WexfordLocal.com

Will Gorey relocate the Bus Stops?

**Could the Main Street bus stops be relocated further up the street closer to the Garda Station? (File Pic; Gorey Main Street).**

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council meeting

The relocation of the Bus Stop from Main Street in Gorey town was raised again today (Tuesday) at the monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre. Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen presided.

Cllr Anthony Donohoe raised the matter of relocating the bus stops off the Main Street and he sought information on the matter. He believed that the relocation would be to the Railway Station, as has been mentioned on previous occasions, however, Roads Engineer Joanne Kehoe informed the meeting that the relocation was under review, but consideration is being given to moving the bus stops to the vicinity of Gorey Garda Station.

The matter stays there for the moment, but the District Manager’s (Philip Knight) Report records that a meeting took place between Wexford County Council officials and representatives from Gorey Chamber of Commerce whose members raised several suggestions that they felt may enhance the town. Top of the list was to relocate the bus stops from Main Street to the railway station, but it now appears that the likely relocation is to the Garda Station/Christ Church less active area of Main Street.

The Chamber also suggested to the Council to consider purchasing lands adjacent to Esmonde Street for the provision of car parking, carry out work on Esmonde Street during the night, improve lighting on Paul Funge Boulevard, pursue available land that is currently for sale on The Avenue and improve all footpaths by giving them a thorough clean

Gorey’s Cllr Bolger supports rural policing

By Dan Walsh

Cllr. Andrew Bolger has stated that he is glad to see the Garda numbers have recently increased in Gorey and Courtown. “It’s a campaign that I have been lobbying now for several years and matters I have addressed previously being brought up again. It’s an important issue.

When first becoming a councillor, Cllr Bolger remembers writing to then-Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan, about the lack of Garda resources. “Not much has changed it’s gotten worse. Fine Gael should look internally. They have held the senior Justice portfolio since 2011.”

Cllr. Bolger states that “while Fine Gael held the ministry in 2013 Gorey lost its Garda District status and became a sub-station of Enniscorthy. “I would say that makes us a poor relation when the resources are divided out. It was the wrong decision. I have a keen interest in the administration of justice because my background is in law, I fear that the spotlight is now on policing in Dublin. I would urge Minister Helen McEntee not to forget the rural stations, said Cllr. Bolger who acknowledges that the allocation of Garda numbers falls to the Garda Commissioner.

In conclusion, Cllr Bolger stated; “I’m asking for Minister Helen McEntee and the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to consider the lack of resources in North Wexford and put the will into reinstating Gorey and Courtown as more than a sub-station of its neighbour in Enniscorthy.”

Enniscorthy town centre in the news

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal Council meeting

Referring to the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan, which is now with An Bord Pleanála and the Part 8 planning process, Cllr Jackser Owens raised some concerns at today’s (Monday) meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council at the Council Chamber in the Presentation Centre. Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Rourke presided.

Cllr Owens told the meeting that “taking out 23 parking places in Market Square is a bad decision, however Cllr Aidan Browne felt “it is a great plan, and we should be positive about it.”

Cllr Owens also raised concerns about the ‘pedestrianisation’ of Rafter Street from 10 am to 5.30pm daily. Cllr Owens noticed a lot of traffic using the street during the day and, not for the first time, he was critical of refuse vehicles removing ‘stinking rubbish’ while people were using outdoor facilities for their morning coffee and a chat. “It is disgraceful,” said Cllr Owens, who wondered; “When is the Council going to look at the situation and have it stopped.”

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan referred to “the rough surface” on Rafter Street and said; “it is dirty and should be cleaned.” Engineer Neville Shaw said the streets are given a major clean twice and year and the next scheduled clean is coming soon.

Rafter Street has been progressive in recent times. After 12 years dereliction at the old Dunnes Stores site, HomeSavers moved in there at the end of 2020, a new pharmacy opened, and along with a variety of long established businesses it is a busy and welcoming shopping environment.

There is also a pending population growth with the encouragement to target the reuse and refurbishment of vacant residential floors of mixed-use buildings and plans to re-populate ‘over the premises’ property in the town centre.

Safety concerns at school pencil bollards

**Safety concerns expressed at Enniscorthy Municipal Council meeting over St Aidan’s Parish School pencil bollards on Convent Road.**

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal Council meeting

The Active Travel team who completed the ‘Safe Routes to School’ design and plans at St. Aidan’s Parish School is to be summoned before the next meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council to address concerns around the pencil bollards, which have become a feature at the school entrance recently.

The matter came before today’s (Monday) monthly meeting of the Council held in the Council Chamber at the Presentation Centre when Cllr Jackser Owens submitted a motion calling “to have the barrier rails put back on the path outside St. Aidan’s Parish School.” Cllr Owens had raised the matter at the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council last week.

Cllr Owens said there were about 900 students in the school, he is unhappy about the pencil bollards, which are about one metre apart, and he called for the barrier, which he claims has been there for about 70 years, (???) to be put back in place.

Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Rourke reminded the members that all six had agreed to the proposal at the November meeting, 2022, and said it was ‘a health and safety issue’. Back then the adoption of the plan was proposed by Cllr Owens and seconded by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy and was accepted and financed under the Green Schools scheme supported by An Taisce, the National Transport Authority and Wexford County Council.

Cllr Aidan Browne spoke about safety outside the school and agreed “we did all vote for it.” Cllr Murphy added it was a “safety issue” and stated the barrier was removed to prevent a crush injury.

At this point, Cllr Cathal Byrne proposed to “bring the Active Travel team before the next meeting to address concerns. “Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan seconded.

The pencil shaped bollards were amongst the safety measures proposed for the school zone in the ‘Safe Routes to School at St. Aidan’s Parish School’ and it was claimed in the plan that “Pencil bollards on footpaths highlight the front of school and prevents parking on the footpaths.” It also proposed the replacement of guard rails at the front of school with narrow planters and pencil themed bollards.

The work has included the addition of speed ramps, raised pedestrian crossing, changes to the paving surface within the school zone, widening of footpaths, micro art on footpaths, the iconic pencil bollards, and a periodic speed limit of 30km/h on Convent Road.

Another double for Jack Hendrick

**Runners taking the bend at picturesque Tinahely point-to-point races today.**

By Dan Walsh at Fairwood, Tinahely

For the second successive day Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick has ridden a double, yesterday at Oldcastle, Co. Meath and today (Sunday) at the Bray Harriers point-to-point held in excellent weather conditions at Fairwood, Tinahely.

Hendrick was aboard The Jukebox Kid who made it easy in the heavy conditions to score by 16 lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings for the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership and Ballindaggin handler Cormac Doyle.

Monbeg Farm Racing, Cormac Doyle and Jack Hendrick shared the double success when Borna Gem came home two and a half lengths to the good in the mares’ maiden race for five-year-olds and upwards. Both winners are heading for the sales.

Jack Hendrick is now in third place with 13 winners for the season behind Barry O’Neill and Derek O’Connor.

The maiden race for four-year-olds concluded in an eight lengths victory for Heroes Rise handled by John Paul Brennan, Moonasootha, Camolin, running in the colours of Marie Brennan, and ridden by Tinahely rider James Walsh, who was bred next to the Fairwood track by P. Rothwell.

Portlaoise rider Holly Dunne will remember her trip to Tinahely, today, where she rode her first winner, Plan of Attack for Benjamin Halsall with two and a half lengths to spare.

Joanna Watson was also on the winner’s list. She partnered Wise Move for owner/handler John O’Donovan from Mallow and scored by four lengths in the Winners of Two race.

The maiden race for six-years-old and upwards geldings’ race was won by Ocodango Boy handled by Peter McCreery in Kildare and a third winner for Lee Shanahan, (21), from Tallaght, Dublin,

There was also a point-to-point in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary today where the father and son team of Liam Kenny, handler, and James Kenny, rider, Craanford, Gorey, were successful with newcomer Saint Malinas by two and a half lengths in the fibe-year-old geldings maiden race.

Double for Jack Hendrick

By Dan Walsh

Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick was the man in form at the Ward Union point-to-point at Oldcastle, Co. Meath today (Saturday) where he enjoyed two winners.

First on the board was newcomer Big Zouk, owned and handled by Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, who triumphed by a length in division two of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

**JACK HENDRICK.. a double at Oldcastle, Co. Meath today.**

Hendrick doubled up with a six lengths success on Dancing Sky, owned and handled by Thomas Byrne, Kilmore, in the maiden race for mares aged five-years-old or over.

Handler and rider, father and son, John Edward Walsh and James Walsh from Tinahely, were also successful in the Royal County. They enjoyed a victory with Cash Cut by ‘a head’ verdict in the maiden for six-year-old and over gelding’s race.

Tomorrow (Sunday) the Bray Harriers stage the annual point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, with the goodwill of their neighbours, Shillelagh & District Hunt, and the first of six races commence at 1pm.

There is a total of 89 entries and the latest on the ground conditions reads “soft to heavy, heavy in places”. Fingers are crossed for a strong attendance.

Almost €6.5m drugs seized at Rosslare

**JASPER the detector dog was on duty at Rosslare Europort on Friday** (File Pic; Revenue)

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers seized approximately 288.6kg of herbal cannabis, 72.8kg of cannabis resin and 3.3kg of cocaine, with an estimated value of €6,443,640, at Rosslare Europort, yesterday (Friday).

The illicit drugs were discovered within the load when an accompanied freight unit, which had earlier disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France, was stopped and searched, with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner and detector dog, Jasper,

A man in his 40s was arrested by An Garda Síochána and is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda Station in County Wexford. Investigations are ongoing.

This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.

Wexford adopts draft Climate Action Plan

By Dan Walsh

The draft Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 was adopted by the elected members at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held in the Council Chamber at Carricklawn, Wexford.

Speaking of the adoption of the plan, Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services Housing, Community, Libraries & Arts, Environment & Climate Change, Emergency Management said: “The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Amendment Act 2021 required Wexford County Council to produce a Climate Action Plan. This plan incorporates actions that will aid both Wexford County Council and the people of County Wexford to contribute to reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) by the required 51% by 2030.”

**CLLR MARY FARRELL…Chair of the Climate Change Strategic Policy Committee**

Cllr Mary Farrell, chair of the Climate Change, Biodiversity & Environment Strategic Policy Committee, added; “This Climate Action Plan will allow County Wexford to transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy.”

County Councils in Ireland were tasked by the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to create a plan that laid out the specific actions they would be taking to assist their county in meeting climate objectives.

The actions laid out in this document are the foundation of the Council’s climate action for the next five years. There are 133 actions listed within this plan and are across the following areas: Governance and Leadership, Built Environment and Transport, Natural Environment and Green Infrastructure, Communities, Resilience and Transition and Sustainability and Resource Management.

The role of Wexford County Council is to implement actions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from across our own assets and infrastructure. However, Wexford County Council will also take on the role of influencing and facilitating others to meet their own targets, within the county.

The adopted Wexford County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 will be published on www.wexfordcoco.ie from 12^th March 2024. Hardcopies of the plan will be available at County Hall and all Municipal District Offices.

Community unites to ‘breathe life back into Courtown’

By Dan Walsh

At a pivotal meeting convened by the Courtown Regeneration Partnership and held in Riverchapel, residents and businesses addressed the multi-faceted challenges plaguing Courtown, including issues of degeneration, the loss of tourist accommodation, and the delay in progressing critical infrastructure projects.

The meeting commenced with a candid acknowledgment of the serious issues faced by Courtown. Linda Sinnott of Courtown Community Council summarised the frustrations of those gathered; “Courtown stands at a critical juncture, grappling with an extraordinary burden that necessitates urgent and targeted Council investment and support. The success of any tourist area depends on its beauty, its allure and the public’s perception of safety and enjoyment.”

In a sobering moment, a local resident articulated the stark reality faced by Courtown, describing the once vibrant resort as being in its ‘death throes’ and in dire need of development and investment.

Deirdre Robinson said; “Supporting a beach re-nourishment project for Courtown not only revitalises the shoreline and reinstates our central tourist amenity but potentially also opens the door for other attractive, appropriately scaled development – for example a potential new marina that fits well with the local landscape and enhances the coastal area.

Labour candidate for the forthcoming local elections, Lorna Fitzpatrick called for more transparency and proactive communication from Wexford Council. “The community yearns for a clearer understanding of the path forward on these projects, meaningful engagement with them and a tangible commitment to turning these aspirational projects into concrete realities,” she stated.

The meeting also heard that plans have yet to be submitted for the proposed large-scale hotel on Courtown’s public carpark – the site of the recent controversial ‘land swap’ between developer Thomas O’Loughlin and Wexford County Council. Mr O’Loughlin confirmed before the meeting that plans would be submitted soon to Wexford County Council, and it was agreed that the CRP (Courtown Regeneration Project) would appeal to Mr O’Loughlin to convene a special meeting to facilitate the presentation of these plans directly to the community in advance of their submission.

The meeting also heard a proposal by Courtown Community Council to establish a new “Harbour Tourist Hub” on the site of the old Tara Hall. The ambitious plans outlined a much-needed dynamic space that would not only cater to tourists but also serve as a catalyst for local economic growth and community engagement.

Attendees voiced their enthusiastic support for this initiative, with Cllrs Joe Sullivan and Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin saying they would support the Council investing in it “one hundred per cent”.

Linda Sinnott stressed the importance of this kind of Council investment in Courtown’s regeneration and she concluded; “With a history marred by neglect, Courtown’s community development remains stifled. Council investment is not merely an economic imperative; it is a moral obligation to uplift a community that shoulders a disproportionate share of challenges. We need to see decisive movement now to get things done. We’re now uniting as a community to breathe life back into Courtown, steering it away from decline and towards a vibrant, sustainable future. We ask Wexford Co Council and our elected representatives for their full support and co-operation in confronting these challenges and transforming Courtown’s trajectory.”

New Ross ‘Save Our Post Office’ rally

**Cllrs Pat Barden, Michael Sheehan and John Fleming and the large crowds at the ‘Save Our Post Office’ rally in Charles Street, New Ross, today.**

By Dan Walsh in New Ross

More than 300 people gathered outside New Ross Post Office on Charles Street this evening to support the ‘Save Our Post Office’ campaign to retain the services in the building owned by An Post and serving the community since 1904.

The rally was addressed by Cllrs Michael Sheehan, Cllr John Fleming, who is Chair of Wexford County Council, Cllr Pat Barden, Jer O’Mahoney, Chair of Wexford IFA and Cellie Irwin, Chair of New Ross Active Retirement Group. Paul Kelly acted as master of ceremonies.

AUDIO ADDITION; Cllrs Michael Sheehan, John Fleming and Pat Barden addressing the crowds at the ‘Save Our Post Office’ rally today.

The speeches were short and there were loud cheers as the call to ‘Save Our Post Office’ was uttered many times, the mood was calm but sincere and many in attendance took the opportunity to sign a petition.

In a statement recently, An Post said; “In line with the ongoing transformation of the national post office network An Post has announced that its office in New Ross will become a contractor run post office. New Ross joins the mainstream of national post offices of which more than 95% of the country’s 900 plus offices which are run by contractors. Fewer than 40 post offices nationally are run directly by An Post.

“It is likely that a new location for the post office will be sought by the new Postmaster. In this event the landmark red brick building on Charles Street will be sold as it is owned outright by An Post.

HISTORY; New Ross Post Office was erected on Charles Street to a design examined (1904) by Thomas John Mellon (d. 1922), Principal Surveyor to the Board of Public Works (appointed 1893), representing an important component of the early 20^th century-built heritage of New Ross with architectural value.

It is a detached two-bay single-storey post office, designed 1904; opened 1905, on a rectangular plan with single-bay single-storey side elevations; three-bay single-storey return block (north).