Man killed in road accident near Bruff

He was John Sheehan who was single and had just moved out to live in the Murroe area.

He was originally from the Pennywell area of Garryowen.

The incident happened shortly after six o’clock last evening when a van struck him while out walking.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardai at Bruff are appealing for witnesses to the incident to contact them on 061 382940.

Mr Sheehan`s death brings to 17 the number of fatalities on Limerick roads so far this year.

$2.5m Triplets home to Bruff!

After extensive medical treatment in the US, the O’Riordans are home for their first Christmas.

John O’Riordan and his wife, Valerie, were both working in New York when the children were born three months prematurely. John was vice president in a bank and Valerie worked as a nurse.

The birth of the triplets was all the more remarkable given that Valerie was 48 at the time. “After having Laura — who is now eight — we decided that we wanted another child. But there were difficulties and after a number of years with IVF I became pregnant again,” said Valerie.

Triplets Gerry, Sean and Jean arrived on December 12, 2005 — three months premature.

“They spent more than three months in hospital and they really were miracle babies to get through given their weights when they were born. Gerry was three pounds four ounces, Jean three nine and Sean was four pounds.”

The couple had health insurance, which was just as well given that the hospital bills came to $2.5m.

However, caring for the babies when they came home from hospital took up so much time and work, the couple decided it was time to move back home to Bruff, Co Limerick, where they had already bought a house.

“It was just feed, feed, feed. And there was little or no back-up care in New York for mothers who had multiple births. It wasn’t a great situation. But now as they are getting older they are developing their own personalities and I would have it no other way since coming back home. You have to be positive from the moment you get up in the morning and enjoy the children and our life,” Valerie said.

Since arriving back last September, quality of life has changed dramatically. They have a fantastic support team of parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, cousins and in-laws who all help with the triplets.

“We have no problem if we want to go out for a night,” Valerie said.

* If any mother who has had a multiple birth would like to share their experience, Valerie can be contacted on johnorio@hotmail.com

Halvey case adjourned

Halvey case adjourned for five months
The case against former Munster rugby player Eddie Halvey has been adjourned for five months.
Halvey, from the South Circular Road in Limerick City, is charged with dangerous driving causing death at Coole, Toomeyvarra in April of 2006.
He was charged after a collision in which 16 year old Kevin Walsh, from Bruff, County Limerick was killed.
Halvey will be before the courts again on March 4, 2008

Development plans for Microtherm site in Bruff

THERE are plans for a major development on the site of the former Microtherm factory in Bruff.

Cusack O�Connor Construction have applied to Limerick County Council for 1/Demolition of existing factory unit; 2/construction of 87 dwellings;3/construction of a creche building;4/construction of 7 No commercial/retail units on ground floor Block A with 9 no. apartments at first floor level over, 5/construction of eight no. apartments at ground and first floor level in Block B;6/connection of public services and all ancillary site works.

The site is located just a few yards from the Bruff GAA

Bruff R.F.C go through in AIB Cup

Old Crescent's divisional advantage continued for little against Division Three champions Bruff whose consistent display helped them eek out a 19-12 victory over their Limerick rivals.

In what was the sides' first ever meeting in an AIB-sponsored competition, Bruff were well on course for a place in the third round as they had a 19-0 buffer built up by the interval. Powerful work by big Martin O'Rourke (above) made a significant difference for Bruff, including starting many of their breaks.



Prop David Horan plunged over for a 31st-minute try, which Brian Cahill converted, and Cahill fired over four penalties - after 9, 14, 38 and 40 minutes - to stretch the hosts nearly three converted scores clear.

Crescent, good winners over Naas last weekend, predictably came back with Billy Leahy and Alan Purcell both nabbing tries, with the latter adding one conversion, but Bruff controlled matters in the final quarter and will be a team to avoid in January's third round.

Another new site!

Bruff Gun Club has a new blogsite (link on left hand side bar) adding to the ever growing list of sites with info about Bruff.

Ancient Remains found on Microtherm Site

Ancient crematorium is uncovered at Bruff site

A PRE-HISTORIC archaeological find containing fragments of cremated bone has been discovered in Bruff during site clearance work for a Limerick County Council housing development.
Archaeologists from Headland Archaeology Ltd have been excavating the site of a ring barrow for the last fortnight on behalf of the council. For more information and details click here.

Local Notes from Limerick Leader

Click here Limerick Leader Local Notes.
Weekly notes about events, happenings and news from the town of Bruff, updated on a weekly basis. There is also a link on the left hand side of the this page!

Man dies in County Limerick explosion

A man has died following an explosion at a house at Lough Gur near Bruff.
Reports suggest that there was a strong smell of gas in the area after the blast occurred at approximately 1200 today.
Bord Gais have said that there are no gas pipelines in the area however.

An investigation is currently underway. The man, believed to be a foreign national, has not yet been named.
Gardai at Bruff, who are investigating today’s explosion say that the incident is not believed to be suspicious.
A gas cylinder exploding is now thought to have killed the man, said to be a Lithuanian national this morning.
The middle aged” man was a tenant at the cottage at Lough Gur for the past five to six weeks.

Historic win for Bruff!

Bruff R.F.C create history by winning the Limerick Charity Cup

Bruff 16 Ul Bohemians 15

Bruff created history for themselves today by winning the Limerick Charity Cup today in Dorradoyle today with a deserved win over the fancied Ul Bohemians side.It is also the first time a team from County Limerick ,a Third division side in the AIL also to win the Cup. Celebrations in Bruff last night

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 at 8:32

Man may have been crushed to death

Port mortem results released to Gardaí this afternoon indicate that the man whose body was found amongst waste at a recycling plant in Co. Limerick was accidentally crushed to death.

The body was found yesterday at the 'Mr Binman' facility near Ballyneety.

The State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy completed her post mortem examination at Dublin's city morgue this afternoon.

Gardaí said they believe the man had only recently arrived in Limerick, and was homeless.

Body found in skip in Grange

Monday, 17 September 2007 16:35

Gardaí in Co Limerick are investigating the death of a man whose body was found in a skip.

The body was discovered by workers at a private waste facility in Grange, 13km from Limerick city, at 12.15pm this afternoon. It is understood the man was in his 30s.

Gardaí have sealed off the scene and have contacted the state pathologist's office.

The body has been brought to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick where a post mortem examination is due to be carried out this evening.

New web site for Community Council

The Bruff Grange Meanus Community Council has a new website. Click here to visit the site.

Serious Accident in Bruff

A serious road accident has taken place at around 7.00am this morning on the Limerick-Bruff Road, just a few hundred yards from the outskirts of Bruff. A private car and a lorry were the the two vehicles involved. Further details later.

Rugby season gets under way!

Saturday at 6:00 p.m. sees the first home game of the season for Bruff RFC with a combo of the J1 and J2 squads lining out to play Charleville in a friendly at Kilballyowen. Des Power is the man in charge for this opening friendly and there will be Full bar facilities during and afterwards.

Bruff gets talked about at the Rose of Tralee

Melanie Carroll, The Limerick Rose, spoke about appearing at the Bruff Summer Festival as one of her good experiences in the run up to the Tralee Festival. Melanie was interviewed by Ray Darcy; she recalled being driven down the Main Street, in Bruff and mentioned that Irish International Rugby Star, Alan Quinlan was also one of the Parade Marshal's.

Road Accident Fatality

Woman killed in Bruff collision

Friday, 17 August 2007 19:06
Carmel O'Brien dies in road accident.

A woman has died following a road accident in BruffThe woman, a cyclist in her 40s, was hit by a car on the Bruff to Kilmallock Road, near Uregare at 6.50am.Her body has been removed to Limerick Regional Hospital.The road, which was closed for most ofthe day, has reopened after a technical examination. Gardaí have named the woman who was killed in the crash.49-year-old Carmel O’Brien from Sheerin’s Cross, Kilmallock died after her bike was struck by a car shortly before seven am.Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to contact Bruff Garda Station on 061-382940.

Bruff Partnership Meeting

There is a meeting of Bruff Partnership at 4.00 pm today in the Meeting Room in Clancy's Pub. Scroll down for details of the formation of an An Taisce group in Bruff.

An Taisce in Bru Na Deise

An Taisce - 'The Store House, or Treasury' is The National Trust For Ireland.

Established in 1948, it is the most influential environmental body in Ireland.

"All our policies reflect our core belief that a high quality environment is central to Ireland achieving a successful and sustainable economy, as well as a high quality of life. This is based on the view that prevention is better than cure, partnership and dialogue are better than conflict and monologue, and strategic planning surpasses reactive expediency"

There is a small group in Bruff who have started a branch of An Taisce. Make contact through this site (e mail) if you are interested in joining them.

Bruff RFC Fixtures announcement

Naas And Bruff Away In Division Three Openers 1 August 2007 Naas, the winners of last season's AIB League Round Robin series, will begin their return to the Division Three ranks with an away fixture against Queen's University. The new AIB League fixtures were released today - read on for more. Bruff were the winners of last season's AIB League Division Three final The new AIB League Division Three campaign kicks off on Saturday, October 27. Last season's Division Three final winners Bruff, who beat the promoted Wanderers in the decider, will start the season away to City of Derry, while beaten semi-finalists Instonians are also away from home in their first game, having been pencilled in for a trip to Old Wesley.

Bruff Summer Festival Poster click on poster to zoom in

Shannon Development are supporters of the Bruff Festival

Check out the Bruff Summer Festival site

Andy Fitzgerald

THE death of a 10-year old Andy from Grange, who was killed when goalposts at his summer soccer camp collapsed on him, has led the Department of Education to provide funding to replace unsafe physical education equipment.

The Department is allocating 2,000 euro for each primary school and 4,000 euro for every secondary school to help them renew sports equipment, with goalposts identified as a priority.

Andrew Fitzgerald, Grange, Kilmallock, had been attending a soccer camp in Bruff in August 2004, when an FAI-approved target net fixed to a portable goalpost was caught in a gust of wind, pulling it down on top of him.

He was the only child of Miriam and Patrick Fitzgerald, who have campaigned to get unsafe and unsecured goalposts replaced nationwide, following a number of injuries and fatalities.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland is also working on new standards for portable goalposts for sports such as soccer, Gaelic games and rugby. Schools have been issued with draft guidelines on ensuring goalposts comply with the highest safety levels, in the interim period

Press Launch

The Press launch for the Bruff Summer Festival took place last night in the Istabraq Restaurant in Bruff. It was well attended. Ed Myers introduced this year's contestants in the Morning Star Rose Contest. The three area TD's were present: John Cregan, Dan Neville and Nial Collins.

Bruff Summer Festival

Bruff Cultural and Arts Society have announced the dates of this year's... click here to visit Summer festival site> Summer Festival; 1st-6th August. Visit the Summer Festival Site to keep in touch with the latest news. We are grateful to Cusack-O'Connor and Hegarty Developers for the opportunity to use the Microtherm site to re-create the Old Bruff Fair Day on Monday 6th August.
Picture:
Edel McEniry Morning Star Rose 2006/2007 at the Press launch for the Limerick Rose.


We are delighted to announce that Ed Myers from limericklive95fm will be our guest compere at this year's Festival

Bruff Partnership

Bruff Partnership is a grouping that developed following several open public meetings called by several concerned people in the town. From those open meetings a (to which all communities, clubs and groups were invited) a committee was elected. This committee has continued to meet and is composed of representatives from those various groups. In addition the committee has representatives from Shannon Enterprise, Limerick County Enterprise Board, County Council, Bruff Community Council, Bruff Cultural and Arts Society and Ballyhoura Development Co. Ltd.
The Secretary of the Group is Michael Clifford and the Assistant Secretary is Donal Thurlow (087 2127521)

Bruff Local Area Plan

There continues to be much discussion in Bruff about future development. Ardykeohane Local Residents Association published this version of the local development plan

Bruff Partnership

New Managers for Shannon Development

Shannon development has appointed two Limerick natives as the new Regional Managers for Limerick City and County. Finbarr Brougham who has represented Shannon Development at the Bruff Partnership Meetings is one of the people newly appointed and we offer our congratulations to him.
Finbarr Brougham and Eoghan Prendergast (the other appointee) are both experienced executives with the Development body.
They will work with the communities to help develop Limerick as the centre of the Shannon Region.
Finbarr Brougham believes his new job will keep him busy!

Recent News!

Bruff Cultural and Arts Society will be on the main Street tomorrow to finish the job of removing the Christmas lights!
The have also confirmed the dates for the Bruff Summer Festival 2007 as the 3rd, 4th and 5th of August.
Sport
Bruff RFC: Nenagh Ormond Vs Bruff: "Ormond Park will be the place to be on Sunday when these two arch rivals meet in their Division 3 decider. Nenagh have leapfrogged over Bruff with some fine performances this season" Maybe Bruff winning tomorrow will cheer everyone up after Munster's defeat today!
In the McInerney Cup, Bruff will play St. Senan's at Bruff at 2.30pm on Saturday 20th.
Soccer:Errea Sport Div 1A League: Saturday 20th. Bruff Utd v St. Geraldines 10.30am Bruff

Recent News items News!

Another day of rain, sunshine, hailstones and some flash floods with the Fire Brigade called out in Kilmallock to clear some roads!

It is good to see that this site bitsfrombruff is receiving so many 'hits' (visitors) from all over the world..... friends in Bruff have obviously passed on the address. I have heard that some people tried to get the site but could not. Initially it was necessary to type the full web address into your web browser address line...but now Google will find it for you! Just type bitsfrombruff into the Google search box and you will find the site!

Recent News Items!

St. Patrick's Festival
We gather that the Community Council are organising a St. Patrick's Day Parade. This would of course duplicate the event advertised in the last Bruff Cultural and Arts Newsletter as quoted below

"Plans for next Year
Early in the New Year we will have a meeting to develop and plan our projects for 2007. We will issue invitations to other individuals and groups to join with us in this planning process. Our plans
include an open air dancing platform/stage for the Grove, celebrations for St. Patrick’s weekend and of course the Summer Festival"
The Deise : Cultural and Arts Newsletter : Published 15th December 2006

who had made plans, but have no wish to clash, so they have cancelled their arrangements: see Cultural and Arts Society news below!

Changing Chips!
Rumour has it that the Snack Bar (Anthony O'Connor's) is changing hands. We will see what the new owners bring to the culinary scene in Bruff! Maybe soon we will have an Indian Takeaway to add to the ethnic mix!

Bruff and Drink Driving
Bruff entered the national debate this week with Derry O'Meara, local publican being interviewed on Limerick 95fm. Local publican Derry, talked about the Bruff pubs initiative with a courtesy bus. Three pubs (Derry's Bar, Clancys and Dave Clarkes) have combined to provide a free courtesy bus. He indicated that maybe a second bus would soon be provided.

Drains, Mains and Sewers!
INSITUFORM an English firm has been working in the Main Street this last week. They are using high tech equipment to survey the main sewers. It also looks as if work may begin on the water treatment works with activity near the entrance

Stormy Weather!

Bruff is experiencing gale force winds (100 to 120 kph) as a fierce storm moves across the Atlantic. The Newswire blog (Limerick City) included an accurate warning early on Tuesday (based on reports from a tornado watch centre in USA!)..... whilst at the same time little warning from Met.ie or RTE. Throughout the night Bruff has had either no electricity or very low power. Power restored at 12.00 noon!

Bruff and District Cultural and Arts Society

Reminder! The next Committee meeting is due to take place on Thursday 18th January at 8.30 pm in Clancy's Restaurant.

As we said in our last Newsletter we had plans for organising a St. Patrick's Festival, including bookings with Bands from Wales and USA. We had a very innovative approach planned for a weekend spectacular. We now find that The Community Council are going to organise a Parade and therefore we will not duplicate events...... but we wish them the very best!

Summer Festival 2006. We have plenty of photos' of the Summer Festival and a selection will appear on www.bruffsummerfestival2006.blogspot.com
We will also include photos of the two Historical walks on the www.bruffpictures.blogspot.com For those who enjoyed them we are a having a Town Historical walk as part of the Ballyhoura International Walking Festival and I will give further details soon so that it can be noted in diaries!
Christmas Festival 2006... we don't have so many pictures...in particular Santy coming down the Main Street with his wonderful horse and carriage..... if you have some we would love a copy!

Hi Readers,
Happy New Year to everyone.
The holiday is over and we are back on duty
More photos of the Commemoration Ceremony for Caherguillamore held just before Christmas in Grange will be published on our sister site (bruffpictures.blogspot.com )
The picture above shows TD John Cregan laying the wreath as the press photographers snap away! (Click on Picture for detailed view)
Bruff seems to have been peaceful enough at Christmas. There is a new Hackney cab service being run by Eric Lye, former proprietor of the Olde Bakehouse Restaurant, (telephone number for Morning Star Hackney Cabs is 087 0614550)

The Bruff Partnership Committee with aims to promote enterprise in Bruff following the closure of Microtherm is recently formed group that deserves strong community support and participation. A meeting of the group planned for Monday 9th January was cancelled. When I have more news I will bring it here.

Any Group or individual who wants an item included in The Deise, (The Newsletter of Bruff and District Cultural and Arts Society) should contact me by e mail: dfthurlow@gmail.com.