Gardaí in Wexford seized approximately €164,000 worth of suspected cocaine and arrested and charged one man following the search of a residence in Wexford town on Thursday as part of Operation Tara.
At approximately 5.30pm, Gardaí conducted a search under warrant where approximately €164,000 worth of suspected cocaine and a small quantity of suspected cannabis was seized.
All the drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
A man in his early 40s was taken to Wexford Garda Station and detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
He has since been charged and appeared before a special sitting of Kilkenny District Court today (Saturday).
THUMPS US. THANKS EVERYBODY! ALEJANDRO MISZAN appreciates the support shown to him and his family in Enniscorthy tonight.
By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy
Upwards of 150 vintage cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles brought Enniscorthy to a standstill for a short time tonight (Friday) as they travelled in convoy from The Promenade beside the River Slaney to Old Forge Road, Milehouse, in celebration and to show love and support for Alejandro Miszan, (9), who has returned home to his loving family following the horrific dog attack in November.
Alejandro spent seven weeks in hospital, but was surprisingly discharged on Tuesday, and since he was a lover of cars, vintage enthusiasts from many parts of the county hastily gathered to show their support with a massive turnout of horsepower, flashing lights and atmosphere.
Alejandro, his elder brother Raul, who has been his spokesperson, and his Dad, attended the gathering in The Promenade. There was a strong public presence too, including Independent T.D. Verona Murphy who offered her support to Alejandro who needs ongoing treatment for his facial injuries.
Alejandro said he was delighted to be home in Enniscorthy and appreciated the welcome from neighbours and friends and the car enthusiasts who gave him a night to remember! His only regret; “I don’t like how I look. I wish I had my face back.”
Tonight’s event presented a carnival atmosphere. Loud exhaust music, the beeping of horns, some spinning of wheels and the occasional cloud of smoke, but all in an orderly manner and a wonderful ‘welcome back home to Enniscorthy’ tribute to a brave young local boy who is lucky to be spared his life.
Cars and crowds line up at The Promenade, Enniscorthy, tonight, to welcome home Alejandro Miszan.
AJEJANDRO MISZAN (9) savaged by a dog near his home at Enniscorthy has been discharged from hospital, but still needs treatment. (Pic; RTÉ News).
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy
Nine-year-old Alejandro Miszan has been discharged from hospital after seven weeks having sustained horrific facial injuries from a dog attack while playing football outside his home at Enniscorthy on November 27th.
Speaking on RTÉ News, Alejandro said he was delighted to be home in Enniscorthy and appreciated the welcome from neighbours and friends. His only regret; “I don’t like how I look. I wish I had my face back.”
WexfordLocal.com reported the shock news as follows following attack; “Enniscorthy is a town in shock today following a frightening incident 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 brother Raul said: “All the doctors and nurses came out and hugged him and said goodbye to him. When we came home all the neighbours were here and all my family were here to welcome him home in the best way.”
The concerns about the control of dogs and the need for more Dog Wardens in Co. Wexford has been raised at a number of meetings of Wexford County Council by Gorey-based Cllr Joe Sullivan, the latest being at last Monday’s January meeting of the Council.
Following the attack on Alejandro, then Taoiseach Micheál Martin tasked Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to lead a review on dog control which has resulted in a working group being established to examine dog laws and enforcement.
The group will look at issues including fines under the Control of Dogs Act, enforcement at local authority level, the provision of dog wardens, microchipping, promoting responsible dog ownership and licences. The Working Group will meet over the coming days.
Alejandro’s family say he still has a long road of treatment ahead but they are thankful for all the support they have received.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
WexfordLocal.com 