Thurles Information

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.

Thurles Bypass Formally Included In Revised National Development Plan.

Thurles Bypass confirmed in the updated NDP today, a major step forward.

Major Step Forward as Project Enters Pre-Approval Stage Under Government’s Updated Framework.

Now classed as a priority project, it will advance through design & planning, with a push to be construction-ready by 2030.

The long-awaited Thurles Outer Bypass has been formally included in the revised National Development Plan (NDP), announced today, November 26th, 2025. The confirmation marks a significant milestone for the town of Thurles and the wider mid-Tipperary region, placing the long-discussed project back onto the national agenda and ensuring it will now advance through the required planning and design phases.

**Damage caused on a regular basis by heavy goods vehicles.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

Project Confirmed Under Appendix A of the National Development Plan.
According to today’s announcement, the Thurles Bypass is listed within Appendix A of the NDP and designated to progress through the Pre-Approval / Gateway 1 stage. However, this represents only the first formal step in the Government’s project-delivery process, enabling detailed assessment, updated design work, and the preparation of a preliminary business case.
The scheme is viewed as essential to addressing long-standing congestion and safety concerns, as well as supporting the town’s commercial and residential development.

Associated Road Projects Also Advancing.
Today’s publication confirms that the Thurles Bypass will sit alongside other significant transport projects for the area, including:

Thurles Inner Relief Road.
Local realignment schemes intended to improve connectivity and traffic flow.
Additional regional investments aimed at strengthening transport infrastructure across County Tipperary.

These projects combined form an integrated approach to improving mobility, safety, and economic prospects for Thurles town and surrounding areas.

Next Steps: Planning, Design and Approvals:
While the Thurles bypass’s inclusion in the NDP does not indicate an immediate start to construction, it does secure its place within the Government’s investment programme through to 2030. The project will now move into:

Updated design and engineering work.
Preparation of statutory documents.
Preliminary business case development.
Environmental and route-corridor assessments.
Progression through further Government approval gates.

List of Strategic Regional Road Projects Scheduled to Commence Construction by 2030.

Project.	Sponsoring Agency.	Current Stage of Project Lifecycle.	Next Approval Gate.	Procurement Timeline.	Construction Timeline.	Successful Tenderer.	Cost Range.
Thurles Inner Relief Road.	Tipperary County Council	Final Business Case	AG1	Procurement by 2026	Commence by 2027	Not yet awarded	€10m- €20m
Appendix A. Thurles Bypass.	Various	Pre-AG1	AG1	?	?	?	?

See table above:
“There’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip.” King Ancaeus of Samos.

It is now important, unlike in the past, that local representatives, at all levels, emphasise their intention to push for tangible, measurable progress on this project, so that the scheme can be construction-ready by 2030.

A Long-Awaited Boost for Thurles.
The bypass is widely regarded as a crucial infrastructure project for Thurles. Heavy traffic, including a high volume of HGVs, currently passes through the town centre, particularly in Liberty Square where national routes intersect. Business groups, residents, and community organisations have repeatedly highlighted the impact on safety, air quality, congestion, and commercial activity.

Today’s confirmation is seen as the first real movement on the project in many years, following earlier plans which stalled during the economic downturn.