Health « Thurles Information

Tipperary Residents Advised To Get Vaccinated as Hospitals See Rising Flu Pressures.

As influenza activity continues to climb across Ireland, the HSE is calling on eligible members of the public to get their flu vaccine now, before cases escalate further.

Recent data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) shows that influenza activity rose in week 44 of 2025, with the highest number of cases so far among adults aged 65 years and older. Hospitalisations have also increased. Multiple strains, A(H3), A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B, have already been detected this season.

Local hospitals, including Tipperary University Hospital, and Limerick University Hospital, are under heavy pressure, with Emergency Departments experiencing large numbers of people presenting. As a result, many hospitals have introduced visitor restrictions to help manage the rise in flu cases.

With flu cases rising sharply, the vaccine remains the safest and most effective way to protect yourself, your family, and the wider community. Speaking to Liberty Pharmacy (Prop: Kate Kennedy) this morning, (Premises situated at No. 34 Lower Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary Tel: 0504 90604), their spokesperson stated, “We continue to have appointments available and now is the time to act, while the vaccine is still readily accessible.”

Keep in mind: Vaccination is free under the national programme for people aged 60 and over, children aged 2–17, pregnant women, health-care workers, carers, household contacts of people at higher risk, residents of long-stay facilities, and those with certain health conditions or regular contact with poultry, waterfowl or pigs.

Getting vaccinated helps prevent serious illness — and helps protect those around you.

Sign Of A Healthy Economy Should Be A Drinkable River.

“The sign of a healthy economy should be a drinkable river.”

[Quote by Ms Li An Phoa, (founder of the organization ‘Drinkable Rivers’)].

In relation to the pollution of the River Suir in Thurles which we, after 13 years of watching the sheer neglect of same, by Tipperary Co. Council, drew to the attention of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the end of August last, has finally received a reply.

**Effluent continues to flow into the River Suir in Thurles Town centre**.
*Pic: G. Willoughb*y *(Dated October 9th, 2025)*

It is with great personal sadness and utter frustration that I report, first on the reply received from the EPA on Tuesday 25th November, 2025 which reads as follows:

(Ref: COM021813)
Dear Mr Willoughby,
Further to previous correspondence and responding to your concerns, the EPA wrote to Tipperary County Council seeking a written response from them on actions taken or planned on this matter.
Tipperary County Council replied to the EPA on 23/10/2025.
I enclose for your information a copy of a report received from Tipperary County Council in response to the issues raised in your complaint.
The EPA is satisfied that Tipperary County Council is dealing with the issue raised in your complaint and in view of this, the EPA will not be pursuing it further at this time.
The EPA recommends that you report any further issues directly to Tipperary County Council (preferably in writing) as the responsible authority.
Please use the reference number above in any further correspondence with the EPA regarding this matter.
Kind regards,
Nessa Dearle.

While the EPA publicly admit that wastewater discharged from 59% of Ireland’s existing treatment plants fail to consistently meet standards set in EPA licences to prevent pollution and further admit that wastewater discharges continue to harm water quality in rivers, estuaries, lakes and coastal waters, they are not anxious to take on Tipperary Co. Council.

We will be publishing the inadequate awareness of the facts in the reply sent to the EPA by Ms Colette Moloney (Senior Executive Scientist with Tipperary County Council) shortly, as soon as time permits.

FSAI – Food Allergen Alert.

Possible presence of peanuts in Dairyfine Salted Caramel Filled Gonks.

Alert Summary dated Friday, November 28th 2025.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A45.
Allergen: Peanut.
Product Identification: Dairyfine Salted Caramel Filled Gonks; pack size; 90g.
Batch Code: All batches and best before dates.

Message:
The above batches of Dairyfine Salted Caramel Filled Gonks may contain peanuts which are not declared in the list of ingredients. This may make the batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of peanuts and therefore, these consumers should not eat the implicated product.

The affected product is being recalled from Aldi stores.

Food Allergen Alert.

Undeclared sulphur dioxide in a batch of Pure Heaven Out of this World White Grape and Peach Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Celebration Drink.

Alert Summary dated Friday, November 28th 2025.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A44.
Allergens: Sulphur dioxide and sulphites.
Product Identification: Pure Heaven Out of this World White Grape and Peach Sparkling Non-Alcoholic.
Celebration Drink: Pack size: 750ml.
Batch Code: PRD12 / 24L33824; best before date: 03/12/2027.
Country Of Origin: Spain.

Message: The above batch of Pure Heaven Out of this World White Grape and Peach Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Celebration Drink contains sulphur dioxide which is not declared in the list of ingredients. This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of sulphur dioxide and therefore, these consumers should not drink the implicated batch.

The affected batch is being recalled.

FSAI Recall Batch Of Dunnes Stores Organic Porridge Oats.

Recall of a batch of Dunnes Stores Organic Porridge Oats due to possible presence of clear plastic pellets.

Alert Summary dated Tuesday, November 25th, 2025.

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.65
Product Identification: Dunnes Store Organic Porridge Oats; pack size: 1 kg
Batch Code: 5284 FI; time stamped between 06:00 and 12:00; best before 11/10/2026
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom

Message:
The above batch of Dunnes Stores Organic Porridge Oats is being recalled due to the possible presence of clear plastic pellets.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

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