Trawler drama off the Wexford coast

By Dan Walsh

LÉ William Butler Yeats. (Pic; Irish Defence Forces)

Two men, who are not Irish nationals, have been arrested after their fishing trawler suspected to be carrying a large haul of cocaine ran aground on a sandbank off the Blackwater coast at around 11.30pm on Sunday night.

It is understood that the trawler was being tracked by the Irish Navy’s LÉ William Butler Yeats, reportedly carrying members of the Garda National Drugs Squad on board.

The Irish Coast Guard and Rescue 117 helicopter were also involved as were Rosslare RNLI Lifeboat who spent six hours trying to attach a tow-line in a huge swell and strong winds. The men were winched from the stricken vessel by Rescue 117 and handed over to the authorities.

Today (Monday) there was a military presence off the Wexford coast at Ballyconnigar with the football grounds at Castlebridge used as an operations location.

The Garda press office has said it is not commenting because that a live operation is ongoing now while the naval service has also not made any comment. The RNLI press office is offline tonight.

Gold medal Darragh joins Fine Gael team

Fine Gael candidates for the 2024 Local Elections in the Gorey Electoral area; Edel Gahan, Darragh McDonald and Cllr Anthony Donohoe pictured at the Convention held in the Coach House, Gorey. (Pic; Fine Gael).

By Dan Walsh

Darragh McDonald who won a gold medal swimming the 400-metre freestyle final at the 2012 Paralympic Games held in London, joins Cllr Anthony Donohoe and Edel Gahan on the Fine Gael ticket for the 2024 local elections in the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District.

The nominations were confirmed at the Gorey Local Election Convention, which was attended by over 100 Fine Gael members in the Coach House, Gorey. Senator Barry Ward chaired the convention which was attended by Deputy Paul Kehoe.

Senator Ward congratulated the candidates and wished them well in the local elections taking place in June next year.

“It was great to see so many this evening, thank you for inviting me to chair the Gorey Local Election Convention. Not a bad turn out for a rainy Monday night!,” said Senator Ward, who added; “My heartfelt wishes to outgoing Cllr Diarmuid Devereux, who is retiring from Wexford County Council at the end of this term.”

Each candidate laid out their vision for Gorey and the surrounding areas and the gathering was addressed by Deputy Paul Kehoe who offered his support in their campaigns going forward.

Congratulations were offered to the selection of Cllr Anthony Donohoe, from Annagh, who was first elected in 2014 and is looking for support at the ballot box for the third time; Edel Gahan from Monamolin, a well-known community activist and Fine Gael stalwart who contested the 2019 local elections, and Darragh McDonald, who is well-known to many in the Gorey area for his Paralympic champion status.

Through social media, Darragh McDonald told WexfordLocal.com; “I am delighted to share that I have been formally selected to contest next year’s local election. Having grown up in Gorey and called North Wexford home for my whole life, I am committed to making sure the area gets the attention it needs to thrive and the support it needs for continued growth and success. Over the coming months, I will be canvassing throughout North Wexford and look forward to discussing any local issues with you.”

Rain fails to dampen Courtown Woods walk

Braving the elements in leafy Courtown Woods at yesterday’s event for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

By Dan Walsh

Around 60 enthusiastic outdoors lovers braved the yellow weather warnings on Sunday morning and successfully negotiated the leafy three-kilometre circuit leading to the High Cross of Kilbride in the environmentally friendly haven of Courtown Woods.

The event was inaugurated by Catherine O’Leary, National Community Engagement Manager, along with Mary Conroy Thomas from ASI Riverchapel and Linda Sinnott from Courtown Community Council.

A poignant moment of reflection took place at the High Cross, where a heartfelt memory poem was recited aloud. Following the walk, participants enjoyed light refreshments at Active Tribe. “A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed in making this day truly special,” stated Linda Sinnott to WexfordLocal.com.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland opened a new Day Care branch at Riverchapel in North Wexford last April which provides day care services for people living with dementia in the area. The society also provides home care supports to 90 families across Wexford. These supports are a lifeline for many families who have a loved one living with dementia.

Sinn Féin Loch Garman announces election team

Cllrs Tom Forde and Davy Hynes and Lorraine Smyth and Sinn Féin Loch Garman team announce plans for next year’s local elections. (Pic; Sinn Féin)

By Dan Walsh

Sinn Féin Loch Garman has announced its largest ever team to contest the 2024 local elections in Wexford Town Local Electoral Area where sitting members Tom Forde and Davy Hynes will be joined on the ticket by businesswoman, Lorraine Smyth.

Lorraine Smyth said; “I am thrilled to be joining Tom and Davy as we embark on this journey of change together. Our aim is to tackle the pressing issues facing our community head-on and work tirelessly to create a better future for all in Co. Wexford. I also look forward to working with our colleagues in Dáil Éireann and in particular with our TD Johnny Mythen to deliver a fairer, equal and United Ireland.”

Cllr. Tom Forde, also expressed his enthusiasm, saying; “I am truly delighted to be selected as a Sinn Féin candidate once again. I have worked hard to dedicate myself to this community during this last Council term, and I look forward to continuing my work, focusing on implementing Sinn Féin policies that we believe will improve the lives of our constituents”.

Returning veteran councillor Davy Hynes, echoed this sentiment, stating; “It’s an honour to be chosen as a Sinn Féin representative in this critical election. We are dedicated to bringing positive change to Wexford, and I’m excited to be a part of this dynamic team. I have worked hard to support the people of Wexford over the last 20 years, and I believe that we can support the constituents on the issues that really matter to them as part of this larger Sinn Féin team”

Sinn Féin TD for Wexford, Teachta Johnny Mythen, who topped the poll in the last general election, said; “Sinn Féin, as a party, stands firmly behind policies that address key concerns affecting all Irish citizens in the areas of housing, healthcare, cost of living, and the pursuit of a United Ireland.

Deputy Mythen concluded; “Our team in Wexford are on the doorsteps every single weekend, talking to constituents, helping with issues, and offering support and guidance. I can’t think of a more community-minded and dedicated team than Davy, Lorraine and Tom to lead our members in Wexford town into these important elections next year and I’m proud to call them my colleagues, my friends and, if the people are willing, our three future Wexford Town County Councillors.”

Drugs and cash seizures in Co. Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Seized drugs and cash (Pic; An Garda Siochána)

Gardaí have made significant drugs and cash seizures in Co. Wexford over the past two weeks.

Officers seized drugs including heroin, mephedrone, cocaine and cannabis worth about €50,000.

Cash worth €40,800 was also recovered during searches under Operation Tara from September 8th-22nd.

Gardaí arrested nine people – six men and two women aged from their 20s to their 50s have already appeared before the courts.

A woman in her 40s remains in custody at a garda station in the county.

Two out of the next local elections!

By Dan Walsh

It was a week of shocks in local politics when two of Wexford County Council’s most prominent members, Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan (Fine Gael) and Cllr Maura Bell (The Labour Party), both confirmed that they will not be contesting the 2024 elections to Wexford County Council.

CLLR KATHLEEN CODD-NOLAN

Cllr Codd-Nolan was first elected for Fine Gael in the Enniscorthy Municipal District in 2004 and has retained her seat since. She created her own piece of history when she became the first woman to serve a full term of Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council and was also Leas-Chathaoirleach in 2012-2013.

Cllr Codd-Nolan who lives in Ballycarney served as Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council on three occasions. He reason for bowing out of politics comes under the heading of spending more time with her family and relieving the pressure on her time as a serving public representative.

CLLR MAURA BELL

Cllr Bell was first elected to Wexford County Council in 2019 and had the honour of becoming only the fourth woman ever to be elected Mayor of Wexford in the Borough’s 700-year history following in the footsteps of Avril Doyle (1975), Helen Corish Wylde (1990) and Philomena Roche (2006).

Cllr Bell said; “While it’s been an honour to represent my community as a member of Wexford County Council these past four years, and particularly as Mayor of Wexford in 2022/23, I have many of my own projects which will require more of my attention than I am able to commit to at the present moment.”

Best wishes for a happy retirement have been universally expressed to both Cllr Codd-Nolan and Cllr Bell and with about eight months to run until the next local elections it is anticipated that more well-known names will not be on the ballot papers next time.

Fórsa industrial action deferred

By Dan Walsh

BREAKING NEWS; WexfordLocal.com has learned late last night that a planned escalation of industrial action by workers in local authorities has been deferred to facilitate talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Monday.

This news broke after the story had been filed and read as follows. Please note the changes.

Members of the Fórsa trade union working in local authorities, including Wexford County Council, are taking industrial action as part of a dispute to achieve job evaluation.

The union has accused local authority management of refusing to engage meaningfully on the establishment of a job evaluation scheme for workers.

Job evaluation assesses if a job’s grade is properly matched to its duties and responsibilities.

The industrial action sees an indefinite ban on non-statutory political representations from TDs, senators and councillors.

Today (Friday), there will be a 24-hour e-mail ban which will entail staff who are members of Fórsa not sending or responding to e-mails.

There will be a 48-hour telephone ban next Tuesday and Wednesday, September 26th and 27th for all Fórsa members.

It is important to note that contingencies will be in place to deal with emergencies.

Those seeking homeless service support should present as normal.

Fórsa represents more than 12,000 local government and services workers including clerical, administrative, management, technical and professional staff.

€19m contract for Enniscorthy water scheme

ENNISCORTHY (File Pic).

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Wexford County Council has announced the signing of a major new construction contract that will result in critical upgrades and investment to the Enniscorthy Regional Water Supply Scheme.

The €19 million investment will provide a reliable and sustainable water supply and the project which will begin in the coming months, will address bottlenecks in key parts of the water network, improve efficiencies and controls at the plant in Vinegar Hill, and provide a reliable and sustainable water supply for over 11,000 people in Enniscorthy and surrounding areas. 

The work will involve the replacement of the raw water intake facility at Clonhaston, the construction of a new pumping station, and the re-routing of 2km of water mains to facilitate the transfer of water from the River Slaney to Vinegar Hill Water Treatment Plant. 

This, together with an upgrade to the water treatment facilities at Vinegar Hill, will ensure that a sufficient supply of treated water is available at the plant and that treatment processes are enhanced and modernised to provide a safer, more secure drinking water supply, in compliance with current EU drinking water quality regulations. 

Diane Carroll, Infrastructure Delivery Portfolio Manager at Uisce Éireann, told WexfordLocal.com; “This project is an important milestone and represents a significant investment by Uisce Éireann for the people of Enniscorthy. The improved infrastructure will provide a safer, more secure drinking water supply to homes and businesses in Enniscorthy. This vital project will also ensure that water is treated to the highest standards, providing a reliable and robust drinking water supply for current and future generations.”

David Walsh Civil Engineering Ltd have been appointed on behalf of Uisce Éireann to carry out these works and the project is set to be completed in 2025.

Wexford Walking Festival

Wexford Walking Festival happens this weekend starting in Ferns on Friday evening.

This year’s festival will highlight three accredited and very different walking trails. The walks are graded easy to moderate and are suitable for people of all ages.

Ballybrittas Dolmen Trail at Bree Hill.

Friday, September 22nd: A one hour guided easy walk along the Ferns Village Trail. The walk will be followed by a Reception and Festival Launch in St. Mogue’s Cottage, Ferns.

Saturday, September 23rd; A 13km looped, moderate walk from Carne to Carnesore Point. Refreshments available afterwards in the Lighthouse Pub.

Sunday, September 24th; To coincide with National Walking Day, a 6.5km moderate walk will lead walkers along the Ballybrittas Dolmen Trail, Bree Hill. Refreshments will be served afterwards in Bree Community Centre.

Walkers are asked to register online prior to the event at https://wexfordwalkingfestival2023.eventbrite.ie

For further information go to Wexford Walking Trails website at https://wexfordwalkingtrail.ie/wexford-walking-trail…/

Book tells the story of Coollattin

By Dan Walsh at Coollattin House

The history and heritage of Coollattin House, soon to be located in the new Wicklow-Wexford electoral constituency, is one of the finest country houses  anywhere in the country and it is destined for further fame following the launch of Kevin Lee’s brilliant book, Coollattin, in the presence of an overflowing attendance in Coollattin House this evening.

KEVIN and ELEANOR LEE at the launch of their book COOLLATTIN this evening.

Described as a labour of love for author Kevin Lee and his wife Eleanor, from Carnew, the academic book is complete with references, timelines and a comprehensive history of the Coollattin Estate, the work was launched by Deirdre Burns, Wicklow Heritage Officer.

“Kevin has been working on this latest book for decades, and it really represents his life’s work. It was meant to be launched four years ago, but it got caught up in the pandemic, so he turned his attention elsewhere in the meantime and wrote three other books. So, while this is the fourth book of Kevin’s to be published, it was meant to be the first one,” stated Ms. Burns.

The lockdowns did bring with them something positive – they allowed the hugely popular ‘Liars Bench’ and ‘Under the Fox’ to come on stream.

Kevin Lee said; “In preparation for our famine summer school in 2022, the book ‘Shoeboxes’ was written and published. This book tells the story of 50 famine emigrant families from south Wicklow who emigrated through the port of New Ross and is proving immensely popular in Canada and the United States.

Conor Lenihan acted as master of ceremonies and Anna Gahan, Coláiste Bhride, Carnew, read some extracts from the book. There was a large attendance, refreshments were served and the sales staff were kept busy.

Coollattin; The history of Ireland’s mysterious estate and its pivotal role in the birth of Canada, by Kevin Lee, is now on sale in all good bookshops.