Thurles Information

Department Of Justice Condemns Criminal Acts Of Arson.

Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has in recent days, strongly condemned criminal acts of arson.

The Minister stated, “People need to understand these are very serious crimes which carry heavy prison sentences and those who have carried them out will be brought to justice.
I have been in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner and I have reassured him that any resources required will be made available to him. Meanwhile, An Garda Síochána is doing everything possible to investigate these recent acts of arson. I understand they are making good progress in their investigations and I encourage anyone with any information in relation to any of these incidents to contact them”.

Mrs McEntee continued, “I also ask anyone with information either on past incidents or about possible upcoming threats to contact their local Gardaí. It is clear that a group of people in society are intent on sowing division and fear through intimidation. I repeat that there can never be justification for such acts, regardless of circumstances or alleged motivation.
An Garda Síochána and IPAS continue to work closely together to ensure effective policing plans are in place wherever there is an identified operational need.
Where accommodation centres are being established, IPAS notifies and engages with local communities through their Community Engagement Team in advance.
Gardaí are continually monitoring emerging threats, including monitoring social media activity, and stepping up policing responses as necessary”.

“Both my Department and I are fully committed to the fight against racism and bigotry and strongly condemn the actions of those who abuse and attack others because of their own prejudices. Ireland is a diverse and tolerant country, and such behaviour is not acceptable”, she concluded.

Review Of Enforcement Of Child Maintenance Orders Now Published.

Review’s 26 recommendations include developing child maintenance guidelines, strengthening attachment of earnings orders and introducing additional enforcement mechanisms
Minister for Justice signals intention to move swiftly to implementation and also welcomes co-operation of Government colleague Minister Humphreys
Notes that publication fulfils a key action within the Government’s Family Justice Strategy goal of ‘supporting children’.

The Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders has been published today.
Carried out to examine how the current system can be improved, this published review, now contains 26 recommendations, spanning three different approaches; those of consensus, compliance and deterrence.

Commenting on its publication, Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee, TD said: “Non-payment of child maintenance is a common problem and the current enforcement options available are limited in scope and impact.
This is clearly unacceptable, given the critical source of income which it can represent. That is why, working with Minister Humphreys, I am determined to take action in this area to ensure that every child is properly supported.”

Referring to the content of the review, she continued: “These recommendations are designed to deliver maximum compliance with child maintenance orders, and that is why I intend to commence the implementation process immediately. That will involve establishing an interdepartmental group to develop a set of child maintenance guidelines and I will do that without delay.
At a later point, I will seek government approval for other recommendations which will require legislative change to ensure I do everything I can to ensure security and stability for children.
My colleague Minister Humphreys is also looking at what actions she can take and I welcome her intention to bring forward measures in the near future which will also help alleviate the risk of poverty for families in this situation.”

Minister Humphreys added: “I very much welcome these steps taken by Minister McEntee, which are designed to make our Child Maintenance System fairer and more effective. Child maintenance payments are essential in ensuring security and stability for children and protecting the welfare of families.
My own Department of Social Protection plays a key role in this regard and very shortly I will be announcing the legislative measures I am introducing to decouple social welfare from our Child Maintenance System, in line with the recommendations of the Child Maintenance Review Group”.

The key recommendations of the review include:

Development of a set of child maintenance guidelines.
Strengthening attachment of earnings orders and exploring the possibility of attaching an order to a PPS number rather than employing entities, so that orders do not lapse when there is a change in employer.
Introduction of a single enforcement procedure when the receiving parent makes an enforcement application, allowing the judge to choose the most appropriate enforcement option based on the circumstances of the case.
Simplification of the bench warrant process.
Placing the onus on paying parents to pay costs associated with enforcement proceedings.
Allowing deductions from the paying parent’s bank accounts, from government grants and subsidies and the recovery of arrears from tax refunds.

Making the point that the review has its place in the Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025 – that of ‘supporting children’, Minister McEntee continued: “I am aware that many parents make private child maintenance arrangements. However, there will always be circumstances in which private arrangements either break down or are not possible.
In these circumstances, the courts are tasked with safeguarding the financial welfare of children and it is my firm intention that this review, along with the changes being progressed through the Family Justice Strategy will lead to a family justice system that is effective, efficient and that provides real justice.”

A copy of the Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders can be accessed HERE.

Death Of Mick Long, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Saturday last, 6th January 2024 of Mr Michael (Mick) Long, Togher Road, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny and formerly of Gortnahoe, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his wife Kathleen, his brothers Ned and Tom, sisters Peg, Josie and Nancy, and in his 100th year; Mr Long passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, while in the care of nurses and staff at Fennor Care Facility, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed, but always remembered by his son Michael, daughter Mary (Hennessy), daughter-in-law Frances, son-in-law John, grandson Jack, sister Mary (Fitzgerald), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Long will repose at Doyle’s Funeral home, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, on Tuesday afternoon, January 9th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of the Assumption, Main Street, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny on Wednesday morning next, January 10th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the Mill Cemetery, Islands, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny.

For those persons who are unable to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Long, same can be viewed streamed live online. (Link to Follow)

The extended Long 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Warning To Those Travelling On Mill Road Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Gardaí are advising motorists tonight to exert extreme care while travelling on the roads around Co. Tipperary, as hazardous driving conditions are being reported. Motorists are being asked to please slow down.

Vehicles travelling on the Mill Road, Thurles are particularly being warned to take extreme care as surface water is presently, despite no rain over the past week, continuing to flow out through gateways, unto a large part of the road surface.

**Surface water flowing through gateways unto the Mill Road area of Thurles, Co. Tipperary**.
*Pic. G. Willoughby*

There has been a failure by Thurles Municipal District engineers over the past 2 years to clear the drains in this area.

**Total failure, by Thurles Municipal District engineers, to clear drains despite being notified** **over the past 5 years**.
*Pic. G. Willoughby*

Due to promised temperatures of at least -2 tonight; the road surface in this area, is expected to become extremely icy; with schools reopening tomorrow, large volumes of traffic will attempt to use this area in an effort to avoid the town centre, altogether.

What is causing this sudden unprecedented excess surface water on the Mill Road, over the past 2 years has as yet not been identified.

This area is a natural flood-plain for the River Suir. Such natural flood-plains are increasingly being environmentally degraded and devalued. As a result of urbanisation and infrastructural development, natural flooding can result in the land surface becoming impermeable (watertight). Thus, natural drainage of water that once was allowed to pass through the soil and its numerous layers are often undermined by the construction of housing, the erection of pavements and tarmac surfaces, resulting in surface run-off, due to a sudden rapid increase in a river’s natural discharge.
It should be noted that some 26 houses were granted planning permission and erected on the Mill Road, in the past 2 years and the contractor was allowed to exit the site, leaving all road drains compacted with muck from heavy machinery used.

**Total failure, by Thurles Municipal District engineers, to undertake proper road repairs** **and surface drainage** **on Mill Road Thurles.**
*Pic. G. Willoughby*

Attempts to have one area of this road repaired, [View Here], on December 7th, 2023, resulted in a few shovels of cold tarmac, now rapidly vanishing, and a number of trenches being dug into the ditch, as shown in picture above.

Why in God’s name, do we continue to pay ‘Property Tax’, ‘Road Tax’ and ‘high salaries’, latter to officials, when we receive such poor response when it comes to maintaining essential services. It is becoming more evident that locally elected Councillors and their officials are no longer in control of Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the service they are supposed to supply.

Some 4 days ago, January 3rd, 2024, [View Here] on Thurles.info we highlighted the shocking state of Kickham Street’s road surface. We are delighted to report that on January 4th (and thankfully before school traffic returns) most of the multitude of potholes were filled.
This work is also a very short-term safety measure, nevertheless same is to be welcomed. It is not, however, a long-term solution. Kickham Street’s full and thorough rehabilitation and resurfacing are imperative.
This stretch of road accommodates huge volumes of traffic daily. Given the absence of a ring road and the deplorable state of the Mill Road alternative, (narrow driving conditions, potholes and severe flooding), there will be no decrease in traffic on this main route entering the town, that includes Kickham Street.
Its maintenance and improvement is, therefore, a necessary priority and plans to initiate improvements should be implemented as soon as possible.

A copy of this report has been sent to senior officials; sharon.scully@tipperarycoco.ie, to joe.macgrath@tipperarycoco.ie, and marcus.oconnor@tipperarycoco.ie.

Male Sustains Gunshot Wound At Tipperary Sports Venue.

A man has sustained a gunshot wound to the arm following an incident at a sports venue in Rural Co. Tipperary.

The incident happened shortly after 9:00pm during a soccer match, being held under floodlights, near the village of Rear Cross in Co Tipperary.

Gardaí have confirmed that the as yet unnamed victim locally was treated at the scene by emergency services personnel, before being taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) for the further assessment of his gunshot wound. We understand that his injury is not life-threatening.

Investigating Gardaí are now appealing for witnesses and have preserved the scene for further forensic and technical examination.

It is thought that the shooting may have been accidental and to this end, Gardai are particularly anxious to confirm if any individual may have been hunting in the area at the time and have invited such person or persons to make themselves known.

Any person with further information are requested to contact Nenagh Garda Station, Tel: 067-50450 or the Garda Confidential Line on Tel: 1800 666 111 or indeed any Garda Station.