, from 14 European countries are all participating in the week-long tournament, which takes place at the University of Limerick (UL) and continues until Friday June 7th 2024.

The Irish Chess Union (ICU) beat off competition from four other countries to win the bid to host the event against four other countries, with the support of UL, Limerick City & County Council and the Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau.

“Securing this event is a major milestone in the development of chess in Ireland and demonstrates the ICU’s unwavering commitment to promoting the game nationwide and Ireland as a chess destination for future events,” commented Mr Desmond Beatty, (Chairperson, Irish Chess Union.)

Mr. Beatty said the decision to bring the Championships to Ireland reflects the unprecedented growth the game has experienced since the pandemic.

“Chess has proven to be a source of fun and intellectual stimulation for individuals of all ages and can help improve concentration,” he explained. “As a result, the promotion of chess in schools has increased significantly most notably in the classroom following continuous professional development (CPD) courses for primary school teachers now realising the benefits of chess in education, notably in social skills and critical thinking. Over 10000 children this year have taken part in competitions run by ficheall.ie, the organisation of primary teachers promoting chess. Building on the success of both Glorney Cup and Chessmates internationals, this is a remarkable opportunity for us to showcase Ireland’s thriving chess community, promote the growth of the game, and provide an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike,” concluded Mr. Beatty.

All games will be broadcast live on chess.com and lichess.org. Diana Mirza and Antonina Gora, both members of Ireland’s women’s team, will be providing live commentary HERE

Speaking on behalf of UL Conference & Sports Campus, Mr David Ward said, “Attracting the European School Chess Championships to UL, highlights the success of our one stop model with accommodation, catering and venues on site. We look forward to setting the stage for a thrilling tournament in June 2024 and hope that many memorable moments will unfold.”

Ms Karen Brosnahan, (General Manager, Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau) said “We are delighted to see the European School Chess Championships coming to Limerick. This is testament to the collaborative efforts of UL, Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau, Limerick City and County Council, and Failte Ireland working together to promote Limerick as a host city and developing strong relationships with the sporting bodies and event organisers. Tournaments like this are highly lucrative, contributing significantly to the local economy.”

FSAI Recall ALDI Maisha Cold Brew Coffee Original & Lemon Flavours.

Food Safety Authority (FSAI) recall ALDI Maisha Cold Brew Coffee Original & Lemon Flavours, due to incorrect storage conditions

Alert Summary dated Friday, May 31st 2024

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2024.23
Product Identification:
Maisha Cold Brew Coffee Original & Maisha Cold Brew Coffee Lemon Flavour; pack size: 330ml
Batch Code: All best before dates
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message:
As a precautionary measure, Aldi is recalling the above batches of Maisha Cold Brew Coffee Original & Maisha Cold Brew Coffee Lemon Flavour as this product has been stored incorrectly, which could make it unsafe to consume.

Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Action Required:
Caterers & retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.

Consumers: Consumers are advised not to drink the implicated batches.

Circuit Court Judge, Teacher, State Solicitor & Tipperary FF Councillor Jailed.

Former Thurles born Circuit Court Judge, teacher, Tipperary State Solicitor and Tipperary Fianna Fáil Councillor, Mr Gerard O’Brien has today been sentenced to four years in jail for the sexual assault of six boys, some 30 years previously.

Mr Gerard O’Brien, aged 59 years, had been a secondary school teacher Tipperary State Solicitor, and later a Fianna Fáil Tipperary Councillor, before subsequently becoming a judge.

He had been found guilty of one count of attempted rape and eight counts of sexual assault; which took place between 1991 and 1997, when the victims were aged between 17 and 24 years old. Four of the six boys were students or former students at that time from his school, Christian Brothers College (CBC) Monkstown, in south Co. Dublin.
Mr O’Brien was in his late twenties and early thirties at the time when these offences were committed. He had initially denied all the allegations, but was found guilty by a jury last December 2023.

The presiding judge stated that Mr O’Brien had misused his disability to take advantage of his victims, thus engaging in predatory behaviour and the jury had no doubt that he had manipulated matters to give him the opportunity to engage in these activities.

Mr O’Brien was born with the rare congenital condition, known as Phocomelia, which has resulted in him being born with no arms and only one leg; same injuries brought on by the congenital anomaly of the drug Thalidomide, brought into prominence as a characteristic side effect of the use of the drug, used during pregnancy. The court heard that O’Brien needed assistance dressing and undressing and visiting the toilet. To this end, Judge Alexander Owens had delayed sentencing in order to hear from prison authorities regarding the measures they could put in place to deal with O’Brien’s disabilities.

Prosecuting counsel Ms Anne-Marie Lawlor said O’Brien had developed inappropriate relationships with students, which involved giving them alcohol and taking them to the pub. The court heard there was a culture of excessive alcohol use around the school at the time.

Tipperary Not Included In Initial Rollout Of Garda Body-Worn Cameras.

Pilot phase of Garda body-worn cameras commences in Dublin, with Waterford and Limerick to follow.
Gardaí will upload footage at the end of each shift to assist in safe policing and evidence gathering.
Pilot phase will inform rollout across the country.

Frontline Gardaí have commenced the use of body-worn cameras, following the enactment of the Gardaí Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023. Garda Commissioner, Mr Drew Harris attended Store Street Garda station in Dublin’s North Inner-city today to launch the pilot phase of body-worn cameras for frontline Gardaí.

The pilot – or ‘proof-of-concept’ – phase will take place in Dublin, followed by Limerick and Waterford, with body-worn cameras being introduced in the following locations:-
DMR South Central, Pearse Street Garda Station, Kevin Street Garda Station, Dublin.
DMR North Central, Store Street Garda Station, Dublin.
Waterford Division, Waterford Garda Station.
Limerick Garda Division, Henry Street Garda Station.

Note: It is fair to assume that with body-worn cameras going immediately to three locations in Dublin City, sadly same indicates an area not being properly governed and not obedient to Irish Republican laws.

The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources they need; reflected in the allocation of €2.3 billion of taxpayers money in Budget 2024. This ensures every member of An Garda Síochána is equipped with the latest technology to keep every community across the country safe.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said: “The ability of An Garda Síochána to securely acquire and process digital evidence is a key feature of modern policing. This morning’s launch of a proof of concept for Body Worn Cameras and the supporting Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) is an important milestone for An Garda Síochána towards the implementation of Information-Led Policing.
Body Worn Cameras, supported by the underlying legislation, technology and training, will act as an important evidentiary tool.
International experience has also shown that body-worn cameras will increase safety for Gardaí and the public.
Now, through this proof of concept, we will be able to refine our systems and processes for Body Worn Cameras based on experience and feedback.”

The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 was signed into law last December. The Act provides for body-worn cameras, Garda CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, and Community CCTV.

Each body-worn camera can record footage to its own internal encrypted storage, which will be uploaded when the Garda docks the camera in a Garda station. Body-worn camera footage is uploaded at the end of a shift so it can be used as evidence at court or is deleted after an agreed time period if it’s not required as evidence.

Death Of Johnny Quirke, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Thursday 30th May 2024, of Mr John (Johnny) Quirke, Derryhogan, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Daniel and Bridget, brother Jimmy and baby sister Bridget; the passing of Mr Quirke is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; son Séan, daughter Katie and their mother Kathleen, brothers Pat, Timmy and Donal, sisters Marjorie (Ryan), Sheila (Gleeson), Mary (Walsh) and Caroline (Graham), nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Quirke will repose, at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on Friday afternoon, May 31st, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm.
His remains will be received into the Church of Our Lady and St Kevin, Littleton, Thurles on Saturday morning, June 1st, at 10:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Ballymoreen cemetery, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mr Quirke, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Quirke 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 anam dílis.