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.

4 rescued outside Wexford Harbour

By Dan Walsh

Four people were rescued by crews of Wexford and Rosslare Harbour RNLI after their 16-foot boat suffered engine failure outside of Wexford Harbour shortly after 5pm yesterday (Tuesday) evening.

Rosslare Harbour RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat under Coxswain Eamonn O’Rourke and four other crew members onboard, was first on scene. The Kilmore Quay Harbour Master assisted the crew in locating the casualty vessel.

Wexford and Rosslare Harbour RNLI (Pic; RNL:I/Wexford)

Having assessed the situation, a decision was made to tow the boat into safe waters. Wexford RNLI then took over the tow to navigate the casualty over Wexford bar and through the sandbanks of Wexford Harbour. The four people were safely brought ashore at 6.58pm.

Weather conditions at the time were reasonably good, with a Force 3 westerly wind and good visibility with some showers.

Speaking following the call out, Wexford RNLI Helm Damien Foley said: ‘The casualties did the right thing and contacted the Coast Guard when they were in difficulty. All four were also wearing lifejackets. This call out was well executed between us and our colleagues in Rosslare Harbour. We would remind people that if you see anyone in difficulty on or near the water to ring 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

Monday double for Barry O’Neill

By Dan Walsh

Point-to-point action yesterday (Monday) took place at Toomebridge in Mid-Antrim where champion rider Barry O’Neill recorded a double and Donnchadh Doyle saddled the only Wexford winner on the six-race card.

DONNCHADH DOYLE

Davidoc in the Monbeg Syndicate colours was an easy 19 lengths winner for handler Donnchadh Doyle and rider Rob James in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Seasonal success number 24 for the season and an impressive 35% success-rate for Doyle, while James has ridden 31 winners this season and has a 36% strike-rate.

Barry O’Neill was aboard Bold Enough, winning his seventh race in succession for David Christie by 22 lengths in the Open Race while Tech Talk, handled by Tom Dreaper was a five lengths winner of the maiden race for six-year-old geldings to clinch the double success. O’Neill is well on his way to another National Point-to-Point riders’ Championship and a well-earned and deserved seventh title.