Thurles Information

Motorists Attempt To Create Extra Space On Liberty Square, In Thurles.

Our eye in the sky has pictured two attempts to create extra parking spaces in Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, over the past number of days.

Yes, vehicles travelling westward, rushing to exit the centre of Liberty Square, Thurles, have collided with unused chrome bicycle racks/stands.

Local residents report that motorists became anxious to avoid the smell emitted from drains in the area.
Sewer gas, causing this current stink, pervades the lower area of Liberty square; when temperature rise over 6°C, and once the wind remains blowing in a north easterly direction; the west end of town remains stench free.
Same is possibly a mixture of inorganic gases created by the action of anaerobic bacteria emitted through the towns poorly and recently updated drain system, particularly on the east of the town’s square.

Interesting to note that the first underground sewage and drainage system in Thurles, which then operated stench free, was introduced on 2nd December 1846 in 5 undertakings, as shown hereunder and at a total cost of £1226.00.

To construct 42 perches of sewers from Richd Ryan’s to Derheen, cost £84.

To construct 96 perches of sewers from Danl Dwyer’s to the bridge, cost £192.

To construct 66 perches of sewers from Butler’s Gate to James Maher’s Yard, cost £132.

To construct 9 perches of sewer from the Barracks to the Main Street, cost £185.

To construct 66 perches of covered drain or sewer from the bridge to the turn of the Mall, with a tunnel under the river, and open a drain from the bridge in Thurles to Byrne’s Mill, with a tunnel under Drish River, to carry up the levels for the drains of the town, cost £800.

Hydrogen sulphide (also known as H2S, sewer gas, swamp gas, stink damp, and sour dam is a colourless gas, known for its pungent “rotten egg” odour at low concentrations. It is extremely flammable and highly toxic.
It remains a secret as to whether Tipperary Co. Council or our Municipal District Council engineers have undertaken a gas identity safety check, in order to set residents and workers minds at ease.
If Hydrogen sulphide is evident, same is rapidly absorbed by the lungs. Since Hydrogen sulphide is slightly heavier than air same may accumulate in enclosed, poorly ventilated, low-lying areas.
Prolonged exposure to Hydrogen sulphide, even at relatively low levels, may result in respiratory tract irritation, painful dermatitis and burning eyes.

Note: If you do own a bicycle and you attempt to park same in a Thurles bicycle rack, make sure always to use a centre rack; (the outside racks are really crash bars).

The waste continues.

2023 Annual Report Of Office Of State Pathologist Published.

The Office of the State Pathologist provides a national, year-round forensic pathology service here in Ireland, offering independent expert advice on matters relating to forensic pathology and performing post mortem examinations in criminal, suspicious or unusual deaths.
State pathologists are often required to attend and give evidence in coronial, criminal or civil courts or sometimes to attend crime scenes.

The report notes the wide range of valuable work conducted by the Office throughout 2023, including 400 cases of which 48%, or 192, were State forensic cases.

Speaking on the team’s work in 2023, Professor Linda Mulligan said: “The Office of the State Pathologist collaborates with a huge number of stakeholders to ensure the highest standards of practice. In 2023, we reviewed our paper-based processes in line with the Department of Justice environmental policy and introduced paperless reporting to coroners. We also had important input into the development of the Human Tissue Act 2024, and we continue to work with the HSE, Faculty of Pathology, and the Department of Justice to support the reform of the coronial autopsy service.”

The team provides expert input to many boards and advisory groups, including the Autopsy Quality Improvement Committee, the HSE mortuary improvement programme, and the Faculty of Pathology RCPI.
2023 marked Professor Linda Mulligan’s third year as Chief State Pathologist.
The Office enjoyed a full team for most of the year, with a Chief State Pathologist, two State Pathologists, two Deputy State Pathologists (one of whom departed in November 2023), and a locum State pathologist based in Cork.

Reflecting on 2023, Professor Linda Mulligan said: “The support and governance offered by the Department of Justice have allowed us to continue to expand and strengthen the work that we do. We will keep striving towards the highest standards of practice in forensic pathology, with the ultimate aim of providing the best possible service to bereaved families and loved ones across Ireland, as well as the Coroners, An Garda Síochána and the Courts.”

As already stated: During 2023, 400 cases were dealt with by the Office of the state Pathologist (this figure was 417 in 2022, 327 in 2021, 345 in 2020, 335 in 2019 and 286 in 2018). Of these 192, or 48%, were state forensic cases.
Attendance at the scene of death was recorded in approximately 4% of cases. (This figure was 26 of 213 cases (12%) in 2022.)
The Office, at the direction of the Dublin District Coroner, carried out 161 adult non-suspicious post mortem examinations.
There were 36 cases of endoskeleton remains, 17 of which were documented as animal bones, 19 as human bones.

Note: The full 2023 Annual Report of the Office of the State Pathologist can be read HERE.

Death Of Geraldine Hanrahan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 7th August 2024, of Mrs Geraldine Hanrahan (née Stapleton), Aubrey Road, Glengoole, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her parents Bridget and Michael and her brothers Michael and George; Mrs Hanrahan passed away peacefully, in the care of Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, while surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; sons Paul, Shane, Stuart and Keith, daughters-in-law Jessica, Christina and Celia, grandchildren Emily, Saoirse, Donnacha and James, sisters Breda and Margaret, niece, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Hanrahan will repose at Doyle’s Funeral Home, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, on Friday afternoon, August 9th 2024, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, before being received into the Church of St Patrick and St Oliver, Glengoole, Thurles, same evening, arriving at 7:30pm.
Requiem Mass for Mrs Hanrahan will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended Hanrahan and Stapleton families 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.

Allergens Contained In Mayil Prawn Pickle & Mayil Fish Chutney

Food Safety Authority of Ireland confirm incorrectly declared allergens in Mayil Prawn Pickle and Mayil Fish Chutney.

Alert Summary dated Thursday, August 8th 2024.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2024.A28
Allergens: Crustaceans, mustard, sesame seeds, fish.
Product Identification: Mayil Prawn Pickle; pack size: 400g; Mayil Fish Chutney; pack size: 200g
Batch Code: All batches and best-before dates
Country Of Origin: India

Message: All batches of Mayil Prawn Pickle contain crustaceans, mustard and sesame seeds, which are incorrectly declared on the label.
All batches of Mayil Fish chutney contain sesame seeds and fish which are incorrectly declared on the label.

This may make the batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of crustaceans, mustard, sesame seeds and fish.

Thurles Town’s 49 Space Car Park Now Closed.

The Thurles Town Car Park, running parallel with Thurles Children’s Playground, Thurles Leisure Centre and Swimming pool, Thurles Library and Thurles Theatre, has now been closed to all motor vehicles.

This new Town Park car park, which was only upgraded and officially opened less than 8 years ago, is now once again to undergo a major upheaval. The new project is expected to make this area unavailable for public use for possibly the next 16 months, at a cost of €3.4 million in Rural Regeneration Funding, with little or no discussion or consultation entered into, with town residents or the local business community.

**Sign attached on wooden background using possibly 2.5in cross head wood screws, fixed to a mature tree.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

One of the signs indicating the car park closure is again screwed to a mature tree. We learned recently that earlier this year, Tipperary County Council hired a biodiversity officer, with a climate change officer already in place. At last month’s Thurles-Templemore District meeting, the District Engineer Mr Thomas Duffy and District Administrator Ms Sharon Scully said that from next year, there would be a proper biodiversity plan, so obviously no officials within Thurles Municipal District Council are in a position to request the contractor or other individual responsible, to remove the above sign until next year.

New Café.

**Thurles Town’s 49 Space Car Park Now Closed**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

Thurles Farmers Market, following their July 2nd meeting, have learned that the stone agricultural sheds first erected during the Great Famine years, are to be refurbished and expanded by means of a glazed extension.
When completed same is expected to accommodate an 83 seater Café, for which an operator has yet to be located as a tenant. Same café will exist just some 100 metres away from yet another café style restaurant, run by Tipperary Co. Council, which remains closed, after several tenants vacated the space, same unable get a fair return on their initial investment. So we now will have two Café’s existing side by side, erected and paid for by taxpayers, for the financial benefit of Tipperary Co. Council; with both Café’s competing with other similar private rate paying businesses each struggling close-by.

New Market Quarter:
This new now planned ‘Market Quarter’ will see a canopy erected over a section of this car park area, which will be modified to allow access to water and electricity at a number of service points, for future market days. The restructured area is expected to lose 16 car parking spaces, to already struggling businesses in the immediate area.
The canopy, which will be cream in colour with no branding, cannot come lower than 4m from the ground due to the fact that cars are being parked under the canopy. The council says no trader or customer parking will be allowed under the canopy during Market events.

**“*The Source*” Car Park, closed in 2020 continues to remain closed today *(August 8th 2024)*.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

“The Source” Car Park, funded through Rates paid by local business, has remained closed, since March 2020, due to malicious damage; today shows no visible effort being made to provide the much reduced and badly needed parking spaces, removed from Liberty Square, during Phase 1 of its upgrade.