Thurles Information

Death Of Bob Ely, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, of Mr Robert (Bob) Ely, (published today Thursday June 18th 2026) of Burma Road, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Margaret and Patrick, brother Jerry, sister-in-law Mary, brothers-in-law Jim and Paddy; Mr Ely passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, while in the care of staff of St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny and Fennor Hill Care facility, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving and devoted wife Peggy (née Normoyle), son Robert, daughter Jean, grandchildren Bobby, Danny and Billy, Robert’s partner Aisling, Jean’s partner P.J. brothers Pat and Murty, sisters Anna (Kiely), Rita (Hally) and Mary (Hayden), nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Ely will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59), on Friday afternoon, June 19th, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
His remains will be received into the Church of St Mary, Moyne, Thurles on Saturday morning, June 20th, at 11:00am to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in St Mary’s Cemetery, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Ely, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Ely and Normoyle families 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.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Did You Get A Card, Or Just The Bill?

The Dáil That Keeps on Giving – With Your Money.

Did you get your taxpayer-funded Christmas card, calendar, sympathy card, congratulations card, bookmark, postcard, or perhaps a handy copy of the 1916 Proclamation?

No? Strange. Because since the start of last year, TDs and Senators managed to produce more than 10.5 million customised print items through the Oireachtas print facility, all in connection, we are told, with “parliamentary duties”.

Among the highlights from this festival of ink and entitlement were: – 167,600 calendars, 65,210 Christmas cards, 45,225 greeting cards, 25,570 sympathy cards, 3,990 congratulations cards, customised bookmarks, postcards, and 8,700 copies of the 1916 Proclamation.

Nothing says “Republic” quite like printing the Proclamation at public expense while 85,000 newsletters and leaflets end up being pulped because they were never collected.

One batch of 35,000 newsletters apparently had an error. Another 30,000 booklets were printed in double the required amount. A further 20,000 were not collected after illness and, understandably, “went out of his head”.

Of course, mistakes happen. Usually, when ordinary people make them at work, there is a cost. In Leinster House, the cost appears to be paper, ink, staff time, recycling and the taxpayer’s patience.

From Leinster House with Love – Postage Included?

And here is the real festive question: if all these cards and calendars are being printed at our expense, who is paying for the stamps? Did TDs and Senators have access to prepaid Oireachtas envelopes?

So, did you get a card? Did you get a calendar? Did you get a bookmark? Did you get a sympathy card before you even knew you needed sympathy?

Food Alert.

FSAI warn of recall of specific batches of Pettitt’s Kitchen products, due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Food Summary dated Wednesday, 17th June 2026.

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2026.33
Product Identification: Please see list below.
Batch Code: Please see list below for use by dates.
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message: The specific batches of Pettitt’s Kitchen products listed below are being recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

View full list of implicated products and batches see HERE.

Please see Q&A for further information on Listeria monocytogenes.

Nature Of Danger: Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers and Retailers:
Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

Significant Shannon Investment Announcement Expected This Summer.

Fine Gael TD for Co. Clare, Mr Joe Cooney has received confirmation from Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Mr Peter Burke, that a leading Irish company is expected to announce a significant investment in Shannon this summer.

Raising the issue the Dáil during a Topical Issue debate on industrial development and employment opportunities in the Mid-West region, (latter which covers three counties: Tipperary, Clare and Limerick, with a population of 473,269 or about 9.94% of Ireland’s total population), Deputy Joe Cooney said the expected announcement would be a strong boost for the region.

Deputy Cooney said the development would be a key step in strengthening the region as a counterbalance to Dublin’s economic concentration.
He stated, “The over concentration of development in Dublin is not just a Dublin issue, it is a national planning challenge. The Mid-West, and Shannon in particular, can and should act as a counterbalance, providing space, capacity and opportunity for sustainable economic growth.”
He further stated that Shannon has the infrastructure and capacity to support major investment, “Shannon offers what Dublin increasingly cannot, including space for enterprise, aviation development, space for housing, and space within the planning system to move with speed and ambition. That is why it is ideally placed to support Ireland’s next phase of balanced regional development.”

Minister Burke told the Dáil that the Mid-West region was “uniquely positioned” for enterprise growth and confirmed that a major announcement was expected later this summer.

He continued, “There will be a very significant announcement during the summer by a leading Irish-born company in relation to Shannon. This will be a strong testament to the work of Government in providing key infrastructure and supporting a highly skilled workforce.”

The Minister added that Government policy was focused on “unlocking the full economic potential of all regions”, highlighting Shannon Airport, Foynes Port and strong links with third-level institutions in the Mid-West.
Deputy Cooney said the region must continue to be developed as a genuine alternative economic hub, “Balanced regional development cannot just be a policy aspiration. It has to be delivered in practice. Shannon has the assets, the talent and the ambition to play a central role in delivering that balance.”

He said he would continue to work with Government, agencies and local stakeholders to secure further investment and employment opportunities in the region.

The details of the investment are expected to be announced later this summer.

River Suir: 14 Years Of Talk – When Will Real Action Begin?

Yesterday, the EPA issued a stark warning in its press release: “Faster action is needed, as water quality shows little overall improvement in 2025.”

There has been little change in water quality indicators in 2025. Overall water quality remains unsatisfactory in many areas.
Excess nutrients from agriculture and wastewater remain the greatest challenge to water quality improvements, with phosphorous and nitrate levels still too high in many of our waters.
Some areas show improvements which is promising, but these are being offset by declines elsewhere. The scale and pace of implementation of actions to protect and restore water quality needs to be increased.

The message could not be clearer, and it should be a wake-up call for every community living beside a river in Ireland, including those of us along the River Suir.

The EPA’s Water Quality in 2025: An Indicators Report shows that there has been little change in water quality indicators in 2025, with overall water quality still unsatisfactory in many areas. Nutrient levels remain too high in a large proportion of water bodies, and slightly more than half; 54% of rivers and lakes are in good or better biological quality. So the question must be asked locally: why is the River Suir still being neglected?
For the past 14 years, we have heard promises, plans, meetings, schemes, visits and announcements, but the visible condition of parts of the Suir, particularly around Thurles, remains totally unacceptable.

**River Suir, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

On 25 May 2026, Tipp Mid West Radio reported that North Tipperary TD Mr Michael Lowry said he was submitting a funding application for works on the River Suir between Templemore and Ballycamas. That announcement is indeed welcome, but it also raises a very simple question: after so many years of concern about the condition of the Suir, why are we still at the stage of applications, announcements and proposed works?

We are also told that the Government has amended the Minor Works Scheme, that Tipperary County Council has been allocated €150,000 for river conveyance works, and that funding applications of up to €2 million may be made to cover remedial works. Mr Lowry has said he will work with Cllr Micheál Lowry to progress a plan for the River Suir, and Minister Kevin “Boxer” Moran is expected to visit Thurles to view the river’s condition.
That is welcome, but it cannot become yet another photo opportunity, followed by another decade of delay.

**Sewage openly flowing into** **River Suir, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

The EPA is clear that excess nutrients from agriculture, wastewater and run-off remain the greatest challenge to improving water quality. It has also said that while some areas are improving, those gains are being offset by declines elsewhere, and that the scale and pace of action must increase.

LAWPRO is working across the wider River Suir catchment to reduce damaging discharges, while community groups and Rivers Trust initiatives are encouraging local people, landowners and stakeholders to get involved in protecting the Suir and its tributaries. That community involvement is important, but communities cannot do this alone.

The missing ingredient for the River Suir is not more talk, it is delivery. We need clear answers:

► What works will be carried out?
► When will they begin?
► Who is responsible for delivery?
► Has the funding application now been submitted?
► What section of the river will be prioritised first?
► How will pollution and damaging discharges be reduced?
► How will progress be measured and reported publicly?

The River Suir is one of this region’s greatest natural assets. It should not be treated as an afterthought. Clean water supports biodiversity, public health, recreation, tourism, farming, fishing and local pride.

After 14 years of discussion, the people of Thurles and the wider Suir catchment area deserve more than statements of concern.
They deserve action, visible funded and accountable.