Thurles Information

LAWPRO Small Grants And Events Scheme 2026 – Overview.

Community Water Officer Mr Darragh Kelly with LAWPRO (Local Authority Waters Programme) reports:

I am delighted to announce that the 2026 Small Grants & Events Scheme is now open for applications.
I attach a copy of the revised 2026 guidelines and also a link HERE to the Small Grants and Events Scheme 2026 portal.

This grant scheme is designed for community groups seeking support for small-scale initiatives and events that fall outside of LAWPRO’s targeted funding calls. It supports activities such as World Wetlands Day, Biodiversity Week, Science Week, and similar events.

Funding may also be used for awareness-raising initiatives including surveys, action plans, citizen science projects, meetings, workshops, litter picks, publications, biodiversity signage, and other small-scale projects.

Note: All applications must demonstrate a clear focus on water quality or water awareness.
Please Also Note: This application form must not be used for events taking place during Heritage Week (15th–23rd August 2026). A separate application process for Heritage Week funding will be announced in advance.

Download Guidelines for LAWPRO Small Grants and Events Scheme 2026.
→ Please ensure you are logged in as a registered user, before you start completing a form.
◘ You must contact your local Community Water Officer before making an application.
→ Contact details for LAWPRO’s CWOs can be found HERE.
◘ Each application will be assessed based on its merits as it is submitted.
→ There is no obligation on LAWPRO to request any outstanding or supporting information.
◘ Please read the Guidelines carefully before making an application.

Tipperary Farmer Loses Appeal As Permanent Ban On Family Lands Upheld.

A long-running land dispute in Tipperary has taken another decisive turn after the High Court upheld a permanent ban preventing a local farmer from accessing lands once owned by his family.

Farmer Mr Patrick Heffernan failed in his bid to extend the time to appeal a Circuit Court ruling that bars him from entering or trespassing on an 83-hectare farm near Fethard, Co. Tipperary. The lands were sold in 2022 for €1.5 million, to US-based businessman Mr Maurice Regan.

Court Rejects Late Appeal.
The High Court heard that Mr Heffernan sought extra time to appeal an earlier decision but filed his application 63 days after the deadline had expired. Justice Eileen Roberts ruled that while he may have intended to appeal, there was no valid reason for missing the 28-day time limit.

The judge noted that Mr Heffernan claimed he “forgot” the deadline, while attempting to obtain court documentation, but this did not constitute a sufficient excuse.

Background to the Dispute.
The lands had been mortgaged to financial institutions before being transferred to finance firms and ultimately sold by receivers in June 2022.
Following the sale, tensions escalated when Mr Heffernan refused to remove livestock from the property. Court records described “serious difficulties” between both parties, leading Mr Regan to seek legal intervention.

Last year, January 2025, the Circuit Court granted an injunction restraining Mr Heffernan from entering the lands, interfering with locks or signage, or obstructing access.

Criminal Convictions and Garda Intervention.
The dispute also involved multiple legal breaches. Mr Heffernan was twice convicted of criminal damage for cutting locks and once for removing CCTV cameras. He spent 87 days in custody after refusing bail conditions that required him to stay away from the farm.
Gardaí were called to intervene during the conflict, and further legal consequences were warned if trespassing continued.

Claims Rejected by Court.
Mr Heffernan argued that the receivers had no legal authority to sell the land and alleged fraud in the transaction. He also claimed the property was worth €3.5 million, placing it outside the Circuit Court’s jurisdiction.
However, Justice Roberts rejected these claims, stating the €1.5 million sale price, reflecting land without vacant possession, fell within the court’s remit.

Final Outcome.
The High Court concluded that there had been no breach of fair procedures and that proper notice of the original hearing had been given.
Mr Heffernan’s application was dismissed in full, with costs awarded against him, leaving the permanent ban firmly in place.

FSAI Recall Organic Moringa Powder Due To Salmonella Presence.

Recall of a batch of Organic Moringa Powder, supplied by Nuts in Bulk, due to the presence of Salmonella.

Alert Summary dated Friday, May 1st 2026.

Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2026.18.
Product Identification: Nuts in Bulk Organic Moringa powder; (all pack sizes), and Organic Moringa powder; pack size: 25kg and 3kg (supplied by Nuts in Bulk).
Batch Code: MPCHS1224; best before date: 31/12/2027.

Message: The above batch of Organic Moringa Powder, supplied by Nuts in Bulk, is being recalled due to the presence of Salmonella. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Nature Of Danger: People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Action Required: Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers & retailers:
Wholesalers / Distributors: Same are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batch and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to retailer customers.
Retailers Same are requested to remove the implicated batch from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.

New Gardaí Strengthen Policing Across Ireland And Tipperary.

A total of 193 new members of An Garda Síochána were formally sworn in today Friday, May 1st 2026, marking another significant step in the ongoing expansion of Ireland’s police force. The attestation ceremony took place at the Garda College in Templemore, County Tipperary, where all Garda recruits undergo their initial training before entering operational service.

The newly attested class consists of 134 men and 59 women, reflecting continued recruitment efforts aimed at strengthening frontline policing nationwide. Following their ceremony, the recruits officially became probationer Gardaí and are now being deployed to communities across the country. This group brings the total number of sworn Garda members to 14,661, highlighting a steady increase in personnel since recruitment resumed in recent years.

As expected, the largest allocation of new Gardaí has been directed toward the crime ridden Dublin Metropolitan Region, with 141 officers assigned there to support high-demand urban policing. Much smaller numbers have been distributed to other regions, including the Eastern, Southern, and North Western divisions, ensuring a minor nationwide boost in policing visibility and response capacity.

For counties such as Tipperary, the impact of this intake is modest but still important. While only a small number of new Gardaí will be assigned to the wider Southern Region, they are likely to be placed in key operational hubs such as Thurles, Templemore, Clonmel, or Nenagh. These larger stations serve as central bases for policing surrounding rural areas, including smaller stations in towns like Borrisoleigh, Templetuohy, and Killenaule. Newly attested Gardaí typically begin their service in busier stations, where they gain frontline experience in patrol duties, emergency response, and community policing before potentially rotating to smaller local stations.

The attestation also reflects a broader strategy by the Irish Government to maintain a steady pipeline of Garda recruits. New trainee classes are scheduled to enter Templemore every few months, ensuring continued growth in Garda numbers and supporting high-visibility policing initiatives across the country.

Overall, this latest group of Gardaí represents not just an increase in numbers, but a continued investment in community safety. For areas like Thurles and the wider Tipperary district, even a small number of additional officers can make a meaningful difference, enhancing local policing presence and strengthening connections between Gardaí and the communities they serve.

Ending Youth Wage Inequality In Ireland.

On International Workers’ Day, the spotlight has once again turned to a controversial issue in Ireland’s labour market: sub-minimum wages for young workers. According to the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), more than 27,000 young people are currently earning less than the standard minimum wage; a figure that has sparked renewed calls for reform.

Ireland remains one of the few countries in the EU where workers under 20 can legally be paid less than the full minimum wage. These reduced rates are structured by age, meaning younger employees may receive as little as 70% – 90% of the adult rate, regardless of their experience or responsibilities.
The NYCI argues that this system amounts to “age-based pay discrimination,” sending a troubling message that younger workers’ contributions are inherently less valuable. Ms Kathryn Walsh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at NYCI, has warned that such policies deepen inequality and undermine living standards for young people already facing rising costs of living.

Beyond fairness, there are growing concerns about exploitation. Research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) suggests some employers may rely on lower youth wage rates to offset rising labour costs as the national minimum wage increases. This creates a system where young workers are not only paid less, but may also be more vulnerable to insecure and precarious employment conditions.
For many young people, minimum wage jobs already offer limited stability. Lower pay rates can make it even harder to afford basic living expenses or plan for the future.

The NYCI believes abolishing sub-minimum wages is a necessary step toward ensuring dignity, equality, and fair treatment in the workplace.

As Ireland moves toward a “living wage” model in the coming years, pressure is mounting on policymakers to act. Ending sub-minimum pay rates would not only align Ireland with broader European standards but also signal a commitment to valuing all workers equally,regardless of age.