Pre-deceased by her parents James and Annie and her twin brothers who died in infancy; the passing of Ms O’Dwyer is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving brothers Denis, Phil and John, sister Kathleen, sisters-in-law Maura and Eileen, nephews Enda, John, Denis, James, Philip Donal and Philip, nieces Gail and Maureen, grandnephews, grandnieces, extended relatives neighbours and friends.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Ryan, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended O’Dwyer 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.
“The O’Dwyer family would like to thank the staff of the Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles for the wonderful care that she received over the last number of years”.
Pre-deceased by his brothers and sisters; Mr Kinnane passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Suncroft Nursing Home, Curragh, Co. Kildare.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving Daughter Mary, sons Anthony and Francis, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, nephews and nieces, and extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
The extended Kinnane 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.
How and when will the environmental needs of the River Suir, In Thurles Co. Tipperary, be correctly addressed.
On Friday August 29th, 2025 after a 12 year wait, I issued, not for the first time, a complaint to the Customer Service Desk at Tipperary Co. Council and received a reply which quoted reference number ENV-11308-F6L3. I should point out, that had I not received a reply by mid-day today, the matter would have found the desk of the Ombudsman on Monday morning next, as is required by the Tipperary Co. Council’s own Customer Charter. SEE HERE.
This afternoon at precisely 3:11pm I received a communication from Mr Robert O’Brien, (A/Executive Scientist, Environment & Climate Action, Tipperary County Council, Civic Offices, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.)
Two signs on the River Suir have since been removed.Why? (See April 17th 2019 Posted 6 years ago).
The communication on Thursday last reads: To George Willoughby, Thurles 18th September 2025 Re: ENV-11366-D1G0: Concerns Regarding the River Suir at Thurles.
Dear Mr. Willoughby, Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the condition of the upper River Suir at Thurles. We do appreciate your concern. Tipperary County Council acknowledges the environmental challenges facing the upper River Suir at Thurles and wishes to assure you that proactive steps are being taken to address these issues. Contrary to the perception that no action is being taken, a comprehensive catchment management plan and pilot study are currently being developed for the upper catchment of the River Suir. This initiative involves a collaborative approach, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders including local authorities, elected members, agricultural groups, environmental agencies, schools and community groups. The aim is to identify and address key sources of pollution. The pilot study will inform targeted interventions and water quality initiatives to improve water quality, biodiversity and overall river health of the upper River Suir. It is the intention that this pilot study will lead to improvements however it’s important to understand that such improvements will take time. You are welcome to contact me on 087-6724679 or email robert.obrien@tipperarycoco.ie if you have any queries in relation to the information contained in this letter.
Yours Faithfully, Robert O’Brien, Executive Scientist Environment & Climate Action.
Realising that over the past 6 years I had never received the courtesy of a reply from Tipperary Co. Council; on Saturday 30th August, 2025, I issued a formal complaint to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Ref. COM021813, at info@epa.ie, asking that they put pressure (prosecute if necessary) on Tipperary Co. Council in their failings to take the necessary action required, first reported 12 years ago on November 7th, 2013. SEE HERE and note the date.
Following this latest communication from Mr Robert O’Brien, I now ask:- How will the environmental needs of the River Suir be addressed, keeping in mind that Thurles is its source? Must we take legal action?
From Mr O’Brien reply, shown above, it would appear that major issues will be addressed using a ‘partnership approach‘, where all stakeholders will be consulted. Some might argue that this is a positive problem-solving approach admirably rooted in democracy. Many others, like myself, however, might argue that this is not democracy, but rather bureaucracy (i.e. excessively complicated administrative procedures). Indeed we saw at first hand, recently, how this so called “partnership approach“, ended up with, despite serious protestations, the reduction of 60% footfall on Liberty Square, thus destroying prosperous businesses.
The video footage shown hereunder is undeniable: Tipperary County Council officials, aided by Thurles Municipal District officials and supported by local councillors, are not only failing in their duty to protect the River Suir; they are directly contributing to its pollution and decline and this is confirmed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Ref. COM021813.
Video above shows sewage flowing openly into the River Suir in broad daylight in the centre of Thurles town, over the last 12 years, within 4 to 20 metres of two major food outlets/supermarkets and never before observed in even the medieval history of Thurles.
Questions: As the communication acknowledges, this consultative partnership approach will take time. (Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) who work on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities reckons between 2 to 5 years). (1)Given the diversity of stakeholders it will most likely take a lot of time, but does the River Suir have that time? (2) As we recently reported, raw sewage is flowing for the past 12 years, into the river. Do we need to consult/create a talking shop with all stakeholders in order to debate the merits of 28 pipes draining into an 800 metre (½ mile) stretch of this river, within the centre of Thurles Town? (3) Surely, it’s fair to assume that all stakeholders will be in agreement that raw sewage flowing into the River Suir is a bad idea and should be addressed immediately. Are we not informed almost daily that health and safety supersede all else? (4) Surely the consultative process can be bypassed, to safeguard against the damage and destruction of sewage pollution? (5)So how will the environmental problems, faced by the River Suir, be solved?
Per your recent reply, it looks like there will be a committee of representative stakeholders who will meet and be consulted on the matter. We had one such talking shop in Thurles, 9 years ago, on August 5th 2016, Read Here. I heard nothing since.
“A camel is a horse designed by a committee!“ Committees have been described by wise men asa group that takes minutes and wastes hours! Alternatively, others see such committees as a group of people who individually can do nothing but as a group decide that nothing can be done!
With regards to forming a committee to correct the sewage issues in the River Suir in Thurles, may I suggest you select 3 people, one of whom you know is always sick and the other whom you know won’t ever turn up. Then as a scientist you go ahead and make a unanimous decision. We already had promises way back over one year ago, published by the Irish Independent. See issue published exactly one year to the day, and dated Thursday, 19th September 2024 at 3:18pm.
I have replied to Mr O’Brien pointing out that all communications from Tipperary Co. Council officials will be published on this site, thus ensuring a “collaborative approach, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders including local authorities, elected members, agricultural groups, environmental agencies, schools and community groups”and we welcome all points of view for discussion.
Yes, I have replied today (10:46am) to Mr O’Brien, expressing my anger, but sadly, one fears the life of the River Suir doesn’t have time to waste, if in my lifetime we are to include its recovery time.
In a supposedly automated reply also received today (11:06am), I learn quote: “I am currently out on site Thursday18th September with limited access to emails and on Annual Leave Friday 19th, but I will reply to e-mails on my return Monday 22nd September. For all urgent enquiries please call the Environment Section at 0818 06 5000”.
Thurles Racecourse Will Reopens Under Interim Management From October 9th 2025.
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Molony family have confirmed interim management arrangements to ensure racing continues at Thurles Racecourse for the 2025/26 season.
In July, the Molony family announced their retirement from racing and the closure of the track. However, following consultation between HRI, the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR), the Irish Horse-racing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and the family, a short-term solution has now been agreed.
From October 2025 to March 2026, HRI’s Head of Racing, Mr Peter Roe, will oversee management of the Thurles track as part of his role with the four HRI racecourses. Operations will be managed by Ms Jessica Cahalan of Laytown Races, now contracted by the Molony family.
Mrs Riona Molony has stated that she is delighted to fund and support this short-term solution which allows the family to step back, while racing continues at their Thurles track.
The CEO of HRI Ms Suzanne Eade has thanked the Molony family for facilitating the continuation of racing at Thurles, at least until longer-term plans have been determined. Thurles has long been fundamental to the winter racing schedule, and with industry support it is hoped that racing will now continue into the future.
The 2025/26 season will open with an all-Flat meeting on Thursday, October 9, followed by the first National Hunt fixture on Thursday, October 16.
Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) warn of milk in a batch of ‘Bare Pantry Dark Chocolate Jumbo Raisins’.
Alert Summary dated Thursday, September 18th 2025.
Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A32. Allergen: Milk. Product Identification: Bare Pantry Dark Chocolate Jumbo Raisins; pack size: 170 g. Batch Code: 110625; best before date: 11/02/2026.
Message:Casein, (milk protein), was detected in the above batch of Bare Pantry Dark Chocolate Jumbo Raisins. Milk is not declared on the list of ingredients. This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of milk and therefore, these consumers should not eat the implicated batch.
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