Correspondence has been received by every County Council in the country by an individual requesting a twinning arrangement with a city, or region, in Ukraine “as a basis for showing specific public support for local European democracy, which is being defended in the current war.”
In response, Wexford County Council have acknowledged a long and proud tradition of twinning arrangements over many years, the main concept around twinning is that it is driven by a desire from both communities who have linkages or shared culture or heritage.
WEXFORD ARTS CENTRE…one of the town’s great culture/heritage centres.
WexfordLocal.com has seen the correspondence that clearly states; “It is not a matter for a third party to propose same, and while twinning with a Ukrainian town, is, of course, a worthy and worthwhile concept in normal times, at the moment the towns in Ukraine are much occupied in dealing with other more pressing and significant matters.”
It has been recommended that the consideration of this proposed twinning arrangement be deferred until such time as an expression of twinning interest is received by Wexford County Council from a town within Ukraine.
A 40-miles sea search from Land’s End to Rosslare involving Irish and Welsh RNLI lifeboats and helicopter services from Waterford and Wales took part in a daylong search for a missing person today.
It’s understood a man may have gone overboard from a Stena Line sailing from Cherbourg to Rosslare Europort this morning.
The Waterford-based Rescue 117 helicopter and RNLI crews from Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore Quay and Dunmore East were involved in the search near Tuskar Rock, off the Wexford coast.
In a statement issued by RNLI it is confirmed that “Irish and Welsh RNLI lifeboats were involved in search for missing person. Four RNLI lifeboats were launched to assist two HM Coastguard helicopters in a large-scale search for a missing person.
“Rosslare, Kilmore Quay and Dunmore East RNLI all-weather lifeboats from Ireland and St Davids and Angle all-weather lifeboats from Wales took part in the search.
“Rosslare RNLI lifeboat was the first to launch at 10.41am this morning (Monday) after a person was reported missing from a ferry. Kilmore Quay lifeboat was soon requested to launch as well as St Davids and Angle Tamar class all-weather lifeboats from Wales.”
“RNLI lifeboats from Wales have joined the search 40 miles offshore and are conducting search patterns. The sea conditions are reported to be slight to moderate.”
The London Wexford Association has announced the sad passing on Sunday morning of the well-known long serving member and President, Michael Sills, (76), who was a native of Murrintown and set up home in London in 1969.
Born on February 28, 1946, Michael was a native of Murrintown, Co. Wexford resided in Willesden, London. He was son of the late Robert and Anne Sills and brother to Anita and Patrick and the late brother Victor. Michael was proceeded by his late wife Bridget.
Michael travelled to London at the age of 22 and worked in the cosmetic industry. In 1972 Michael married his wife Bridget in St Mary Magadline Church in Willesden, London and had two children Damian and Joanna and two grandchildren, Lauren and Malachy.
Michael was a kind caring considerate gentleman great character and always appeared happy and had a great sense of humour. He was a hardworking man who set himself high standards and was always guaranteed to get a job done which gave him great satisfaction.
He gave his time and commitments to many Irish organisations throughout his life. Michael first joined the London Wexford Association in 1969 taking up the role of Registrar, years later he became Treasurer and then served many years as Chairman to lead the association to great success.
MICHAEL SILLS proudly wearing his Wexford tie.
He would give his time and support to other committees The Fr Murphy Youth Club and an avid member of Fr Murphy Hurling Club, The London Irish Festival, The London Irish Centre, The Council of Irish Counties Association, Gladstone Park Allotment Association.
Michael was easy to get along with and always had a good word for everyone
Michael also had a serious side to him and did not suffer fools easily. People would have called on Michael for advice as he had a vast range of knowledge and experience of various topics.
He was always game for a laugh and would have pulled a few tricks in his time, although his light-hearted humour never caused any upset or offence.
Michael loved to spend time working on his allotment and would have produced a few spuds and cabbages in his time and would share them amongst family and friends. Many a story would have been told at the tea shed in the allotment amongst his friends and fellow gardeners.
In 1983 Michael was one of the founders of The Wexford Darts League which is still going strong.
Michael’s great love in life was for his family and friends, music and sport. He had a fond love for Country music which he would listen to on a daily basis on South East Radio and ICMR Radio.
AUDIO ADDITION; DAN WALSH interview with MICHAEL SILLS in 2013. (Source; Dan Walsh Audio Archive).
Michael loved the challenge of the quiz nights and had a tremendous passion for the GAA. He enjoyed watching or listening to the hurling and football and rugby games and would always look forward to hearing the results.
Michael was a modest man and picked up a few awards in his time. In 2009, he was declared ‘Rehab Wexford Person of the Year’ at a black-tie ball held in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy. The award was in recognition of his contribution to the work of the London Wexford Association. “The Wexford Association will be really delighted with this,” he humbly responded.
Unfortunately, in the last few years of his life Michael suffered ill health with Super Nuclear Palsy which left him wheelchair bound, but he still fought on courageously.
Michael will be sorely missed by his family and large circle of friends, as he had made such a positive impact on many people’s lives.
London Wexford Association Chairperson Lucia Butler told WexfordLocal.com; “Michael was a very sincere loyal honest gentleman who worked extremely hard for the benefit of the association. “He never forgot his roots a proud Wexford man. We are all very grateful and will continue to build and promote the association to ensure its continued success”
“We would like to express our sincere condolences to his son Damian and his partner Anna and his daughter Joanna his sister Anita and brother Patrick and his grandchildren Lauren and Malachy and all his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Three point-to-point fixtures today and Wexford winners at all three. The first four races at Rathcannon, Co. Limerick came Wexford’s way with Tomhaggard rider Tiernan Power Roche enjoying double success.
Power Roche won by two and a half lengths on newcomer Doyen Star for Cleariestown handler Mark Scallan in the four-year-old maiden race. Scallan’s 10th success as a handler and five of them have come this current season. Half an hour later and Power Roche won on another newcomer Jack Burke, owned and handled by Harley Dunne, who went to Doneraile and enjoyed success there, in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
Iorens, having her first outing, was a five lengths winner for Sean Doyle, Ballindaggin, in the maiden race for four-year-old mares with Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard, in the saddle.
Enniscorthy rider Aaron Sinnott was also amongst the Limerick winners. He partnered Katie Dalie for Balincollig handler Con McSweeney in the maiden race for five- and six-year-old mares and took the spoils by three and a half lengths.
HARLEY DUNNE enjoyed a cross card double today.
While Harley Dunne was celebrating a handler’s success in Limerick, he was riding Croke Park for Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, in the four-year-old gelding’s maiden race at Doneraile, Co. Cork. The verdict was one length. A nice cross card double for Dunne who is enjoying a good season.
Michael Murphy, Redbridge Stables, Duncormick, also saddled a Doneraile when Look To The West was ridden to victory by Michael Sweeney in the maiden race for four year old mares contest.
Hero of yesterday’s Scottish Grand National, Rob James, went to Doneraile today and while in the frame a few times he left without a victory, however, Ballybeg Boss gave James a winner as a handler in the maiden race for four year olds in Castletown-Geoghegan. Brian Dunleavy was in the saddle and the verdict was three lengths.
One other Wexford success at the Westmeath track. Storminhome in the colours of Noeleen Kenny, handled by Liam Kenny at Ballydarragh, Craanford, and ridden by James Walsh, Tinahely, achieved a one and a half lengths victory in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
A canine conundrum has emerged ahead of the bathing season, which may not be here just yet, but can’t be too far away! Ms Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, presented a draft copy of the Wexford County Council Beach Bye-Laws 2022 to members at the March meeting where it emerged that many people were strongly opposed to “a ban on dogs on beaches”
Beautiful DUNCANNON BEACH
While it is not proposed to ban dogs from beaches, it is proposed to implement a time restriction on access at the five Blue Flag beach areas of Co. Wexford between 11am and 6pm for the summer months.
Criterion 23 of the Blue Flag requirements specifies that dogs and pets are not permitted on Blue Flag section of the beach!
Cllrs Maura Bell and Kathleen Codd-Nolan suggested an additional warden while they asked if a dog should be always kept on a lead?
Cllr Jim Moore supported safeguarding the Blue Flag status and he called for a five-year review for removal goods on beaches. While there is criticism of the use of jet ski’s in the report, Cllr Moore pointed out that jet ski’s are now being used by the search and rescue services!
Cllr Davy Hynes supported dog owners and told the meeting that “the vast majority are responsible” and Cllr Mary Farrell did not have issues with dogs at the beach.
Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited (“Glanbia Co-op”) has last Friday (April 1st) confirmed the completion of the transaction to acquire full ownership of Glanbia Ireland DAC.
This follows the overwhelming approval of the proposed transaction by Glanbia Co-op shareholders at a Special General Meeting on December 17th 2021.
Glanbia Ireland previously operated as a strategic joint venture, 60% owned by Glanbia Co-op and 40% owned by Glanbia plc.
Ireland’s leading dairy processor, Glanbia Ireland, is a €2 billion, integrated agri-food and nutrition business, with world-class dairy and grain processing assets and an award-winning portfolio of brands including Avonmore, Kilmeaden and GAIN Animal Nutrition.
John Murphy, Glanbia Co-op Chairman. Picture Dylan Vaughan.
John Murphy, Chairman of Glanbia Co-op, said: “I am very pleased to confirm to Glanbia Co-op members that we have successfully completed our acquisition. Last December, our members voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking 100% ownership of the world-class processing assets closest to our farmers’ interests. The new ownership model will support Glanbia Co-op’s ambitions to build one of Europe’s leading Co-ops, with greater flexibility to support members, pursue new opportunities and add value to our farmers’ high quality milk and grain through innovation.”
Jim Bergin, Chief Executive of Glanbia Co-op said; “We are very ambitious for this great business and are excited by the opportunities presented by this natural evolution to a pure Co-op model, with the added dimension of our investment fund.
“Our excellent workforce and leadership team are looking forward to launching our new identity, logo and branding later this year. I believe that this is an exciting opportunity to position our Co-op strongly as a new ambitious organisation on global markets.”
Leading amateur jockey Rob James from Killanne rode the winner of the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr today on Win My Wings (13/2 co-fav) by seven lengths for Welsh trainer Christian Williams.
ROB JAMES rode the winner of the Scottish Grand National today.
James has ridden 264 winners in point-to-points and some races on the track, but his only previous winner in Britain was aboard Milan Native for Gordon Elliott in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Steeplechase at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
He is one of the leading amateur riders and part of the highly successful Colin Bowe team at Kiltealy, and in recent seasons has begun training at nearby Tomona. He was able to take advantage of a claim designed for inexperienced riders who had ridden fewer than 20 winners because his successes had not come under rules. This was his 13th success.
ITV Racing presenter Mick Fitzgerald, a former jockey whose father was from The Harrow, said afterwards: “For Rob James the jockey, it’s a huge day for him. It’s a real compliment to his ability. It’s like stealing. Him having a seven-pound claim is like theft because he’s so experienced. He was looking around for dangers going to the last.”
The last Wexford-born jockey to win the Scottish Grand National was P.J. McDonald, Taghmon, on Hot Weld (2007) trained by the late Ferdy Murphy, Forrestalstown, Clonroche, who had a great record with three wins in the race and also won it with Paris Pike (2000) and Joe’s Edge (2005) while training in England.
The first evening meeting of the season took place at Bettyville Park where a seven-race card yielded a few local winners and a double success for jockey Danny Mullins.
Sadie’s Pride (12/1) sprinted up the straight in impressive style to take the Tomcoole Farm Ltd Maiden hurdle by five and a half lengths under a confident ride from amateur jockey James Kenny, trained by his father, Liam Kenny at Craanford for well-known Gorey businessman Paddy Redmond.
Owners Jonathan and Janice Deacon from Clonmore House, Bree, enjoyed their first winner with Outback Flyer (7/2) coming home four and three-quarter lengths to the good in the Slaney River Mare’s Maiden Hurdle. The home-bred bay mare carried jockey Kevin Sexton to victory in the ‘purple and pink spots’ once familiar on horses owned by the late Godfrey Deacon, who was well-known in racing and hunting circles.
Afterwards winning trainer Peter Fahey said; “I’m delighted for the owners Johnny and Janice (Deacon) who are local and it’s the first horse they have had with me. She’ll stay tipping away. She struggled during the winter and may find easier targets over the summer. She’s big enough to jump a fence as well.”
Charlie O’Dwyer, son of former Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey turned trainer Conor O’Dwyer, who was born a few fields from Bettyville Park, enjoyed his first Wexford winner aboard R’evelyn Pleasure (3/1) in the Arctic Tack Stud Veterans Handicap Chase.
Jockey Danny Mullins recorded an almost 33/1 double on Recite A Prayer (11/4) for his uncle, champion trainer Willie Mullins in the novice chase and followed up with Fox Watch (8/1) for his father, Tony Mullins, in division two of the Ire Wel Pallets Ltd Handicap Chase.
The Tote aggregate was €120,651.71, slightly higher than last year’s figure of €118,638. The next race meting at Bettyville Park takes place on Saturday, May 24th.
Rosslare Europort has issued an information statement requesting truck drivers and hauliers not to park their vehicles in neighbouring villages while waiting for access to Rosslare Europort for ferry departure deadlines.
“The villages (presumably a reference to Kilrane and Tagoat) are residential and are not available for parking day or not,” says the information leaflet that is endorsed by TFI (Transport for Ireland) and Iarnród Éireann.
It is suggested that drivers waiting for a ferry departure should park their vehicle at Gorey Service Station, Ballyellin, on the M11, or at Barntown Service Station, at Larkin’s Cross near Wexford town!
In further news, Cllr Ger Carthy has announced works that are about to commence or be completed within the next two weeks. They include;
Installation of water filled barriers between the entrance to Murphy’s Supermarket and St Marys Terrace.
Installation of the double yellow lines on the opposite side of the road from St. Marys Terrace. Burning off existing road markings on Kilrane Link Road and paint the new line marking to facilitate temporary HGV parking x 20. Temporary corriboard signs will be erected to alert HGV’s that there is parking available on the link road. These will be made permanent as time allows. Further works in addition to those above will also be carried out with outline details of these works becoming available in the coming days.
Wind turbines working near Castledockrell this afternoon..
AUDIO ADDITION ; The sound of working wind turbines near Castledockrell at 4pm today. Recording taken from the public road.
By Dan Walsh at Wexford Council Chamber
A notice of motion by Cllr John Fleming regards the Draft Plan and wind turbines was eventually withdrawn following a discussion at Monday’s March meeting of Wexford County Council at Carriglawn.
Cllr Fleming was calling to amend Section 5.7 of Volume 10 energy contained in the Draft Plan to require that wind turbines be located a minimum of 400-metres from an adjoining landholding and a minimum of six times the tip height of the wind turbine or 900-metres, whichever is the greater, from a residential property.
Cllr Fleming cited the reason being; “To minimise impacts on adjoining residences and properties in the interest of proper planning and development of the area.” He alluded to wind turbines along the River Boro and felt they should be offshore,” while Cllr Bridín Murphy agreed, she queried the effect on existing wind farms!
Executive County Planning Officer Diarmuid Houston said he was “totally against the motion” and if the wording was to end up in the County Development Plan it would lead to delays and “it is completely contrary to the national policy and would have a legal impact on existing wind farms even after public display.”
Cllr Pat Barden said Cllr Fleming lived in the same area and he referred to a 180ft high tower and one hundred people living in that area.
Cllr Barden mentioned the effects on families, and children with autism needed safeguarding. Cllr Mary Farrell said; “we need to be clear regards our future” and she questioned evidence of children living with autism. She outlined a situation known to her where a mother said; “her child lives in the calm of the turbines.”
Cllr Jacker Owens pointed out the importance of good mental health and offered support for the motion.
Cllr Jim Codd said wind turbines at sea impacted on fishers. “They would have a sizeable portion of their fishing grounds taken away as trawlers do not travel where there are turbines.”
Cllr Davy Hynes added that if “the vote ends up NOT legal it would be better to defer the motion until we get more information,” and Cllr John Hegarty believed changes could have lengthy considerations for the County Development Plan.
Cllr Oliver Walsh expressed concerns about the implications for existing wind farms where people were perfectly happy to live.
Cllr Fleming asked Mr Houston about the possible delays in dealing with the Plan and said he did not want a lengthy delay, and he was happy to withdraw the motion. Mr Houston indicated that there would be power at the end of the process to gain advice on the environmental side of things.
WexfordLocal.com 