Man (60s) dies in Curracloe collision

By Dan Walsh

A man in his 60s has died in a single-vehicle collision that happened in Curracloe at approximately 10.35am today. He was the only occupant in the car.

The man was taken to Wexford General Hospital where he later passed away. A post mortem will be conducted.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward and are asking any road users who may have camera footage and were travelling in Curracloe village area between 10.15am and 10.35am.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. 

Arrests for drug trafficking in Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

Two people, a man and a woman, both aged in their 20’s, were arrested this morning (Sunday) in relation to the seizure of approximately €160,000 worth of suspected cocaine in Enniscorthy on Friday.

ENNIISCORTHY GARDA STATION

At around 6.20pm on Friday evening, Gardaí searched a residence in Enniscorthy and found the suspected cocaine. 

The cocaine was seized by Gardaí during a search conducted because of ongoing investigations into the sale and supply of drugs in the Arklow and Enniscorthy areas. 

A man and a woman, both aged in their 20s, were arrested this morning by investigating Gardaí. 

They are being detained at Wicklow Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

Investigations are ongoing. 

Harley Dunne is headline hero

By Dan Walsh

Harley Dunne was the point-to-point hero today riding two winners and training three at two of the three point-to-points held across the country. There were eleven Wexford winners which reflects the strength of quality found in local stables.

HARLEY DUNNE.. two wins as a rider…three wins as a handler.

Harley Dunne whose yard is near Clonroche made his way to Tattersalls in Co. Louth where he scored a double – all owned, handled and ridden by himself – and brought his riding career total to 90.

He came in three lengths to the good on Bop Bop Bobbin in the maiden race for four-year-old mares and had four lengths to spare when taking Tango Arumba first over the line in the maiden race for mares of five years or more.

Dunne dispatched Genietoile to Dromahane, Co. Cork, and with Tiernan Power Roche in the saddle they triumphed by a length which was compensation for a penultimate fence fall on a first outing at Tinahely in February. So, a treble on the day for Dunne wearing his handlers’ hat and his horses are running in great form recently.

Back at Tattersalls, father and son Liam and James Kenny, Craanford, pleased the Orphan Girl Syndicate from the Ballymoney area when Sam Magee ran to a nine lengths success in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

The Berry family from Kilmore enjoyed success in the Open Novice Riders race with A Rated. Owned and handled by Shirley and Johnny Berry the success was all the sweeter as it was a second victory in the saddle for their son, Josh Berry. The verdict was one length.

And a fifth Wexford winner from six races at the Louth track was First Preference, home-bred and owned by Jimmy Devereux, Rostoonstown, Tomhaggard, handled by his son, Vincent, and ridden by Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, who had one and a half lengths to spare in the Winner of One Race.

CONOR MOORE… a double today at Stradbally point-to-point.

Conor Moore from Kilmore Quay enjoyed a double success at Stradbally this afternoon. He partnered Benefits Deu for owner Denis Moore and handler Thomas Byrne in the Winner of Three Race and half an hour later was given the leg up on first timer Bare Assets in the maiden race for mares aged five years or over by Jonathan Fogarty at Gaynestown, Cleariestown, and he got home half a length to the good to record a double.

Also at the Laois venue, Michael Goff, Clondaw, Ferns, saddled El Muchacho in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings which provided him with an eight lengths success under Dan Nevin.

Sean Doyle, Ballindaggin, was also amongst the winners in Laois. He saddled The Forge Hill in the Open Race and made all to get home half a length to the good with Sean Staples in the saddle.  

Down at Dromahane where Harley Dunne’s Genietoile won (see above) Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill combined to win the maiden race for five-year-old geldings by eight lengths with Castleward.

Treble success for Barry Stone

By Dan Walsh

Cleariestown rider Barry Stone was in winning form at Taylorstown, Co. Down point-to-point races this afternoon where he partnered three winners bringing his season total to 10 and his career score to 19.

BARRY STONE.. rode three winners today.

Stone got into victory mood in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings bringing newcomer Wideeyedandlegless home four lengths in front for owner Sean Connick and Rathangan handler John Martin Walsh.

Walsh saddled a double half an hour later with Cluain Aodha and Stone aboard the Thomas Browne owned two and a half lengths winner of the maiden race for mares of five-year-old or over.

Winner number three for Barry Stone was achieved when Kalanisi Flash won the Winner of One race by one length for the Inish Stables Partnership and handler Brian Jordan.

Champion rider Barry O’Neill rode his 40th winner of the current campaign aboard Colin Bowe’s newcomer I Will Be Baie in the maiden race for four-year-olds. The verdict was two and a half lengths and the winner will be sales bound.

Last Saturday’s Scottish Grand National hero Rob James returned to the domestic scene with a five lengths victory on Some Man for Fermanagh handler David Christie in the Open Race.

€160,000 drugs seized at Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí have seized approximately €160,000 of suspected cocaine during a search in Enniscorthy.

As part of Operation Tara, a residence in Enniscorthy was searched under warrant on Friday evening by Gardaí from the Wicklow Detective and Drugs Units, Enniscorthy Detective Unit and the South Eastern Region Armed Support Unit.

A Garda spokesperson said the search was part of ongoing investigations into the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Arklow and Enniscorthy areas

No arrests have been made at this stage.

Schools’ booklet on the War of Independence

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Libraries have launched “County Wexford War of Independence and Civil War: an educational resource” in Wexford Library, a booklet charting events and timeline of the War of Independence and the Civil War in County Wexford.

It is a resource for young people from 4th class in primary school to 3rd year in secondary school. Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy introduced the booklet to an enthusiastic audience. Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Barbara-Anne Murphy says, “This booklet is a wonderful learning resource for our young people so that they can engage with the history of their area from a hundred years ago.”

This was followed by a talk by Historian in Residence, Barry Lacey to a class of 1st year students from CBS Wexford.  

The booklet was researched and written by local historian, Monica Crofton and edited by Executive Librarian, Hazel Percival and Library Assistant, Michael Dempsey. It was designed by Nicola Bailey.

The booklet will be distributed to all schools in County Wexford in the coming weeks. It will also be available in all Wexford library branches with an additional electronic version on the library website.

Schools can request a class visit from Barry Lacey, Historian-in-Residence, to discuss this important time in Irish history with the students.

Pictured at the launch of the Schools Booklet on Wexford’s History during the War of Independence and Civil War were Monica Crofton (Historian), Cllr Pip Breen, Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy, Cllr John Hegarty, Cllr Garry Laffan, Cllr Donal Kenny, Hazel Percival (Executive Librarian), Barry Lacey (Historian in Residence, Wexford County Council).

For further information, contact the Local Studies Librarian at 053 919 6330 or libraryhq@wexfordcoco.ie

New ship “a vote of confidence in Irish tourism”

Galicia at sea (Pic; Brittany Ferries).

By Dan Walsh

Brittany Ferries is to introduce a more tourism-oriented ship Galicia on to its Rosslare/Bilbao route from November of this year.

News of the new ship for Rosslare, was announced earlier today (Thursday) by Brittany Ferries’ President Jean-Marc Roué, who earlier this year became Honorary Consul for Ireland in Brittany who, along with the company’s Chief Executive, Christophe Mathieu was in Rosslare to meet with the port of Rosslare executives and with local business leaders. He said that the introduction of Galicia was a further indication of the company’s long-term commitment to Ireland.

Speaking of the decision to introduce Galicia to the route, Monsieur Roué said that Galicia, which can take up to 1,015 passengers is closer in style to cruise-ferries like the company’s flagship Pont-Aven, with far better facilities for holidaymakers; “There is no doubt that the Rosslare – Bilbao route has been successful, and we are pleased with the way Irish hauliers have embraced it. Galicia will continue to provide a strong freight offering. However, our research has indicated that there is a demand there from Irish people wishing to holiday in Spain and Galicia will certainly make for a far more enjoyable experience for them. The job now is to work in partnership with tourism bodies in Ireland and Spain to ensure that holidaymakers fill our ships and enrich destinations in both markets.”

Glenn Carr, General Manager Rosslare Europort, welcomed the announcement by Brittany Ferries of Galicia’s introduction, saying; “Brittany Ferries are more than just customers of Rosslare Europort, they are our partners in strengthening our direct links between Ireland and Europe. The Galicia will ensure that as well as freight customers, holidaymakers will benefit from this partnership, and provide a more sustainable travel choice for tourism to and from Ireland’s South East and beyond.”

Siobhan McManamy, Tourism Ireland’s Director of Markets, said; “As we restart overseas tourism to Ireland, the announcement that Brittany Ferries will introduce its Galicia cruise-ferry on the Bilbao to Rosslare route is very good news and a real vote of confidence in Irish tourism. We already work very closely with Brittany Ferries and we look forward to co-operating with them to maximise the promotion of this service to Rosslare. Tourism Ireland is rolling out an extensive programme of promotional activity in Spain throughout 2022. Our message is very simple: Ireland is open for business again and we cannot wait to ‘roll out the green carpet’ and welcome back our Spanish visitors.”

Brian O’Flynn, Head of Ireland’s Ancient East at Fáilte Ireland, said; “The addition of increased capacity from continental Europe to Rosslare by Brittany Ferries will play an important role in tourism recovery by providing greater access into Ireland for overseas visitors. There’s so much to see in Ireland’s Ancient East. Fáilte Ireland has invested significantly in Wexford, Waterford and the South East, and the array of world-class tourist attractions and activities available will encourage international and domestic visitors alike to discover Ireland’s Ancient East, stay longer and, importantly, support jobs and deliver revenue to the local communities in the region.”

Leas-Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Anthony Connick, who also attended today’s event, added: “I am absolutely delighted at today’s announcement. This announcement demonstrates strong confidence in these routes and the resulting increased visitor traffic will contribute to and support the major investment that is currently taking place in Rosslare Europort. The additional passengers on these ferries are additional visitors to County Wexford. The challenge is to ensure that these visitors do not just pass-through County Wexford, but instead stop and savour everything that our wonderful county has to offer.”

The visit to Rosslare followed on from yesterday’s visit to the Port of Cork where Brittany Ferries confirmed that its twice-weekly service from Cork to France, which was launched earlier this year will become a permanent feature of the company’s sailing schedule.

Brittany Ferries set up its Rosslare – Bilbao route in February 2020. It was set up primarily as a freight route and this was reflected in the choice of Connemara with its relatively limited facilities for holidaymakers. This was at a time when Brexit was seen as having the potential to cause major disruptions for hauliers. The route has been a success in relation to freight.

Fr Tom Dalton to become ADM at Cathedral

By Dan Walsh

The Bishop of Ferns, Bishop Ger Nash, has made diocesan appointments that will involve Fr Tom Dalton replacing Fr Odhran Furlong as Administrator of St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy.

BISHOP GER NASH

Fr. Tom Dalton, who is Parish Priest in Riverchapel, becomes Administrator at St. Aidan’s Cathedral and retains his roles as Diocesan Master of Ceremonies; Chaplain, Intellectual Disability Services; Centering Prayer Co-Ordinator and Chaplain, Presentation Secondary School, Wexford.

Fr. Odhran Furlong is leaving St. Aidan’s Cathedral, to be Chaplain, Wexford General Hospital and to retain his roles as Diocesan Communications Officer, Chairman of St. Peter’s College Board of Management and Chaplain to Wexford GAA.

Bishop Nash and the diocese wish to thank Ken Quinn for his service as hospital chaplain and for his work in various other roles in the diocese over many years.

Fr Jim Butler, in addition to his role as Parish Priest of Ballygarrett, is to assume pastoral responsibility, pro tem, for the parish of Riverchapel pending a review of diocesan parish structures in the autumn.

All appointments to take effect on Monday, April 25th 2022.

Stena Line cancels crossings to Rosslare

By Dan Walsh

Stena Line has cancelled all crossings between Fishguard, Pembrokeshire and Rosslare, until April 12th.

Sailings on a Welsh ferry route have been suspended as the operator tries to plug gaps left in Northern Ireland.

It has moved a ship to Northern Ireland following concerns food supplies could be by the P&O crisis as P&O’s services were suspended after sacking 800 staff stating the business was not “viable”.

STENA EUROPE (File Picture).

Passengers who usually travel from Fishguard are being advised to travel on the Pembroke service instead, as Irish Ferries is accepting Stena Line customers.

“Due to the suspension of P&O’s services into Northern Ireland there were supply fears in the region,” Stena Line’s Simon Palmer explained; To add “additional ferry capacity”, the company has sent the Stena Nordica – one of its ships on the Holyhead to Dublin route – to help.

However, this left a gap on that route, so Stena Europe – which usually sails between Fishguard and Rosslare – was moved to cover it. “The issue is also compounded by the timing of the crisis happening during our annual dry-docking period, where our ships take turns going into the shipyard for a makeover,” Mr Palmer added; “Otherwise, we would’ve had a spare ship. The Stena Horizon from our Cherbourg route is currently in dry-dock, with that route being covered by the vessel Stena Estrid, which has been moved from her normal route on Holyhead to Dublin.”

The Horizon is due to be out of dry dock on April 11th, which should free up more capacity.

After P&O sacked workers and suspended services at the end of March, hauliers in Northern Ireland warned they were running at 50% capacity because of issues.

Cannabis and cocaine seized in Gorey

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers seized almost 6kgs of herbal cannabis and a small quantity of cocaine with a combined estimated value of €129,000, following a search, under warrant, of a premises in Gorey today (Tuesday).

GOREY GARDA STATION

A man in his 40s and a woman in her 50s, were arrested by An Garda Síochána in connection with this seizure. They are detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act 1996 at Gorey and Wexford Garda Stations.

The seizure was made because of a joint operation conducted by Revenue’s Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and the Wexford Divisional Drugs Unit. 

Investigations are ongoing.

This operation was part of Revenue’s ongoing joint investigations targeting organised crime groups and the importation, sale and supply of illegal drugs. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.