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Legislation To Streamline, Strengthen & Modernise Gambling Regulation.

  • Legislation will Establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.
  • Introduce a modern and robust licencing and regulatory framework for both in-person and online gambling.
  • Establish a National Gambling Exclusion Register.
  • Introduce tight restrictions on gambling advertising.
  • Introduce a Social Impact Fund to support educational measures and problem gambling treatment activities.
  • CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has been progressing important preparatory work.

The Gambling Regulation Bill, 2022, has passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas. The legislation sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body, Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, (the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland) and for a modern and robust licencing and regulatory framework for both in-person and online gambling.

Painting by Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610), “The Cardsharps.” (painted c.1594).

The Bill provides for the establishment and operation of the National Gambling Exclusion Register and introduces tight restrictions on the advertisement of gambling activities.
It also provides for the creation of a Social Impact Fund to support awareness–raising and educational measures and to support problem gambling treatment activities.

With regard to black market operators, the Bill contains a suite of measures to address illegal or criminal gambling activity and includes explicit prohibitions on illegal activity or practices, some of which could result in significant custodial sentences.

Once the Bill is enacted, the GRAI will be established with a seven-person authority. A Programme Board has been established in the Department of Justice to ensure that the legislation and the operational preparations are progressed in parallel, allowing the Authority to commence operations, on a phased basis, as soon as possible, after enactment and appointment of the Authority members.
Ms Anne Marie Caulfield has been appointed to the role of CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland and has been progressing important preparatory work.

As part of Budget 2025 announced on October 1st last, the GRAI will receive €9.1m in 2025, including €4m of ICT capital investment.

A Changing Thurles Landscape.

Thurles Golf Club commenced work on Friday August 9th, to fell their commercial forestry at the Mill Road entrance to “Our Ladies Well” walk-way.
Walkers will be aware that the “Our Ladies Well” walk-way remained closed from both entrances (both from the Mill Road and N62 Turtulla entrances), on Wednesday 14th, Thursday 15th and Friday 16th last (August 2024), but has since opened again to the public.

“Our Ladies Well Walk-Way”, Thurles.
Pic. G. Willoughby.

Perhaps the seat on the walk-way, kindly sponsored by Dew Valley Meats, in Thurles, could now be moved slightly westward, into shelter.
In the coming months for those who may choose to“Dwell Awhile”, at where it resides presently, no shelter remains available and that line taken from an Irish blessing, “Go raibh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl” (English translation- May the wind be always at your back.), I have no doubt was written for those walking and not for those seated.

Meanwhile; back on Barry’s Bridge, in the Thurles town centre, a mystery has unfolded.

Where Are The Missing Chrome Bollards Gone?
Pic. G. Willoughby.

Where are the 4 Chrome impact protection bollards/posts, each costing possibly €137.00 [ inc VAT. (Total €548.00) plus labour costs ] and once situated on the left-hand-side, as you crawl westward, slowly behind numerous HGV’s?
Were they stolen?
Were they struck by a heavy goods vehicle, (HGV)?

The bolts end, which once retained these missing chrome bollards to the pavement, suggest that an angle grinder had at least a small part to play in their sudden disappearance.

The waste of ratepayers money, by Tipperary Co. Council, continues.

Minister Humphreys Announces Almost €1 Million For Tipperary Projects.

  • Major investment in sports clubs, community centres, parks, walking trails and playgrounds.
  • Funding for the purchase of buildings and vehicles for community use.
  • Focus on making our towns and villages more vibrant places to live, work and visit.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Mrs Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Friday, August 2nd 2024) announced €16.5 million to deliver 185 community projects across the country, 16 of which are in Co. Tipperary.

This major investment will support a diverse range of projects such as upgrades to sports facilities, community centres, parks, walking trails and playgrounds.

As part of the initiative; funding is also provided to support the purchase of buildings and vehicles for community use.

Local Authority.Town/ Village.Lead Applicant.Project Description.Funding Approved.
Tipperary.Thurles.Durlas Óg GAA Club.Community Walkway.€57,000.
Tipperary.Thurles.Thurles Rugby Football Club.Thurles RFC upgrade of
drainage, new car park layout..
€62,000.
Tipperary.Thurles.Thurles Lions Trust
Housing Association CLG.
Works to Community Garden to rear of Lion Matthew Burke House.€60,000.
Tipperary.Carrick-on Suir.St. Nicholas Boxing Club.Purchase of Parish Hall, works to roof.€95,000.
Tipperary.Nenagh.Nenagh Éire Óg Hurling & Football Club.MacDonagh Park Pathway & Lighting Works, including
additional field.
€69,000.
Tipperary.Roscrea.Muintir na Tíre Roscrea.Muintir na Tíre Hall Roscrea
Car Park Works.
€55,000.
Tipperary.Roscrea.Roscrea Rugby Football Club.Drainage to main pitch and
training area.
€69,000.
Tipperary.Roscrea.Roscrea Golf Club.Upgrade of Clubhouse & Toilet Facilities including adding Disabled Toilet & Ramp.€50,000.
Tipperary.Roscrea.Roscrea Scouts CLG (6th Tipp Roscrea).Extensive renovations to Scout Hall.€105,000.
Tipperary.Borrisokane.Borrisokane Tennis Club.Borrisokane Tennis Club
Resurfacing & Upgrade.
€50,000.
Tipperary.Tipperary Town.Rosanna Tennis Club.Rosanna Tennis Club
resurfacing of courts.
€56,200.
Tipperary.Littleton.Muintir na Tíre Littleton.Muintir na Tíre Hall Window replacement, Disability Access Toilet & Roof Repairs.€50,000.
Tipperary.Clonmel.St. Mary’s Choral Society (White Memorial Theatre).Refurbishment Works.€50,000.
Tipperary.Killenaule.St. Mary’s Community
Hall.
Groundworks & upgrade of
outdoor area.
€50,000.
Tipperary.Cahir.Coláiste Dun Iascaigh.Replace surface of astro pitch.€59,645.
Tipperary.Fethard.Fethard Town Park.Carpark Upgrade.€50,000.
Tipperary Total._________€987,845

Speaking today, Minister Humphreys stated: “I’m delighted today to announce €16.5 million for 185 projects right across the country. This major investment, under the Community Recognition Fund, will support the upgrade of sports facilities, community centres, walking trails, parks, playgrounds and so much more. The projects are diverse in nature – demonstrating the fact that communities have different needs. All the projects being funded today are designed to bring communities together and make them more vibrant places to live, work and visit. This investment is just the first of a number of tranches that will be announced under the Community Recognition Fund over the coming months.”

She concluded by stating “This is about giving back and saying ‘thank you’ to communities, for what they do week-in, week-out. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this funding will have on the ground in communities all across Ireland.”

Tipp Minors Are All Ireland Champions After Epic Tussle With Cats.

Tipperary are the Electric Ireland Minor Hurling Champions after a pulsating contest with neighbours Kilkenny. A Billy O’Brien goal four minutes from the end of Extra Time sealed an improbable win after Tipperary had been reduced to 13 men, just before the 20 minute mark.

Team Captain Cathal O’Reilly (Holycross-Ballycahill) flanked by his teammates.
Pic: G. Willoughby.

The Tipperary management team composed themselves at half time, helped by a fortuitous Eoghan Doughan goal straight from a 65 just before the break, and hatched one of the all-time defiant Tipperary hurling performances. The performance of these brave 13 youngsters blended the tough defending, associated with previous Tipperary teams of the 1950s and 1960s, and the attacking style and panache of more recent Tipperary teams.

It would be unfair to single out any one player after this brilliant team performance, so Thurles.info would like to give huge praise to all our local players, and the time, energy, and coaching invested in them by their families, local GAA clubs and schools – players representing Durlas Og, Holycross Ballycahill GAA, Moycarkey Borris GAA, Thurles CBS and Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed (and previously Scoil Ailbhe, Gaelscoil Bhríde, St Michaels NS Holycross primary schools).

Despite the unseasonal cold, a massive crowd await the arrival home of the victorious Tipp Minors unto the steps of Thurles Cathedral, just before midnight last night.
Pic: G. Willoughby.

The honour of Captaining the team, and the recipient of the Irish Press Cup from Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns, was Cathal O’Reilly (Holycross-Ballycahill GAA) who provided towering leadership from the heart of the defence to this special group of players.

On a day when our Senior Camogie team also had a victory over Kilkenny in the All Ireland, the performance of these young players has lifted the morale of the Tipperary hurling public and points to some green shoots ahead.

Death Of Retired RTE Commentator Mr Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

The well-known and much loved Gaelic games commentator, Mr Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh (Michael Moriarty), has passed away at the age of 93.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh sadly passed away this morning, while in the care of staff at the Mater Hospital, Dublin.

Mr Ó Muircheartaigh was born in Dún Síon, near Dingle (Daingean Uí Chúis), in Co Kerry in 1930. Educated locally, he grew up on the family farm, before graduating from both Coláiste Íosagáin in Baile Bhúirne (Cork Gaeltacht) and St Patrick’s College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin, as a teacher. He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952, from University College Dublin, remaining employed teaching economics, accountancy and Irish, in primary and secondary Christian Brothers schools in Dublin, until the mid-1980s, when he accepted the post of full-time broadcaster with Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE).

Following a successful competition, to commentate in the Irish language; his first assignment for RTÉ was to provide an all-Irish commentary on the 1949 Railway Cup Final, held on St Patrick’s Day.

Mr Ó Muircheartaigh married Ms Helena McDowell in 1970 and together they raised eight children; Éamonn, Niamh, Aonghus, Cormac, Neasa, Nuala, Éadaoin and Doireann.

Mr Ó Muircheartaigh later took over as RTÉ Radio 1’s premier radio commentator, following the retirement of fellow broadcaster Mr Míchael O’Hehir in 1985.

His last All-Ireland GAA game as commentator, came in 2010, when he commentated on the All-Ireland final between Cork and Down; retiring from broadcasting in October of that same year.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh had been awarded an honorary doctorate by NUI Galway in 1999 for his lifetime service to broadcasting.
He was awarded the only All Star of 2020, shortly after his 90th birthday.

Ní fheicfimid a leithéid arís. In ár gcroíthe go deo.