Pedestrians beware. Over two weeks ago the Thurles pedestrian crossing lights on the North side of Lidl Supermarket were adjusted by a high sided motor vehicle. The issue continues to be unattended too, with the lights now facing south instead of due west.
Thurles pedestrian crossing lights, north of Lidl Supermarket on Slievenamon Road (N62), latest lighting safety system to take a hit, over two weeks ago.
Once again, as can be seen in picture two, as a result of poor engineering skills, the standards holding the lighting system, have been positioned too close to the edge of the road, same carrying fast moving traffic as drivers attempt to beat the traffic light system.
This brings to five the number of currently damaged pedestrian traffic light systems partially repaired, having been damaged by high sided vehicles.
The waste of taxpayers’ money, by Tipperary Co. Council engineers, continues unabated.
On April 13th, 2023, (Read HERE), we wrote about our concerns in relation to the state of roads within the immediate precincts of Thurles town. A copy of same was forwarded to Mr Joe MacGrath (Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council).
State of Barry’s Bridge (Thurles Suir Bridge), Thurles (N75) today, August 5th, 2023. Pic: G. Willoughby.
In a surprising reply, received from Mr Joe MacGrath, through his Secretary Ms Evelyn Harty; Mr MacGrath broke a 3 year silence to discuss road craters on Thurles streets. [His rare reply has now been framed ].
On Tuesday April 18th, 2023 Mr Joe MacGrath informed us that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) would be along to fix the N75 bridge crossing in Thurles. Quote from Mr MacGrath: “The second photo is on the N75 bridge crossing in Thurles. TII has programmed works for this section of road, which we expect will be undertaken by the end of May”. It is now August 5th 2023 and 10 weeks later no sign of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, hence we suspect when it comes to statements made by Mr Joe MacGrath as Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council “The tail appears to continue to wag the dog”
Currently every Monday morning, in two of the craters on Thurles Bridge (Barry’s Bridge), cold tarmac is tapped down with the back of a shovel. Within a 24 hour period it has been transformed into a gravel patch, causing further damage to the area and allowing collected surface water to seep through into the bridge’s main arch structure.
The end of this month, starting August 30th, primary and secondary school children will begin travelling back to our excellent educational facilities. If repairs are not undertaken and completed before the end of this month (August 2023), school traffic in combination with roadworks will ‘drive’ everyone to despair. Local residents can then stand and further watch the destruction and ruination of businesses within an now neglected Thurles Town centre.
A copy of this blog has been sent to Mr Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive at Tipperary Co. Council.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian in North Co. Tipperary this morning, (Friday August 4th, 2023).
The pedestrian, a man believed to be in his 30s, has since died after he was struck by a motor vehicle on the Dublin Road in the Lisbunny area, near Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
The incident happened at around 10:30am this morning, with the pedestrian being pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Diversions remained in place this morning as a technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators took place.
An Garda Síochána are now appealing for any road users who may have dash-cam footage and/or who were travelling in the areas of Tyone; the Thurles Road; Rathmartin, and the R445(Old Dublin Road) at Lisbunny, between 9:30am and 10:45am to contact them. Gardaí are also appealing to any road users who may have dash-cam footage and were travelling from Nenagh town in the direction of Toomevara via the R445 (Old Dublin Road) between 9:30am and 10:45am, to immediately contact them.
Persons with information are asked to contact Nenagh Garda station Tel: 067 50450, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda station.
Government extends temporary suspension of the operation of the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees (Council of Europe).
Visa-free travel arrangements for Ukrainian nationals fleeing the war unaffected.
The Government has decided to extend the temporary suspension on the operation of the Council of Europe Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees, to be reviewed in 12 months. The suspension, which in effect means that people with refugee status require a visa to travel to Ireland rather than travelling visa-free with their Convention Travel Document, was originally introduced in July 2022.
The decision to introduce visa requirements for those with refugee status was taken in light of evidence of people applying for asylum in Ireland, who had already received refugee status in another European country. The Government agreed last year to review the suspension in 12 months.
The visa-waiver arrangements for people fleeing the war in Ukraine remains unaffected.
Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Mr Micheál Martin TD, said “This decision has been taken by Government in the context of unprecedented pressures on our international protection system. It is not a decision taken lightly but it is the right one for Ireland at this time to ensure the integrity of our immigration system, to avoid any undue pressure on systems that are already under strain and to make sure that those who need protection in Ireland can get it and get it quickly.”
Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee said: “This is a carefully considered decision that we believe is necessary to protect the integrity of Ireland’s immigration system in the context of continued pressures on our international protection and accommodation systems. The visa waiver I introduced for people fleeing to Ireland from Ukraine remains unaffected. Ireland’s commitment to protecting and assisting those in need remains steadfast. We are committed to upholding our international and EU obligations towards international protection applicants and refugees.”
Ireland continues to see high levels of applications for international protection when compared to pre-pandemic levels. Before the suspension of visa free travel arrangements was introduced in July 2022, there was a 191% increase in applications by the end of June 2022 compared to the same period in 2019.
Notwithstanding the increase in applications, the International Protection Office has made significant progress in increasing the numbers of decisions made and significantly reducing processing times.
Minister McEntee also recently updated Cabinet on the modernisation programme and also on the accelerated procedure for applicants from safe countries of origin.
Last November, new accelerated procedures for those who arrive in Ireland from safe countries seeking International Protection were introduced. The changes have ensured that a first instance decision is made within three months in such cases, a significant reduction from a norm of 17 to 24 months last year. The numbers arriving from these countries has significantly decreased.
Since last November, the numbers arriving from these countries have decreased from 210 applications in November to 64 in May this year – a drop of almost 70%. It should be emphasised that the continued imposition of a visa requirement will not prevent travel to Ireland by 1951 Convention document holders. Genuine travel plans will be facilitated through standard visa arrangements.
Since the introduction of the suspension, there have been 803 Convention Travel Document visa applications, of which 697 were granted and 105 refused.
The picture, hereunder, highlights once again the waste tolerated by Thurles, Co. Tipperary taxpayers.
Recently the narrow roadway stretching from Butler Avenue unto Innisfallen Avenue, had a number of Flexbrite Flexible Bollards (each costing we understand €49.50 ex VAT) installed on the footpath on the aforementioned stretch of Roadway in recent months. The reason for their installation possibly was to highlight the edge of the footpath and to avoid traffic mounting an area where pedestrians are fully entitled to walk.
The word “Flexible” [meaning capable of bending easily without breaking] appears to be false advertising by the manufactures, so let us get our money refunded
The word “Flexible” also meant absolutely nothing to the engineer or administrator who instructed same to be erected, at a cost of at least surely €I,000; including their installation.
Thankfully, no one was walking on the footpath when large vehicles traversing this area, collided with these bollards, in a bid to avoid a now choked Liberty Square town centre.
As for the bent road sign on Butler Avenue, near Bowes Corner, “Joe Soap Got It Right Again”, Read HERE.
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