Over the course of past week, commencing on December 30th, Revenue officers seized contraband, with an estimated value of €260,000, in various operations in Dublin and Rosslare.
The cigarettes and tobacco were seized when Revenue officers stopped and search passengers passing through Rosslare Europort.
This included 1,380 cigarettes, with an estimated value of €1,250 and representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €600, and 6.1kg of tobacco, with an estimated value of €5,400 and representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €4,100.
The illicit drugs were discovered, with the assistance of detector dogs Ciara and Enzo, by Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises in Dublin. The parcels had originated in the UK, Spain, India and Thailand, and were destined for addresses nationwide.
The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights.
Investigations into all seizures are ongoing.
These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.
Manager of Wexford General Hospital, Linda O’Leary, said; “We’re very excited to share the first images of the Somerton Suite with the people of Wexford. It’s something the people of Wexford should be very excited about,” (artists impression).
By Dan Walsh
Plans for development at Wexford General Hospital are underway, but it could be three to five years before the works are completed and all beds are occupied.
Beginning with a multi-storey car park and enabling works, the development will see that car park available for use as of January 2026. Thereafter, the much publicised and promised 97-bed unit – to be named the Somerton Wing- will commence work with a partial to full occupation anticipated as of the early months of 2028.
It is reported that upgrade works have begun this week and works to install a permanent MRI facility at Wexford General Hospital also began this week with an anticipated completion date of late January 2026 and operational use expected by the summer of the same year.
The six-storey Somerton Suite will be constructed towards the front of the hospital, where the current car park is. The long-sought extension will consist of three general wards, one specialist ward, occupational therapy and physical therapy rooms, a staff changing area and other ancillary accommodation.
Manager of Wexford General Hospital, Linda O’Leary, said; “We’re very excited to share the first images of the Somerton Suite with the people of Wexford. It’s something the people of Wexford should be very excited about,” she concluded.
Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Hildegarde Naughton were both in Gorey today (Tuesday) and officially opened Scoil Chnoc Ghuaire -Gorey Hill Special School- in the town.
The special school provides an appropriate education for students, aged 4 to 18 years old, who have complex learning needs or a diagnosis of autism and complex learning needs.
The Taoiseach said; “I am delighted to see schools like Gorey Hill Special School opening in the community. The school provides a vital role in providing tailored education for children with additional needs and are designed to offer children an environment where they can thrive both academically and socially.
“Although we are making good progress in this area, we need to do more, and we will continue to work hard to deliver for children with additional needs.
“With the Budget announced for this year, over €2.9 billion will be allocated to provide supports for children with special educational needs.”
Government Chief Whip and Minister of State with Special Education and Inclusion, Hildegarde Naughton said; “I am so happy to see Gorey Hill Special School officially opened. This is such an exciting and important day, especially for the children and young people who are at the very heart of everything we celebrate today.
“These schools are a place where children will feel welcomed, supported, and valued for who they are. It will be a place where they can grow, learn, and achieve in a way that suits their unique strengths and abilities.
“Every child deserves to feel connected to their school and community which will be made a reality in the new special school in Gorey,” concluded Minister Naughton.
Gorey is now in the new 3-seat constituency of Wicklow-Wexford and local elected TD’s Brian Brennan, Malcolm Byrne and Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin were in attendance.
The new constituency also includes the jurisdiction of many members of Wexford County Council, representing the Gorey-Kilmuckridge district, however, today’s event appears to have omitted an invitation for the public representatives from this huge district that will be taking important local issues before the Wexford local authority?
ENNISCORTHY GARDA STATION (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Gardai in Enniscorthy is investigating a case of breaking into and theft from a parked car on Irish Street, Enniscorthy, this morning (Tuesday).
The incident took place at 6.30am outside Creative Grounds and opposite Dunnes Stores.
Two males wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and dark tops with hoodies were seen by a few witnesses but no identities yet.
Anyone with clear CCTV or dashcam footage from the area at that time are asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on 053 9242580, the Garda Confidential line 1800 666111or any Garda Station.
Slices of cake to celebrate Nollaig na mBan was the order of the day at Wexford County Council headquarters today. Cllr Catherine Biddy Walsh, Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Chairperson of Wexford Women’s Coalition (with the knife!) and Cllr Bridín Murphy with help from her darling daughter ramp up the celebrations and welcome 2025. (Pic; Wexford County Council).
By Dan Walsh
The Wexford Women’s Coalition wing of Wexford County Council today celebrated Nollaig na mBan 2025 in true traditional style… they baked a cake for the occasion!
The event was celebrated by the Wexford Women’s Coalition when they joined staff of Wexford County Council to mark the day.
Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy, Chairperson of the Women’s Coalition said; “It was important that everyone took the time today to celebrate the women in their lives that made them the person they are today.”
The Women’s Coalition which consists of the seven female elected members of Wexford County Council wish to ensure that this traditional day dedicated to women is highlighted in recognition of the role of women both inside and outside the home, to keep the tradition alive and perhaps create new ones.
The female members of the Council elected last June are Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Mary Farrell, Lisa McDonald, Bridín Murphy, who is Cathoairleach of New Ross Municipal District Council. Catherine Biddy Walsh, recently elected Mayor of Wexford, AoifeRose O’Brien and Vicky Barron.
Nollaig na mBan, which can be translated from Irish as ‘Women’s Christmas’ and is one of Ireland’s biggest traditions and is observed on January 6th, which is also the feast day of the Epiphany.
Traditionally Nollaig na mBan was celebrated in homes around Ireland where women who had worked so hard over the Christmas period to provide food and festivities for their family took the day off cooking and other household duties to gather with friends.
In more recent times events to mark ‘Women’s Christmas’ or ‘Little Christmas’ have grown to include social events outside the home.
Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann has issued a Boil Water Notice to protect the health of approximately 1,723 customers supplied by the Ferns public water supply.
This notice is being issued due to elevated turbidity which has affected treatment at Ferns Water Treatment Plant.
“We regret any inconvenience caused for impacted customers once again. The notice has been put in place to protect the health of customers on the Ferns Public Water Supply,” said Jim Fitzgerald of Uisce Éireann, who added; “Public health is our number one priority, and we would like to assure customers that we are working to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible.”
All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking.
Water must be boiled for:
Drinking;
Drinks made with water;
Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating;
Brushing of teeth;
Making of ice – discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water.
Customers can check if their property is included by visiting www.water.ie and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278.
UPDATE;Following an 8am inspection today (Sunday) the scheduled Shillelagh & District Hunt point-to-point fixture at Fairwood, Tinahely, has been cancelled.
The popular Tinahely venue falls under the Status Orange warnings for Wicklow due to a forecasted cold snap.
A Status Orange snow-ice warning for Wicklow came into effect for 24 hours at 5pm today.
Met Éireann issued a Status Orange rain and snow warning that came into effect at 5pm this evening (Saturday) and remains in place for 24 hours, with the possibility of significant accumulations expected.
At the 48-hour course inspections, the going at Tinahely was “Yielding to Soft, Soft in places.” The track was raceable at the time.
The entry for the six races stands at 72 and the first race is off at 12.30pm.
WexfordLocal.com will update readers on this page on Sunday morning as soon as the outcome news of the 8am inspection becomes officially available.
As temperatures fall below zero, Uisce Éireann is reminding people to protect their water pipes from the freezing weather. Water expands by nearly 10% as it freezes and turns into ice, which stops the flow of water through pipes. This can even cause new pipes to split.
Uisce Éireann is urging people do their bit to help avoid expensive repairs and a disrupted water supply at home or in their business/farm by taking a few easy preventative measures.
These include checking outside pipes that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and, if possible, turn off water supply to these areas or to any unoccupied premises.
Alternatively, people may consider setting the heating to come on periodically at a lower temperature. This allows warm air to circulate and will help to prevent pipes and tanks from freezing in the cold weather.
MARGARET ATTRIDGE spokesperson for Uisce Éireann.
Uisce Éireann spokesperson Margaret Attridge said to WexfordLocal.com today; “With temperatures dipping below zero it is very important to continue the regular maintenance of your property, protect outside taps and farm troughs, and check empty premises. It also a good idea to familiarise yourself with your own internal water system and particularly how to turn off your supply at the stopcock so that you can protect your property in the event of a burst pipe.”
Margaret is also asking people to conserve water and not to leave taps running as this will not necessarily prevent pipes from freezing and can impact on your local water supply. “We also recommend that people don’t run taps continually as this is not an effective way of preventing frozen pipes and can cause other problems such as frozen drains. It also puts further pressure on water supplies that are already challenged by the freezing conditions. Being mindful of water use at home, on farms and in businesses can make a big difference,” she added
To help people avoid issues like this and stay safe, warm and comfortable during the cold snap there are lots of helpful advice on Winterproofing | Help | Uisce Éireann .
The Uisce Éireann Customer Care Team is also available to help 24/7 on 1800 278 278.
A man has been charged with the murder of John O’Connor, (58), at Cluain Fada, New Ross, on New Year’s Eve.
Wayne Roche, 34, formerly of Dominic’s Place in Waterford, and currently of no fixed abode, appeared before a special late sitting of Wexford District Court on Thursday night.
Detective Garda Conor Walsh told the court that he arrested Mr Roche at 10.32am, on Thursday, January 2nd, and charged him with murder at 10.01pm.
Defence Barrister Donna Kelly made an application for free legal aid for Mr Roche.
Ms Kelly told the court that Mr Roche was not currently working and was a man of limited means.
Judge John O’Leary granted the request and assigned solicitor Lana Doherty.
Judge O’Leary also recommended that Mr Roche receive such medical and psychiatric attention as he may require while in custody.
No application for bail was made as the District Court cannot grant bail where an accused is charged with murder.
Judge John O’Leary remanded Mr Roche in custody to appear in Wexford District Court again on January 6th via video link.
JOCKEY JJ SLEVIN salutes the crowd following his second success in the Boylesports Irish Grand National on Intense Raffles at Fairyhouse last April deputising for the injured Daryl Jacob and wearing the ‘Double Green’ colours. (Pic; The Racing Post).
By Dan Walsh
Wexford jockey JJ Slevin, (32), got the best possible New Year’s news when announced as the new retained jockey for powerful owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and replacement for fellow Wexford jockey Daryl Jacob, who retired at Leopardstown last Sunday.
He has had a sensational start to his new job. Slevin lost no time in delivering double victories -Al Kalila (4/6 fav) and O’Toole (14/1) at Ayr in Scotland today (Thursday) – in the famous ‘Double Green’ colours both trained in Larne, Co. Antrim by Stuart Crawford.
Anthony Bromley, who manages the sizeable Munir and Souede enterprise spanning Britain, Ireland and France said; “It came as a slight surprise over Christmas when Daryl retired, but this means there will be a seamless transition because JJ’s a regular rider for us. We’ve got a strong connection with him, and it’ll hopefully work very neatly.
“We had a great 11 seasons with Daryl, so JJ’s got big boots to fill, but his Grade 1 strike-rate is incredible. He’s been a big-race jockey and we’ve known him for a long time. We’d call ourselves friends and he’s been a part of the double green team for a number of years.”
From Caim, near Enniscorthy, JJ who holds a degree in journalism from Griffith College, Dublin, expressed his delight; “I’ve known them for a good few years’ now. I’m really looking forward it and it’s a good role to get. Daryl had his last ride on Sunday and Simon called me after that and asked if I’d like to come aboard. Obviously, I was delighted to.
“I’m still going to ride for Sean and Bernardine Mulryan, and for Joseph [O’Brien], and that was important to me. Sean and Bernardine have been very good to me, and I will try to ride for them as much as I can, but it is a case now that Double Green are number one with Ballymore just behind,” added JJ.
Slevin triumphed in his second Boylesports Irish Grand National last April at Fairyhouse when Jacob was injured and he slipped into register his second victory on Intensive Raffles, trained by Thomas Gibney, in the ‘Double Green’ colours. He had ridden General Principle for Gordon Elliott to gain his first success in the 2018 Irish National.
JJ ‘James Joseph’ Slevin from Kiltra, Caim, Enniscorthy, began his career as an amateur rider and turned professional in August 2016. He has ridden more than 300 winners, including 34 under point-to-point rules. He has also won three times at the Cheltenham Festival.
Under the Rules, his first winner was Chapel Garden (John Clifford) Thurles, December 22, 2013. He has been associated with many trainers, including Joseph O’Brien,Gordon Elliott,Liz Doyle, Richie Rath, Sean Doyle and Shay Slevin.
He rode 34 point-to-point winners with his first success coming on Herecomestherain, trained by his father Shay, at Ballydarragh, Craanford, Gorey, on November 14th, 2010.
In all, he rode 11 winners as an amateur, including two for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies in Britain. His first success as a professional came when he dead-heated on the Sean Doyle-trained Craig Star with Liam Cusack’s Lasocar in the Tote Handicap Hurdle at Roscommon on August 29, 2016. Just four days later, he enjoyed his first outright success when Doyle’s Crosshue Boy landed the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan.
JJ was still an amateur when enjoying a notable success on the Richie Rath-trained Moylisha Tim in a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Cork in November 2015, but a higher profile success came his way at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2017 when he landed the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle on the Gordon Elliott-trained Champagne Classic.
