Thurles Information

It is with great sadness and regret that we learned of the death, today Saturday 6th March 2021, of Mr Edward (Ned) Tuohy, Hill House, Coalbrook, Ballingarry (South Riding), Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Kenmare, Co. Kerry.

Predeceased by his sisters Mai, Joan, Sheila and Nancy and brother Jack; Mr Tuohy passed away peacefully at his place of residence, surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted by his loving wife Lucy, his family, Sheila, Sean, Carmel, Maureen, Deirdre and Eamonn, daughter-in-law Yvonne, his 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Tuohy will repose at his residence on tomorrow afternoon, Sunday, March 7th, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
Removal will take place on Monday morning to the Church of the Assumption, Main Street Upper, Ballingarry (SR), for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.

[NB: Due to National Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending (limited to 10 family members), will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing , face covering with no handshaking.]

The extended Tuohy 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.

Note Please: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to South Tipperary Hospice.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

• More than 100 private water supplies failed to meet the bacterial standards for drinking water. Bacteria in our water supplies can make people very ill, particularly young children, the elderly, or those who are immunocompromised.
• One in five known small private supplies were not monitored in 2019. Water suppliers monitor water to ensure they are providing a clean and safe supply of drinking water.
• Water suppliers, local authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage need to act to improve the quality of private drinking water so that human health is protected.

The EPA today released the Drinking Water Quality in Private Supplies 2019 report. One million people in Ireland get their drinking water from a private supply and many more drink water from small private supplies like hotels, pubs and restaurants, crèches, nursing homes and national schools in their daily lives.

Some 88 of the 1,418 small private supplies monitored, failed to meet the standards relating to bacteria, which is the most important indicator of safe drinking water. Similarly, twenty of the 417 private group schemes monitored during the year, serving approximately 3,000 people, failed to meet the standards. This failure, in more than 100 private water supplies, is of significant concern and puts the thousands of users of these supplies at risk. The EPA also found failures to meet the standards for other parameters (for example, nitrates and trihalomethanes) that need to be addressed.

Critically 19 per cent of registered small private supplies, serving food businesses, nursing homes, creches and B&Bs were not monitored in 2019. If a supply has not been monitored, it makes it impossible to be confident that the water is safe to drink. Local Authorities must ensure that monitoring is undertaken in line with the Regulations.

Commenting on the findings of the report, Dr Tom Ryan, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said:

“Consumers should be confident that their water is safe to drink. Water suppliers are obliged to make sure their water supply is clean and wholesome and is in compliance with the water quality standards. It is critical that monitoring is undertaken and, if issues are identified, action must be taken to protect human health.”

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage developed a Remedial Action List for Group Water Schemes in 2016. This is a list of 106 group water schemes, mainly in rural areas, that require upgrades to improve drinking water quality. The report shows that progress is being made and the Department has stated that it expects that all of these supplies will be addressed by the end of 2021.

Mr Andy Fanning, Programme Manager of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said:

“The Group Water Schemes identified on the list of 106 supplies need to make sure that their supplies of drinking water are safe now and for the long term to better protect public health. It is also essential that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage puts in place improved governance and supports for the rural water sector so that appropriate actions can be taken to improve these supplies.”

The report is available HERE on the EPA website.

Ireland’s 2020 greenhouse gas emissions estimated almost 6% lower due to the pandemic

Short term emissions reductions due to the Covid 19 pandemic do not negate the need for targeted and sustained action across all sectors

• Early estimates of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions indicate a significant impact of COVID-19.
• Emissions from the transport sector are estimated to be over 2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2eq) lower than last year, a fall of almost 17%.
• Residential sector emissions (mainly home heating) are estimated to have increased by 9% (0.6 Mt CO2eq) in 2020 as many people have been working extensively from home.
• Emissions from the energy industries sector are estimated to be 14% lower (1.3 Mt CO2eq less) than in 2019. This was most significantly due to substituting coal and peat use with renewable energy in power generation, with the pandemic measures playing a smaller part.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have jointly released an analysis of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020. The estimates show a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of almost 6% in 2020 compared to 2019. The estimates are based on monthly indicator data, allowing for earlier estimation – compared to the more comprehensive annual data used by the EPA to produce Ireland’s GHG Inventory.

There were significant changes in energy-related emissions, particularly transport and residential sector emissions, as a result of new living and work practices brought about by Covid-19. The overall reduction is comparable to that seen following the global financial crisis. However, the economic rebound from the Covid- 19 crisis is estimated to bring emissions back to previous levels, unless additional action is taken.

Commenting on the figures Ms Laura Burke, (Director General, EPA) stated:

“We are at a pivotal point for our economy, and the recovery steps we take now will shape Ireland for the next decade. While these early estimates show a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for 2020 as a result of Covid restrictions, this level of emission reductions, at a minimum, will be required annually.
Ireland needs a ‘green recovery’ to rebuild our economy, generate new jobs and respond to climate change. As we emerge from the global pandemic, a ‘green’ stimulus and implementation of ambitious policies and measures can deliver Ireland’s current and future commitments to a climate-neutral economy and climate-resilient society by 2050.
The emissions reductions in 2020 must be built on to achieve continual, substantial, year-on-year reductions, making the 2020’s the decade of climate action.”

Commenting, Mr William Walsh, (CEO, SEAI) stated:

“The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan are very clear on the scale of ambition necessary to achieve Ireland’s clean energy transition. This will require a national conversation to find solutions and innovate, changing way we live, work and rebuild our economy to give us a chance of achieving our collective mission.
The investment needed in all sectors to address the climate crisis provides tremendous opportunities for warmer and cheaper to run homes and businesses, a growth in green jobs in Ireland, cleaner air in our towns and cities and more open spaces for us all to enjoy.
Climate action has to be a national priority at all levels of society, led by Government, and supported by businesses, communities and individuals all working together. The public health emergency has made us all think about what’s important. I hope that, in time, people can find that same connection and resolve when it comes to taking climate action.”

Full detail on the 2020 estimates is available on the EPA and SEAI websites.