Thurles Information

Omicron Cases Today Reach 14,076 On Irish Mainland – Down 653 On Yesterday.

The Republic’s Department of Health have confirmed 6,689 new cases of Covid-19, with 3,911 people registering a positive antigen test using the HSE portal; confirming in all a total of 10,600 new virus cases, latter a decrease of 561 based on numbers reported in the same 24 hour period yesterday.

As of 8:00am this morning. there remain 836 people with Covid-19 in hospitals around the state; down 56 on the same time yesterday, with a total of 78 of these patients being treated in intensive care units, down 10 on yesterday.

Today’s figures represent the lowest number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care units around the country, since November 8th last, 2021.

According to the Irish Republic’s Covid-19 Data Hub Tracker, last updated yesterday January 19th, 2022, sadly, 6087 persons (including those probable and possible) have died since the pandemic began.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has confirmed a further 3,476 coronavirus cases today, down from 3,568 cases reported yesterday.

There remain 398 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals, down from 402 reported yesterday, with 24 patients with Covid-19 in their hospital intensive care units.

The Northern Ireland Department of Health has, sadly, also reported 5 Covid-19-related deaths today, bringing their deaths tally to 3,067 in total since the pandemic began.

Please continue the downward virus hospital trend by getting your booster vaccination dose, as soon as applicable.

Mass Celebrating Life & 100th Birthday Of Sr. Mary Britton, Held In Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles.

You, our readers, will remember a story we carried on January 15th last, [Reporter Mr Gerry Bowe], concerning secret preparations being made for Sr. Mary Britton, latter a native of Two-mile-Borris, who was due to celebrate her 100th birthday in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on January 20th, last 2022.

**Sr. Mary Britton pictured celebrating her 100th Birthday on 20th January 2022 last, in Brisbane Australia.**
*Picture courtesy G. Bowe*.

Today, we are happy to bring you a picture featuring that same event, shown above.

Back here in her home village of Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles last week, local Parish Priest Fr. Tom Fogarty, celebrated Mass in the Church of St. James, to honour this significant occasion and remarkable life; attended by members of the Britton family and friends residing in Two-Mile-Borris and its environs.

Sr. Mary, we wish you continued years of good health and happiness.

In the words of an old Irish blessing – “Lá Breithe Shona dhuit agus sláinte an bhradáin agat”.
[English Translation: “Happy Birthday and may you have the health of the salmon”.]

Death Of Anna Ita Williamson, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Thursday 30th December 2021, of Mrs Anna Ita Williamson (née Lynch), Kilcommon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Derby, England and late of Ardfert, Co. Kerry.

Pre-deceased by her husband Ivor Edward (died Nov 2021) and sister Marie (Noble); Mrs Williamson, a retired Nurse and Health Visitor, passed away while in her 84th year,

Her passing is most deeply regretted by her loving son Thomas, brothers Michael and Patrick, extended relatives and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Williamson will be received into the Church of St. Patrick, Kilcommon, Thurles on Tuesday morning next January 25th, to repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in the New Cemetery, Kilcommon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For the many persons who would have liked to have attended Requiem Mass for Mrs Williamson, but are unable to do so due to the Covid-19 pandemic; same can be viewed online HERE.

[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending Requiem Mass will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]

The extended Williamson family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.

Fiserv Confirmed As Sponsors Of Tipperary Jersey

Payments firm Fiserv have been confirmed as sponsors of the new Tipperary jersey, following the Tipperary GAA’s announcement yesterday of a new two year sponsorship deal, replacing Teneo as their jersey sponsor, for both Tipperary hurlers and footballers.

This latest sponsorship is yet another uplift in the fortunes of Co. Tipperary’s finances, following on from the agreement announced last week with FBD Insurance, for naming rights to Semple Stadium.

The financial services technology business employs some 200 people in Nenagh here in north Tipperary and over 400 employees in Dublin.

Head of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region at Fiserv, Mr John Gibbons stated that the company had strong links with Tipperary, having set up their Technology Centre in Nenagh in 2017, and were proud to partner with Tipperary GAA, supporting the county all the way to Croke Park.

Mr Tim Floyd, Secretary of the County Tipperary GAA Board, stated that from the beginning it was clear that Tipperary and Fiserv were aligned in a commitment to growing this great county, both with the same passion to achieve excellence.

Ministers Announce Waiver Of Fees Associated With Special Exemption Orders Until End Of April 2022.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, and the Minister for Finance, Mr Paschal Donohoe TD, are both pleased to announce that the court fees and their associated excise duty, relating to Special Exemptions Orders, or so called SEOs, will be waived until the end of April, 2022.

This follows a previous waiver that was in place from October 19th, 2021 to December 31st, 2021.

Prior to the lockdowns, Nightclubs and Late Bars needed to obtain a Special Exemption Order from the District Court for every occasion they want to trade past normal trading hours. SEO permit extended opening hours until 2.30am subject to the Gardaí and Courts agreement.

The Court fee for each Special Exemption Order was €300 and an excise duty of €110 per application was payable to the Revenue Commissioners.

Making the announcement after Cabinet today, Minister McEntee said, “I know that the lifting of restrictions will be warmly welcomed, perhaps no more so than by those working in nightclubs and late bars.
All licence holders, but particularly those serving in the late night trade, have found themselves in such a difficult situation as a result of COVID-19. The Government is committed to supporting these businesses and the night time economy, to get back on their feet in 2022.
We initially introduced the waiver in relation to SEOs for late night trade licence holders, who traditionally trade past normal opening hours in October of last year, and I am delighted to be able to extend this exemption until the end of April, 2022. It will be still necessary for the SEO court application to be made and the order to be obtained by the licensed premises.
I look forward to further changes in this area as part of my reforms to the licensing laws in the forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill.”

Minister Donohoe said, “The waiver of court fees and excise duty for special exemption orders recognises the particular difficulties experienced by the sector, where many businesses have been closed for a significant period of time or had to operate at a reduced capacity on reopening last October.”