Long serving Wexford TD of 36 years Brendan Howlin has announced that he will not be contesting the next General Election.
A school teacher from Wexford town, the popular Labour Party deputy has represented Wexford in Dáil Éireann since 1987.
In a statement issued this morning, Deputy Howlin said; “It has been and remains the privilege of my life to have represented my beloved Wexford in nine consecutive Dáileanna. I am forever grateful for the support I have received for almost four decades from the Wexford people and the wonderful members of the Labour Party. I remember those friends and comrades who have passed on down the years whose loyalty and fellowship I will always treasure.
“I have been most fortunate to have held many public offices. I have been Leader and Deputy Leader of my party. I have served as a Cabinet Minister in three governments and witnessed the positive transformation of our country, both economically and culturally. I have had the opportunity to introduce into law many important and transformative pieces of legislation.”
Pictured at the Cumas Centre, New Ross were (left to right) Back Row; Rita Kavanagh, Board Member, Cllr Michael Sheehan, Mary Murphy, Board Member. Front Row; James Browne TD, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Anne Rabbitte TD, Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, and Sinead Foskan, General Manager, Cumas Centre New Ross.
By Dan Walsh
The Cumas Centre at Butlersland Industrial Estate in New Ross is to benefit from the provision of €140,000 as part of core funding from 2024 onwards.
Cllr Michael Sheehan told WexfordLocal.com that he and Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth were acutely aware that this funding, which was approved as a one-off payment for 2023 earlier this year, will give Cumas additional capacity in facing challenges related to their services.”
Fianna Fáil representative for the New Ross Municipal District, Cllr Sheehan, who is also a serving Board Member for the Cumas Centre, said; “Significantly, Minister Rabbitte and I recognised the benefits of Cumas’s special project in assisting school leavers to secure post-school placements appropriate to their needs and level of dependency.
“With Pobal’s support for the project coming to an end, I’m delighted to confirm that the HSE will now agree the details related to the core establishment of the Cumas New Ross School Leaver Programme. The HSE core funding will amount to €250,000 every year,” concluded Cllr Sheehan.
Uisce Éireann is encouraging the public in Wexford to consider the environment and alternatives to pesticides when gardening, farming and maintaining sports grounds and in turn improve the quality of local drinking water for homes and businesses.
While there has been significant progress nationally in recent years in reducing the impact of pesticide use on drinking water sources, Uisce Éireann’s compliance expert Thomas Gibbons and Teagasc’s Mary Roache told WexfordLocal.com that the lessons already learned should apply to supplies right across the country.
“There were 48 pesticide exceedances in public drinking water supplies in Ireland in 2022 and these were detected as part of Uisce Éireann’s public water supply monitoring programme from a total of more than 35,000 samples. We all need to consider the vulnerability of our local drinking water supplies to pesticide contamination and the importance of these supplies to our homes and businesses,” said Mr Gibbons.
“While Uisce Éireann’s consultation with the HSE has concluded that the levels of pesticides being detected in water supplies do not represent a threat to public health, they are still however undesirable in drinking water and it is therefore imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when using herbicides or pesticides and seek out alternatives,” explained Thomas Gibbons.
Teagasc’s Mary Roache’s said awareness is key to keeping our water supplies safe. “Some farmers and contractors may not have been aware that a tiny amount of pesticide spray in the water can be easily detected as far as 30km downstream and cause a breach of the limits.
“When I visit farmers the first question I ask is ‘do you need to use pesticide spray at all?’. My job is to make farmers think about what they are doing, why they are doing it and if there is an alternative. The advice given is individual to every farmer and completely confidential. Sometimes a small change in behaviour is all that is required. If they are still set on spraying their land, then I go through current regulations and the best practices with them so they can help protect water quality,” concluded Ms. Roache.
Engineering work will disrupt railway services serving the Rosslare Line and Wicklow, including DART on Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th, so commuters are asked to take note.
Both Dart and Commuter services will be affected by the work and will increase travel times. Irish Rail have posted the following details related to travel during the work:
Northbound rail services will operate between Rosslare Europort and Bray. A bus transfer will operate from Bray direct to Dublin Connolly. A second bus transfer will operate from Bray direct to Dun Laoghaire. Dublin Pearse and Tara Street stations will not be served by bus transfers.
Southbound: A bus transfer will operate between Dublin Connolly direct to Bray. A second bus transfer will operate between Dun Laoghaire direct to Bray. Rail services will operate between Bray and Rosslare Europort. Dublin Pearse and Tara Street stations will not be served by bus transfers.
DART: Services will operate between Malahide, Howth and Dun Laoghaire only. No service will operate between Dun Laoghire and Greystones. Sandycove & Glasthule, Glenageary, Dalkey, Killiney and Shankill, stations will be closed for rail services. Dublin Bus and Go Ahead Ireland will accept valid tickets within affected area.
A 14 year’s old boy is in Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin tonight following a road traffic collision at Ballylough on the R772 road between Scarawalsh and Ferns which occurred shortly before 2pm today (Tuesday).
It is reported locally that the boy, who is from the immediate area, had dismounted from a tractor when he was struck by a passing car.
Emergency services were quickly on the scene where paramedics with the National Ambulance Service (NAS) made the decision to seek the assistance of the NAS Air Corps 112 Air Ambulance.
Tonight, the teenager’s injuries are understood to be “serious” but “non-life threatening.”
The R772 between Scarawalsh roundabout and Ferns village remains closed overnight while a forensic investigation takes place. Diversions are in place.
Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident are asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on 053 9242580.
BARRY O’NEILL and COLIN BOWE began the new season with a double on Sunday.
The 2023-’24 point-to-point racing season kicked off at Castletown-Geoghegan under the auspices of the Westmeath Foxhounds yesterday (Sunday) and the reigning champions handler Colin Bowe and rider Barry O’Neill made their mark with a double on day one.
Emily’s Choice in the colours of Brendan Murphy prevailed by a neck in the maiden race for five- and six-year-old mares – the second race on the card.
Success was easier for Agent Tequila in the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd colours – 14 lengths to spare – in the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings.
First action of the new season in this region comes to Fairwood, Tinahely, on Sunday, October 15th and six fixtures in the south-east region before the end of December.
Happy faces at the cutting of the ribbon and opening the Boolavogue Digital Innovation Hub Community Centre and Heritage Garden on Sunday.
By Dan Walsh at Boolavogue
Minister James Browne officially opened the Boolavogue Digital Innovation Hub Community Centre and Heritage Garden on Sunday deputising for Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, who apologised for not being able to attend but conveyed her congratulations and compliments to the committee and community on the completion of the project.
Barry Turner, Chairman of Boolavogue Development Group welcomed the attendance and said that the building had served as a school from 1890 until 1961, however, “the passage of time wasn’t kind to the building, and it became almost derelict.”
CLLR PIP BREEN, Cathaoirleach Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council speaking at Boolavogue.
He said they sought government funding through the Rural Development department to “bring this building back into life”, €100,000 was secured and he acknowledged the support of Wexford County Council in providing a centre for “further education, remote working and training.”
Mr Turner thanked so many who helped with the project including the Development Group who came together in 2018, the Parish Committee and Fr. Murphy Centre Committee who ran a successful fundraising campaign, local contractors who carried out most of the work, the Department of Rural Development, Wexford County Council, District Manager Philip Knight, Liz Hore, Director of Services, Liz and Debbie Stanley from Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council offices in Gorey and Cathaoirleach, Cllr Pip Breen, who attended the old school before moving to the other side of the road when a new school was built in the early 1960’s.
Cllr Breen complimented everybody associated with the success of the project and expressed his personal satisfaction for involvement and assured the community that he is always available to support Boolavogue if further assistance is required in the future.
Minister Browne expressed the regret for unavailability of Minister Humphreys but conveyed her best wishes to the community. He complimented everybody associated with the success of the project and he acknowledged the good community spirit found in Boolavogue and promised any support needed in the future.
District Manager, Philip Knight, conveyed the compliments of Chief Executive, Tom Enright, in supporting the community and outlining how the development between Boolavogue, Wexford County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development worked together to get the project over the line.
The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllrs Pip Breen, Donal Kenny and Willie Kavanagh, Philip Knight, District Manager, Liz Hore, Director of Services, Very Rev. James Butler, parish priest, who performed the blessing of the garden and Very Rev. William Cosgrave, P.P., Monageer.
At Geneva Barracks that young man died And at Passage they have his body laid Good people who live in peace and joy Breathe a prayer, shed a tear for the Croppy Boy.
By Dan Walsh who attended ‘By Hooke or by Crooke’
Inspired by a stirring ballad, organised with passion and pride, and held in atrocious weather conditions defied by marching representatives from Wexford, Waterford, Carlow, Kildare and Meath a moving 1798 commemoration event took place at the grave of The Croppy Boy in Crook graveyard today (Saturday).
The programme was curtailed due to unrelenting rain but proceeded with the short march of pikemen from the village of Passage East to Crook Graveyard led by lone piper Liam Doyle from Enniscorthy.
Proud groups battled against the wind to display their patriotic banners including pike groups from Boolavogue, Oulart, Monageer and Carrigbyrne, members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society and the Battle of Ashbourne Historical Re-eneactment Society from Meath.
At the grave of The Croppy Boy a firing party sent out a volley of shots, Ray Murphy from Enniscorthy and Frank Cox from Monageer, each laid a wreath and Breda Jacob from Oulart read a piece ‘as Gaeilgle’ entitled ‘Bás an Croppy’.
Folklorist and organiser Michael Fortune told the gathering; “We have no definitive evidence to say a poor Croppy was buried here but the story exists in local folk memory and we there is no denying that thousands of United Irishmen were held prisoner in the nearby Geneva Barracks. So, in some ways we are remembering the spirit of the Croppy Boy and all of those men, young and old, in this commemoration.”
It was a special occasion for Tim Corrigan who never fails to attend 1798 commemoration events and confesses a fondness for the popular song (also recorded by the great Brendan Bowyer and The Royal Showband) is ‘The Croppy Boy’. Afterwards, Tim confessed to WexfordLocal.com it was a special occasion for him to sing his favourite ballad at the grave of a croppy and be part of ‘living history’.
Tim Corrigan and his friends, Margaret O’Neill Wall and Seamus Corrigan travelled to Crook graveyard last June and located the grave of a croppy. It was overgrown and neglected, but with the support of locals were afforded permission to restore respect and memory to the grave. The bushes were cleared, and a new kerbing and plaque were laid. Today was the day to celebrate and Tim Corrigan headlined the occasion with his unique rendition of ‘The Croppy Boy’ and those present loudly applauded.
Michael Fortune acted as master of ceremonies and thanked everybody who braved the elements, in particular, the staff at the Passage East Hurling Club Community Centre who provided excellent facilities and ensured plenty of refreshments for everybody who attended a memorable day on the 225th anniversary of the Rebellion of 1798.
A fishing trawler grounded off the east coast of Blackwater since last Sunday remains stuck on a sandbank with poor weather conditions hampering the authorities from boarding and conducting a search.
Gardaí have confirmed that it will be treated as a crime scene. It will also be searched, but at this stage Gardaí do not believe there are any drugs on board. amid suspicions it was en route to rendezvous with the impounded cargo ship held in Cork Harbour since Tuesday.
Gardaí are investigating the detention of the Panamanian registered bulk cargo vessel, MV MATTHEW and associated events have this evening (Thursday) made more arrests.
Six men were already in Garda custody being questioned in connection with the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine which may have a street value of up to €500 million.
Three of these men are Ukrainian, two are Iranian, and one is a UK national.
A seventh man was arrested for alleged organised crime offences contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 2006. He is a 48-year-old Dutch national, who was arrested on board the ship and taken to Mallow Garda Station.
All seven men are detained under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 which allows Gardaí to hold suspects for up to seven days. They are being held at Garda stations in Fermoy, Mallow, Cobh, Cork and in Wexford.
Two males were arrested and questioned at a Wexford Garda Station after their fishing trawler ran aground on a sandbank known locally as ‘Money Weights’ two kilometres off the Blackwater coast and twelve kilometres from Rosslare Harbour at around 11.30pm last Sunday night.
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.
Given the scale of the haul, authorities do not believe the cocaine was solely destined for Ireland and instead suspect the drugs, supplied by a South American cartel, were for distribution across Europe.
Wexford County Council has hosted a delegation of six key representatives from the Jiangxi Province in China and has signed a letter of intent for future trade, education, tourism and cultural ties for Wexford and the Chinese province.
The delegation visited Wexford County Hall at Carricklawn where details on Wexford County Council’s key economic development plans and opportunities for collaboration with Jiangxi were discussed.
CLLR JOHN FLEMING, CATHAOIRLEACH WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Following this meeting, an official signing ceremony of a ‘Letter of Intent’ took place with the Governor of Jiangxi Provincial People’s Government, Mr Ye Jianchun and Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr John Fleming, in front of an invited audience which included the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. He Xiangdong.
Cathaoirleach Cllr John Fleming said; “We were honoured to have hosted such a high-level delegation led by the Governor of the Jiangxi Provincial People’s Government, Mr Ye Jianchun. The purpose of this visit was to establish strategic linkages and collaboration working towards embracing each regions cultural strengths, along with each party learning about the business environment in each region thereby gaining a better understanding of the increasing opportunities between us.
“This visit was a resounding success, and we are delighted to have signed a Letter of Intent between Wexford County Council and the Jiangxi Province to work towards a thriving future relationship.” added Cllr Fleming.
The Jiangxi province is located in Eastern China to the south of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River with a total population of 45 million. It consists of 11 prefectural cities and 100 counties. County Wexford was the only location outside of Dublin visited by the delegation during their visit to Ireland.
The visiting delegation enjoyed a full day of meetings and visits across the county including the Danone Wexford where the group enjoyed a tour of the facility employing over 380 people in Wexford, and on a journey to net-zero emissions, Danone Wexford was of particular interest to the delegation, as a market leader in sustainability within the food manufacturing industry.
There was a visit to the CBS Secondary School in Wexford town, hosted by the Mayor of Wexford, Cllr John Hegarty and Principal, Michael McMahon to further enhance the links between CBS Wexford and China. The school features Chinese studies as part of the Transition Year curriculum and students from CBS have visited China on a number of occasions.
The delegation then travelled to Rosslare Europort where they were welcomed by Cllr Jim Moore, Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District and Senior Management of Rosslare Europort who outlined future growth plans for the Europort and proposed investment of circa-€440 million in expansion of facilities.
WexfordLocal.com 