Thurles Information

Garda Warns Of Rising Child Grooming Risks On Online Gaming Platforms.

A senior officer with the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau has warned that children are being groomed and exploited on online gaming platforms, at what he described as an “alarming scale.”

Detective Superintendent Michael Mullen told RTÉ’s Prime Time that Gardaí are now regularly encountering cases of grooming, sexual exploitation and abuse linked to platforms such as Roblox, which is particularly popular among younger children. He said he was “very concerned” about the level of exploitation occurring “on a daily basis.”

**Sexual Exploitation and Abuse linked to Childrens Roblox platform**, **says Senior Detective**.

Roblox, which has over 150 million daily users, allows children as young as five years old to set up accounts without age verification or mandatory parental approval. During a Prime Time investigation, test accounts accessed games containing simulated sexual behaviour, dating role-play, racial slurs and suicide references; all prohibited under Roblox’s rules. Gambling-style features and users soliciting the platform’s virtual currency were also identified.

Det Supt Mullen cited cases where Irish children were coerced into buying items for other users and, in some instances, pressured to self-harm. In one case, a nine-year-old seeking virtual currency was targeted by adults demanding explicit acts in return.

Roblox is facing mounting international scrutiny, including legal actions in several US states alleging failures to protect minors. Former Garda and ex-Interpol specialist Mr Mick Moran, now CEO of Hotline.ie, said similar risks exist in Ireland. “Absolutely, children here are being groomed,” he said.

Experts highlighted the ease with which adults and children can interact on the same servers, with Prime Time observing attempts by older users to move minors onto private messaging apps. Researchers, testing Roblox, also reported widespread sexualised behaviour and abusive language.

Roblox says child safety is a “top priority” and that it removed content highlighted by the programme. It will introduce age verification for chat functions in Ireland early next year, though specialists warn that determined predators can still bypass such measures.

Gardaí and online safety advocates emphasised the vital role of parents. They advised parents to set up accounts alongside their children, know the games being played, use parental controls, and reinforce rules around avoiding private chats with strangers.

A Must Watch For Parents.
NOTE: Prime Time’s full investigation airs on this evening, November 27th at 9:35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Gardaí Seize €55,000 Worth Of Suspected Cocaine & Cannabis In Co. Tipperary.

Gardaí seize €55,000 worth of suspected cocaine and cannabis in Cahir, Co. Tipperary raid, yesterday.

**Suspected Cocaine & Cannabis Seized in Cahir, Co. Tipperary Garda Raid, Yesterday**.

Gardaí, armed with a search warrent, carried out a search of a house in Cahir, Co. Tipperary, yesterday November 26th, resulting in the seizure of an estimated €55,000 of suspected cocaine and cannabis.

Officers also recovered more than €4,000 in cash and a substantial quantity of drug-dealing paraphernalia.

The operation involved the Tipperary South Divisional Drugs Unit, the Divisional Crime Task Force, the Garda Dog Unit and the Tipperary Central Community Policing Unit.

No arrests have as yet been reported at this time.

A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Coroner Issues Urgent Alert Over Rising Threat of Nitazene Opioids.

Dangerous ‘nitazene’ opioids are on the rise in Ireland and researchers are worried. Be aware!

An Ireland coroner has issued a grave warning regarding the escalating dangers posed by nitazenes, latter a ‘new to the market’ and a highly potent group of synthetic opioids, now increasingly linked to sudden deaths across the region.

The alert follows the inquest into the death of 33-year-old Portadown man, Mr Jay Woolsey, who died in August 2024. During the hearing, the coroner stressed that nitazenes are far stronger than previously understood, in some cases hundreds or even thousands of times more potent than morphine. Since late 2023, these substances have been entering the drug market in Ireland and at speed.

Authorities warn that the potency of nitazenes varies significantly, with some similar in strength to heroin while others far exceed the power of fentanyl. This inconsistency creates a dangerously high risk of accidental overdose. Compounding the threat, nitazenes have been identified in drugs typically seen as non-opioid substances, including MDMA, ketamine and benzodiazepines, thus placing unsuspecting users at severe risk.
Note: Fentanyl test strips do not detect nitazenes.

The physical effects mirror those of other opioids and can include:

Euphoria or a dreamlike state.
Unresponsiveness or loss of consciousness.
Itchiness.
Severe nausea or vomiting.
Slow or difficult breathing.
Blue lips or fingertips.
Cold, clammy skin‘
Pinpoint pupils.

To date, ten additional nitazene-related deaths have been recorded across the North of Ireland, many involving polydrug use. The coroner noted that families are often unaware that loved ones are sourcing dangerous substances online or via the dark web.

Public Health Agencies and police have reiterated serious concerns about nitazenes being mixed with heroin and other drugs, often without users’ knowledge, sharply increasing the potential for fatal overdose.

Public health agencies and support services are now being urged to take immediate action, including:

Strengthening early-warning systems and enhancing monitoring of emerging synthetic opioids, ensuring rapid information-sharing across health, Gardaí, justice and community sectors.
Improving multi-agency cooperation to enable fast, coordinated responses to overdose spikes and new drug threats.
Expanding rapid-access treatment options and ensuring families affected by overdose receive timely, appropriate support.
Issuing clear and consistent public alerts when nitazenes are detected and promoting practical harm-reduction guidance for drug users and their families.
Making nitazene test strips available through harm-reduction and outreach services to help identify contamination and prevent further deaths.

Authorities are urging communities to remain vigilant and to seek immediate medical help if signs of opioid overdose are present.

Thurles Planning Alerts From Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2561181.
Applicant: Mr John Ryan (Ned).
Development Address: Wolfe Tone Place , Thurles , Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: the construction of an extension (south of existing structure) and undertaking of alterations to a property adjoining and within the curtilage of a protected structure (TRPS2503) (Eircode E41 PX09). Permission for completion of works relating to this extension.
Status: N/A
Application Received: 19/11/2025
Decision Date: N/A
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2561181/0

Application Ref: 2561182.
Applicant: Mr James Burke.
Development Address: Rossestown , Thurles , Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: a four bedroom bungalow, new entrance, garage, wastewater treatment system and all associated site works.
Status: N/A.
Application Received: 19/11/2025.
Decision Date: N/A.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2561182/0

Death Of Patrick Mannix, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday 25th November 2025, of Mr Patrick Mannix, Pearse Avenue, Janesboro, Limerick and formerly The Ragg, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Paddy and Grace (née Conway), Mr Mannix passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at St. Michael’s Nursing Home, Limerick.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving sister, Anne Marie, Siobhán, Gráinne, Mary and his brother Michael, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, grand-niece, grand-nephew, extended relatives, colleagues in The Brothers of Charity Community and many friends, including those in Limerick Dementia Group and Janesboro F.C., include The Spotted Dog and Our Lady Queen of Peace Choir.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Mannix will repose at Griffins Funeral Home, John’s Gate, Pennywell, Limerick, (Eircode V94 Y2W4) on Friday evening, November 28th, from 7:00pm until 8:00pm.
His funeral cortège will be received into the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Roxboro Road, Co. Limerick, on Saturday morning, November 29th, for Requiem Mass at 10:00am, with further arrangements as yet to be confirmed.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Mannix, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Mannix 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: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired to Limerick Dementia Group, in recognition of their support shown to Mr Mannix.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.