Thurles Information

Tipperary Traveller Family Found To Be Living In Wretched Circumstances.

Yesterday, High Court judge Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger has described claims that a Tipperary traveller family of six, have been living in a one-berth caravan and sleeping in a car for months, as being both “wretched” and a “very unsettling situation.”

Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger has granted lawyers, acting on behalf of Mr John and Mrs Nikita McInerney, together with their four young children, permission to bring a High Court challenge against Tipperary Co Council in the handling of the families accommodation situation.

The McInerney traveller family maintain that they had been living at the side of the road near Toomevara, Co. Tipperary for some months, but having being moved on, they are currently located at the Springfort Retail Park, in Nenagh and have since been informed by An Garda Síochána they must immediately vacate same location as well.

The family now fear that they may be prosecuted by An Garda Síochána, and have their vehicles; namely their car and a one berth caravan, used to sleep in, seized, rendering them without a roof over their head.

The McInerney family had spent some time previously in emergency accommodation, and in their High Court action, have claimed that since May they have been precluded by Tipperary Co. County Council from obtaining hotel accommodation, as the Council claim that they are only provided with funds that partially cover the cost of B&B accommodation.

In court yesterday Mr Colm O’Dwyer SC, with Mr Sean Betty BL, instructed by solicitors for the Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) described the Co. Council’s policy towards the McInernery family as being rigid, inflexible and not meeting his clients’ basic needs.

Counsel for the McInerney family said that the current caravan accommodation was totally unsuitable, and the Gardai had also informed the family that they must vacate the area of the retail park.

Tipperary Co. Council had offered his clients, (latter in receipt only of social welfare), just €100 per night towards the cost of B&B accommodation, which remained insufficient; with the cost of B&Bs more than what they have been grant aided by the Council.
For a variety of reasons the family find it difficult to get emergency accommodation due: (1) To their family size; (2) Places contacted being filled by tourists: (3) Prices being charged exceeding grant aid from the Co. Council; and finally (4) It has to be remembered that their children are due and required to return to school come the end of this summer holiday period.

Counsel for the McInerney family said that the council’s current decision amounts to a breach of the McInerney families constitutional and ECHR rights, and the local authority’s obligations, under the 2014 Irish Human Rights and Equality Act.

While encouraging both sides to work together to resolve this situation; Ms Justice Bolger said that while noting the council’s response to the McInerney family’s current situation, the situation remained unsatisfactory from both parties’ point of view. She further stated; before adjourning the case to a date in September next, that the matter was indeed urgent, and expressed the wish to have both arguments, placed before the court ASAP.

Drinking Water Quality In Public Supplies Report For 2022.

The silent people of Thurles whisper that suddenly lime has started to appear in their kettles again.

Why?

481,000 people are currently served by “at-risk” supplies on the EPA’s Remedial Action List (RAL), up from 374,000 people in 2021.
Persistent THM* (Trihalomethane) failures were detected at supplies serving 235,000 people, doubling the population affected since 2021. *THMs are classified as ‘possibly carcinogenic’ to humans.
The cumulative risk from lead in our drinking water continues, with insufficient progress reported for 2022.
The quality of drinking water from public supplies remains very high, with over 99.7% of samples compliant with bacterial and chemical limits.

The EPA Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies Report 2022 released today, shows that over 99.7% of public water supplies comply with bacterial and chemical limits, which means our public water is safe to drink.

**Tipperary Remedial Action List at the end of 2022**.

However, many supplies still lack robust treatment measures to guarantee their long-term resilience and safety. The EPA’s Remedial Action List (RAL) identifies “at-risk” supplies that require improvements to safeguard public health. In 2022, the number of people served by public water supplies on the RAL increased to nearly 481,000, up from 374,000 at the end of 2021.

Construction of a new plant at Lee Road (Cork City) and its removal from the RAL represents significant progress in 2022. Strategic progress has also been made in other areas such as disinfection and making the lead remediation grant easier for the public to access.

Launching the report, Dr Tom Ryan, EPA Director said: “Our public water quality remains very high, which means that the public can be confident that the drinking water supplied to their homes is safe to drink. Uisce Éireann has made good progress in delivering necessary new drinking water infrastructure such as the new plant at Lee Road in Cork which now supplies high quality drinking water to 97,000 people.

However, the EPA through our inspection and monitoring programme, continues to identify drinking water plants that are at risk and require improvements and upgrades. At the end of 2022, there were 481,000 people being served by at risk supplies on EPA’s RAL. Uisce Éireann needs to prioritise investment in those plants to improve the resilience of drinking supplies, to provide a safe and secure supply into the future.”

In addition, the growing number of people affected by persistent THM (Trihalomethane) failures, now at 235,000 people, is of particular concern. Greater effort is needed by Uisce Éireann to implement improvements at supplies to minimise exposure to THM’s, including at major supplies such as Limerick City and the Barrow supply in Kildare.

With regard to lead in drinking water, Mr Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said: “Lead in our drinking water is a cumulative risk to human health. Progress to remove lead from our drinking water supply networks, public buildings and affected homes is far too slow. The EPA welcomes the expansion of the lead remediation grant scheme, which will ease the financial burden on homeowners to replace lead piping. However, leadership is required at national level to address lead in public supplies. Uisce Éireann must accelerate the rollout of their lead mitigation plan and Government departments must outline their plan for lead replacement in public buildings as part of the National Lead Strategy.”

List of the supplies currently on a Boil Water Notice or Water Restriction *(as of 28/07/2023)*

In 2022, boil water notices impacted 182,000 people; a slight improvement since 2021. One third of boil water notices were in place for more than 30 days. The EPA recognise the challenges that boil water notices pose to individuals and communities, but they are essential to safeguard public health. The risk of boil water notices on some supplies will remain until Uisce Éireann takes proactive measures to address the underlying causes and improve the resilience of these supplies.

The EPA Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2022 Report and the complete list of public water supplies currently on the Remedial Action List – including details of the proposed remedial measures and associated timeframes – are available on the EPA website.

Now Read HERE.

Fatal Road Traffic Collision Between Articulated Lorry & Van In Co. Tipperary.

Gardaí and emergency services, sadly, attended the scene of a yet another fatal road traffic collision, between an articulated lorry and a van in Co Tipperary. The incident took place mid-morning, on the N24 Cahir-Clonmel Road, between Barne Lodge and Condon’s Cross, at approximately 10:40am.

Sadly, the driver of the van lost his life at the accident scene.

A technical examination of the scene was undertaken and the road, which is the main Limerick to Waterford road remained closed with local diversions in place causing an unavoidable huge build-up of traffic due to large vehicles attempting to traverse narrow roads.

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them. Road users who may have camera footage and/or were travelling on the N24 this morning, between 10:00am and 10:45am, [July 31st 2023] are being asked to make all camera footage available to the investigating Gardaí.

Clonmel Garda Station may be contacted directly on Tel: 052 617 7640. Witnesses may also contact Gardaí on their Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111, or via any Garda station.

Death Of John Moriarty, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today 31st July 2023, Mr John Moriarty, Foulkscourt, Johnstown, Kilkenny and formerly of Urard, Gortnahoe, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his daughter Laura, his parents Jack and Mary and his brother Richie; Mr Moriarty passed away peacefully at his place of residence, surrounded by his family, following a short illness most bravely borne.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his heartbroken wife Vera, sons Mel and Darren, daughter Lisa, grandchildren Adam, Shannon, Erika, Aaron, Luke, Leon, Corey, Brooke and Caleb, his great grandchildren Jackson, Alfie and Eloise, his daughters in law Sandie and Audrey, son-in-law Eamon, brothers Paddy, Neddy, Thomas, Batty, Kevin, Jody and Michael, sisters Maureen, Agnes and Eileen, extended relatives, best friend Laddy, neighbours, work colleagues, team mates and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Moriarty will repose at his residence (E41 T027) on Tuesday afternoon, August 1st, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of St. Kieran, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny at 11:00am on Wednesday morning, August 2nd, to further repose for Requiem Mass, followed by interment immediately afterwards in Johnstown Cemetery.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mr Moriarty, same can be viewed, streamed live online, (Link to follow).

The extended Moriarty 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: House strictly private on Wednesday morning.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Frances Moore, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Monday 31st July 2023, of Mrs Frances Moore (née Stokes), Childers Park, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Graiguemane, Coalbrook, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her twin sister Mary and eldest sister Josephine; Mrs Moore passed away peacefully at her place of residence, surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her loving husband Paddy, sons Gordon, Gary and Fintan, brothers Tom, John and Pat, sisters Margaret, Esther and Noreen, daughters-in-law Patricia, Maria and Catherine, grandchildren Sophie, Aimee-Lynn, Charlotte and Annessa, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, exteded relatives, good neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Moore will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on Wednesday afternoon, August 2nd, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm.
Her remains will be received into the Church of St. Joseph and St. Brigid, Bothar-na-Naomh, Thurles at 7:45pm same evening.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Thursday morning August 3rd at 10:00am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Moore 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.