We learn today that a second ‘Section 5’ Thurles Planning Exemption, announced by elected representatives, for an address on Friar Street, Thurles, was in fact never intended for use as housing for International Protection Applicants.
Proprietors of this identified Friar Street property have stated that their building will not be used as an IPAS centre and same was never intended to be used as such, in the first place.
The property on Friar Street in the town is currently home to a number of Ukrainians and the owner insists that it was never intended be used for International Protection Applicants.
Meanwhile, it has already been confirmed that Kilbrin Homes Ltd, has now decided not to progress with their plans for an IPAS Centre, scheduled for Mitchel Street in Thurles, Co. Tipperary. This latter decision results in a scheduled public meeting, which was set to be held on Thursday, March 27th next, now will no longer take place, as was arranged for the Anner Hotel in the town.
Immigration issues, which suddenly came to the fore this week in Thurles, does not mean that Thurles people, for the most part, are either racist or against allowing refugees to come into our midst, seeking better opportunities. The majority of residents believe that everyone should have the chance to improve their lives. However, the current systems are being totally exploited and the present government, supported by all Tipperary TDs; together with Tipperary County council officials appear to grant ‘Section 5’ planning exemption, in secret, to property owners/developers, in areas that are totally unacceptable. In the case of Thurles, not even one job has been created in the past 30 years, despite the fact that two elected TDs, up until the last election, were resident in the immediate area, both achieving nothing for either Thurles town or county. Where are these people to find job opportunities in Thurles?
Ireland continues to grow wealthier and is fast becoming one of the richest countries in the world, but the quality of life for many Irish people is declining. Our towns, and especially our cities, are becoming less safe – not solely because of immigration, but due to multiple factors, including drugs and a failing justice system.
Communities across Ireland are worried, and their concerns are being consistently ignored. When people’s feelings are suppressed, this leads to frustration, driving same toward more extreme beliefs. This breeds distrust in the government thus fuelling racism and extremism.
The immigration issue in Ireland is a complex and often controversial topic, touching on various social, economic, and political aspects. While Ireland has a long history of welcoming refugees and migrants; in recent years there have seen growing concerns and debates around immigration policies.
With regards Thurles and Co. Tipperary; it should be highlighted that while Tipperary County Council officials grant ‘Section 5’ Planning Exemption without any thought as to the area affected, this same Council have dragged a single elderly gentleman (Mr Sean Meehan), through the Irish Court system, demanding that he dismantle an insulated caravan on wheels, by April 4th next, which he positioned on his own land, near New Inn, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. Failure to obey this order, will see Mr Meehan spend his 66th birthday in an Irish prison, while his humble abode will be torn down, leaving him homeless when released. This is despite planning rules for cabins and modular homes in back gardens all set to be relaxed in an effort to support a housing crisis in Ireland.
This is a County Council that lacks humanity; is according to elected representatives, a somewhat dictatorial regime that continuously wastes taxpayers money and fails to consult with local residents, their elected Councillors, TDs, Gardaí and other pertinent stakeholders.
A final decision on the report had been previously delayed for further consultation; with a second traffic system trialled over a period of 3 days, instead of the 4 days originally agreed. However, the initial plan, formulated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland(TII) was proposed, yesterday, by Fine Gael Cllr. Ms Peggy Ryan and seconded by Fianna Fail Cllr. Sean Ryan, thus giving same idiotic plan the “green light”.
Yesterday evening, following the approved of this controversial plan, we understand that traders reacted angrily, with the latter holding banners stating, “It’s OK to say NO” and “120 Job Losses”.
The new plans, which are expected to take several years to implement, will involve changing the traffic system reduced to one lane, thus accepting traffic and heavy goods vehicles converging from 3 lanes right in the very centre of town. It will also see a further reduction of, at least, 12-14 car parking spaces from west Liberty square, and the removal of mature trees to be replaced by miniature trees forcing a colony of 1,000 Pied Wagtails becoming homeless.
The previous five-seater Tipperary constituency has now been re-drawn to form a two x three-seater constituency (Tipperary North and Tipperary South). Thurles Town remains in Tipperary North, so with 3 seats now up for grabs, it does not take a genius to realise and accept that possibly at least one totally new individual will take a seat in Dáil Éireann.
This scenario follows the fact one of two previous Thurles Teachtaí Dála, namely Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Jackie Cahill, some weeks ago, announced that he would not be contesting the 2024 General Election on Friday next, November 29th, due to health concerns.
On November 17th 2024, last a headline on the Nenagh Guardian newspaper [READ FULL ARTICLE HERE], correctly pointed out that “Tipperary is lacking in political clout”.
From a sports point of view this article correctly pointed out that the previous week had seen the third sports capital funding allocation for the year, with €173 million for 35 projects being part of the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund(LSSIF). While a number of Tipperary clubs were successful in appeals over their CSFF allocations, it would appear, as our local politicians slept, that the application pertaining to refurbishment works for Semple’s field (Semple Stadium), lost out to Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, with the Kerry venue getting €6 million for work on its west terrace, to not only improve the spectator experience for matches, but also as an outdoor concert venue. This all happened despite having two resident Thurles TD’s who supported the present outgoing government.
On Friday next Thurles and District electorate, not to mention the Constituency of North Tipperary, as a whole, will get a chance to introduce this new face into Dáil Éireann.
Thurles over the past 10 years, in particular, and even longer, has been allowed to slide into slow disintegration. We have for too long listened to promises, with current politicians announcing funding for an ‘Inner Relief Road’; a‘Business Innovation Centre‘; ‘increased employment‘; a ‘Holycross Museum’; a ‘Ring Road’etc. etc., none of which have ever come to pass, as present incumbent politicians continuously tied themselves to wealthy individuals, latter who used them to seek even more government funding and changes in the law.
With Tipperary North now a three seater constituency and Thurles town on the decline; sound logic would indicate that Thurles now badly needs to elect candidate and present Co.Councillor Mr Jim Ryan, who is currently resident in Thurles town and who will represent, not just Thurles Town, but also the constituency of Tipperary North, if elected to take a seat in our 34th Dáil.
Mr Jim Ryan, to date, has given his adult life to both local and Co. Tipperary politics. He has consistently been elected as a County Councillor in local elections and as his poster states, he is proven; is certainly experienced and is reliable.
Try to forget “Political Party Allegiance” when voting on Friday next. Vote No1 Jim Ryan, before marking your No. 2 choice etc…
We must ask ourselves, as logical Thurles voters, the following question. “What have other candidates currently in the race; including some with absolutely no political experience whatsoever and now seeking our individual, valuable vote, ever achieved for Thurles Town“.
George Willoughby’s No.1 Vote will go to Councillor Jim Ryan on Friday morning next, in an effort to attempt the slow the obvious decline to a town that I love so well.
I ask all voters and lovers of Thurles, to think logically and to support Thurles and North Tipperary, by electing Jim Ryan to the 34th Dáil.
You know it makes sense, otherwise we will have nothingfor the next 5 years; yet again.
“Free Parking” in Thurles, Co. Tipperary will exist throughout the town for the first 30 minutes of each day, starting from Sunday December 1st next. Sounds great on paper, but of course local residents and particularly a much diminished group of business owners are fully aware that car parking in Thurles town centre has mostly been eradicated. Indeed, dare any ‘Joe Soap’, (i.e. any foolish stooge or scapegoat) consumer should park his/her motor vehicle here in any of the provided loading bays, when a traffic warden is in situ; they will quickly realise that same are reserved for the free parking of SHOWTIME trucks, same involved in advertising the fizzog of Fianna Fáil Councillor Mr Michael Smith on a giant screen. (Remind me again what has Councillor Michael Smith ever done for Thurles, that he should be elevated to further rule over us?).
Half Day Free parking on a Thurles loading bay for FF Councillor Michael Smith.
In the meantime, we understand that motorists and heavy goods vehicles will experience a new traffic layout for 4 days, between Tuesday 26th November beginning at 8.30am, until close of business, ending on Friday 29th November.
This new trial traffic layout will see the south/west side of Liberty Square (Area in front of Supermac’s Restaurant), reduced to one lane and with restricted parking, leading into Friar Street. Parking will be also restricted on the central traffic island. Observations made during this trial period will then be reported on and will influence a decision expected to be discussed by elected councillors at an agreed and convened meeting set for December 4th next. According to local businesses, if the existing plans are accepted by elected local councillors, this currently existing plan, will hasten the total annihilation of Thurles town centre over the following 12 month period.
Pied Wagtail colony currently residing in West Liberty Square.
Parking in the 3 car parks in Thurles will be free on the first three Saturdays in December, (i.e. Saturday December 7th, Saturday December 14th and Saturday 21st). Officials have failed to note that the 3 only existing car parks are normally packed anyway, while 2 existing car parks remain closed, with little effort being made to speedily upgrade existing car park under The Source building, now closed foe over a year. Interesting to note; the Great Famine Victorian farm sheds, situated close to “The Source” building, which has brought about the closure of a second town car park, (designated to be reduced in size, with the aforementioned existing sheds set to be converted into yet another restaurant for whom a tenant is yet to be acquired), is now delayed due to the Common Pipistrelle and Soprano Pipistrelle Bat species and Common House Sparrow being in situ, same non rent paying sitting tenants. Compare this existing situation, to the trees due to be annihilated in Liberty Square, under the current proposed Phase 2 town centre plan. The tops of these trees are currently home to over 1,000 ‘black bib and crown’ Pied Wagtails, latter who reside there nightly all year around. Will environmental officers also be employed to take their soon to be declared homeless plight into due consideration when existing mature trees are replaced by other overgrown shrubs?
Breast cancer awareness month 2024 began on Tuesday, October 1st and will continue until Thursday October 31st next.
All Irish Supermarkets, over the past two years, have significantly increased their retail prices on many items and yes, to my thinking, both breast cancer and Supermarket products are both inextricably linked, presently leaving both impossible to disentangle or separate.
My focus here in Thurles today was attracted to a product offered in plastic wrapping, containing 5Bockwurst Sausages, (asking price €4.29). The product is manufactured by the German firm Dulano, latter who claim ‘Farm to fork” traceability.
Bockwurst is a German sausage traditionally made from ground pork or veal, but tending more towards veal. Bockwurst is flavoured with salt, white pepper and paprika. Other herbs, such as marjoram, chives and parsley, are also often added and in Germany, Bockwurst is often smoked as well.
Nowadays, it can be purchased all year round almost everywhere in Germany, in butcher’s shops, cheaper restaurants, snack bars, food booths, some bakeries and even gas stations. Here in Thurles Co. Tipperary it can be purchased from the German International discount retailer chain Lidl, same which operate over 12,000 stores within the European Union.
Yuka Application: View HERE Using the 100% independent, free ‘Yuka App’, which it is now imperative for everyone shopping in supermarkets to download to their smart phones, (because of its welcome ability to decipher product labels, while analysing the health impact of most food products and cosmetics, via their barcode,) we are disappointed and alarmed to learn the following information:-
On the ‘Yuka App’, the Bockwurst Sausages product is declared ‘BAD’, and is rated at 0 out of 100, because of two hazardous additives, plus containing two much fat, and two much sodium.
The two hazardous preservatives are identified as being (1)Sodium Nitrite, (2)Diphosphates,
(1) Sodium Nitrite: Sodium nitration is hazardous and when combined with certain foods, nitrites may contribute to the development of nitrosamines, compounds classified by the international agency for research on cancer (IARC) as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. In 2022 the French agency for food environmental and occupational health and safety (ANSES) confirmed the carcinogenic and genotoxic effects of these compounds and recommended limiting the use of nitrate/nitrite additions in food products.
(2) Diphosphates:(Texturizing agent). Phosphate contains phosphorus a chemical element that is essential to the body. However excess phosphorus can disrupt bone mineralization; damage the kidneys, and increased the risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer the (EFSA) European food safety has indicated that phosphorus consumption exceeds the safe level of intake for part of the population.
This is just one of many products to be found in each of our Thurles supermarkets, placed there with no regard for consumers health; and retailed solely to generate massive profits.
We wonder why cancer is rapidly increasing and why our Irish hospitals are continuously overcrowded!The answer is most likely to be found in the food products located on our supermarket shelves, ignored by a VAT greedy government.
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