New €12m hub opens in Wexford town

Scene from the opening of the €12 million Global Logics Park at Drinagh today. (Pic; Courtesy of Verone Murphy T.D.)

By Dan Walsh

A company of international repute and founded 60 years ago, Nolan Transport, originally from New Ross, officially opened a new 35-acre, €12 million Global Logistics Park at Drinagh on the Rosslare Road, south of Wexford town, creating 30 new jobs in the process, today (Wednesday).

The world has seen unprecedented demand for warehousing facilities caused by changes in customer needs and disruption in the supply chain stemming from Brexit and Covid. Recognising these disruptions and changes, Nolan Transport is putting itself and Wexford forward as a global leader for transportation and logistics services to its customers both locally and internationally.

Nolan Transport, founded by Jimmy and his wife Joan (christened Johanna) in 1963, celebrates 60 years in business this year. Starting in 1963 with a single truck and only the two of them working the business, today it has grown to provide the supply chain services of Transportation, Warehousing, Customs and Systems to its customers.

The company prides itself on being one of Co. Wexford’s leading employers with over 1,000 people and operating over 2,000 trailers and 700 trucks of owner asset-based fleet.

With its main hub already operating out of New Ross, today the Nolan family opened the “Johanna 1 Building” named in honour of their dear mother Joan who sadly passed away suddenly on December 16th,2022. It has been specifically designed to facilitate its customer’s needs and is already in high demand with its global customers seeking out high-end warehousing requirements.

The new €12 million 150,000 cubic metres high-bay warehouse facility is the first of five planned warehouses in the company’s €50 million vision for the park over the next few years.

In addition to its two Co. Wexford locations, the company operates offices internationally in the UK, France and Spain, and is about to open its new office in Holland with further expansion plans into other European locations planned over the next five years.

Noel Nolan, Director of the Warehousing Division, said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts with a number of international brands already. We are ideally positioned to unlock opportunities to deliver high-quality and sustainable warehousing solutions, deliver more jobs and deliver more economic benefits for Wexford and the wider region all the while, working even more closely with Rosslare Europort with its new direct to Europe and its UK ferry operators.”

Many tributes have been lauded on the company. Deputy Verona Murphy described the Nolan’s as “long-life neighbours and long-life friends, and an entire family who have worked extremely hard for decades to bring their business to the top of the haulage and logistics industry in Ireland and beyond.”

Cllr George Lawlor, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council said it was “a real honour to be in attendance today at the official opening of Nolan Transport A truly remarkable facility created by a remarkable family.”

The development was also praised by the Chief Executive Officer of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright, who spoke from the podium during today’s impressive opening ceremony that brought welcome news of excellent business and future employment prospects to Co. Wexford.  

Investigation follows Milehouse burglary

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí at Enniscorthy Station are investigating a burglary which took place at Milehouse, Enniscorthy, on Monday evening and are seeking assistance from the public in relation to a burglary at a private house yesterday evening between 5.20pm and 7.30pm.

ENNISCORTHY GARDA STATION

An electronic safe was stolen from the property and Gardaí are aware that a dark coloured Audi Estate car is involved in this incident.

A spokesperson for the Gardaí said; “We are appealing to the public to contact us at Enniscorthy Garda Station;

If you were in the area yesterday evening and saw this vehicle or anything suspicious.

If you have dashcam or CCTV that may have captured this vehicle or suspicious activity in the area.

If you have any other information that might assist the Garda investigation.

Please call us at Enniscorthy on 053 9342580 or Garda Confidential 1800 666 111.

Rail works at Enniscorthy tunnel

Steam train No. 85 emerging from Enniscorthy tunnel on a Dublin-Rosslare Harbour run last July (File Pic)

By Dan Walsh

Iarnród Éireann will be carrying out essential maintenance at Enniscorthy tunnel during night-time hours this week and wish this be known to residents living near the railway work area.

The works will take place from Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, January 10th/11th until Friday night/Saturday morning, January 13th/14th between the hours of 10pm to 6am.

Iarnród Éireann says this work can only be carried out at night when trains are not running and every practical effort will be made to minimise the impact and disruption to local residents.

Only 30% of new homes for locals!

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin has drawn attention to a “concerning” situation in the neighbouring county of Wicklow, making headlines in print and radio/television news bulletins, where it emerged as a matter of disappointment and shock that only 30% of new homes which are part of a council-backed affordable housing scheme in the county are to be reserved for locals.

CLLR FIONNTÁN Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN

Cllr Ó Súilleabháin was speaking at today’s (Monday) monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held at the Carricklawn headquarters on the outskirts of Wexford town.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Wicklow-based Independent Cllr. Joe Behan welcomed there were “finally some affordable houses available” to buy, but said he was “quite disappointed, dismayed and shocked that the minister intervened to ensure that effectively only 30%, or 11 of the houses, will be reserved for Wicklow applicants”.

Cllr. Behan called on Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien to change how homes under the council’s affordable housing scheme are reserved for residents from the county that the houses are being built in.

He said it was one of the first such schemes rolled-out in the country, that councillors in other counties “might want to take note”, and that he thought “it would be far better if the rules were changed”.

“At the end of the day, only 11 houses being built by Wicklow County Council in the county of Wicklow are going to be guaranteed for residents in Co Wicklow. I just think that’s unfair,” said Cllr Behan.

However, RTÉ News reports that Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has said the way the scheme is being applied is consistent with all local authorities.

“The scheme of priority, or the 70/30, is consistent with all local authorities. It’s one that I approved, and I think it is absolutely appropriate,” he said at a press conference on the First Home Scheme.

At today’s Wexford meeting Chief Executive Officer Tom Enright confirmed that “it is a national policy and the Wexford members have adopted the 70-30 rule,” however, he accepted the policy “causes issues, it is early days yet, but the system may need to be looked at here in Wexford.”

Mr Enright suggested that it is now a matter for the councillors! 

Drugs crime in Curracloe area

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí attached to the Wexford Divisional Burglary Response Unit while conducting an anti-crime checkpoint in the Curracloe area over the weekend intercepted a suspicious vehicle.

After a search of the vehicle cannabis with a value of €2,000 was recovered.

One person was arrested and charged with drug offences to appear at a sitting of Wexford District Court.

The public can assist An Garda Siochána to stop criminality by reporting any suspicious activity either to your local Garda Station or by dialling 999 or 112.

An Taisce Green Schools programme

Pictured at the launch of Uisce Éireann continued sponsorship of An Taisce’s Green-Schools programme are last year’s, Green School, Winners of Secondary Water School of the Year: Eniola Best Olumeyan, Mary Igbinigun and Yinka Adedokun from Balbriggan Community College. PIC: MAXWELLS.

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann has confirmed its continued sponsorship of An Taisce’s Green-Schools programme to support schools working to gain a Green Flag under the Water Theme. Now in its 10th year, the sponsorship has seen over 2.6 billion litres of water saved, which is equivalent to filling 1,040 Olympic size swimming pools. 

52 students across Wexford and the Southern Region are water ambassadors for the programme with 161 schools involved with Green Schools. In total over 370,000 students across Ireland have completed the programme, to date, achieving 1,310 Green Flags, as well as participating in a range of additional initiatives, including poster and video competitions, Walks for Water, Water Ambassador programmes and a range of workshops with Irish Water and other stakeholders in the water sector.

Speaking at the launch, Eamon Gallen of Uisce Éireann, said; “We are immensely proud to continue our sponsorship of the Water Theme and our association with Green Schools. This partnership is the perfect fit as it and embodies our core values while helping the next generation understand and appreciate Ireland’s water resources and encourage conservation from a young age.

“It is truly inspiring to see how the schools taking part in the Green-Schools Water Theme are setting an example for how we should all value our precious water resources and have proved just how much water can be salvaged.”

Joanne Scott, Green Schools Manager, added; “We are delighted to have the continued support of Uisce Éireann. The support over the past nine years has enabled us to create and develop resources, events, and ongoing initiatives to assist schools as best we can with their work on our Water Theme. Each year our schools have achieved incredibly low water use and a strong school-wide culture of water conservation which is demonstrated in the massive water savings made since the sponsorship began.”

The Water Theme is tailored to students at all stages of their development, from junior primary to secondary level with a range of activities to suit all ages. In addition to developing awareness around water conservation the sponsorship incorporates wider engagement around stewardship of our water resources, including raising awareness of the impacts of wastewater on inland and coastal waterways. 

€12m upgrade to Wexford water supply

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Wexford County Council, has announced the signing of a major new construction contract that will result in critical upgrades to the drinking water supply in Wexford town and surrounding areas. The project will ensure the delivery of safe, clean drinking water to homes and businesses and improve water quality and treatment standards for 26,000 customers. 

The project will involve a €12 million upgrade to the Newtown Water Treatment Plant and includes significant improvements to the water treatment processes at the plant, ensuring raw water is treated to the highest water quality standards and compliance with current EU drinking water quality regulations.

IAN O’NEILL of Uisce Éireann

The project will also include a new standby generator to provide a safe and clean drinking water supply during extreme weather events. Irish engineering firm Glan Agua Ltd have been awarded the construction contract and will deliver the project on behalf of Uisce Éireann Construction, which is due to begin in March, and is set to be completed by the end of 2024. 

Commenting on importance of this project for the people of Wexford town, Ian O’Neill, Infrastructure Delivery Programme Manager at Uisce Éireann, told WexfordLocal.com this morning; “This project is an important milestone and represents a significant investment by Uisce Éireann in future-proofing and safeguarding the water supply for the people of Wexford The completed upgrades will modernise and improve the water treatment processes at the plant, ensuring raw water is treated to the highest water quality standards and will ensure a safe, clean drinking water supply in Wexford for current and future generations.”

“This project is just one of a number of critical projects been undertaken to safeguard the drinking water supply in Wexford and to ensure it is capable of meeting current and future demand,” added Mr. O’Neill.

Uisce Éireann continues to keep customers informed about their water and wastewater supplies across multiple platforms 24/7 and encourage customers to engage with us on Twitter @IWCare and through our customer care helpline which is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and by setting their location on www.water.ie.

Doubles for Murphy, Elliott and James

Saddling up for the final race of the day at Fairwood, Tinahely, this afternoon.

By Dan Walsh at Fairwood, Tinahely

Today’s point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, took place in heavy ground conditions, but dry overhead, and it was an afternoon of double success for handlers Denis Murphy and Gordon Elliott and rider Rob James.

With no four-year-old races until next month the card got underway with a seven-runner contest for five- and six-year-old mares and a three and a half lengths victory for Coco Mademoiselle with Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick up. “We fancied her today. She will be a nice mare and she is for sale,” said winning handler Denis Murphy from Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh.

Murphy added a second success with Garcon Dargent by one length in the Winners of One Race confined to novice riders and provided Joey Dunne from Dunboyne, Co. Meath with his third career winner.

Gordon Elliott sent several runners from his Meath stables, and while he wasn’t present but saddling up on the track at Naas, he bagged two Tinahely winners.

Barry O’Neill was aboard Hardline in the Open Lightweight Race and scored by three lengths while Elliott provided Rob James with the first leg of a double on Happy Victory who had four lengths to spare at the end of the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings.

James made it a double in the final race of the day for geldings of seven-year-old and upwards easily by 16 lengths on Rockandrose for Fermanagh handler David Christie.

Only three faced the starter in the maiden race for mares aged seven years and upwards, they all got around safely, and the five lengths winner was Elusive Mae ridden by Moira McElligott for Carlow handler William Murphy.

Funding for groups working with victims of crime

By Dan Walsh

Organisations working with victims of crime in Co. Wexford are to receive €77,100 in additional funding following a Ministerial announcement that €5.25 million will be shared by more than 65 organisations to work with victims of crime.

Welcoming the news, Deputy Paul Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com; “I am particularly pleased that two organisations in Wexford; Wexford Rape Crisis (€55,000) and Wexford Women’s Refuge (€22,100) are to receive a total of €77,100, which will prove a very welcome boost to delivery of the services available to victims of crime.

DEPUTY PAUL KEHOE

“The work of organisations in Wexford and across the country that help victims of crime is outstanding. They provide support, information and advice on the rights of victims, outreach work, court accompaniment and crime victim helplines,” stated Deputy Kehoe.

The allocations cover national and larger organisations such as Women’s Aid, Ruhama, and One in Four; Local organisations working with victims such as Domestic Violence Support, Women’s Refuge and Rape Crisis outlets; General victims support organisations including Victim Support at Court; and specialist organisations including Migrant Rights Centre and Dignity 4 Patients.

Funding is given to organisations that meet the objectives and that can show they have the required management and compliance policies and procedures in place.

Minister for Justice, Simon Harris T.D. said; “I know that being the victim of a crime can be very traumatic and difficult, and we’re determined to ensure that the necessary range of supports and services to help is available.

“The work of so many organisations across the country that help victims of crime is outstanding. They provide support, information and advice on the rights of victims, outreach work, court accompaniment and crime victim helplines.” concluded Minister Harris.

The search for young artists 2023

The search to find the young artists who will excel in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition has begun. Now in its 69th year, it is widely acknowledged as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland.

The closing date for entries is Tuesday, February 28th. Judging will take place in March with winners to be announced in April.

Details are available at www.texacochildrensart.com or at Texaco service stations throughout Co. Wexford.