North Wexford is in mourning following the tragic death of Colm Donnelly, (18), who was seriously injured in a freak accident at his home in Tinnock, Gorey, last Thursday, but lost his fight for life five days later at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin.
The 6th year student at Gorey Community School was carrying out repairs to a car at his home last Thursday evening when he became trapped under the vehicle. He was known for his passion for cars.
He suffered serious injuries and was rushed to St. Vincent’s Hospital where he remained in a coma for several days and died yesterday (Tuesday) causing intense grief throughout the community.
COLM DONNELLY
At Gorey Community School, Principal Michael Finn and the entire school community offered their condolences to the devastated family.
“As a school community, we are heartbroken over the sudden and untimely passing of Colm. His classmates are particularly devastated, as are his teachers. Colm was very involved in rugby in the school and had a great passion for farming, machinery and cars. He absolutely excelled at everything that he did.”
“Everyone at Gorey Rugby Club would like to offer our sincere condolences to Walter, Louise and Niamh Donnelly on the tragic passing of their son and brother, Colm.
“Colm was a very popular player and cherished teammate at the club, playing for many years from Minis through to Youths with great distinction.
“He will be sadly missed by everyone at the club, and by his teammates with whom he had formed a strong bond. Our entire club, team and coaches are devastated by this sad loss. Our hearts go out to his family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,” added Gorey Rugby Club.
Deepest sympathy is extended to his sorrowing parents, Walter and Louise, sister Niamh, his Granny, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives, school community and many close friends. R.I.P
Colm will be reposing at Flood’s Funeral Home, McDermott St., Gorey, this Friday (17th) from 2pm until 10pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday (18th) at 11am in St. Patrick’s Church, Castletown, followed by cremation in Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, Dublin,
An aerial view of WEXFORD GARDA DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS at Mulgannon. (Pic; Scollard Doyle/OPW)
By Dan Walsh
An Garda Siochána is in the news this week. Chief Superintendent Derek Hughes shall assume responsibility for Wexford and Wicklow Garda Divisions on promotion. Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit shall assume responsibility for Waterford and Kilkenny/ Carlow Garda Divisions on transfer, commencing on February 22nd.
Courtown has seen one of the greatest decreases in Garda numbers of all stations in Wexford over the past decade, according to Official Garda figures published by the Department of Justice that gives information on policing in Co. Wexford in the ten years, 2013 to 2022.
There are concerns at the level of cover. Courtown Harbour Station has decreased by 75% from four to one. Bunclody Garda Station has decreased by 50% from eight to four.
Meanwhile, larger urban areas in the county have seen a rise in numbers in the same period, including Enniscorthy, Gorey, Wexford and New Ross.
At a recent Wicklow and Wexford Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting held at the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit acknowledged concerns around staffing levels in Courtown Garda Station, among others. Some local councillors had raised concerns and sought clarity on the matter.
“We need to make sure that urban areas are stocked and then we can look at the likes of Courtown, Ferns and Bunclody,” he said at the meeting. “We hope to be in a better position next year.”
“The Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme, which was implemented in An Garda Síochána during 2012 and 2013, sought to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within An Garda Síochána. “The review concluded that a revised district and station network commensurate with the organisation’s resource base would best meet public demand.
“On foot of the Programme, some 139 Garda stations were closed and some 32 districts were amalgamated to create 16 enlarged districts.
As part of this process, in November 2013, the Gorey District was amalgamated with the Enniscorthy District resulting in an enlarged Enniscorthy District and I (Deputy Brendan Howlin) am informed that no station within the former Gorey District was closed. I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the District Officer at Enniscorthy, in conjunction with the Inspector at Gorey, ensure that the policing arrangements within the Gorey area are effectively managed on an ongoing basis and there is no diminution in the policing service provided within the context of existing available resources in the Gorey area.” (Source; The Dáil Record).
While working for the Gorey Echo I covered numerous public meetings in Gorey town and district where the community was calling out loudly for promotion and more gardaí to cover Gorey town, Courtown Harbour and the rural areas of North Wexford.
Another significant development in Co. Wexford was the closure of Wexford Garda Station and the official opening of the newly constructed Divisional Headquarters at Mulgannon, Wexford.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan T.D. was joined by the Acting Garda Commissioner Dónall Ó’Cualáin to open the new Garda Station in Wexford town costing €29 million on August 1st 2018.
Speaking at the opening, Minister Flanagan said: “We are now seeing the results of the unprecedented public funding provided to An Garda Síochána in recent years.
“The opening of the new Divisional Headquarters is taking place at a time of major reform and investment which will redefine our national police service as an organisation.”
The new Wexford Garda Station on Mulgannon Road in Wexford Town was designed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) Architectural Services team led by State Architect Ciaran O’Connor.
And the current figures: Other stations in Wexford have also seen changes in garda numbers over the past decade.
Wexford: 133 (up from 85). Enniscorthy: 60 (up from 36). Gorey: 56 (up from 45). New Ross: 54 (up from 41), Rosslare Harbour: 11 (up from 6), Bunclody: 4 (down from 8). Taghmon: 3 (down from 1). Ferns: 3 (up from 2). Ballycullane: 2 (same as 2013). Kilmore Quay: 2 (down from 4). Carrickbyrne: 2 (same as 2013). Castlebridge: 2 (down from 3). Clonroche: 2 (up from 1). Duncannon: 2 (down from 4). Glynn: 2 (up from 1). Rosslare Strand: 2 (same as 2013). Campile: 1 (up from 0). Carrick-on-Bannow: 1 (same as 2013). Blackwater: 0 (down from 2). Oulart: 0 (down from 1). Oylegate: 0 (down from 1).
A relatively new feature in rural areas is the arrival of pop-up garda stations and chatting benches.
Rosslare Harbour RNLI came to the aid of two sailors last Thursday after the all-weather lifeboat was requested by the Irish Coast Guard at 3.20am and went to the aid of two people after their 10-metre yacht got into difficulty off the Wexford coast.
The lifeboat under Coxswain Eamonn O’Rourke and with six crew members onboard, launched immediately and made its way to the scene at South Blackwater Buoy, some 12 nautical miles north of Rosslare Harbour.
The night-time weather conditions were described as good with a Force 3 wind and a calm sea.
Arriving on scene, the lifeboat crew observed that the two male sailors were safe and well. The yacht had got into difficulty when it experienced engine problems.
Having assessed the situation, a decision was made to tow the yacht and her crew safely back to Rosslare Europort, where the operation ended successfully at 6.40am.
Speaking following the call out, Jamie Ryan, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “We were delighted to help the sailors and we wish them a safe onwards journey. I would also like to commend our selfless and dedicated team of volunteers who despite the early hours of the morning responded without hesitation to go to aid of the sailors.
“We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to always go prepared. Always wear a lifejacket or suitable buoyancy aid for your activity and always carry a means of communication. Always let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard,” concluded Mr. Ryan.
Wexford County Fire Service attending to a fire in Castlebridge on May 22nd last year. (File Pic).
By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting
Speaking at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy referred to consistent advertising for people to join Wexford Fire Service and wondered why there was a slow take-up on the positions, which she said, offered decent rates for the job and is a rewarding career.
Cllr Michael Sheehan noted that it was difficult to get firefighters. Cllr Davy Hynes also contributed, and Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan felt that since the positions were ‘part-time’ it was not attractive to people who may be seeking mortgages. Cllr Tom Forde said the position had to be in close proximity to their residences.
Director of Services Ms. Caroline Godkin acknowledged that all contributions were well made and recalled that six night courses had been held recently in Gorey, Bunclody and New Ross.
The discussion coincided with the publication of the Fire and Emergency Operations Plan 2022-2027 which was circulated to members.
Wexford Fire Authority maintains a fire service consisting of a fire brigade in each of the principal towns of the county; Wexford, Enniscorthy, Gorey, New Ross and Bunclody with the Headquarters in Wexford town.
Other duties undertaken by Wexford Fire Service include various fire prevention and protection activities, community fire safety and planning for major emergencies.
Wexford County Council invites applicants for post of Retained (part-time) Firefighter in the following Stations: Bunclody, Gorey and New Ross.
TFI Local Link Wexford new rural bus service connecting the towns of Wexford and Enniscorthy commences today, Monday, February 13th.
Known as Route 384 it will operate five return services per day Monday to Saturday and four return services on Sunday serving areas on the western side of the River Slaney stopping through villages and areas such as Glynn, Killurin, Ballyhogue, Bree, Wilton and Tomnalossett.
The new service will provide improved connectivity to regional bus and rail services from Wexford to Enniscorthy and will facilitate onward travel to South Wexford, Waterford, Carlow, Wicklow and Dublin.
Three point-to-point race meetings across the country today (Sunday) with Wexford success at all of them and a double for rider Rob James at Punchestown.
James teamed up with Colin Bowe for a four and a half lengths victory with newcomer Undeniable Alibi in the maiden race for four-year-olds and was also aboard the Gordon Elliott trained Happy Victory who did the business by three and a half lengths in the Farmers Hunt Race.
LUKE MURPHY had a family winner at Punchestown today.
First timer The Midwife was impressive at the Kildare venue for Miriam and John Murphy, owner and handler respectively, Corecannon House, Inch, near Gorey, and confidently ridden by their son, Luke Murphy. The winning margin was three lengths.
Ginger Jonny was a three lengths winner for Caitriona and Michael Goff, Clondaw, Ferns, in the five-year-old geldings maiden race at Kilfeacle, Co. Tipperary. The winning rider was Dan Nevin from Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.
Banks specialist Vital Island came out best in a photo-finish (a head and a short head separating the first three home) for owner/handler Richard O’Keeffe, Newtown, Taghmon, in the Banks Race at Knockanard, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Veteran rider Benny Walsh, Cleariestown, was in the saddle.
Vital Island is an 11 years old bay gelding who reserves his best for the ‘banks’ races. He won last year’s Ladies Cup at Punchestown and has won four times over the Lingstown banks where he goes next at the Kilinick Harriers fixture on March 12th.
There was also success for Jonathan Fogarty, Gaynestown, Cleariestown, with Denemethy, ridden by Eoin O’Brien, by four lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. This was the 10th winner of the handler’s career.
Next Sunday’s point-to-point races is The Island Hunt fixture at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy. First race is off at 2pm.
Passengers had to wear life jackets and emergency services were scrambled when a fire broke out in the engine room on the Stena Europe ferry crossing from Rosslare Europort to Fishguard last night (Saturday).
The emergency services were alerted just before 21:25 GMT when the ferry was approximately two nautical miles off Fishguard Harbour.
The ferry crew were able to extinguish the blaze said HM Coastguard and all 88 passengers and 59 crew were unharmed and got off safely. The ship has been taken out of service during an investigation.
One passenger told BBC Wales there was an announcement to the crew, advising it was not a drill and they should take up positions.
“Smoke began to circulate and smoke was seen coming from the funnel.
“Life jackets were issued, and crew members assisted passengers with life jackets.
Coastguard rescue teams from Fishguard and Moylegrove, RNLI Lifeboats from St David’s, Newquay and Fishguard, a coastguard helicopter, Welsh Ambulance Service, an air ambulance, Dyfed-Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were all called out.
Stena Line said the ferry has been “removed from service while we undertake a thorough investigation as to the cause of the incident” and thanked the emergency services “who deployed significant numbers of their resources as a precaution”.
“We are sorry for any distress and inconvenience this has caused to our passengers,” it added, and Stena Line said it had reached an agreement with Irish Ferries to allow passengers to transfer to its Pembroke sailing or transfer to an alternative Stena Line service at a different port.
The Executive Director of Seal Rescue Ireland (SRI), Melanie Croce, has parted the ways and moved on to her next adventure, a decision that is supported as a personal decision, but regretted by many who have been impressed by her impact on the environment of Courtown Harbour over the past six years.
MELANIE CROCHE leaves Seal Sanctuary Ireland at Courtown Harbour
“Although I’m excited for my next adventure, I’m sad to say goodbye to some of the most amazing, dedicated, and capable people I’ve ever met: SRI’s management team based in Courtown. It’s been an honour and privilege to work alongside literally hundreds of interns, volunteers and colleagues over the years at our small seal rescue centre, most of whom worked full-time on a voluntary basis, without whom none of this work would have been possible.
“A heartfelt thank you to our fantastic network of volunteers nationwide who have helped every seal reach our care.
“Thank you to the many supporters, sponsors, collaborators, members, donors and media outlets over the years who have helped SRI become leaders in Ireland’s environmental movement and spread our message across the globe”, concluded Melanie.
Courtown Community Council have paid tribute; “It’s not every day you get to work with people as inspirational as Melanie and Jeshua. They have a real passion for what they do and working with them over the past four years has truly been an honour. Courtown Community Council wouldn’t be where we are today without your wealth of knowledge, ongoing support and selfless dedication.”
From a personal viewpoint, I have worked with Melanie Croce in print, radio and television productions, and she was consistently refreshing and committed to her brief, always professional and sensitive with communications, and she threw her heart and soul into her profession. I will miss her and so will Courtown and its environment.
Artist SERENA CAULFIELD speaking at the launch of her solo exhibition Not Somewhere else but here at Wexford Arts Centre today.
By Dan Walsh at Wexford Arts Centre
The Chair of the Arts Council, Prof. Kevin Rafter was in Wexford Arts Centre today (Saturday) where he performed the official launch of Not somewhere else but here, a solo exhibition of new paintings by Wexford artist Serena Caulfield.
Prof. Rafter was full of praise for Ms. Caulfield’s latest work, congratulated on her outstanding talent and eye for quality paintings, he wished her well with the exhibition and advised that large numbers should come along to the Wexford Arts Centre to view her work. “They won’t be disappointed. This is an outstanding solo exhibition and I am privileged to be here to launch it,” he said.
Ms. Caulfield was thrilled to have the labours of two years work finally exude quality from the walls and she hoped people would enjoy it. However, she told WexfordLocal.com; “This is my best exhibition to date, but better has yet to come.”
There was a large gathering of friends and admirers at the launch where the master of ceremonies was the CEO of Wexford Arts Centre, Elizabeth Whyte, who emphasised “how privileged the Arts Centre is to host Serena Caulfield’s exhibition.”
The exhibition will run in the lower and upper galleries at Wexford Arts Centre from Tuesday, February 14th to Thursday, March 23rd, inclusive.
Serena Caulfield was selected to take part in the MAKE/curate programme, a partnership initiative between Wexford Arts Centre and the Arts Department of Wexford County Council.
The aim of the programme is to provide artists working regionally with an opportunity to work with national curators to critique their practice and introduce other areas of interest or specialists.
Over the course of two years, Caulfield worked with Curators Marysia Wieckiewicz-Carroll and Cliodhna Shaffrey toward her solo exhibition. Distinct from the curatorial support, mentorship was also facilitated by artist Sinead Ni Mhaonaigh.
“Not somewhere else but here” is a line taken from Adrienne Rich’s poem “What Kind of Times are These”. The poem deals with uncertain and dangerous times but more importantly, its message is the responsibility to speak out against injustice and to listen when we hear others doing the same.
Ms. Caulfield felt that it was all too appropriate for our current climate, despite being written nearly thirty years ago. This repurposing of the established is one of the most inventive and engaging features of her work.
PROFILE; Serena Caulfield is a painter living and working in Wexford and is a recipient of the Arts Council of Ireland Visual Arts Bursary, an Artlinks Visual Arts Bursary, Platform 31, and an Arts Council Agility Award.
She has exhibited regionally and nationally. Recent group shows include the Zurich Painting Prize, 2021 at the National Gallery of Ireland and Crawford Art Gallery, Cork (2021); Generation 2022 – NewIrish Painting, Butler Gallery, Kilkenny (2022); 140th Annual Royal Ulster Academy Exhibition, Belfast (2021), Crossings, King House, Boyle Arts Festival (2021), and MEET, Periphery Space, Gorey School of Art, (2021).
NOTE; Interviews from the launch with Prof. Kevin Rafter and Serena Caulfield will be broadcast on Mid Week Voices with Dan Walsh on South East Radio (95.6 and 96.4FM) on Wednesday, February 15th, at 8pm.
Champion point-to-point rider Barry O’Neill travelled to Co. Down this afternoon where he notched up a treble and recorded his 30th success of the season.
BARRY O’NEILL… three winners in Co. Down this afternoon.
Newcomer Jhentong Enki put up an impressive front running performance and finished six lengths ahead of the opposition in the maiden race for four-year-olds to get O’Neill off to a winning start with the support of the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd and champion handler Colin Bowe. The French-bred gelding is heading for the Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales later this month.
O’Neill made it a double in the Open Race on Bold Enough by two and a half lengths for Fermanagh handler David Christie and took the winning mount on Lar’s Lass for Kilsallaghan handler Tom Dreaper to complete a treble on the day in the Winner of Two race.
Rob James was in the winners’ enclosure following a nine lengths success with Check The Score, which he also trains at Tomona, Killanne, for the Matchmaker Syndicate in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Another on his way to the Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales shortly.
WexfordLocal.com 