Thurles Information

Death Of Pat Stakelum, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Saturday 11th April 2026, of Mr Pat Stakelum, Munich, Germany and formerly of Fianna Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

In his 64th year and pre-deceased by his parents Frank and Annie; Mr Stakelum passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, following an illness most bravely borne, and while in the care of staff at Christophorus Hospice Association e.V, Effnerstraße 93, 81925 München, Bayern.

His passing is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family;loving son Christopher and beloved friend Daniela, brothers Robert, Noel, Frank and Conor, sisters-in-law Assunta, Mairead, Martina and Tina, nephews, nieces, grand-nieces, cousins extended relatives, neighbours and many friends in both Munich and Ireland.

May He Rest In Peace.

A funeral service for Mr Stakelum will ne held on Thursday afternoon, May 21st next at 2:15pm in the Waldfriedhof Cemetery, Fürstenrieder Str. 288, 81377 München, Germany.

The extended Stakelum 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.

Tipperary County Council: World Leaders in Revenue Collection.

Tipperary County Council: World Leaders in Revenue Collection, but still Struggling With… Roads.

Tipperary County Council has proudly confirmed that it extracted a tidy €308,112 in parking fines in 2025, proving once again that when it comes to collecting money, efficiency is not an issue.

Fixing roads, however, remains a bold and experimental concept. See in particular Emmett Street, Westgate junction, Barry’s Bridge etc. etc. here in Thurles,

Across nine towns, thousands of motorists were “caught red-handed”, — “embarrassed even”, according to local press reports, having been photographed by traffic wardens, committing the heinous crime of allowing two wheels to exist slightly outside a faded white line or failing to have their hair permed within the 15 minute permitted free time frame.

Thurles, notably, now continues to excel in two key areas:
(1) Generating revenue.
(2) Avoiding pothole repairs.

Of course, as one would expect, Clonmel led the charge with 2,469 fines, followed by Nenagh with 1,346 fines, Thurles (God help us in a town where most car parks were closed in 2025) 1,258 fines, while Carrick-on-Suir tried and failed to catch-up with a mere 1,052 fines.

A further breakdown reveals a more refined vehicle operator:
Tipperary Town: 914 fines.
Cashel: 548 fines.
Templemore: 267 fines.
Roscrea: 256 fines.
Cahir: took the wooden spoon, with a miserable 142 fines only.
Still all admirable figures, if the goal is to run a highly efficient penalty collection service, rather than maintain public infrastructure.

Motorists are charged €40 – €80 for parking offences, rising by 50% after 28 days, because nothing says “public service” like interest rates that would impress a credit card company.

Other highlights include:
♣ €60 for failing to display a tax disc.
♣ In keeping with Health & Safety, No Charge for failing to display a NCT disk.
♣ €150 for parking in a disabled space.

Meanwhile, in Thurles, the surface of Barry’s Bridge is once again disintegrating, bravely demonstrating the council’s innovative “Natural Erosion Management Strategy.”

Residents are reportedly delighted to see their contributions; over €300,000 worth, being reinvested into… somewhere; possibly sending salaried staff on St Patrick’s weekend junkets; but certainly not road surfaces.

A spokesperson, (latter who does not wish to be named), standing carefully to avoid loose flying gravel, stated: “We take great pride in maintaining strict parking enforcement, while also maintaining a flexible, evolving interpretation of the word ‘roadworthy.”

Local drivers have expressed confusion, noting that while their tyres are expected to meet exact legal standards, the road beneath them appears to be auditioning for a gravel pit.
Experts confirm that if potholes themselves could be fined, Tipperary County Council would likely be running a budget surplus.

Until then, motorists are advised to:
♦ Display their tickets correctly facing upwards.
♦ Pay promptly.
♦ Have a suspension system worthy of Dakar Rally conditions▲ when crossing Barry’s Bridge.
{▲The Dakar Rally is considered the world’s most challenging endurance motorsport event, held annually over two weeks in extreme desert conditions.}

Wonder would Tipperary Sinn Féin TDs meet and move a motion of no confidence in Tipperary Co. Council. Ops, sorry, forgot that the Tipperary electorate failed to elect Sinn Féin TD’s, last election. I wonder why?

Yes, here in Tipperary, the fines are fixed – but the roads are anything but.

A Song For A Sunday.

Speak To The Sky.

Lyrics: Singer, Australian-American musician, actor and songwriter, Rick Springfield.
Vocals: Australian folk pop and gospel band “The Seekers” made up of the late Judith Durham (1943 – 2022) on vocals, piano and tambourine; former politican Athol Guy on double bass and vocals; Keith Potger on twelve-string guitar, banjo and vocals and Bruce Woodley on guitar, mandolin, banjo and vocals.

“Speak to the Sky,” performed by The Seekers and featuring the unmistakable voice of Judith Durham, is a gentle and uplifting song that reflects the group’s signature blend of folk, pop, and easy-listening styles. Originally written and released by Rick Springfield in 1972, the song was later reinterpreted by The Seekers on their 1997 album ‘Future Road’.

With its soothing melody and reflective lyrics, The Seekers’ version captures a sense of hope, introspection, and emotional openness. The song encourages listeners to look beyond their struggles, to “speak to the sky,” and find comfort in expressing their feelings; an idea that resonates deeply through Durham’s warm and heartfelt vocal delivery.

Speak To The Sky.

Speak to the sky whenever things go wrong,
And you’ll know you’re not talking to the air,
To the air,
And the world will look better from up there.
Speak to the sky ’cause things can get you down,
And you’ll know when you’re talking to the Lord,
To the Lord,
The world will look better than before.

And if I stumble, and it seems that I am blind,
Or if the road I’m on seems awful hard to find,
And though my conversation doesn’t always rhyme,
I always try to find some time,
To speak to the sky, and tell you how I feel,
And you know sometimes what I say ain’t right,
It’s all right, (It’s all right),
‘Cause I speak to the sky every night.

Yeah, speak to the sky whenever things go wrong,
And you’ll know you’re not talking to the air,
To the air,
And the world will look better from up there.
And the world will look better from up there.
Yes, the world will look better from up there.

Speak to the sky whenever things go wrong.
Speak to the sky whenever things go wrong.
Yeah, speak to the sky whenever things go wrong.
Speak to the sky whenever things go wrong.

END.

Statement By Minister For Justice, Home Affairs & Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan TD.

Minister For Justice, Home Affairs & Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan TD has stated in a press release issued at 6:28pm this evening that, quote:
“Over the past four days An Garda Síochána has engaged extensively with protestors seeking to allow access to critical sites and ensure certain trucks containing fuel, medicine and animal feed were allowed pass through blockades.

Despite the increasingly difficult situation facing people across the country and requests from Government to end the blocking of critical infrastructure, the blockades continued. This is unacceptable.

While we all acknowledge the impact of higher fuel prices, and seek to minimise that impact, no groups are entitled in our Republic to hold our people to ransom in such a manner.

An Garda Síochána has commenced operations to allow critical infrastructure to operate, so that people have access to fuel.

I will continue to engage with the Garda Commissioner and my colleagues in Government as these operations continue.

I want to thank the Gardaí and their colleagues from the Defence Forces, for carrying out these difficult duties in such a professional manner.”

We now understand that An Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin has convened a Cabinet meeting for tomorrow where an update on ongoing fuel crisis talks, undertaken between ministers and sectoral representatives will be given.
However, the Government has stated that nothing will be announced until protesters end their blockades.

Four Events Next Week In Cashel Library, Co. Tipperary.

Ms Maura Barrett, (Cashel Library) Reports:–

(1) Comhrá sa Leabharlann.
Bain triail as do chúpla focal sa leabharlann Chaiseal Mumhan. Tá fáilte roimh gach duine.
[Try your hand at a few words in the Cashel Munster library. Everyone is welcome.]

(2) Memory Cafe in Cashel Library.
The next meeting of the Memory cafe will meet Tuesday 14th April, 11am–12.30pm. All are welcome to attend.

(3) Cashel Juvenile Book Club.
The next meeting of the juvenile book club in Cashel library will take place Tuesday evening,14th April 6.30pm, suitable for those Aged 9-11years.

(4) Cashel Craft Circle.
Join the Cashel Craft Circle every Wednesday from 10am-12pm for their social gathering. Bring along your own project to work, share ideas, patterns and enjoy a chat and cuppa with others.
No need to book just come along.

People wishing to attend the above events can locate the Cashel Library building; situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (Eircode E25 K798). TEL: 062-63825.