Tipperary County Council have prepared a Draft Polling Scheme for County Tipperary in accordance with the the Electoral Act 1992 and the Electoral (Polling Schemes) Regulations, 2005. Copies of this Draft Polling Scheme are now available for inspection HERE or during normal office opening hours at the following venues:-

All public Libraries in County Tipperary.
Templemore-Thurles Municipal District Office, Slievenamon Road, Thurles. Co. Tipperary.
Civic Offices, Emmet Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Civic Offices, Limerick Road, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
Cashel-Tipperary Municipal District Office, Rosanna Road, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary.
Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Office, Town Hall, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary.

NOTE: Representations in relation to this Draft Polling Scheme, received on or before Monday 30th November, 2015, will be considered by the Council. All representations, forwarded in writing, should be addressed to Corporate Services, Tipperary County Council, Civic Offices, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary or emailed to customerservices@tipperarycoco.ie.

It is with great sadness we learned of the death on Sunday last (October 25th 2015) of Mr Michael (Mick) Griffin, Ballinure, Thurles, and formerly Loughnaskough, Upperchurch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Griffin passed away in the loving care of the Matron and Staff of Ardeen Nursing Home, Thurles; most deeply regretted by his son Pat, daughter-in-law Marguerite, grandchildren Josephine, Emily, Kate and Paddy, nephew, nieces, relatives and many friends.

Funeral Arrangements

The earthly remains of Mr Griffin will repose at Ardeen Nursing Home on this evening (Tuesday 27th) from 5:30pm; with removal at 7:30pm to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Upperchurch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday morning at 11:30am, followed by burial afterwards in Upperchurch cemetery.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

Thurles & District Vintage Club – The Jim Hayde Memorial Run

Thomas Kelly (Thurles & District Vintage Club) Reports:

A ‘Tractor and Car Run’ in memory of fellow deceased club member, the great, late Mr Jim Hayde (R.I.P)  will take place on this coming Sunday, November 1st 2015.

Registration will begin at 11:00 am sharp at ‘The Ship’, Cormackstown, Thurles, here Co. Tipperary.
With refreshments being provided both before & after this event, the annual ‘Run,’ which has proven very popular over the years, will set off at 11:30am.

Thurles & District Vintage Club are one of the largest contributors to local charities and all proceeds from this particular Tractor / Car Run will go immediately to benefit the North Tipperary Hospice movement.

Our congratulations are extended to all taking part in this popular and well deserving fund-raising effort.

Note: Both Vintage & Modern Tractors / Cars are also welcome to participate and further details can be obtained by contacting John at Tel No: (086) 2523442.

It is with great sadness we learned of the death today, Tuesday 27th October 2015, of Mr James Leahy, Ballydavid, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Mr Leahy, (late of Centenary Co.Op.), passed away peacefully in the loving care of his family; predeceased by his infant daughter Teresa. The passing of Mr Leahy is most deeply regretted by his loving wife Statia, son Jimmy, daughters Aileen (Healy), Mary, Margaret (Bergin), Brigid (Hackett) and Catherine (O’Donovan); his sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Funeral Arrangements
The earthly remains of Mr Leahy will repose at Egan’s Funeral Home, Dublin Road, Thurles, on tomorrow evening Wednesday, 28th October, from 5:00pm to 7:30pm.

Removal will take place on Thursday morning, October 29th, at 10:45am to St. Kevin’s Church, Littleton for Funeral Mass at 11:30am. Burial will take place after Mass in Two-Mile-Borris Cemetery.

Note: House will remain private on Thursday morning please.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

A series of Garda led Animal Health and Welfare raids were carried out across Co. Tipperary earlier today, resulting in the arrest of some nine individuals.

These Garda raids follow on from intense investigations into reports of illegal hunting and the killing of hares, together with intelligence gathered supporting evidence of illegal hare coursing, latter taking place on private lands at night in a number of locations in the districts of Thurles, Cahir  and Tipperary town.

Earlier reports from the farming community appear to indicate that such activities on private lands usually led to the theft of valuable equipment on subsequent nights following on from such activity, which involved the use of high powered lamps. Currently and particularly rural communities in Co. Tipperary are under siege by criminals following the failure by the present Fine Gael / Labour led government to provide the necessary resources to Gardaí to enable them to carry out their basic day to day work.

This joint operation, undertaken by Gardaí from stations in Thurles, Cahir, Tipperary Town and Clonmel, we understand also involved the support of members of the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Those arrested are presently being held at Thurles, Cahir, Tipperary town, Templemore and Clonmel Garda Stations. We also understand that a juvenile was also amongst those arrested, together with the seizure of a number of ‘Lurcher’ breed dogs (Lurcher – herding dog mated to a greyhound that primarily hunt by sight and speed, instead of by scent and endurance.), together with equipment ordinarily used in illegal coursing events.

All nine individuals have been detained under the Provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984; as amended for offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, latter which carries a penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment upon conviction.

Persons with further information to contribute regarding these raids can contact Thurles Garda Station Tel: (0504) 25100, or the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111.

Speaking on local radio stations across Co. Tipperary yesterday, Independent TD Deputy Michael Lowry accused financial institutions of being greedy, aggressive and often arrogant in their treatment of ordinary house-holders and their families.

Following a review undertaken by the Deputy; he is now aware that appearing before the Court in Nenagh in recent weeks, financial institutions sought some 86 applications for home repossessions, with similar figures being repeated in the town of Clonmel.

Deputy Lowry stated, “The majority of these applications are causing intense anxiety, distress and disruption to Tipperary individuals and their families, who remain, firmly, the victims of a banking industry which has been permitted to run out of control.”

Deputy Lowry continued, “At present, borrowers are being held to account for the behaviour of these financial institutions who are permitted to sail completely free of having to take any share of the responsibility for the chaos and heart-break. This present crisis has been caused primarily by these same financial institutions, which had to hand all the advantages of ‘top-notch’ advice and have spent the last year before the Banking Inquiry, unable to recall their past actions and refusing profusely to take any responsibility for their totally dissolute actions.”

“I firmly believe that borrowers, particularly distressed home-owners, should get some respite. Why should thousands of individuals and whole families be put on local authority housing lists, simply because bankers became fixated; wildly encouraging people to borrow 100% loans, most often knowingly aware of peoples inability to repay?”

“I now demand a new deal for distressed home-owners, under which our Banks and Vulture Funds, which purchased many of their Loan Books, would immediately be forced to enter into the following arrangements with borrowers. In other words, where a borrower is committed to an agreed affordable repayment situation (initially for a trial period of say 2 years), same should be permitted to keep their homes, on the condition that they abide by same pre-agreed affordable repayment. Legislation to compel these arrangements should be a priority for any incoming Government,” concluded the Independent Tipperary Deputy.

“Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield, Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke;
How jocund did they drive their team afield! How bow’d the woods beneath their sturdy stroke!
Let not ambition mock their useful toil, Their homely joys, and destiny obscure;
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile, The short and simple annals of the poor.”

[Extract from a poem by Thomas Gray – “Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard“]

Tipperary’s new Senior Hurling manager, Michael Ryan, will officially launch the eagerly awaited 2015 Upperchurch-Drombane Historical Journal this Saturday night Nov. 7th in Upperchurch Hall, starting at 8:00pm. This sixth annual publication, in this very successful series, has stories, poems and photographs dealing with many aspects of the history and heritage of the parish and indeed the frequent and continuous demand for back volumes prove the lasting value of each past publication.

Martin Greene, Dooree, Upperchurch, Co. Tipperary, at work.

At this official launch there will be a short talk about the history of local emigration by a regular contributor to the Journal, Eugene Shortt. Same will be followed by discussion and a question and answer session. Stories and accounts from the floor are always much welcomed at such events.

While tales of G.A.A. sports have historically been the most prominent locally, the book this year puts the spotlight on other sports where there were local connections, e.g. American Gerry Britt, a frequent visitor whose ancestors came from the area and who has published an account of his travels in Ireland, writes about the famous baseball player and manager John McGraw, who dominated the game in the USA in the early years of the last century. McGraw’s father had parents who emigrated from the parish.

The victory of locally owned ‘Rugged Lucy’ in the 1981 Galway Plate is recalled by John Ryan (C) while Tom Quinlan writes about the three Irish Senior Soccer Internationals, Shane Long, Seamus McDonagh and Mike Milligan whose ancestors were local. Billy Clancy writes about one of the greatest ever scandals in greyhound racing; which occurred sixty five years ago, involving a greyhound from Upperchurch, which today has a street in England named after it.

Sports including handball and racquet ball also feature in Paddy Dwyer’s reminiscences entitled “Gortahoola Memories”, along with the story of Gortahoola School, latter which operated for only nineteen years. ‘Courting’ (That period in a couple’s relationship which precedes marraige.) might also be considered a type of ‘sport’ by some and in verse Ned Harrington describes the goings on at the Metal Bridge Platform, in more innocent times.

A hundred years ago Ned’s grandfather John wrote a stirring patriotic ode to the green flag of Ireland, which demonstrated an encyclopaedic knowledge of Irish history, and the poem is given in full. Also on a patriotic theme, Thomas Fogarty tells of a few local connections with the 1916 rising, which also includes is the first half of Paddy Kinnane’s statement to the Bureau of Military History concerning his involvement in the War of Independence. The final part of the ‘Eamon an Chnoic‘ play is also in this new publication, as well as a continuation examining the local burial records.

Andy Byrne completes his list of local musicians and reproduces the happenings of a hundred years ago from the newspaper archives. Among the hundreds of religious and missionaries, the parish produced, were seven priests from the O’Rourke family and Joan Ryan gives a short account of each of them.

Nowadays we take for granted and frequently complain about our road networks, failing to appreciate the hardships suffered by our ancestors in putting them there in the first place; using pick, shovel, horse and cart. Eugene Shortt has researched the subject and gives the details of the various roads, fences, bridges and gullets and who put them there and when. There is also an account of the legal case concerning the Mulgrave Bridge at Drombane Creamery, which was built on a disputed land site and the ensuing tragic aftermath.

Like the road networks, it took centuries of work and nurturing to bring our agricultural land to its present state of fertility. One of the big breakthroughs was the introduction of lime from kilns and Frankie Shortt describes the process of burning lime in the various local kilns. Eamonn Ryan also deals with the subject in later years when lime from Killough Quarry became available. He also recounts early drivers and their cars and the impact of Hogan’s bus service together with wartime shortages.

All are welcome to attend this launch on Saturday night and this latest publication will be available from the usual outlets from Sunday onwards. Overseas buyers can of course order online from www.upperchurch.ie.

Wherever you reside today, this latest publication promises to be a truly heart warming read on the long expected winter nights ahead.

With the long winter nights imminent it is worth noting that for a short period while stocks last,  Centenary Thurles Co-Op, Templemore Road, Thurles, Co Tipperary, are running once again this year their Winter Fuel Special Offer.

This ‘Special Offer’ is as follows:

1 x 40kg. bag of Premium Polish Coal for €17.25 – Collected.
5 x 40kg. bags of Premium Polish Coal for €85.00 – Collected.
5 x 40kg. bags of Premium Polish Coal plus 5 Bales Briquettes for €96.00 – Collected.
3 x 40kg. bags of Premium Polish Coal plus 2 Bales Briquettes for €56.00 – Collected.
Briquettes (Bord Na Mona)  per single Bale presently €3.85 – Collected.
3 x 1 Bales Briquettes presently just €10.95. – Collected.

Latter Briquette offer alone represents a colossal saving of €2.55 when compared to some shops / petrol stations / supermarkets, who currently today were extorting up to €13.50 for the same 3 Bale purchase;  and up to €21.00 for a single 1 x 40kg. bag of Polish coal; latter representing a colossal €3.75 above the ‘Special Offer’ shown here above.

You can contact Thurles Centenary Co-Op during normal business hours at Telephone: (0504) 91950 or telephone any of their other Agri Stores, in Tipperary by clicking HERE.

It is with a most heavy heart I report the death of a 47-year-old male pedestrian, who lost his life yesterday in a road traffic incident here in Thurles, Co Tipperary.

The local man, was walking near Turtulla Cross, on the Horse and Jockey road at about 3.10pm yesterday afternoon when he was accidentally struck by a motor vehicle. The 32-year-old male driver of the vehicle and his three child passengers are understood not to have been injured in the crash.

The pedestrian, named locally as Mr Jackie Griffin, who is an extremely well known and respected member of the local Thurles community, was treated at the scene by ambulance staff, before being rushed to South Tipperary General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

From the community of Thurles go our deepest, heartfelt sympathies to his immediate family and many friends at this very difficult time.

Gardaí have appealed to witnesses to contact them at Thurles Garda Station on Tel: (0504) 25100, The Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

It was with great sadness we learned of the death on Saturday last, 31st October 2015, of Lt. Col. Mr Jack Griffin, Mayfield, Clongour, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Lt. Col. Griffin was an experienced soldier here in Ireland and overseas, where he served on many missions, both in Africa and the Middle East and was most recently based in Brussels where he worked alongside other senior EU military staff.

A well-known GAA figure and predeceased by his parents Jackie (Sr.) and Kay, the passing of Lt. Col. Griffin (Aged 47) is most deeply regretted by his wife Trisha and three young daughters, together with family members, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Describing the devastating loss for his immediate family and army colleagues, a spokesperson for the Defence Forces has stated that Lt. Col. Griffin epitomised the highest values of the Irish Defence Forces, through his loyalty, integrity, moral and physical courage.

Funeral Arrangements
The earthly remains of Lt. Col. Griffin will repose at his residence on tomorrow, Tuesday, from 2:00pm until 8:00pm. Removal will take place on Wednesday to the Cathedral of The Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles to arrive for Requiem Mass at 1:00pm.

Burial will take place afterwards in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles.

Note: House private on Wednesday please.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

Motor vehicles exiting or entering the town of Thurles, Co. Tipperary tomorrow (Wednesday 4th November) should please take care and note that road closers will be in place to facilitate the funeral of the late greatly lamented Lieutenant Colonel Jack Griffin R.I.P.

The funeral procession is scheduled to arrive at the Cathedral of the Assumption Thurles, before 1:00pm.

Certain road closures will be in place from 12:00pm–3:00pm including the Slievenamon Road (N62) and Cathedral Street (N75).

Following the Funeral Mass, delays are also expected on Cathedral Street, Mitchell Street and in the vicinity of Loughtagalla (Moyne Road), between 2:00pm and 3:00pm.

Thurles Gardaí are requesting that all drivers should please follow directions as indicated on the day.

Note Also: As a mark of respect for the Late Lieutenant Colonel Griffin, Sunday’s Munster Club SHC Semi Final between Na Piarsaigh and Thurles Sarsfields has now been postponed and is expected to be re-scheduled for Sunday November 15th at 2.00pm at the Ennis Road venue.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

Figures compiled from Ireland’s local authorities indicate that there were 1,990 refusals with regards to offers of Social Housing in 2014.  These refusals appear to include a number of cases in which applicants on housing lists refused to accept, at least twice during the year, dwellings on offer.

Tipperary County Council indicate that they had some 211 offers of accommodation refused in 2014.

Reasons compiled nationally and listed as stated when refusing offers of Social Housing include:-

(A) The location was across from a nightclub; (B) Was on holiday in Rome; (C) Work commitments; (D) Dogs barking in the area; (E) Issue with existing already accommodated tenants living on the same estate; (F) Difficulty in accessing medical services; (G) Various health reasons; (H) Distance from educational facilities; (I) Lack of privacy; (J) The particular location of the accommodation on offer; (K) Accommodation offered was considered too small or not suitable and (L) Not close enough to shopping areas.

The funeral of Lt. Col. Jack Griffin took place in Thurles this afternoon attended by over 2,000 mourners, many of whom joined the cortège on the walk from his home at Mayfield, Clongour to the Cathedral of The Assumption, Cathedral Street, in Thurles.

The funeral cortège, flanked by a Guard of Honour made up of members from his beloved Thurles Sarsfields GAA Club, arrived at the Cathedral of The Assumption at 12.45pm for Requiem Mass, con-celebrated by Fr Martin Hayes, Thurles and Fr P.J. Somers, chaplain to the Defence Forces at 1:00pm.

On arrival at Thurles Cathedral, Lt Col Griffin’s remains was greeted by members of the Defence Forces, many of whom he had trained and served with throughout his military career.

Present at the ceremony were the Irish Minister for Defence Simon Coveney, together with TD’s; Michael Lowry and Tom Hayes. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Michael D Higgins were both represented by their aide-de-camps.

Commissioned in 1988, prior to his death Lt Col Griffin had almost 29 years experience in the Defence Forces. A former instructor at Ireland’s military college, he had accumulated vast experience through his military service overseas; partaking in three tours of duty in Lebanon, and had been based in the Western Sahara, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad and the Ivory Coast in Africa.

A Physical Education graduate of Limerick University, Lt Col Griffin was heavily involved in training GAA teams and was a selector with Thurles Sarsfields local GAA club here in his native Thurles; indeed Lt Col Griffin had won a county minor hurling medal with his local Thurles Sarfields club in 1985, latter who also recently retained their Senior County Hurling Championship.

Following Requiem Mass the earthly remains of Lt. Col. Griffin were removed to his last resting place in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, on a military gun carriage, flanked by officers and men, all colleagues from the Irish Defence Forces, which included Irish Navy and Air Force personnel.

Comdt. Joseph Gleeson, himself a native of Thurles, commanded the Military Guard of Honour and the ten man graveside Firing Party.

Tonight in Thurles our thoughts are particularly with his devastated wife Trisha, daughters Laragh, Isabelle and Emma, and his immediate siblings.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

It was with sadness we learned of the death yesterday, 4th November 2015, of Mr Thomas (Tom) Sheehy, Killoran, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Mr Sheehy passed away peacefully, in the arms of his family and the nursing staff of South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel.  The passing of Mr Sheehy is most deeply regretted by his brother Denis, sister-in-law Mary, his nieces Catherine (Foy), Margaret (Wright) and Mary-Ellen (Brolan), nephews-in-law, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Funeral Arrangements
The earthly remains of Mr Sheehy will repose at Grey’s Funeral Home, Templemore on this evening, Thursday, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Removal will take place to St. Mary’s Church, Moyne, to arrive at 7.45pm.

Requiem Mass will take place on tomorrow Friday November 6th at 11:30am, with interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

Lisheen Mine, Moyne, Co. Tipperary.

Thurles and Co. Tipperary TD Michael Lowry, yesterday demanded that the ‘prevailing veil of secrecy’, on issues regarding the imminent closure of Lisheen Mine, must now be discussed openly.

In a statement, published on his website yesterday, the Tipperary Deputy stated; “Following repeated requests for openness on the future plans for Lisheen Mine, the official response has been one of continuous drawn out silence.

In 2012, I sent a written letter to Taoiseach Enda Kenny requesting state intervention and to this end a Task Force was set up to assist in identifying alternative sources of employment. To date this Task Force has remained silent in relation to details of any future developments which may be pending. In November 2014, I again raised this issue in the Dáil, stressing the extreme gravity of this situation and the need for immediate and pressing action.”

Lowry goes on to state that Lisheen Mine, first established in 1997, has been one of the most important sources of employment here in Co. Tipperary in most recent years. However despite repeated appeals for immediate action, the continued secrecy surrounding action on Lisheen Mine, will soon contribute to the ‘long term detrimental effect’, of our Tipperary’s economy.”

Prophesying an uncertain future ahead for Thurles and Co. Tipperary, based on a this ‘prevailing veil of secrecy’, Michael Lowry, states  “The negative effects, which will be felt by both Tipperary and indeed the greater national economy can be forecast as follows,” :-

(1) Unemployment for a workforce of 380 people; amounting to some €28 million in wages and salaries lost annually, much of which is spent in the local economy.
(2) The immediate loss, by supportive local service industries, particularly in the areas of transport, fuel, tyres, general hardware, etc.; with an estimated loss expected to be in the order of some €14 million.
(3) Lisheen Mine has also been a major source of support and funding to local clubs, amenities and charities.
(4) A large well-appointed and resourced site, for the foreseeable future, will be left to lie, for the most part, redundant.

Michael Lowry is confident that this mine complex today has huge potential for immediate future investment; highlighting its immediate advantages which include:-

(A) Extensive modern offices and outbuildings, on site ready for immediate occupation.
(B) Major access via Rail and Motorway nearby, to a 1200 acre site.
(C) One of the biggest existing 38 kV electricity supply sources in the country.
(D) A massive underground aquifer capable of supplying millions of gallons of water daily.
(E) Most importantly an adaptable, highly committed workforce with an impeccable industrial relations record.

“With the rural economy continuing to decline, I now call upon the Task Force to report direct to Tipperary County Council membership and all elected membership for the county, so that established facts can be assembled and debated. I have formally requested the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton, to acknowledge the full consequences of this imminent closure and to ensure that State Agencies come forward to play a real meaningful role in directing alternative industry to the site.” stated Michael Lowry.

Michael Lowry’s statement highlighting Lisheen Mine can be read in full by clicking HERE.

It was with sadness we learned of the death yesterday, November 6th 2015, of M/s Catherine Maher, Killough, Moycarkey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The passing M/s Maher is most deeply regretted by her sorrowing brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, relatives and many friends.

Funeral Arrangements

The earthly remains of M/s Maher will repose at Egan’s Funeral Home, Dublin Road, Thurles, on today, Saturday, November 7th, from 5:30pm to 7:15pm, arriving at the Church of St. Peter In Chains, Moycarkey, Thurles, at 8:00pm.

Requiem Mass will take place on tomorrow, Sunday, at 11.30am, with burial immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

According to CSO unemployment figures published yesterday 29 extra people joined the Live Register in Roscrea over the past 31 days. Elsewhere in the county 250 people left the Live register obviously having either emigrated, died or entering Tús or JobBridge schemes; but very few be assured entering into actual paid employment here in Co. Tipperary.

See 10 month CSO Live Register figures for Co. Tipperary shown hereunder.

North Tipperary and Associated Towns – 2015

—Jan — Feb —- Mar — April — May— –June — July—- Aug — Sept –  –Oct—Town/Region Jobs Created During October 2015
6,312 – 6,237 – 6,139 – 6,030 – 6,199 – 6,462 – 6,601 – 6,475 – 5,843     5,798—      North Tipperary         Down 45
2,568 –2,497 – 2,465 – 2,446 – 2,529 – 2,635 – 2,658 – 2,589 – 2,371 —–2,341———       Nenagh              Down 30
1,166 –1,168 – 1,138 – 1,119 ––1,164 –1,187 —1,246 – 1,213 – 1,059 —  1,098——          Roscrea              Up 39
2,578 –2,572 – 2,536 – 2,465 – 2,506 – 2,640 – 2,697 – 2,673 – 2,413 —  2,359———-      Thurles               Down 54

South Tipperary and Associated Towns – 2015

—Jan — Feb —- Mar — April — May— June —  July—- Aug —  Sept       Oct—Town/Region Jobs Created During September 2015
7,864 –7,786 – 7,681 – 7,595 – 7,809 – 7,998 – 8,110 – 7,957 – 7,297 —-7,092——-    South Tipperary        Down 205
1,129 –1,120 – 1,096 – 1,071 – 1,094 – 1,145 – 1,164 – 1,128 —1,038 —-1,006————       Cahir                 Down 32
1,685 –1,674 – 1,650 – 1,625 – 1,663 –-1,697 – 1,719 – 1,688 – 1,560 — 1,557——        Carrick-On-Suir       Down 3
1,060 –1,035 – 1,015 – —998 – 1,017 – 1,025 – 1,063 – 1,035 —   931—-    911——-           Cashel                Down 20
2,480 –2,489 – 2,464 – 2,470 – 2,562 –-2,611 – 2,616 – 2,586 – 2,356 — 2,243————     Clonmel               Down 113
1,510 – 1,468 –1,456 – 1,431 – 1,473 – 1,520 – 1,548 – 1,520 – 1,412 — 1,375——-     Tipperary (Town)      Down 37

Earlier this week Tipperary TD Michael Lowry demanded that the ‘prevailing veil of secrecy’, on issues regarding the imminent closure of Lisheen Mine, must now be discussed openly. To date it would appear his warning on this serious issue has received no support from current government elected representatives and he remains, to quote the Prophet Isaiah, the sole “voice crying in the wilderness”, with regard to his demands that State Agencies come forward to play a real meaningful role in directing alternative industry to this well appointed and ready equipped 1200 acre mine site.

The silence locally, on radio, TV and in the press is deafening.
From as yet unconfirmed information made available to Thurles.Info, we glean that at least 160 current full time employees of Lisheen Mine are expected to loose their jobs prior to Christmas 2015.

It was with great sadness we learned of the death on Sunday November 8th, 2015, of Mr Eric Johnston, Roardstown, Drom, Templemore, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Johnston passed away peacefully yesterday at Nenagh General Hospital, whilst in his 95th year.

Mr Johnston’s passing will be most deeply regretted by his loving family, his wife Ida, daughters Susan (Ollivier) and Janet (Alexander), sons-in-law Michael and Jack, grandson Richard, sister-in-law Millie, nephews, nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends.

Note: Family flowers only, please. However donations, if desired, to “Friends Of Nenagh Hospital”, c/o Grey’s Funeral Home, Templemore, Co Tipperary. House private Wednesday morning please.

Funeral Arrangements Later

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

No offence intended, but are Irish people mathematically illiterate?

“Take care of the pennies, George, and the pounds will take care of themselves”, warned my now late Grandmother, Eliza Jane; using, as only she was wont to do, a well-known pithy saying which acknowledged general basic truth.

Recent happenings in relation to our day to day financial spending now beg the question; “Do our primary schools actually teach basic mathematics to our children anymore?”

So called ‘Copper’ coins holding values of one and two cent are now on their way out in seven EU countries, with Ireland the latest to drop their circulation, using a system known as “Rounding up or Rounding down”.

From the end of last month, (October 2015), our countries retailers are required to ‘Round Up or Down’ to the nearest five cent; in our present governments effort to phased out the daily use of small coinage. Now ask yourself; “Who will most benefit from this decision?”  These coins (generally referred to as Coppers), are composed of just copper-covered steel. This ‘glorified shrapnel’ referred to as coinage have been in use since 2002, though some are dated 1999, which is the year the Euro was first created as a currency, but never placed into general circulation.

Some 3 cents in every Irish Euro are now being stolen, yes stolen, from the pockets of consumers by this Irish Fine Gael /Labour led government decision. Same represents €3 in hidden taxation in every €100; the equivalent of €30 in hidden taxation on every €1,000 earned annually.

Based on an unemployed persons income, (under the age of 21), same persons who currently only receives €100 from the Irish State weekly, thanks to the Labour Party; they stand to lose annually, €150. It follows therefore that Old Age Pensioner in receipt of €200 per week now stand to lose some €300 annually. The recent Fine Gael /Labour Vote buying election Budget for 2016, which so generously granted old age pensioners an increase of a meagre €3.00 per week or €3 x 52 weeks = €156 annually, has actually reduced their annual existing pension by some €144 per year. (The imposition of €0.50 cents added to a packet of ‘fags’ had already cost these pensioners some €3.50 per week, based on the purchase of one packet per day.)

So what will this estimated annual €3 million saving, gained by no longer manufacturing these one and two cent coins; not to mention the extra hidden taxation imposed on daily consumers, be used to support? Will it be handed to Irish Water; used to solve issues in Homelessness, Social Housing, Education, Hospital Services, the Nation Debt, or will it go to pay for endless Independent Enquiries, Government Consultants etc.; surely taxpayers are entitled to some basic information from the Minister for Finance, Openness and Transparency, Mr Michael Noonan?

Remember our last efforts in January 2002 to “Round up and Round Down”; when a previous government-made decision to dump the Irish pound, was introduced, to favour the introduction of our present weak Euro, was “Rounded Down”?

Maybe it is now time to update and re-write this age old English proverb to read; “Get rid of your pennies and the government will take care of your pounds.”

Maybe we could have a Referendum when we agree on a correct wording and if passed, add it into the Irish Constitution to assist government theft into the future.

A stepfather, who sexually abused both his stepdaughters has been jailed for 6.5 years, with 18 months of his original 8 year sentence suspended.  Mr John Joe Patterson, originally from Cashel in Co Tipperary, stood accused of the sexual abuse of his stepdaughters, over a 10-year period.

Emma and Vanessa Witherow both bravely waived their right to anonymity to allow that their stepfather, aged 55, a former bus driver, milk man, who also ran a Christmas hamper delivery business, be named publicly in the media.

With a current address at Kilclooney, Moyne, Templetuohy, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Mr Patterson had previously denied some 39 counts of sexual assault on his stepdaughter Emma, which it was claimed began when she was aged just nine years.

Mr Patterson did plead guilty to one of three counts of sexually abusing her sister Vanessa, who was also nine years old when she claimed her abuse began. In an attempt to evade her stepfather’s advances, Emma Witherow felt the need to leave the family home at the age of 18, taking her sister Vanessa, then aged just 13 years, with her.

Today in Nenagh Circuit Court, Judge John Hannan stated that the Patterson case represented “the dark underbelly of Irish family life”.  He stated that Mr Patterson had “destroyed”  both his stepdaughters childhoods and any future ongoing relationship held between their brothers, and their birth mother.

Mrs Francis Patterson, who is the girls’ birth mother, sat through five weeks of evidence at Mr Patterson trial and continues to stand by her husband.

Earlier this year a jury of his peers unanimously found Mr Patterson guilty on 39 counts of sexual assault. His name will now be added to the Register of Sexual Offenders.