No injuries reported from Storm Barra

By Dan Walsh

Despite the very dangerous conditions that prevailed across the entire county over the past 24 hours, and thanks to the sensible co-operation of the public in heeding the safety warnings, there have no reports of injuries. That is the verdict of Wexford County Council’s Emergency Management Team who met again this morning as the Council reviewed overall impact of Storm Barra across the county.

The Council’s emergency response crews, including roads staff, fire services crews etc have been busy, late into last night and from early this morning to ensure roads across the county are clear for traffic.

Whilst there have been many reports across the county of fallen trees, crews having been on site from first light with the result that all public roads are now clear, with just one or two exceptions.

In the Gorey-Kilmuckridge District there are just a couple of blocked roads but as the winds remain high in this part of the county some areas may take a little longer to clear.

As expected, some strong gusts were reported at locations across the county, with speeds of up to 115km recorded at the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, which remained open throughout the storm.

No major flooding was reported in any part of the county yesterday and whilst the flood defence mechanisms in New Ross, Ballyhack and Arthurstown were subject to greater than expected tides yesterday, the systems operated successfully.

A statement from Wexford County Council said; “We would like to thank the public for their co-operation during the height of Storm Barra yesterday. Through protecting themselves they help to protect emergency services and our workers as it reduces the number of calls to emergency situations.

Returning to normality on the River Slaney following Storm Barra.

“We would ask the public to remain vigilant today for any structures and branches that may have been loosened during the storm and to continue to drive at an appropriate speed during this current yellow warning. Wexford County Council’s key public safety messages remain the same today as we return to regular activity levels.”

Stay away from coastal areas as winds continue to gust.

Drivers to take care, always always expect the unexpected and travel at an appropriate speed

Be vigilant and aware of potential for trees falling.

If you encounter any fallen wires do not touch them – call ESB emergency number 1800 372 999.

Fallen trees on roads, localised flooding and other storm issues can be reported to Wexford County Council during office hours on 053 9196000 or outside office hours on 1890 666 777.

In the event of a significant emergency or threat to safety, phone 999.

Enniscorthy served with Boil Water Notice

By Dan Walsh

Thousands of customers are affected by a Boil Water Notice issued by Irish Water and Wexford County Council, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, with immediate effect to protect the health of consumers supplied by Enniscorthy Public Water Supply.

The Boil Water Notice has been put in place as a precaution due to elevated levels of turbidity in the supply which has impacted the treatment process. The notice affects approximately 11,187 people in all areas supplied by Enniscorthy Public Water Supply.

For customers who wish to check if their property is on the Boil Water Notice, please go to the water quality section of water.ie, enter the property’s Eircode, click ‘more details’ and you will then see if your property is on the Boil Water Notice.

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water will be contacted directly about this notice. Anyone who has concerns can contact our customer care team on 1800 278 278 or log onto the water supply and service section of water.ie for information.

Irish Water’s Pat Duggan said; “Public health is Irish Water’s number one priority, and we appreciate the impact that this notice will have on the residents and businesses. However, the restriction has been put in place to protect our consumers. Irish Water and Wexford County Council are working tirelessly to resolve the issues affecting the plant and lift the boil water notice as quickly as it is safe to do so.”

ENNISCORTHY

Updates will be available on our Water Supply Updates section on water.ie, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. For information on using water during a Boil Water Notice, please visit https://www.water.ie/water-supply/water-quality/boil-water-notice/.

Storm Barra crosses the South East

By Dan Walsh

The Orange Warning for the east coast expired at 1pm and while there are still high winds and tidal surges it appears that the worst of Storm Barra has passed, although damaging gusts of wind can occur this afternoon. There are no major incidents to report.

There are power outages in Wexford town and the Enniscorthy district. Falling trees are reported across the county and the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge over the River Barrow is being monitored and users should check before using the route. At present, the bridge is open to traffic.

Wexford County Council’s Emergency Management Team met this morning as the Council reviewed the early impacts of Storm Barra across the county and said there are no major incidents to report.

While tides are high along the coast, flood defences in New Ross, Ballyhack and Arthurstown have performed extremely well, with no flooding to report in these areas.

In many places trampolines, wheely bins and garden furniture has been seen flying through the air.

It has been announced in the last hour that Enniscorthy Water Supply will be off from 11pm tonight until 6am in all areas.

Strong winds is expected to continue for some time with the possibility of damaging gusts in mid-afternoon, with a strong likelihood of fallen trees in many areas and possible ESB outages also. The Council’s emergency response crews, including roads staff, fire services crews etc are all on standby and ready to deal with any emerging issues as the storm intensifies.

ROSE FITZGERALD KENNEDY is open to traffic but is being monitored for the effects of high winds during Storm Barra.

Wexford County Council’s public safety messages remain the same:

Shelter in place during the storm, avoid travel during the storm unless absolutely necessary.

Stay away from coastal areas

If you encounter any fallen wires do not touch them – call ESB emergency number 1800 372 999

Fallen trees on roads, localised flooding and other storm issues can be reported to Wexford County Council during office hours on 053 9196000 or outside office hours on 1890 666 777.

In the event of a significant emergency or threat to safety, phone 999.

Tears for Lorraine on her final journey

By Dan Walsh

Heartfelt tears will be freely flowing this morning in tribute to Lorraine Bolger, Ballynagrallagh, Adamstown, whose Funeral Mass takes place in St. Mary and Michael’s Parish Church, New Ross at 11am with burial afterwards in Raheen Cemetery.

Ms. Bolger, (in her 40’s) died tragically in a road traffic collision on the N25 at Gaulstown, Glenmore, last Wednesday evening.

LORRAINE BOLGER

Lorraine was a telecommunications and IT worker and there is added tragedy as her husband Séamus Ó Cualáin, a metalwork teacher at Coláiste an Atha, Kilmuckridge, passed away last October following an illness.

Raheen Parish Committee has paid tribute to Ms Bolger.; “All our hearts go out to Lorraine’s daughter Ashling at this terrible time. Nothing we can say will make this any easier. Just know that we are thinking of you at this time.

“We think also of Lorraine’s Parents Joe and Marie, Lorraine’s sister Collette and the extended Bolger and O’Cualain families.

“Lorraine was a valued member of our committee for many years. She served as Vice-Treasurer and in more recent times held the post of Treasurer. Her support for Raheen was steadfast and along her daughter Ashling and late husband Seamus, provided refreshments for many fundraisers through the years. As a family, great pride was taken in displaying the latest additions to Fraochoileain Farm at the local field day. It was always obvious that family came first. This was a joy to watch.” R.I.P.

Wexford is ready for Storm Barra

By Dan Walsh

County Wexford is fully prepared for Storm Barra after Wexford County Council’s Emergency Management Team met this evening and the Council continued its preparations for stormy weather conditions which is expected to impact the county throughout tomorrow (Tuesday).

The storm is predicted to bring localised flooding to many areas. Flood barriers are erected in New Ross, Ballyhack and Arthurstown as a precaution, with Wexford Town likely to follow suit tomorrow morning.

Storm Barra is also predicted to bring very strong winds to Wexford during Tuesday and even into the early hours of Wednesday morning, with a strong likelihood of fallen trees in many areas and possible ESB outages also.

The Council’s emergency response crews, including roads staff, fire services crews, Civil Defence etc are on standby and ready to deal with any emergency issues as the storm approaches.

KILMORE QUAY MEMORIAL GARDEN. Place of remembrance of past shipwrecks and storms facing ”The graveyard of a thousand ships’. (File Pic)

Wexford County Council emphasises the following public safety messages:

Do not touch any fallen wires – call ESB emergency number 1800 372 999.

Shelter in Place during the storm, avoid travel during the storm unless absolutely necessary

Drivers to take care, avoid unnecessary journeys, and always expect the unexpected

Any loose materials, Christmas lights etc. to be checked and secured where possible and when safe to do so

Stay away from coastal areas.

Be vigilant and aware of potential for trees falling.

Temporary structures outside hotels, pubs etc. may become unstable.

Fallen trees on roads, localised flooding and other storm issues can be reported to Wexford County Council during office hours on 053 9196000 or outside office hours on 1890 666 777.

In the event of a significant emergency / threat to public safety, phone 999.

Winter sunshine lights up Lingstown

By Dan Walsh at Lingstown

Winter sunshine welcomed a good attendance to the point-to-point action at Lingstown, Tomhaggard, today, where Ballycrystal, Kiltealy handler Matthew Flynn-O’Connor and Delgany rider Brian Lawless notched up a fine double in the opening two races.

The maiden race for four-year-old mares was won in fine style by Deeply Superficial who had ten lengths to spare at the finish. Flynn-O’Connor said afterwards; “She won very well. She is a nice mare, and we think an awful lot of her. She is for the sales.”

Half an hour later and the Flynn-O’Connor/Lawless partnership were in the winners’ enclosure again following Stay Away Fay’s six lengths success in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. The Ballycrystal handler has brought his seasonal tally to four.

SEAN DOYLE winners at Lingstown and Cork today.

Sean Doyle, Ballindaggin, had a great afternoon with two winners. He saddled Is A Real Champ to win the Winner of One race by two lengths with Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard, enjoying his 21st career success and at his local track too!

Doyle was at Lingstown today, but his five-year-old Lucky Max (7/4 fav.), running in the colours of his brother, Donnchadh, was winning on the track at Cork with two and three-quarter lengths to spare in the Fermoy Handicap Hurdle ridden by Jack Foley.

The maiden race for five year old geldings resulted in a fifteen lengths victory for Grand Soir for Pat Doyle’s Tipperary stables with Killanne rider Rob James in the saddle.

The maiden race for five-year-olds went to Magheroarty Star for handler Stevie O’Donoghue from Araglin, near Fermoy, and the winning rider was Darragh Allen.

Kate Darwen, (20), from Athlone will remember her visit to Lingstown for a long time after recording her first winner on Ballycurrane Boy by sixteen lengths in the maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards confined to novice riders.

It was a good day’s racing and Killinick Harriers had the track and surroundings in excellent shape.

144 entries for Sunday racing at Lingstown

By Dan Walsh

For the second Sunday in succession point-to-point action takes place at Lingstown, Tomhaggard, and with a big entry of 144 the first race will go off at 11.30am.

Speculation around the increasing entry indicates that handlers are looking for ‘soft ground’ but that isn’t going to happen at Lingstown this Sunday because the official going is “Good, good to yielding in places’, which is similiar to last Sunday’s conditions. Temperatures should reach about seven degrees and some winter sunshine will brighten up the scene. Wrap up well and enjoy the day!

There are also strong rumours that point-to-points may be on hold for the early part of 2022, but this news has not been officially confirmed. Last year’s fixtures from January to March were lost because of Covid-19.

LUKE MURPHY

Sunday’s Lingstown card is as follows;

Race 1 – Peter O’Loughlin 4YO Mares Maiden (22 entries).

Race 2 – Tattersalls NH 4YO Geldings Maiden (48 entries).

Race 3 – Killinick Hunt Club 5YO Mares Maiden (14 entries).

Race 4 – Fintan Carroll & Sons Ltd 5YO Geldings Maiden (30 entries).

Race 5 – Croase Stud Winner of One (12).

Race 6 – Rostoonstown Stud 6YO+ Maiden confined to Novice Riders (18).

Two Wexford winners at Ballindenisk on Saturday. Luke Murphy was successful aboard first timer Top Speed handled by his father, John Murphy at Inch, Gorey, the impressive fifteen lengths winner of division two of the four-year-old maiden race. He goes to the sales now.

Croi Corcra, in the colours of Patrick J. Fortune, Doonooney, Adamstown, won for the second time this season and the third time in five runs, by two and a half lengths for the Colin Bowe/Barry O’Neill handler/rider partnership in the Winner of Two race.

300 tractors at Oylegate-Enniscorthy Road Run

By Dan Walsh

Enniscorthy was pleasantly illuminated with flashing lights, musical horns and tons of horse-power as a convoy of about 300 tractors converged on the town this evening for the annual Oylegate Tractor Run which is organised to raise funds for Pieta House.

Participants gathered at Oylegate-Glenbrien GAA Grounds before making a return visit to Enniscorthy where they were given a warm welcome from a large turnout and large numbers lined the roadway between Oylegate and Enniscorthy. The tractors spent about an hour parking along The Promenade.

Cheering on the tractors on arrival of the Oylegate Tractor Run to Enniscorthy this evening.

David Parker from Oylegate Vintage Club told WexfordLocal.com that due to Covid-19 last year’s run was a ‘virtual event’ but everybody was delighted to be able to take to the roads again and support for the event came from Ramsgrange, Wexford, Taghmon, Fethard, Wellingtonridge and Gorey. “We are delighted at the support in Oylegate and Enniscorthy,” added Mr Parker, who said that about 75 volunteers were required to make the event go off safely – marshals, stewards, bucket collectors etc. – and he thanked An Garda Siochána and Wexford County Council for traffic management and the granting of a permit to hold the event.

Mr Parker stated that to date the Oylegate Vintage Run has raised €28,000 for Pieta House. “We don’t know what is going to come in this time. We won’t know the total until the end of January, but the response looks good.”

Tractors leaving via Templeshannon Quay, Enniscorthy, as the Oylegate Tractor Run bids farewell to Enniscorthy for another year.

It was a wonderful occasion and lifted community spirits for this evening. Huge numbers turned out to support the event and it was a truly family occasion. It was cold, but thankfully it stayed dry, and good humour was the order of the day. Traffic delays through the town were minimal, but roadusers were courteous and tolerant and many wound down their windows and generously made financial contributions.

AUDIO ADDITION; DAVID PARKER of Oylegate Vintage Club tells DAN WALSH about this evening’s Oylegate Tractor Run.

Warship faces fishing trawler off Wexford coast

By Dan Walsh

Fishermen from Kilmore Quay are seriously concerned about the future of the national fishing industry and the lack of support from the Irish Government and Eurocrats and the deteriorating situation was under discussion last night at an emergency meeting facilitated by local district Cllr Jim Codd.

Earlier this week two Kilmore Quay fishing vessels were out off the coast – only four of Kilmore Quays fishing vessels were out this week as the other eighteen were on a voluntary tie up scheme, such is the way of domestic fishing here!

The two Kilmore Quay fishing vessels were fishing an area of Irish waters, along with four Belgian vessels when an Irish navy ship approached. It ignored the Belgian boats and engaged the Kilmore ships with the following stark warning: – “This is the Warship William Butler Yeats. Prepare for boarding.”

Cllr Jim Codd said a €65 million Naval gunship threatened two thirty-year-old ‘rust buckets’ from their own country while ignoring foreign vessels because they claimed they had no idea of how big a cargo they were allowed to carry?

Local skipper Jimmy Byrne, three O’Flaherty brothers and Cllr Jim Codd at Kilmore Quay.

“Isn’t it true now that our government is busy preparing new processing facilities to be used by EU fishing vessels while also pushing a decommissioning scheme on our own fleet?” queried Cllr Codd, who added; “Isn’t it true that the 15,000 people who work in our fishing industry feel betrayed and desperate, and are willing to go to jail at this point to defend their livelihood?”

Cllr Codd is demanding an explanation as to why the French cannot physically fulfil their Monkfish quota while the Irish fill their measly quota in a day or two.

Cllr Codd also told WexfordLocal.com that there are newly built Belgian boats that never had their gear dipped in any waters, except Irish waters, and yet the Irish Government is pushing for decommissioning.

In conclusion, Cllr Codd said; “I’m demanding to know why our public representatives are so quiet and so accepting about the use of a national Naval Warship against four unarmed working men.”

Extra staff to create more Wexford homes

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council is to recruit six additional staff, three with technical skills and three in administration, focussed solely on the delivery of social and affordable homes in County Wexford in the years ahead.

Visit of Minister Darragh O’ Brien to Trinity Wharf, Wexford. last September From left; Sen Malcolm Byrne, Cllr Garry Laffan Mayor of Wexford, Tom Enright CEO Wexford County Council, Minister Darragh O’Brien, Barbara Anne Murphy Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council and Minister James Browne . Photo; Mary Browne

Wexford Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne has welcomed the announcement. He told WexfordLocal.com; “Building homes is our top priority in government. Resources are being provided to Wexford County Council and the necessary staff will be in place to implement the plans. The Council will later this month publish its social and affordable home building targets for the next few years and we need focus on delivery.”

The news comes after the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD approved more than 200 new posts for local authority housing delivery teams across the country which will assist Councils in delivering their social housing targets.

Housing for All, the Government’s new housing Plan, commits to strengthening the capacity of Local Authorities to initiate, design, plan, develop and manage housing projects. The Plan acknowledges that this requires the resourcing of housing delivery teams and the posts being announced today include a wide range of positions from engineers to quantity surveyors and architects with provision also made for the necessary administrative resources. 

Minister O’Brien said; “In September this year, the Government published our new housing strategy, ‘Housing for All’. It is the most comprehensive housing plan in the history of the State backed by an unprecedented €4 billion per year. 

“Under ‘Housing for All’ we will deliver nearly 90,000 new build social homes by 2030 and we have put a very clear focus on the delivery of new build projects,” concluded Minister O’Brien.