Thurles Information

Opening Of Consultation On Civil Legal Aid Scheme Welcomed.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee T.D., has today welcomed the opening of a consultation to seek the views of key stakeholders on how the Civil Legal Aid Scheme can be reformed.

The consultation forms part of a comprehensive, independent review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme; an action as committed to in the Justice Plan 2022 and the Programme for Government.

Minister McEntee said: “I recently announced a review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, for the first time in its more than 40-year history. Today’s consultation marks the first step in that process.

In order to provide maximum benefit to those it was established to serve, within the finite resources available to fund legal aid, a robust, comprehensive review of the scheme is now timely.

This review will allow for an assessment of how flexible and responsive the scheme is to the needs of those it is intended to serve.

The consultation is aimed at academic and research institutions, NGOs, agencies and volunteer organisations. I would encourage as many groups as possible to participate and have their say on this important matter.”

The consultation is seeking interested parties to make submissions in relation to the following themes relating to the Civil Legal Aid Scheme:

Types of civil law cases.
Jurisdictions covered by the scheme.
Eligibility.
Financial Contribution.
Mode of delivery.
Accessibility.
Awareness and assessment of the current scheme.
The future.

An Independent Review Group, chaired by former Chief Justice, Mr. Frank Clarke, will oversee the consultation process as part of its work.

The Group’s terms of reference require them to examine all aspects of the current operation of the scheme and make recommendations regarding the future legal assistance needs of those who cannot afford to access legal advice and representation privately. The submissions made as part of this consultation will help inform that work.

Mr Clarke said: “Throughout my career I have striven to broaden access to justice across the Irish legal system. Ensuring that we have a fair and robust Civil Legal Aid Scheme is key to achieving this.

I am delighted to Chair the Independent Review Group, which is made up of expert membership drawn from those who work with marginalised groups, legal practitioners, academics, Department officials and representatives from the Legal Aid Board.

We will be considering a number of issues in the review, including eligibility for Civil Legal Aid. This stakeholder consultation will be a valuable opportunity to hear from those most familiar with the scheme about its operation and potential for the future.”

This work is the first phase of a multi-phase consultation process to capture a broad range of views across society.

Minister McEntee added: “The Group is here to listen and wants to hear from a full and varied range of voices on this crucial issue.
While this phase is aimed towards specific stakeholder groups, a separate, forthcoming consultation will invite members of the public to have their say.

Furthermore, the Review Group will, in the coming months, launch a third consultation specifically designed to enable hard-to-reach groups to contribute to the discussion and have their voices heard. I look forward to hearing what each group has to say.”

The consultation will run from today, Monday, 14th November 2022, until Friday, 6th January 2023, and submissions can be made by email to legalaidcivil@justice.ie.
Full details on the consultation can be found HERE

Tipperary Pedestrian Dead Following Collision With Car.

A man understood to be aged in his late 60s, has lost his life after he was struck by a car in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, yesterday evening.

The incident happened on the N24 at Townparks at around 7.30pm.

The man driving the car, latter aged in his early 40s, was brought to South Tipperary General Hospital, suffering non-life-threatening injuries ,while the pedestrian was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

The man’s body has now since been removed from the scene, while the road remained closed this morning, with local diversions in place.

Gardaí have appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, particularly those with camera footage, to contact them at Clonmel Garda Station Tel: 052 617 7640, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed any garda station.

Cable Contractors Demonstrate Contempt For Thurles Residents

Contractors laying cable on Ikerrin Road, on the east side of Thurles town, have demonstrating their contempt for local residents and Irish Water (Uisce Éireann).

The company contracted we understand by ‘eir’, having dug up pavements in the area and in repairing same, using tarmacadam and a vibrating wacker plate compactor machine, have refused easy access to domestic water metres, latter owned by Irish Water.

Easy access to each of these metres is important, since meter boxes also contain stopcocks, latter controlling the flow of water going to individual private houses.
Same over the past week have been left buried in compacted tarmac.

Clonmel – Highest Incidents of Drug Detection in Co. Tipperary

Half of Co. Tipperary’s drug-dealing detections this year; up to October 3rd, were made within the Clonmel Garda District. Same data was confirmed by the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee at a meeting on Friday last.

It emerged that half of the Co. Tipperary’s drug-dealing detections this year; up to early October, were made in the Clonmel district, accounted for 45 of Tipperary’s 90 drug-dealing detections. However this could also mean that Clonmel Garda District are better at drug detection, than indeed other Garda districts.

Certainly, Gardaí within the Clonmel District were aware one year previously; in 2021, of an escalating trend in the use of cocaine.
Back then, Gardaí were aware that Cocaine use in and around Clonmel had increased by up to 70% and was then the main drug of preference for those using drugs in Clonmel and its immediate hinterland, including the townlands of Fethard, Carrick-on-Suir, Kilsheelan and Mullinahone.

Local drug dealers continue to source their supplies from criminal gangs operating from Dublin and Limerick, with gangs brutally targeting young people, who often owe them thousands, due for repayment. Rail passengers using the rail line running through Thurles, between Heuston Station, Dublin and Colbert Station Limerick regularly recount tales of drug dealings.
Innocent, law abiding, family members are regularly being threatened because of a family member’s failure to pay drug debts.

While elected local politicians and councillors continue to focus on calling for extra Gardaí, the real solution is much more obvious. If every community in the county were to take full responsibility and personal ownership of the problem; same could be successfully dealt with by discussing these issues with Gardaí, instead of living in fear, while attempting to sort drug debts in-house and alone.
If users were given a promise of no prosecution, if they named their supplier, then Gardaí drug-dealing detections could be greatly increased.

Outstanding Pandemic Bonuses To Be Paid To Healthcare Staff Before Xmas.

The majority of remaining healthcare staff, latter who have not yet received their €1,000 pandemic recognition payment, first announced in January of this year, will now receive same by the end of his month (November 2022), the HSE has confirmed

These recognition payments were initiated by the Irish State as a means to compensate frontline workers for their collective efforts in fronting our public health system, during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown period.

Unavoidable delays came about about due to agency workers, being categorised as public servants and third-party contractors, and while funded by the HSE, were difficult to immediately identify.

The HSE has awarded a tender to Public Sector consultants Kosi to implement the payment of these bonuses, to these workers in non-HSE and non-Section 38 organisations, who include those employed in private sector nursing homes; Section 39 (in receipt of State grant aid) long-term care facilities for those with disabilities; agency workers in the HSE and home care assistants, latter contracted to the HSE.

The HSE has confirmed that communications have already issued, (since November 1st) to the organisations/employers of potentially eligible employees.
Same communications contained details of how those bodies can apply for payment for their work force, allowing same to pay such named employees on or about the end of November 2022.