Thurles Information

New E-Scooter Safety Rules To Take Effect In Ireland

New safety regulations for e-scooters will take effect on Friday next, September 4th 2026.

Under the regulations, anyone using an e-scooter in a public place must:

Wear a helmet.
Wear high-visibility clothing.
Continue to comply with the existing minimum age of 16.
Follow existing rules governing speed, equipment, passengers and where e-scooters may be used.

The measures follow a rise in serious injuries involving e-scooters, particularly head injuries among children. Gardaí will be able to identify breaches of the protective-equipment rules through roadside enforcement.

A €100 fixed-charge fine for offences including riding without a helmet is expected to be introduced separately in the coming weeks. It is therefore important not to describe that fine as taking effect on September 4th next.

The Government also plans to raise the minimum riding age from 16 years to 18 years. That change is not yet in force because it must first complete the European Union’s Technical Regulation Information System process. The process can take up to 12 weeks, with implementation expected before the end of 2026.

Charges associated with seized e-scooters are also due to increase in early October. Further proposals under consideration to possibly include insurance, licensing and registration requirements.

Emly Co. Tipperary – It’s Place In The Making Of One Of Ireland’s Great Medieval Manuscripts.

One of Ireland’s most important medieval manuscripts; a chronicle of the medieval history of Ireland, has returned to public display in Ireland and it carries a fascinating connection to Emly, Co. Tipperary.

Nearly 1,000 years old, the Annals of Inisfallen comprise 57 vellum leaves handwritten in Irish and Latin. The manuscript preserves a remarkable account of Irish history, from the legendary Tuatha Dé Danann and the arrival of St Patrick, to Viking raids, kings, poets, warfare and the coming of the Normans.

Scholars believe the manuscript was initially copied at the monastery of Lismore, Co. Waterford, using earlier source material created at the great monastic centres of Emly, Co. Tipperary, and Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly. This connection highlights Emly’s important role as an early centre of religious learning, scholarship and historical record-keeping.

During the 12th century, the manuscript was probably brought to Inisfallen Island in Killarney, where successive scribes continued recording events. Its extraordinary entries include the Viking raids on Skellig Michael in 823, the arrival of a group believed to be Ireland’s first Jewish community in 1079, the great snow of 1047 and the gift of a camel from the King of Scotland to a great-grandson of Brian Boru in 1105.
Now preserved by the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford, the manuscript is being exhibited in Ireland for the first time since 1983.

Recording the Past: The Annals of Inisfallen and the Making of Irish History is on display at the Glucksman, University College Cork, until November 1st, 2026.

For the people of Emly and Co. Tipperary, the exhibition offers a welcome opportunity to recognise the contribution their ancient monastic centre is believed to have made to one of Ireland’s greatest written treasures.

New €250 Littering Fine Now In Force Across Ireland

When Does Somebody Else’s Pollution Become Our Responsibility?

Since yesterday September 1st 2026, Ireland’s fixed, on-the-spot fine for littering has increased from €150 to €250. This includes rubbish thrown from cars; whether it is a cigarette butt, bottle, food container or takeaway wrapper.

But fines raise a bigger question:
At what point does somebody else’s pollution become our responsibility, especially when it enters a local river or waterway?Responsibility begins with the person who discarded the waste. Irish law prohibits causing or permitting polluting matter to enter waterways. Local authorities can investigate pollution, require remedial action and prosecute offenders.

**Suir Riverbed Thurles town centre, mainly caused by failure to provide a nearby litter bin.**

However, responsibility cannot end with the individual. Many communities like Thurles town, point to too few conveniently located litter bins, or bins that are full or poorly maintained, in town centres, recreational areas and beside popular walking routes. Public-bin provision and maintenance are local-authority services, so councils also have a role in supplying suitable infrastructure where litter is regularly generated.

However, a lack of bins is never an excuse to throw rubbish from a car or throw it in or beside a river. If no bin is available, we must take our waste home. Nevertheless, enforcement works best when it is accompanied by adequate bins, regular collections, public education and convenient recycling facilities. Fining people without addressing obvious gaps in infrastructure tackles only part of the problem.

Once discarded, litter rarely remains where it falls. Rain washes roadside waste into drains, streams and rivers often promoted by Co. Councils. Currents carry it through neighbouring communities and towards lakes and the sea, where it can harm wildlife, obstruct waterways and leave the public paying for its removal.
Ordinary residents are not legally responsible for another person’s offence. But once we see pollution threatening a shared waterway, we acquire a civic responsibility; report it, refuse to ignore it and support safe efforts to protect the area.

In the Republic of Ireland, litter, illegal dumping, overflowing public bins and local water pollution can be reported to the relevant city or county council. The EPA also recommends its “See It? Say It!” app, which sends photographs and location details to the appropriate authority.

The person who pollutes should pay.
Councils must provide sensible disposal facilities and enforce the law. Communities should not be expected to continually clean up after repeat offenders, but silence allows the damage to travel downstream.

The litter may belong to somebody else, but the river belongs to all of us.
Personal responsibility, proper infrastructure and effective enforcement must work together.

Family Tributes And Famous Characters Inspire 2026/27 Storm Names

Austen, Boelo and Chloe are first in line to name major storms affecting Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands during the 2026/27 season.

Met Éireann unveiled the list alongside the UK Met Office and Dutch forecasting service KNMI after the public submitted more than 40,000 suggestions. The official list contains 21 names, beginning with Austen and ending with Wende.

Met Éireann confirmed the names on 1st September 2026.

Many of the nominations pay tribute to loved ones, pets and notable figures from meteorological history.

Chloe, the third name on the list, was suggested more than 120 times. One nomination came from the mother of a five-year-old weather enthusiast who is fascinated by forecasts but, according to her family, can “create a storm by herself” when tired.

Finn was proposed for a two-year-old boy described by his family as wild and a force to be reckoned with. Ivy commemorates a nine-month-old Labrador puppy affectionately nicknamed “the absolute destructor”.

Nicola honours a mother who has “weathered many a storm and only come out stronger”, while Theo was inspired by a cat that would hide before thunderstorms, leading its owner to joke that it could predict the weather.

Shaun also appears on the list after winning a public vote held through a partnership between the Met Office and Aardman, the British animation studio behind Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit. The collaboration is intended to introduce weather preparedness to new audiences through Aardman’s storytelling.

Met Éireann selected several names connected to the history of Irish weather forecasting as it celebrates the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Irish Meteorological Service.

Austen honours Austen Nagle, its first director, while Evelyn recognises Evelyn Murphy, the first woman to present a weather forecast on RTÉ.

KNMI chose its names from more than 3,000 public suggestions. They include Boelo,pronounced “Boo-loh”—a traditional but now almost extinct name from the eastern Groningen region. The name has been passed through the nominator’s family for generations.

Although the stories behind the names are often warm and personal, meteorologists emphasise that storm naming serves a serious purpose. Giving a potentially dangerous weather system a distinctive name helps the public follow forecasts, understand warnings and prepare for possible disruption.

A storm is named when forecasters believe it could produce medium or high impacts in Ireland, the UK or the Netherlands. Strong winds remain the main consideration, although the potential effects of heavy rain and snow are also assessed.

The three forecasting organisations have named storms jointly since 2015. Each annual list operates from the beginning of September until the following August.

The letters Q, U, X, Y and Z are omitted in keeping with North Atlantic naming conventions.

Death Of Marie O’Keeffe, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, Saturday 29th August 2026 of Mrs Marie O’Keeffe (née O’Brien), The Mill, Ballynonty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of the Cragg, Newport, Co. Tipperary

Pre-deceased by her parents Michael and Mary, sisters Margaret (Lim) and Helen (Mooney); Mrs O’Keeffe passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, while in the care of Ms Lisa Zimmermann and staff at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City Co. Kilkenny.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; heartbroken husband Barth, sons Flavian and Fiach, daughter Avalon and their partners Lisa, Emma and Andrea, brothers Michael and Arthur, brothers-in-law Eddie, Jimmy, Patsy and Connie, sisters-in-law Maura, Mary and Lily, grandchildren Seosaimh, Patrick, Hannah, Sophie, Ciarán, Allegra, Daisy, Fionn, Molly and Biddy, nephews, nieces, in-laws, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs O’Keeffe will repose at O’Connell’s Funeral Home, Killenaule, Thurles, (Eircode E41 HH66), on tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday, September 2nd from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Church of St Patrick and St Oliver, Glengoole, Thurles, on Thursday morning to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in adjoining graveyard.

The extended O’Keeffe and O’Brien 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.

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

Marie was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and work colleague and the heart of her family. She lived a long and wonderful life, surrounded by those she loved and who loved her dearly. Her kindness, love and devotion to her family will live on in the many lives she touched and in the family she so lovingly created. She will be forever missed.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.