Thurles Information

Cork Edge Tipperary After Decisive Second-Half Spell.

Cork opened their Munster Championship campaign with a 0-29 to 1-22 (25pts) win over Tipperary in Thurles, but the margin arguably reflected a key period of control rather than outright dominance across the full 70 minutes.

Tight Contest for Long Periods.
For much of the game, there was little between the sides. Tipperary recovered from an early deficit to build momentum in the first half, hitting a run of scores to move in front. Cork, while seeing plenty of possession, were at times wasteful and relied on late scores to draw level at the break (0-13 each).
Jason Forde’s accuracy from frees and the work rate of Oisín O’Donoghue were central to Tipp’s attacking play, while Cork’s scoring was more spread across their forward line.

Game Swings After Half-Time.
The match turned during a relatively short spell early in the second half. After a fairly even restart, Cork put together a run of eight unanswered points in just over 10 minutes, which created a gap that Tipperary struggled to close. That period coincided with improved puckout control from Cork, resulting in reduced scoring opportunities for Tipp with a growing reliance on frees for the home side.

Tipperary also went a long stretch without a score from play, only ending that drought in the 64th minute, a factor that ultimately proved costly.

Contributions at Both Ends.
Cork’s debutants William Buckley (0-06) and Barry Walsh (0-04) were among their more effective forwards, contributing steadily rather than explosively.
At the other end, Tipp remained competitive with Forde keeping the scoreboard ticking from frees
A late goal from Alan Tynan briefly reduced the gap while substitutes helped bring the margin down late on
However, Tipperary were chasing the game from the moment Cork built their second-half lead.

Late Push Falls Short.
Tipperary did respond in the closing stages and reduced the deficit to a single score at one point after the late goal. But Cork managed the final minutes more effectively, adding a closing score to secure the result without allowing a full comeback.
This was not a one-sided contest with first half, evenly balanced. The key period came with Cork’s second-half scoring burst, and while Tipp rallied in the final stages, same effort came too late.
Cork took their chances during a decisive window, while Tipperary’s lack of scoring from play, after the break, proved very difficult to overcome.

Next Games.
Cork face Limerick next in what should be a more demanding test, while Tipperary will travel to Waterford.

€7,088 In Unsupported Political Expenses, – Cases Identify One Former Tipperary Politician.

A newly published audit by the Houses of the Oireachtas has found that seven TDs and senators claimed a combined €7,088 in expenses without sufficient supporting documentation, raising renewed concerns over compliance with Public Representation Allowance (PRA) rules.

The audit reviewed over €286,000 in expense claims from a random sample of elected representatives in 2023. While the majority of claims were valid, the findings highlight recurring issues around documentation, eligibility, and cost-sharing practices.

Importantly, the report confirmed that all disallowed amounts have since been repaid to the State, and that €115,593 of claims by the same group were deemed fully compliant and approved.

Key Findings from the Audit.

€7,088 in claims lacked sufficient evidence or eligibility.
€5,793 disallowed for falling outside approved expense categories.
€735 incorrectly claimed due to improper cost-sharing (pro-rata issues).
€560 rejected due to missing receipts or documentation.
Audit covered 22 politicians (only 10% sample) annually.

The auditors stressed that all claims must be “wholly and exclusively” related to official duties and supported by clear documentation.

Recurring Issues Identified.
The report highlighted repeated compliance problems, including:

Incorrect advertising expense claims.
Failure to split shared costs (e.g. newsletters featuring multiple politicians).
Errors in annual cost apportionment (utilities, insurance, IT services).

Auditors recommended ongoing guidance and reminders for Oireachtas members, and even suggested reviewing the eligibility of AI-related expenses going forward.

Tipperary Politician Highlight:
Mr Martin Browne (Former Tipperary Sinn Féin TD).
One of the most notable cases involving a Tipperary politician was Mr Martin Browne (Sinn Féin), identified as claiming the second-highest ineligible claim of €1,729 in expenses which was disallowed.
This placed Mr Browne among the top individuals flagged in the report for non-compliant expense claims, though, like all others involved, the funds were fully reimbursed.

Other Notable Cases.

Ms Pauline Tully (Sinn Féin) – €3,060 (largest disallowed amount).
Ms Fiona O’Loughlin (Fianna Fáil) – €1,256.
Mr Francis Noel Duffy (Former Irish Green Party) – €470.
♦ Additional smaller claims ranged from €140 to €266.

Majority of Claims Audited – Fully Compliant.
The audit also confirmed that 15 politicians provided complete documentation, accounting for €279,124 in valid expenses. These included senior government figures and long-serving TDs, demonstrating that compliance is achievable when guidelines are properly followed.

Conclusion.
While the overall level of irregular claims remains relatively low, and all funds have been repaid, the audit underscores persistent procedural weaknesses in how some politicians manage expenses.
The findings reinforce the need for:

Stronger compliance awareness.
Better documentation practices.
Clearer guidance on shared and emerging expense categories.

As scrutiny around public spending continues, transparency and accountability remain central to maintaining public trust in elected representatives.

Government Prepares For Potential Summer Electricity Increases.

The Government has warned that electricity prices may rise modestly over the coming months, as global energy market pressures continue to create uncertainty for households and businesses across Ireland.
Minister for Energy Mr Darragh O’Brien said electricity costs could increase by between 4% and 9% during the summer period, with potential changes expected from May through July. He described the current market conditions as “very volatile,” pointing to rising international fuel costs driven by geopolitical tensions.

While acknowledging broader concerns about significant price hikes, the Minister emphasised that electricity increases are expected to remain in the single-digit range, depending on individual suppliers and their pricing strategies, including hedging arrangements.
Gas prices, however, may see higher increases, though not to the levels of 30% suggested in some commentary.

Government Response and Supports.
The Government has already introduced a €750 million cost-of-living support package, one of the largest in Europe, aimed at helping households manage rising energy costs. Measures include targeted supports such as fuel allowances, now reaching approximately 470,000 households nationwide.

Minister O’Brien reaffirmed that the Government will remain “flexible and nimble” in responding to further price pressures, with additional supports, including potential energy credits, not ruled out ahead of Budget discussions in October. The Minister also confirmed plans to reintroduce the energy levy in the upcoming Budget, while noting that the carbon tax has been temporarily paused to ease financial pressure on households and businesses.

Focus on Long-Term Solutions.
In addition to short-term supports, the Government is prioritising long-term cost reduction measures, including expanded grants for home retrofitting and energy efficiency improvements. These initiatives are designed to help households reduce reliance on volatile energy markets and lower bills sustainably.
Minister O’Brien stressed that while immediate pressures are being addressed, there will be “no rolling back” on climate commitments, with efforts continuing to transition towards more secure and sustainable energy sources.

Monitoring Fuel Price Transparency.
Separately, the Minister has requested that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enhance its monitoring of fuel price fluctuations. This follows sharp increases in global oil prices linked to international conflict, which have raised concerns about pricing transparency.
While recent findings attribute fuel price spikes primarily to higher wholesale costs, the Government has emphasised the importance of ensuring fair pricing and consumer protection, particularly during periods of crisis.

Outlook.
Ireland’s energy supply remains secure, but global pressures are expected to continue influencing prices in the months ahead. The Government has committed to closely monitoring developments and taking further action where necessary to support households and businesses.

Death Of Elaine Coughlan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Friday April 17th, 2026, of Ms Elaine Coughlan, No. 52 Childers Park, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly Desmond Grove, Lismore Lawn, Waterford City, Co. Waterford.

Ms Coughlan, sadly, passed away unexpectedly at her place of residence.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving partner Gerry (Darmody), son Seán daughter Sarah, parents Michael and Mary, sister Sue, father-in-law John, nephew Aaron and niece Aoife, brother-in-law Ian, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended relatives, work colleagues, Niamh, Josephine, Bríd and Clara, wonderful neighbours and many friends.

Rest In Peace.

Funeral arrangements will be published later as soon as final details are confirmed.

The extended Coughlan and Darmody 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.

Note Please: No flowers. Donations in lieu, if desired, to the Irish Heart Foundation in memory of Ms Elaine Coughlan.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

~

Landmark 1926 Census Release Opens New Chapter in Ireland’s Story.

The publication of the 1926 Census marks a defining moment in Ireland’s historical record, offering a vivid and deeply personal insight into life during the formative years of the Irish Free State.

The 1926 Census can be viewed by linking HERE.

Released by the National Archives following the expiry of the 100-year rule under the Statistics Act 1993, the census is now freely available online. The fully searchable resource provides access to more than 750,000 household and enumerator returns, opening a unique window into Irish society in the aftermath of independence.

Conducted just four years after the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, the 1926 Census captured a population of approximately 2.97 million people. It reflects a country emerging from a decade of profound change, including the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War, and beginning to shape its national identity.

Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin described the release as an opportunity for people to “step back in time” and connect with their families, communities and the everyday lives of those who lived nearly a century ago. He highlighted the census as a bold and visionary undertaking by a young state committed to nation-building.

The digitisation project, completed over three years, ensures the long-term preservation of these records while making them accessible to historians, genealogists and the wider public. Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Mr Patrick O’Donovan said the release is of particular importance to people across Ireland and the global Irish diaspora seeking to explore their heritage.

Director of the National Archives Ms Orlaith McBride emphasised that the census represents more than statistics, describing it as “the story of us”, a record of individuals, families and communities whose lives collectively shaped our modern Ireland.

To mark the release, a major exhibition titled The Story of Us: Independent Ireland and the 1926 Census has opened at Dublin Castle. Running until August 2027, the exhibition explores life in Ireland in 1926 through original records, photographs and immersive displays before touring internationally and across Ireland.

The 1926 Census stands as a vital resource for understanding Ireland’s past, offering people at home and abroad, an opportunity to rediscover their roots and engage with the lived experiences of a generation that helped shape the nation.

Irish Touring Exhibition
As part of its national tour, the exhibition will visit Thurles, Co. Tipperary at Source Arts Centre, Thurles, from 2nd – 21st November 2026, bringing this important chapter of Ireland’s history directly to local Tipperary communities.