“Where Tipperary Leads, Ireland Follows“. Quote by Thomas Davis, editor of ‘The Nation Newspaper’ in the 1840’s.
A Tipperary company has not only developed but has also patented a new process to transform old plastic into sustainable aviation fuel and wax.
The company known as Trifol Resources are presently operating two large recycling machines, since June of this year, at Tipperary’s former Bord Na Móna briquette factory, same situated close to the village of Littleton, Thurles, in Co. Tipperary.
Co. Tipperary’s former Bord Na Móna Briquette Factory, at Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Already, two major international oil companies have contracted with Trifol Resources to purchase all of the sustainable aviation fuel that the Littleton plant can provide.
Both product produced is observed as a massive achievement especially since this former Bord Na Móna briquette factory, for decades was synonymous with the production of harmful fossil fuels, and now will become a central location for the production of carbon neutral sustainable fuel.
The key to what Trifol is doing at the Littleton plant is a process called ‘pyrolysis’(latter the heating of an organic material, in the absence of oxygen), which involves a machine that decomposes the waste plastic by heating it at enormous temperatures, in the absence of oxygen or naked flame, until it becomes a gas. This gas is then put through processes that cool it down at different rates of temperature, which in turn determines the required end product, which could be wax or very high-quality diesel or sustainable aviation fuel, or Naphta; latter product which is a very low octane form of petrol.
Trifol Resources claim that their Littleton plant will require up to 75% of all the plastic waste in Ireland that is not currently being collected. The waste plastic being recycled presently at the Littleton plant is mostly different types of polyethylene including farm plastic used in the covering of hay or silage.
To date Trifol has invested some €15.5 million in its Littleton plant. This investment includes €4.5m in grants from the EU and the Irish Climate Fund. This investment has provided the current supporting plant and equipment to enable the conversion of some 4000 tonnes of plastic waste per year.
A further €5m is expected to be invested on upgrading production to 12,000 tonnes, next year; while in 2026 and 2027 the plant plans to install a further 12 large recycling machines at a cost of some €90m, requiring up to 90,000 tonnes of waste plastic each year.
Generated Plastic Statistics: It is worthy of note that globally only about 9% of produced plastic is currently being recycled. Some 40% of Europe’s plastic waste is incinerated, while 25% gets dumped into our landfill. Only 16% of Europe’s plastic waste is collected for recycling, with 19% remains unaccounted for. Every year about 450 million tonnes of plastic is produced worldwide. While it is clean, easy to use, sterile and versatile; the product remains the cause of enormous pollution problems and at 58kg per capita, Ireland generates more plastic packaging waste, per person, than any other country within the EU.
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.
In her 91st year and pre-deceased by her husband Paddy, baby daughter Anne and her sister Eileen; Mrs Mannix sadly passed away while in the care of staff at St. Michael’s Nursing Home, Caherconlish, Co. Limerick.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; children Patrick, Anne-Marie, Michael, Gráinne, Mary and Siobhán, their partners Seán, Edel, Ger and David, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, sister Angela, sister-in-law Eileen and husband Sean, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends
For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mrs Mannix, same can be viewed streamed live online,HERE.
The extended Mannix and Conway families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
The extended Mannix and Conway families wish to offer sincere thank you to the staff of Ashdown Medical Centre, who took such wonderful care of Mrs Mannix for many years; to the staff and residents at St Michael’s Nursing Home for their exceptional kindness, friendship and care; to Fr. Roy Donovan who brought Mrs Mannix such comfort and peace, and to her beloved home carer Elaine, who always went ‘over and above’, also, for Mrs Mannix.
With the July 2023 completion of Forensic Science Ireland’s (FSI) long-awaited purpose-built facility, the 2023 report reflects on a landmark year for Forensic Science Ireland during which:-
Submissions to FSI increased by 5% overall compared to 2022.
FSI issued over 21,700 forensic reports.
FSI assisted in 171 body identification and Missing Person investigations.
11 missing persons were identified in 2023 with FSI’s assistance.
FSI identified Nitazene, a potent synthetic opioid, as responsible for a cluster of overdoses in heroin users in November 2023.
FSI progressed the introduction of an upgraded AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System).
FSI progressed the introduction of a new system for automation of DNA processing data.
FSI secured accreditation to the ISO: 2017 17025 Quality Standard for several forensic services in the new building, including drugs testing, fingerprint mark enhancement and comparison, Documents & Handwriting, Blood Pattern Analysis and Damage assessment.
FSI’s new campus at Backweston Science Campus, Stacumny Lane, Celbridge. Co.Kildare (W23 FT2X) is a major investment in forensic services for the State, which play a crucial role in criminal investigations as well as DNA identification services for missing persons.
FSI has performed strongly in relation to its 2023 targets in spite of managing a complex transition to its new laboratory without any interruption to the provision of its important services.
FSI’s expertise and analysis of evidence helps to secure hundreds of convictions a year, in the most serious of criminal cases.
In line with legislative requirements, 10,691 DNA samples taken from individuals for the purposes of generating a DNA profile were destroyed in 2023. 6,590 profiles were removed from the National DNA Database in 2023. This is an indication that FSI is adhering to the important safeguards in place to protect the integrity of the DNA Database and the persons whose DNA data is recorded on it.
FSI will hosts the European Academy of Forensic Science (EAFS) in the Dublin Convention Centre in May 2025. EAFS is Europe’s biggest forensic science event, bringing together over 1,000 forensic science practitioners, stakeholders, and partners from across the forensic science community to showcase the depth and breadth of developments in forensic science. This is a great opportunity for FSI to showcase the range of talents and capabilities on the European stage and make EAFS 2025 a memorable event. It is significant that FSI’s hosting of EAFS in 2025 coincides with its 50-year anniversary.
The full Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) Annual Report For 2023 can be foundHERE.
Pre-deceased by his parents Catherine and John, (Drangan Co Tipperary); Mr Doran sadly passed away while in the loving care of staff at St Francis Hospice, Raheny, Co. Dublin; surrounded by his loving family
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; wife Rose and his daughters Catherine and Linda, sons-in-law Tommy and Ronan, grandchildren Sean, Ryan, Cian & Sophie. brothers-in-law Packie and JJ Carey, sister-in-law Mary Margret, nieces, nephews (Doolough Belmulet), extended relatives, neighbours and friends .
The extended Doran family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
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