Uisce Eireann has detected 13 exceedances for pesticides in the public drinking water supplies in Clonroche in 2022 as part of its public water supply monitoring programme.
The Clonroche water supply abstracts raw water from local boreholes which are vulnerable to runoff from land.
Uisce Éireann is asking users of any herbicide or pesticide products to continue to consider the vulnerability of their local drinking water supplies to pesticide contamination and the importance of these supplies to local homes and businesses in the community.
Rosslare Harbour RNLI came to the aid of a man after his 16-foot inflatable fishing boat got into difficulty off Ballytrent Beach on Tuesday.
The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat by the Irish Coast Guard shortly before 6pm and made its way to the scene.
Weather conditions at the time were described as “fine and dry with a slight wind and calm seas.”
Once on scene, the crew observed that the man was safe and well. The vessel was towed to the nearest safe port at St Helen’s Harbour.
Jamie Ryan, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “We were delighted to be of assistance this evening and bring the man safely back to shore. We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to always wear a lifejacket, always carry a means of communication such as a mobile phone or VHF radio. 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 in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
Twenty-three persons are working out of the “unfit for purpose” Courtown Coast Guard Station that consists of a single room operation with no toilet facilities and common changing facilities for both male and female crew members.
That is according to Courtown Coast Guard Officer, David Swinburne, who added; “We are basically sharing a ten by twenty-foot room. We are using the same sink to make tea and coffee as we are for washing up after incidents. It is worse than horrendous and just not fit for purpose.”
Mr. Swinburne has been informed by his Coast Guard Unit Sector Manager that the Office of Public Works were awaiting a letter from Wexford County Council to confirm that they had no suitable sites for the facility and, once that was received, the purchase of the private site could proceed. However, with the busy summer period looming and there is no sign of further movement.
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL CEO, TOM ENRIGHT
CEO of Wexford County Council Tom Enright said that the matter ultimately rests with the OPW. “We’re very keen that the Coast Guard station situation is addressed and there is a site found for them so that they can have a suitable place. The Council very much supports that, but this is a matter for the OPW to find a site for them. It’s not for the Council,” stated Mr Enright.
The CEO added; “We currently don’t have a site that’s suitable available but there is a proposal to potentially do a land transfer for the old Bayview site. If the Bayview site comes into the ownership of the Council, we would look to make part of that available to the Coast Guard. Obviously, that is dependent on whether that transaction would go through,” said Mr Enright.
The proposal for the swap falls to a Section 183 decision and needs to go on the Council agenda and be voted on by the members of Wexford County Council before any decision is made.
“If there is to be a land swap done with the Bayview site, that will have to get planning approval. There may well also be a decision to be made by An Bord Pleanála. You’re looking at 12 to 18 months by the time there is any decision made. If that site was coming available, you’re looking at a year, a year and a half until something can start. That may not fit with the timeline of the OPW and Coast Guard so if they have found something suitable, I would encourage them to go ahead,” said Mr Enright.
Some of the consignment seized at Rosslare Europort (Pic; Revenue).
By Dan Walsh
53,300 litres of alcohol including cans of Carlsberg Special Brew, Stella Artois, and Tyskie brands were among the 53,300 litres of alcohol with a market value of €220,000 seized by revenue officers over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
The seizures were executed in four separate operations at Rosslare Europort between Thursday and Bank Holiday Monday.
On Thursday, revenue officers seized approximately 25,392 litres of Oranjeboom, Carlsberg Special Brew, Tyskie, and San Miguel with a retail value of approximately €101,250, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €47,500.
The consignment arrived in an accompanied trailer that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France. The trailer carrying the alcohol products was also seized.
The following day officers seized approximately 26,092 litres of Oranjeboom, Zywiec, Stella Artois, and Zubr with a retail value of over €104,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €48,700.
This consignment arrived in an unaccompanied trailer that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France. Again, the trailer carrying the alcohol products was also seized.
On Friday 1,066 litres of wine with a retail value of approximately €13,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €7,000, was seized. This consignment arrived in an unaccompanied trailer that had disembarked a ferry from Cherbourg, France.
Finally, on May Day Monday, officers seized approximately 778 litres of beer (Kamenitza, Wymehco and Paropka) with a retail value of over €3,100, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €1,500. These beverages were discovered in an accompanied trailer that had arrived from Dunkirk, France.
Investigations into all four 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.
Pictured from left to right are PJ D’Arcy (coach), Sarah Byrne, Jordan Feeley (Chairman), Grace Kehoe, and James Byrne (coach).
By Dan Walsh
The Bree Macra Public Speaking team of Chairman Jordan Feeley, and speakers Sarah Byrne and Grace Kehoe, who have secured a spot in the All-Ireland Public Speaking Final.
This will be the third All-Ireland Final this year for Bree Macra, as Jordan and Sarah were part of the All-Ireland Runner-up Novice Debating team, and Sarah was All-Ireland Runner-up in the Impromptu Public Speaking.
Grace, a newcomer to Bree Macra, is the daughter of Michael Kehoe of The Moyne, Enniscorthy, who holds a record five county titles in the Public Speaking competition.
The team competed in the semi-final on March 22nd in Bennettsbridge. They spoke on the subject; “Free Speech Does Not Exist Anymore.”
The All-Ireland Final will take place on May 13th in the Maritime Hotel in Bantry at 5.30 pm, where the team will be competing against Clonakilty Macra for the All-Ireland title.
May Day point-to-point action took place at Dawstown today and doubles for riders Barry O’Neill and Tiernan Power Roche and for champion handler Barry O’Neill.
BARRY O’NEILL and COLIN BOWE shared a double today.
Tiernan Power Roche from Tomhaggard was in the winners’ enclosure following the maiden race for five-year-old geldings having steered newcomer Do It Like A Dude for owner/handler Harley Dunne to a one length victory.
Later he took the mount on Garm Colombe for Carlow handler Aidan Fitzgerald in the Winner of Two race and a second success of the day – this time by one and a half lengths.
Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe struck twice. Firstly, with Barrack Village by five lengths in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus, and secondly, enjoyed a two and a half lengths victory on Theatrical Getaway, in the colours of Maria Kavanagh, Arklow, in the maiden race for six-year-old plus geldings race.
Kilmore Quay RNLI crew bring angler charter boat to safety at Kilmore Quay this morning (Pic; RNLI/Elaine Walsh)
By Dan Walsh
Nine anglers on board a charter boat that fouled its propellers east of the Saltee Islands were rescued and taken to safety by Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat service earlier today.
The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Killarney, by the Irish Coast Guard this morning.
The lifeboat under Coxswain Eugene Kehoe and with six crew members onboard arrived on scene at 10am. Having checked all onboard were safe and well, a towline was quickly established. The lifeboat was soon underway to Kilmore Quay, arriving back at the harbour at 10.43am. Weather and sea conditions were good at the time.
The Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat crew involved in the call out were Coxswain Eugene Kehoe, Philip Walsh, Aidan Bates, Nigel Kehoe, Adam Kelly, Michelle Hinchy and Dean Roche.
The death has taken place of Anne Mary Sheeran (née Mulligan), Craanford, Gorey, who is grandmother to internationally renowned singer songwriter Ed Sheeran. She passed away peacefully at Castle Gardens Nursing Home, Enniscorthy, aged 98 years.
Ed Sheeran wrote a chart-topping song about his grandmother called ‘Nancy Mulligan’.
A nurse from Gorey, Anne Mary Mulligan married Bill Sheeran from Co. Derry in 1951 in London where they raised a family. Bill was deep into the local boxing world, both as a fighter and later in life as a teacher and historian.
In 1983 Bill and Anne Sheeran retired to her childhood home in Gorey, where both immersed themselves into promotion of Gorey Boxing Club, and undoubtedly enjoyed watching their grandson Ed Sheeran storming the worldwide pop charts.
Anne and her family were also closely associated with Courtown Golf Club, Gorey Musical Society, Gorey Tennis Club, Gorey and District Lions Club and Gorey Cricket Club.
Anne was predeceased by her husband Bill in 2013. She was well-known and held in high esteem throughout the community and news of her passing has caused sadness and great loss amongst family, friends and neighbours over a wide area.
FAMILY NOTICE; Anne Mary Sheeran (née Mulligan) Craan, Craanford, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Died 25th April 2023 peacefully at Castle Gardens Nursing Home Enniscorthy. Beloved wife of the late Bill and loving mother of Jim, Bill, Peter, Chris, John, MaryAnne, Bridget and the late Sally and sister of the late Thomas, Jim, May and Peggy. Deeply regretted by her loving sons, daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, niece, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours. May She Rest In Peace. Anne will be reposing at Floods Funeral Home McDermott Street Gorey on Monday (1st May) from 3pm to 8pm. Funeral Mass on Wednesday (3rd May) at 11am in St. Patrick’s Church Monaseed Gorey. Burial afterwards in St. Patrick’s Cemetery Craanford. Donations if desired to St. Aidan’s Daycare Centre Gorey. House Private Please.
CLLR ANDREW BOLGER performing the official opening of Gorey May Bush Féile events in Gorey Civic Square this evening.
By Dan Walsh at Gorey Civic Square
Gorey Civic Square was alive to the sound of music and celebration this evening to mark the Gorey May Bush Feile decorations and the welcome of summer and Bealtaine in a pleasant outdoor atmosphere of music, song, dancing and storytelling.
The well attended ceremony commenced with John Cullen of St. Michael’s Pipe Band playing appropriate tunes to open the event and welcome everybody to sit, listen or participate.
The official opening was performed by Cllr Andrew Bolger who emphasised the importance of the event and what it means to Gorey, he complimented the performers for their astonishing talent and congratulated the organisers and the support received from Springmount Garden Centre.
This year’s respective King and Queen are Ultan McGinty and Nessa Dooley, two amazing young ambassadors for the event, who also contributed a party piece to the entertainment section.
The ‘monarch’s’, with the assistance of Amanda Doran, ensured that the May Bush was decorated with ribbons, and remained at the centre of the community event that was all inclusive.
Rachel Uí Fhaolain was master of ceremonies, Éire agus Chulainn Ní Faoláin performed and assisted with musical accompaniment and other participants included Rince Óg and storytellers, poets and singers, including James Doran, Richard Kimmons, Mick O’Callaghan, Ola Riquet, Johnny Tennant, Anne Ireton, Bróna Ní Chionnfhaolaigh, Alannah Hammell, Ann Walsh, Bernie Walsh, Gerry Walsh and Myles Carroll. This is not a complete list of performers as it was an open event and anybody with a contribution to make were invited to step up.
RACHEL Uí FhAOLÁIN speaking with DAN WALSH at the May Bush Féile event in Gorey Civic Square this evening.
The Staples brothers from Duncormick enjoyed a winner each at Dromahane point-to-point today (Sunday).
SEAN STAPLES and brother EOIN each enjoyed a winner today.
Sean Staples was aboard Ivegotdapower in the colours of Connie Rooney, Ballyduff, and handled by John Paul Brennan at Monasootha, Camolin, and was successful by a short head in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
And his younger brother, Eoin Staples, (19), won the next race on the card – the maiden race for four-year-old geldings – on Colin Bowe’s newcomer Chosen Judge by two lengths.
Fresh from riding his 70th career winner at Moira yesterday (Saturday) Luke Murphy headed to the Cork track where he recorded a double success.
Murphy enjoyed a winning ride on Bootfulofbags for David Kelly by four lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old mares’ plus and made it a double when given the leg up on Gray Rock owned by Noeleen Kenny and handled at Craanford stables by Liam Kenny – six and a half lengths the verdict – in the Winners Final race.
Donnchadh Doyle saddled the winner of the maiden race for four-year-old mares, newcomer Jayapura by eleven lengths ridden by Brian Lawless.
Also point-to-point action today in East Galway where Oulart rider Bertie Finn teamed up with Clonmel handler John Nallen and steered Minella Missile to a one length victory in the maiden race for six-year-old geldings.
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