At least 15,000 Tipperary homes and business premises are without electric power this morning, with many reports of fallen trees and strewn branch debris, following the extreme winds courtesy of Storm Éowyn.
Here in Thurles town council workers will have a few extra jobs to undertake today, as our pictures hereunder now demonstrate.
Branches down at the ‘Swinging Gates’, on the junction of Emmet Street and Thomond Road, Thurles, at early light this morning. Picture: G. Willoughby
Large tree blown over on the N62 close to Thurles Golf Club entrance closing the west facing lane. Motorists warned to take care. Picture: G. Willoughby.
Newly planted trees in the vicinity of Lidl Supermarket, will need immediate attention. Picture: G. Willoughby.
Met Eireann has, this morning, downgraded the Red Level severe weather wind alert to Level Orange for all of Co. Tipperary; same valid from 7:00am today Friday January 24th until at least midday. For more information see www.Met.ie
A total of 174 people lost their lives on roads in the Republic of Ireland in 2024, while 68 people died on Northern Ireland’s roads during this same period. This is according to statistics published by the Road Safety Authority and based on statistics from operational data supplied by An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
This figure of road death victims in the Republic of Ireland is down by 7(4% decrease), from the figure of 181 reported in 2023, according to An Garda Síochána supported data. The counties that recorded the highest number of deaths were Dublin(23), Cork(19), Mayo(19) and Donegal(17); same accounting for 45% of all fatalities last year. In 2023, the highest number of road deaths was in Tipperary(16).
In the Irish Republic these deaths were as a direct result of 160 fatal collisions, and include 39 pedestrians; 71 vehicle drivers; 35 passengers; 4 E-Scooters/passengers, and 17 motorcyclists.
Analysis of the figures further reveal a high proportion of male fatalities, with a year on continued increase of young fatalities amongst those aged 25 years old or less, with a high number of same fatal collisions taking place between the hours of 4:00pm and 8:00pm.
In February of 2025, the default speed limit on rural local roads is expected to be reduced, following the recommendation of the 2023 Speed Limit Review.
In a country which is unable to properly maintain road surfaces outside of Dublin city; the Road Safety Authority has announced price increases for a number of its services, including driving licence fees and NCTs.
The price of a driving licence is now set to increase in price by €10.00; from the current price of €55.00 to €65.00, while the price of a learner permit will also increase by €10.00 from €35.00 to €45.00.
A full NCT will now also increase in price by €5.00 from €55 to €60, while a retest currently costing €28.00, will now cost an extra €12.00; increased to €40.00.
A commercial vehicle roadworthiness test will also increase by 15% in the pre-VAT cost.
All price changes are expected to come into effect from January 1st 2025.
The RSA maintain that the increase in prices is due to a planned €18m expenditure on “public interest activities and government priorities”, (whatever they are).
Note: Ireland’s current national car fleet currently stands at some 2.36 million vehicles. Petrol and Diesel model account for 89% (two million vehicles) of this National Fleet, while Electric Vehicles (EV & PHEV) represent some 5%.Ireland’s current population in 2023 was 5.262 million.
Thurles Municipal District Officials; Councillors together with other unsuspecting drivers are being asked to take great care when travelling on Upper Kickham Street, (N75), in Thurles, Co. Tipperary tomorrow. Due to recent frosts, a section of the road surface, which had been dug up, has now totally disintegrated leaving huge craters directly opposite Aldi(on North side) and close to the entrance to Monakeeba housing estate(on South side).
State of road surface on Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Four living craters now currently exist on both sides of this traffic infested roadway, and have done so for the past two weeks. Despite being invisible to travelling motorists, these craters, as expected, have received absolutely no maintenance attention. But then again, it’s cold and Thurles Municipal District Officials don’t get out all that much in this type of weather.
The only reason I mention this tonight is because Thurles Councillors could be travelling into Thurles as expected tomorrow, to rubber stamp the planned Phase 2 upgrade for Liberty Square etc.
Thurles Town centre traders already having lost at least 40% to 60% of former footfall, under the Phase 1 upgrade, are expected to also be in attendance; to protest against these planned illogical and fallacious changes, same formulated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and expected to be supported by aforementioned officials and some recently elected, unqualified councillors.
We will be looking at this matter more fully and in greater detail after tomorrows decisive meeting, which will no doubt be demanding immediate resignations.
Thurles Gardaí are seeking witnesses, following a road traffic collision in Thurles, Co. Tipperary on Saturday evening last. Gardaí and emergency services were called to the scene of the collision, which occurred on Friar Street, involving a car and a male pedestrian, just after 7:00pm. Friar Street, west of Liberty Square, in Thurles was immediately cordoned off, for a period of time, to allow for the emergency services to fully respond.
Friar Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary at 5:00pm this evening. Pic: G. Willoughby
The pedestrian was taken immediately to Tipperary University Hospital and is understood, thankfully, to have sustained non-life threatening injuries.
While not necessarily contributing to this collision; Friar Street in Thurles town is regarded by many local residents as being poorly illuminated, once the surrounding local businesses close their places of trading each evening.
Gardaí are particularly interested in making contact with witnesses with who may have dash cam or other video footage, same taken from during or around the time of the collision. Gardaí can be contacted at Thurles Garda station, Tel: 0504 25100.
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