Thurles Information

Death Of Eamonn Connolly, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Friday last, 14th April 2023, of Mr Eamonn Connolly, Willowmere Drive, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Baronstown, Loughmore, Templemore, Co Tipperary.

The passing of Mr Connolly is most deeply regretted by his loving wife Mary (née Fitzgibbon), his sons Tom and Edward, daughters Louise and Mary, son-in-law Brian, daughter-in-law Paula, cherished grandchildren Cian and Ronan, his sister Rena (Ormond), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, former colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Connolly will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, April 20th, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm same evening.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday morning next, April 21st, in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles at 11:00am, 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 Mr Connolly, same can be viewed, streamed live online HERE.

The extended Connolly 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.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

EPA Lecture – ‘Ocean Circulation, Tipping Points & Public Climate Debate’.

The EPA, in partnership with Dublin City Council, is delighted to welcome Professor Stefan Rahmstorf, Co-Head of the Research Department on Earth System Analysis of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Professor of Physics of the Oceans, at the University of Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany.

The public lecture will take place on Wednesday next, April 19th at 7:00pm, in the Round Room in the Mansion House, Dublin and will also be streamed online. This lecture forms part of the National Dialogue on Climate Action.

Professor Rahmstorf is internationally renowned for his work linking climate change to significant slowdown in the Gulf Stream System. He will discuss how continued melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet in the coming decades could contribute to further weakening of the Gulf Stream, with important consequences for the ocean ecosystem, the weather in the North Atlantic region, regional sea levels and the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. He will explore how close we already are to the Gulf Stream tipping point.

Professor Rahmstorf will also comment on his recent examination of fossil fuel companies’ awareness of the seriousness of climate change over 40 years ago, and the difference between their public statements and internal knowledge.
Ms Laura Burke, Director General EPA said, “We are delighted to welcome Professor Rahmstorf to speak on the topic of climate change impacts on the Gulf Stream and how information on climate change is shaped. As an island nation on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland is especially exposed to climate-driven changes in the North Atlantic.”
Ms Burke added, “Understanding the evolution of climate change and the ocean is essential if we are to understand our future. This knowledge can help inform policy to manage our responses and adapt to the future climate conditions.”

This free event requires registration through the following link HERE. The event will also be recorded and uploaded to the EPA YouTube channel.

For further information contact: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office, Telephone 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie.

Ireland’s Newest Millionaire Purchased Ticket In Tipperary

Lotto players in Co. Tipperary are being asked to check their tickets purchased prior to this weekend, to see if they are Ireland’s newest millionaire, following the news that a winning ticket worth €1 million was sold in the county.

The winner as yet have not made themselves known to Irish Lotto bosses, having scooped the Daily Million top prize in last Saturday’s 2pm draw.

Saturday’s draw with winning numbers 4, 16, 22, 29, 37, 38 and bonus number 10, to date marks the third Daily Million top prize win so far this year – and the 12th National Lottery millionaire of 2023.

The winner can make contact with the National Lottery prize claims team Tel. No. 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie to claim their prize.

The name of the retail unit that sold the winning ticket is expected to be revealed, at a celebratory event, sometime this morning.

Men Who Stole Products From Building Suppliers To Appear Before Thurles & Nenagh Courts.

A father and son appeared before a special sitting of Newcastle West, District Court, Co. Limerick yesterday, Sunday April 16th, both accused of some 30 offences, of theft and fraud.

The charges relate to thefts from building suppliers in various locations across Munster, Connaught and Leinster, between the dates January and March of 2023.

Mr Peter Drennan, aged his 50’s, appeared before the special sitting of the court, charged with eight offences, while his son Mr John Drennan, latter aged in his 20’s, was charged with 26 offences.
Both men, who hold separate addresses in the midlands, were arrested in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary and detained at Thurles and Templemore Garda Stations, Co. Tipperary.
Both men have been remanded in custody and granted free legal aid.

The men stand accused of offences included being in possession of a white Volkswagen ‘Caddy’ van bearing false number plates, in Banba Square Nenagh on the 14th of April, 2023, same believed to have been used in thefts at Thurles, Roscrea, Ennis, Mullingar and Leitrim.

Thefts listed as stolen from hardware stores in the Co. Tipperary area include:

Twenty sheets of plywood, with a value of €1,280, removed from Ronayne’s Hardware, Thurles.
Building supplies, with a value of €1,214, removed from Stakelum’s Hardware, Thurles; both the latter removed on January 14th, 2023.
Milk replacer valued at €1,000 was stolen from Ballyduff Co-Op in Thurles, on March 15th 2023.
A Victor Whacker plate worth €1,230 was stolen from Midlands Site Supplies in Roscrea, on March 25th.

Other thefts outside the county include building materials to the value of €1,236 removed from Building Providers in Mullingar and Leitrim, removed on January 23th and 24th, receptively, together with 15 bags of Maverick milk replacer, on March 22nd, 2023.

Mr Peter Drennan is now expected to appear before Thurles District Court on Wednesday, April 19th next; while his son Mr John Drennan will appear before Nenagh Circuit Court on the following Friday, April 21st, next.

Another Piece Of Thurles History Removed Without Consultation Or Consent Of Electorate.

Read first, HERE, an extract from Tipperary County Councils Corporate Plan (2020- 2024).
Their unkept promise, to “Continue to enhance and protect the built, heritage in Tipperary and to work in partnership with key stakeholders, to deliver a high quality heritage service that will serve the people of Tipperary and attract visitors to our count.”

The above statement is yet another commitment which Tipperary Co. Council has successfully been allowed to weasel out of and row back on. And no, I am not further raising the issue of the now completely destroyed, historic Great Famine, Double Ditch.
However, local people should be made aware that yet again, another piece of Thurles history has been, eradicated, without any consultation with the people of Thurles.

I refer of course to the 170 year old Victorian Turnstile Gates, [known locally as the Swinging gates], once found positioned beside and south of Lidl supermarket, on Slievenamon road (N62); same leading east on the river Suir pedestrian walk way.

My attention was drawn to its absence on meeting several motorcycles and numerous silent electric scooters travelling at speed on what was supposed to be a pedestrian footway.

**Thurles Victorian Turnstile Gate Gone.**
*Pic. George Willoughby.*

On questioning a member of the local districts council’s workforce, I learn that this Victorian Turnstile gate is not, as I had foolishly believed, stored in the Parnell Street, County Council storage shed, but has been simply given away by as yet an unnamed senior official within Tipperary Co. Council, without any consultation whatsoever with local people.

Does this mean that the Turnstile Gate (Swinging Gates), on the junction between Emmet Street and Thomond Road will also be removed?

**Matching** **Thurles Victorian Turnstile Gate at Thomond Road Junction**.
*Pic. George Willoughby*

We now have a situation, where parents walking with young children, need to take great care and control when coming out onto the N62 thoroughfare, as there is nothing to protect either pedestrians or small unsupervised children.

Obviously, ignorance now hopes to “Position Tipperary as a holiday destination for domestic and international markets”, latter yet another promise in Tipperary Co. Council’s Mission Statement which the latter has successfully been allowed to weasel out of and row back on.

It had been hoped that this Victorian Turnstile gate would have been returned to its opening with a robust pedestrian-safe, self-closing, “Ball Fence Swing Gate” at the side, latter to accommodate access for wheelchair users.

Thurles people should note: These gates were unique to Thurles town – find me another image of such gates on the internet. Note, how the capping stones were tied together (See Pic 2) using forged iron staples held in place with lead filling.