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Wexford Garda Youth Awards 2022 launched

By Dan Walsh

An Garda Síochána in Wexford in association with Wexford County Council are delighted to launch the 6th Annual Wexford Garda Youth Awards for 2022.

The awards acknowledge the achievements of young people who are making a difference in their communities and the endeavours of young people who have faced and overcome challenges in their lives within the Wexford Garda Division.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. Barbara-Anne Murphy said; “Wexford County Council is delighted to be associated with this event and is privileged to be able to support this worthwhile community initiative. The Garda Youth Awards recognise that a lot of great work is being done by many talented and dedicated young people in communities throughout County Wexford.”

**CLLR MICHAEL WHELAN welcomes the Garda Youth Awards 2022.**

Cllr. Michael Whelan, Chairman of the Joint Policing Committee said; “Wexford County Council enjoys a very close and strong working relationship with An Garda Síochána, especially through the Joint Policing Committee. The Awards are an important opportunity to celebrate our exceptional young people and the contribution they make in their communities.”

In launching this year’s Awards, Inspector Graham Rowley of Wexford Garda Station, remarked; “Once again, I am delighted to launch the Wexford Garda Youth Awards for 2022. Following national representation and success in last year’s awards, it is clear that there is an abundance of amazing young people, making regular, positive contributions to our community. I would encourage you to take this opportunity to nominate suitable young people, for consideration and recognition in their respective field. This past year has presented unprecedented challenges for our community, we wish to recognise the sacrifices made by young people, as they contribute to their community, both at a local level, and also in wider areas.”

Awards will be presented in four categories:

Individual Award – Making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.

Group Award – Group of two or more, making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.

Special Achievement Award – Overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition.

Community Safety Award – Through a crime prevention or safety initiative/innovation, have made their community a safer place to live.

Anyone can nominate a young person between the age of 13 and 21 years for an award. This year, due to Covid 19, nominations will be completed through an online process, which is available through the following link:

https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/community/supports-grants-and-awards/garda-youth-awards

The closing date for nominations is Monday, June 10^th. It is anticipated that the awards ceremony will take place in September 2022. The Awards will be organised in adherence with all Government Covid 19 guidelines.

For further information please contact Inspector Graham Rowley at wexford_ds@garda.ie , 053 9165280 or through your local Garda Station.

Final farewell to Michael Sills in Murrintown

By Dan Walsh

Long time member and President of the London Wexford Association, Michael Sills, Willesden, London, and Kates Cross, will be laid to rest in the family plot in Murrintown Cemetery on Thursday following 10.30am Mass in St. Catherine’s Church. He passed away on Sunday, April 3^rd at his home in London.

Born on February 28, 1946, Michael was a native of Murrintown, resided in Willesden, London. 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.

He 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 …funeral in Murrintown on Thursday.**

Michael was renowned for being generous with his time and commitments to many Irish organisations throughout his life and never missed an opportunity to foster positive political, sporting and cultural interaction between the Irish community in London and Wexford natives at a time when travel was difficult and communications were slow.

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.

He was a kind and honourable man who lived a life fulfilled and his final dream will be realised when he takes his eternal rest in the soil of his birthplace reunited with his family, neighbours and friends.

FAMILY NOTICE; MICHAEL SILLS, Willesden, London and Kates Cross, Murrintown. Son of the late Robbie and Dolly. Beloved husband of the late Breda. Father of Damien and Joanna. Brother of Anita, Patrick and the late Victor. Sadly missed by his family, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, daughter-in-law Anna, brother-in-law Chris (Joe), extended family, relatives and friends. R.I.P.

Funeral Mass shall take place at 10.30am on Thursday, May 12^th, at St. Catherine’s Church, Murrintown. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Council attempt to ‘gag’ elected members

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council Meeting

The ongoing tension between Wexford County Council and the media appears to continue unabated and the issues switched from advertising and broadcast press coverage to a ‘censorship ban’ on the elected members and controlling what they can and can’t say to the followers who voted for them.

Members of Wexford County Council are unwilling to sign up to a draft social media charter for elected members and many strong views of protest were voiced when the matter came before members at yesterday’s (Monday) monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held at Carricklawn County Council Headquarters. Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was in the chair.

The Council had issues on several occasions in the past when elected members have expressed opinions on the workings of the Council and it was felt that “the Council may benefit from more definitive regulation in the practical application of social media.”

It was agreed that the Council’s Protocol Committee put specific guidance in place “to deter members from posting to social media while whilst Council meetings were taking place.”

On October 21 2021 at a further meeting of the Protocol Committee, it was agreed that the Code of Conduct be extended to address the abuse of Wexford County Council and staff and elected members online.

Cllr Jim Codd was quickly into the debate and observed that recently the Council meetings were obsessed with dealings with the media and making national newspaper headlines and now it is about managing social media and there was a call for social media training for members!

Cllr Pat Barden was quick to pick up on the suggestion of social media training for members and he enquired if this training could be undertaken by a professional media group, and he asked if there were any such companies in the county? or by members of the Council and he also wondered where and when is this training likely to take place?

Cllr Ger Carty said he was “not interested in narratives controlled by anybody”, pointed out in no uncertain terms that he is elected by the people and he argued “this cannot continue.”

Cllr Leonard Kelly told the meeting “I have no interest in signing this.”

Cllr Lisa McDonald stated there were very few laws to protect people online and the draft laws: “I wouldn’t sign as it asks us to delete negative comments and is too much to ask of any public representative, especially those with many accounts. She also added as someone who has had a huge amount of online abuse that we have to respect opinions of others even if we disagree as long as they are not overly harmful to us. “Senator Malcolm Byrne’s Bill on online harms has been introduced to the oireachtasliaison and we should await that before going any further.”

Cllr Joe Sullivan was “uncomfortable” and said defamation and other laws were out there to deal with such issues and he added; “I believe this is not the direction the Council should be going.”

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin had issues with ‘personal abuse’ online. Cllr Maura Bell via Zoom said she was not for signing.

Cllr Davy Hynes was far from impressed and referred to “a one-way street” approach. “They are warning us about saying certain things,” he stated.

Cllr Willie Kavanagh was determined to refer the text to the Protocol Committee. Cllr John Hegarty agreed and talked about attempts to establish a culture with a ‘tweek and change’ approach. Cllr Pip Breen saw a “need for the charter”, Cllr Michael Whelan wanted ‘the bits that suits’ left in; and Cllr Pat Barden kept asking about the details for the training course.

Communications Officer David Minogue said the findings of the Protocol Committee were about “respect for the public, the members and the staff”.

Apparently, the matter is parked for now, however, it appears that no other Council in the land has gone down this route and the catalyst for the debate is the Oneline Bullying Bill which could be light years away!

No vote was taken and it was clear that the Government party members (Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael) were bouncing a ball that is being bounced in a bigger court with another agenda in Government Buildings.

Ballindaggin Boil Water Notice is lifted…after 12 weeks!

By Dan Walsh

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Wexford County Council the boil water notice issued on the Ballindaggin Public Water Supply Scheme on March 9^th last has been lifted with immediate effect.

Customers have been notified following the completion of remedial works on this supply and receipt of satisfactory monitoring results, the boil water notice which has been in place is now lifted with immediate effect. This decision follows consultation undertaken with the Health Service Executive.

Speaking about the lifting notice, Irish Water’s Pat Duggan said; “We would like to thank the community of Ballindaggin for their patience and co-operation as we worked to lift the notice as soon as it was safe to do so. All consumers on the Ballindaggin Public Water Supply Scheme can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.”

Irish Water and the Wexford County Council – Health Service Executive, Water Local Liaison Group will continue to meet and review ongoing process control, monitoring and testing of the drinking water supply.

The Irish Water Customer Contact Centre (1800 278 278) is available to answer customer queries in relation to the lifting of this notice. Further information is available on the website at www.water.ie.

Wexford winners keep rolling along

By Dan Walsh

Champions Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe maintained their winning partnership at today’s point-to-point races at Bartlemy, Co. Cork when Thomas Mor, running in the colours of Mary Fitzpatrick, came home four lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

**BARRY O’NEILL and COLIN BOWE discussing another victory.**

Mark Scallan is having a great season as a handler and his charge Bonnie Derreen, owned by David Byrne, came good in the second division of the maiden race for mares, aged five years or older, by two lengths. This was another fine success for rider Tiernan Power Roche from Tomhaggard who had ‘a big race’ winner in the La Touche Cup at the Punchestown Festival recently.

Bertie Finn, (18), from Monageer rode his fourth winner when Mangan Sue obliged in a close finish – a neck – for Courtown owner/handler Pat Doyle in the Mares Winner of One race.

A double up North yesterday and victory in the first race at Bartlemy today (Sunday) brings the Killanne rider Rob James onto the 270-career winner mark. He was aboard Doh Betty for John ‘Shark’ Hanlon in the maiden race for four-year-old mares and won by two and a half lengths.

Rob James on the double

By Dan Walsh

The final fixture of the 2021-22 Northern Ireland point-to-point season took place at Broughshane in Antrim yesterday (Saturday) and Wexford rider Rob James made the road trip worthwhile with two winners bringing his seasonal total to 24 weeks with only a handful of fixtures before the season ends.

James was aboard Some Man for David Christie in the Open Race and the distance was two and a half lengths. In the final race, for geldings aged six and over, James scored by two lengths on Royal Juniper by two lengths. The Killanne rider will be runner-up to Barry O’Neill in the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship having enjoyed a great season with the Scottish Grand National in April being the highlight.

Matthew Flynn O’Connor who trains at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, had his seventh success of the season, his best in five years of training, when A Man Of Her Own won the mares maiden race (five years and over) for rider Brian Lawless.

The northern region riders’ championship title was won by Barry O’Neill with 17 winners for the season.

Kilrush at Carnew and Athlone next week

By Dan Walsh

Kilrush Drama Group’s production of Class by Iseult Golden and David Horan and directed by Pat Whelan and featuring Michael Dunbar, Catherine Stafford and James Whelan will be performed in the RTÉ All—Ireland Open Drama Finals on Wednesday May 11^th in the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone.

Following last week’s performance in the National Opera House in Wexford there will be two performances in St. Bridget’s Hall Carnew on the Sunday and Monday, May 8^th and 9^th.

**Michael Dunbar, Catherine Stafford and James Whelan in *Class* heading for the RTÉ All-Ireland drama finals in Athlone next week.**

THE TEAM; Pat Whelan (Director) spent a number of years acting and like many amateur participants gave a contribution to lighting, set design, sound and general dogsbody. When he got the opportunity to direct in 2005 it became his passion. Pat treasures the National awards he won, including awards for Best Lighting at the All-Ireland Confined Finals in 2009, Best Director at the RTE All-Ireland Finals in Athlone 2013, Best Director again in the All-Ireland Finals of 2016 and for the design of the Best Set for ‘Lost in Yonkers’, also in the 2016 Finals.

Michael Dunbar started his acting career with Enniscorthy Theatre Group and was part of the group when they won the Open All Ireland finals in 1996 with ‘Boor Beast in the Rain, with Moonshine in 1997 and with the Cripple of Inishmaan 1999. The group were British All Winners in the Drama finals from 1997 to 1999.

Michael has directed many of Carnew Musical Society’s musicals since 1996 and is a long-time member of Kilrush Drama Group, Michael won Best Actor award for his role in KDG’s Steward of Christendom in the Open Drama All Ireland in 2019.

Catherine Stafford played many roles with Kilrush Drama Group, including the role of Rita Shanahan in The Salvage Shop in 2020,she also played the the role of Valerie in the Weir. Catherine has been a long-time member of Carnew Musical Society and won an AIMS Best Supporting Actress Award for her role as Katy Brown in Carnew Musical Society’s production of Calamity Jane.

James Whelan is a schoolteacher by day, who caught the acting bug while in Australia, after a chance encounter led him to working as an extra on a couple of films and TV shows, including Home & Away. On his return to Ireland James trained at the Bow Street Academy in Dublin. He is currently studying with voice and acting coach Helena Walsh and hopes to pursue a career in acting.

Kilrush Drama Group sent best wishes to both Kilmuckridge (All-Ireland winners) and Camross Drama Groups participating in the Confined All-Ireland Drama Finals in Ballyshannon recently.

Near neighbours Bunclody/Kilmyshal Drama group who have also qualified for the Open All-Ireland Drama Finals in Athlone and take to the stage tomorrow night (May 7th).

Courtown/Riverchapel public meeting

By Dan Walsh

Recently, members of Courtown Community Council attended the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District meeting to make a presentation of past achievements, current concerns and future projects within the Courtown/Riverchapel Area. Following on from this presentation the Courtown group has invited all ten councillors of the Municipal District to attend a meeting with local community group representatives.

That public meeting takes place in Ballycanew Resource Centre on tomorrow night (Thursday) at 7.30pm and anybody arriving at 7pm can enjoy some tea and coffee. “As we have no councillor in our area, this is an important opportunity to highlight these and other pressing issues that our councillors may be voting on in the near future. We encourage you to have a your say at this meeting and the on the future of the Courtown/Riverchapel area,” said Linda Sinnott, Chairperson.
Ballycanew Resource Centre is the venue because Riverchapel Community Centre is undergoing some roof repairs. There is limited parking at Ballycanew Resource Centre, however, parking is available along Ballycanew National School lay-by.

Remembering Wexford 1798 and 1916

By Dan Walsh

Bishop Ger Nash delivered the homily for the State Commemoration Service in Arbour Hill, Dublin, today, where he prayed; “In the words of today’s Gospel, the 1916 leaders where a grain of wheat which produced a great harvest.”

“Since my boyhood experience of the 1966 commemoration, 1916 took its place in my mind. Now, many years on from 1966 I have been living and ministering in Wexford for the past eight months. It has been one of learning, but it has also been a time of reconnecting with the 1798 story in Wexford – that other significant Irish rebellion.

“The statues of pikemen in various places function as reminders of 1798, but what strikes me more as I travel about is seeing place names that resonated in song and story throughout my own school days – Boolavogue, Vinegar Hill, The Harrow, Geneva, and so on. All of them are reminders that we have inherited a love and a yearning for freedom. And there is no doubt that Fr Murphy and the Rebels of Wexford were in many ways, inspirers of the 1916 rebels whom we remember today.

Bishop Nash said; “In the words of today’s Gospel, they were the grain of wheat which produced a great harvest. Their place in history has in ways removed them from the ranks of ordinary people. When people stand at the hinge point of a nation’s story as the 1916 leaders did, we easily forget they too had an ordinary beginning and a vision of life in their youth which did not encompass the circumstances that brought them to this place. They were the men like my elderly neighbours in Tulla, Co. Clare, but unlike them they were not allowed to grow old.

“The 1916 executions deprived your families of beloved sons, husbands, breadwinners, and dearly loved fathers. Some of the most poignant stories of the post Easter time in 1916 are the stories of the visits of children to their condemned fathers and their final goodbyes. These losses were the sacrifices that your families made as a life-giving gift to our nation,” concluded the Bishop of Ferns.

Smuggled alcohol seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers seized approximately 15,000 litres of beer and five litres of wine at Rosslare Europort, following the search of an Irish registered truck that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France, last Friday.

The smuggled alcohol has an estimated retail value of more than €61,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €28,000.

Investigations are ongoing.

This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the supply and sale of illicit alcohol products in the shadow economy. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.