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Now in its fourth year and coinciding with National Science Week, the festival will see children engaging in dozens of events in schools, Tipperary libraries, Nenagh Arts centre and some of the third ...

Michael Lowry T.D.

6 days ago

I spoke with Fran on Tipp Today this morning in relation to Tipperary projects in Templemore, Roscrea and Fethard receiving over €7 million in funding from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the JPC meeting with Commissioner Drew Harris, Tipperary Drug Unit, Direct Provision and much more... ... See MoreSee Less

Michael Lowry TippFM interview November 6th

Listen to Michael Lowry TippFM interview November 6th by Michael Lowry TD #np on #SoundCloud

Michael Lowry T.D.

7 days ago

LOWRY CONFIRMS FUNDING OF OVER €7 MILLION FOR TIPPERARY PROJECTS THROUGH THE RURAL REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT FUND

Independent TD, Deputy Michael Lowry has welcomed the securing of over €7 million for Tipperary Projects under the latest funding measures announced through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, following representations with Minister Michael Ring in the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Deputy Lowry said that the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is a very important programme for communities in Tipperary. This Funding which is being provided will enable the delivery of Fethard Town Park, the establishment of an Enterprise, Digital and Social Media Hub in Roscrea and an Enterprise and Cultural Centre in Templemore Town Hall.

Deputy Lowry concluded; this latest round of funding will support local communities that are in need of investment and it’s great to see the programme continuing to grow and make a difference for rural Tipperary.

Details of the Tipperary Projects:

Fethard Town Park €2,600,000.00

Roscrea Enterprise, Digital and Social Media Hub €1,925,546.00

Enterprise and Culture Centre in Templemore Town Hall €2,529,000.00 ... See MoreSee Less

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Michael Lowry T.D.

7 days ago

LOWRY ADDRESSES COMMISSIONER HARRIS AT MEETING OF JPC.

Michael Lowry TD

Addressing Garda Commissioner at a recent JCP meeting Deputy Michael Lowry said ‘Mr. Harris you came to your job as Commissioner with a strong reputation. Bringing a broad range of professional experience in policing matters. Your ability and capability is proven. Since taking up your role as Commissioner you have already made decisions with far reaching consequences for the Garda Force and in particular for the Tipperary Division. It would have been beneficial had you consulted in advance with all of the stake holders. Had you consulted and listened you would then be making informed decisions based on the experience of local officers on the ground. Those Officers would have advised of practical and operational difficulties with the restructuring plan as it applies to Tipperary.

In respect of the Restructuring Plan, you Commissioner had published a national set of guidelines and criteria which were to underpin decisions on amalgamations and location of administrative headquarters. In the case of Tipperary/Clare amalgamation you pulled the pin on those guidelines and effectively sidestepped them. As a consequence, you did a disservice to Tipperary and Thurles. Commissioner I would like to ask how you arrived at these decisions to amalgamate Tipp with Clare and to move Divisional Headquarters to Ennis. Considering you didn’t use the National Guidelines what criteria did you use to determine the outcome? On what basis do you substantiate the logic of the decision?

Thurles has enjoyed the status of Divisional Headquarters for many generations. It has history and tradition. It is a Station that is geographically well located when compared to Ennis which is on the extremity of the newly configureddivision. Thurles is a very busy Station and central to a demand on it’s services is the level of activity of Semple Stadium. Thurles was always a sought after Station by career gardai. Some of the finest police men and women served in Thurles. Many of them were promoted to high ranking positions nationally. Unfortunately,because of your decision to change it’s status Thurles will no longer have that appeal to career gardai.

Commissioner you tell us your new plans will make for more visible policing. How do you intend to address existing issues in Tipperary such as lack of manpower, inadequate transport and insufficient access to modern technology? Our experience here in Tipperary of amalgamations is very negative. Templemore District was disbanded and divided between Nenagh and Thurles Districts. As a result, we have an appalling deficit of policing in Roscrea with an acute manpower shortage. The opening hours of Templemore Garda Station have been cut back.’ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michael Lowry T.D.

7 days ago

TIPPERARY DRUG UNIT ALARMINGLY DEFICIENT
Michael Lowry TD

Addressing the Garda Commissioner at a recent JCP meeting Deputy Michael Lowry told Commissioner Harris that the Tipperary Garda Drug Unity was totally under resourced. The Unit consists of 6 Gardai in total across the 5 districts. The numerical strength of the Drug Unit to cover a radius as big as Tipperary with such a large population is totally unrealistic and alarmingly deficient. The Unit is manifestly under resourced. It is not getting priority and the drug peddlers are taking full advantage. There is a drug epidemic right across our county of Tipperary. We have drug pushers operating freely in our towns, villages, and even at the crossroads. The merchants of death are selling drugs from drug houses in our housing estates at discos, colleges and pubs. Drugs are only a phone call away up and down the county. Drug dealers are rampant. Drugs are destroying young lives, wrecking relationships and families. Wreaking havoc on Communities. A blight on our communities. A scourge on society spreading misery and destruction. Commissioner, our drug unit in Tipperary does not have the resources and is not equipped to tackle this menace effectively. Because of the inability of Gardai to respond to this challenge there is a perception amongst the public that Gardai are gone soft on drug dealers. Throughout Tipperary Gardai are very visible in the clamp down on social drinking and traffic offences. However, when it comes to drug surveillance, detection and arrest Gardai are almost invisible. I suggest there is a need to review the deployment of currentpersonnel and greatly strengthen Garda numbers in the Drug Unit. ... See MoreSee Less

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Michael Lowry T.D.

1 week ago

Congratulations to Fran Curry and Muriel O'Connor on their superb achievement winning Social Band of the Year at the Annual Irish Entertainment Awards yesterday evening in the Tullamore Court Hotel. ... See MoreSee Less

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