Gardaí in Enniscorthy are investigating a dangerous weekend prank where a vulnerable local man was subjected to having fireworks placed in his pocket and then being set off!
The matter was raised at today’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council during a discussion on the illegal use of fireworks and plans to curtail the activity leading up to Halloween.
Cllr Jackser Owens drew attention to anti-social behaviour on the Fairgreen where fireworks were set off and bins were set on fire.
ENNISCORTHY GARDA STATION
Cllr Owens recalled a dangerous situation where “fireworks were placed in the pocket of a man and set off”. He outlined the danger of such a prank and the Gardaí have been advised and the sequence of events are under investigation.
Later today, WexfordLocal.com became aware of man’s identity and circumstances and confirmation of the activity where he had fireworks placed in his pocket or held in his hand before setting them off, much to the glee of a cheering crowd. “The poor man will be burned up if somebody doesn’t stop this,” said a neighbour.
The target involves a local vulnerable adult who has been through difficult family circumstances in recent times and is regularly seen on the town, however, his neighbours and those who know him have respect for him, are appalled that he should be treated in this way.
VINEGAR HILL this afternoon. To the left the fresh gravel finish, to the right the tarmacadam trail to the ruins of the windmill.
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting
The works on Vinegar Hill has been completed at a cost believed to be in the region of €50,000 and the development was very much on the agenda at today’s meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held in the Presentation Centre Chamber. Cllr John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach presided.
Anything related to activity on Vinegar Hill is always held up to public scrutiny and pictures of recent developments on social media has caused concerns and enquiries from many who are passionate about 1798 history and heritage who recognise Vinegar Hill as a protected environment and should be allowed retain its natural state as far as possible.
Rory O’Mahony, Senior Executive Engineer at Wexford County Council attended today’s meeting and briefed members on work on the trails on Vinegar Hill. Mr. O’Mahony said the Vinegar Hill works were progressing satisfactorily and included rehabilitating all the paths, stripping back the overgrowth and resurfacing with gravel. He assured members that there were “no new digging and no new build.”
The plan is to develop Vinegar Hill as formal walking trails with appropriate signage. Seating for the trails is on order to provide rest areas for users and the Council is awaiting update on Heritage Interpretive Panels from the Heritage Officer.
Cllr Cathal Byrne enquired about the works on Vinegar Hill. Cllr Jackser Owens said he was “delighted with the work” but asked if the surface be tarmacadamed as he had concerns about the gravel paths being washed away and felt the trails were unfriendly to visitors with disabilities.
Two innovative Wexford projects are to receive funding of €224,500 under the Community Safety Innovation Fund. The Enniscorthy “Community Plants and Places” project will receive €150,000 with Cumas New Ross receiving €74,500 for its “Safety in the Community” Project.
Welcoming the funding Deputy Paul Kehoe said that the Community Safety Innovation Fund is an innovative fund announced by the Minister for Justice in March this year which allows proceeds of crime to be directed into community projects to support community safety.
PAUL KEHOE TD
“These funds will ensure that the most appropriate proposals to improve community safety will access the funding they need, encourage the development of innovative ways in which to improve community safety from those people who best understand local community safety needs, allows best practice on community safety and youth justice to be shared with other partnerships and communities nationally as new proposals are developed and reflects and highlights the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing the proceeds from criminal activity,” said Deputy Kehoe.
“In Enniscorthy the project aims to provide opportunities for youth within the town to get involved in community gardening, public realm improvements, sustainability initiatives and place-making to support their learning and development, mental health and develop positive community engagement opportunities,” said Deputy Kehoe, who added; “The Cumas project proposes to address the need for community safety education for people with disabilities who are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. The project aims to create a website resource to provide learning in community safety through a 12-lesson programme that can be used by people with disabilities across the country.
Handler Denis Murphy from the Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, and Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick were the stars of the point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, today (Sunday) when they teamed up for a double success.
JACK HENDRICK.. a doubled today at Fairwood, Tinahely.
Magneticattraction did the business for them in the maiden race for five-year-old mares, albeit, by the narrowest of margins -a short head – beating the curiously named Ixigreczed. Murphy also supplied the third placed Giveupyourauldsins (Shane Cotter up) who was nine lengths further back.
Murphy and Hendrick had one length to spare in the following race – the maiden race for five-year-old geldings – with Iriko D’Airy.
The French-bred Justatan was an impressive winner of the maiden race for four-year-olds trained by Michael Goff, Clondaw, Ferns and carrying the colours of Caitriona Goff. Afterwards, Goff described Jusatan as “a tough genuine horse and he jumps travels and stays.” Mickey Sweeney was aboard the winner who ousted the Rob James partnered and handled Fury Lad by half a length.
The Winners of One Mares Race went to Cork with an 18 lengths front running success for Dear Ryta for Alexander Ott from Mallow and ridden by Andy Burke Ott.
Thirteen faced the starter for the novice riders race and Aidan Fitzgerald from Borris handled the winner You No Me Too Well who was a four and a half lengths first riding success for Pandora Briseldon, from Marlborough in the United Kingdom who is a student at Trinity College Dublin studying Spanish and Arabic and rides out with Fitzgerald.
Focus Point, ridden by Daniel Hyde and trained by Timmy Hyde at Cashel, Co. Tipperary, was winning the sixth of his twelve runs with three lengths to spare in the Open Lightweight Race.
Good day’s racing. Both ground conditions and overhead conditions were autumnally perfect, a pleasant attendance, and the Wicklow Hunt will bring point-to-pointing back to Fairwood on Sunday, November 19th.
Meanwhile, next Sunday, October 22nd, the Island Hunt fixture takes place at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy with the first race at 2pm. Entries close on Tuesday.
The Shillelagh & District Hunt has received 82 entries for the first point-to-point of the new season in the South-East which takes place tomorrow (Sunday) at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, and the first race off at 2pm.
The latest news from the track is that ground conditions are officially “yielding, yielding to soft in places” with a mainly dry forecast.
The organisers are hoping for a large attendance with good racing promised. The biggest entry of the day is 23 for the four-year-old maiden; 17 are entered for the West Wicklow Open Race and a similar number is entered for the final race of the afternoon confined to novice riders.
JAMES KENNY.. a winner at Portrush today and in action again at Tinahely tomorrow.
Two Wexford trained winners at today’s (Saturday) point-to-point fixture at Portrush, Co. Antrim. Colin Bowe saddled Jurancon in the colours of Benjamin Hansall in the four-year-old maiden race and the French-bred had eight and a half lengths to spare under Barry O’Neill at the finish. Jurancon now heads for the Cheltenham Sales in November.
Gray Rock provided the Craanford father and son team of Liam and James Kenny with a fourth success in the Winner of Three Race. Gray Rock led or disputed throughout the race and had two lengths to spare on the finish line.
MInister Patrick O’Donovan (with shovel) turning the sod on the new Terminal 7 and Enabling Works project at Rosslare Europort last Thursday.
By Dan Walsh
Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., was in Rosslare Europort on Thursday to mark the commencement of works for the Terminal 7 and Enabling Works project that will see a new terminal built and a new Border Control Post set up.
The Terminal 7 facility will facilitate the processing and exit routes from the passenger and freight ferries that use Rosslare Europort. The construction works will cost approximately €166 million.
Works will include the demolition of existing buildings and construction of 28 new permanent buildings totaling circa 9,361 m2.
These upgrade works are necessary to provide permanent Brexit infrastructure at Rosslare Europort to ensure compliance with EU Customs, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and official food controls legislation, thereby providing protection for the EU single market.
Following a competitive tender process, the Office of Public Works (OPW) awarded John Paul Construction the contract and work commenced on site.
These buildings include facilities for a range of activities such as An Garda Síochána Immigration facility, a Revenue Enforcement and Stopping Area, live animal inspection facilities for equine and domestic pets, checks on animal products, regulated plant products and foods of non-animal origin entering the Union. There will also be a new main access road, a roundabout, internal road and freight entrance plaza along with significant hard-standing and truck-set/car-storage facilities to be constructed.
Speaking at Rosslare Europort, Minister O’Donovan said; “I am delighted to see that works have commenced on site now for this critically important State infrastructure in Rosslare Europort. The size of this project is vast – 28 new permanent buildings – and will provide the permanent infrastructure required for a new border control post and improved processing facilities at one of our largest and busiest ports in the country.
“The OPW has worked very closely with all State agencies and the Port Authority, Iarnród Éireann, to bring this project to this important milestone. Rosslare Europort continues to operate as a live operational port and the OPW, together with main contractor John Paul Construction are working closely and collaboratively with the port authorities to ensure that this immense construction project will proceed in tandem with the busy operations of Rosslare.”
Liam Kenny, Managing Director, said his company are delighted to have been awarded the contract. “This is not just a significant project for John Paul Construction, but for Ireland as a whole, given the role the upgraded port will play in a post Brexit euro economy. We look forward to working collaboratively with the OPW, the Port Authorities, and our local supply chain to deliver this nationally and regionally important infrastructure project.”
Uisce Éireann advises customers in Wexford Town and surrounding areas that essential overnight restrictions will be required from 10pm to 7am each night to allow water levels at Coolcots Reservoir to recover.
The restrictions are required due to a combination of factors, including high demand, poor raw water quality, and upgraded works at the Newtown Water Treatment Plant.
To improve reservoir levels and maintain a sufficient water supply to homes and businesses during the daytime, customers in the following areas will experience low pressure and/or outages from 10pm until 7am the following morning: Coolcots, Ard Carman, Clonard, Townparks, Mount Prospect, Mulgannon and The Green in Clonard Village.
These areas may also experience low pressure and temporary intermittent outages during the day due to decreased reservoir levels, especially those on higher such as The Green in Clonard Village.
Uisce Éireann advises customers not to use appliances that use a constant water flow while the water isn’t running from the cold kitchen tap (e.g., dishwashers). As per best practice, most homes and businesses will have on-site water storage to provide a backup source of water for sanitation purposes.
Alternative water supplies with clean drinking water are in place at Belvedere Grove, Ferndale Park, Ard Charman, Cluain Dara, Clonard Village and Clonard Church until normal water supply returns. Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure as per Health Service Executive (HSE) advice.
Dedicated water services crews continue to work around the clock, 24/7, to restore normal water supply to customers as quickly as possible.
The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also make contact on X (formerly Twitter) @IW_Care. For updates on local water supply issues, please visit the Water Supply Updates section of www.water.ie.
WEXFORD… host to Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann 2024 August 4-11th (WexfordLocal.com File Pic)
By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting
Upwards of 700,000 are expected to mingle merrily in festive mood across Wexford town next August (4-11th) for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which is the biggest event of its kind in the world and plans to ensure a safe and family friendly traditional festival are already under way.
A brief outline of the enormous logistics involved in hosting the Fleadh featured in a presentation before members at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council by Eddie Taaffe, Director of Services with responsible for Special Projects, and Chairperson of the Wexford Fleadh Committee.
Mr Taaffe said that over 500,000 visitors are expected for the occasion with 20% of them coming from overseas and 7,000 musicians. 4,500 competitors will feature in 180 competitions at 40 venues. There will be All-Ireland competitions, a Gig Rig and TG4 will be the broadcasting partners.
Accommodation, camper van and extended car parking facilities, crowd management, signage and general safety measures will require about 1,000 volunteers. Irish Rail, Bus Éireann, Wexford Bus and Local Link will provide extra services to get people in and out of Wexford safety during the days of the Fleadh.
The main sponsors are Wexford Credit Union and Fáilte Ireland, but other sponsorship is likely to be included.
The presentation was welcomed by all members. Cllr Michael Sheehan suggested that the event should also include fringe events in Gorey, Enniscorthy and New Ross. Cllr Michael Whelan asked the committee to consider a Park and Ride facility in Wellingtonbridge and Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain welcomed “a festival of Irish culture”.
Cllr Jackser Owens recalled when last Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was held in Enniscorthy (1999 and 2000) and he assured members that the event “will bring benefits to the whole county.”
Cllr Maura Bell made a call for people to make available their homes to accommodate visitors and provide a friendly welcome to Wexford town and ensure than all visitors have a good experience and will spread the word that Wexford is a great town to visit.
Chief Executive Tom Enright described bringing the Fleadh to Wexford as “a major undertaking”, but he felt confident that the town will rise to the occasion and that all necessary arrangements will fall into place with the co-operation of An Garda Siochána, Wexford County Council, National Ambulance Service and Voluntary Ambulance Services, Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann, sponsors and supporters, the local Committee and the volunteers, and the message goes out to any groups in Co. Wexford wishing to come forward to get involved in any way, that they should contact the Fleadh Committee and they will be made most welcome.
It will be the fifth time the South-East county has hosted the popular festival, which is the world’s largest celebration of Irish traditional music, language, songs and dance.
Over two centuries since a Mr Carroll of Wexford bequeathed £1,600 to Bishop Patrick Ryan (1768-1819) that enabled him to a secure a foundation for the Presentation Nuns in 1818, the sisters are leaving Wexford town.
It is an historic moment that marks the end of a long chapter that began with the Presentation Sisters have dedicated themselves to the education of both boys and girls of the town and surrounding district.
BISHOP GER NASH
To mark their departure, there will be a Mass of Thanksgiving, presided by Bishop Ger Nash, this Friday, October 13th, at 5.45pm in Rowe St Church, Wexford, followed by refreshments served afterwards in the Presentation school. All are welcome.
All priests of the diocese are welcome to come and concelebrate. Wexford parish encourages parishioners, past pupils from across the diocese and former teachers to come along and pray in thanksgiving on the evening.
“It will also be an occasion to celebrate the seeds sown by the Sisters that still grow in the ethos of the Presentation School and good carried forward. While there is sadness at the end of an era, we still look forward in hope and thank the Sisters for their loyal dedication to the people of Wexford for over two centuries,” Bishop Nash told WexfordLocal.com.
BRIEF HISTORY; The first Superioress was Mother de Sales Devereux from Wexford who had made her profession in the Presentation Convent in Kilkenny. Her colleague in the new foundation at Wexford was Sister Mary Baptist Frayne, and on October 2nd 1818, Mass was celebrated for the first time in the new house at Wexford by Fr, John Corrin, who died in April 1835 aged 86 years.
After eight years Mother de Sales was asked to found a new order in Enniscorthy by Bishop James Keating, (1783-1849) and accordingly she left Wexford in 1827.
Mother Baptist died on January 31st, 1857, and in 1862, Mother Agnes Kenny built two new schools and a cloister leading to them from the convent. She also formed an industrial class for embroidery and lacemaking,
Another two centuries of Wexford history fades into the archives and soon will be no more than folk memory, however, it is right and fitting to record the event with thanksgiving and remembrance and service to so many generations from soon after the 1798 Rebellion, through the Famine years, and the following centuries when people struggled with poverty and survived with nothing but faith, hope and charity.
Wexford Deputy Paul Kehoe has said that Fine Gael is tackling the cost-of-living challenges by cutting taxes and helping those most in need and added that Fine Gael is committed to putting more money in people’s pockets in Budget 2024 by cutting tax and the USC (Universal Social Charge),
Deputy Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com that; “Budget 2024 is the tenth Budget in a row which has rewarded work and will help people in Wexford keep more of their hard-earned wages.
“The country is faced with many challenges, but thanks to a pro-jobs policy and strong economy, under the guidance of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, we are building stronger safer communities, ensuring the best start for every child and delivering for rural Ireland and farmers.
DEPUTY PAUL KEHOE TD
“Cost of living challenges continue, and inflation is still with us. In response to this in the €1.3bn tax package just announced, Fine Gael has increased the entry point to the top 40% tax rate by €9,200 in the last decade – from €32,800 in 2014 to €42,000 next year. More than 200,000 workers have been removed from the top 40% tax rate since Covid, in the last three budgets. USC has been cut from 4.5pc to 4pc. The minimum wage will be increased by €1.40 an hour to €12.70.
“We know people and families are finding it hard to pay for the bills due to the rise in the cost of living so these measures will help. The average full-time worker will benefit by more than €1,000 when other measures taken by Government are considered,” stated Deputy Paul Kehoe, who added; “These include; three energy grants worth a combined total of €450, excise increases on petrol and diesel have been deferred. The rent tax credit has been increased from €500 to €750 which includes parents whose student children are in ‘rent a room’ or ‘digs’ accommodation. Mortgage Interest Relief for homeowners for their primary dwelling will also assist.
“The Social Welfare package of €2.3bn is the largest in the history of the State to assist households with the cost of living. It has numerous initiatives including a €300 fuel allowance lump sum; double child payment benefit; a Christmas bonus to 1.3m recipients, a €12 increase in the State pension from January and extending parent’s benefit from seven weeks to nine next year.
“To support those most in need, a special, once-off payment of €400 will be made before Christmas to those who receive the Carer’s Support Grant, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and Domiciliary Care Allowance.
“We are building stronger, safer communities in Wexford and will provide up to 1,000 new Garda trainees, an increase in Garda overtime from €105m to €131m and a 66pc increase in the garda training allowance from €184 to €305,” Deputy Kehoe said.
“Fine Gael wants to take on and eliminate child poverty. There will be a €12 increase in weekly social welfare payments. We are extending hot school meals programme to all non-DEIS primary schools. Free schoolbooks will be provided to all up to Junior Cycle exams.
“Next year, there will be a further reduction in childcare fees by 25% meaning parents will pay 50% less for childcare than they did in 2022. In addition, child benefit will also be extended to 18-year-olds in full time education. There will also be an extra 1,200 SNAs recruited,” Deputy Kehoe said.
“Fine Gael want to help people in their 20s and 30s own their own home and the highly successful Help-to-Buy scheme will be extended until the end of 2025. A total of €1.9 billion is allocated to provide more than 9,000 new build social homes in 2024.
“Businesses in Wexford will be supported with a €250m package of temporary supports to help them through cost-of-living pressures. Alongside this, a new Angel Investors Scheme will encourage high potential start-ups to make here their base.
“Our success story in education must continue. Families with an income of less than €100,000 will have college fees for undergraduate students halved to €1,500 this year. All other families in Wexford will see college fees for undergraduate students cut by €1,000. Student grant holders will have their grants increased up to €340 between January and May and maintenance grants to Postgraduates to be restored for the first time since the financial crash.
“All undergraduate college fees will be abolished for those earning less than €56,000. For the first time ever, this will include part-time students. We will also see families with an income of less than €100,000 benefit from a reduction in college fees to €1,500, with all other families having fees cut by €1,000.
Deputy Kehoe continued; “Unlike previous Governments, Fine Gael is safeguarding our future. The Future Ireland Fund, which could reach more than €100 billion in the next decade, will help protect living standards and public services as generations live longer.
“As we saw with the Celtic Tiger, when an economic downturn hits, the first thing axed is the country’s infrastructure plans (roads, schools, garda stations). Fine Gael’s pro-jobs policies has ensured a strong economy and €14 billion will be put aside in the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund by 2030 for continued investment in infrastructure and climate projects to safeguard future generations.
“This Budget put together by my colleagues in Fine Gael ensures we are best equipped to help all in an ever-changing country and world where events far away can have a major impact on how we live our lives,” concluded Deputy Kehoe.
WexfordLocal.com 