Revenue officers seized approximately 23,600 litres of beer at Rosslare Europort following the search of an unaccompanied trailer that had arrived on a ferry from Dunkirk, France last Friday.
ROSSLARED EUROPORT (File Pic)
The smuggled alcohol had an estimated retail value of more than €94,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €44,000.
Investigations into these seizures are ongoing.
The seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and smuggling. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.
The 71st Wexford Festival Opera opens on Friday evening with crackling fireworks over the harbour and the National Opera House will accommodate the best singers and performers of national and international fame, but a traditional feature of the festival are the fringe events, and there is so many listed and catering for various personal interests.
A string of fringe events will take place at Wexford independent bookstore Red Books during the festivities. Owner Wally O’ Neill told WexfordLocal.com that the events would be ‘live literature’, an attempt to bring books alive and put their merit at the centre of artistic expression.
WALLY O’NEILL owner of RED BOOKS, Wexford
“We are lucky to have twelve live events coming up in the bookstore over the festival,” said Wally, who added: “These events are provided by the artistic community that has evolved around Red Books, including writers, poets, historians, film-makers and musicians. We’re going to increase our opening hours to facilitate these events, so we’ll now be open to the public 70 hours a week.”
“People ask me why we bother with these events, and I think of Jen Campbell’s quote, ‘All bookshops are full of stories, and stories want to be heard.’ We’ve all gone through the very worst of times over the last two years. We were part of a twelve-member small shops group in Wexford town two years ago. Only two of those shops are still open now. We’re still here because book lovers supported us. Now we will continue to support these literary events in kind,” he concluded.
Among the events taking place in the bookshop will be a concert by Imelda Kehoe and Mick Egan on the 27th, a spoken-word open-mic on the 21st and a number if book launches and pop-up performances.
All events will be free but donation buckets for local charity Wexford People Helping People will be at hand for those who would like to make a donation.
An event titled ‘Lit-Opera’ hopes to fuse performers favourite literature together with musical expressions on Friday the 28th while Declan Reck will give a talk on the historical merchants of Wexford on Saturday the 5th.
The fourth issue of Red Books Press flagship publication the Wexford Bohemian will be launched in Red Books on Friday the 4th.
The 51st Annual Wexford Book Fair will conclude the literary events on Sunday, November 6th, taking place from 11-5pm in Wexford’s Talbot Hotel.
More information about are available from www.theirishbookshop.com or by visiting Red Books in Wexford’s St Peter’s Square or following them on Facebook or Instagram.
By Dan Walsh at the monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council
“There is a need to put in place a policy to manage the renaming of places, dedications, erection of seats, monuments, murals and structures in the Public Realm of Enniscorthy,” according to District Manager Ger Mackey speaking at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
Famed VINEGAR HILL (File Pic)
Mr Mackey was responding to a query from Cllr John O’Rourke who suggested that Wilkie’s Walk would be an appropriate name for the revamped steps at Castle Hill opposite the castle some time ago and was seeking an update.
There was also a call for the erection of a plaque at 21 Main Street in memory of two unarmed Free State soldiers – Commandant Peter Doyle, (29), and Captain Thomas Doyle, (27), were shot dead after leaving a Mission Mass in St. Aidan’s Cathedral on October 10th, 1922.
A centenary commemoration for the Doyles was held on the spot where they died recently. Full coverage can be found on WexfordLocal.com
Mr Mackey told the meeting he propose to bring a draft policy document for consideration by the members at the November meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
EDITOR’S NOTE; Sam ‘Wilkie’ Thorpe, Ross Road, Enniscorthy, died on November 1st, 2005, aged 86 years, and is interred in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Enniscorthy. The late Wexford historian Nicky Furlong writing in The Ghosts of Bygone Days-an Enniscorthy GAA History by Sean Whelan (pub. 1998) recalls ‘Wilkie’ Thorpe.
Furlong writes; “Sam ‘Wilkie’ Thorpe never played for Wexford again after the summer of 1953. The colourful crowd entertainer from Vinegar Hill had contributed to his rich and talent, to both hurling and football, at the highest inter-county level for 20 years.”
Many tributes have been paid to the family, teachers, fellow students and many communities following the death of Ceilí McInerney, (15), which occurred in Crumlin Hospital, Dublin, on Monday. News of her untimely death caused shock and feelings of great loss in The Ballagh and Kilmuckridge communities.
CEILÍ McINERNEY
A Transition Year student, Ceilí became unwell while attending the Open Evening at Coláiste an Átha, Kilmuckridge, last Thursday evening.
She received medical attention from First Responders at the scene before removal to Wexford Hospital and Crumlin Hospital, Dublin, where sadly she passed away on Monday.
Many tributes have been paid to Ceilí. At Tuesday’s meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, Cllr Mary Farrell, who is a First Responder and Chair of the Board of Management at Coláiste an Átha expressed sympathy to the family, teachers and fellow students.
Coláiste an Átha posted on social media; “It is with heavy hearts that we must announce the passing of TY student Céilí McInerney this week. As a school we are devastated by the loss of such a beautiful soul. Our spirits were buoyed today listening to the many wonderful stories about her kindness, her fierce loyalty, her sense of fun and her sense of adventure. She left a lasting impression on everyone she met. “The entire Coláiste an Átha school community would like to offer our sincere condolences to Céilí’s family and friends at this sad time. She will be sadly missed by everyone that knew her. May her gentle soul rest in eternal peace.”
FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Ceilí McInerney, 5, Cluain Mhic Tire, The Ballagh, Enniscorthy. Unexpectedly, aged 15 years in the loving care of the staff at Crumlin Children’s Hospital surrounded by her heartbroken family.
Ceilí will forever be remembered and loved by her parents Carol and Ciaran and their partners Alan and Deborah, her loving brothers and sister Ciaran, Stephen, Shannan, Aaron, Ceidhlim and Cadán and their partners Cathy, Trinny and Anto, her nephew Jacob, her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and many friends.
Reposing at her home tomorrow (Wednesday) from 2 o’ clock to 7 o’ clock. A celebration of Ceili’s life will take place at Newlands Cross Crematorium on Thursday afternoon at 2 o’ clock followed by cremation. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to The Asthma Society.
A proposal to relocate the Bus Stops away from the Main St., Gorey, was discussed at today’s meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Council
By Dan Walsh at Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Council meeting
A proposal to relocate Bus Stops from Gorey’s Main Street to the car park at the railway station is to be investigated and discussed with interest groups following a discussion the matter at today’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held in Gorey Civic Centre with Cllr Donal Kenny (Cathaoirleach) in the chair.
Cllr Diarmuid Devereux told the meeting he had concerns about Bus Stops on either side of the Main Street and witnessed long tailbacks when a number of buses arrive at the same time and the town traffic is held up. He said there is a huge carpark at the railway station and added;” We cannot go on like that if we are expecting the 30% increase in population over the next 10 years or so.”
Cllr Kenny was in agreement with Cllr Devereux and mentioned the difficulty of 52-seater buses near schools. Cllr Bolger also alluded to “the back up of traffic in the town”.
Cllr Devereux offered a solution to taking the buses off Main Street and using the railway station carpark by entering and exiting the town off the M11 at junction 23!
It was agreed that everyone needed to be on board, an obvious reference to the bus operators, Age Friendly, wheelchair users etc., concerning the options for relocation and Cllr Pip Breen said there was a Transport SCP next month and the matter could be raised there.
Cllr Anthony Donohoe felt what is needed is road alterations and upgrades in conjunction with a traffic management plan.
Proposals at relocating the bus stops from the Main Street to another location has been on the agenda a few times before but users and shop owners adjacent to the stops have been steadfastly against any such move.
Dark days at the Orchard Peace Park at Enniscorthy due to anti-social behaviour. More action is needed for health and safety there.
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council
It is not the kind of news that many people want to hear in Enniscorthy, but it emerged from today’s monthly meeting of the Municipal District Council that ASBO’s (anti-social behaviour order) may soon be enforced by An Garda Siochána in relation to reoccurring anti-social behaviour at the Orchard Peace Park.
District Manager Ger Mackey said the Peace Park is an amenity where the people should feel safe, it is well lit and CCTV cameras are installed there, but the situation is getting more serious and the health and safety of the area is being discussed with An Garda Siochána.
It is alleged that drugs have been found in the park. Windows have been broken in private residences and damage has been caused to the adjoining school. When the gates are locked individuals are able to go in and congregate there!
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy mentioned a recent occasion when she and this journalist were challenged by some undesirables while involved in a private conversation in the park!
Cllr Murphy said “it is up to us as a Council to make the place safe. She condemned the damage caused to the school nearby. And in an aside, Cllr Jackser Owens requested that the car park at St. Aidan’s Parish School be reopened. Apparently, it has been closed since before Covid-19?
Cllr Cathal Byrne was critical of the old Murphy-Flood’s site in the centre of town, now owned by Wexford County Council with plans for a library, units and apartments, which he labelled “the biggest eyesore in the town centre.”
This area of the town is used for drug exchanges, according to local sources, drinking and parties, and other forms of anti-social behaviour, and recently, smoke was observed emerging from the derelict site.
The meeting agreed that action was needed in cleaning up the town centre and improving its image as a safe place to do business and enjoy.
The new much-publicised public toilet on Vinegar Hill was back on the agenda. Apparently, it is reported that there was some interference with the door lock. We don’t have much to go on, but access was denied to some users!
And another amazing story to emerge from today’s meeting. It seems that fly-tipping is old fashioned, and the covers of the drains are lifted, rubbish of all description is placed in there and the drains get blocked! Engineer Neil Dempsey said his staff are coming across the practice on a regular basis and he is asking people to stop doing it!
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting
Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Aidan Browne, told today’s monthly meeting that he was “very disappointed at a missed opportunity” for Enniscorthy after Wexford County Council refused a planning application for an Agri-Tourism Development proposed by Slaney Farms Produce Ltd at Templescoby, approximately six kilometres from the town centre.
CLLR AIDAN BROWNE, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
The planning authority had cited more than one reason to reject the application, but the reason that surprised Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy was that “it would prejudice the future vitality and viability of Enniscorthy Town Centre” and she pointed out that it was “an Agri-Tourism project and would have nothing to do with the town centre.” Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan voiced her agreement with Cllr Murphy’s summary of one of the reasons quoted in full here;
“The proposed development for an out-of-town destination restaurant, café, visitor centre and distillery in an unserviced rural area as considered, would prejudice the future vitality and viability of Enniscorthy Town Centre and would set a precedent for further such developments in such rural areas. It is considered the proposed development would threaten the future growth and attractiveness of Enniscorthy to attract future such commercial and retail developments into the town centre and is considered contrary to the policies of the County Development Plan 2022-2028, namely Section 7.6.2 and Objective TM19 and TM43 and is therefore contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the rural area.”
Permission had been sought for an Agri-Tourism Development comprising of (a) The erection of 18,940 sq. metres of plastic tunnels for on-site fruit production together with a 223 sq. metre farm machinery shed, two 14.4 sq. metre storage containers, two portable staff toilets, staff parking area, bored well water supply and 45,000 litre water storage tank. (b) The erection of a 940 sq. metre barn type building comprising fruit packhouse, visitors farm shop with cafe/dining area and associated kitchen and toilet facilities, a potato gin micro distillery visitor’s education experience, together with access road, parking area, sewage treatment system and all other ancillary site works.”
Two winners for handler Denis Murphy of the Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, were the highlights of today’s point-to-point action at Fairwood, Tinahely, where the weather defied “a terrible forecast” and escaped with a scattered shower and no wind of any consequence.
DENIS MURPHY speaking with the media following a double success at Tinahely point-to-point this afternoon.
Murphy saddled up French-bred The Same in the maiden race for six-year-old geldings and a 29 lengths victory under rider Harley Dunne. This was followed in the Winners of One race and a 23 lengths success for Chatshow Host ridden by Luke Murphy (no relation) from Inch who was recording his 65th career success.
Sean Doyle, Monbeg Stables, Ballindaggin, enjoyed six and a half lengths success with Sous Les Rose in the maiden race for five-year-old mares ridden by Jamie Scallan from Tomhaggard. It was Sean Doyle’s 120th career victory as a handler.
Local handler Philip Rothwell won the maiden race for six-year-olds with Legacy Of Dreams confidently ridden by Phidelma Elvin, a native of Kildare now living in Carnew and working at the Rothwell stables. “It was a good day, but could have been a great day,” said Rothwell afterwards, a reference to a fine effort by Agirlcalledchloe, also ridden by Elvin, in the mares maiden race earlier in the afternoon.
Barry O’Neill was reunited with Samcro in the Open Lightweight Race and the Camilla Sharples owned and Gordon Elliott trained gelding gave an exhibition of class and ability to sail home 32 lengths clear of the opposition.
Samcro (then trained at Kiltealy by Colin Bowe) and Barry O’Neill won their maiden at Monksgrange in April 2016, he was then sold and competed at the highest level and finished 11th in the 2022 Aintree Grand National won by Noble Yeats. Now 10 years old, Samcro is certainly a force to be reckoned with in the open races this point-to-point season and, possibly for many seasons to come if he stays healthy.
Veteran rider Derek O’Connor teamed up with Enda Bolger, who trains at Bruree, Co. Limerick, to win the maiden race for four-year-olds with Kilballyowen, beating the Colin Bowe trained Ihandaya (Barry O’Neill) by one and a half lengths.
The Island Hunt races next Sunday, October 23rd at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy.
Aontú member Cllr Jim Codd has reacted to the recent ‘storm in a teacup’ controversy surrounding the Irish Women’s football team singing Celtic Symphony after qualifying for the World Cup having beaten Scotland.
CLLR JIM CODD
Speaking on local radio, Cllr Codd said; “I find the comments condemning these fine young sports stars to be disgusting and an aggressive form of misogynism. Once more the easily offended are throwing out the vilest attacks. Attacks on our Republic. Attacks on our patriotic history. And attacks on a group of young athletes who have given us something to cheer about during the very worst of times.”
“These women are role models and an inspiration to thousands. They bring something wonderful to the world that the sniveling revisionist talking heads and scurrilous social media bullies will never equal or even understand,” said Cllr Codd, who concluded: “Well done to our great international lady footballers.”
Twenty-one years old Wexford jockey Jordan Gainford from Caim, Enniscorthy, has won the American Grand National at Far Hills, New Jersey, last night on Hewick, who earlier this year won the Galway Plate in July,
JORDAN GAINFORD pictured after a win at Wexford races.
Bought for just €800 and trained in Bagenalastown, Co. Carlow, by John Joseph Hanlon, better known as ‘Shark’ won last night’s big race taking his career winnings to close to €500,000.
Speaking to RTÉ News after Hewick’s win, Mr Hanlon said he has never seen anything like the horse’s success. “It is something you dream of. It normally doesn’t happen to me, but it happened today. It’s an unreal horse,” he added.
PS; WexfordLocal.com has seen after race interview with Jordan Gainford, unfortunately, it is embedded and we are not legally permitted to publish it here. However, it is available on Facebook as is a recording of the race.
WexfordLocal.com 