Thurles Information

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.

Limerick Female Prison Officially Opens Today.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, will today officially open the state-of-the-art Limerick Female Prison, marking a significant development in Ireland’s justice system.

The Limerick Female Prison has accommodation for a minimum of 50 female prisoners. It will increase capacity across the prison estate, as well as providing an environment that promotes rehabilitation, helps reduce reoffending and helps to build stronger, safer communities.

Designed with a focus on rehabilitation, the Limerick Female Prison aims to offer a range of educational, vocational, and therapeutic programs to equip inmates with the necessary tools for a law-abiding life after their release.

These initiatives include educational courses, vocational training, mental health support, addiction counselling, and access to healthcare services.

The accommodation comprises of a mixture bedroom units, some apartment style units and a mother and baby unit, all with individual en-suites.

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD said; “The opening of Limerick Female Prison marks an important step forward in increasing capacity across the prison estate and helping us build stronger, safer communities.
These additional spaces are necessary to ensure that we have the sufficient space and facilities to support those committed to serve a custodial sentence in an environment that is safe and has the space and capacity to focus on rehabilitation.
They also reflect our commitment to rehabilitating prisoners, reduce re-offending and put them on a path to leading law abiding lives.
This modern facility reflects our determination to provide an environment that enables prisoners to address the underlying causes of their offending behaviours and helps them reintegrate successfully into society”.

In addition the opening of Limerick Female Prison today, over 200 spaces were provided across the prison estate in the last year, with an additional 96 spaces provided with the reopening of the Training Unit in Mountjoy, an additional 90 cell spaces with the opening of new male accommodation in Limerick.

Minister McEntee also intends to prioritise 4 additional short-term capital projects at Castlerea, Cloverhill, the Midlands and Mountjoy that could provide accommodation for a minimum of 620 additional people over the next 5 years.

The Minister is engaging with the Minister for Public Expenditure with a view to progressing an agreed schedule of capital builds.
Budget 2024 provided an increase of €27 million in the Irish Prisons Service budget, including an extra €12.6m in pay to fund public sector pay increases and additional staff to cope with increasing prisoner numbers and services to prisoners.
The new staff provided for in this increased allocation will include extra staff to assist with a Rapid Prison Building Unit to drive the Government’s intention to provide of over 620 new prisoner spaces over the next 5 years.

In addition, the Department of Justice and the IPS continue to work together to identify short, medium and longer term proposals to help manage capacity.

Director General of the Irish Prison Service, Ms Caron McCaffrey said, “I am delighted to announce the official opening of the new Limerick Female Prison. I want to take this opportunity to commend all the staff who worked on this development but also ongoing the modernisation of the Irish Prison Service estate. I feel a huge sense of pride and this new prison will equip women who come into custody with the necessary tools to lead law-abiding lives after their release”.

The opening of Limerick Female Prison signifies Ireland’s dedication to transforming its prison system into one that prioritises rehabilitation, reducing the likelihood of reoffending and contributing positively to communities. The facility aligns with international best practices.
It is also essential that the prison estate is modern and fit for purpose and has the capacity to accommodate those committed to prison by the courts both now and into the future. The new Limerick Female Prison builds on the works that have been completed across the prison estate over the last number of years.