Thurles Information

Oireachtas Approves Acts To Combat Terrorism & Organised Crime.

Oireachtas approves renewal of acts to combat terrorism and organised crime

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has moved Oireachtas resolutions for the renewal of important legislation aimed at combatting terrorism and serious organised crime.

The Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998, which was enacted in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing, makes amendments to the Offences against the State Acts 1939-1985, the State’s main body of counter-terrorist legislation, and created new substantive offences.

The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act, 2009 was enacted to put in place certain additional legislative measures to tackle organised crime. Among those measures was section 8 which provides that certain organised crime offences are scheduled offences and accordingly shall be tried in the Special Criminal Court, unless the Director of Public Prosecutions otherwise directs.

Both Acts provide that certain provisions shall cease to be in operation unless a Resolution had been passed by each House of the Oireachtas resolving that those provisions should continue in operation for a further 12 months.

The Dáil and Seanad agreed to renew, for a further year, the relevant provisions of both Acts until June 29th 2023.

In addition, there is an ongoing independent expert review of the Offences Against the State Acts and a final report from the Group is expected this autumn.

During the Oireachtas debates the Minister outlined that the threat from dissident paramilitaries remains, that as an open democracy Ireland is not immune from the threat from international terrorism and as such the continuation of the provisions was necessary. The Minister also thanked the members of the Independent Review Group for their ongoing work on reviewing the Offences Against the State Acts, and looked forward to engaging with any recommendations in their final report, expected this autumn.

The Minister stated : “There remains a real and persistent threat from paramilitary groups … It is imperative that our laws and our authorities are properly equipped to deal with the threat.

These groups remain committed to violence and are contemptuous of the vast majority of the people on this island, latter who wish to live their lives in peace.

It is my firm view that the provisions I am seeking renewal of today are important in supporting An Garda Síochána in their efforts to investigate, disrupt and dismantle the activities of terrorists.

Further in relation to organised crime and acknowledging the work of the Gardaí, the Minister said:
“Organised criminal groups have no regard for the rule of law and supporting the great work of An Garda Síochána in tackling organised crime remains a priority for the Government.

The Government is fully committed to giving An Garda Síochána the necessary resources to continue the work of combatting those involved in organised crime. As Minister for Justice, I want to acknowledge that work. An Garda Síochána continue to make significant seizures of drugs and firearms; they continue to bring organised criminals to justice and importantly they continue to prevent further loss of life.

The clear view of the Garda Commissioner, Mr Drew Harris, is that the continued operation of these provisions is required, and I fully support his view”.

Death Of Tom Quinlan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, today, Thursday 30th June 2022, of Mr Thomas (Tom) Quinlan, Castletown House, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his wife Helen, son Peter, brother Michael and sister Ann; Mr Quinlan passed away unexpectedly after a short illness, while in the care of St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny; surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted by his daughters Katie, Mairéad and Elaine, sons-in-law Ronan, Gary and John, grandchildren Charlie, Molly, Robert, Paddy, Abigail, Tom and Evan, brothers and sisters Jim, Breda (O’Dwyer), Kathleen (Purcell), Paddy, John, Mary (Everard), Noel, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews, extended relatives, wonderful neighbours, wide circle of friends and his good friend Ursula.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Quinlan will repose at his family home on tomorrow evening, Friday, July 1st, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.
His body will be received into the Church of St. Mary, Moyne, Thurles to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am on Saturday, July 2nd, followed by interment in the Moyne Old Cemetery, Moyne, 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 Quinlan 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Death Of Bridgie Maher, Formerly Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Wednesday 29th June, 2022, of Mrs Bridgie Maher (née Scally), Gooldscross, Cashel, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mrs Maher passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at University Hospital, Limerick.

Her passing is most deeply regretted by her loving husband Tom, children Susie, Tommy, Rebecca & Michelle and their partners Joe, Brendan and Claire, grandson Freddie, sisters, brother, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Maher will repose at her place of residence, on tomorrow evening, Friday, July 1st, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning in St. John the Baptist Church, Clonoulty at 11.30am, followed by private cremation.

[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 Maher 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.

Covid-19 – A Virus For All Seasons.

Ireland is currently in the middle of another wave of Covid-19, driven largely by Omicron sub-variants, according to Dr. Colm Henry (HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer).

Dr. Henry has confirmed that the sub-variants now comprise some than 90% of current cases that are receiving genomic sequencing at present.

Dr. Henry stated that the virus that we are experiencing now, highlights the fact that even though we’re in a much better place in our State, in relation to Covid; it further highlights how much uncertainty still remains. There remains increasing pressure on our hospitals, although generally people are not getting as sick as previously, however, presentations in emergency departments are at high levels; something normally associated with the winter season.

Currently there are 31 people in ICU with the virus and as of 8:00am yesterday morning, there were 776 people in hospital, latter an increase of 25 on the same time yesterday.
The HSE has stated that almost 600 of their staff members have testing positive for the virus within the past 7 days

Minister for Finance Mr Paschal Donohoe has said that legislation will be considered by the Cabinet around when an effective mask mandate might be reintroduced. He also warned that Covid-19 infections were rising and urged people who have not yet received a booster dose to immediately do so.

Delays In Fixing Failed Septic Tanks Unacceptable.

Over half (53%) of septic tank systems failed inspection in 2021.
Three quarters of systems failing inspection have been fixed, but delays in resolving older failures is a concern.
Faulty septic tank systems are a risk to people’s health and the environment.
The National Inspection Plan 2022-2026 requires increased inspections and enforcement to ensure failed systems are fixed.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the report on Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Inspections in 2021. This is a report of the 1,147 inspections of septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems completed by local authorities in 2021.

Fifty-three per cent (604) of the systems failed inspection because they were not built or maintained properly.
Twenty-nine per cent (337) of systems inspected were considered a risk to human health or the environment, because faulty systems can contaminate household drinking water wells and pollute rivers.

Commenting on the report, Dr. Tom Ryan, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said,
“If you do not maintain your septic tank, it can contaminate your own or your neighbour’s drinking water well, or your local stream, putting your health at risk and that of your family and neighbours. Some of these problems may go unnoticed unless householders check their septic tank and drinking water well. Householders should visually check their septic tank and get their well tested at least annually to satisfy themselves that their septic tank is not posing a risk to the health of their families, their neighbours and the environment. Where problems are detected, householders need to take the necessary steps to fix their septic tanks”.

Local authorities issue advisory notices to householders setting out what is required to fix septic tanks that fail inspection. The report found there were 533 cases where issues notified to householders over two years previously had still not been addressed. The septic tank grant scheme, which was expanded in 2020, offers grants of €5,000 to assist in addressing malfunctioning systems.

Mr Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager said,
“The need to fix failing septic tanks has been repeatedly highlighted by the EPA as a concern. It is unacceptable that over 500 failed septic tanks are not fixed more than two years after inspection. Over half of these involve sewage ponding in gardens and discharging to ditches and streams, which cannot be allowed to continue. Local authorities must increase their enforcement effort to ensure failed systems are fixed”.

The National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 2022 – 2026 was published in 2021. The plan increases inspections from 1,000 to 1,200 from 2023 onwards.

Inspections will now be focused near rivers where there is greater risk to water quality, and areas with shallow soils where there is greater risk to household wells.

The report, Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Inspections in 2021, is available on the EPA’s website HERE.