The temporary Stop & Go traffic lights, which were in use on the narrow Mill Road, here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, over the past number of weeks have this afternoon been fully removed.
Same temporary Stop & Go traffic light system was in use while the upgrading of the bridge crossing the River Drish, situated close to Lady’s Well, was being repaired.
Some years ago, a motorised vehicle had careered into the north facing, ancient, stone bridge wall, demolishing same into the river bed. Repairs, sadly, had been undertaken using solid modern cement blocks, causing major offence to Thurles residents.
Now some years later, in 2025, this crude offence has been corrected by Triur Construction Ltd, whose Corporate office is situated at No.13 Society Street, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, (Eircode H53 N9X3).
Full Credit Where Credit Is Correctly Due. True to the Triur Construction company pledge, this specialist Civil Engineering & Building Company has most certainly delivered high quality, in relation to this project, with the attending skilled workforce under the supervision of a Lithuanian led supervisor.
The work was undertaken over the past few weeks, despite the most severe of Thurles weather conditions, with scaffolding having to be erected on the bed of a deep and fast moving, swollen river.
The newly replaced stone work is truly excellent and fully in keeping with the existing original structure.
I understand, the company will return soon again, when the flooded river water begins to subside; to carry out further repairs to the underside of this ancient, yet quaint historic structure.
A Tipperary family has now settled their High Court action, taken against the HSE seeking €600,000, following the death of a 51-year-old father of five, just days after a road traffic accident.
The High Court heard that a significant small bowel injury was overlooked completely by staff at Cork University Hospital.
Then patient, Mr Patrick Connolly slowly deteriorated before dying of a heart attack, while in the care of staff at Cork University Hospital, five days after the tragic road accident outside Tipperary town on December 28th, 2021.
The court were informed that no particular attention was paid to a bowel injury in the hospital and Mr Connolly’s health gradually deteriorated. Mr Connolly was in a lot of pain, was vomiting and had two heart attacks. He died after his second heart attack on January 2nd, 2022. The HSE admitted that Mr Connolly had a small bowel perforation that was not diagnosed in a timely manner.
The health service also admitted that if a laparoscopic assessment had been carried out at any time from Mr Connolly’s admission to hospital, until the time of his first heart attack, there would have been a high likelihood of him surviving the accident.
The collision had occurred when a car driven by Ms Mary Lowry, latter a central witness in the Mr Moonlight murder trial, had collided with a motorcycle ridden by Mr Patrick Connolly; with his son as a pillion passenger.
Yet another ignored set of Pedestrian Traffic Lights on the busy R498 route. Pic: George Willoughby.
Thurles people of all ages walking and those driving are asked to take great care when attempting to traverse the manual Pedestrian Crossing, situated just before the junction of Castlemeadows & Bohernave, on the busy R498 route out of Thurles. The crossing lights situated directly opposite Relish Fine Foods & Delicatessen, were struck by a high sided vehicle some 6 weeks ago and for the umpteenth time no effort to make repairs have been undertaken, to date (February 14th 2025).
Motorists travelling northwards will find no warning lights facing them as they travel towards the Nenagh Roundabout and the TUS Third Level College Campus. This pedestrian crossing also serves pupils from one primary school; one secondary school; one the aforementioned Third Level College Campus, not to mention residents residing in several large housing estates in the immediate area.
When Thurles Municipal District Council Officials eventually locate a qualified “Spanner Operator” to turn the lights back in the correct direction and tighten the screw, they might also move a further 50 metres to correct the Scoil Aolbhe Primary School sign, situated east of Thurles railway bridge, opposite St Mary’s Hospital, which we informed Thurles Municipal District council officials about, first on January 16th, 2022. View Video Here.
The Leaning Pedestrian Crossing lighting standard, Brittas Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary Pic: George Willoughby.
Maybe they might also nip over a further short distance to Brittas Road(N62) and fix the pedestrian crossing serving pupils from the Ursuline Convent Secondary School & CBS Secondary School, which we informed the council about on April 30th, 2023. View Here.
Remind me again; for what are we paying property tax?
Following a review, and publication on Febuary 10th 2025, draft Thurles Municipal District Parking Bye-Laws 2025 have been prepared for the control and regulation of parking of vehicles in the Towns of Thurles, Templemore, and Roscrea, being the administrative area of Thurles Municipal District. The new parking Bye-Laws are understood to come into effect from May 1st 2025.
We also understand that ‘All Day Parking’, in Thurles will only be available in:- (Zone 1) to the rear of Parnell Street Car Park; (Zone 2)Munster Hotel Car park and (Zone 3)Friar Street Car parks – with a charge rate of €3 per day.
Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 (No. 7 of 1994), a copy of the draft Bye-Laws is available for inspection between the hours of 9:30am and 4:30pmMonday to Friday, at Thurles Municipal District offices, Castle Avenue, Thurles, from yesterday 12th February 2025 until the 12th March 2025(both days inclusive).
Irish Vehicle drivers with the following medical conditions may face licence removal under new Irish regulations.
Drivers across Ireland have been warned of at least five medical conditions that could cause their driving licences to be revoked under new rules.
It is a requirement that thousands of motorists across Ireland must submit what’s called a Medical Form to the National Driver Licence Services every year, if they have any long-term injury or an illness that may affect their ability to drive in complete safety.
Failure to submit this required form, could place drivers at risk of fines, driving bans, or legal action by the Irish authorities. The Road Safety Authority has a comprehensive list of medical conditions, as well as treatments being received, that may affect a drivers ability to hold a driver’s licence.
Hereunder, are five of the major conditions that could cause your licence to be revoked if you do not report them to the authorities:
Epilepsy and Sudden Blackouts.
Heart Conditions (Including Arrhythmia and Heart Attacks).
Severe Vision Impairment.
Diabetes with Severe Hypoglycaemia (Low blood sugar).
Neurological Disorders (Including Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease).
Conditions like Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis(MS), or Motor Neurone Disease(MND) can also significantly impair reaction time, coordination, and cognitive function, making it absolutely vital that drivers submit a medical form to the NDLS.
The conditions that require motorists to submit a medical report can be found hereunder:
Diabetes treated by insulin and or sulphonylurea tablets (your doctor can advise whether you are on these or not) no need to tell us if managed by other tablets and or diet.
Epilepsy.
Stroke or TIAs (minor strokes) with any associated symptoms lasting longer than one month.
Fits or blackouts.
Any type of brain surgery, brain abscess or severe head Injury involving in-patient treatment or a brain tumour or spinal injury or spinal tumour.
An implanted cardiac pacemaker.
An implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD)
Repeated attacks of sudden disabling dizziness.
Any other chronic neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, or Huntington’s disease.
A serious problem with memory or periods of confusion.
Persistent alcohol misuse or dependency.
Persistent drug misuse or dependency.
Serious psychiatric illness or mental health problems.
Parkinson’s disease.
Sleep Apnoea syndrome.
Narcolepsy.
Any condition affecting your peripheral vision.
Total loss of sight in one eye
Any condition affecting both eyes, or the remaining eye if the driver only has one eye (Not including colour blindness or short or long sight).
A serious hearing deficiency.
Severe learning disability.
Any persistent problems with arms or legs which restricts driving to an automatic vehicle.
Any persistent problems with arms or legs which restricts driving to an adapted vehicle.
How to Check if you may be at risk.
Consult Your Doctor – If you have any of the conditions listed above or suspect a medical issue affecting your driving, seek medical advice immediately.
Check the RSA Guidelines – The RSA provides a full list of reportable conditions on their website.
Take an Eye Test – If you’re unsure about your vision, book an eye test to ensure you meet all legal requirements.
Recent Comments