Man detained in Oylegate drugs bust

By Dan Walsh

A man aged in his 20s was arrested after a  sophisticated growhouse operation was discovered within a premises at Oylegate where Gardaí seized 130 suspected cannabis plants with an estimated value of approximately €164,000 (pending analysis).

As part of ongoing investigations targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the area, Gardaí in Wexford conducted a search under warrant of a residential property in Oylegate on Tuesday afternoon.

A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene and is detained at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.

In a follow-up search at a residence in Wexford town, Gardaí seized a number of items of evidential value, a quantity of cash and arrested a man aged in his 50s.

He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in the Eastern Region.

The seized drugs will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for further analysis.

Investigations are going.

Presidential campaign comes to Gorey

Campaigning for Presidential candidate CATHERINE CONNOLLY begins in Gorey and Arklow this week. (Pic; The Times)

By Dan Walsh

Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly is the focus of attention in the Wicklow-Wexford constituency this week and all are welcome to attend two Catherine Connolly campaign meetings.

Meetings will be in the Loch Garman Arms Hotel, Main Street, Gorey, on Thursday, October 9th at 7.30pm and in the Bridge Hotel, Arklow, on Friday, October 10th at 7.30pm.

A barrister by profession, Catherine Connolly served as a deputy for Galway East in Dáil Éireann since 2016. She was Leas Cheann Comhairle in the 33rd Dáil 2020-2024.

The only other candidate in the Presidential Election is former Fine Gael Minister Heather Humphries although, as first reported here on WexfordLocal.com last Sunday night, the Fianna Fáil nominee Jim Gavin’s name will appear on the ballot paper and it is possible to vote for him, even though he withdrew from the race late last Sunday night!

It could only happen in Ireland and will probably make the Guinness Book of Records with possibly the largest number of ‘spoiled votes’ cast in any Irish election! Low voter turnout is also a concern.

It also encourages those dissatisfied with how candidates were chosen and with party whips banning elected council members (Wexford included) from adding more interested parties to the ticket may intentionally use the democratic system to show their rage with ‘a spoiled vote’.

Polling in the Presidential Election takes place nationwide on Friday, October 24th 2025, from 7am to 10pm.

Drinagh crash victim named locally

By Dan Walsh

The man in his 60s who was fatally injured in a road traffic collision on the N25 at Ballykelly, Drinagh, 4kms south of Wexford town on Sunday morning has been named locally as Michael (Miley) Cousins, Knockingall, Piercestown.

MICHAEL ‘MILEY’ COUSINS

Mr. Cousins was the driver of a courtesy bus at The Coal Bunker Bar, Drinagh, and was outside his workplace when a collision occurred involving a van and a jeep.

The collision occurred at approximately 1.10pm on Sunday morning. Mr Cousins was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Michael (Miley) Cousins,  Knockingall, Piercestown was loving husband of Brigid and loving brother of Eddie, John and James. Sadly missed by his wife, brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and wide circle of friends.

May his Gentle Soul Rest in Peace.

Reposing at JJ Kearney’s Funeral Home, Selskar Street Y35EK80 today (Tuesday) from 3pm to 8pm. Funeral arriving to St Martin’s Church, Piercestown on Wednesday morning for Requiem Mass at 12 noon followed by private cremation.

Wexford winners on first two days

By Dan Walsh

The 2025-’26 point-to-point season kicked off last Saturday at Toomebridge, Co. Antrim and continued yesterday (Sunday) at Castletown-Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath where Ellen Doyle saddled Escapefromreality to a 17 lengths victory under Brian Dunleavy in the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings.

ELLEN DOYLE (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Owned by the Baltimore Stables Syndicate the Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, handler said “he will probably go for a winner’s race next.”

Many times champion Barry O’Neill got off the mark at the Westmeath track today on the Cian Collins handled Yewtree Hill by eight lengths in the Winner of Two Race.

Yesterday at Toomebridge Cian Collins, who is based near Navin in Co. Meath provided Rob James with his first winner of the new season on the first day – Walk in the Clouds by ‘a head’ in the five-year-old plus mares’ maiden race.

The champion combination of Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill had three ‘seconds’ – Lady Blackmore, Foetis Et Liber and Kano De Thaix – while second placings also for Robert Tector (Bee’s kiss) and Denis Murphy (Frailmonti Bilbery) – so five lively prospects for the notebook in the coming weeks.

Fixtures in the South-East are as follows;

Sunday, October 19th; Shillelagh & District at Fairwood, Tinahely.

Saturday, October 25th; Island Hunt at Peppards castle, Kilmuckridge.

Sunday, November 9th; Wexford Hunt at Knockmullen House, New Ross.

Sunday, November 16th; Wicklow Hunt at Fairwood, Tinahely.

Sunday, November 23rd; Killinick Harriers at Lingstown, Tomhaggard.

Sunday, November 30th; Carlow Farmers at Borris House, Co. Carlow.

Sunday, December 7th; Ballinagore Harriers at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy.

Government in danger of collapse after Gavin withdrawal?

HEATHER HUMPHREYS speaking in New Ross in 2022. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Fianna Fáil’s candidate Jim Gavin has announced he is withdrawing from the Presidential Election “with immediate effect”.  In a statement, he said recent days gave him “cause to reflect”.

Mr Gavin said: “I made a mistake that was not in keeping with my character and the standards I set myself. I am now taking steps to address the matter.

“I have also thought long and hard about the potential impact of the ongoing campaign on the wellbeing of my family and friends.

“Taking all these considerations on board, I have decided to withdraw from the presidential election contest with immediate effect and return to the arms of my family.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he fully understands Mr Gavin’s decision and believes “it is the correct one”.

Fianna Fáil’s leader said: “Jim has accepted that he made an error in relation to an issue that has arisen in recent days.

“He himself has said the office of Uachtarán na hÉireann is the highest in the land and the pinnacle of public service.

Speaking during RTÉ’s live Presidential Election debate today, Mr Gavin said: “That matter was over 16 years ago. It was a very stressful time for myself and my family.

“Like a lot of families and couples, we came into financial difficulty at that time.”

Mr Gavin said: “If it happened, I’m very sorry that it happened. I’m looking into it and I will deal with it with urgency.”

So as Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys go head-to-head to be the next Úachtaráin na h-Eireann, what happens next?

Will Micheál Martin be forced to resign? And the outcome of Budget 2026 on Tuesday will not help his case! Is partnership government in danger of collapse?

And are the members of Wexford County Council ashamed that they failed to nominate any of the applicants who sought their support?

The Presidential Election takes place on Friday, October 24th and WexfordLocal.com has been advised that Jim Gavin’s name will be one of three on the voting ticket???

Manic Monday faces Enniscorthy traffic

Picturesque scene at Pig Market Hill, Enniscorthy faces a STOP/GO traffic management plan. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Passing through Enniscorthy town centre is challenging at the best of times and queues are a regular feature at busy times, but even more chaos is forecast daily during the remainder of October.

Wexford County Council have announced that Weafer Street, Duffry Hill and Pig Market Hill in Enniscorthy are set to close from Monday, October 6th to Friday, October 31st from 8 am to 6pm.

The closure is necessary according to the Council to facilitate essential works.

STOP/GO traffic management with some diversions will be put in place when required and local access will be facilitated.

Motorists are advised to expect delays and to take alternative routes when possible.

These works are weather dependent and as such many be subject to change at short notice.

Wexford County Council apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Man (60s) dies in Drinagh road traffic collision

A MAN in his 60s was fatally injured in a road traffic collision on the N25 at Ballykelly, Drinagh, 4kms south of Wexford town early this morning (Sunday).

The collision involving a van and a jeep occurred at approximately 1.10am. The driver of the van, a male in his 60s, was fatally injured. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

His body has been removed to the morgue at Wexford General Hospital where a post-mortem examination is due to take place.

A passenger in one of the vehicles was brought to Wexford General Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injury.

The driver of the 4×4, a man aged in his 40s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of offences under the Road Traffic Act and is currently detained at a Garda station in Wexford under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

The road is closed and the scene is preserved pending a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N25 between 12.30am and 1.30am on Sunday 5th October, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Missing Ballycanew man found ‘safe and well’

By Dan Walsh

BREAKING NEWS, Friday, 11.30pm; Cathal O’Sullivan has been located “safe and well.”

Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 52 year-old Cathal O’Sullivan, who was reported missing in Ballycanew, Co. Wexford, on Thursday evening, October 2nd 2025.

CATHAL O’SULLIVAN

Cathal was last seen at approximately 10.10am in Ballycanew.

Cathal is described as being approximately 5 feet 9 inches in height with a medium/stocky build and brown hair.

When last seen, Cathal was wearing a white long-sleeve shirt, black gilet and blue jeans.

Cathal is believed to have travelled in a 202-D registered blue/green Peugeot 5008.

Gardaí and Cathal’s family are concerned for his well-being.

Anyone with any information on Cathal’s whereabouts is asked to contact Gorey Garda Station on 053 942 1222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Burst water main in Bridgetown

BRIDGETOWN (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann crews are working to repair a burst water main in Tomhaggard and restore water to customers affected. Repairs are expected to be completed by 5pm today.   

The burst water main will result in outages for customers in Tomhaggard, Bridgetown and surrounding areas.

Uisce Éireann’s Padraig Lyng has assured customers that every effort is being made to restore a full water supply as quickly as possible.  

“We understand the inconvenience of an unplanned outage and we thank customers for their support while our works continue.” 

Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges.  

To ensure the safety of the crews carrying out the repairs to the burst and the safety of the public, traffic management is in place and will be clearly signposted. 

Water supply restored to Ballindaggan

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann has completed works to restore normal water supply for customers in Ballindaggan and the surrounding areas following an interruption to supply at Ballindaggan Water Treatment Plant.
It typically takes three to four hours for regular supply to be fully restored to all areas as water refills the network, especially for those on higher ground or at the end of the network.    
Uisce Éireann’s Operations Manager, Padraig Lyng said; “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding while crews worked to restore supply to impacted areas.”