O’Mahoney Commercials has proudly flown the flag for Scania in Co. Tipperary and surrounding counties for almost 35 years. As a sister company of Thurles Test Centre, the successful family business is a one-stop shop for all your parts, service, breakdown and CVRT testing requirements.
Established in 1990, O’Mahoney Commercials is an authorised Scania service and parts dealership fronted by husband-and-wife Paddy and Siobhan O’Mahoney, who are joined by their daughter Niamh and a 20-strong team. Its technicians are trained to the highest Scania standards and are up-to-speed with all the latest developments in the industry.
O’Mahoney Commercials prides itself in delivering exceptional service and customer care to vehicle owners from its modern, Scania-approved workshop and parts department in Ballycahill, which is just 5km from Thurles. The company has grown, evolved and invested heavily in its premises, equipment and people to offer unrivalled maintenance, servicing, parts and repair solutions with a prompt, professional and personal touch.
The equally well-appointed Thurles Test Centre is also strategically located just off the Horse and Jockey junction (Exit 6) on the M8 motorway. It was founded in 2008 by Paddy in partnership with Paul Dempsey of Keyline Transport, and is run by Siobhan and four highly-qualified and experienced testers. Both locations are always a hive of activity, providing a full range of services to ensure that customer’s vehicles perform at their best.
O’Mahony Commercials’ commitment to excellence has earned it an enviable reputation for customer satisfaction, leading to a large volume of repeat business from loyal and satisfied vehicle owners, from owner drivers to large fleet operators.
“We’ve never been as busy,” Siobhan O’Mahoney proudly states.
“We employ a top-class team who are happy to go the extra mile for our valued customers. We offer a friendly, efficient and value-for-money service to them on each and every visit. As a family business, we also provide the personal touch that you don’t always get elsewhere.
“We invest heavily in our people and equipment. Our apprentices receive training through Solas and also through Scania-specific modules. As new trucks and equipment are introduced, our technicians continuously upskill, and we continuously upgrade our systems, equipment and facilities.”
Reflecting on the early days of the well-known Premier County operation, Siobhan continues: “We identified a need for a Scania dealership here in Tipperary, so we approached Westward Scania. They allowed us to join the network as Scania parts and service dealership. This was a major milestone for our business.
“Paddy had previously worked as a mechanic and driven on the Continent, giving him a well-rounded view of the industry. From 1990 until 1992, we operated as an independent workshop, but our big break came when we became a Scania dealer.”
O’Mahoney Commercials continues to enjoy an excellent relationship with Westward Scania, which was awarded the franchise in 1976. To make its 50th anniversary, the Strokestown dealership conceived the “Svempas, Westward Scania Special Edition”, which was limited to 50 units and the O’Mahoneys got to see first-hand in Sweden.
“Jim Callery of Westward Scania introduced Scania to Ireland 50 years ago, so it’s a special year for the brand. While we’re a parts and service dealer for Scania, we regularly sell new trucks and prep them through Westward,” Siobhan explains.
Asked what the secret to O’Mahoney Commercials’ success is, the affable company director replies: “It all comes down to how well you look after your customers. We offer a 24/7 breakdown service and do everything possible to provide the best service. We collaborate with other dealers around the country to ensure their customers in our area are well-served. Our customer-base spans Tipperary, Limerick, North Cork, Kilkenny, and Waterford.
“We’re fortunate to have a core group of long-term customers, but we’re always gaining new ones. Thurles Test Centre gets a lot of passing trade due to its central location between Dublin and Cork. When you work closely with people over the years, relationships become personal, and you often develop friendships with customers.”
Thurles Test Centre is an LCV and HGV test centre whose services include vehicle testing, safety checks, tachograph calibration, road speed limiters, vehicle plating, vehicle servicing, vehicle sales and finance. The CVRT inspection, which is carried out on behalf of the RSA (Road Safety Authority), includes checking brakes, lights, markings, wheels and tyres, steering and suspension, chassis and underbody, tachograph, speed limiter, exhaust emissions, electrical systems, glass, mirrors and more.
Quality, consistency and unbiased vehicle testing are the core values of the Thurles Test Centre team who are customer-focused, compliant, thorough and offer a comprehensive and courteous service. At all times, the test centre adheres to stringent guidelines as laid down by the RSA. Excellence in service and the highest possible standards are a given at the Tipperary-based operation.
Open from 8am to 4.30pm Monday-Friday (O’Mahoney Commercials is open from 9am to 6pm Monday-Friday), the test centre has the capacity to perform quick and affordable tests on all types of commercial vehicles, including vans, trucks, trailers, buses, coaches, mini-buses, ambulances and more.
“The centre’s success is due in part to its purpose-built design. We started with two testers and now have four full-time testers, making us the largest we’ve ever been. We have built a loyal customer-base in there with many customers now conducting routine 13 week checks and pre-tests thus continuously monitoring their trucks. This is important for safety on the roads for our customers, keeps us busy in the workshop and ensures that there are no issues when it comes to their test. So it’s a win for everyone.”
Like everyone in the area, Siobhan is looking forward to the 2026 Tipperary Truck Show which returns to Holycross on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6.
“It’s a great show and venue right here on our doorstep in Ballycahill. We wish the organisers and everybody associated with it every success. I’ve no doubt that it will be another fantastic occasion,” Siobhan concludes.
As O’Mahoney Commercials continues to go from strength to strength, Paddy, Siobhan and Niamh would like to take this opportunity to thank their customers and suppliers for their continued support, and look forward to catering for all their needs for many more years to come.
O’Mahoney Commercials
The Rock,
Ballycahill
Thurles,
Co. Tipperary
Telephone: 0504 24290
Breakdown: 087 2597801
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.omahoneys.ie
First published in Irish Trucker magazine September/October 2026, Vol 29-5
featured, O’Mahoney Commercials
