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!
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.
Irish Water and Wexford County Council, this week commenced the replacement 580 metres of problematic water mains in Ramstown Lower, Gorey, which will improve water quality for the community and forms part of Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme.
The works also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply.
CLLR ANDREW BOLGER welcomes Irish Water works in Gorey.
Cllr Andrew Bolger has welcomed the developments in Gorey and told WexfordLocal.com today; “I’m glad to see this work being granted for Gorey. This pipe had to be repaired on a number of occasions and caused outages for Gorey Town. Improvement’s to water quality is an issue that I have been raising for quite some time now and I have raised the need for this pipe to be replaced at the Transport and Water Special Policy Committee Meetings.”
The works, being carried out by Shareridge Civil Engineering on behalf of Irish Water, will take place on the Fort Road and are expected to be completed by the end of November.
Outlining the benefits the mains replacement will bring, Joe Carroll from Irish Water, explained: “Replacing these old and problematic pipes in Ramstown Lower, that have a history of bursting, will reduce the drinking water lost by leakage and will bring an all-round improvement to water quality for the local community.
Mr Carroll added; “To facilitate the safe delivery of the upgrades, there may be some traffic management in place, however, local and emergency access will be maintained at all times.
“Works will be limited to short sections to minimise any impact on customers. During this project there may be some short-term water outages and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours notice before any planned water outages.
“We understand that road works and water outages can be inconvenient, but our crews will make every effort to minimise disruption to local communities as we continue to improve the water supply in Wexford and progress the National Leakage Reduction Programme.”
Irish Water’s customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website or set your location on our website www.water.ie
A tranquil scene by the River Slaney with Enniscorthy Bridge as the perfect backdrop.
By Dan Walsh
There is some speculation that owing to a growing population in Co. Wexford and a review by the Boundary Commission that Wexford, currently a five-seat constituency could become a six-seat constituency, in reality, divided into two by three seats for election to Dáil Éireann.
The options would appear to be a county divide – Wexford North and Wexford South – or part of Wicklow added to Wexford?
The possibility of Wexford coming two three-seat constituencies is a real challenge and is being considered by political parties, however, we are in ‘no comment’ mode at the moment!
Meanwhile, the most recently released Central Statistics Office data indicates that some 1,814 Ukrainian nationals are currently in Wexford.
The number of individuals and percentage population per district is as follows;
ROSSLARE DISTRICT. 390 (1.68%) +48.
NEW ROSS DISTRICT. 547 (1.82%) +46.
ENNISCORTHY DISTRICT. 331 (1.13%) +62.
GOREY DISTRICT. 210 (0.68%) +25
WEXFORD DISTRICT. 217 (0.69%) +36
KILMUCKRIDGE DISTRICT. 119 (0.65%) +42.
This indicates an increase of 259 in six weeks since CSO Series 5 data was issued on August 19th.
Several new accommodation centres have come on stream in recent weeks.
MINISTER HEATHER HUMPHREYS speaking at the opening of the High Hill Norman Gardens at New Ross recently. Minister Humphreys announced the successful projects under Category 1 of the Community Centres Investment Fund today.
By Dan Walsh
Sixteen community centres’ in County Wexford will receive funding of €338,011 to upgrade facilities which will benefit users of all ages, according to Fine Gael TD, Paul Kehoe.
Deputy Kehoe was speaking after Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys announced the successful projects under Category 1 of the Community Centres’ Investment Fund.
Deputy Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com; “I am delighted that my colleague Minister Humphreys has made this funding available to Wexford community centres given the vital work that staff and volunteers there do and the invaluable services they provide.
“Fine Gael is working to build stronger safer communities and today’s funding allocation is the latest in a long line of initiatives and supports aimed at making our towns, villages and cities more attractive places to live and visit.
“The Community Centres Investment Fund was launched by Minister Humphreys in April 2022 with funding of €15m available under three categories. The key theme of the fund is to support community groups with the upgrade and development of their Community Centre facilities.
“Community centres which will receive funding include;
Group / Organisation
Amount awarded
12th Wexford Scouts
€25,000.00
Ballycanew-Ballyoughter Community Development Association Company Limited By Guarantee
€10,627.83
Camross Hall CLG
€13,030.37
Davidstown Courtnacuddy GAA Club
€25,000.00
Ferns Community Centre
€20,878.32
Hollyfort Development Association
€23,381.00
Kilmore GAA Club
€17,000.00
Kilmore Quay Community Development Association Company Limited By Guarantee
€25,000.00
Kiltealy Hall Development Committee
€22,243.00
Marshalstown Community Centre Company Limited By Guarantee
€15,387.50
Raheen Community Centre (Raheen Parish Committee)
€25,000.00
Rathnure St. Annes Hurling & Football Club
€25,000.00
St Marys Hall
€21,702.20
Taghmon Camross GAA Club
€25,000.00
Templeshannon Community and Childcare Centre Company Limited By Guarantee
€25,000.00
The May Byrne Trust, Coolgreany
€18,761.55
“Community centres are valued shared spaces and are very much at the heart of Wexford towns and villages. I hope this funding assists in making them even better in the provision of services to people all across Wexford.”
Minister Humphreys said: Through ‘Our Rural Future’, I want to support locally led, ground-up projects in local communities across the country. This funding is all about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs, which have continued to serve their community.”
A man who was seriously injured and airlifted to a Dublin hospital following a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the R772 at Blackstoops, Enniscorthy, on Thursday, September 29th, has lost his fight for life and died on Saturday.
Scene at Blackstoops, Enniscorthy, on September 29th (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
He is Shay Rossiter, in his seventies, from Clough, Gorey, and formerly of Aughabeg, Corries, Bagnelstown, Co. Carlow. He was a popular member of the community and news of his death has evoked great sadness over a wide area.
Mr Rossiter was seriously injured in a collision on the R772 (the old N11) between the roundabouts at Scarawalsh and Blackstoops on the northern outskirts of Enniscorthy town which occurred around 12.30pm.
Emergency vehicles were quickly on the scene including the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 which conveyed Mr Rossiter to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin where he sadly passed away on Saturday, ten days later.
Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident are asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on 053 9242580.
FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENT; Shay Rossiter Hillview, Clough, Gorey, Co. Wexford and formerly of Aughabeg, Corries, Bagnelstown, Co. Carlow. Died 8th October 2022 due to an accident. Beloved husband of Theresa and loving brother of John, Rita and the late Michael. Deeply regretted by his loving wife, sister, brother, sisters-in-law, mother-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours. May He Rest In Peace.
Shay Rossiter will be reposing at Flood’s Funeral Home, McDermott Street, Gorey (Y25E8D4) on Thursday, October 13th, from 4pm to 8pm. Removal will take place on Friday at 11.15am to the Church of The Sacred Heart, Ballyoughter, Gorey for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only, donations, if desired, to The Richmond Ward ICU Beaumont Hospital.
The N11 north of Ferrycarrig bridge is set to reopen around now following a serious road traffic collision close to the entrance to Ferrycarrig Hotel earlier this evening.
Emergency services rushed to the scene where a cattle truck and a car were in collision shortly before 5pm.
At least two people were taken from the scene to Wexford General Hospital. Their condition is ‘unknown’ at this time.
The scene was sealed off for a time to facilitate a forensic examination which resulted in long tailbacks during the rush hour.
The N11 at Ferrycarrig is set to reopen around now (8pm).
Anyone with information or dash cam footage is requested to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200.
COUNTY HALL, headquarters of Wexford County Council. (File Pic)
By Dan Walshat County Hall, Wexford
A motion seeking approval for the adoption of a 15% local adjustment factor to be applied to the Local Property Tax (LPT) in County Wexford for two years, 2023 and 2024, came before today’s meeting of Wexford County Council and was carried by 20 votes to 14.
Cllr Pip Breen favoured the 15% increase to support work still going on in the districts. He said it was a “no brainer” and necessary for the delivery of services.
Cllr Ger Carthy questioned the origins of the”revaluation” and he wondered whose decision it was? “It has been 10% since 2014 and the delivery of economic projects needs 15% above the baseline,” he claimed.
Cllr Leonard Kelly asked about funding secured for existing projects and Ms O’Neill replied that there was no central funding increase since 2013, road maintenance grants at levels similar to 2008, LPT revaluation results confirmed and no buoyancy, unprecedented inflationary impact on energy, fuel and other costs and a need to make financial plans to secure and host Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann in Wexford town.
Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin said the LPT was consistent since 2013, but he could not support it because “I complained against it in the past,” and he also pointed out that “Wexford had the worst roads in the country with no grants since 2008 and the LPT as a funding model gave no support!”
Cllr David Hynes said that since 2014 “We have this problem. Local Government funding was taken away out of general taxation. It was a con job then…and it is still a con job,”. “We have the worst cost of living problem we ever had. Old people have no waiver. We’ll be asking for more next year,” he added.
Cllr Joe Sullivan pointed to “a new challenge now and the ability of people to pay and every penny counts. “On September 27th (Budget Day) the Government came into our homes and gave us €600 and now they want 15% back and an increase in mortgage rates, interest rates, motor fuel, home heating and inflation running at 8-10%.”
Cllr Sullivan equated the 15% increase to 47,888 bags of coal, 21,550 tonnes of timber and 1,327, 000 worth of heating oil at €1.25 per litre! “We are taking that purchasing power off the people,” he concluded.
Cllr Willie Kavanagh supported the rise. He had no problem with it as it amounted to 25 cent a week!
Finance Officer Annette O’Neill told the meeting that the number of properties liable for LPT in Co. Wexford for 2022 is in the region of 64,200. The annual income has been determined at €11.498 million based on statistics recently provided by the Revenue Commissioners. 93% of properties in the county are now valued at €350,000 or less, paying an annual LPT of €347 or less.
The adoption of the 15% increase for two years was proposed by Cllr Pip Breen and seconded by Cllr Ger Carthy and put to the floor by Cathaoirleach Cllr George Lawlor. The result was a 20-14 vote in favour of the proposal.
There was a distinct tense atmosphere in the chamber as members worked out their intentions to vote and when the votes were counted both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had broken ranks.
Those who voted in FAVOUR of the motion; Cllrs Maura Bell, Andrew Bolger, Pip Breen, Cathal Byrne, Ger Carthy, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Anthony Donohoe, Mary Farrell, John Hegarty, Willie Kavanagh, Donal Kenny, Garry Laffan, George Lawlor, Lisa McDonald, Jim Moore, Barbara-Anne Murphy, Michael Sheehan, Frank Staples, Oliver Walsh and Michael Whelan. (20).
Who voted AGAINST; Cllr Pat Barden, Aidan Browne, Jim Codd, Anthony Connick, Diarmuid Devereux, John Fleming, Tom Forde, David Hynes, Leonard Kelly, Bridín Murphy, John O’Rourke, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, Jackser Owens and Joe Sullivan. (14).
Jim McGrath and Dan Doyle laid wreaths at the spot where the Doyles were assassinated to mark the centenary of their deaths in Enniscorthy today. Also in the picture are (left to right); Cllr Jackser Owens, Cllr Cathal Byrne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cllr Bridín Murphy, Deputy Johnny Mythen, Minister James Browne and Cllr John O’Rourke.
By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy
The memory of two unarmed Free State soldiers who were assassinated as they walked down an Enniscorthy street, having attended a Mission Mass in St. Aidan’s Cathedral on October 10th 1922, were remembered today at the spot – outside 21 Main St., Enniscorthy – and later in the graveyards at Marshalstown and Ballindaggin.
Ballindaggin Pipe Band and members of Enniscorthy Historical Reenactment Society lead family and friends from St. Aidan’s Cathedral where Fr. William Caulfield prayed for their souls at 10am Mass to Main Street where wreaths were laid by nephews of the men, Jim McGrath and Dan Doyle. A minute’s silence was observed, and the national anthem was played.
Organised by Eileen Codd, the family members and local public representatives gathered in Enniscorthy Castle – where the Doyles were stationed in 1922 – and Barry Lacey, who is the organiser for the Decade of Commemorations and a local historian, outlined the sequence of events in 1922. Geraldine O’Connor gave a find rendition of Boolavogue.
The attendance included Cllrs Jackser Owens, John O’Rourke, Bridín Murphy, Cathal Byrne, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Minister James Browne, Deputies Paul Kehoe and Johnny Mythen, relatives and friends of the Doyle families.
Dan Doyle and Jim McGrath, holding photos of their uncles, pictured with reenactors and public representatives at Enniscorthy Castle.
OCTOBER 10th 1922 IN ENNISCORTHY
Commandant Peter Doyle, Ballinakill, Marshalstown, and Captain Thomas Doyle, Curragraigue, Ballindaggin, (they were unrelated) who died 100 years ago. They had attended a Mission Mass hosted by the Vincentian Fathers from Phibsborough, Dublin, in Enniscorthy Cathedral on the date in question.
A huge crowd was present and after the devotions had ended at 8.10pm, the two unarmed, uniformed men left the cathedral and walked down Main Street. As they did, a pair of assassins stepped out of the shadows of the evening, approached them and without warning, opened fire on the soldiers, who fell to the ground mortally wounded.
On hearing the gunfire, panic broke out among the crowd leaving Mass with people fleeing in all directions. When the shooting finally subsided, the two wounded soldiers were lying on the ground where they had fallen [just outside No. 21 Main Street].
They were taken to the County Home Hospital, later named St. John’s Hospital in the town.
Commandant Peter Doyle, (29), received four bullet wounds – two in the legs and two in the stomach – and died from his injuries the following day, Wednesday October 11th at 1.30pm. He was buried in Marshalstown Cemetery.
Captain Thomas ‘Tom’ Doyle, (27), died eight days after being shot and was buried in Ballindaggin Graveyard on Friday, October 21st, 1922. The assassins were never identified.
Applications from sports clubs in Co. Wexford and beyond are now invited under the third Texaco Support for Sport initiative in which a fund of €130,000 will be divided in €5,000 amounts and distributed to successful applicants in each of the twenty-six counties.
Over the past two years, a gross figure of €260,000 has been divided amongst 52 sports clubs across Ireland, of which €5,000 each went to two successful Co. Wexford clubs: Kilmore United FC (2021) and Menapians Athletic Club (2022).
DONNCHA O’CALLAGHAN is Texaco Support for Sport ambassador.
Launching the 2023 programme, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited – the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand – described the initiative as one that “opens-up an avenue to funding for those clubs and communities that need it most.”
A sole qualifying requirement is that clubs must be properly constituted, and supply confirmation of a valid Games & Sports Exemption number (GS number) issued by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
Closing date for applications is January 31st 2023 with adjudication taking place thereafter. Leading the process once again is Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, broadcaster and former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan. Clubs that received funding to date span the spectrum of Irish sporting activity – athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, camogie, climbing, cricket, diving, Gaelic football, golf, handball, hockey, hurling, rowing, rugby, soccer and tennis amongst them.
WexfordLocal.com 