The former St Joseph’s Primary School, Michael Street, New Ross. (Pic; Browne’s Photography).
By Dan Walsh
The Sisters of Mercy and Wexford County Council, with the approval of the Department of Education, have agreed in principle a proposal to acquire the former St, Joseph’s Primary School on Michael Street, New Ross, for use as a shared community hub in conjunction with Cumas New Ross as the lead agency.
Independent Cllr Michael Sheehan said the building has been vacant for about eight years and the project will contribute to the overall development of New Ross.
“Cumas has been seeking a town centre accessible premises to cater for its current and future needs with a focus in integration,” said Liz Hore, Director of Services, who added; “St. Joseph’s former school is an ideal property within proximity to the town centre, suitable size, and accessibility of space to cater for the organisations current and future requirements.”
The proposal envisages improved social well-being, education and training and enterprise growth within the community of New Ross and surrounding district through innovation, partnership and community development.
Wexford town-based Cllr Raymond Shannon is calling for a psychiatric inpatient unit to be added to the new 97-bed unit being built in Wexford, to provide 24-hour care for people in crisis.
CLLR RAYMOND SHANNON
A well-known advocate for 24/7 mental health services and staff in Co. Wexford, Cllr Shannon was addressing the issue at last Monday’s meeting of Wexford County Council.
“It wouldn’t be a massive cost; we just need to have psychiatrists on call 24/7 to support the people who need it,” he stated.
Cllr Shannon said that while there is a letter from the Minister stating that 24-hour mental health services are available in Wexford, this is not the case.
He stated that the reality is that Wexford lacks the resources to provide adequate mental health care on a 24/7 basis. The waiting times for services, such as those at Summerhill, can stretch up to two to three months, which is unacceptable for someone in a mental health crisis.
Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, has formally addressed a letter regarding the allocation of Mental Health services in Wexford, on behalf of the members of Wexford County Council.
Minister Butler confirms that University Hospital Waterford’s 44-bed Acute Inpatient Mental Health Unit serves as the approved inpatient centre for Waterford and Wexford.
The Department of Psychiatry provides inpatient assessment, treatment, and care to individuals residing in the Wexford area.
MARY BUTLER TD Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People.
In Co. Wexford, health services are available 24 hours a day through CAREDOC, the GP out-of-hours service; the Emergency Department at Wexford General Hospital; or the local mental health service.
The Minister states that individuals from Wexford can go to the Emergency Department at Wexford General Hospital to be assessed by Mental Health Liaison staff. If inpatient admission is necessary, the staff at Wexford General Hospital will coordinate with the Department of Psychiatry in Waterford to arrange the transfer.
Enniscorthy has a 10-bed respite unit (An Tearman) and various staffed community residences for daily support. The community team operates from Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre at Blackstoops.
Cllr Paddy Kavanagh’s ‘controversial comments’ at last Monday’s Wexford County Council meeting, making the headlines in today’s Enniscorthy Guardian fails to raise deeper issues that need public awareness.
Journalist Padraig Byrne’s report from Monday’s meeting is accurate, but attacks on speakers during meetings are too common.
CLLR PADDY KAVANAGH
During the meeting, Cllr Kavanagh actively participated in the discussion regarding the Templeshannon regeneration. He publicly presented facts, figures, and comments related to the IPAS application. Additionally, he expressed his support for the residents of the Shannon area.
Then to the surprise of the members Cllr Aidan Browne, who is Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council reminded Cllr Kavanagh that “There are six councillors in Enniscorthy well capable of looking after Enniscorthy!”
Cllr Kavanagh, a long-serving member and former Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Town Council, Municipal District Council, and Wexford County Council, was surprised to have his freedom to speak on town issues questioned.
Cllr Kavanagh now serves on the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, due to changes in electoral boundaries, despite living close to Enniscorthy where he has family and business interests.
Enniscorthy no longer has six members due to the vacancy created by Senator Cathal Byrne. Additionally, Cllrs Jackser Owens and John O’Rourke left the meeting an hour and a half before it ended.
Enniscorthy representation also includes Minister James Browne, Deputy Johnny Mythen, and Senator Cathal Byrne.
Cllr Kavanagh’s interruption may be associated with his political representation. Council meetings often tend to reject issues and motions put forward by opposition parties, which include Aontú, Sinn Féin, and the Independent Alliance.
Tom Doyle was elected Chair of Wexford IFA at the annual general meeting held in the Farm Centre, Enniscorthy on Monday night. He succeeds Jer O’Mahony, who served for four years.
TOM DOYLE … the new Chair of Wexford IFA (Pic; Agriland)
Tom, a beef and tillage farmer from Camolin, has previously served on the IFA National Farm Business Committee and is married to the current IFA Deputy President, Alice Doyle.
Tom, the sole candidate for the Chair, stated that he accepted the position after being approached by several members. He pledged to “do the best I can for farmers across the county.”
He commits to maintaining regular contact with members through the association’s branch structure and emphasises the importance of young people taking up roles in the farm organisation.
The outgoing Wexford IFA chair, Jer O’Mahony, extended his best wishes to Tom Doyle as he assumes the position.
He informed the members that he appreciated his tenure as Wexford IFA chair and acknowledged that he would miss it since it becomes a significant part of one’s life.
Mr. O’Mahony stated that one of his most significant accomplishments was achieving agreement with Wexford County Council on farm inspection protocols that prioritise respect for farmers throughout the process.
Mr. O’Mahony will maintain an active involvement in Wexford IFA, serving as both Treasurer and Public Relations Officer.
Plans to convert the former Enniscorthy Mercy Convent at Templeshannon into an IPAS Centre were debated at today’s Wexford County Council meeting held at the Council Chamber, County Hall, Wexford, where emotions ran high, and some comments were called ‘disgraceful’.
Closed since 2010 and designated as “a protected structure,” Cllr Aidan Browne stated that “the old convent house” is situated near schools and in a busy traffic area, leading to local frustration over the lack of investment in Templeshannon. “We cannot allow this to happen,” he declared.
Locals against plans for an IPAS Centre on the old Mercy Convent site at Templeshannon.
Cllr Paddy Kavanagh expressed his support for Cllr Browne, describing the former convent as “an iconic building.” He also noted that a petition opposing the planning application has already been signed by over 2,000 individuals.
Cllr Kavanagh noted that Ukrainian refugees are being housed nearby. “I have no issue with the people there,” said Cllr Kavanagh, adding, “My concern lies with the large number of non-vetted single male refugees coming to the Shannon area.”
Cllr Jackser Owens emphasised the need for public consultation. “The residents need to be notified about what is going on and have it explained. I’m supporting the people of the Shannon community,” he concluded.
Cllr Ger Carthy informed the meeting about three applications for IPAS use at Rosslare Harbour and Killinick. Cllr Carthy noted that there are over 300 individuals in IPAS accommodation and more than 100 in Ukrainian accommodation. He suggested that the residents of Rosslare have been exceedingly generous and have significantly contributed to the effort.
Members stressed the need for caution in how we handle and discuss the issues around IPAS centres.
Wexford teachers in primary and second level schools are reminded that the closing date for this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition entries is Friday, 28th February.
The Texaco Children’s Art Competition, now in its 71st year, is recognised as the longest-running arts sponsorship in Ireland.
Further information can be accessed at http://www.texacochildrensart.com or at Texaco service stations located throughout the county.
Denis Murphy of Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, won both four-year-old maiden races at Askeaton, Co. Limerick and Tallow, Co. Waterford today. Jack Hendrick also secured a double victory in Limerick.
DENIS MURPHY saddled the winners of the four-year-old maiden races at Limerick and Waterford today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick participated in the maiden race for four-year-olds in Limerick aboard Taurus Bay for Denis Murphy, achieving victory by two and a half lengths in the first leg of a double.
Half an hour later and Hendrick got home by half a length on U S Marshall for Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, handler Matthew Flynn-O’Connor in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
The third Wexford winner at Limerick was in the final race, the six-year-olds plus maiden. Midnight Moonshine won by half a length for the Roche family and was handled by Daryl Deacon from Belmont, Clonroche. Brian Dunleavy rode the winning horse.
Denis Murphy initiated the proceedings at Tallow with a decisive 14-length victory for Hitintheheadlines, ridden by Sean Cotter, in the maiden race for four-year-olds. This success marked a double achievement at different venues for The Ballagh handler.
Eamonn Doyle and the Mossy Fen Stables Partnership at Ballindaggin also achieved success at Tallow. The newcomer Mossy Fen Coolio had an impressive 25 lengths to spare over rivals in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and provided another victory for Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan.
Saturday’s point-to-point at Kirkistown in Co. Down featured a notable win for Wexford. Kanzler, trained by Michael Goff of Clondaw, Enniscorthy, secured victory by seven lengths in the maiden race for four-year-olds. This achievement marked the fifth career win for his son, Harry Goff.
Artists Olivia O’Keeffe, Martina Furlong and Marja van Kempen pictured at the launch of their exhibition of paintings, ‘Creations of a Colourful Mind’ in Enniscorthy Castle today. The exhibition is open to the public until April 25th. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle
Visiting Enniscorthy Castle is a rewarding experience throughout the year. This afternoon, a new exhibition titled Creations of a Colourful Mind opened, showcasing a collection of contemporary paintings.
The colourful paintings that adorn the ancient castle walls are the latest work of three talented local artists; Olivia O’Keeffe, Martina Furlong and Marja van Kempen, and part of a joint creative journey where their unique, distinctive style and self-expression is evident.
Marja van Kampen is a full-time painter and printmaker, born in the Netherlands, and moved to Ireland in 1982. She recently moved to Enniscorthy where she set up a new art facility at the IFA Centre.
A Wexford native, Martina Furlong from Galbally, near Bree, paints and exhibits landscapes and abstracts for lovers of colourful, tactile art in her studio gallery at Oulart. Her work has been widely acclaimed and exhibited on numerous occasions.
Born in Cork, Olivia O’Keeffe is now resident in the Netherlads and proudly describes herself as ‘an Irish artist’ with the desire to create a basic instinct and a necessity, connecting us to the universal source. “It’s all about creating and connecting, reflecting and sharing,” she told WexfordLocal.com.
Maria Nolan officially opened the exhibition. A local writer and artist involved in three films, Ms. Nolan praised the talented female artists and admired the vibrant colours in the paintings.
The current exhibition runs in Enniscorthy Castle until Friday, April 25thand moves to the Coastguard Cultural Centre, Tramore, Co. Waterford from April 27th to May 31st.
Yesterday (Thursday) Revenue Officers seized 1,452,600 cigarettes at Rosslare Europort.
The cigarettes, branded Oscar Special Filter, Oscar Super Slims Blue and Mac Extra Filter Queens, have a retail value of over €1,310,000 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €1,036,000.
The cigarettes were discovered when an accompanied freight unit that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France was stopped and searched. The truck and trailer were also seized.
This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco in the shadow economy.
If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes or tobacco, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.
