WexfordLocal.com

No injuries from Storm Agnes

**CLLR JOE SULLIVAN at the Ahare River today**

By Dan Walsh

Torrential rain, high winds, fallen trees and flooding appears to be the legacy of Storm Agnes which passed over County Wexford today (Wednesday), but thankfully no accidents or injuries have been reported.

Cllr Joe Sullivan was keeping a watching brief on North Wexford and reported on social media that he visited three bridges over the Ahare River at Inch, Barrogue and Ahare and the water level is very high at all three locations.

Cllr Sullivan has been continuously calling on Wexford County Council for action at the Ahare Bridge and constant flooding there and raised the issue as recent as the September meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council.

Later today the Ahare River flooded and the road between Castletown and Tara Hill became impassable. “I have put out the flood warning signs at either end, but they may not remain out due to the strong winds. I would urge people not to use this section of roadway tonight and indeed better still try avoiding going out at all tonight,” concluded Cllr Sullivan.

The Corach River at Wellingtonbridge burst its banks and the road through the village was closed for a time.

Due to high tides in the River Slaney the usual flooding reappeared on the Wexford road side of Edermine Bridge. Localised flooding was reported at Grange, Kilmore.

A tree toppled at Ballymacsimon close to the Blackwater Golf Course and the road is closed overnight. Trees also down on the road to Ballymoney Golf Course and close to Curracloe beach.

New volunteer ministries in the Diocese

The Diocese of Ferns is developing openings for new lay volunteer ministries in the Diocese and an Information Session on Lay Ministry takes place today (Wednesday) in the Seamus Rafter Suite, Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy at 7.30 pm.

All interested are invited and other Information Sessions on Lay Ministry are planned for New Ross Pastoral Centre on Monday, October 9^th at 7.30 pm; Wednesday, October 11^th at Pastoral Centre, Rosslare Strand at 7.30 pm and Thursday, October 12^th in the Pugin Room (access through main tower), St. Peter’s College, Wexford at 7.30 pm.

Training programmes will begin soon. These new ministries, open to women and men, will be of interest to those already involved or those wishing to be more involved in the life of their local Church community. They will involve lay people working side by side with priests in key ministries in parishes and pastoral areas.

Passage to Crook ‘Croppy Boy’ 1798 commemoration

TIM CORRIGAN, MARGARET O’NEILL WALL and SEAMUS CORRIGAN at the grave of The Croppy Boy in Crook Graveyard in Waterford where a 1798 commemorative event takes place next Saturday and everybody is invited to attend. (Pic; Michael Fortune).

By Dan Walsh

Pikemen and women from many parts of Wexford will take the sailing from Ballyhack to Passage East and then march to the grave of The Croppy Boy at Crook Graveyard in a special 1798 commemorative event next Saturday starting at 2pm.
The event is being organised by Tim Corrigan and Michael Fortune and back in June, Michael recorded Tim and a few of his friends at the grave in Crook Graveyard in Waterford. The site was badly overgrown and forgotten about locally, so Tim, Margaret O’Neill Wall and Seamus Corrigan cleaned it up and got a new stone cut. Michael travelled down one evening in June and made a little film about this and also recorded Tim singing The Croppy Boy.

Folklore tells us that this was a spot where a ‘Croppy Boy’ was buried in 1798, however Michael says that “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.”
The organisers would love to see a big crowd attend from Wexford and everyone is welcome to come on board and join in the march from local groups, clubs, schools etc.

People are asked to arrive at 2pm at Ballyhack Ferry where at 2.30pm they cross on ferry to Passage. Please note there is a free bus available in Passage to drive anyone that can’t walk up to the graveyard. The distance in 1.7km and everyone is welcome to follow the march from Passage to Crook Graveyard.

There will be short speeches, songs and wreath laying at the graveside and then back to the local GAA complex for refreshments. For more information please call Tim on 085 7351403 or Michael on 087 6470247.

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 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 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 26^th and 27^th 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.