Thurles Information

Future Death Inevitable If Neglect Of Mill Road, Thurles Continues.

The pictures hereunder show the state of neglect of Thurles by Tipperary Co. Council, as was observed on Tuesday last, along less than a 40 kilometre (¼ ml) stretch of the Mill Road, here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The first picture, hereunder, demonstrates what is left of repairs undertaken by Tipperary Co. Council only a few weeks ago. Here over the past 4 years it has become obvious that this Mill Road surface is slowly sinking into the River Drish.

**Mill Road sinking into the River Drish.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

Since the half upgrading of Liberty Square, (For the benefit of non residents, latter is situated in the town centre), a considerable volume of traffic including heavy duty vehicles, now veer off to use this route to avoid inevitable delays, now an everyday occurrence, when attempting to enter into the town centre.

Most traffic travelling on the Mill Road route do so in breach of existing speed limits, resulting in some 3 single vehicle collisions in as many months.
Evidence of this can be viewed, hereunder, in picture number two, where a motor vehicle has, in recent days, been removed, having collided with a signpost, leaving crash debris scattered nearby.

**Evidence of one of 3 single vehicle collisions, which occurred in recent months on the Mill Road, Thurles**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

On Tuesday morning last many areas of the town were flooded, (see picture three hereunder), mainly due to the failure by Thurles Municipal Council to provide staff to clean out drains; not only in our streets, but also on this same Mill Road area.

**Cathedral Street Floods again due to water flowing past clogged drains from top of Kickham Street to Barry’s Bridge area, before crossing into the area east of** **‘The Source**‘ **building.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

On the Mill Road, picture four shows the road flooded at the narrow bridge which crosses the River Breagagh. This flooded area sits just 4 meters (15 ft) from the river ‘s edge which is not, itself in anyway flooded, and for the past 3 years Tipperary Co. Council has failed to dig a small trench, to allow the flood water escape into the river.
This stretch of roadway now prevents all use to school going students and other pedestrians, unless those who are wearing wellingtons.

**Mill Road junction flooded just just 4 meters *(15 ft)* from the River Breagagh**.

Soon this road surface will disintegrate, resulting in yet another resurfacing project and the continued wasting of public money, by Tipperary Co. Council.

HSE Confirms Adult Male Dies From Measles.

It is the first confirmed case of measles in Ireland this year which comes amid a recent rise in cases in the UK and Europe, has sadly resulted in the death, despite being hospitalized in the Dublin and Midlands health region, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed.
All confirmed measles cases notified since 2020 had reported recent travel to countries where outbreaks were confirmed. The deceased man, who is understood to be a Co. Westmeath native, is believed to have been travelling in the Birmingham region of the UK in recent times.
Our readers will be aware that we spoke of the high probability of an outbreak of measles, here in Ireland just two days ago, (February 6th). This is the first confirmed measles case notified in Ireland so far this year.

Public health teams and the Measles National Incident Management Team (IMT), latter established in response to a recent spike in measles cases across the UK and Europe, are understood to be taking all necessary public health actions required in relation to a possible major outbreak of the virus.

There were four measles cases reported in 2023, two in 2022, none in 2021 and five in 2020 and no deaths were reported during any of those years.

The HSE confirms that it offers the MMR vaccine to protect against measles to all children and a catch-up option for those aged 10 and under who may have missed out on vaccination previously. Persons with concerns should now contact their GP.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Ms Breda Smyth said she is concerned that Ireland is at high risk of a measles outbreak.

Keep in mind that measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children aged under one, pregnant women and the immunosuppressed.

The signs and symptoms of the measles virus include:

Cold-like symptoms such as aches and pains, a runny nose, sneezing and a cough.
Sore red eyes that may be sensitive to light.
A temperature of 38C or above, which may reach around 40C.
Small greyish-white spots in the mouth.
Loss of appetite, tiredness, irritability and a general lack of energy.
A rash, which usually appears on head and neck first, before spreading to the rest of the body.

The HSE said the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have reported a resurgence of measles cases in England, particularly in the West Midlands and the city of London.

Death Of Sr. Ursula Ryan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Tuesday 6th February 2024, of Sr. Ursula Ryan, Presentation Convent, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Kimmage, Co. Dublin.

Pre-deceased by her sister Noreen, brothers Kenneth and Fr. Paddy; Sr. Ursula passed away while in the loving care of her Community and Carers.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her sisters; Sr. Catherine RSC, Eileen, and Eithne, her brother Sean, her sister-in-law June, brothers-in-law Liam and Eamonn, her nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, extended relatives, Presentation Community and Congregation, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Sr. Ursula will repose in the Presentation Convent Chapel, Cathedral Street, Thurles tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, February 8th from 3:30pm, before concluding with Evening Prayer at 5:30pm.
Requiem Mass for Sr. Ursula will be celebrated in the Presentation Convent Chapel, Thurles, on Friday, February 9th, at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The extended Ryan 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.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis i dteannta na Naomh agus na n-aingeal.

Food Safety Authority Of Ireland Recall Various Food Items

**Ambrosia My Mini Rice, My Mini Custard and My Mini 30% Less Sugar Custard**.

Food safety Authority recall various batches of Ambrosia My Mini Rice, My Mini Custard and My Mini 30% Less Sugar Custard, due to possible presence of plastic pieces.

Alert Summary dated Wednesday, 07 February 2024.

Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2024.03.
Product Identification:
Ambrosia My Mini Rice; pack size: 6 x 55g.
Ambrosia My Mini Custard; pack size: 6 x 55g.
Ambrosia My Mini 30% Less Sugar Custard; pack size: 6 x 55g.

Batch Code: All best before dates up to and including End 10/2024.
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom.

Message:
The above batches of Ambrosia My Mini Rice, My Mini Custard and My Mini 30% Less Sugar Custard are being recalled due to the possible presence of plastic pieces.

Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Action Required:
Retailers: Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

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Possible presence of peanuts and crustaceans in various Jin Xuan Boa Mooncake products
Alert Summary dated Wednesday, 07 February 2024.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2024.A07.
Allergens: Peanuts and Crustaceans.
Product Identifications and Batch Codes:
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake Red Bean Paste 2 Yolks 750g 31/12/24.
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake Black Sesame 1 Yolk 750g 31/12/24.
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake 7 Assorted (2024.A07) 710g 31/12/24.
Country Of Origin: China.

Message:
The above batches of Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake 7 Assorted may contain peanuts and crustaceans which are not declared in the list of ingredients. They may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of peanuts and / or crustaceans.

_________________________________________________________________

Undeclared sulphur dioxide in a batch of Yoki Batata Palha Tradicional.

Alert Summary dated Wednesday, 07 February 2024.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2024.A08.
Allergens: Sulphur dioxide and sulphites.
Product Identification: Yoki Batata Palha Tradicional (potato shoestring); pack size: 105g.
Batch Code J23BRPP10.1: best before: 05/08/2024.
Country Of Origin: Brazil.

Message:
The above batch of Yoki Batata Palha Tradicional contains sulphur dioxide which is not declared in the list of ingredients. This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of sulphur dioxide.

Approval Received To Draft Legislation Allowing Access To Digital Evidence.

Minister McEntee and Minister Browne receive Cabinet approval to draft legislation allowing Gardaí swift access to digital criminal evidence.

Proposed legislation will allow Ireland to fulfil commitments under Budapest Convention, EU E-evidence Regulation and EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation
Modernised legislative basis for Gardaí to seize potential digital evidence, subject to privacy safeguards

Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee and Minister of State Mr James Browne have secured Government approval for the drafting of new legislation which will permit Gardaí to swiftly access criminal evidence in digital form.

Government have today approved the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Protection, Preservation and Access to Data on Information Systems) Bill 2024, which will allow law enforcement authorities, like An Garda Síochána, to request the preservation and production of data being held on IT systems controlled by internet service providers, in order to investigate and tackle crime. The General Scheme will now be referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice for pre-legislative scrutiny.

Making the point that “preservation and production orders” provide a modern law enforcement tool more suitable for obtaining digital evidence than traditional search and seizure measures, Minister McEntee said: “The Criminal Justice (Protection, Preservation and Access to Data on Information Systems) Bill 2024 will mark a significant step forward in tackling crime that operates in the online space. Traditional search and seize legislation was drafted to target physical spaces and objects. It pre-dates the technological evolution seen in recent years where much of human, and in turn criminal, activity is taking place in the virtual space and with the footprints of this activity accessible often only on private cloud infrastructures.
The measures in the Bill provide comprehensive, modern tools for law enforcement agencies like An Garda Siochana to access online evidence easily and efficiently while ensuring individuals’ privacy rights are respected. The Bill will also be a key element of the Government’s vision for a modern, cohesive and well – resourced regulatory system for the digital economy”.

The proposed legislation will give effect to a range of measures contained in international agreements Ireland is party to, all relating to tackling crime with an online element. These include the Council of Europe Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, the EU E-evidence Regulation [(EU) 2023/1543] and the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation [(EU) 2021/784].

Giving reassurance that the measures proposed will be subject to the necessary privacy safeguards including judicial authorisation, Minister James Browne said: “I am very pleased that the Government has supported the general approach to the preparation of this important legislation which will ensure An Garda Síochána has the requisite tools to police in the digital age.
Ireland is uniquely positioned as the EU base of a significant number of internet service providers. This means that we have a key role in terms of our enforcement of EU measures aimed at tackling crime and terrorism that online services can facilitate. This Bill displays our commitment to implementing these measures and cooperating with authorities throughout the EU in pursuit of those aims. It will also ensure we continue to meet our international obligations and support the goal of Ireland being a centre of regulatory excellence for the digital economy, which is a key Government objective”.

The proposed Bill will expand on the State’s current domestic production/preservation order regime to cover a broader range of data categories and will contain appropriate jurisdictional provisions to deal with material held in the Cloud.

It also provides measures to help facilitate the EU-wide system envisioned by the aforementioned E-evidence Regulation, whereby Irish authorities can request data controlled by internet service providers based in other EU states and authorities in other EU states can do the same with respect to data controlled by Irish-based service providers.

The scheme will designate District Court judges as the Irish issuing authority for outgoing Irish orders.

The legislation will also give Coimisiún na Meán powers to sanction service providers for non-compliance with the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation, which provides an EU wide mechanism for the rapid removal of online terrorist content.