A call has been made to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD in relation to a lack of dental services in North Wexford and the need for the HSE to evaluate the problem and take appropriate action.
CLLR JOE SULLIVAN
Cllr Joe Sullivan said it has come to his attention that there are only three Dental Practices operational in Gorey town and district catering for a population in the region of 25,000 people.
“The situation appears to be most acute amongst people who are medical card holders and new residents of the area be the public or private patients. From the information available to me it would appear that the three practices operational are doing so at optimum capacity.
“In view of the fact that this situation would appear to be impacting mostly on public patients I am requesting that Minister Donnelly mandate the HSE to evaluate this problem and take the appropriate action,” concluded Cllr Sullivan.
With the busy St. Patrick’s weekend approaching and significantly increased numbers anticipated in Gorey town and the coastal district and participating in the many activities planned a local councillor has called for extra resources for Gardaí in the North Wexford area.
CLLR ANDREW BOLGER
Cllr Andrew Bolger has called on the Department of Justice and Garda Headquarters to work together on adequately resourcing Gorey Garda Station with patrol cars. Cllr. Bolger has suggested that the best way to tackle this issue is to “allow the local station or district headquarters to source the cars.”
“The current system is too centralised. If the funds were allocated to the local district headquarters to source the cars where there is a gap. For example, Gorey is in a situation where a call might come in and there will be no available car to attend the incident,” stated town-based Fianna Fail Cllr. Bolger.
He stressed the urgent need for three regular cars in Gorey not including the detective and drug units. “In addition, we need guards who can drive the cars. There needs to be an emphasis on the driving courses in Templemore. Some stations have guards who can drive but not with lights. I hope this can be addressed,” concluded Cllr Bolger.
Irish Water and Wexford County Council stated this evening (Monday) they wished to jointly remind customers supplied by the Wexford Town Public Water Supply, that the Boil Water Notice issued on Friday due to high turbidity remains in place.
Ronan Walsh, Water Operations Lead for Irish Water said; “Our number one priority is public health and the safety and well-being of our customers. Whilst we are seeing a reduction of turbidity, the reservoirs are taking longer than expected to reach a satisfactory level, which is important to ensure reliability of supply.
“We will continue to work closely with Wexford County Council and the HSE to monitor the supply and lift the notice as quickly as it is safe to do so. An update will be issued as soon as we have any developments” he added.
Experts from Irish Water and Wexford County Council are continuing to assess the situation with a view to having the notice lifted as quickly as possible. In the meantime, all customers of this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.
Vulnerable customers who have concerns can contact the Irish Water customer care team on 1800 278 278. For customers who wish to check if their property is on the Boil Water Notice themselves, please go to the following link on the Irish Water website: https://www.water.ie/?map=supply-and-service-updates, enter the property’s Eircode and you will then see if your property is on the Boil Water Notice.
Jumping a bank fence in the Open Lightweight Race at Lingstown, Tomhaggard today; Loggan Lady (Tim Love), the winner is in front followed by Ballinasilla (Simon Cavanagh), Bajan Excel (Joey Dunne), Vital Island (Benny Walsh), Tech Talk (Barry O’Neill) and Some Are Lucky (Gerard Spain).
By Dan Walshat Lingstown
The Killinick Harriers point-to-point races were the only raceable fixture completed today at Lingstown, Tomhaggard, where the highlights included a double for local rider Jack Hendrick and victory for Loggan Lady in the Open Lightweight contest over the ‘famous Lingstown banks course’.
Barry The Butcher, first timer for the Monbeg Farm Racing Syndicate and Ballindaggin handler Cormac Doyle got Hendrick on the scoresheet in the maiden race for four-year-olds with ten lengths to spare. “He’s a nice horse. He did everything well. We were going to Ballyarthur today but it was called off, so we re-routed. He goes to the sales this week if all is well,” said Cormac Doyle afterwards.
Hendrick teamed up with local handler Billy Codd on Earl of Desmond in the Winners of Two and following successes at Carrigarostig and Tinahely, Basil Holihan’s chestnut gelding made it three wins in a row. He scored by two lengths. Hendrick has had 14 winners this season and today’s double brings his career total to 30. Afterwards handler Billy Codd confirmed that Earl of Desmond will be entered for the hunter’s chase at Cork over Easter.
The Open Lightweight Race over ‘the banks course’ is always a spectacle and three of the ten contestants exited from the race at the wooden rails fence early in the race. Victory went to Loggan Lady ridden by Tim Love for handler John Walsh, Ballyday, Gorey, by two lengths. Afterwards, John said; “Her mother (Loggan Lass) won nine races in total for us, six of them at our local track in Fairwood, Tinahely. She will now go for the Ladies Cup at Punchestown in April. Tim (Love) gave her “a super spin and she jumped well throughout the race”. Loggan Lady’s regular pilot Barry Walsh is out of action with injury but he hopes to be back in the plate for Punchestown!
HARLEY DUNNE had a winner at Lingstown today.
Ross O’Sullivan made the trip from Kill, Co. Kilare, and was successful with Alfie’s Princess in the maiden race for five-year-old mares with three lengths to the good under a patient ride from Derek O’Connor. “She’s a lovely mare with a very good pedigree. Derek (O’Connor) was very keen to ride her, and he is delighted at her performance. She is owned by Galway-man John Murphy and will now head to the sales,” said Ross O’Sullivan afterwards.
Way Out gave a game performance for Gaynestown Stud and Cleariestown handler Jonathan Fogarty, winning the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings by ‘a head’ from Imonlysaying (Pa King) representing Pat Doyle’s Tipperary stables. Way Out was partnered by local rider Barry Stone from Cleariestown.
Good For Scope made all the running for owner/handler and rider Harley Dunne to win the maiden race for five-year-olds and upwards. This event was for entries from handlers who have 10 wins or less. Although he made all, afterwards Harley Dunne said; “It’s not the ideal way to ride him. He idles in front, but there was no pace, so I had to go on. He’s a nice horse – a good solid horse that jumps and gallops – and is for sale.”
Bunclody-Kilmyshal Drama Group (Open) and Kilmuckridge Drama Group (Confined) were the winners at the South Leinster Drama Festival which concluded in Gorey Little Theatre last night.
BUNCLODY/KILMYSHAL were winners in the OPEN SECTION.
The full result was as follows;
OPEN SECTION
1st; Bunclody-Kilmyshal Drama Group; The Good Father by Christine O’Reilly.
2nd; Kilrush Drama Group.
3rd; Butt Drama Circle.
CONFINED SECTION
1st; Kilmuckridge Drama Group; The Playboy of the Western World by John Millington Synge.
Rachel Power and Declan Bates of the Three Sisters Cruise Company aboard new river cruise boat the BarrowPrincess.ie which commences sailing Friday 18th March.
By Dan Walsh
Tourism and adventure in the South East will be enhanced with a daily river cruise service between New Ross to Waterford when the Barrow Princess commences its schedule on Friday, March 18th.
Departing from New Ross marina each morning, a 90-minute cruise will bring passengers from New Ross down the river Barrow, taking in the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge and the Barrow River Railway Swing Bridge among other landmarks.
As the Barrow Princess reaches Cheekpoint, it will then follow the river Suir west into Waterford city where passengers will disembark at the Clock Tower Marina. Passengers will return to the point of embarkation in New Ross via a bus service (included in the ticket price). Passengers can enjoy all the sights from our open-air upper deck or relax indoors in our cosy lounge. Hot and cold refreshments will be available onboard sourced from local suppliers in New Ross and Waterford.
A return service will offer passengers from Waterford a similar cruise experience back to New Ross. Passengers will return to the point of embarkation in Waterford via a bus service (included in the ticket price). Initially, there will offer an additional one-hour mini-cruise out of Waterford City to where the Suir and the Barrow meet returning to Waterford city.
This is a million pound plus project with about €800,000 invested to date by Declan Bates of the Three Sisters Cruise Company along with public funding from Wexford Local Development (WLD), Leader, Wexford County Council LCDC.
Three to four jobs will be created as the business rolls out over the coming year and footfall to the Greenway builds further with the opening of the South East Greenway.
“We have a great family package available: two adults and three children for only €70 for the full cruise experience between the two ports. Adult fares are €30, children €15. Mini-Cruise fares: Adults €20 Children €10. Full schedule and online booking facility is available www.barrowprincess.ie All tickets must be pre purchased online- no onsite sales.”
Full Cruise Departs New Ross 10am and arrive Waterford 11.30am approximately and return by coach transfer.
Full Cruise Departs Waterford 1.30pm and arrive New Ross 3pm approximately and return by coach transfer.
The Barrow Princess will be on show St. Patrick’s Day by the quayside in Waterford from 10am to noon before departing for New Ross for public viewing at the dockside only from 2.45pm.
Reports have emerged on social media that the Department of Justice have today (Friday) advised Wexford County Council that up to 60 Ukrainian nationals will arrive at Rosslare Europort over the weekend.
They will be accommodated in Hotel Rosslare following arrival here and supports and services will be provided over the coming weeks.
Following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Wexford County Council have issued a Boil Water Notice for the area supplied by the Wexford Town Public Water Supply to protect approximately 20,000 people due to high turbidity.
The areas affected include all customers supplied by Wexford Town Public Water Supply. Turbidity is a measure of cloudiness in the water and is elevated following a period of heavy rain.
Experts from Irish Water and Wexford County Council are assessing the situation with a view to having the notice lifted as quickly as possible. In the meantime, all customers of this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.
Ronan Walsh, Irish Water, has acknowledged the impact this notice will have on the community and apologised for the inconvenience to customers: “Our number one priority is public health and the safety and well-being of our customers. We would like to thank the public, media and elected representatives in advance for sharing the news of the Boil Water Notice as it is essential that we reach as many people as possible. We will continue to work closely with Wexford County Council and the HSE to monitor the supply and lift the notice as quickly as it is safe to do so.” he added.
Vulnerable customers who have concerns can contact our customer care team on 1800 278 278.
For customers who wish to check if their property is on the Boil Water Notice themselves, please visit the Water Quaity section of the Irish Water website, enter the property’s Eircode and you will then see if your property is on the Boil Water Notice.
Wexford’s Menapians Athletic Club receives €5,000 funding under this year’s Texaco Support for Sport initiative hosted and organised by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand.
Rugby legend and Texaco Support for Sport ambassador Donncha O’Callaghan
Under the scheme – like that which proved successful last year when the Wexford County award was presented to Kilmore United FC – a fund of €130,000 is made available by Valero for distribution in equal amounts of €5,000 to a successful applicant in each county.
Established in 2001, Menapians AC is a progressive athletics club with a diverse membership in terms of age and ability ‘from young to old, from joggers to Olympians’. With training provided at various locations – including Rosslare Strand, Wexford CBS and Enniscorthy Sports Hub –the club maintains a prominent presence across the county.
The €5,000 award made to it under the Texaco Support for Sport initiative will be used to reserve venues and fund equipment for its proposed 2022 Wexford Summer League, an undertaking aimed at getting young athletes involved in the sport.
Wexford County Council Women’s Coalition was officially launched in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, on Wednesday by renowned Wexford soccer referee Michelle O’Neill, the first Irish referee to officiate at an Olympic Games.
Made up of the six female councillors, the Coalition was established to support an increase in the number of women in politics, to support each other as female members of the Council, and to encourage other women who are interested in politics to get involved.
The Coalition members are its inaugural Chairperson, Cllr Maura Bell, Wexford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cllr Mary Farrell, Cllr Lisa McDonald, and New Ross Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Brídín Murphy.
Michelle O’Neill said she was delighted to launch the Women’s Coalition as she valued its role in empowering and inspiring women. Outlining her refereeing journey since 2008, she added that her “long-term goal is to officiate at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023”. She highlighted the role of “support and having the right people around you to lift you up”, emphasising the need for role models. “When I was a player, I never saw a female referee or was in a match officiated by a female referee”.
At the Women’s Coalition launch in Riverside Park, Enniscorthy, on Wednesday. (left to right); Cllr Lisa McDonald, Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Michelle O’Neill, Olympics Soccer Referee, who performed the official launch; Cllr Maura Bell, Chairperson Wexford County Council Women’s Coalition, Cllr Bridín Murphy and Cllr Mary Farrell.
Master of Ceremonies at the launch, Cllr Maura Bell congratulated O’Neill as someone who personifies the motto, “If you can see it, you can be it”. Wexford County Council’s third-ever female Cathaoirleach, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, also addressed the gathering, which included fellow councillors, Wexford town Mayor Cllr Gary Laffan, Gorey-Kilmuckridge Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen, and Council CEO Tom Enright.
Cllr Murphy acknowledged the plight of Ukraine, saying that “the stories, photos and shattered lives in Ukraine are heart-breaking and we need to voice our objection to this war at every opportunity and voice our solidarity with Ukraine.”
Highlighting that the six female councillors comprise 17% of elected councillors in Wexford, she added that “we need quotas to have an equal number of women at decision-making tables in State and public bodies. We’re not looking for more, we’re looking for the same”, she said.
Wexford County Council CEO Tom Enright expressed his full support for the Women’s Coalition, which is a formal sub-committee of the Council. “The Coalition members are exemplary role models of leadership,” he said, adding that the 17% of female representation in elected councillors “shows a significant gender gap and must be addressed”. He also highlighted how the challenge of “balancing work and family life, which often causes women to withdraw from politics” would need to be dealt with.”
WexfordLocal.com 