Change of bus stop locations in Gorey?

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.   

ASBO’s could be needed in Enniscorthy

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!  

“Missed opportunity for Enniscorthy”; Cllr Browne

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.” 

Denis Murphy on the double at Tinahely

By Dan Walsh at Fairwood Park, Tinahely

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.

Codd defends the lady champions

By Dan Walsh

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.”

Jordan Gainford wins American Grand National

By Dan Walsh

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.

€165k drugs discovered in New Ross

By Dan Walsh

Drug Detector Dog Flynn was on duty in New Ross recently. (Pic; Revenue)

Cocaine and Cannabis to the value of €165,000 was recovered following a search of a residence in New Ross.

A male was charged and brought before the District Court where he was remanded in Custody.

Gardaí from the Wexford Divisional Drug Unit along with members from the Detective and Uniform Units from New Ross supported by the Revenue Officers and Drug Detector Dog, Flynn conducted a search of a residence in New Ross recently.

€765k drugs discovered in spare tyres

By Dan Walsh

A man has been arrested following the seizure of herbal cannabis concealed in spare tyres and worth over €765,000 at Rosslare Europort yesterday (Friday).

During routine operations yesterday Revenue officers, with the assistance of their mobile x-ray scanner and detector dog Jasper, seized over 38kg of herbal cannabis.

The illegal drugs were discovered concealed in spare tyres when a Polish-registered articulated lorry and trailer that had arrived on a ferry from Cherbourg, France was stopped and searched.

Drugs concealed in spare tyres at Rosslare Europort (Pic; Revenue)

The drugs were discovered concealed in spare tyres

A man in his 30s was arrested by Gardaí and taken to Wexford Garda Station for questioning.

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. 

Three winners for Barry O’Neill

By Dan Walsh

Today’s point-to-point action was at Portrush, Co. Derry where champion rider Barry O’Neill notched up a treble success for three different handlers. There was also a victory for Rob James.

O’Neill took the opener for four-year-old maidens with first timer Zefiro Dodville by one and a half lengths. The winner will have a career on the track.

BARRY O’NEILL and COLIN BOWE were amongst today’s winners

The same verdict gave O’Neill his second success of the day, half an hour later, when Castle Daragh from Paul McAleese stables took the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

And winner number three on the day for O’Neill was aboard Vaucelet by half a length for Fermanagh handler David Christie in the Open Race.

Rob James had an easier time winning by eight lengths on Beauty To Behold for owner Gearoid Doyle and handler Sean Doyle in the maiden race for five year old mares.

The first point-to-point races of the new season in the South-East takes place tomorrow (Sunday) under the auspices of the Shillelagh and District Foxhounds at Fairwood, Tinahely.

First race at 2pm, 71 entries, and an interesting entry in the Open Race is Samcro from the Gordon Elliott stables!   

Injured motorcyclist dies

By Dan Walsh

A father of three from Campile has passed away following a motorcycle accident that occurred on July 30th 2022.

STEVEN MALONE (Pic; Vikings MC Ireland)

Steven Malone, 33, from Campile sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle collision at the roundabout at Davidstown, (junction N11 and R744) a few miles from Enniscorthy on July 30th.

Following the incident Steven was rushed to University Hospital Waterford and placed in a coma before transfer to Cork University Hospital and The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin.

Stephen leaves behind his wife Jenny, who he only married in September 2021, and their three children; Lorcan (aged 4), Dia (8) and PJ (11), other relatives and friends.

A Go FundMe page had been set up for Steven which raised in excess of €3,300 to fund his treatment.

Tributes have poured in for the motorcycle enthusiast with his much-loved Viking Motorcycle Club honouring on social media last night.

They posted; “Vikings MC Ireland regret to announce with sadness the loss of our brother Steven 1% who joined our brothers in the Valhalla Chapter yesterday. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his wife and family. Ride free brother and take your place in the hall of Valhalla.”

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced. R.I.P.