Thurles Information

Death Of Detective Ben O’Sullivan, Old Park Road, Corbally, Co Limerick.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death today, Friday 25th February 2022, of 76 year old, retired Detective Mr Ben O’Sullivan, Old Park Road, Corbally, Co Limerick and formerly of Mallow, Co. Cork.

Mr O’Sullivan had survived an IRA gun attack in Adare, Co. Limerick on the morning of June 7th 1996, almost 26 years ago; a heinous event that resulted, sadly, in the death of his colleague Detective Mr Jerry McCabe.

Both men were accompanying a post office cash van, when they were attacked, by a four man gang of IRA criminals.
Retired Detective O’Sullivan, who had been ill for a short time, is today survived by his wife Anne, his son and two daughters.

In a press statement today on behalf of the Irish nation, Minister for justice Mrs Helen McEntee, stated:
“Like so many people, I was deeply saddened today to hear of the death of Detective Garda Ben O’Sullivan.

In this centenary year of An Garda Síochána, there is little doubt that Ben O’Sullivan represented the very best of its values, service and bravery.
Twice awarded a Gold Scott medal, Ben served his country with great courage and valour, selflessly taking on the burden of protecting all of us from danger. We thank him for his unstinting service and we mourn his passing.

The horrific attack on Mr O’Sullivan and his partner; latter the late Detective Garda Mr Jerry McCabe, on June 7th 1996, was one of the most sickening attacks on Garda members, in the history of the State.

While Mr McCabe’s life was taken instantly, Mr O’Sullivan was shot eleven times and left with serious injuries, along with the devastating loss of his great friend.

The Irish people will never forget that day and the bravery of both men and all their colleagues.

On behalf of the Government and my Department, I send my deepest sympathies to Mr O’Sullivan‘s wife Anne, their children and grandchildren, and all his many friends and colleagues in An Garda Síochána.”

Note: Detective O’Sullivan was given the Freedom of the City of Limerick in June 2018; with same also awarded posthumously to Detective Jerry McCabe.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Ireland Announces Immediate Lifting Of Visa Requirements Between Ukraine & Ireland.

The Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee TD has announced the immediate lifting of visa requirements between Ukraine and Ireland.

This will streamline and support the swift exit of both the Ukrainian family members of Irish citizens, and the family members of people from Ukraine who are resident in Ireland.

It will apply as an emergency measure to all Ukrainians travelling to Ireland.

The Statutory Instrument removing the visa requirement for Ukraine nationals, as an emergency measure, takes immediate effect.

People who are considering leaving Ukraine and travelling to Ireland may for the coming period do so without a visa if they judge it safe to travel. Those who travel to Ireland without a visa during this period will then have 90 days after arrival to regularise their position. This position will be kept under ongoing review with the impact monitored closely.

Commenting on this announcement, Minister McEntee said:

“I am appalled by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the aggressive attack against a democratic sovereign state in Europe.
We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and its people and will, working with our partners in the European Union, play our part in assisting them in their time of need.
That is why I am immediately lifting visa requirements between Ukraine and Ireland.
This will apply to all Ukrainians who want to travel to Ireland. It will assist Irish citizens and their families in Ukraine, as well as the families of members of the Ukrainian community here in Ireland who may want to leave Ukraine.
This measure will be kept under review and the Government will also work with colleagues on any further EU-wide measures that might assist those fleeing Ukraine.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs have travel advice at www.dfa.ie/travel for neighbouring countries that people may be planning to travel to, or through.

Any Irish citizen requiring emergency consular assistance should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs, Tel: +353 1 6131700.

TUS Engineering Open Day Opens Variety Of Careers For Leaving Cert Students.

TUS Engineering Open Day opens up a variety of careers and courses in engineering to Leaving Cert Students.

The Engineering Special Topic for this year’s Leaving Cert exams will take centre stage at the 2022 TUS Engineering Open Day on Saturday March 12th, 2022.

The established open day on the Moylish Campus of the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) introduces leaving cert student to a variety of engineering courses, lecturers and students, and leading engineering employers from across the Mid West.

As the open day returns to an in-person event, so too does the renowned seminar on the Leaving Cert Engineering Special Topic. Students can attend the 30-minute seminar on “Principles of Operation and Applications of Artificial Intelligence in smart Manufacturing Techniques” during the Engineering Open Day.

TUS Engineering Open Day Co-ordinator Mr Peadar Heneghan said,
“The TUS Engineering Open Day is unique as it allows leaving certificate students with an interest in engineering, and their parents, see first-hand the variety of careers available in engineering by meeting students, lecturers and employers across all disciplines. The visiting student can go on a journey from choosing a course to choosing a career in just a few short steps, as they learn from those who have travelled the road before them.

We encourage leaving cert students to question our lecturers and students about specific courses, and then meet potential employers and indeed employees who undertook the course to discuss career options.

The opportunities for a career in engineering are varied, with something to suit almost everyone interested. TUS on March 12, 2022, from 10am to 1pm is the place to be to discover the college and career path that best suits each individual,” he added.

TUS Engineering Open Day is free and those interested in attending are asked to register: HERE

Tipperary Residents Welcome JYSK Store Opening In Thurles Today.

**New JYSK Furniture Store Now Open In Thurles**.

Despite the early morning snowfall, Co. Tipperary and Thurles residents emerged from the highways and byways, to give a huge welcome to JYSK, when they opened their newest Irish store this morning.

Their new store situated, on the former Lidl Supermarket site, close to the Abbey Road roundabout, (Garryvicleheen), on the west side of Thurles; saw customers in their hundreds converge on the store, long before 10:00am when the new store opened its doors.

This morning Tipperary couples thronged the store, which was well staffed to accommodate the needs and numerous enquiries of prospective customers.

For those of you, who failed to browse their store for real bargains this morning, due to work or other commitments, yes, they are open from 10:00am to 6:00pm over this coming weekend.

Details of their 7 day weekly opening hours can be found by clicking HERE.
Note: They can also be contacted on Tel: 0504 – 60818.

Jysk Welcome to Thurles.

Coronavirus Update February 24th 2022.

The Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland have confirmed 7,724 new cases of Covid-19.

The above new figures, in the past 24 hours, indicate 3,763 PCR-confirmed cases and 3,961 positive antigen tests registered through the HSE portal.

At 8:00am today, 610 Covid-19 patients were in our republic’s hospitals, up 17 on yesterday, and of these, 55 were in intensive care units, up 1 on yesterday.

In Northern Ireland 2,486 new cases of the virus have been reported with 483 Covid-19 patients in hospital, 5 of which were in hospital intensive care units.

The Northern Department of Health also sadly confirmed that 2 more people, who had previously tested positive for the virus, have passed away.