Thurles Information

No Barmbracks From Either Bakers or Bankers On Lá Fhéile Míchíl.

Today is Lá Fhéile Míchíl or St Michael’s Day or Michaelmas which is celebrated annually on today, September 29th,2022.

Same date was once an important Fair Day in the Irish farming calendar, as well as featuring in Ireland’s Administrative and Legal year Calendar, [Michaelmas Term – October to December].
Back in the 19th-century, it was traditional for Dublin bakers to gift a ‘Barmbrack‘ (latter a yeast bread with added sultanas and raisins. Irish: bairín breac – translated to English “speckled bread”) to their customers on the feast of Michaelmas.

Alas, no Barmbracks were being handed out either today by Bank of Ireland branches, who have been fined a final total of €100.5m by the Central Bank, with regards its handling of tracker mortgage customers. Initially the Central Bank fined Bank of Ireland €143.6m, but same was reduced by 30% under its settlement discount scheme. Same fine is, to date, the largest fine ever imposed on any financial institution, by the Irish Central Bank.

Some 15,910 tracker mortgage customer accounts had been impacted by the bank’s actions, between August 2004 and June 2022, same resulting in the loss of 50 properties, including 25 family homes.

In all Bank of Ireland has admitted in full to 81 separate regulatory breaches.

It was found that Bank of Ireland provided unclear contractual documents to its customers, failed to interpret its unclear contractual documents in customer’s best interests and failed to warn customers regarding the consequences of decisions, relating to their mortgages.

It also implemented what was considered to be an unfair complaint handling practice in relation to customers, and had deficient mortgage systems and controls, which had contributed to a significant number of operational errors.

Abuse Allegations Levelled At Deceased Former Tipperary Protestant Minister.

**Kilcooley Parish Church, Co. Tipperary.**

A BBC Spotlight investigation [Research: Conor Spackman & Pippa Cooke] has found that a Church of Ireland clergyman in east Belfast was transferred to the rural parish of Kilcooley, Co. Tipperary here in the Irish Republic, following child sex abuse allegations, having been made against him back in the 1970s.

Considered a high flyer in the Church of Ireland; Rev. Canon Billy Neely was for 10 years a protestant minister at Mount Merrion Parish Church, Cregagh, Belfast in the 1970s. He was also a Scout leader, who was later banned from the scouting organisation, after being moved in 1976 to the Parish of Kilcooley; latter in the Dioceses of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, (encompassing churches at Littleton, Crohane and Johnstown), in the barony of Slievardagh, Co Tipperary; 5 miles south of Johnstown in Co. Kilkenny.

In a statement to the BBC, the Scouting Association confirmed it had become aware, in 1977, of inappropriate behaviour by the now deceased Rev. Billy Neely; which in turn was confirmed by the then Bishop of Down and Dromore, Right Reverend George Quin (1970-1980).

In October 1977, Rev. Neely was removed from his role as ‘volunteer scout leader’, and action was also taken to ensure he could never re-join the Scouting organisation.

Allegations made against him are understood to be that he was beating small boys for personal sexual gratification.

BBC Spotlight investigations have revealed that Rev. Neely’s ministry in Tipperary, meant that despite having been banned for life by the Scouts, he continued to have access to young children, through his ministry, which involved presiding over a Sunday school group and visiting at a local school.

We understand that the Church of Ireland are refusing to comment on these allegations, because of ongoing legal proceedings, thus preventing any further prejudice to legal cases.

Rev. Neely returned to Northern Ireland in the 1980s, to serve in the parish of Keady, Co. Armagh, before once again given the honorary title of Canon, granted to some senior or retired ministers of the Church.

Rev. Neely passed away in 2009 and was interned in the grounds of St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have confirmed that it has no records of allegations made to the RUC in the 1970s.

Death Of Johnny Maher, Loughmore, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Tuesday 27th September 2022, of Mr John (Johnny) Maher, Graiguefrahane, Loughmore, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Maher passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Sacred Heart Nursing Home, CrossPatrick, Co Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted by his loving wife Tessie, daughters Bríd, Anne and Maria, sons Tom, Paul and Brendan, daughters-in-law Marie and Deirdre and adored grandchildren Ruth, Ella, Sean and Eoghan, sister Sr. Mary Aquin Maher (St. John of God’s Convent, Wexford), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Maher will repose for Requiem Mass on Saturday at 12:00 noon, in the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, Loughmore, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, followed by interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.

For those unable to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Maher in Loughmore Church, same can be viewed online HERE.

The extended Maher family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time.

Note Please: House strictly private on Saturday morning.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Death Of Kathleen Quirke, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Tuesday 27th September, 2022, of Mrs Kathleen Quirke (née Maguire) Nodstown, Boherlahan, Co. Tipperary and formerly Golden, Co. Tipperary.

Mrs Quirke passed away peacefully, following a long illness most bravely borne, surrounded by her loving family, and while in the care of staff at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary and Padre Pio Nursing Home, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her devoted husband P., sister Eileen (Power) and brother Bryan; the passing of Mrs Quirke is most deeply regretted by her much loved children, Margaret, Mary, Paul, Thomas, Catherine and AnneMarie, sister Mary (Corbett), adored grandchildren, daughter-in-law Martha, sons-in-law, nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law Josie and Margaret, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Quirke will repose in Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on Friday evening, Septtember 30th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, before being received into the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Boherlahan, Cashel at 8:00pm.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning, October 1st, at 11:30am.
Interment will take place immediately afterwards in Ardmayle Graveyard, Castlemoyle North, Co. Tipperary.

For those unable to attend Requiem Mass in Church for Mrs Quirke, same can be viewed online HERE.

The extended Quirke family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.

Cheek Bone Of Taxi Driver Allegedly Fractured By Thurles Resident.

Mr Mark Beresford, with an address at No. 41 Gortataggart, Brittas Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, was charged by Garda Mr Daniel Murray with assault, allegedly having caused bodily harm to 52-year-old taxi driver, Mr Willy Lufuluabo, at Curraheen Road, Co. Cork on May 1st, last year.

A Co. Cork Court heard that a very serious assault had left the taxi driver with a fractured cheek bone.

We understand the taxi driver had picked up the accused, in the company of another, at Co. Cork’s Kent Station, Lower Glanmire Road, before driving, as directed, to Mitchelstown. Along the way, one of his passengers asked to stop off at Maxol in Tivoli, before then proceeding on their journey.
Close to Mitchelstown the driver was asked to return to Curraheen Road, Bishopstown, some 59km distance from Mitchelstown, where upon the driver was asked to stop, and the alleged assault was carried out by one of the drivers passengers. The driver was punched several times in the face, with the assailant stating that this was not where they had asked him to go and that he now wanted to be brought back to Thurles, Co. Tipperary, a distance of some 123km from Bishopstown.

Having read the medical report on the taxi driver’s injuries, Mr Justice Colm Roberts refused to accept jurisdiction; stating the case was too serious and was a matter for trial by ‘Judge and Jury’.

Judge Mr Colm Roberts adjourned the case to Monday, November 7th, next.