Thurles Information

Tipperary Gardaí Seize Guns & Munitions In Rearcross, Soccer Shooting.

A number of licensed firearms, including at least one rifle, together with ammunition, has been seized by gardaí as part of their ongoing investigations into the shooting of a soccer player, who sustained a gunshot wound on the field of play, during a match held in Rearcross, Co Tipperary on January 6th 2024.

The injured male victim had been playing for ‘Rearcross FC’ against ‘Ballymackey FC’, in a Junior B match in Division 2 of the Tipperary and District League, latter being held under floodlights; when the shooting incident happened. Paramedics had treated the man at the scene, before he was later removed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick, (UHL) to have the projectile removed.

Gardaí have confirmed that an informant had spoken to Nenagh, Gardaí in Co. Tipperary, thus helping them with their investigations into this regrettable incident.

The firearms and ammunition seized will now be sent to the Garda Ballistics Section located in Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, for further testing; thus ascertaining if the weapon and ammunition used match the bullet retrieved from the injured player’s arm.

Investigating Gardaí in Nenagh District had suspected that the matter was the result of a freak accident and that the man was hit by a stray bullet from a hunter’s rifle. For this reason, to date, no arrests have been made, but Gardaí now feel that they are following a definite line of enquiry.

SuperValu Chicken & Ham Pie Recalled.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland have announced the recall of a batch of SuperValu Chicken & Ham Pie (275g), due to the possible presence of Soya.

Recalled Tuesday, 23rd January 2024.
Allergy Alert Notification: 2023.A32.
Allergen: Soya.
Product Identification: SuperValu Chicken and Ham Pie, 275g, Use by 26.01.2024.
Batch Code: 26.01.2024.
Country Of Origin: Ireland.

Message:
The above identified batch of SuperValu Chicken and Ham Pie is being recalled as some packs may contain Steak and Onion Pie.
This product contains Soya, which is not declared on the label. This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of Soya.

For What Are Thurles, Co. Tipperary Residents Paying Property Tax?

Yesterday, January 22nd 2024, the road sweeper unit made several passes up and down on Kickham Street, east of Thurles Town centre, Co. Tipperary.
Their purpose for the crew’s occupancy, was not to collect litter or debris relating to ‘Storm Isha’, but rather to suck up loose gravel, generated by the cold tarmacadam that had been brought into play, to fill giant craters just 14 days before.

**Street sweeper unit gathering gravel on Kickham St. Thurles.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby. Mid-morning January 22nd 2024.*

Thankfully, the cold spell experienced over the past two weeks had held this tarmac together, now that the rainy season has arrived, as we have experienced since Saturday last; unprecedented heavy traffic and heavy rain has, as expected, loosened the cold tarmacadam, resulting in the road surface becoming one long gravel driveway. (See image hereunder).

**Gravel on Kickham Street, Thurles, before the Road Sweeper Unit arrived; brought to my attention by stones striking the toughened glass on my front window**, **latter broken by flying surface gravel, sometime previously.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby. Early Morning of January 22nd 2024.*

Yesterday’s road sweeping exercise resulted in a two man operation. One driving the sweeper unit, while another employee attempted to keep pace, slightly to the fore, using a leaf blower to drive loose gravel from pavements; slung their by the wheels of vehicles and aimed at unsuspecting pedestrians.

Mr Joe MacGrath (Chief Executive Tipperary Co. Council), was busy yesterday, rubbing shoulders and having his picture taken with Fianna Fáil’s Minister Mr Darragh O’Brien and Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD Mr Jackie Cahill (Thurles); all 3 individuals attempting to boost both their images and personal expenses, while officially opening a children’s playground in Newport, Co. Tipperary, which by the way, cost almost €3 million to deliver.
They were then later joined in their promotional picture by Mr Michael Lowry TD. (Thurles), who climbed in on the act, at Woodview Close, Nenagh, where Mr Darragh O’Brien officially cut the ‘Munster GAA blue ribbon’, suitably chosen, to open 10 social homes.

Meanwhile, back on Kickham Street, in forgotten Thurles, Co. Tipperary, within 4 hours after the sweeper had sucked up much of the loose gravel and departed, the last remnants of the streets cold tarmacked surface broke loose, leaving behind massive crates. (See image hereunder).

**Kickham Street, Thurles yesterday afternoon, after the road sweeper unit had returned to base.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby. Afternoon of January 22nd 2024.*

We ask the question again and again, “For what are Thurles residents paying property tax ?”
We get absolutely nothing in return, except silence or arrogance from officialdom, same disposed to exaggerate their own worth or self importance; often dished out in an overbearing manner”.

Time has now come to name the Tipperary Municipal District officials responsible.

Ms Sharon Scully (Thurles District Administrator), together with Mr Joe MacGrath (Chief Executive of Tipperary Co. Council) and Mr Marcus O’ Connor, (latter Director of Services Roads and Transportation, Active Travel, Health and Safety) have all been notified.
[We have been made aware that Mr Joe MacGrath will be away from his office until Friday next, January 26th, with limited access to his emails. To this end a communication has been forwarded to his secretary Ms Evelyn Harty, since this matter now requires urgent attention.]

Cashel, Co. Tipperary Man Goes On Trial Accused Of Complicity To Murder.

A male victim, deemed totally innocent, having absolutely no involvement in crime; who was shot six times, as he sat in his Ford Mondeo car outside his Dublin home, just after 5:00pm on December 22nd 2016; died from multiple gunshot injuries to his head, chest, arm and abdomen; State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan has informed the three-judge non-jury Special Criminal Court.

Mr Michael Crotty, aged 40 years, with an address at Slí Aonghusa, Aras na Rí, Cashel, Co Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to the charge that between October 20th 2016 and December 22nd 2016, within the Irish State and with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, did participate in, or contribute by activity, or by being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence: to with the murder of Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal justice Act.

Dr Linda Mulligan who examined the body of the murdered victim, Mr Christopher Kirwan, within 24 hours after he was shot dead, identified eight separate injuries. These injuries were caused by six gunshot wounds with one of the bullets entering the right side of Mr Kirwan’s chest, damaging the aorta, (latter the main artery transporting blood from the heart), before travelling onward to further damage the lower lobe of his left lung, causing further bleeding and lung collapse.

Further gunshot wounds, included the area of the victims chest; his abdomen, and his head; latter entry point located just below the right eye, travelling in a downward angle, together with two punctures to the right arm causing further blood loss; again contributed to the victims death. Toxicology tests on the victim were found to be negative for both drugs and excess alcohol.

The accused, Mr Crotty, stands on trial before the Special Criminal Court accused of facilitating Mr Kirwan’s murder, by topping up a mobile phone on behalf of Mr Sean McGovern, latter not as yet currently before the court.
Mr Sean McGovern, who was one of the men injured during the attack at the Regency Hotel in 2016, has been named in the Special Criminal Court, as a significant figure acting in a leadership role from within the Kinahan organised crime group.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Crotty purchased a mobile phone credit, at a Spar shop in Naas, Co Kildare, on December 21st, 2016. Same was purchased on behalf of the aforementioned Mr Sean McGovern; an acquaintance of Mr Crotty for some years; the latter having made this phone credit purchase, in the knowledge that it would be used, in the commission of the serious crime of murder.

The prosecution intends to call evidence that Mr Kirwan’s movements were being monitored by a tracking device that had been attached to his motor vehicle.

The attack at the Regency Hotel, Whitehall, Dublin, where the Irish criminal Mr David Byrne was shot dead and a number of others injured, when gunmen opened fire during a boxing weigh-in in 2016, is understood to form the background to the unfortunate death of Mr Kirwan.

Death Of Paddy O’Donoghue, Formerly Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Sunday 21st January 2024, of Mr Patrick (Paddy) O’Donoghue, Dundrum, Co. Dublin, and formerly of Hollyford, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents, Liam and Cáit, sisters Mairéad and Brede, and his nephew Jeremy; Mr O’Donoghue (ex. Bank of Ireland) passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Glebe House Nursing Home, Kilternan, Co. Dublin.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving family; wife Louie, sons Liam and Barry, grandchildren Naomi, Lauren, Ruairí, Doireann and Veer, daughters in law Emma and Shalini, his brothers and sisters Denis, Cáit, Liam, Gearoíd and Róisín, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr O’Donoghue will repose at Fanagan’s Funeral Home, No.5 & 6 Lower Main St, Dundrum, Dublin 14, (D14 F3X2), on tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday January 23rd, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of the Holy Cross, Main Street, Dundrum, Co. Dublin, on Wednesday morning, January 24th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 10:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Kilternan Cemetery Park, Ballycorus Road, Kilternan Dublin 18, Co. Dublin.

Note Please: Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, to St. Vincent de Paul, Dundrum, Co. Dublin.

For those persons who are unable to attend Requiem Mass for Mr O’Donoghue, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended O’Donoghue 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.

In ár gcroíthe go deo. Slán abhaile.