Thurles Information

Niamh Sweeney Appointed As New Data Protection Commissioner.

The Government has announced the appointment of Ms Niamh Sweeney as the State’s newest Data Protection Commissioner. She will take up the role on October 13th 2025, for a five-year term.

Ms Sweeney, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University in New York, brings more than two decades of experience across technology, public service and media. She most recently worked as a Director with a global strategic advisory firm, and previously held senior roles in the tech sector, including Director of Public Policy for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at ‘WhatsApp‘.

Her earlier career included a stint as Special Adviser at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and several years as a journalist with RTÉ.

The appointment follows the designation of Dr Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland as Commissioners in February 2024. It completes the Government’s plan, first set in motion in 2022, to expand the leadership of the Data Protection Commission (DPC) from a single commissioner to a three-person panel.

Since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force in May 2018, the DPC has become one of Europe’s most active regulators. Up to the end of 2024, it has issued fines totalling more than €3.5 billion, received nearly 44,000 breach notifications — 98% of which have been concluded — and handled over 1,800 cross-border complaints, the majority in its role as lead supervisory authority.

The Government has said the expansion of the Commission is part of a wider strategy to strengthen Ireland’s position as a hub for digital and data regulation within the EU’s Single Market.

Death Of Jim Quirke, Hollyford, Co.Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Tuesday 16th September 2025, of
Mr James (Jim) Quirke, Reafadda, Hollyford, Co.Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Jeremiah and Bridie, brothers TJ, Tom and Paddy and his sister Vera; Mr Quirke passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at University Hospital Limerick.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Nuala, daughters Beatrice and Fionnuala, son Jerry, grandsons Rhys, Rían, Oisín and Tadgh, granddaughters Alisha, Ella, Freya and Croía, sister Joan, sons-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Quirke will repose at Whites Funeral Home, Main Street, Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary (Eircode E34 WR83) on Friday afternoon, September 19th, from 5:00pm with removal at 7:00pm to St. Joseph’s Church, Clonmurragha, Hollyford, Co. Tipperary, to arrive at 8:00pm same evening.
Requiem Mass will be offered for Mr Quirke on Saturday morning, September 20th, at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended Quirke 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 family would like to thank the staff of Woodlands Nursing Home and Limerick Regional Hospital, for their care of Mr Quirke“.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Rural Safety Plan 2025-27 To Be Launched At Ploughing Championships Today.

Plan has been developed by the National Rural Safety Forum, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration, to build safer rural communities across Ireland.
Building on the previous Plan which covered 2022-24, the latest Plan identifies four priority areas which member organisations will focus on: Community Safety & Engagement, Property Crime, Roads Safety, and Animal & Wildlife Crime.
The development and publication of the new Plan fulfils a commitment in the Programme for Government 2025.

The Irish government will launch the Rural Safety Plan 2025-27 at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co. Offaly today.

The Rural Safety Plan 2025-27 has been developed by the National Rural Safety Forum in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.

This Plan’s vision is to continue to build safe communities across rural Ireland. Achieving this vision requires a multi-agency, collaborative approach, including everything from having more visible Gardaí in the community – to providing safe public spaces and amenities.

The Core objectives of the Forum are:-

Community Reassurance.
Information Sharing & Communication Network
Increased Community Engagement
Crime Prevention & Crime Opportunity Reduction

Following an analysis of the previous Rural Safety Plan 2022-24; this new Plan identifies four priorities to address: Community Safety & Engagement, Property Crime, Roads Safety, and Animal & Wildlife Crime.
Under these four pillars, the 24 member organisations of the National Rural Safety Forum have committed to 18 actions which will be enabled by 53 sub-actions, all with a view to ensuring people are safe and feel safe in rural Ireland.

The National Rural Safety Forum is comprised of organisations and people with a common purpose of ensuring rural safety. The Forum is co-chaired by the IFA and An Garda Síochána, and is supported by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.

The Forum works to develop a nationwide network for the distribution of consistent, highly effective crime prevention advice while also increasing engagement within communities and reducing the opportunities for crime.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Ms Paula Hilman said, “An Garda Síochána remains committed to rural Ireland and our community policing ethos. Through various collaborations including the National Rural Safety Forum, Community Alert schemes and new Community Safety Partnerships, An Garda Síochána is listening to and working with rural communities. This collaboration, must be and is supported by Gardaí who work, live, socialise and are embedded as part of all our communities.
Through initiatives such as Operation Thor, An Garda Síochána has targeted and taken on crime gangs who have caused significant worry to rural communities, leading to a significant decline in residential burglaries by 75% since its introduction in 2015.
An Garda Síochána will continue to listen, respond and support rural communities across all four pillars on the National Rural Safety Plan, Community Safety & Engagement, Property Crime, Roads Safety, and Animal & Wildlife Crime. An Garda Síochána is steadfast that we are here to help.”

The National Rural Safety Forum will now monitor the implementation of the Plan and evaluate the progress of the Plan during its lifetime.

A copy of the National Rural Safety Plan 2025-27 can be downloaded HERE.
More information can be found on the National Rural Safety Forum HERE.

Tipperary – Second Garda Recruitment Campaign Launched.

The second Garda Recruitment Campaign of 2025 Launched for the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary, with the Recruitment campaign to run for three weeks beginning from Thursday September 18th, 2025.

The second Garda recruitment campaign of 2025 has been announced today.

The campaign will begin on Thursday September 18th and will run for three weeks until October 9th 2025.

The first campaign of the year ran for three weeks in February last and received over 6,700 applications to join An Garda Síochána.

Last month 154 new Gardaí attested from the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary, thus bringing the total number of new Gardaí in 2025 to 423.

In total this year, 571 trainee Gardaí have entered the college including the largest intake since 2019. Another intake is scheduled for November next.

New measures will now be considered to further boost Garda recruitment, with significant steps having already been taken to boost recruitment such as extending the maximum age of entry to 50 and increasing the weekly training allowance to €354.

Prospective candidates can visit publicjobs.ie for more information on how to apply.

A Song For A Sunday.

“Count Your Blessings”.

Lyrics: By Edith Temple with music by Reginald Morgan first published in 1946.
Vocals: By Welsh singer, radio and television presenter and actor Aled Jones.

“Count Your Blessings”.

Count your blessings one by one,
When dawn appears and day has just begun.
They will light your heart with happiness,
Make each hour bright and bring you gladness.

Count your blessings one by one,
When twilight falls and toil of day is done,
And in sweet dreams they’ll come again to you,
If you will count your blessings each day through.

Count your blessings while you may,
For we are here but little time to stay.
All around are hearts sincere and true,
Lovely things abound just waiting for you.

Count your blessings while you may,
The big or small, whichever comes your way.
For then you’ll find this world a place of love,
If you will count your blessings from above.

END