Thurles Information

Trespassers & Their Pony’s Refusing To Vacate Historic House, Near Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

The Irish High Court has been requested to grant orders, directing unnamed persons; latter occupying four caravans, to immediately vacate the grounds of the historic Knocklofty House, latter situated outside Clonmel in Co. Tipperary.

The main block of Knocklofty House was first erected for the 1st Earl of Donoughmore, (circa 1790), before receiving additions to the original structure in the 19th and 20th centuries; yet retaining its Georgian style appearance.

Sadly, back in 1974, the house became the focus of world attention when Lord and Lady Donoughmore were both kidnapped by an IRA gang, as part of a contrived ransom plan. Both the persons kidnapped were subsequently released in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, having being held captive for some five days.

It is believed that because of this kidnapping, the house ceased to remain in family’s ownership, after 1980.

The historic building is situated approximately 6.5 kilometres from Clonmel town; best viewed while travelling route R665.
In 2021, it was reported that copper fittings and lead roofing materials had been stripped from the building, by persons unknown, leading to severe water damage to the interior.
In more recent years, the building had operated as a hotel, but currently, the house remains vacant and sadly is viewed today in a derelict condition, despite €10,000 being granted by the Irish taxpayer under the ‘Built Heritage Investment Scheme’, to undertake minor repairs, back in March of 2022.

Mr Justice Brian O’Moore at the High Court, was informed yesterday, Tuesday, that currently an unknown number of unwelcome visitors, residing in caravans, have been illegally occupying same property having set up a makeshift camp on the property and are presently grazing up to 20 ponies on the lands surrounding the main house. The Court was further informed that those found trespassing had no permission to be there and were now causing a nuisance, while refusing to vacate the property when requested to do so.

The orders yesterday, were being sought by chartered accountant Mr Ken Fennell, latter appointed by the New York firm of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., [Latter in 2015 appointed receiver to Knocklofty House and surrounding lands, of businessman owner Mr Denis English, of Marlfield House, Clonmel].

Incident Room Set Up At Thurles Garda Station To Investigate Recent Credit Card Fraud.

An incident room has been established in Thurles Garda Station, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and a senior investigating officer has been appointed, following a number of reports from retailers of people buying building and agricultural materials in stores around Ireland, using fraudulent credit cards.

Reports from store retailers claim that once transactions are authorised, using the fraudulent credit cards, consumers leave the premises with their purchased goods, before the retailer discovers later that the card details provided are fraudulent.

The incidents of customers using fraudulent credit cards are understood to be happening not just in Co. Tipperary, but also in the neighbouring counties of Clare, Limerick, Offaly, Laois, Kildare, Cork, Waterford, Clare and Limerick, and also in counties Leitrim, Westmeath, Monaghan, Kerry, Meath and Wexford.

In recent days (April 17th last) we reported that a father and son team, operating a vehicle with false number plates, had been arrested. See report HERE.

Gardaí in Tipperary are now asking any potential victims, at any other locations, who have not yet contacted An Garda Síochána in relation to such issues, to please contact Thurles Garda Station – Tel: 0504 25100, the Garda Confidential Line – Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda Station, so that such matters can be fully investigated.

Warning: Thurles Road Hazards.

Motorists and the drivers of long high sided vehicles are being asked to drive with extreme caution coming up to the Nenagh Road Roundabout.
During the course of last night or early this morning, someone or rather something collided with a motorway, directional, road signs on the R498 roundabout, leading onto the Jimmy Doyle Road or back into Thurles Town.

one section of the sign, for the past 10 hours at least has remained swinging over the inner lane of the roundabout, and persons failing to operate proper diligence could lose their wind-scream and/or severely damage vehicle bodywork.

Road Craters

Meanwhile, vehicles travelling south on the N62 Section of Brittas Road, Thurles, and the junction of Brittas Road and Cuchulain Road, (travelling both westward and sothward); please note expect to encounter giant road craters.

**Centre of the junction between Brittas Road and Cuchulain Road**.

**Brittas Road, outside Veterinary Clinic.**

Someone joked with me the other day that to get a pothole filled in Thurles town, local councillors are insisting that local residents apply for planning permission to Tipperary Co. Council; hence the long delays.

Death Of Sr. Teresa (Sarah) Cormack, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Monday 17th April 2023, of Sr. Teresa (Sarah) Cormack, Good Shepherd Sisters, Pennywell Road, Pennywell, Co. Limerick and formerly of Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Pre-deceased by her parents Edmund and Mary Anne, brothers Eddie and Jimmy, sisters Maureen, Josie, Peggy and Annie; Sr. Teresa passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at St. John’s Hospital, Limerick.

Her passing is most deeply regretted by her loving sisters Bridget and Kitty, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours, friends, particularly the Good Shepherd Sisters community in Limerick, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Great Britain.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Sr. Teresa will repose at the Good Shepherd Sisters’ Convent, Pennywell Road, Limerick, on tomorrow evening, Wednesday April 19th, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.
Her remains will be received into the Cathedral of St. John, Cathedral Place, Limerick, on Thursday, April 20th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 12:30pm, followed by interment immediately afterwards in Mount St. Oliver Cemetery, Limerick.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Sr. Teresa, same can be viewed, streamed live online HERE.

The extended Cormack 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.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.

Death Of Mary McCormack, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Saturday 15th April 2023, of Ms Mary McCormack, Magoury, Drangan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her sister Kitty, brothers Johnny, Ned and Patrick; the passing of Ms McCormack is most deeply regretted by her sister Ellen (Nellie), nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms McCormack reposed earlier at O’Connell’s Funeral Home, Killenaule, Thurles, this evening, Monday, April 17th, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.
Her remains will be received into the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Drangan, Thurles, tomorrow morning, Tuesday, April 18th, at 10:45am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.

The extended McCormack 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.

Please Note: No flowers.

“Heartfelt thanks are expressed to Home Instead Care Team, especially Mary Russell and Mary Mosley, for their exemplary care, support and kindness.
Thanks also to the staff and carers at the Beacon Hospital, Sandyford, Dublin 18.”

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.