Thurles Information

Cashel Man To Go On Trial In Special Criminal Court Accused Of Murder Of Innocent Man.

A Cashel, Co. Tipperary man is expected to go on trial before three presiding Judges; namely Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, Judge Ms Sarah Berkeley and Judge Ms Grainne Malone, at the Special Criminal Court, Dublin tomorrow, after he pleaded not guilty yesterday, to assisting a known criminal gang murder Mr Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, an innocent man, who had no known involvement in any criminality.

Mr Kirwan, aged 62 years, was, sadly, shot six times resulting in his death, as he sat in his motor vehicle, at St. Ronan’s Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, just 3 days before Christmas, on December 22nd, 2016.

At the court on Monday, Mr Michael Crotty, aged 41 years, with an address at Slí Aonghusa, Aras na Rí, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, pleaded not guilty to facilitating the criminal organisation, who are believed to have been involved in the murder of Mr Kirwan.

Mr Crotty is accused that between October 20th, 2016 and December 22nd, 2016, within the State and with the 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 wit: the murder of Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal justice Act.

The trial, which is scheduled to last up to five weeks, is to begin at the Special Criminal Court tomorrow, Wednesday January 17th.

On Friday last, at the Special Criminal Court, a co-accused and senior Kinahan cartel member, Mr Declan Brady (aka ‘Mr Nobody) had already pleaded guilty to the same charge.
Mr Brady, with an address at St. Wolstan’s Abbey, Celbridge, Co Kildare, who currently remains in custody for other offences, pleaded guilty to the single charge against him and will now also appear before the court tomorrow, when a date will be set for his sentencing.

Previously, Mr Brady had pleaded guilty, back in July 2019, to supervising an arsenal which included an assault rifle and thousands of rounds of ammunition, located stashed in a Dublin business park. Following this offence he had already been sentenced to 10.5 years in prison. In 2021, the same Mr Brady had further pleaded guilty to laundering hundreds of thousands of Euros in cash; earned through proceeds of crime in 2017.

Death Of Maura Purcell, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Monday 15th January 2024 of Mrs Mary Ann (Maura) Purcell (née Bowe), Castletown, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Creenkillmore, Gathabawn, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny.

Pre-deceased by her loving husband Seán, sisters Margaret (Gretta), Bridget (Sr. Teresina) and Stella, brothers James and Loughlin, beloved aunt and grand-aunt; Mrs Purcell passed away peacefully, while in the care of her family and staff at Marymount Care Centre, Lucan.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Purcell will repose at Doyle’s Funeral Home, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, (PC99+J8), on Wednesday afternoon, January 17th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her funeral cortège will be received into the Church of St. Mary, Moyne, Thurles, on Thursday morning, January 18th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended Purcell and Bowe 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.

Death Of Ann Fogarty, Boherlahan, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Monday 15th January 2024, of Mrs Ann Fogarty (née Flanagan), Grangebeg, Boherlahan, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her parents Josephine and Paddy, husband Paddy and sisters Mary (Croke) and Veronica (Angione); Mrs Fogarty passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her loving family; Patrick, Ina, Michael and Verina, daughters-in-law Bridget and Jo, son-in-law Sean, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother Andy, sister Eileen D’Arcy, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Fogarty will be received into the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Dualla, Co. Tipperary on Thursday next, January 18th, to repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by Private Cremation.

The extended Fogarty and Flanagan 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

“A Nickel Ain’t Worth A Dime Anymore”.

It is not just the rising cost of living which is diminishing the value of Irish currency, so also is rust, if coinage, when exposed to the elements, continues to be manufactured from copper-plated steel.

Global wealth, at the end of 2022, was estimated to be about $454.4 trillion, same shrinking for the first time, since the financial crisis in 2008, by an estimated $11.3 trillion last year, 2023.

Money has been part of our human history for at least the past 5,000 years, graduating from bartering, (e.g. a dry measure of wheat from a farmer in exchange for a pair of shoes from a shoe maker), to the introduction of money, the later thus increasing the speed at which business deals could be transacted.

**Above 3 coins are dated 1862** *(Young Victoria halfpenny)***, 1853** *(Young Victoria penny)* **and 2000** *(Irish 1p)***, respectively.**

The invention of metal coinage occurred when Lydia’s (Same country now present day Turkey), King Alyattes (r. 619-560 BCE) minted the first coins in the second half of the 7th century, before Christian era (BCE). These coins were made from electrum, latter a mixture of silver and gold that occurs naturally, and the coins were stamped with pictures that acted as the unit classification for each stated coin.

During 1260 CE, the Yuan dynasty of China, were the first to move from coins to paper money, with the stated warning, “Those who are counterfeiting will be beheaded”.

Of the above pictured 3 coins, same located buried in the ground and under similar circumstances; the first two dated 1862 and 1853 are made from bronze, while the 3rd coin; a decimal one penny Irish coin dated 2000, is coloured bronze, but made of actually copper-plated steel. As our readers can observe prone to rust if left/lost in damp clay.

It was in the 21st century that we began the form of making payments, for goods and services, using just the touch of our index finger, using a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet device.

In recent years, the acceleration of digital adoption, was brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and was the main reasons why the use of cash declined significantly. Paper money has been long seen as a carrier of germs and disease, and as that pandemic grew, some businesses insisted that consumers used plastic or contactless smartphones, to complete transactions. Indeed, going back to Victorian times the upper classes regularly washed coinage, before giving them to their children. (Interesting to note that following a study of €10 notes in recent years, nearly 80% of them showed traces of cocaine, skin bacteria, DNA from pets and viruses, but thankfully our skin remains a really good protector of our overall health).

Cryptocurrencies and the use of smart cards has increased considerably, mainly because they offer such convenience, through speed and greater security. Worldwide, coins are no longer being manufactured to the same degree, thus saving countries millions in the mining of metal and cost of coin manufacture.

While it is accepted that coins and paper money will cease to exist by the end of this century, the stated rule, “Investment in knowledge will continue to pays the best interest”, remains steadfast.

New Garda Recruitment Campaign.

Significant increase in training allowance.
New trainees to receive €305 per week.
Change to age requirements opens role to 35 to 50 year olds for first time.

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has welcomed the new recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána, which opens for applications today and closes on Thursday 8 February.

Noting that recruitment into An Garda Síochána has accelerated following the forced closure of the Garda College to intakes, due to Covid-19, the Minister said: “I am very pleased to see Garda recruits once again regularly entering training at Templemore, and this competition will ensure there is a continuous pipeline of new trainees.
As a government we allocated the highest ever budget of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024. That included funding for between 800 and 1,000 new Gardaí, and I hope, and indeed expect, that there will be a strong response to this campaign.
I encourage anyone who believes they can make a positive contribution as a Garda to consider putting their name forward.
Policing is a career in which no two days will be the same – it can be exciting, rewarding and undoubtedly challenging, but it offers a great opportunity to have a positive impact in the community and to be a part of a modern, inclusive police service that has the respect and trust of the Irish public.”

The last Garda recruitment campaign which closed in April 2023, received approximately 5,000 applications.

Both the Government and Garda Commissioner have said they are committed to reflecting the increasing diversity in Irish Society by ensuring that all communities see themselves reflected in An Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner has also put a strong focus on equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds to join An Garda Síochána through this campaign.

Noting recent changes made to the eligibility requirements and increased training allowance, Minister McEntee added: “We have significantly increased the training allowance for trainee Gardaí, to €305 per week. Given that, and the decision to increase the maximum age of recruitment from 35 to 50, I believe we are opening up policing as a career option to a new cohort of people who will bring a range of different life and career experiences to the table.
Across 2023 we have seen recruitment into An Garda Síochána gain real momentum. And with unprecedented funding recently allocated for equipment and wellbeing initiatives, and recent increases in frontline supervisors, I believe those who join will be supported as they take on what I know can be a challenging job.
Our Gardaí do vital work every day investigating crime, supporting victims and maintaining the security of the state. Given that my top priority is building stronger, safer communities, I want to express my gratitude to them for their outstanding dedication and commitment and I hope this competition will lead to many more joining their ranks.”

Prospective candidates can visit publicjobs.ie for more information on how to apply.

Closing Date for the competition is Thursday 8th February 2024.