Thurles Information

Decision To Increase Retirement Age Of Gardaí, Defence Forces & Prison Staff Approved.

Retirement age of An Garda Síochána to increase from 60 to 62 years.
Extension will further support An Garda Síochána with the resources they need.
Additional measures to support recruitment into uniformed services to be considered.
Total gross allocation for Garda force in 2024 is €2.31 billion, an increase of over €172 million on 2023, the highest ever Garda Budget.
The next intake to the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary is scheduled for April 8th 2024.
Another 174 Garda Members are due to attest on March 22nd 2024.
Since 2020 approval has been granted for over 150 retirement extensions for Garda members, at the request of the Garda Commissioner; to work beyond the age of 60.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee T.D, along with An Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Mr Micheál Martin TD and the Minister for Public Expenditure Mr Paschal Donohoe T.D. have received Government approval to increase the mandatory retirement age in An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and the Irish Prison Service.

The increased mandatory retirement age in the uniformed services will be facilitated by amendments to the relevant pension legislation, to be brought forward by Minister Donohoe.

Speaking today, Minister McEntee said: “This increase in the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 62 is just one measure I am taking to support An Garda Síochána, as this Government demonstrates its determination to build stronger, safer communities.
We know a strong An Garda Síochána is central to that and in order to keep it strong, it is important that we retain the knowledge and expertise of experienced people where possible. In addition, increasing the mandatory retirement age reflects the reality across all sectors that people can and want to work in their chosen careers for longer.
We are immensely grateful to our Gardaí and Prison Officers for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the vital role that they play in keeping people safe.
I will continue to engage with Minister Donohue and the Tánaiste over the coming weeks to support this legislation and we will continue to explore any additional measures to support recruitment into An Garda Síochána and all our uniformed services”.

Both Minister McEntee and the Garda Commissioner have agreed that An Garda Síochána should grow to 15,000 and beyond. To reach that target, the government will continue to consider all additional measures to progress and enhance recruitment over the coming months.

Yesterday’s decision follows from other recent changes introduced to ensure that An Garda Síochána have the resources they need to keep people safe. This includes a record Budget allocation of over €2.35 billion, increasing the maximum age of entry to 50 and boosting the training allowance by 66% to €305 per week. This year’s Garda recruitment competition also received almost 6,400 applications, a significant increase on the 5,000 applications last year.

At present, retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by law, which sets the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age.

Agreement Reached On Thurles, Munster Hotel Car Park Rent.

We learned today that an agreement has been reached, allowing the public to continue to use the Munster Hotel car park, latter situated eastward, on the junction of Cathedral Street and Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

**Metal Cladding remains adrift on Munster Hotel roof, today in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**
*Pic. G. Willoughby.*

A request sent to Ms Sharon Scully (Thurles MD Administrator), with regards to the details of the new financial package, paid by taxpayers, and now agreed between Tipperary Co. Council and the owner Mr Martin Healy, for the next 12 months, has not as yet been disclosed.

The possible non availability of the parking spaces into the future had been first highlighted by Cllr. Jim Ryan, after negotiations had apparently broken down, thus promising even greater reduction in not just town centre footfall, but major issue with regards to Church services and School student transport.
This massive reduction in footfall follows the half upgrading of Liberty Square, which according to the few remaining businesses trading in the area, has been reduced by at least 65% over the past 4 years.

Regrettably, changes to parking bays on Cathedral Street; same regulations changed in favour of the parking of School buses, which previously sat within the car park, will now have to be reversed again, to ensure that small businesses in the immediate area, continue to attract consumers.

Meanwhile, the large sheet of metal cladding, adrift on the Munster Hotel roof, continues to threaten any vehicles parked in the immediate area.
One wonders whose insurance company is involved and have they been made aware of the need to correct this dangerous issue?

The waste of taxpayers money continues.

By the way, talking about Cathedral Street, Thurles; one Pedestrian Crossing light bulb (Green) has not been working for some weeks, since it was struck by a high sided vehicle, same exiting MIC (St. Patricks College Thurles).

Death Of Peg Byrne, Formerly Clonoulty, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Tuesday 5th March 2024, of Mrs Margaret (Peg) Byrne (née Walsh), late of Carrigeen, Clonoulty, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Knockmannon, Lisdowney, Co. Kilkenny.

In her 104th year, and pre-deceased by her husband John, brothers Patrick, Ned and Kieran and niece Catriona; Mrs Byrne passed away peacefully, while in the care of Staff at St. Theresa’s Nursing Home, Dublin Road, Thurles.

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

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Byrne will repose at Hayes’ Funeral Chapel, Clonoulty, Cashel on tomorrow evening, Wednesday, March 6th, from 6:00pm, before being received into the nearby Church of St. John the Baptist, Clonoulty, at 7.30pm.

Requiem Mass for Mrs Byrne will be celebrated on Thursday morning, March 7th, at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Clonoulty New Cemetery, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mrs Byrne, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Byrne 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 h-anam dílis.

Death Of Michael O’Meara, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Sunday 3rd March 2024 of Mr Michael O’Meara, St Joseph’s, Bohernamona Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his sons Tom and John, daughter-in-law Eleanor; Mr O’Meara passed away unexpectedly following a short illness.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving family; devoted wife Chrissie (née Dwyer, Clonoulty, Cashel), daughter Helen, sons Michael and Eddie, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, son-in-law Seamus, daughters-in-law Kathleen, Esther and Michelle, sister-in-law Mary, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr O’Meara will repose at his residence, (E41 HT26) on Thursday afternoon, March 7th, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm.
His remains will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, on Friday morning, March 8th, at 10:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Bouladuff, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended O’Meara 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.

Thurles Municipal District Council Continue To Waste Tax Payers Money.

The heavy duty vehicles continue to have problems in their efforts to pass through Thurles Town in Co. Tipperary. The galvanised railing, on the junction of Liberty Square and Slievenamon road, has been struck again in recent weeks; despite the street lighting left burning over a 24 hour period. See picture immediately below.

Closeby in the same area, one or more ‘Uncouth Barbarian(s)’ have ripped open the casing on the Victorian visitor information display board. Nobody saw anything and anyway who cares. See picture immediately below.

A short distance away, on Parnell Street for want of a spanner, the pedestrian lights situated a few metres from the offices of Fianna Fáil TD Mr Jackie Cahill, have been struck yet again (several weeks ago), by a high sided vehicle, and are possibly no longer fit for purpose. See picture immediately below.

Looks like all Municipal District Officials; elected Councillors and TD’s continue to ‘sleep at the wheel’, while taxpayers money is being washed down the drain.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you have successfully turned our town into a now derelict uninhabited place.