WexfordLocal.com

Consecration of Bishop Wilkinson today

By Dan Walsh

The Episcopal Ordination and Consecration of Adrian Wilkinson takes place today (Sunday) at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. He becomes the new Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory in succession to Rt. Revd Michael Burrows, who was translated as Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe last April.

Bishop Wilkinson has an established connection with his new diocese as his late father, Archdeacon Ken Wilkinson, previously ministered as Rector of Enniscorthy and Monart Union of Parishes from 1970 until 2002. He died at Hazelwood, Gorey, on October 17th 2021 and was laid to eternal rest in Christ Church Cemetery, Gorey,

**BISHOP ADRIAN WILKINSON whose Episcopal Ordination and Consecration takes place today in Christ Church Cathedral Dublin. (Pic; Diocesan Press Office).**

Biography of Bishop Adrian Wilkinson

Bishop Adrian Wilkinson (aged 53) was born in 1968 and ordained in 1994. He initially served as Curate in Douglas Union with Frankfield, in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross (1994-1997), and then as Rector of Dunboyne Union, in the Dioceses of Meath and Kildare (1997-2002), during which time he was also Chaplain at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and a Minor Canon in the Chapter of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. He was also Rector of Rathmolyon with Castlerickard, Rathcore and Agher, in the same diocese (2001-2002), before returning to Douglas Union as Rector in 2002 and serving in that role since then.

He had been Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross since 2014. Bishop Adrian Wilkinson is married to Jacqui, who is lecturer in teacher education at the Church of Ireland Centre at Dublin City University, and they have three grown-up children – two sons and a daughter. He graduated in geography and sociology from Trinity College Dublin before training for ordination, and his interests in his free time are walking, travel and reading.

You may wish to follow it online through the Cathedral’s livestream at https://christchurchcathedral.ie/worship/live-video-stream

Whether you come as a member of the Church of Ireland, an Anglican/Episcopalian from abroad, or as a member of another Christian tradition, the Cathedral greets you in the name of the Lord. Christian worship has been offered on the site for nearly one thousand years, and your prayers are added to those of countless generations of Christ’s people.

Festival of racing at Bettyville Park

By Dan Walsh

The first of the two-day magic festival of racing at Bettyville Park takes place tomorrow (Sunday) with 93 entries and the going anticipated to be ‘soft, heavy in places’ following heavy rainfall in recent days.

Latest update on the going from Wexford Racecourse today (Saturday) reads; “Heavy, soft in places. Following 9mm of rain today. Forecast remains unsettled with a further 6mm (approx) of rain prior to racing.”

Most of the top trainers have entries. The feature race is the Jim and Kay Whitty Memorial handicap Chase where Waterford’s John Queally supplies the favourite in Pat Coyne (2/1) who is bound to earn even more support from the punters.

**Under Starter’s Orders at Bettyville Park tomorrow (Sunday).**

SUNDAY’S CARD; 1pm; Racing Again Tomorrow Maiden Hurdle of €6,490.00 (2 miles). 16 runners.

1.35pm; Wexford Racing Club Maiden Hurdle of €6,490.00 (2 miles 4 furlongs 150 yards).17 runners.

2.05pm; Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Mares) Hurdle of €7,670.00 (2 miles 4 furlongs 150 yards).7 runners.

2.40pm; Slaney View Motors Wexford Handicap Hurdle (rated 80 – 102) of €6,195.00 (2 miles 4 furlongs 150 yards). 17 runners.

3.15pm; Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Steeplechase of €7,670.00 (2 miles 4 furlongs).14 runners.

3.50pm; Jim and Kay Whitty Memorial Handicap Steeplechase of €10,030.00 (2 miles 4 furlongs).7 runners.

4.20pm; Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (PRO/AM) INH Flat Race of €6,490.00 (2 miles).15 runners.

Saturday Wexford winners

By Dan Walsh

Today’s point-to-point races at Loughbrickland in Co. Down commenced with a thrilling finish to the maiden race for four-year-olds with two Wexford trained horses fighting out the finish.

Ask Anything from the Redbridge Stables of Michael Murphy at Duncormick with 20 years old Cork rider Darragh Higgins up, took the spoils by ‘a head’ from Sean Doyle’s Covis Island ridden by Rob James.

James had some compensation later in the afternoon when partnering Hello Marie for Donnchadh Doyle to a four lengths victory in the maiden race for mares of five years or older.

Barry O’Neill was amongst the winners too. He partnered Ferns Lock to a 13 lengths success in the Winner of One Race for David Christie.

Community victory for Blackwater

By Dan Walsh

“There is no doubt that the Tidy Towns competition is driving local improvements and instilling a sense of pride across the entire Blackwater community,” according to the adjudication report following the success in the 2022 Supervalu Tidy Towns awards, and it concluded; “Blackwater village has the potential to go far in this competition. We wish you well with future projects. Keep up the great work.”

**BLACKWATER is Co. Wexford’s ‘Tidiest Town in the SuperValu Tidy Towns Competition 2022 (File Pic).’**

BLACKWATER (362 points) is the ‘tidiest town’ in Co. Wexford followed by WEXFORD (361) and DUNCORMICK (349).

There was a Gold medal each for BLACKWATER and WEXFORD, bronze medals for ROSSLARE, GOREY AND ENNISCORTHY and an endeavour award for KILLANNE.

The 2022 results of the SuperValu Tidy Towns awards were announced today (Friday) by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys T.D. at a ceremony in the RDS Dublin. Over 750 Tidy Towns volunteers were present for the ceremony.

This year’s competition received the third highest number of entries in its almost 65-year history.

It was the first full-scale Tidy Towns awards ceremony since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

ANALYSIS OF MARKS FOR CO. WEXFORD

CATEGORY A (Population under 200); DUNCORMICK (349) County Third; BALLYDUFF (343), FOULKSMILLS (333) and ASKAMORE (306).

CATEGORY B; (Pop. 201-2,000); BLACKWATER (362) County First and Gold Medal; CLONROCHE (343), BREE (341), KILANERIN (332), KILMUCKRIDGE (329), MONAGEER (317), BALLYMURN (314), COOLGREANY (303), KILLANNE (299), Endeavour Award, HOLLYFORT (298), WELLINGTONBRIDGE (280), BRIDGETOWN (279), COURTNACUDDY (279), BALLYCULLANE (275), CARRIG-ON-BANNOW (273), OYLEGATE (271) and ADAMSTOWN (263).

CATEGORY C; (Pop. 1,001-2,500); ROSSLARE (346), Bronze Medal, ROSSLARE HARBOUR (339), FERNS (333), and TAGHMON (264).

CATEGORY E; (Pop. 5,001-10,000); NEW ROSS (331).

CATEGORY F; (Pop. 10,001-15,000); GOREY (343), Bronze Medal, ENNISCORTHY (340), Bronze Medal).

CATEGORY G; (Pop. 15.001-25,000); WEXFORD (351), County Second and Gold Medal.

Jasper sniffs the cash at Rosslare Europort!

By Dan Walsh

Revenue Officers were granted two three-month cash detention orders by Judge Power at Wexford District Court yesterday (Tuesday), following two cash seizures totalling €9,000.

The cash was discovered as a result of routine profiling and with the assistance of detector dog Jasper, when Revenue officers searched an Irish registered van that was booked to board a ferry to Bilbao, Spain.

It is suspected to be the proceeds of, or intended for use in, criminal activity and is detained by Revenue in accordance with proceeds of crime legislation.

Two Irish nationals in their 20’s and 50’s were questioned.

As a result of routine operations on last Thursday and Friday, Revenue officers seized over 42,000 litres of beer at Rosslare Europort with an estimated retail value of more than €172,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €80,600.

The smuggled alcohol was discovered in two separate trailers, one accompanied and one unaccompanied, that had arrived on Ferries from Dunkirk, France.

A man in his 40s was questioned.

These seizures are 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.

Two arrests following €250k drugs seizure

By Dan Walsh

Two males in their 40s and 20s were arrested yesterday (Tuesday) following a €250,000 drugs seizure along with some cash.

**ENNISCORTHY GARDA STATION (File Pic)**

Two premises were searched in the Enniscorthy and Bunclody areas and Herbal Cannabis with an estimated street value of €256,000 (analysis pending) was seized along with cash totalling €4,500.

As part of ongoing investigations targeting an organised crime group operating in the Wexford area, a joint operation was conducted by personnel attached to the Revenue Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and the Enniscorthy Divisional Drugs Unit.

Gardaí arrested two males aged in their 40s and 20s. Both individuals were subsequently detained at Enniscorthy Garda Station pursuant to Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

Investigations are ongoing.

Low cost repairs to Enniscorthy footbridge

**ENNISCORTHY PROMENADE WALK as seen from the River Urrin footbridge (File Pic).**

By Dan Walsh

Enniscorthy Promenade Walk has reopened after it was damaged a few weeks ago, however, there was some misinformation in the public arena regarding the cost of the repairs.

“Wexford County Council has confirmed that the cost of these interim works came to €2,000 and not €80,000 as stated elsewhere.”

Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Cllr Aidan Browne has expressed his delight that the Enniscorthy Promenade Walk has reopened. “I want to commend the Wexford County Council staff for their prompt work in getting the bridge back open within six weeks at a reasonable cost to the taxpayer,” he said.

Cllr Browne continued; “Enniscorthy Promenade Walk is a fantastic asset for our local community. Locals and tourists alike really enjoy taking a walk by the River Slaney and taking in the scenic beauty of the area.

“In mid-September, I was disappointed to learn that damage forced the closure of the walk as the steps on the footbridge over the River Urrin were damaged. This was a blow for the community and so as Chairperson of the Enniscorthy Municipal District, I immediately worked with Enniscorthy Municipal District Officials to get the bridge back open to the public. Of course, there are further plans to add to the charm of this fantastic local amenity. Works are expected to get underway next year on a new accessible access route under the railway bridge. This will make the walking trail accessible for anyone with a buggy, wheelchair or mobility issues. Government funding of €49,500 was allocated towards these works earlier this year.”

Housing update for Gorey town

By Dan Walsh

Cllr Joe Sullivan has visited eight active house building sites in the Gorey town area and has calculated the Part V social housing aspect as set out on the table below;

**CLLR JOE SULLIVAN Update on Housing in Gorey town**

* Ramstown 67 units exclusively social.

* Tobar Mhuire. 63 units exclusively social.

* Gleann An Ghairdin. 30 units Part V. Some already delivered.

*. Ramsfort/ Ballowen. 30 units Part V.

*. Millquarter. 18 units delivered Part V.

* Pearson’s Brook. 9 units Part V.

* Spring View Gorey Hill. 8 units Part V.

* Clonattin Road. 4 units Part V.

Cllr Sullivan said that this figure is enhanced by the fact that two of the sites are exclusively social. “I would expect that the majority of these houses will be delivered within the next twelve months,” he stated.

“I will be working with the Director of Services Housing Wexford County Council Ms Carolyne Godkin to ensure that the vast majority of these houses are delivered to prospective tenants within the short to medium term,” said Cllr Sullivan, who concluded; “I know that there is no instant solution to the current housing crisis but would like to think that there is hope with the delivery of the above houses.”

Enniscorthy needs outdoor fitness park!

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Ógra Fianna Fáil is calling for creation of a calisthenics park for Enniscorthy.

In a statement issued today, Chairperson Ruairí Ryan told WexfordLocal.com; “I am calling for a calisthenics park to be built in Enniscorthy. It would be a great opportunity for young people to use without having to invest in their own personal exercise equipment, plus the added vitamin D doesn’t hurt!”

An outdoor fitness park, or calisthenics park, would make exercise free and accessible to everyone in the community especially for those who cannot afford gym membership with the cost-of-living crisis.

Mr Ryan continued; “After consulting with Minister James Browne on this matter I believe it to be of the utmost importance for the physical well-being of young people. I know there’s massive interest in this topic as young people have approached me about the possibility of getting a park in Enniscorthy.

“I want to air these views. There’s one just like it in New Ross. Having a park in town will help build community in the town. I’m going to engage with the council and public representatives more in starting to get the ball rolling on this project.”

A local young person and activist for the project Daniel McCauley commented: “I’d like to thank Ruairí for listening to my thoughts about a calisthenics park. It means a lot to me because many people like myself love to exercise, and calisthenics is a healthy and aerobic way to do so!”

100 years of Garda service in Co. Wexford

By Dan Walsh at Ferrycarrig Hotel

Over a decade of research into everyday policing and honouring the dedicated service of An Garda Siochána to the community over the past 100 years was launched tonight in the form of the latest publication named THE GUARDS; Policing County Wexford 1922-2022.

The work of two retired Gardaí Tom Miller and Tony Fagan was launched by Liam Griffin, whose father served in the Gardaí, before a packed house at Ferrycarrig Hotel.

**Authors TOM MILLER and TONY FAGAN launched their history of An Garda Siochána *THE GUARDS; Policing County Wexford, 1922-2022* in Ferrycarrig Hotel tonight.**

“The Gardaí in County Wexford have witnessed wars, protest, human frailty, human achievement and terrible tragedy beyond normal comprehension,” according to Michael Freeman’s introduction to the book, and he added; “More than that they have been involved as the police of the new Ireland in keeping public order and preserving national security, while helping society to achieve social, economic and cultural change and meanwhile respect and preserve cultural traditions.”

The event was chaired by Michael Doyle of South East Radio in the form of an interview where the authors recalled their life and times in the Gardaí and outlined some of their experiences that lead to the publication.

Tom Miller, from Laois, who was based in County Wexford for his last 20 years in the Force is also a university honours’ graduate in history and a retired Garda Sergeant. He is a former Secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors in Wexford.

Kildare native Tony Fagan is a retired Garda Detective who spent his entire career in the Garda in Wexford. He was a member of the management committee of the Garda Representative Body for many years. Tony and Tom are current Chairman and Secretary, respectively, of the Wexford branch of the Garda Siochána Retired Members Association.

THE GUARDS; Policing County Wexford, 1922-2022 by Tom Miller and Tony Fagan, Editor Michael Freeman, 384 pages, paperback, illustrated. Published by Three Sisters Press. Available in all good bookshops.

Detailed interviews with Tom Miller and Tony Fagan can be heard on South East Radio in the coming days. On Dan Walsh’s Midweek Voices on Wednesday at 8pm and in the I Remember programme with Michael Doyle on Saturday at 9.30am.