Gorey-based Cllr Andrew Bolger has expressed frustration at the RSA’s decision to reduce the working week of driving testers to 35 hours a week and has written to the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority pleading with them to provide clarity on the matter.
The RSA have confirmed that testers who have been doing an extra test per day under the longer working week will have their hours reduced.
Cllr Bolger said; “It is my understanding that there are a number of testers that have been told that their job could be gone by the end of August, but they are left in limbo without answers it seems. It’s frustrating for them. If you look at the bigger picture you have young people looking for driving tests.”
Cllr Bolger is particularly concerned about the backlog on tests and ‘young people have been disproportionately affected’ by the pandemic, based on research by the ERSI.
“They need to get the license to be able to work or for example drive to college in September because of the shortage of housing around the colleges. We need the RSA and the Department to make decisions that will benefit young people. I believe this will prolong the waiting lists,” concluded Cllr Bolger.
Three victories for Meath trainer Gordon Elliott and a first racecourse success for Peter Smithers on his first ride in a steeplechase were the highlights at this evening’s race meeting held in summer conditions at Bettyville Park.
Elliott, who wasn’t present, saddled Dartington (16/1) to win the novice hurdle with Corey McGivern up; added number two with the red-hot favourite Call Me Lyreen (1/4 fav.) with Conor McNamara in the saddle, held off the strong challenge of Trans Wood, trained at New Ross by Gordon Doyle, by four lengths in the novice chase and made it three in the bumper by ‘a nose’ with Silver Breeze (2/1 fav.) ridden by Harry Swan.
Stake And Onions (Gary Noonan) won the mares maiden hurdle for Eoin McCarthy from Limerick and in third place was Talkingthetalk from Leonard Whitmore’s Blackwater yard.
Chapel Street (4/1) from the Castlemartyr yard of Joseph Hennessy was the five and a half lengths winner of the Slaney River Ladies Handicap Hurdle with top rider Jody Townend on board.
There was another Cork winner in the Opportunity Handicap Chase where the Robert Tyner trained Nelly’s Memory (6/1) prevailed by one and three-quarter lengths for jockey Ambrose McCurtin.
Peter Smithers from Monasterevan enjoyed his first success on Padraig Roche’s Outside The Door (8/1) after the last fence fall of leader Mica Malpic and scored by six and a half lengths with Philip Rothwell’s Walking The Walk finishing third for the local yard at Tinahely.
The Tote aggregate was €79.523. 22 (7 races) compared with €97,008.31 (8 races) last year. The next fixture at Bettyville Park is scheduled for Friday evening, July 1st.
Three angry residents from Ballyminaun Hill, near Gorey, were guests at the rear of the chamber at Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council where Cllr Joe Sullivan raised a number of issues relating to an obnoxious smell from a compost plant and asked the Executive “What can you tell these people who continue to live with it?”
Cllr Sullivan asked what was the implications for children, people in the neighbourhood trying to dry clothes, having a normal outdoors existence, which everybody is entitled to, not to mention a devaluation of property in the area?
Submissions were made by the plant owner in 2012 and 2017 and an extension to the chimney stack was added but the smell persists, and the neighbours have resorted to public protest and are calling for a quick solution to a long-standing problem.
CEO, Tom Enright told the members that Wexford County Council was aware of the situation at the mushroom compost site and indicated that there is a proposal by the owners for an alternative system. Mr Enright was assured of “the goodwill to get the matter resolved and find a good technical solution.”
Cllr Sullivan said it was time for Wexford County Council and the EPA to get together and make a move!
Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin supported Cllr Sullivan and stated that the Ballyminaun smell affects the school’s environment in Gorey town where there are over 1,000 students.
Cllr Diarmuid Devereux, who told the members that he lives in the area, was critical of the compost plant owners and their lack of communication with the neighbouring households and outlined that in 2012 planning permission was granted to deal with the problem.
“It’s appalling, nobody should have to put up with that stink” and he added it is not about conflict between the jobs and people’s wellbeing – it is possible for a trap and hold system in a confined space – it has been going on for ten years and he concluded “while the company representatives will talk to the Executive they will not speak with the neighbours.”
County Secretary David Minogue told today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council that he is to retire on July 1st after 38 years’ service in local government. “I will hang up my spurs,” Mr. Minogue told members and officials and thanked everyone for their support and said; “I enjoyed my time with Wexford County Council.”
“It was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed my press friendship and hold huge respect for the elected members – they were always very fair – but each has a job to do. I also want to thank my colleagues at the top table, and I am content in my decision.”
Mr Minogue announced that his replacement as County Secretary will be Michael Drea, a native of Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny, who is already on the staff at Wexford County Council.
Many tributes followed. Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan described Mr Minogue as “very approachable” and she wished “yourself and Anne the best of luck. Cllr Pip Breen wished him well. Cllr John Fleming said; “Thanks for your years of service. You were always fair. Enjoy your retirement.”
Cllr Cathal Byrne wished him well “in the next phase of your life. 38 years is a long time. Very best of luck.” Cllr Michael Sheehan joined in the good wishes and recalled Mr Minogue’s time at New Ross Urban Council. “You knew from day one how the system worked. Congratulations and farewell. You can be proud of your legacy at Wexford County Council.”
Cllr Michael Whelan thanked Mr Minogue for his service and courtesy. “You were always at the end of the phone, and I wish you a long and exciting retirement.” Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin recalled that Mr Minogue “did a lot of good work in the Gorey area” and wished him well.
“Thanks for your guidance,” said Cllr Willie Kavanagh. “I wish you the best in retirement,” added Cllr Davy Hynes. Cllr Joe Sullivan said; “I wish you the very best after a long and distinguished career in Co. Wexford.
Cllr Par Barden sent his best wishes. “You were always at the other end of the phone,” he added. Cllr Garry Laffan said; “you were always helpful and welcoming”. Cllr Andrew Bolger said; “good luck in the next phase of life” and Cllr Donal Kenny said; “you were always helpful” and wished him the best of luck.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy recalled a Council related trip to New York on St. Patrick’s Day with Mr Minogue, and she praised his courtesy and joined with everyone in the chamber in wishing him a happy retirement.
Chief Executive Officer, Tom Enright, thanked Mr Minogue for his “dedication, devotion to duty and he understood the role of councillors,” and said; “you will leave a huge loss for your knowledge, dedication and expertise.”
Mr Enright said Mr Minogue joined the local authority in Kildare in 1983, came to Wexford in 1990 and served in New Ross, Enniscorthy and Gorey before settling in County Hall where he took up the role of County Secretary and Communications Officer in succession to Pat Collins on his retirement. Mr Minogue’s father, Denny, was an overseer with Clare County Council for 40 years.
Water mains rehabilitation works on the Old Dublin Road in Enniscorthy, commenced today, with the road closure and traffic management being put in place and the actual mains rehab works starting next Monday, June 20th.
Irish Water’s Joe Carroll said; “The works involve the replacement of over 2km of problematic water mains on the Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy, as part of Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme.
“The section of works will take place along the Old Dublin Road (L2008) between the Clovass Roundabout and Fran Cullen sales garage. The works will be carried by Wexford County Council in partnership with Irish Water and are expected to be completed by mid-October 2022.”
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
Pictured at the launch of Let’s Get Talking in the National 1798 Rebellion Centre were (left to right); Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Ellie Mcloughlin, Psychotherapist, Minister James Browne, Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan and Deputy Johnny Mythen.
By Dan Walsh
Let’s Get Talkingaims to provide access to professional mental health services to the community on a non-set fee and a new branch for the south-east officially opened at Weafer St., Enniscorthy, Enniscorthy, on Saturday with a reception afterwards in the National 1798 Rebellion Centre.
Officially opening the centre, Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler said: “The opening of this centre in Enniscorthy is a crucial step towards achieving our shared objectives of ensuring everyone with mental health difficulties receives the appropriate care and support they require. I am a huge proponent of Let’s Get Talking, which supports people with mental health difficulties in their local communities, with a strong emphasis on mental health promotion, early intervention, and recovery. I am confident this centre will have a positive impact on the local community in Wexford for many years to come.’’
Also present were Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Minister James Browne, Deputies Brendan Howlin and Johnny, and Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
Let’s Get Talking’s Wexford Branch will be led by local Wexford psychotherapist Ellie McLoughlin, who stated; “I am delighted to bring this accessible service to our community here in the Southeast. I’m extremely passionate about the benefits of therapy, for people struggling with their mental health, and we look forward to collaborating with other community organisations locally”
Speaking about the charity CEO Cyril Hyland said: “In Let’s Get Talking, we believe everyone has a right to access therapy no matter what. Each client of our service is treated according to their needs and not what they can afford to pay.”
Speaking on the opening of the Wexford Branch, Mr Hyland added; “We are very excited to have chosen Enniscorthy for our new centre to serve the community of the Southeast. It is a strongly held belief in Let’s Get Talking that the wellness of the community can be measured by people’s psychological health. To this end, therapy is a major contributor to this mission”.
Clients can contact the service without a referral or through their GP – there is no limit to the number of sessions provide to clients.
To book an appointment with Let’s Get Talking call the appointment line on 0818 714 001 or visit www.letsgettalking.ie.
Traditional music was performed by Chulainn Ó Faolain and his sister, Éire Ní Fhaolain. as Leas-Cathaoirleach of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council appreciates their talent at the opening of Ballyfad Wood Heritage and History Project today (Sunday).
By Dan Walsh at Ballyfad Woods
Ballyfad Wood Heritage and History Project was officially launched today by Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, Leas Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council deep in the woods where a special stone memorial was unveiled.
Piper Ray Finn led the parade which included members of the local pike group. After a warm welcome and a brief explanation around the project by Cllr Ó Súilleabháin the memorial was unveiled with help from Coilte’s Mary Clifford.
Amongst the attendance were Deputies Johnny Mythen and Verona Murphy and Cllrs Donal Kenny and Joe Sullivan.
Cllr Ó Súilleabháin thanked everybody associated with completing the project including Lorraine O’Dwyer of gallavantingtours.ie who treated everybody to a guide to the woods, medicinal plants and biodiversity information and Rory O’Mahoney, engineer with Wexford County Council who helped with the funding. Special thanks also to Derek Carroll and Oliver Mythen for their research work.
There was also the unveiling of an information board which was performed by Tom and Mary Fleming in tribute to their son, the late ‘Jango’ Fleming.
Traditional music was performed by Chulainn Ó Faolain and his sister, Éire Ní Fhaolain.
It was a pleasant Sunday morning in the woods and afterwards refreshments were provided for all in May Byrne Trust House on Coolgreany’s Main Street.
Group at the opening of the Ballyfad Woods Heritage and History Project.
AUDIO ADDITION; Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin speaking to Dan Walsh at the Ballyfad Woods Heritage and History event.
The Ballyfad Walk is set in over 200 acres of mature woodland near Coolgreany, which is an example of an old woodland site that is shown in the original 1835 Ordnance Survey map. Such old woodland sites are relicts of the original vast forests that covered most of the country prior to the 16th century and are rich in biodiversity as they have never been fully clear-felled.
The woods at Ballyfad were acquired by the government from the Brooke Estate in 1904 at a cost of over £3,000.
The trailhead sign shows details of four trails of varying length and many fine examples of mature oak (1820), beech (1912), Norway spruce, Western hemlock, Douglas fir and Scots pine can be seen along the way. A special section of the Bluebell trail has been developed as a fairy walk especially for younger walkers.
Ballyfad Wood was used as a refuge by rebel forces both before and after the rebellion of 1798 and there are records of Anthony Hackett and his companions encountering local loyalist militia in the woods in the autumn and winter of 1798.
A tourism program called ‘Beidh Mé Ar Ais’ which is presented by Sinéad Ní Uallacháin, presenter on Raidió na Gaeltachta and Osgur Ó Ciardha, manager of the award-winning Generator Hostel in Dublin, where they travel around Ireland on the hunt for Ireland’s best tourist attraction.
TG4 and Adare Productions are back with a new series of ‘Beidh Mé Ar Ais’, in search of Ireland’s Next Big Tourist Attraction. If you feel your tourist attraction isn’t getting the attention it deserves or maybe the effects of the pandemic knocked your tourist attraction right off the map, or maybe you have a brand-new idea, well this is the ultimate chance to put it at the forefront of Irish Tourism.
“We want to uncover the hidden gems that everyone needs to visit and offer advice on how you can improve the whole visitor experience BUT only ONE Tourist Attraction will receive the coveted title of ‘Ireland’s Next Big Tourist Attraction’.
“It doesn’t stop there! The winner also walks away with a cash prize of 5k. Imagine what that can do for your tourist attraction – a newly revamped website, a new coat of paint, better start that list of renovations…
For more information , please email chloeoneilldingle@gmail.com or call +353 831322683.
Launching THE WEXFORD BOHEMIAN in St. Peter’s Square(left to right); Wally O’Neill, Red Books (publisher), Álanna Hammel (Editor) and Cllr Leonard Kelly.
By Dan Walsh
From an impressive entry of more than 300 submissions 55 creative writers from all across Co. Wexford have their work published in the third issue of THE WEXFORD BOHEMIAN which was officially launched by the publishers RED BOOKS in St. Peter’s Square on Friday evening.
Editor Álanna Hammel from Morriscastle told WexfordLocal.com; “Editing and formatting this collection was quite possibly one of the most important projects I’ve ever worked on. I am honoured to feature work of such a high standard and privileged to tie it all together. Thank you to everyone who submitted, contributed, read and suggested.”
Ms Hammel also spoke highly of Wally O’Neill of RED BOOKS who published the works.
There are notes about the contributors and they include Wendy Connolly, Brian Trench, Edel Hanley, Nicky Rossiter, Blaze Devine, Margaret Galvin, Saoirse Wadding-Hayes, Steve Denehan, Bernadette Gibson, Meritxell Grau Buntinyac, Philip Quirke, Suzanne Burns, Aisling Cahill, Anne Ireton, Richard Connolly, R.J. Breathnach, Susan Doran, Aaron Dowling, Carmel Conroy, Eamonn Sheridan, Cian Desmond, John Cooney, Hugh Doyle, Dean Bolger, Mary O’Brien, Alan Dobbs, Caroline Stevens-Taylor, Niall Ó Siadhail, Dave Lordan, Maybelle Wallis, Noel Culleton, Siobhán Cahalan, Son, Nick Forbes, Jimmy O’Connell, Nathan Goff, Charlotte Glynn, Chris Black, Deirdre O’Connor, Imelda Carroll, Ellen Lordan-Lohier, Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain, Paulette Chapman, Stephen Barnes, Éire Ní Fhaoláin, Luke Bradley, Tony Bolger, Allston James, Aoife Rose O’Brien, Ronán P. Berry and Paul Hennessy.
THE WEXFORD BOHEMIAN, issue 3, Wexford’s own journal of art, literature and culture, EDITOR, Álanna Hammel, 112 pages, no illustrations, published by RED BOOKS, St. Peter’s Square, Wexford. Copies on sale at RED BOOKS.
AUDIO ADDITION; Álanna Hammel talking to Dan Walsh about editing THE WEXFORD BOHEMIAN
Senator Malcolm Byrne has welcomed moves by Government that will require the mandatory registration of jet skis by their owners and that the move will assist where jet skis breach local bye-laws designed to protect swimmers and other sea users.
Speaking in Seanad Éireann, Senator Byrne said; “We are coming into the summer season. Many more people are availing of our beaches and swimming is becoming more popular year-round. However, the problem continues to arise around jet skis and small motorised vehicles. I am aware that legislation is in place that will allow local authorities to put by-laws in place. Those by-laws are supposed to be enforced, but one of the difficulties is around the question of enforcement. At the moment, even though there are by-laws regulating where jet skis can go – and they should not be going into bathing areas – there is no requirement on the owner of a jet ski to register that ownership.
“There are now jet skis that can travel at up to 100 km/h in some cases and have 1,000 cc engines. Anybody can go and buy them. There are no requirements in terms of training, insurance or registration. Think about a vehicle that powerful in comparison with, say, a motor vehicle. What happens if there is an accident? What happens if one of those jet skis collides with a swimmer? This is a fear in many of our coastal communities. What are the insurance implications? Who is responsible?
“The Minister of State will be aware that there was a joint appeal last year by a number of bodies, including Waterways Ireland, the Coast Guard and Water Safety Ireland, around the responsible use of jet skis. However, we as a country are an outlier in terms of registration of these small motor vehicles. We need to look at treating jet skis essentially in the same way as we treat cars, with the same registration requirements. That way, if an incident occurs, somebody can be held to account.
“We do not want to stop people from using jet skis. Encouraging water sports is important, but people should do them responsibly. It may be that at some stage in the future we need to consider the idea of water police for some of our busiest beaches, who could be shared around the country, to be able to monitor situations where jet skiers and swimmers are close to each other.
Minister of State Mary Butler TD replied; “I thank Senator Malcolm Byrne for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Naughton, who is currently attending Cabinet. I recognise many of the significant points made by the Senator. He attended in Waterford last Friday afternoon, when we celebrated 20 years of the search and rescue service in the southeast located at Waterford regional airport. We must achieve the right balance. We have seen the amount of search and rescue requests at sea and inland, and these are coupled with the supports provided by the Garda and other bodies that help people who may get lost on mountains or whatever. There is a huge range of supports in place and we must be very conscious of that.
“The Minister of State informs me a range of control mechanisms relating to the regulation of jet skis exist under the Maritime Safety Act 2005. The Act strengthened the law against improper use of certain personal watercraft and recreational craft and promotes good practice in the operation of vessels generally. Section 6 in Part 2 of the Maritime Safety Act 2005 allows local authorities, harbour authorities and Waterways Ireland to make by-laws to regulate or control the operation of craft or specified classes of craft, including jet skis, in waters under their control or management or in their functional areas.
“The prohibition or restriction of jet skis may be general or in specified places and in the interests of the safety of persons using waters at certain times, or for the prevention of nuisance or injury to persons or damage to watercraft or other property on the waters. It may also be for the protection of a natural heritage area or protected monument. The by-laws may also address matters relating to launching, mooring or berthing craft, the conditions to be observed by operators of craft or maximum speed limits at which craft may be operated.
“Section 6 of the Act also includes an offence and penalty regime for persons who operate a craft in contravention of a by-law made under the section. The Act recognises that the conditions and issues can vary in different parts of the country. Therefore, it is a matter for the individual by-law making authorities to assess the particular circumstances in their area and decide on the appropriate response. There are general enforcement provisions contained in the 2005 Act that allow An Garda Síochána or authorised persons to act in particular circumstances. These include requiring the ceasing of the operation of craft, the seizure of craft in the interests of safety and other enforcement actions.
“I accept that the only reason the Senator is raising this matter is from a health and safety perspective and he is not trying to stop anyone enjoying the water or the beautiful beaches we have. We are very lucky to live on an island with fabulous and spectacular beaches.
JET SKIS IN ACTION OFF COURTOWN HARBOUR (File Pic).
The Senator indicates there is no provision under the Merchant Shipping Act for the licensing of jet skis. The provision of the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014, when fully commenced, will assist in the identification of owners of jet skis for enforcement purposes. An extension of mandatory registration to additional ship categories, including personal watercraft such as jet skis, is proposed for the future when the new ship registration regime is rolled out. However, this will take some time as the full commencement of the Act requires the establishment of a new electronic ship register and registration regime, which will be progressed under a separate information technology project. There will be new ship registration regulations to complement and align with the registration information technology project. It is one of the Senator’s main concerns that these craft are not registered currently.
As I outlined, the legislative framework includes a range of controls to regulate the operation of jet skis. I refer specifically to the Maritime Safety Act 2005, under which local authorities, harbour authorities and Waterways Ireland may make by-laws to regulate or control the operation of jet skis in their functional areas. Such by-laws may also address matters relating to the launching of craft or the maximum speed limits at which craft may be operated. Under this Act, a range of offences and enforcement provisions may be employed in this context by authorised persons or members of An Garda Síochána.
Given conditions can vary in different parts of the country, I hope the Senator will appreciate why it is a matter for the individual by-law-making authorities to assess the specific circumstances in their areas and then to decide on the appropriate responses to those local conditions. It is reasonable that those closest to the issues and possessing local knowledge should regulate for local circumstances. I encourage the relevant authorities to explore actions permissible under the provisions of the 2005 Act if specific problems may be arising with jet skis in particular local areas or waters.”
WexfordLocal.com 