Thurles Information

Tipperary Man Jailed For Cocaine Smuggling Offence.

Tipperary Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Attempting to Import Cocaine Worth Over €1 Million

An Garda Síochána has welcomed the sentencing today of a Tipperary man to seven years’ imprisonment for his role in attempting to import cocaine worth in excess of €1 million into the Irish State.

Details of the Case.
On October 10th 2022, as part of an intelligence-led operation, Gardaí conducted a detailed search of a camper van which had docked at Dublin Port. The vehicle, driven by Mr John Joseph Carey (57 years) of Rathanny, Golflinks Road, Tipperary Town, was found to contain 16.6 kilograms of cocaine concealed within a Perspex box built into the frame of the camper vehicle.

Mr Carey was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of cocaine for sale or supply, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. He pleaded guilty before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where he was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.

Admissions and Circumstances.
During interview, Mr Carey accepted responsibility for the offence. He informed investigating Gardaí that he had agreed to transport the drugs after coming under significant financial pressure. Mr Carey explained that he had borrowed €100,000 from so-called “travelling people” to assist in his landscaping business, but that the debt had risen to approximately €250,000. He stated that he had been tracked down and persuaded to participate in the smuggling operation, as a means of repaying the debt.

Garda Response.
Detective Garda Mr Damien O’Neill, who led the investigation, said the operation demonstrated the continued vigilance of Garda personnel working to prevent the importation of controlled drugs into Ireland.

An Garda Síochána remains fully committed to identifying and targeting those involved in the supply and distribution of illegal drugs. The outcome in this case reflects the effectiveness of ongoing co-operation between Gardaí and Customs Authorities, in disrupting organised criminal activity.

Death Of Paddy Corbett, Formally Of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Thursday 6th November 2025, of Mr Patrick (Paddy) Corbett, Cherrymount, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary and formally of Doree, Upperchurch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Jimmy and Bridget, son Eric, sister Maura, nephew Michael, brothers-in-law John Joe and Jack; Mr Corbett passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, surrounded by his heartbroken family.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Ann (Annie), daughters Esther and Bernadette, grandchildren Sam, Keeley and Erin, son-in-law Kevin, niece, nephews, nieces-in-law and nephew-in-law, grandniece, grandnephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Corbett will repose at John O’Donoghue and Sons, Funeral Home, 60A Kickham Street, Clonmel, (Eircode E91 PK19), on Sunday afternoon, November 9th, from 4:30pm, until 6.30pm before being received into the Church of St Mary, Irishtown, Clonmel, same evening.
Requiem Mass will be offered for Mr Corbett on Monday, November 10th, at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St Patricks’s Cemetery, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

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

The extended Corbett 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.

“Always Loved, Forever Missed, Never Forgotten“.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Martin Forrestall, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Thursday 6th November 2025, of Mr Martin Forrestall, Kylemakill, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Mick and Mary, and his sisters Mary, Josie and Kathleen; Mr Forrestall passed away peacefully at the Sacred Heart Nursing Home, Crosspatrick, Co. Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Lizzie, son Gerry, daughter Margaret, son-in-law M.J., grandchildren Chloe, Bobby and Bella, sisters Maggie, Pauline, Bridget, Nancy and Chrissie, brothers Tommy and Michael, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Forrestall will repose at Doyle’s Funeral Home, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, (Eircode E41 XO38) on Sunday afternoon, November 9th, from 5:30pm until 7:30 pm, same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of St Mary, Moyne, Thurles on Monday morning, November 10th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in nearby St Mary’s Cemetery, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Forrestall, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, at a link as yet to follow.

The extended Forrestall 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.

Npte Please: House Strictly Private.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Oleksandr Kurinnyy, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, on Saturday 1st November 2025 of Mr Oleksandr Kurinnyy, Ballycurrane Commons, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Pre-deceased by his mother Nadia (Kurinna); Mr Kurinnyy sadly passed away unexpectedly while abroad.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Lana, daughter Vlana, brother Oleksii, extended relatives, colleagues in Dew Valley Foods, neighbours and many friends.

May He Rest In Peace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The ashes of Mr Kurinnyy will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles (Eircode E41 CP59) on Sunday morning, November 16th, from 11:00am until 1:00pm, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Lognafulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The extended Kurinnyy 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.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Making Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency A Voice For Its People.

For Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency to carry real democratic weight, the Government must move beyond token consultation and create genuine channels for citizens to shape the nation’s European agenda.

How the Irish Public Can Engage Meaningfully in Ireland’s EU Presidency Consultation (2026).

From 1st July to 31st December 2026, Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union; a position that will place the Irish Government at the centre of EU policymaking for six crucial months. Ahead of this, the Department of Foreign Affairs has now invited views from domestic stakeholders and the public on the priorities that should shape Ireland’s Presidency programme.

Domestic stakeholders and the public who wish to express views – Please See HERE.

On paper, this is an admirable democratic exercise. In practice, however, the distance between the government and the citizen in Ireland has grown markedly, especially in recent years. Many people find it increasingly difficult to have queries answered by TDs or to receive substantive engagement from government Ministers and government Departments. Political dialogue has become one-directional with official statements flowing outward, but public input rarely finds its way back in.

To further prove this point I personally contacted 14 elected Irish TD’s, at the highest level, via email, during the time of this present government and, indeed, the previous government. I received acknowledgements from all 14, but sadly never any replys to the various queries I then highlighted.

If this consultation is to be more than a box-ticking exercise, the Government must create mechanisms that allow citizens to contribute ideas, challenge assumptions, and hold policy-makers accountable for how their feedback is used.

A number of practical steps could make that possible:
Regional Forums: Host open hearings in towns and cities across Ireland — akin to the Citizens’ Assembly format — where ordinary citizens, community organisations, and businesses can voice views on EU priorities such as energy security, migration, the digital economy, and climate policy.
Online Platform: Establish a transparent online portal where individuals can submit policy suggestions, endorse others’ proposals, and see how those inputs are reflected in the final Presidency agenda.
Sectoral Round-tables: Engage directly with universities, trade unions, youth groups, farmers, and SMEs to capture the breadth of Irish experience and expertise.
Public Accountability: Publish a detailed summary showing which ideas were adopted or rejected, and why.

This kind of participatory approach would do more than enhance policy legitimacy. It would also help to restore public faith in democratic dialogue, at a time when trust in institutions and in politics itself is under strain.

An inclusive, transparent consultation process would ensure that Ireland’s EU Presidency is informed not only by officials in Dublin, but by the lived experience of Irish society. That would make the EU Presidency not merely an administrative duty, but a national expression of Ireland’s values and voice in Europe.

Note: The deadline for receipt of submissions is Friday 12th December 2025. If you have any questions, please send your query to the email address hereunder.

The public are invited to please submit their submissions via email to EUPresidency2026Consultations@dfa.ie