Latest news with #communityLoss
BreakingNews.ie
01-08-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Closure of Thurles Racecourse is a 'blow to backbone of community', TD says
TD for Tipperary North, Ryan O'Meara, has said the closure of Thurles Racecourse is a "blow to the backbone of the community" and is "another thread lost in the social fabric of Tipperary". Thurles Racecourse, Ireland's only privately-owned racecourse, announced its closure with immediate effect on Friday. Advertisement Riona Molony officially announced the Molony family's decision to retire from racing at the Tipperary track. Speaking on the closure, Ryan O'Meara said many people in Tipperary and beyond will feel a "real sense of loss" at the "sudden news". "Thurles Racecourse always felt immovable, a constant presence in local life. It was something you could rely on being there, and now it's gone. This is a very sad day for the community," he said. The Molony family, who have run the racecourse for over a century, made the decision to close Thurles Racecourse with immediate effect. As a result, all fixtures scheduled for later in the year will no longer take place. Advertisement 'For more than 100 years, the Molony family have provided what many in Tipperary and the wider racing community regarded as an institution," O'Meara said. "It was a place that brought people together. Somewhere for those passionate about horse racing and for locals to meet, connect, and socialise. 'Thurles Racecourse was more than just a venue; it was part of our local identity. It will be sorely missed by horse racing fans and by the wider community who saw it as a gathering place.' Announcing the racecourse's closure, Riona Molony said: 'It has been an honour and a privilege for our family to have run Thurles Racecourse, and I am officially announcing our retirement today. Advertisement "We are very proud of the immense contribution our family has made to racing and we are most grateful to our extended racecourse family, our dedicated staff, generous sponsors, loyal patrons and the wider racing community for all your support. "Horse-racing is part of the fabric of our family, and we have been very fortunate to have made so many great friends within the industry over the years. My family and I look forward to going racing with you again, as spectators. 'Since my beloved husband Pierce passed away in 2015, with the help of our four daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate and our wonderful staff, we've managed to keep the show on the road and I know he would be very proud of us for that. "The girls all have their own families, careers and lives to live. Ever increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business has also been a major factor." Advertisement Although, Thurles Racecourse is fully licenced to race until December 31st and has 11 prominent fixtures in the 2025/26 racing calendar, the Molony Family will not race again. Riona said: 'We're going to enjoy this time together and relax now the decision is made and the news is out before we consider our options.'
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
‘Kind and gentle': Man dead after alleged drunken e-scooter incident
A man beloved by his community has died after a tragic e-bike incident on Saturday evening. Thanh Phan, 51, took a trip into the Perth CBD for dinner, but was struck by an e-scooter at the interception of Murray and King street. The e-scooter rider is a woman who police allege was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Mr Phan was taken to Royal Perth Hospital for surgery, where he remained in a critical condition before he died on Tuesday. The 51-year-old from Menora had built a loving community in his neighbourhood, with friends of the engineer expressing their condolences. 'On Saturday night, Thanh Phan – a beloved husband, father of two, brother, and dear friend – was struck by an electric scooter and critically injured,' the family said in a statement. 'Yesterday evening, we received the heartbreaking news that Thanh passed away as a result of his injuries. 'We ask that the media respect the privacy of Thanh's family as they grieve their loss. 'We also call for a review of the governance and safety regulations surrounding hired e-scooters to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk. 'The family has no other comment to make on the issue at this time.' Alicia Kemp, 24, is alleged by police to be riding the e-scooter under the influence of alcohol with a 26-year-old passenger, before she hit Mr Phan. The passenger was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Ms Kemp is set to reappear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday after being charged with dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm – under the influence of alcohol, and dangerous driving causing bodily harm – under the influence of alcohol.
