Thurles Information

Covid-19 Infections Rise Last Month.

The Heath Service Executive (HSE) has said it is currently seeing a slight increase in Covid-19 infections here in the Irish State, which in turn is causing a slight increase in hospital admissions.

During May and June infection indicators had shown a downward trend, however same began to increase again at towards the end of June, possibly due to overseas travel; as a similar trend is also occurring in the UK.

The number of patients in ICU, with Covid-19 infection did increase slightly during the month of July, but remained relatively low. Currently this month saw ten patients in ICU’s, compared to three patients one month earlier, at the start of July.

St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny has acknowledged that it is dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19 infections resulting in the suspension of visitors, except for their maternity unit and in other exceptional circumstances.
St Luke’s Hospital has stated that there are a number of Covid and non-Covid patients presenting to its emergency department and while all urgent care cases should still attend the hospital, it did urge people to consider other options, if possible, before coming to their emergency department.

Several outbreaks are also being managed on inpatient wards at University Hospital Limerick.

Earlier this week, University Hospital Galway said it was also dealing with a Covid-19 outbreak, with 39 Covid patients in the hospital; thus leaving five wards affected. Visiting restrictions are fully in place in areas of the hospital affected by these outbreaks.

‘Tail Continues To Wag Dog’ – Where Tipperary Co. Council Are Concerned.

On April 13th, 2023, (Read HERE), we wrote about our concerns in relation to the state of roads within the immediate precincts of Thurles town. A copy of same was forwarded to Mr Joe MacGrath (Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council).

**State of Barry’s Bridge *(Thurles Suir Bridge)*, Thurles (N75) today, August 5th, 2023.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

In a surprising reply, received from Mr Joe MacGrath, through his Secretary Ms Evelyn Harty; Mr MacGrath broke a 3 year silence to discuss road craters on Thurles streets. [His rare reply has now been framed ].

In his reply Mr MacGrath regretted the fact that we should have published such damning text on social media, in advance of not giving Tipperary County Council an opportunity to respond; same which he found disappointing.
Then again Mr MacGrath, in this same reply of Tuesday April 18th, 2023 forgot that previous efforts to get him to respond to issues raised over a previous 3 year period, had resulted in not even one reply, which I personally found disappointing.

On Tuesday April 18th, 2023 Mr Joe MacGrath informed us that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) would be along to fix the N75 bridge crossing in Thurles. Quote from Mr MacGrath: “The second photo is on the N75 bridge crossing in Thurles. TII has programmed works for this section of road, which we expect will be undertaken by the end of May”.
It is now August 5th 2023 and 10 weeks later no sign of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, hence we suspect when it comes to statements made by Mr Joe MacGrath as Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council “The tail appears to continue to wag the dog”

Currently every Monday morning, in two of the craters on Thurles Bridge (Barry’s Bridge), cold tarmac is tapped down with the back of a shovel. Within a 24 hour period it has been transformed into a gravel patch, causing further damage to the area and allowing collected surface water to seep through into the bridge’s main arch structure.

The end of this month, starting August 30th, primary and secondary school children will begin travelling back to our excellent educational facilities. If repairs are not undertaken and completed before the end of this month (August 2023), school traffic in combination with roadworks will ‘drive’ everyone to despair. Local residents can then stand and further watch the destruction and ruination of businesses within an now neglected Thurles Town centre.

A copy of this blog has been sent to Mr Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive at Tipperary Co. Council.

Death Of Michael O’Halloran, Hollyford, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Thursday 3rd August 2023, of Mr Michael O’Halloran, Reagoulawn, Hollyford, Co. Tipperary.

Mr O’Halloran, sadly, passed away unexpectedly at his place of residence, on Thursday, August 3rd 2023.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his sister Mary, brothers Joe and Paddy, the heartbroken Crowe family, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr O’Halloran will repose at White’s Funeral Home, Main Street, Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary on tomorrow afternoon Sunday, August 6th, from 5:00pm with removal at 7:00pm same evening, to St. Joseph’s Church, Hollyford, Co. Tipperary.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Monday morning, August 7th, at 11:30am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in the local cemetery.

The extended O’Halloran 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 anam dílis.

Death Of Hannie Leahy, Cloneen, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Thursday 3rd August 2023, of Mrs Johanna (Hannie) Leahy (née Shannon), Milestown, Cloneen, Co. Tipperary and formally of Galtee Castle, Manchester, and Tober, Cloneen, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her loving husband Tommy; Mrs Leahy passed away peacefully at her place of residence surrounded by her loving family.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her daughters Ellen and Tish, son Mike, sons-in-law Mike and Jeremiah, grandchildren Maria, James, Hannah, Micheál and Aoife, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Leahy will repose at Brett’s Funeral Home, No. 6 Kickham St, Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary, this evening Saturday, August 5th, from 6:00pm until 7:00pm.
Her remains will be received into the Church of the Nativity, Kilburry West, Cloneen, Co. Tipperary, on Sunday afternoon, 6th August, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 1:00pm, followed by interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended Leahy 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. Family flowers only.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Male Pedestrian Dead, Struck By Vehicle In North Tipperary This Morning.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian in North Co. Tipperary this morning, (Friday August 4th, 2023).

The pedestrian, a man believed to be in his 30s, has since died after he was struck by a motor vehicle on the Dublin Road in the Lisbunny area, near Nenagh, Co Tipperary.

The incident happened at around 10:30am this morning, with the pedestrian being pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Diversions remained in place this morning as a technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators took place.

An Garda Síochána are now appealing for any road users who may have dash-cam footage and/or who were travelling in the areas of Tyone; the Thurles Road; Rathmartin, and the R445 (Old Dublin Road) at Lisbunny, between 9:30am and 10:45am to contact them.
Gardaí are also appealing to any road users who may have dash-cam footage and were travelling from Nenagh town in the direction of Toomevara via the R445 (Old Dublin Road) between 9:30am and 10:45am, to immediately contact them.

Persons with information are asked to contact Nenagh Garda station Tel: 067 50450, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda station.