Courtown concerns as ‘Land Swap’ vote looms

By Dan Walsh

There are concerns in Courtown Harbour and environs that a vote on the Car Park Transfer, known locally as “the Land Swap”, is on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting of Gorey and Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council scheduled for Blackwater Community Centre.

In a statement on social media over the weekend, Courtown Community Council confirmed; “We have just learned that a Section 183 Transfer of lands at Ballinatray, Courtown appears on the agenda for next week’s Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Meeting. This meeting is scheduled to take place at Blackwater Community Hall.

The ‘Land Swap’ ptotest outside of Gorey Civic Centre last February (File pic. WexfordLocal.com)

“Following the success of the Smart Village Survey at the Ashdown Park Hotel in March, a new initiative called the Courtown Regeneration Partnership (CRP) was established to develop a cohesive 5- 10-year Development Plan in alignment with Local Area Plans, Local Heritage & Tourism Strategies, Sustainability and Environmental Protection requirements.

“The CRP held its very successful inaugural meeting last Monday attended by a cross section of business and community stakeholders including Cllrs Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain, Diarmuid Devereux, Andrew Bolger, Joe Sullivan and Senator Malcolm Byrne.

The statement says; “This latest information now raises grave concerns as Courtown Community Council asks again for any decision to be delayed until full consultation with the public takes place. This is to ensure the best possible outcome for both the residents who live here and the people who come to visit.”

Courtown Community Council is urging those with concerns or comments to lobby their Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District representatives without delay!

New ambulance station for New Ross

The former New Ross Fire Station has been transferred to the HSE for a new 24-hour state-of-the-art Am,bulance Station.

By Dan Walsh in New Ross

The former New Ross Fire Station on Michael Street has been transferred to the HSE for the provision of a new and modern 24-hour Ambulance Station.

The news has been confirmed by Cllr Michael Sheehan, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Council who told WexfordLocal.com; “I made a commitment as Chair to the Council and HSE, that I work to ensure the Ambulance Service crews would have the best facilities commensurate with a modern Paramedic/ Ambulance service.

“To be fair, the commitment was never wavering, and I’m delighted that the old fire-station will now be transformed into a modern, 24-hours full suite of accommodation for the crews.  It is nothing less than they deserve and nothing less than the people of New Ross need,” concluded Cllr Sheehan, who has added his congratulations and thanks to Wexford County Council and the HSE/ Ambulance officials and to the men and women of the Paramedic/First Responder and Ambulance crews.

The old New Ross Fire Station on Michael Street served the Wexford County Fire Service for over 30 years. The current New Ross Fire Station is located at Hewittsland, cost €1.8 million to construct and was officially opened last November.  

Tributes following tragic death in Gorey

By Dan Walsh

Tributes have been paid to the memory of Andrzej Marek Winnicki from Enniscorthy who lost his life on a construction site at Ballytegan Road, Gorey, last Wednesday morning.

In his late 30’s, it is understood that he died in an incident with a piece of heavy machinery around 9am.

Emergency services arrived promptly, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The body was taken to University Hospital Waterford where a post-mortem examination was conducted afterwards.

The Health and Safety Authority and An Garda Siochána are conducting separate investigations into the circumstances of his death.

ANDRZEJ MAREK WINNICKI

FAMILY NOTICE; In heartfelt memory of Andrzej Marek Winnicki, 4, Forgelands, Old Forge Road, Enniscorthy. Beloved husband of Marta and lovely father of Michelle and Alex. Always remembered with love by his wife and children, his father Edward, his sisters and brothers, with their families from Poland and also his mother-in-law Justyna Magdziak, father-in-law Krzysztof Magdziak with family. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

Reposing at Browne’s Funeral Home, Enniscorthy, (Eircode Y21 H3K5) on Monday from 6 o’clock to 9 o’clock. Removal from Browne’s Funeral Home on Tuesday morning to St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, arriving for Funeral Mass at 12 noon followed by private cremation.

Treble for Bertie Finn and Colin Bowe

By Dan Walsh

Today’s point-to-point at Ballindenisk, Co. Cork was a remarkable occasion for Oulart rider Bertie Finn and Kiltealy trainer Colin Bowe who shared a treble and narrowly missed a four-timer in a ‘photo-finish’.

BERTIE FINN enjoyed a treble at today’s point-to-point in Cork.

The thrilled trio got off the mark in the second division of the maiden race for five-year-old plus mares when Friars Island Lady, in the colours of Paul Gibbons, secured victory by a neck.

Then they captured both divisions of the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings. Ideal De Romay won the first division in the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd colours by three lengths and Fiona McStay’s Glens Sensation also scored by three lengths in the second division.

Finn and Bowe lost out on a four-timer in the Winner of Two race when Bourbon N Kentucky lost out by three parts of a length to the Darragh Allen ridden Golden De Coeur owned and bred by Edgar Allen from Bunclody and the victorious handler is Richard Black.

There was also Wexford winners at today’s fixture in Stradbally. Jonathan Fogarty, Gaynestown Stud, Cleariestown, saddled Flaubert, who made all and scored by 18 lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings with Conor Moore from Kilmore Quay up. Fourth win and a seasonal best for Fogarty.

Ivegotthe power won the Winner of Two race for Ballyduff owner Connie Rooney and Monasootha, Camolin, handler John Paul Brennan by one and a half lengths. James Walsh was the winning rider.

And Inch, Gorey, rider Luke Murphy scored by one and a half lengths on newcomer Tribal Glory for Ian McCarthy in the five-year-old plus adjacent maiden race.

€660,000 drugs seizure at Enniscorthy

ENNISCORTHY GARDA STATION

Cannabis drugs with an estimated value of €660,000 were seized after Gardaí conducted a search operation at a premises in Enniscorthy.

At around 4.30pm on Friday afternoon, a joint operation was conducted by the Wexford Divisional Drug Unit and the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau with assistance from Enniscorthy District Detective Unit.

While in course of the search, Gardaí discovered 33kgs of cannabis with an estimated street value of €660,000, subject to analysis.

No arrests were made. Investigations are ongoing.

The seizure forms part of Operation Tara, an enhanced anti-drugs strategy, which Garda Commissioner Drew Harris launched on July 2nd, 2021.

The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels – international, national, and local – involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale, and supply of controlled drugs.

New Ross tales of William Marshal

Enjoying the Concert by the Emigrant Flame on New Ross Quay at the William Marshal Weekend today.

By Dan Walsh in New Ross

The two-day 2nd annual William Marshal Weekend marking the 804th anniversary (1147-1219) brought knights in shining armour onto the streets of New Ross today where the combination of historical tours, history and heritage, music and tradition exuded celebration in the sunshine.

The official opening at the High Hill was performed by Cllr Michael Sheehan, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council in the presence of William Marshal, Isobel, Joan Knight Archers, Enniscorthy Re-enactment Group and the Pantomine Society.

Many enjoyed the tour of St. Mary’s Church graveyard, the tunes from the New Ross & District Pipe Band at the Norman steps in North Street and the Concert at the Emigrant Flame beside the Dunbrody Visitor Centre.

Tomorrow (Sunday) and festivities continue; however, activities stray from New Ross town to include the district or rural history and heritage and the organisers warn that “you will need to use your own transport for day two” which will commence with a gathering at the Emigrant Flame at 10.45am.

The entourage will leave the Dunbrody for Grantstown and an introduction John Harper of Bannow Historical Society followed by an historical talk by Anne Farrell. Off to Baginbun and a talk from Seamus Kiely before heading for a tour of Hook Lighthouse. It all ends with music and craic at the Vine Cottage Pub in Saltmills.

Booking for places is essential and it is online. For details contact http://www.newrosshistorygroup.ie

Another big day for O’Neill and Bowe

By Dan Walsh

Saturday point-to-point races took place at Newry, Co. Down today where Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe shared a double, and with the benefit of a walk-over for David Christie’s Bold Enough in the Open Race, Barry the champion added a third success.

COLIN BOWE reached the 40th winner of the season mark today.

The maiden race for four-year-olds was divided with the first division going to Wendigo by one and a quarter length for O’Neill and Bowe. The second division was also Wexford bound as Rob James brought home Roadlesstravelled for the Donnchadh Doyle stable recording a nine and a half-length victory.

Theatrical Getaway in the colours of Maria Kavanagh, Arklow, completed the O’Neill-Bowe success story on the day taking the spoils in the Winner of One race by two and a half lengths. Colin Bowe assured of his 11th national point-to-point championship title has handled 40 wins for the season.

Donnchadh Doyle’s brother Sean Doyle also found his name on the winners’ sheet when Jack Hendrick got Maggie O up by half a length in an inspired ride to the finish line in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus mares.

Aircraft makes emergency landing at Gorey

By Dan Walsh

A light aircraft with a pilot and passenger on board has made a successful emergency landing in the Kilcavan or Ballinglen area of Tara Hill, near Gorey, around 6.30pm today. No injuries are reported.

A local eyewitness told WexfordLocal.com that the aircraft was losing power and dropping altitude before the emergency landing was safely completed in the middle of a large meadow field.

The occupants evacuated the aircraft safely and the four-seater remains at the scene.

€8m plan for changes to Enniscorthy town centre?

BARRACK STREET and the rear entrance to the once famous Murphy-Floods Hotel is up for future development by Wexford County Council.

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting

Cllr Jackser Owens has described as “an eyesore” the present streetscape at the derelict so-called Murphy-Flood’s site in Enniscorthy town centre and is calling for fresh hording to cover up the ‘eyesore’. He made the call at last month’s meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and magnified his sentiments at last Monday’s meeting of Wexford County Council.

Cllr Owen’s renewed his call “now that we own it”, a general reference to the transfer of ownership to Wexford County Council, however, from my investigations today a few auctioneer notices are still in place, and some read simply “sale agreed”?

The hoarding shields the area once occupied by the iconic Murphy-Flood’s Hotel that was destroyed by fire on Sunday, September 25th, 2005, at 8.30pm, shortly after it was sold for €3.1 million, and nowadays is allegedly used for drug deal activities and anti-social behaviour. A chirpy and environmentally friendly colony of birds have found occupation in the old Irish Street Stores building.

Plans for Enniscorthy town centre would see the site redeveloped to accommodate a modern, mixed-use purpose built building to include a new modern library for Enniscorthy, commercial units, 18 residential apartments and basement parking in a major project with an estimated cost of approximately €8 million.

Wexford County Council Planning Section, in collaboration with Loci Urban Design Architecture and Planning has developed a strategic plan for Enniscorthy town centre, which was adopted at last December’s meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

This long-term strategic plan identifies the key infrastructural projects that have the potential to act as catalysts for social, economic and physical regeneration of the town centre. It includes Market Square, Main Street, Castle Hill, Templeshannon and the Castle Quarter (Castle Hill, Castle St, Slaney St.?) as initial projects to be advanced.

Moloney O’Bernie Architects have been appointed to prepare preliminary designs and Part VIII planning application for the Market Square and the Castle Quarter by July and September respectively to support the Call 4 application for Enniscorthy.

Man dies in Gorey workplace

By Dan Walsh

The Health and Safety Authority and An Garda Siochána are investigating the circumstances in which a man, ca-40 years old, died on a building site at Ballytegan Road, Gorey, this morning.

It is understood that the man died following an incident with a piece of heavy machinery around 9 am.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene and pronounced the man dead on arrival.

The body of the man was taken to University Hospital Waterford where a post-mortem examination will be conducted.