News and Sport and Events that matter across County Wexford.
By Dan Walsh
Good news tonight is that William Ralph, (58), who had been reported missing from his home in Gorey, has been located safe and well.
Gardaí at Gorey and William’s family wish to thank the local press and the general public for their support. No further action is necessary.
By Dan Walsh
Officers at Wexford Garda Station have launched an appeal for information to assist their investigation into the malicious fire at Carrigfoyle car park on Forth Mountain, near Barntown.
A wooden structure unit which included disabled toilet facilities was completely destroyed and reduced to a pile of ashes.
Gardaí believe the incident occurred between 9.30pm on Saturday night and 8am on Sunday morning. They are keen to speak with the owner of a silver vehicle (approximately ten years old) seen the area that night.
If anyone has any information, however, insignificant it might seem, please make contact in confidence at Wexford Garda Station 053 9165200.
By Dan Walsh
Gardaí are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 58-year-old William Ralph who is missing from his home in Gorey, since Monday.
William is described as approximately 5ft 10” inches in height, of athletic build, with short grey hair and green eyes.
When last seen, William was wearing a teal polo shirt and beige chinos. Gardaí and William’s family are concerned for his well-being and are appealing for assistance in locating him.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Gorey Garda Station on 053 9430690, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
By Dan Walsh
The community in the Barntown area are devastated and heartbroken following an act of vandalism in which the toilets at Carrigfoyle visitor attraction were burned to the ground last night.
The fire occurred sometime during the night and was only discovered this morning. “It was still smouldering this morning when I went there”, said local Cllr Garry Laffan, who added; “This is heart-breaking for the people who put so much work into the area. We will just have to raise funding and rebuild it.”
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr George Lawlor said; “We need to catch the mindless thugs who did this. Years of work by Wexford County Council and endless hours of volunteering from Barntown Heritage Group to make Carrigfoyle the wonderful place it is and this is the response from those with little to offer their community.”
Mayor of Wexford Cllr Maura Bell described what happened at Carrigfoyle as “mindless vandalism. These facilities and area are used every day. Lucky the forest is still there!”
Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District Cllr Lisa McDonald told WexfordLocal.com; “No words this morning. A despicable act of vandalism which is desperately sad to see. So much effort has been put in to improve the mountain in both the Rosslare District and Wexford Borough District areas and this is how some people treat it.”
Cllr Leonard Kelly said; “Heart-breaking to see how little regard some amongst us have for our public spaces.”
In a statement posted this morning, Barntown Heritage Group stated; “An unbelievable sight to see on a Sunday morning. This is such a loss to so many people who use these facilities each day. Why would anyone go out of their way to destroy amenities used by so many? If this had been the days prior the surrounding forestry would have been lost.
“We would ask anyone who has information on this, to please contact the Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200.“
By Dan Walsh
A lone boatman was observed struggling to make ground with oars whilst being blown away from the shore and the Irish Coast Guard requested the launch of Fethard RNLI at 3.30pm yesterday (Friday).
Fethard RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was launched at Fethard Dock and headed to area a half a mile off The Windy Gap. The weather was good, with good visibility and a force 4 South-Westerly wind.
The lone boatman took his flat-bottomed punt to check on a bigger vessel that was moored, when the wind overpowered the small craft. Upon arrival at the casualty vessel, the crew assessed the situation, brought the casualty on board the lifeboat, established a towline and towed the vessel to the safety of Fethard Dock.
Commenting about the call out Mick Roche, Volunteer Helm said; “Today’s shout highlights the huge importance of always having a means to call 999 or 112. It also should encourage all members of the public engaging in water activities to know the local tides and weather, in particular the direction of the wind, and if an offshore wind is blowing.”
By Dan Walsh
As we head into another warm weekend and busy times at the seaside resorts the usual litany of complaints will re-surface. “Cahore was bedlam over the weekend. There was a huge influx of camper vans. They appear to have migrated from Curracloe to Cahore as people got a taste for the beach in the fine weather,” said Cllr Pip Breen.
Cllr Breen was addressing the issue at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council when seasonal seaside sanity pressures were up for discussion.
However, Cllr Mary Farrell said the camper vans were tourists. “We need to welcome tourists and encourage them,” She added that there may be a few motor homes that will not comply completely, but she pointed out that they do spend money and that is important for local tourism.
Cllr Oliver Walsh said that camper vans often get a bad name and he suggested options of parking beside the beach and gave Graiguenamanagh as an example where camper vans are welcome.
Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin said the nettle needs to be grasped and toilet facilities brought into the 21st century. He also sought a community warden for Ballymoney, Courtown and Cahore and wondered if they could be rostered Thursday to Monday as their normal working week!
Cllr Joe Sullivan witnessed jet ski’s, about 12 in number in the water at Courtown last Monday. He said the barriers were a waste of time as tape had been placed over the sensors and the barrier remained up!
Cllr Mary Farrell referred to a barrier at Cahore providing an obstruction to the launch of 8-10 boats by the Sea Angling Club at Cahore and she asked that the system to changed to allow them operate efficiently and safety.
Engineer Gerry Forde thanked the landowners for providing extra parking spaces at Morriscsatle. Regards toilets, he explained that a new style of portable toilet was being trialled at Vinegar Hill in the coming weeks!
By Dan Walsh
Following the decision of AIB to withdraw certain cash services at branches in Gorey and New Ross, Senator Malcolm Byrne, along with his Fianna Fáil parliamentary party colleagues, are looking to meet with the Minister for Finance and AIB to discuss the future of banking services.
In a statement to WexfordLocal.com this morning Senator Byrne said; “There is annoyance about AIB’s decision to withdraw a substantial proportion of its community banking services. This is particularly concerning for vulnerable service users and small businesses who rely on cash services provided in bank branches.
“While it has to be acknowledged that digital banking and new platforms such as Revolut are changing how consumers save and spend money, we must be cognisant that cash services remain vital to many.
“It is hoped that through engagement, particularly as the State remains a shareholder in AIB with the Minister for Finance holding the shares, a better outcome can be found.
“There is a particular worry for some vulnerable groups who rely much more on cash than other sectors of society,” concluded Senator Byrne.
By Dan Walsh
A total of six Wexford-based charities and community groups have become the latest beneficiaries of ALDI’s Community Grants programme, with each charity receiving a €500 grant from the ALDI store teams in Co. Wexford.
Receiving the €500 grants are Wexford Marine Watch, Raheen National School, Irish Red Cross, Talk to Tom and Blue Dolphins Special Olympic Club. Wexford People Helping People received multiple nominations from ALDI’s Wexford-based employees, receiving a €1,000 bursary grant.
ALDI’s Community Grants programme helps fund local charities and community organisations that contribute vital work and services in their local communities. Each local charity supported is chosen by ALDI employees, enabling them to help the local good causes they are passionate about.
Commenting, John Curtin, Group Buying Director, ALDI Ireland said: “We are very proud to continue to support local charities across the country through the ALDI Community Grants programme and we’re pleased to see the impact of our donation in the local communities for County Wexford.”
Operating seven stores in County Wexford, ALDI is deeply involved in the local community. To date, the stores have donated over 58,000 meals to local charities through ALDI’s partnership with FoodCloud, saving the charities more than €774,000. ALDI partners with nine innovative Wexford food and drink producers, spending over €9.6 million with them in 2021.
By Dan Walsh
Once favourite to become UK Prime Minister Penny Mordaunt, (49), who has created recent public interest because her ancestry is traced directly to Boolavogue, was knocked out of the Tory leadership contest today.
Ms Mordaunt, born in Torquay, who is MP for Portsmouth North, has held government posts under Boris Johnson and Theresa May, including Defence Secretary, Paymaster General, Trade Minister, and the Women and Equalities and International Development portfolios.
Ms. Mordaunt received 82 votes today, which is not enough, and means that Rishi Sunak (115) and Liz Truss (71) will go head to head during the month of August to find out who leads the Conservative Party and succeed outgoing Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
Penny is a niece of Henry Mordaunt, who maintains the family’s genealogy website. Henry traces their family roots back to Denis and Mary Mordaunt, born in north Co Wexford in the late 18th century.
The family were tenant farmers on land in Ballintlea, (carved as ‘Ballinaclay’ on the family memorial in Boolavogue graveyard) near Gorey, throughout the 19th century and in north Wexford.
Denis Mordaunt (1783-1868) was baptised in the parish of Kilanerin, near Gorey. He married Mary Byrne (1791-1851) in Avoca, Co Wicklow, in 1813, and held 30 acres in Ballinaclay, and may also have held land at Clone, near Monamolin. He died in 1868 and was buried in Boolavogue.
By Dan Walsh
Many glowing tributes have been paid to John Byrne, (59), a popular member of the outdoor staff of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council who died suddenly while attending to his duties at the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, last Monday afternoon.
Medical aid was available without delay, but efforts at resuscitation failed. The shock incident occurred as members and officials were preparing to attend the July meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council in the Presentation Centre and, as a mark of respect for the family, Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne cancelled the meeting with immediate effect.
Councillors and officials offered sympathies to John’s family who were quickly on the scene.
Cllr Browne said; “No matter where you were around the town you would see him and he would always have a word for you and he will be a very big loss to the town.”
Cllr Jackser Owens said; “The whole town is in shock. You would meet him everyday doing work for the council and he always wanted to talk and he loved having a chat with people passing by.”
John, a native of Duffry Gate, was a friendly face every day while going about his work in the town. This reporter would stop and chat with John most days whether it would be community gossip, the hurling and football or the horse racing! “He was an Enniscorthy-man with a great pride in his own place and he enjoyed life working and socialising amongst his family, neighbours and friends.”
At Tuesday’s meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District, Cllr Willie Kavanagh and Director of Services, Liz Hore, who worked with John when they were located to Enniscorthy district, both offered their condolences to his family.
FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of JOHN BYRNE, Spout Lane, Enniscorthy, Formerly 34 Duffry Gate. (Suddenly). Beloved son of the late Anna May and Jack, brother of Catherine, Margaret, Bridget, Ann and the late Patrick (Urney) and partner of Bernie. Sadly missed by his loving sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, neighbours and friends. May he rest in peace.
Reposing at Crosbie’s Funeral Home today Thursday from 3pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass on Friday at 12 noon in St. Aidan’s Cathedral. Burial afterwards in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
WexfordLocal.com 