Thurles Information

Tipperary Takes Centre Stage As Ireland Unlocks Its Heritage Treasures This Wednesday.

This Wednesday, April 1st, history comes alive across Ireland, but nowhere more vividly than in the heart of Tipperary. As part of the popular “Free Wednesday” initiative, visitors are invited to step beyond the everyday and into centuries of rich heritage, with free access to nearly 40 iconic sites nationwide. From majestic castles to hidden architectural gems, this unique opportunity opens doors, literally and figuratively, to Ireland’s past, offering unforgettable experiences for families, explorers, and culture enthusiasts alike.

**The Swiss Cottage, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.**

In Co. Tipperary, the spotlight shines brightly on a remarkable collection of historic landmarks, including Cahir Castle, Ormond Castle, Roscrea Castle, and the enchanting Swiss Cottage. These sites, steeped in stories of medieval power, elegant design, and rural life, showcase the county’s extraordinary contribution to Ireland’s built heritage. Many locations across the country have also recently reopened following conservation efforts, adding a renewed sense of discovery for returning and first-time visitors alike.

With no booking required and access granted on a first-come, first-served basis, this is a rare chance to immerse yourself in Ireland’s cultural legacy; completely free of charge. Whether wandering through ancient halls, admiring intricate craftsmanship, or simply soaking up the atmosphere of centuries gone by, tomorrow Wednesday promises a journey through time not to be missed.

Tipperary – Icarus Robotics Signs Landmark Agreement With Voyager Technologies.

Icarus Robotics Signs Landmark Agreement with Voyager Technologies to Deploy AI-Powered Robot on International Space Station.

Icarus Robotics, a pioneering space robotics company co-founded by Irish entrepreneur Jamie Palmer, who grew up in Co. Tipperary, has announced a major agreement with Voyager Technologies to test its innovative robotic platform aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

**Pictured L-R: Ethan Barajas & Jamie Palmer**.
*Image Courtesy: J Anders Urmacher/NYFrequency*.

Under the newly signed mission management contract, Voyager Technologies will support the deployment of Icarus Robotics’ free-flying robot, Joyride, with a demonstration mission scheduled for early 2027. The agreement represents a significant milestone in advancing autonomous robotics capabilities in space.

Voyager will provide end-to-end mission services, including payload integration, safety certification, launch coordination, on-orbit operations planning, and real-time mission execution support.

The Joyride platform is designed to operate in microgravity environments, using artificial intelligence to enable human-controlled robots that can learn from demonstrations and progressively perform complex tasks independently. The ISS mission will serve as a critical step in validating the system’s navigation, maneuverability, and operational performance in space.

“Icarus Robotics represents the next generation of space builders, providing a turnkey solution for reliable, flight-proven access to space,” said Mr Matt Magaña, President of Space, Defense & National Security at Voyager Technologies.

Founded in 2024, Icarus Robotics is focused on developing a robotic workforce for space applications. Its systems aim to address growing labour constraints in orbit, where astronauts often spend valuable time on routine tasks such as maintenance and cargo handling. By deploying intelligent robotic systems, the company seeks to free astronauts to focus on high-value scientific research and mission-critical operations.

The company’s first-generation robots are operated remotely by humans, forming the foundation for “embodied AI”; systems capable of learning from human input and eventually carrying out tasks autonomously in complex environments.

Co-founder Ethan Barajas highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting its connection to his early experience in Voyager’s NASA HUNCH programme. “It is a full-circle moment to now deliver a robotic platform that will help make the ISS and future commercial stations smarter, autonomous, and capable of operating where humans cannot easily go,” he said.

Looking ahead, Icarus Robotics envisions its technology playing a key role in a wide range of space activities, including intravehicular operations, satellite servicing, and large-scale orbital construction.

The upcoming ISS demonstration marks a critical step toward that future, laying the groundwork for more autonomous, efficient, and scalable space operations.

Arrests In Investigation Into 2019 Murder Of Tipperary Native William Delaney.

Gardaí investigating the murder of Tipperary native William Delaney, who was reported missing in January 2019, have today confirmed the arrest of three individuals in connection with this ongoing investigation.

The persons arrested include two women, aged in their 20s and 30s, and a man in his 30s. They are currently being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at Garda stations in the Midlands and South Western regions.

Mr Delaney, a Tipperary native, had been residing in Portlaoise with his family at the time of his disappearance. On the morning of January 30th, 2019, he left Portlaoise General Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment, and subsequently collected a social welfare payment from Portlaoise Post Office.

He was last seen at approximately 3:00pm that afternoon in Monasterevin, County Kildare, where he had called to a relative’s residence on the old Cork–Dublin Road. The relative was not present at the time; however, Mr Delaney was observed outside the property, located opposite the Hazel Hotel.

Mr Delaney was reported missing by his family on March 6th 2019. In June of that year, An Garda Síochána received information indicating that he had been killed and buried at a location in County Laois. A detailed search operation was subsequently carried out in the vicinity of the Rock of Dunamase; however, no remains were discovered.

Gardaí continue to appeal to the public for assistance. While acknowledging the support received to date, investigators believe that additional information remains within the community that has not yet been shared.

Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is urged to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on Tel: 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line Tel:1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda station.

Investigations in the case remain ongoing.

Death Of Catherine Loughnane, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Sunday 29th March 2026, of Ms Catherine Loughnane, Dún Lia, Loughtagalla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Pouldine, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her parents Michael and Kathleen and her brother Thomas; Ms Loughnane passed away peacefully following a short illness most bravely borne, while in the care of her children and staff at the Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles and Milford Care Centre.

Her passing is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughters Zoe and Aoife and their father Robert Lanphier, son John and his father Ciarán Boland, adored grandchildren Ella-Mae, Séimí and Lily, daughter-in-law Aoife, sisters Mary Slattery and Martina Loughnane, brothers Damien, Michael and Seamus, nephews, nieces, brother-in-law Tom, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms Loughnane will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59) on Tuesday afternoon, March 31st, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm.
Her remains will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, (Eircode E41 A528) on Wednesday morning, April 1st, at 10:30am to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in Ballymoreen Graveyard, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Ms Loughnane, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Loughnane 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.

Note please: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Milford Care Centre, in memory of Ms Catherine Loughnane.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Control Of Listeria monocytogenes In Production Of Ready-To-Heat Meals.

FSAI publishes guidance for the control of Listeria monocytogenes in the production of ready-to-heat meals.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today published a new Guidance Note, Control of Listeria monocytogenes and Ensuring Food Safety in the Production of Certain Cook/Chilled Ready-To-Heat Meals, providing practical recommendations to help food businesses strengthen their food safety management systems and better detect and control Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacterium that causes listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness that can have significant impacts on health, particularly in older people, people with certain existing medical conditions and pregnant women. The guidance was issued as part of the FSAI’s ongoing response to recent outbreaks of listeriosis, including the outbreak in Ireland in 2025 and one in the United States the same year, both linked to ready-to-heat meals. These outbreaks of listeriosis highlight the risks associated with these products, if effective food safety controls are not in place.

Ready-to-heat meals are fully cooked during manufacturing but still require thorough cooking by consumers to make them safe before consumption. Although these products are not classified as ready-to-eat foods under EU legislation, food businesses have a responsibility to ensure all food placed on the market is safe to eat. The FSAI advises that certain types of ready-to-heat meals* can still pose significant risks if contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes despite carrying instructions for cooking by the consumer.

Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said: “Listeriosis is a rare but potentially serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which poses a particular risk to older people, people with certain existing medical conditions, and pregnant women. It is essential that consumers ensure that they handle these ready-to-heat meals as instructed on the pack and cook them thoroughly until piping hot, and in line with manufacturer’s instructions.”

“Protecting consumers from foodborne illness is a fundamental responsibility for all food businesses. This guidance highlights the importance of a proactive approach to controlling Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-heat meals. Food businesses must consider how these products are likely to be used in practice and ensure that appropriate controls are in place throughout the production process. By strengthening food safety management systems to better control Listeria monocytogenes, there will be less reliance on adequate cooking of the product by the consumer to make these products safe. We encourage all relevant food businesses to review this guidance and implement the recommended practices.”

The new guidance reminds food businesses that Listeria monocytogenes is a hazard that must be controlled during the production of these foods. The guidance will support the safe and consistent production, storage, handling and labelling of ready-to-heat meals. It emphasises that food businesses must take account of the “reasonably foreseeable use” of these products, recognising that some consumers do not always handle or fully cook them, as required by the manufacturer’s instructions on the pack.

The FSAI states that Listeria monocytogenes can survive and persist in food processing environments and may contaminate food after cooking, if effective hygiene and environmental controls are not in place. Ready-to-heat meals containing several components e.g. meat, vegetables, are particularly vulnerable where they are assembled after cooking and exposed to the processing environment prior to final packaging. If contaminated at this stage, domestic cooking may not always be sufficient to eliminate the risk, particularly where cooking instructions are not followed.

Guidance Note 46: Control of Listeria monocytogenes and Ensuring Food Safety in the Production of Certain Cook/Chilled Ready-To-Heat Meals