Enniscorthy is a town in shock today following a frightening incident yesterday (Sunday) in which a nine years’ old boy was confronted by an uncontrolled dog and suffered appalling facial injuries in an unprovoked attack while playing with friends in a housing estate.
The incident occurred about 4.30pm the Old Forge Road housing estate, near the Milehouse area of the town. Local sources told WexfordLocal.com that five friends were playing together when a pitbull cross set upon them in an aggressive manner and launched a horror attack. The children ran, three in one direction and two in another direction, however, one boy was grabbed by the dog and suffered dreadful injuries. The other children escaped injury but were said to be ‘traumatised’
Emergency services were quickly on the scene and attended by paramedics before being taken to Bellefield GAA Grounds from where the injured boy was flown to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin by Irish Coast Guard helicopter R117 where he underwent emergency surgery. His condition is reported as “very serious.”
After the attack angry parents and friends arrived on scene while the dog was removed from the scene. It is alleged that the dog may have been destroyed.
Projects at Kilmore Quay and Our Lady’s Island are to receive €700,000 in funding for two outdoor recreation projects under the Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors developed in partnership with Comhairle na Tuaithe and a collaborative cross-Government strategy that reflects the views of stakeholders and the public.
€500,000 funding goes to Kilmore Quay Recreation Trail to develop a cycle path along the canal, completing a looped walking trail plus footbridge and carpark.
Phase Two of the Our Lady’s Island to Carne Trail is to receive €200,000 to extend the roadside trail by 600 metres, connecting to the local sports ground and beyond.
PAUL KEHOE T.D.
Welcoming the funding, Deputy Paul Kehoe said; “One of the greatest strengths of our county is its natural beauty and these schemes will help to accentuate our areas of natural beauty and make them more accessible for the people of Wexford and beyond.
“Spending time outdoors supports our mental and physical health and it improves our quality of life. Through this strategy, we can make Ireland the destination of choice internationally for outdoor recreation and adventure tourism,” concluded Deputy Kehoe.
The new strategy will set the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come bringing huge economic and health benefits to communities across the country.
The 12 Swims of Christmas Group who will be raising funds for Fethard RNLI. (Pic; RNLI/Fethard).
By Dan Walsh
Fethard RNLI’s fundraising branch has begun to distribute RNLI Christmas cards to local shops and businesses, while local swimming group Hooked on Swimming have begun their 12 swims of Christmas fundraiser which will see proceeds raised power the lifesaving work of the volunteer lifeboat crew.
In the past week, local shops and businesses throughout the Hook Peninsula, have been stocked up with beautiful Christmas cards for locals and visitors to purchase.
Meanwhile, the local swimming group Hooked on Swimming, began their 12 swims of Christmas. From now, until their final swim on New Year’s Day, the swimmers will brave the elements and swim 12 times for the RNLI. The 12 Swims group began last year and has grown from strength to strength, now comprising of 140 swimmers.
This group have also arranged a coffee morning on Sunday, December 11th, at St Marys Community Hall, Fethard. Everyone in the community is invited to come down and join them for light refreshments, raffle prizes and festive treats.
Speaking about the fundraising activities this Christmas, Sarah Bates from Fethard RNLI Fundraising Branch said: ‘We are very lucky to have fantastic people in our community who are so willing to support the life-saving work of their local lifeboat crew. We hope our Christmas cards sell out and that the whole community will show their support for our local swimmers and their 12 swims of Christmas.
“RNLI volunteers will be on call this festive season and ready to leave their loves ones to save others this Christmas. They really appreciate the generous fundraising efforts and the donations raised that helps them to continue their work in saving lives at sea,” concluded Ms. Bates.
The Walsh family from Ballyday, Gorey, celebrated success in the Open Race at Lingstown today with Loggan Lady; John, Barry and Mary.
By Dan Walsh at Lingstown, Tomhaggard
Top rider Rob James from Killanne was the star of the show with four winners at today’s Killinick Harriers point-to-point races at Lingstown.
The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was the first event of the season to force ‘a divide’ and both divisions went the way of Monbeg Syndicate, handler Donnchadh Doyle and Rob James.
Brook Bay scored by four lengths in division one and Simple Getaway, bred by Andy Pierce at Blackhall Stud, Killurin, won going away by eight lengths in a race where only three finished. Both promising geldings are now sales bound.
ROB JAMES rode four winners at Lingstown today.
James’s third success came in the maiden race for five-year-old mares on Kayf Hope by five lengths. “She is a lovely filly and goes to the Goffs UK Tingle Creek Sale at Sandown next Saturday,” said successful handler Colin Bowe afterwards.
Rob James gained his fourth success of the afternoon on Lar’s Lass for Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin handler, Tom Dreaper, in the maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards. Lar’s Lass won by one length from Gray Rock in the colours of the Kenny family from Craanford and ridden by James Kenny.
Twelve runners set out in the Open Lightweight Race over the famous Lingstown banks, they kept up a mighty pace through the three miles and more than half the field dropped away with only four finishers.
Vital Island (Barry Stone) ran well in an attempt to win ‘over the banks’ for the fifth time but had to be content with third place as victory went to Loggan Lady, handled by John Patrick Walsh from Ballyday, Gorey, and ridden by his son, Barry. Two and a half lengths the winning margin. Afterwards Walsh said the plan is to come back to Lingstown in March and then aim for Punchestown next April!
The mares four-year-old race was run in a downpour, but it didn’t stop Only By Night and Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, score by four lengths for handler Garrett Murphy for the Rathangan-based Turbine Syndicate. The four lengths winner is off to the sales now.
The Cork team of rider Johnny Barry and handler Daniel Murphy were winners in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings with James Set by two and a half lengths.
Also point-to-point action at Boulta in west Waterford today where Harley Dunne won the five and six-year-old geldings maiden race on Rockwiththetimes for handler Damien Murphy.
The equestrian fraternity will be travelling to south Wexford today (Sunday) where the autumn Killinick Harriers point-to-point takes place at picturesque Lingstown. The first of six races are off at 12.30pm.
Jumping the banks course at Lingstown (File Pic)
Latest news from the track is that there is a good covering of grass, the ground conditions are expected to be ‘yielding’ except for the back straight which will be ‘soft to heavy’ and a dry day overhead is promised by the weather experts!
There are 116 entries, which is impressive by any standards, and the highest number is 37 in the four-year-old geldings’ maiden race. There are 24 entries in the maiden race for four-year-old mares, which is the first race on the card.
Highlight of the day is bound to be the Open Race over the famous Lingstown ‘Banks Course’ with 12 entries including many times winner Vital Island from the Richard O’Keeffe stable near Taghmon.
Fingers crossed for a dry day, good racing and plenty of racegoers to take on the bookies odds.
The Big Switch On brings the crowds onto Gorey’s Main Street tonight (Pic: Joe Dixon Photography)
By Dan Walsh
The organisers of Gorey Christmas Lights Big Switch On triumphed against the forces of nature to bring thousands onto the Main Street tonight (Saturday) to the happiest event ever – the lights turned on by Santa Claus with Mrs. Claus by his side.
The weather was dreadful on Saturday morning and caused the organisers to call an emergency meeting at mid-day to engage and see if the Big Switch On could go ahead or be postponed to another day.
SANTA CLAUS switches on the Gorey Christmas Lights (Pic; Joe Dixon Photography)
District Manager Philip Knight told WexfordLocal.com that there were no ‘weather warning’ and while the prospects for a dry evening were not too good, it was decided to push on as planned. “The attendance was down a bit on other occasions but held up well in the circumstances.”
The numbers grew significantly as the rain persisted with less than an hour to go. Families and little children, many wearing Christmas attire, huddled in shop doorways in anticipation of the parade from the bottom of the town along Main St.
When the parade moved forward to the stage the rain went away and everyone was able to get the best vantage point of the main stage and following a loud countdown, Santa pressed the plunger and the surroundings were instantly illuminated to a rousing cheer. End of a two-year absence!
Popular Dave Redmond (South East Radio) was master of ceremonies and he kept the multitudes entertained while everyone waited for the big moment! He was assisted by brilliant music from Gorey Pipe Band, Saoirse from St. Aidan’s Centre and the Gorey Youth Group.
The attendance included Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllrs Donal Kenny (Cathaoirleach), Joe Sullivan, Andrew Bolger and Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, Philip Knight, District Manager, Liz Hore, Director of Services, Liz Stanley, Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council and the Christmas Lights Committee and the Chairman of the Christmas Lights Committee, Michael Gleeson.
AUDIO ADDITION; Report from the Gorey Christmas Lights ‘Big Switch On today’ with DAN WALSH, SANTA CLAUS and CLLR DONAL KENNY, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council.
The annual Christmas Window Competition is open with several prizes available owing to the amazing increase in creativity and commitment by the retailers and businesses. Judging will take place on Monday, December 12th and the winner will be announced that evening.
Suspected cocaine to the value of €80,000 along with cannabis resin and €4,000 cash was seized in the New Ross area yesterday (Friday).
As part of Operation Tara, Gardaí attached to the Wexford Divisional Drug Unit were assisted by local Gardaí and Gardaí from Portlaoise in a search of a residence in the New Ross area.
One male was arrested and later appeared at a Special Sitting of the District Court.
PAUL KEHOE T.D., PAUL L’ESTRANGE, Chief Fire Officer and DARRAGH O’BRIEN T.D. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage at the opening of New Ross Fire Station on Friday.
By Dan Walsh at New Ross Fire Station
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien T.D. performed the official opening of the new €1.8 million New Ross Fire Station in the Hewitsland area of the town yesterday (Friday).
Minister O’Brien acknowledged the great work done by New Ross Fire Service which covers an extensive region in the south-west of the county from Ballywilliam to Hook Head and from Great Island to Clongeen.
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr George Lawlor, and Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Council, Cllr Michael Sheehan, addressed the gathering and both were on the same hymn sheet with congratulations on a new station, appreciation of the great work done by the fire service, and kind regards to present and retired members for sacrificing quality family time while giving up their leisure time 24 hours -365 days a year on a part-time basis for maintenance of a top class fire service.
Tom Enright, CEO, Wexford County Council told the large, invited audience of retired and serving firefighters that Wexford County Fire Service operates five retained fire stations in Co. Wexford at Wexford, Gorey, Enniscorthy, New Ross and Bunclody.
He outlined that New Ross attends approximately 180 incidents per year including domestic and chimney fires, road traffic collisions, medical calls to assist the National Ambulance Service, agricultural fires and forestry and gorse fires.
Chief Fire Officer, Paul L’Estrange, acted as master of ceremonies and the attendance included Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit representing An Garda Siochána and Cllr Ger Carthy on behalf of the National Ambulance Service.
Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, Senator Malcolm Byrne and Cllrs John Fleming, Michael Whelan, Anthony Connick and Joe Sullivan from Gorey district. Also present was Director of Services Carolyne Godkin and former Wexford County Council engineer John Carley.
Mr. L’Estrange told the gathering at the outset that the firefighters were on-call and outlined what could happen if an emergency occurred – the engines and the staff would activate their duties, fortunately, nothing happened, and after Monsignor Joseph McGrath and Rev. Ian Cruickshank performed a blessing ceremony it was time for the tea and sandwiches.
New Ross Fire Brigade have operated out of Michael Street in the town for the past 36 years, and the plan now is to use this site for the National Ambulance Service. Before Michael Street the service was stationed in the Fish House on the Quay.
A news announcement in October 2020 read; “It will be a state of the art three-bay fire station with 14 parking spaces, a training yard, tower, lecture room and offices.” The tender was allocated to local construction company Kevin Thorpe Ltd, Adamstown.
The largest crowd seen in Market Square for many a day turned out in Enniscorthy for tonight’s much anticipated switch-on of the Christmas lights when Santa Claus visited the town centre for the first time in three years.
The bearded celebrity waved and yelled ‘Ho! Ho! Ho! Hit the giant switch with adequate force and darkness turned into brightness and merriment as his devoted fan base were there in big numbers to meet, greet, deliver their letters and have their photo taken.
Santa and Mrs. Claus set out for Market Square in the company of dancers, rock ‘n’ rollers, cartoon characters and other little friends and took the longer route via Church St and Rafter St where crowds had gathered in such large numbers that only the walkers completed the circuit and were given an enthusiastic reception.
Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Cllr Aidan Browne was pleasantly surprised at the size of the crowds, called on them to have an enjoyable time and thanked them for turning out, and he also complimented the Council and Chamber and everybody who either organised or contributed in any way to the success of the occasion and his personal message was clear “Shop Local this Christmas” and support the business and the jobs in Enniscorthy.
AUDIO ADDITION; CLLR AIDAN BROWNE, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal Council speaking with DAN WALSH at the Christmas Lights switch-on.
The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputies Paul Kehoe and Johnny Mythen, Cllrs Jackser Owens, John O’Rourke, Cathal Byrne and Barbara-Anne Murphy. An apology publicly acknowledged the unavoidable absence of Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan. Bernie Quigley, Acting District Manager, Enniscorthy Municipal Council and Jimmy Gahan, Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce, worked behind the scenes to make it all come together.
Traffic management was in the hands of staff from Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and An Garda Siochána ensured public safety with an emphasis on the large numbers of small children who came out to meet the hero of the season – Santa Claus.
Enniscorthy Municipal District in partnership with the National 1798 Centre, Wexford County Council and supporting sponsor The Riverside Park Hotel are delighted to announce www.santasenchantedchristmas.ie will open its doors tomorrow (Saturday) at 2.45pm and will run five days weekly Wednesday to Sunday until December 22nd. An expanded Christmas experience is in the making for patrons with the magical set and show theme produced by local groups Rathnure Panto Society and Red Moon Theatre.
Patrons can check-in on the grounds before entering through the big red door for an enchanted forty-five-minute tour. There will be plenty of elements of surprise as you wander through the multi room spaces with gnomes causing mayhem along the way.
Mrs. Claus, helped by her elves will entertain and transport the kids to be gifted by Santa with time to catch the moment on camera. Patrons can arrange a further free trip to Enniscorthy Castle in their own time where a walk through the ground floor festive workshop by the North Two Madness team awaits discovery by all ticket holders, during their normal opening hours.
Irish Water and Wexford County Council wishes to notify customers on the Wexford Town Public Water Supply that following the completion of remedial measures and the receipt of satisfactory monitoring results, the Boil Water Notice issued on Wednesday, November 2nd is now lifted with immediate effect.
This decision follows consultation undertaken with the Health Service Executive.
The notice was originally issued due to a decline in the quality of the raw water entering the treatment plant which resulted in the detection of giardia. Irish Water operation and compliance experts worked with colleagues in Wexford County Council to carry out the necessary works to enable the notice to be lifted as quickly as possible.
All consumers on the Wexford Town Public Water Supply Scheme can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.
Ronan Walsh of Irish Water said: “Irish Water and Wexford County Council wish to thank everyone for their patience, co-operation and assistance during this boil water notice and we greatly regret any inconvenience caused to homes and businesses in the community.”
Irish Water and the Local Authority and the Health Service Executive Water Liaison Group will continue to meet and will review ongoing process control, monitoring and testing of the drinking water supply.
The Irish Water Customer Contact Centre (1800 278 278) is available to answer customer queries in relation to this water notice. Further information is available on www.water.ie.
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