Thurles Information

Ms Emily Logan Nominated As Police Ombudsman.

Ms Emily Logan (pictured here left), has been recommending for appointment as the new Police Ombudsman under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.

Ms Logan was nominated for the role following an open, competition undertaken by the Public Appointments Service. The Government approved the nomination last week and Ms Logan’s official appointment, by the President of Ireland, is expected to be confirmed, with effect from August 1st, 2024, when her current term of appointment ends.

Career to date:
Ms Logan was appointed to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission in February 2021 having served as Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (2014 to 2019). Prior to this, she served as Ireland’s first Ombudsman for Children (2003 to 2014).

In addition to ten years of investigations as Ombudsman; in 2013 she conducted an inquiry under Section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, into the taking into care of two children from two Roma families by An Garda Síochána.
Ms Logan has over twenty years management experience both in Ireland and in the UK, including Director of Nursing at Crumlin Children’s Hospital and Director of Nursing at Tallaght University Hospital.
She holds an LLM in Human Rights Law (Queens University Belfast), an MBA (University College Dublin) and an MSc in Psychology (City University London).
She is Adjunct Professor (Human Rights Practice) at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUIG, and Adjunct Professor at the School of Law in University College Cork.
Ms Logan also serves on the Board of the Independent Police Complaints Authorities Network (IPCAN).

It will be necessary to ensure that there is a seamless transition process between the provisions contained in the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.

Preparations are at an advanced stage for the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, later this year. Further announcements regarding appointments to key roles are expected to be made in the coming weeks and months.

Death Of John J. Hayes, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Sunday 30th June 2024, of Mr John Joseph Hayes, (22/11/1933 – 30/06/2024), Uxbridge/Hayes, Middlesex, UK and formerly of Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Sadly, Mr Hayes passed away suddenly.

Pre-deceased by his beloved wife Anne; the passing of Mr Hayes is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; son John Paul and daughter Anne-Marie, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Hayes will repose for Requiem Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Botwell Lane, Hayes, Middx UK, (UB3 2AB), on Wednesday, July 17th, at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in Cherry Lane Cemetery, Shepiston Ln, Harlington, Hayes, UK, (UB3 1RN).

The extended Hayes 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.

A true gentleman who always acted in life with grace and dignity towards everyone he came in contact with. Heaven will be a richer place for his presence.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Mary Burns, Formerly Drom, Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Tuesday 25th June 2024, of Mrs Mary Josephine Bridget Burns, formerly of Drom, Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

Mrs Burns passed away peacefully at Compton Care, Compton Hall, No.4 Compton Rd W, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving husband Alex, daughters Elizabeth, Jennifer and Eleanor, son John, grandchildren Isaac, Jude, Cyrus, Edward and William, sister Christine, sons-in-law Owen, Christopher and Hugo, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Burns will repose at the Roman Catholic Church of St Chad and All Saints, High Holborn, Sedgley, Dudley, United Kingdom, on Thursday morning, July 18th, at 10:00am, followed by interment at Oscott Cemetery, Hawthorn Brook Way, Birmingham (B23 5LF), United Kingdom at 12:30pm.

Note PLease: Donations in memory of Mrs Burns can, if desired, be made payable to Breast Cancer Now or Compton Care, which can be placed in a donation box at the funeral.

The extended Burns 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.

[Enquiries to A & A Walters, 8-10 High Street, Sedgley, 01902 885339.]

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Death of Mary Quinn, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Sunday 7th July 2024 of Mrs Mary Quinn (née Gleeson), Castleview, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly Darryard, Silvermines, Nenagh Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her parents, husband Ned and sister Margaret; Mrs Quinn sadly passed away while in the care of staff at Fennor Hill Nursing Home, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; her cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Quinn will repose for Requiem Mass on Thursday morning, July 11th, at 11:00am in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Kilmore Cemetery, Silvermines, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Quinn 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.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis i dteannta na Naomh agus na n-aingeal.

Ireland’s 2023 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Lowest In Three Decades.

Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 6.8% (4.0 Mt CO2eq) in 2023, with reductions in almost all sectors. This is the lowest that greenhouse gas emissions have been in three decades, and below the 1990 baseline.
Emissions data show the largest single year reductions in the energy and agriculture sectors and the lowest level of residential emissions since 1990, while transport emissions were below pre-Covid levels.
Power generation emissions decreased by 21.6 per cent (2.2 Mt CO2eq)
Agriculture emissions decreased by 4.6 per cent (1.0 Mt CO2eq)
Residential emissions decreased by 7.1 per cent (0.4 Mt CO2eq)
Transport emissions increased marginally by 0.3 per cent (0.03 Mt CO2eq)
Emissions per capita decreased from 11.4 tonnes CO2eq/person to 10.4 tonnes CO2eq/person in 2023.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published its provisional greenhouse gas emissions for Ireland for 2023. The figures show a reduction of 6.8% compared to 2022, with emission reductions in almost all sectors. In total, 55 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2eq) were emitted, excluding emissions from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF).

Commenting on the report Ms Laura Burke, Director General, EPA said: “Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 were at their lowest level in over three decades, as a result of the largest reduction in emissions outside of recession. These are significant findings that signal the impact of climate action and decarbonisation measures across Ireland’s economy and society. We see the impact of more renewables and interconnection powering electricity, less fossil fuel use in home heating, reduced nitrogen fertiliser use in agriculture and more biofuel in transport.”

Ms Burke added, “The data indicates a move towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the scale and pace required to meet our climate ambition of a 51% reduction by 2030. However, while these are positive results for the year 2023, we are still well off track in terms of meeting EU and national 2030 targets. We need to maintain and further build momentum.”

The assessment shows that Ireland complied with its EU Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) commitments for 2021-2023, with the use of allowed flexibilities. However, these latest data show that 2023 greenhouse gas emissions were still only 10.1% below 2005 levels, well short of Ireland’s EU Effort Sharing reduction commitment of 42% by 2030.

With regard to compliance with national commitments under the Climate Act 2015 (as amended), the assessment shows that greenhouse Gas emissions (incl. LULUCF) are 7.8% lower than in 2018, well off the National Climate Ambition of a 51% reduction by 2030. We need to achieve an extremely challenging annual reduction of 8.3% for each of the years 2024 and 2025, if Ireland is to stay within the first Carbon Budget.

A summary of the trends from key sectors:

Energy Industries: Emissions decreased by 21.6% to 7.8 Mt CO2eq. This was driven by a 12-fold increase in imported electricity (9.5% of electricity supply in 2023), in combination with an increase in the share of renewable energy (to 40.7% in 2023) and a reduction in the use of coal, oil and peat. The emissions intensity of power generation decreased from 332g CO2/kWh in 2022 to a historic low of 255g CO2/kWh in 2023.

Agriculture: Agriculture emissions decreased by 4.6% to 20.8 Mt CO2eq due to an 18% reduction in fertiliser nitrogen use, reduced lime application and overall reduction in numbers of livestock. Dairy cow numbers increased by 0.6%, however total milk production decreased by 4.7% in 2023.

Residential: Emissions decreased by 7% to 5.3 Mt CO2eq. This was the second substantial annual reduction in succession. High fuel prices and a milder winter were significant contributors to the reduction in fossil fuel use, in addition to the introduction of nationwide solid fuel regulations. Over 30,000 heat-pumps were installed in Irish homes in 2023, bringing the total to 120,000.

Transport: Emissions increased marginally by 0.3% to 11.8 Mt CO2eq. Emissions are now 4.3% below 2019 pre-Covid levels. An increase in electric vehicles and biofuel use partly offset a 3% increase in the vehicle fleet.

Commenting, Ms Mary Frances Rochford, Programme Manager, EPA said: “There are many positives to be taken from this assessment. We see emission reduction milestones achieved in many key sectors in 2023. Residential emissions were at their lowest level since 1990, we saw the largest year on year reductions to date in the Energy and Agriculture sectors. All of which have contributed to a decrease in our emissions per capita from 11.4 to 10.4 tonnes CO2eq in 2023.”

In line with new research in the latest update to the inventory, the EPA refined the information underpinning the agricultural figures which has led to an 8.5 Mt CO2eq reduction in emissions from agricultural activities from 2018-2023. It is imperative that this is now incorporated into carbon budgets to ensure that they reflect latest science, data and knowledge on greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland.

The Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory 1990 to 2023 is available on the EPA website and the EPA Greenhouse Gas web resource is also available online.