Thurles Information

Teenagers In Tipperary Hospitalised After Eating Sweets Containing Synthetic Cannabinoids.

Over the Christmas festival period, here in Co. Tipperary, three teenagers have been reported as hospitalised, having eaten jellies containing synthetic cannabinoids.

We understand that two of the teenagers became seriously ill after consuming this product; packaged as “Jolly Rancher Jellies” and sold as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) edibles.

Question: So what are Synthetic Cannabinoids?
Answer: Chemicals designed to act like the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, and also called Amsterdam Gold; Annihilation; Black Mamba; Blue Cheese; Bombay Blue Extreme; X; Clockwork Orange; Devil’s Weed; Ecsess; Exodus Damnation; K2; Mary Joy; Spice; and Tai High Hawaiian Haze.

The effects of consuming Synthetic Cannabinoids are similar to smoking cannabis but stronger. Side effects can include:- known associated death; acute kidney injury; nausea, vomiting and mood swings; sweating and tingly feelings in fingers and toes; loss of muscle coordination; a worsening of mental health; a triggering of psychotic episodes which can last for weeks; memory problems, and dependence on the use of synthetic cannabinoids, if used regularly.

As we stated yesterday, a search by Gardaí of a house in the Clonmel area of Tipperary on New Year’s Eve resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of suspected cannabis-infused edibles; including cash and vape oil.

The seized products have now been submitted to Forensic Science Ireland for further analysis and Gardaí are advising the public to seek immediate medical attention if others have consumed such products and are feeling unwell.

A Garda spokesperson has confirmed that a criminal investigation into this seizure is ongoing.
Gardaí are also appealing to anyone with information relating to this seizure, to contact them at Clonmel Garda Station, Tel. No: 052 617 7640, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111 or indeed any Garda Station.

Death Of Mary Phelan, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Thursday, 5th January 2023, of Ms Mary Phelan, Late of Ranelagh, Co. Dublin; Rathdowney, Co. Laois and formerly of Gortnahoe (The Shop) Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her siblings Stasia, Dolly, Josie, Timmy, Andy, Celia, Gretta, Tommy, John and Eddie and her cousin Delia Harte; Ms Phelan passed away peacefully, in her 99th year, while in the care of staff of Nephin Nursing Home, Navan Road, Dublin.

Her passing is most deeply regretted by her nieces and nephews, especially Fiona, Mary, Rita (Holohan) and Maureen (Magee), grand nieces, grand nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms Phelan reposed in O’Sullivan’s Funeral Home, Rathdowney, Co. Laois yesterday evening, Friday, January 6th 2023, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, with prayers at 7:30pm.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated in the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Rathdowney, Co. Laois at 10:00am this morning Saturday, January 7th 2023, followed by interment immediately afterwards, in the Good Shepherd Cemetery, Gorthnahoe, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those of you who are unable to attend Requiem Mass for Ms Phelan, same can be viewed, streamed live online HERE.

The extended Phelan family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.

Aghadoe

Author of “Aghadoe”, John Todhunter (December 1839 – October 1916) was an Irish poet, playwright, and medical physician.

It’s a ballad about the Irish 1798 Rebellion, supposedly narrated by a bereaved female, about her rebel lover, who was betrayed and executed. It is not known if the event described in the lyrics were based on any real-life story.

Lyrics: John Todhunter MD, (December 1839 – October 1916).
Vocals: Liam Clancy (September 1935 – December 2009).
Music: Liam Clancy with The Irish Philharmonic Orchestra.

Dr Todhunter was educated at a Quaker school in Mountmellick, Co. Laois, and later at Bootham, in the city of York, in England; before being apprenticed at the age of 16 years, to the Dublin Quaker firms of Bewley’s and Pim, Dublin, both tea-and-sugar importers. (Thomas Pim, one of the original members of Pim Brothers & Co; born in 1771, grew up also in the Mountmellick area of Co. Laois).

Todhunter entered Trinity College, Dublin in 1861, to study medicine, winning numerous college prizes for his prose and poetry.

His poem “Aghadoe” was set to music by the late Tipperary folk-singer Liam Clancy.

Aghadoe.

There’s a glen in Aghadoe, Aghadoe, Aghadoe.
There’s a deep and secret glen in Aghadoe.
Where we met my love and I, love’s fair planet in the sky,
In that deep and silent glen in Aghadoe.

There’s a glen in Aghadoe, Aghadoe, Aghadoe.
There’s a deep and secret glade in Aghadoe.
Where I hid in, from the eyes of the redcoats and their spies,
That year the trouble came to Aghadoe.

But they tracked me to that glen in Aghadoe, Aghadoe,
When the price was on his head in Aghadoe,
O’er the mountain through the wood as I stole to him with food,
But the bullets found his heart in Aghadoe.

I walked from Mallow town to Aghadoe, Aghadoe.
I took his head from the jail gate to Aghadoe.
There I covered him with fern and I piled on him the cairn*.
Like an Irish king, he sleeps in Aghadoe.

END

* Cairn: Meaning in this case a heap of stones piled up acting as a memorial or as a landmark.

Tipperary Gardaí Seize Quantity Of Edibles Possibly Containing Synthetic Cannabinoids.

Gardaí in Co. Tipperary recently seized a large quantity of edibles suspected of containing synthetic cannabinoids.
An investigation into this product seizure, latter intended for sale or supply, remains ongoing.
If you have consumed any of these products and have become unwell, you are being asked to seek immediate urgent medical attention.

The HSE is currently concerned about the public health risks associated with synthetic cannabinoids appearing in jellies and sweets, being sold as Tetrahydrocannbinol (THC) edibles in Ireland.

Today January 6th 2023, the HSE National Social Inclusion Office has issued a risk communication on the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids appearing in cannabis and THC products. A small number of hospitalisations have occurred following the consumption of edible products (Jolly Rancher jellies) during the period of December 2022, here in the Tipperary Region.

Note: Upon analysis from Forensic Science Ireland, these edible products have been found to contain new and risky substances known as synthetic cannabinoids.

Synthetic cannabinoids are man-made chemicals produced to mimic the effects of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Often, products do not contain THC, but instead, they can contain a synthetic cannabinoid which will produce similar, more potent effects. They will greatly increase the risks of a drug emergency occurring, because they produce more intense adverse effects. Their use has caused many serious poisonings, mass poisonings and deaths internationally in recent years.

There has been increased concern in Ireland and throughout Europe regarding the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids, contained within products sold as cannabis or THC edibles and a number of warnings have been issued throughout Europe to raise awareness among the general public, including warnings from the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland. The HSE have previously expressed concern in relation to the risk of synthetic cannabinoids appearing in herbal (plant material),vape liquid/oil, edible and other THC products in Ireland through their website Drugs.ie.

It is anticipated that counterfeit edible products available on the market are made in clandestine laboratories and the potency and contents of products cannot be guaranteed. A number of these products seized recently have been analysed by Forensic Science Ireland and have been found to contain only new and extra risky synthetic cannabinoids and not in fact any THC as indicted on the packaging.

Synthetic cannabinoid exposure: signs for concern:

Feeling dizzy, confusion, abnormal sweating, respiratory issues (difficulty breathing or lack of breathing), chest pain/rapid heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, agitation, aggression, psychotic behaviour, hallucinations, delusions, seizures or fits. They can also lead to sudden loss of consciousness.

The HSE advise the public that there is a high level of risk associated with THC edibles currently being sold illegally in Ireland, as on occasion they do not contain THC but instead contain a synthetic cannabinoid.

For people who use cannabis, we remind them of the current risk of synthetic cannabinoid exposure and encourage people not to be afraid or hesitate to get medical help, if someone has an unexpected reaction or becomes physically or mentally unwell, following use.

Death Of Mary Maher, Loughmore, Co.Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Wednesday 4th January 2023, of Ms Annemarie (Mary) Maher, 18 Cluain Caoin, Borrisokane Road, Nenagh Co. Tipperary and Kilbrickane, Loughmore, Templemore, Co.Tipperary

Ms Maher passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at University Hospital, Limerick, (UHL).

Pre-deceased by her parents Jim and Mary, her passing is most deeply regretted by loving brothers Stephen and Jim, sisters-in-law Breda and Eileen, nephews, nieces, Jim and his partner Minh, Henry and his fiancée Laura and baby Ellie, Stefan, Orlaith and Sinéad; aunts Kit Bowen (Ballygarvan), Celia Bowen (Cratloe) and Ena Maher (Thurles); cousins, extended relatives, neighbours, staff and co-residents at Cluain Caoin, Nenagh and at St. Cronan’s, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms Maher will repose on Saturday evening next, January 7th, in the Church of the Nativity, Loughmore, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Sunday morning next, January 8th, at 11:00am followed by interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended Maher family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

“Farewell our little ray of sunshine”

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.