Thurles Information

EPA Data Shows Ireland’s 2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Above Pre-Covid Levels.

Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions increased by 4.7% in 2021 compared to 2020 and are now 1.1% above 2019 pre-COVID restriction levels.

Emissions from the Energy Industries sector increased by 17.6 % in 2021, driven by a tripling of coal and oil use in electricity generation.
Agriculture emissions increased by 3.0 per cent in 2021, driven by increased fertiliser use (up 5.2%) and a 2.8% increase in the number of dairy cows.
Residential greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 4.9% in 2021, driven by a combination of less time in the home, a milder winter and increased fuel prices.
Transport emissions increased by 6.1% as COVID-19 restrictions lifted, however emissions were 10.5 % below the pre-COVID 2019 level.
The Provisional 2021 greenhouse gas emission numbers indicate that 23.5% of the Carbon Budget for the 5-year period 2021-2025 has already been used, requiring an 8.4% average annual emissions reduction from 2022-2025 to stay within budget.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published its provisional greenhouse gas emissions for Ireland for 2021. The figures show an increase in emissions of 4.7% in 2021, compared to 2020 – when Covid restrictions had led to a significant lowering of emissions.

In total in 2021, 61.53 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2eq) were emitted, with emissions 1.1% above 2019 pre-COVID restriction levels. The increase is mostly due to a significant increase in emissions from the Energy Industries sector due to a tripling of coal and oil use in electricity generation in 2021, with increases also seen in the agriculture and transport sectors.

The figures indicate that in 2021, including Land-Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF), Ireland has used up 69.3 Mt CO2eq (23.5%) of the 295 Mt CO2eq allowed for in the first of Ireland’s recently approved Carbon Budgets for the period 2021 to 2025. This means that an average annual emissions reduction of 8.4% (over 5 Mt CO2eq) per year would be required from 2022-2025 to stay within the budget.

The report also shows that Ireland will exceed its 2021 annual limit under the European Union’s Effort Sharing Regulation (EU 2018/842), without the use of flexibilities, by 2.7 Mt CO2eq.
Commenting on the figures Ms Laura Burke, Director General, EPA said:
“A return to coal use in electricity generation, together with continued growth in emissions from the Agriculture sector and a partial rebound in Transport emissions following the easing of COVID restrictions, have combined to deliver an increase on pre-pandemic levels of emissions.
The data show the scale of change needed within and across all sectors of Ireland’s economy to make sustained progress in reversing this trend and to meet our EU commitments and National greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.“

See summary of the main sectoral emission trends.

Energy Industries: Sectoral emissions in the Energy Industries sector showed an increase of 17.6% in 2021, attributable to a tripling of both coal and fuel oil use in electricity generation. The consumption of peat has continued to decline, by 67% in 2021, and is currently at an all-time low within the power generation sector. There was also a reduction in natural gas use by 8.9% as some plants were offline for a time in 2021. Electricity generated from renewables fell from 42% in 2020 to 35%, due to low rainfall and less wind. This resulted in an increase in the emissions intensity of power generation by 11.9% in 2021 to 331 g CO2/kWh compared with 296 g CO2/kWh in 2020.

Agriculture: Agriculture emissions in 2021 were 23.1 Mt CO2eq, an increase of 3.0% on 2020. Agricultural emissions did not reduce during COVID restrictions and are now 15% higher than the 1990 level. The most significant drivers for the rise in emissions in 2021 were increased use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use of 5.2% and higher dairy cow numbers of 2.8%, with an increase in milk production of 5.5%.
This is the 11th consecutive year that dairy cow numbers rose. Milk output per cow also increased (by 2.5%), therefore increased production was driven by a rise in livestock numbers in conjunction with an increase in milk yield per cow. In 2021, total cattle numbers increased by 0.8%.
In 2021, liming on agricultural soils increased by 49.5%, a welcome measure in improving soil fertility, which should lead to a reduction in fertiliser nitrogen use in future years.

Residential: Greenhouse gas emissions in the Residential sector were 7.04 Mt CO2eq in 2021 and decreased by 4.9% or 0.36 Mt CO2eq compared to 2020. However, emissions in 2020 had risen as a result of increased working from home. Emissions are now 2.8% above pre-pandemic levels in this sector. A combination of warmer weather, rising fuel prices towards the end of the year and an easing of COVID restrictions contributed to substantial reductions in coal, peat and kerosene use for home heating.
However, since 2014, fuel use per household has increased by 12%, with CO2 emissions per household at 3.8 t CO2 in 2021.

Transport: Increases in traffic volumes during 2021 as COVID-restrictions lifted resulted in a 6.1% rise in transport emissions. Emissions had fallen significantly in the transport sector in 2020 as a result of Covid restrictions. Emissions in this sector remain 10.5 % below pre-pandemic levels, and it is unclear if they will rebound fully to that level. Road transport emissions increased from 9.7 Mt CO2eq in 2020 to 10.3 Mt CO2eq in 2021. At the end of 2021, there were just under 47,000 battery electric (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEVs) vehicles in Ireland, approximately 24% of the Climate Action Plan target for 2025 of 195,300 and ahead of a linear uptake trajectory towards that target.

Land-Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULULCF): [Comprising of six land use categories (Forest Land, Cropland, Grassland, Wetlands, Settlements, and Other Land) and Harvested Wood Products.] When included in National total emissions (see detail in notes below), this sector accounts for 11.2% of the total emissions in 2021. The sector is a net source of CO2 eq emissions in all years 1990-2021. The main source of emissions is the drainage of grasslands on organic soils and the exploitation of wetlands for peat extraction. Forest land and Harvested wood products are a carbon sink (CO2 removal) for all years 1990-2021 although the carbon sink associated with Forest land is on a declining trend due to the age profile of existing forests and a declining afforestation trend.

International aviation: In 2021, total international aviation contributed 1.3 Mt CO2 from over 52,500 return flights from Irish airports, a significant reduction on recent trends, with international aviation emissions averaging over 3.0 Mt CO2eq per year prior to COVID pandemic. Although not part of Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions by international agreement, this is a significant reduction in greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere.

Commenting, Mr Stephen Treacy, Senior Manager, EPA said:
“The Provisional greenhouse gas emission estimates for 2021 are a cause for concern in relation to achieving Ireland’s binding Carbon Budget targets. Staying within the current budget now requires deep emission cuts of over 5 Mt CO2 eq per annum over the succeeding four years”.

Full detail on the Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory 1990 to 2021 is available HERE and the EPA Greenhouse Gas web resource is also available HERE.

Death Of Mary Ivors, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, on Tuesday, 19th July, 2022, of Mrs Mary Ivors (née Preston), No. 5 Blackcommon, The Commons, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her son Gerard, her parents James and Bridget, brothers Paddy and Tom, sister Nora (Sherwood), niece Martha (Kelly); Mrs Ivors sadly passed away unexpectedly at her place of residence.

Her passing is most deeply regretted by her loving husband Anthony, her family George, Lynn, John, Fran, Geraldine, Veronica, Finola, David, Ernie, Leonard, Tony & Sharon, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers Dick and Jim, sister Bridie, brother-in-law Hughie, sister-in-law Glenice, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Ivors will repose at her place of residence on Friday evening next, July 22nd, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
Her body will be received into the Church of the Assumption Ballingarry, South Riding (SR), on Saturday morning to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11.30am, followed by interment in the adjoining graveyard.

[NB: Due to C-19 virus fears; those attending will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]

The extended Ivors 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.

Note Please: House strictly private on Saturday morning.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.

Death Of Dr. Vicky Conway, Douglas, Co. Cork.

It was with a great sadness that Thurles town learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday, July 19th 2022, of Dr. Vicky Conway, Douglas, Co. Cork and late of Co. Dublin.

Pre-deceased by her father Rory; Dr Conway passed away unexpectedly, at her home.

Her passing is most deeply regretted by her heartbroken mother Jean, brothers Dermot, Bryan, and Craig, sister Susan, sisters-in-law Amy, Esther and Megan, Frank, her “niblings” Chara, Rory, Alex, Cian, Julie, Lauren, Sam, Daniel, Leo and Seb, extended relatives, esteemed colleagues, neighbours, friends and her much loved pet ‘Fionn’.

Dr. Vicky Conway made an important contribution to Irish society through her academic and professional work, as a teacher and member of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland; serving two terms as a member of the Policing Authority, thus making a substantial contribution to developing the oversight of policing within the Irish State.
Her voice remained prominent in relation to policing and criminal justice, and her sincere commitment to human rights and to those most vulnerable, was evident in all work undertaken.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

Her body will repose at Jerh. O’ Connor’s Funeral Home, Temple Hill, Boreenmanna Road, Co. Cork on Friday morning, July 22nd, from 9:30am to 11:00am. [Note: Same can be viewed HERE]
A private Cremation will take place later.

[NB: Due to C-19 virus fears; those attending will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]

The extended Conway 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.

Note Please: Family flowers only, donations in lieu, if desired, to Irish Council for Civil Liberties.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Death Of Catherine Mason, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, today Wednesday, July 20th 2022, of Mrs Catherine Mason (née Maher), New Hill, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Predeceased by her husband Andrew, baby-son Philip, daughters Johanna and Mary; Mrs Mason passed away in her 95th year; peacefully surrounded by her loving family, and while in the care of staff of Ardeen Nursing Home, Abbey Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Her passing is most deeply regretted by her devoted family, daughters Esther, Anne and Geraldine, son Philip, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law Gerry, John, Michael, Robert and Johnny, daughter-in-law Helena, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Reposing in Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on Thursday evening, July 21st, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
Her body will be received into the Church of St. James, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles on Friday morning, July 22nd, at 11:00am, for to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11.30am.
Interment will take place immediately afterwards in Moycarkey Old Graveyard, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

[NB: Due to C-19 virus fears; those attending will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]

The extended Mason 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.

Action Against Retired Tipperary Solicitor, Re: Comments Posted On Facebook, Settled On Confidential Terms.

Mrs Meabh and Mr Sebastien Quoirin, parents of Irish teenager Ms Nóra Quoirin; latter whose body was sadly located near a Malaysian jungle resort at the start of a family holiday in 2019, have now settled their defamation action over comments which were posted on Facebook, now known as Meta.

The action taken against retired, Dublin solicitor Ms Anne Brennan from Castleiney, Templemore, Co Tipperary, who was not present in court, was settled on terms not disclosed to the public.

A statement was read in court on behalf of Meta (Facebook) by Mr Rossa Fanning, SC.
In this statement, the company said that a Facebook user had posted on their platform a series of assertions that were found to be somewhat disturbing and offensive to the Quoirin family.

Meta said it appreciated that these allegations were distressing to the family and expressed their sympathy for any distress and trauma caused.

President of the High Court, Mr David Barniville also expressed his sympathy to the family.

On the steps of the court, Mrs Maebh Quoirin said the settlement reached marked the end of another chapter in the quest for truth and that they, as a family, were satisfied the matter was now concluded.

Our readers will remember that teenager, Ms Nóra Quoirin, latter born with a birth defect (HPE) [a disorder which causes developing baby’s brain to not properly separate into the right and left hemispheres], went missing from her family’s holiday cottage on their first night, August 4th, 2019, at an eco-resort, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sadly, her body was later found after some nine days, just 2.5km from her holiday cottage.

Following a post-mortem examination, it was declared that the teenager died, sadly, from intestinal bleeding, due to starvation and stress. This post-mortem verdict, however, has since been overturned and changed to an open ruling.