WexfordLocal.com

Court order follows cash seizure at Rosslare Europort

Today at Gorey District Court, Revenue officers were granted a three-month cash detention order by Judge John Cheatle. This followed the seizure of €9,250 on Tuesday at Rosslare Europort.

The cash was discovered because of routine profiling by Revenue officers, and with the assistance of detector dog Bailey, when an Irish-registered van was stopped and searched prior to a planned departure to Bilbao, Spain. A Polish man in his 40s has been questioned in relation to this seizure.

**BAILEY the detector dog on duty at Rosslare Europort.**

Separately, last Thursday, Revenue officers seized approximately 21,230 litres of beer at Rosslare Europort, as a result of routine profiling.

The smuggled beer of multiple brands has an estimated retail value of almost €85,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of nearly €40,000. An additional quantity of a branded energy drink (more than 1,500 litres) was also found.

The beverages were discovered in an accompanied trailer that had arrived from Dunkirk, France and the driver of the load has been questioned. Investigations into both seizures are ongoing.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding such activities, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.

Bree Macra in national debating final

**Bree Novice Debating Team (left to right); Sarah Byrne, Michael Roche, Macra President John Keane, Jordan Feeley, and Tyler Murphy.**

Bree Macra na Feirme are certainly keeping old traditions alive in the club. On January 28th, the club turned out in force to support the Novice Debating team of Sarah Byrne, Michael Roche, Jordan Feeley, and Tyler Murphy in the Macra Na Feirme Novice Debating All-Ireland Final in Macroom, Co. Cork.

Having previously beaten a county Clare team in the semi-final, the four debaters faced Banteer Macra in proposing the motion that “Marriage is the End of a Good Time”. The audience enjoyed a lively, close debate, with both sides eliciting waves of laughter from the room.

After a long adjudication, the results were in – Banteer emerged victorious, with Bree taking home the runner’s-up plaques. Although all four Bree debaters are newcomers to the landscape of Macra debating, they benefited from an experienced backroom team of coaches James Byrne and PJ D’Arcy, as well as the support of the 2019 Bree Senior Debating All-Ireland winning team.

The team would like to thank all their supporters for making the long journey into the Rebel County.

New arrangements in five parishes

By Dan Walsh

The parochial system that has served the Diocese of Ferns so well for generations and instilled pride and sense of belonging into each and every one of us is sadly giving way to a clustering of parishes all over Ireland as a direct response to the sharp decrease in vocations and the diminishing number of priests available for ministry.

This began in the Diocese of Ferns last year with the ‘amalgamation’ of St Aidan’s Enniscorthy, St Senan’s Enniscorthy, and Marshalstown/Castledockrell, with three priests looking after the parishes between them, coming into effect on August 15th.

Speaking at the time, Bishop Ger Nash said the diocese faced a challenge that “it is no longer possible to provide a priest for each parish of curacy.”

Bishop Nash also announced; “A new structure of ministry for the Diocese with priests working together as team to provide an opportunity for priests to focus on those areas of ministry which are life enhancing for them while at the same time providing an effective ministry to the people in the pastoral area when it is no longer possible to provide a priest for each parish or curacy.

It is currently announced that Monageer/Boolavogue will now be joining with Oulart/The Ballagh, Blackwater, Kilmuckridge/Monamolin, and Ballygarrett.

There are eight churches in these five parishes, and up to now there have been 19 Masses to be celebrated in the five parishes each weekend. As Fr Morgan White, now in Boolavogue, will be returning to the USA shortly at the request of his bishop, this will leave five priests to look after the eight churches.

The priests involved have met and decided that the number of Masses will have to be reduced to 13 Masses every weekend to enable them to cope adequately with their ministry.

Weekend Mass times in the various churches will be as follows:

Monageer: 6 pm Vigil 10 am Sunday

Boolavogue: 11 am Sunday

Oulart: 8 pm Vigil 11 am Sunday

Ballaghkeen 7 pm Vigil

Kilmuckridge 7 pm Vigil 11 am Sunday

Monamolin 6 pm Vigil

Blackwater 7 pm Vigil 10 am Sunday

Ballygarrett 6 pm Vigil 10 am Sunday

Weekday Masses will be changed also. Final decisions have yet to be made, but it is hoped that Monageer will have three or four Masses over the five days while Boolavogue will have one or two. Fr Butler of Ballygarret and Fr Cosgrave will attend to the Boolavogue Masses, weekend and weekday, between them.

It is important to make clear that any money that comes into a parish fund through the generosity of the parishioners will stay in that parish.

This new arrangement will begin in all five parishes on the weekend of 26th February, the First Sunday of Lent.

25 years since disappearance of Fiona Sinnott

Gardaí in Wexford continue to actively investigate the disappearance and murder of Fiona Sinnott on the 8th February 1998.

Fiona was the mother of an infant daughter and at the time of her disappearance Fiona lived at Ballyhitt, Broadway, Co. Wexford.

On Sunday 8th February 1998, Fiona Sinnott was socialising at Butler’s Pub in Broadway, Co. Wexford with friends. She left Butler’s Pub at approximately 12 midnight. This was the last confirmed sighting of Fiona.

A motorist saw a male and a female on the roadway near Kisha Cross, Broadway, County Wexford on Sunday 8th February 1998, at around midnight.

There were two males in their late teens or early twenties in close proximity.

None of these 4 people have ever come forward and Gardaí are anxious to trace them, or anyone who was in the vicinity who did not, or could not come forward at the time.

In 2005 Gardaí arrested and detained a male on suspicion of the murder of Fiona Sinnott. At the same time 5 other persons (3 women and 2 men) were arrested and detained in connection with the investigation into the disappearance and murder of Fiona.

No person has been charged in connection with this investigation to date.

In addition to regular appeals on the anniversary of Fiona’s disappearance An Garda Síochána has made a number of direct appeals in relation to this investigation, including at the time of the arrests in 2005, a Crimecall Appeal in February 2017 and a follow up appeal in April 2017.

On each occasion An Garda Síochána continues to receive contact from persons in relation to this investigation.

Given the passage of time, on this the 25th anniversary of the disappearance and murder of Fiona Sinnott, Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Fiona Sinnott to come forward.

An Garda Síochána believe there are people in the Broadway area of Co. Wexford who have information vital to this investigation.

With the passage of time, it is possible that persons who have not spoken to Gardaí to date, or who spoke to Gardaí over the past 25 years but possibly have more information that they can provide, are now in a position to come forward.

Anyone with information or who can assist with the investigation into the disappearance and murder of Fiona Sinnott is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111, any Garda Station or any member of An Garda Síochána.

Swims and dips cheques presented

**Independent TD Verona Murphy at the Fethard-on-Sea lifeboat cheque presentation.**

By Dan Walsh

Fundraising for the lifeboats is a popular activity around Christmas and the generosity of coastline supporter has been reflected in the presentation of cheques at Fethard-on-Sea and Kilmore Quay recently.

Hooked on Swimming’s ’12 Swims of Christmas’ raised €15,260 for Fethard-on-Sea RNLI with a little help from their friends.

The funds were raised through a Go Fund Me page, coffee morning, grand raffle and support from local businesses.

As part of the total raised, they were thrilled to receive a substantial donation of €6,750 from Siemens Energy, who wished to support one of their employees, Siobhan Redmond, as she undertook the 12 swims.

The brave ’20 Dips in December’ fundraiser for Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat was a huge success and raised €6,817 and the cheque has been presented.

In a message on social media, Kilmore Quay Lifeboat said; “A huge thank you to all involved especially Charlie the Kippers mascot a special mention to teenager Tommy who raised a whopping €1,641 congratulations to everyone involved!”

Enniscorthy Red Cross busy in Rosslare

By Ruari Ryan, PRO.

The Enniscorthy branch of the Red Cross held their Annual General Meeting recently at which a number of important issues were discussed. The branch also reviewed the last year of activities.

The committee for the coming year is composed of Aine O’Neill (Assistant Secretary), Paul O’Meara (Treasurer), Shane Roche (Vice-Chairman), Ruairi Ryan (PRO), Breda Coughlan-Roche (Chairperson), Sally Flynn (Area Rep), Elisha Pickles, Olive Lett, Paddy Redmond and Caroline Syme.

The organisation was nominated for a national Red Cross award under the “branch of the year” section, in 2022, and it was a fantastic achievement to be one of the three nominated branches from across the country.

The organisation is very busy in Rosslare tending to Ukraine refugees entering the country.

The meeting saw general duties being discussed, as well as plans being put in place for the coming year.

**Officers and members of Enniscorthy Red Cross pictured at the annual general meeting held recently. (Pic; Enniscorthy Red Cross).**

New Wexford to Enniscorthy Bus Service

**New rural bus service between the towns of Wexford and Enniscorthy will serve villages, including BALLYHOGUE, seen here.**

By Dan Walsh

TFI Local Link Wexford has announced a new rural bus service connecting the towns of Wexford and Enniscorthy due to commence next Monday, February 13^th.

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.

The new route will also provide improved access to medical services in St John’s Community Hospital, local libraries, local town bus services and tourist attractions such as the Irish National Heritage Park, Enniscorthy Castle, the historic Athenaeum and the National 1798 Rebellion Centre.

First success for Joanne Corish

By Dan Walsh at Ballinaboola races

The most excited person at the Wexford Hunt point-to-point held in Spring-like conditions today at Ballinaboola was Kilmore rider Joanne Corish who rode her first winner; Old Style Humor for Ballindaggin handler Sean Doyle by one length in the concluding Winners of Three race. It was a very popular victory for Ms. Corish who had two mounts.

**JOANNE CORISH had her first winner at Ballinaboola today.**

The well-attended meeting got under way with the first four-year-old maiden race for 2023 and a one and a half lengths success for first timer De Tellers Fortune ridden by Brian Dunleavy for Coolgarrow Lane handler Ellen Doyle. Afterwards James Doyle said he was “delighted” with the performance of the €32,000 purchase at Tattersalls Derby Sale.

Rosemary Connors from Woodstown, Co. Waterford was the handler of Woodie Flash who came home seven and a half lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings with Cleariestown rider Barry Stone up.

Jack Hendrick and Cormac Doyle were relieved to see Stadium Talk get the better of Callin Baton Rouge (Declan Lavery) by “a neck” in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares. Cormac Doyle said afterwards; “She is improving all the time; a nice mare and she goes to the sales next.”

Tara Cove is heading for “a winner’s race” according to champion handler Colin Bowe following an eight lengths victory in the maiden race for six-year-olds with Barry O’Neill in the saddle.

Philip Rothwell is having a good run of luck and the Tinahely stables added another success with Lesssaidthebetter who scored by 32 lengths to give Tralee rider Ross Sugrue his first winner in the maiden race for seven-year-olds and upwards. Rothwell was saddling his 20^th career point-to-point winner to add to his success on the track over many years.

Rob James travelled to Bellharbour in Co. Clare today and rode a treble; Somptueux for Henry de Bromhead, Paddy De Pole for Tom Keating, and added the maiden race for five-year-old geldings on first timer Mt Fugi Park by five lengths for the Monbeg Syndicate and Ballindaggin handler Donnchadh Doyle.

Point-to-point also today at Tallow, Co. Waterford, where two Wexford stables were amongst the winners. Following his success at Ballinaboola with Old Style Humor Sean Doyle made it a double for the day with newcomer Leader in the Park gaining a 56 lengths victory under Liam Gilligan in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

Cold Sobar won the six-year-olds plus gelding’s maiden race for the Blackhall Stables Partnership and Killurin handler Paul Pierce. Two and a half lengths the distance and the successful rider was Sean Staples from Duncormick.

103 entries for Ballinaboola on Sunday

By Dan Walsh

The Wexford Hunt point-to-point races takes place at Ballinaboola tomorrow (Sunday) with an impressive 103 entries for six races, the first is off at 1pm.

**HARLEY DUNNE …out of action through injury but has entries as a handler at the Wexford Hunt races at Ballinaboola tomorrow.**

The latest news from the track is that it will be a dry day, temperatures 7-9 degrees and the going is officially described as ‘good’.

The card kicks off with the first four-year-old maiden of 2023 with 32 entries including many from the local stables of Colin Bowe, Ellen Doyle, Harley Dunne, Rob James, Cormac Doyle, Matthew Flynn-O’Connor, Mark Scallan, Liam Kenny, Cormac Farrell, Sean Doyle and Michael Goff.

Ballinaboola is highly rated as a track that brings out the quality since it became a new location for the point-to-point scene in 2011.

On the first day one of the winners was Seabass, ridden by Katie Walsh (now of RTÉ interviewing fame at the television races) who went on to finish third in the 2012 Aintree Grand National behind the winner Neptune Colleges (Daryl Jacob).

The four-year-old maiden at the spring fixture has been run over 2m4f, with the start located at the end of the back straight and this is a race won by Envoi Allen, (Colin Bowe/Barry O’Neill) the most joint most expensive four-year-old point-to-pointer during the 2017/18 season.

Enjoy your day at Balinaboola tomorrow. Wexford Hunt welcomes everyone to a good day out for all the family.

Fans evacuated at Wexford Park

By Dan Walsh

Fans were evacuated onto the pitch at Chadwicks Wexford Park this evening delaying the throw-in of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A Round 1/Walsh Cup final after a small fire broke out in the main stand.

The start to the game was delayed by 15 minutes until the Fire Officer declared it safe for the waiting fans to enter the stadium and the match to go ahead.

Speaking to RTÉ News, CEO/Operations Manager of Wexford GAA Gavin Donovan said that smoke came out of a vent after an air-conditioning unit went on fire. The mains power in the stadium was out for a time as a result.

“There was only a small bit of smoke, and the air handling vent is damaged but there was no damage to the room that it was in. Nobody was hurt or injured as a result”, said Mr. Donovan, who praised the quick response of the emergency services.

The game got under way 15 minutes behind the scheduled starting time and victory went to the visitors. Final score; Galway 0-23 Wexford 0-15.