Thurles Information

Probation Service Annual Report 2022 Published.

The Probation Service is a non-statutory executive agency of the Department of Justice and plays an essential role within the criminal justice system to reduce reoffending and to increase public safety.
The Service is responsible for the management and delivery of robust community sanctions, working with offenders to change their behaviour and make good on the harm caused.

The Probation Service Annual Report published details the substantial work undertaken by the Probation Service over the period 2022, during which the Probation Service worked with 16,347 people within the community, 2,880 people in custody and completed more than 11,800 assessment reports.

During 2022 the Probation Service made progress on its strategic commitments across many aspects of the organisation. Some key highlights include:

The advancement of its new Irish Probation Framework (IPF) a bespoke model of probation practice that is evidence informed, underpinned by research and aims to deliver the best possible outcomes for clients, stakeholders and the wider community;
Its commitment to the implementation of the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (2022 – 2026) via the development of a 1–1 rehabilitation programme for men convicted of intimate partner violence;
The implementation of a new senior management structure aimed at building capacity in areas such as social inclusion, data analytics and community sanctions & service; and
The provision of €17.532 million of funding, via the Department of Justice, to community based organisations across the country to develop and deliver services in communities – which undertake the work of the Probation Service in changing offending behaviour.

In August 2022, the Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee, published the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024. The Review seeks to find the balance between ensuring that people who commit serious crimes receive a punishment and a period of incarceration proportionate to that crime, while at the same time acknowledging that sometimes community-based sanctions are more appropriate in diverting offenders away from future criminal activity and that they have a role to play in addressing criminality, reducing reoffending and providing protection to the public, while holding the individual accountable.

In response to this in December 2022, the Probation Service published a detailed Evidence Review of Community Service which makes a series of important recommendations aimed at maximising the potential of community Service within the Irish criminal justice system. This directly responds to objectives set out on the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform.

The Probation Service Annual Report 2022 is available on the Gov.ie website HERE.

EU Anti-Trafficking Day Being Marked.

Training launched to help security workers identify child victims of trafficking.
New Action Plan to combat human trafficking to be published within weeks.

EU Anti-Trafficking Day is being marked by emphasising the importance of raising awareness of the crime, and confirming that a new action plan to combat human trafficking will be published within weeks.

**With over 7150 human trafficking victims registered in 2021, the number continues to rise in Europe.**

EU Anti-Trafficking Day is marked each year on October 18th and among the events in Ireland today is the launch of a training module around child trafficking awareness, same aimed at relevant sectors within the security industry, and developed by the Private Security Authority (PSA) and the training provider, MECPATHS.

Separately, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is launching research, funded by the Department of Justice, on human trafficking on the island of Ireland, with a focus on the border with Northern Ireland.

Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee has stated, “Human trafficking is an exploitative and particularly heinous crime that preys on some of the most vulnerable, and is committed with no regard for life, dignity or for the most basic of human rights.
It has no place in a modern and civilised society. Victims can be found anywhere, often hidden in plain sight and we need wider society to recognise the signs and to contact An Garda Síochána if they have concerns.
We are determined to combat this insidious crime and to support those who are victims of it.“

Minister McEntee will shortly publish the third Action Plan to combat human trafficking, with the key goals of this plan focused on creating a more victim-centred approach to identifying and supporting victims; raising awareness; and providing training for those who need it.

Introducing the revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM) will be a key action. The National Referral Mechanism is the framework through which the State identifies and supports victims of human trafficking.

An Garda Síochána is currently solely responsible for identifying victims. The reality is that some victims of trafficking, because of interactions they may have had with law enforcement officials in other jurisdictions, have a perception that police cannot be trusted. The new approach acknowledges other State bodies and NGOs have a role in identifying victims of human trafficking and referring them to the NRM. Legislation to introduce the new NRM is currently before the Dáil.

The development of training, through NGOs, targeting front line staff in industries such as hospitality, airline, shipping and security, latter who may come into contact with trafficked persons is also key to the new plan.

Today sees the launch of the PSA online training module around Child Trafficking awareness. The training will become mandatory for all new applicants for a PSA licence in the Door Supervisor and Security Guarding sectors.

Further information can be found on the Department of Justice’s dedicated anti trafficking website HERE.

Death Of Donald J. Fennelly, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Wednesday 18th October 2023, of Mr Donald J. Fennelly, Ballintaggart, Callan, Co. Kilkenny and formerly of Ballingarry (South Riding), Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Daniel J. and Catherine, his brother John, his sisters Sr. Joan, Aileen and Mina; Mr Fennelly passed away peacefully, at his place of residence, surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his sorrowing family, his wife Brenda (née Hogan), children Dan, Edward, Catherine, Elizabeth, Rosalind and John, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brother Fintan and sisters Ursula and Anne, cherished grandchildren, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Fennelly will repose at P. Molloy’s Funeral Home, West Street, Callan on Thursday afternoon, October 19th, from 5:00pm concluding with Rosary recital and vigil prayers at 7:00pm same evening.

His remains will be received into the Church of the Assumption, Ballingarry Upper (SR), Thurles, to further repose for Requiem Mass on Friday morning, October 20th, at 11:30am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mr Fennelly, same can be viewed streamed live online, at a link to be published later.

The extended Fennelly 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 South Tipperary Hospice.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Jim O’Neill, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Monday 16th October 2023, of Mr Jim O’Neill, Shanballyduff, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and Ballina, Co. Mayo.

Pre-deceased by his father Sean, mother-in-law Delia and father-in-law Jim Hunter (Ballina, Co Mayo); the passing of Mr O’Neill is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his heartbroken family, wife Della, sons Jim and Bill, mother Theresa, twin brother Pat, sister Betsy and Marie, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, uncles, aunts, former colleagues in An Teagasc, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr O’Neill will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on Thursday afternoon, October 19th, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, on Friday morning, October 20th, at 10:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mr O’Neill, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended O’Neill 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.

Please Note: House Strictly Private.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Announced Dates Regarding Bonus Welfare Payments Announced In Budget.

Week beginning November 20th, 2023: Some 46,500 households will receive the Working Family Payment of an extra €400.
Some 214,000 people in receipt of the Disability Support Grant will also receive a bonus of €400.
A €300 Fuel Allowance lump sum will also be paid to some 409,000 households.

Week beginning November 27th 2023: Persons in receipt of the Carers Support Grant will receive a bonus of a €400 payment.
Some 237,0000 mostly those older people who receive the living alone allowance will receive an extra €200.
A €100 bonus will be paid in respect of 370,000 children in receipt of Qualified Child Benefit.
More than 2,000,000 households will have €150 taken off their electricity bill with effect from December 1st, 2023.

Week beginning December 4th 2023: Each person in receipt of welfare payment will receive a double Christmas bonus payment.
They will also receive a double Child Benefit payment of €280 per child.

Week beginning January 29th, 2024: A second double payment of all welfare payments will be paid to recipents of State Benifits.
Weekly rates of qualified child payments will increase by €4 in January 2024 bringing them to €54 for those aged 12 and over and €46 for under 12s.
Income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will increase by €54 per week regardless of family size from January 2024.
Hot School Meals will be extended on a phased basis in 2024, to all non-DEIS primary schools, latter who applied as part of the expression of interest.
Cost of living bonus for people with disabilities, pensioners, carers, and those unemployed.
Social welfare payments will increase by €12 each week with effect from the beginning of January.

Please note * The once off payment of €400 to those people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension and/or Carer’s Support Grant, is only payable in respect of one payment, even if people qualify for more than one of the payments or are caring for more than one person.