Body recovered from the River Barrow

By Dan Walsh

The search for a missing person on the River Barrow in the vicinity of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, south of New Ross, concluded yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon with the discovery of a male person.

MARTIN DONOHOE

While awaiting formal identification, the body is believed to be that of Martin Donohoe, (29), whose vehicle was found on the roadside close to the bridge, with his mobile phone inside. He was last seen on October 26th.

Mr Donohoe’s family had gathered at the scene every day since his disappearance and an extensive search was carried out by search and rescue groups, sub-acqua teams, sniffer dogs and drones, Civil Defence and Coast Guard volunteers.

The body was recovered by Mallow Search & Rescue in a joint operation with Waterford Marine Search & Rescue members and transported to New Ross by boat and from there to University Hospital Waterford where a post mortem will take place.

Son of Catherine and the late Jim Donohoe, Martin was a native of Monageer who had been living in Cromwellsfort in Wexford town and worked on a site in Kilsheelan, Co. Tipperary.

The Donohoe family wish to thank all the volunteers who came from many parts of the country during the search for Martin. All efforts are deeply appreciated.

Sincere condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

Slaney Foods funding of almost €2m

By Dan Walsh

Slaney Foods in Clohamon, Bunclody, is to receive €1,988,519 in funding for agri-food projects to help producers identify new markets and expand their offerings following Britain’s exit from the EU.

CLOHAMON BRIDGE and VILLAGE

Wexford Fine Gael Deputy Paul Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com ; “This funding announced by An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, will allow Slaney Foods to tap into new markets and attract more customers after a very challenging period due to Brexit.

“This is a huge investment in the agri-food industry and represents Fine Gael’s commitment to securing the economic future of rural Ireland.

Deputy Kehoe added; “The agriculture sector is the lifeblood of many communities across Wexford. Nationally, we produce enough food to feed nine times our population and the sector employs almost 165,000 people across the country.

“This investment is about gaining access to new markets in Asia and North America in particular, with a specific focus on moving up the value chain by increasing sales of higher value-add products.”

Twenty-two projects in the dairy and meat sectors across the country are to receive funding from the Government’s €70 million Capital Investment Scheme for the Processing and Marketing of Agricultural Products.

Stolen property recovered in Wexford town

A quantity of stolen property has been recovered in Wexford town and a male, in his ‘thirties, is charged with five burglaries.

Gardaí investigating a spate of burglaries in the Wexford Town area which occurred recently conducted searches in the town and recovered a number of items of stolen property.

A male in his thirties was arrested and detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Wexford Garda Station.

He was subsequently charged with five burglaries and is scheduled to appear before the District Court.

Drugs and cash seized in Gorey area

By Dan Walsh

Seized cannabis and cash at Gorey Garda Station

A large quantity of drugs and cash were seized in Carnew and Tinahely over the weekend.

Officers from the Wexford Divisional Drug Unit searched a man in the Gorey area last Saturday night and seized approximately €2,000 worth of cannabis (subject to analysis) and €2,000 in cash.

Further searches in Wicklow where approximately €6,000 worth of cannabis (subject to analysis) and approximately €7,000 cash were seized.

One male detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

CEO to appear before Standards Commission

By Dan Walsh

TOM ENRIGHT

Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tom Enright, told members at today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held in the Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford, that he welcomes the opportunity to robustly defend an allegation that he breached the Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees.

Mr Enright is to attend an investigation hearing of the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) next Friday.

Mr Enright has been advised that as this process is ongoing it would be inappropriate for him to comment further at this stage.

However, Mr Enright intends issuing a full and detailed statement in respect of this matter once the process has been completed.

Goal for Enniscorthy’s Festy Ebosele

By Dan Walsh

Former Moyne Rangers (Enniscorthy) player and Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, Festy Ebosele, (19), scored his first professional goal in the 44th minute for Derby County in the 1-1 draw against Millwall last Saturday.

FESTY EBOSELE

Ebosele made his first team debut for Derby County under manager Wayne Rooney in the 64th minute of a 3rd Round FA Cup tie against Chorley last January.

The youngster featured for the Rams at Academy level mainly as a full-back but the vast majority of his 14 appearances at first-team level have come further up the pitch.

“I’m very proud,” Ebosele told RamsTV after the game. “I just want to say all glory to God and thank our captain Tom Lawrence because he could have hit the shot himself, but he played me a beautiful ball and I’m over the moon with the goal.

Derby were backed by over 1,600 supporters at The Den and Ebosele was full of praise for their backing. “I absolutely love our fans. They are always behind us, win or lose and with everything going on, they are always behind us, so I want to say thank you to the fans,” he said.

Barry O’Neill opens up his lead

By Dan Walsh

Today’s point-to-point was at Damma House in neighbouring Kilkenny where champion rider Barry O’Neill recorded a double, bringing his seasonal total onto the 15-winner mark, and five Wexford stables were successful.

BARRY O’NEILL

O’Neill got off the mark in the Winner of Two race aboard Croi Corcra in the colours of PJ Fortune, Doonooney, Adamstown, and trained by Colin Bowe, by two and a half lengths. O’Neill made it two in the final race of the day – six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden – on the Gordon Elliott trained The Creadan Rogue by ten lengths.

Wexford stables were successful in the two divisions of the maiden race for four-year-olds. Rexam won division one for Shirley Berry and Johnny Berry, Tomhaggard, by six lengths with Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, in the saddle.

Division two produced a short-head finish. Everyonesgame (Andrew Latta and Jack Hendrick) led in the closing stages but was caught on the line by Sporting Mike, owned and handled by Matthew Flynn O’Connor, Kiltealy, with Wicklow rider Brian Lawless up.

Richard O’Keeffe, Newtown, Taghmon, had his first runner of the season and Transprint, which he owns and handles, got home a length advantage to provide rider Tony Doyle with his first winner.

John Martin Walsh, Rathangan, saddled first Westie Rose, in the colours of Martina Power and ridden by Barry Stone, Cleariestown, having his 10th career winner, in the five-year-olds and upwards mares maiden race and she won by five lengths.

Three Wexford winners yesterday (Saturday) at the Tattersalls point-to-point run under the auspices of the Louth Foxhounds.

The maiden race for four-year-old geldings attracted many runners and exceeded the safety limit, and consequently, it was run in two ‘divides’ and both produced first time out winners from Wexford stables.

Rob James rode Donnchadh Doyle’s Monbeg Park to a three lengths victory in division one and he goes to the Cheltenham Sales next week, while division two was a closer affair with Luke Murphy getting Present Soldier up by three quarters of a length for owner and handler Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh.

Another newcomer Monbeg Lane, this time the charge of Sean Doyle, proved best in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings by seven lengths in the hands of Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard.

Busher shortlisted for ‘Book of the Year’

By Dan Walsh

Enniscorthy author Caroline Busher’s latest book The Legend of Valentine Sorrow has been shortlisted for the Teen and Young Adult ‘Book of the Year’ at the forthcoming An Post Irish Book Awards which is open to public vote. Caroline is so grateful to everyone who has voted for her so far. Voting is open until November 15th.

Meanwhile, the book is on the shelves and today Caroline was meeting her readers and signing copies of her latest work at Eason’s bookshops in Wexford and Enniscorthy.

She was delighted at the opportunity and received much positive feedback while promoting The Legend of Valentine Sorrow described by one of Ireland’s greatest contemporary writers, Roddy Doyle (who has strong Wexford connections) as; “Gripping, vivid and very, very entertaining.”

Author CAROLINE BUSHER signing her book ‘The Legend of Valentine Sorrow’ at Eason’s Bookshop (Byrne’s), Court St, Enniscorthy, today.

Caroline worked as Reader-in-Residence with Wexford Public Library Services for a few years. She is a writer in residence in a primary school setting and is a heritage expert with The Heritage Council of Ireland. Caroline has been accepted as an author on to the Poetry Ireland Writers in Schools Scheme and reviews books on Ireland AM.

The official launch of The Legend of Valentine Sorrow takes place in the Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, with South East Radio’s Alan Maguire on Friday from 6-9pm. Attendance is open to all, but please register for free tickets with the Presentation Centre beforehand.

Also Caroline Busher will be talking about her latest book with Dan Walsh on Mid Week Voices (8pm, South East Radio, 95.6 and 96.4 FM) on Wednesday.

AUDIO ADDITION; Author Caroline Busher talks about her new book ‘The Legend of Valentine Sorrow’

The Legend of Valentine Sorrow by Caroline Busher, historic fiction, paperback, 370 pages, published by Poolbeg Press. ISBN 9781781997635.

New funding for Gorey water plant

By Dan Walsh in Gorey

It was a good Friday for the residents and businesses of Gorey with the announcement from Irish Water that additional funding will be provided for the Creagh Water Treatment Plant. Irish Water has invested €100,000 on the Creagh Water Treatment Plant since August.

Irish Water states that it has expedited steps to secure funding to upgrade the Creagh Water Treatment Plant in Gorey. A team of experts have been examining the short and long-term solutions while work on the short-term solutions has already begun.

This involves a refurbishment of the existing filtration plant, but due to the complex nature of these works, they will be carried out over the next fortnight. This is to minimise the disruption to supply, and Irish Water will endeavour to lift the Boil Water Notice once these works are complete, plant performance is assessed and having consulted with the HSE.

GOREY’S MAIN STREET earlier tonight.

Irish Water has invested €100,000 on the Creagh Water Treatment Plant since August 2021 on a range of capital works and is also pleased to announce that it received approval in principle, subject to specifications and costings to acquire an additional treatment system to provide further resilience to the water treatment plant.

The treatment plant’s long-term solution is also being explored currently and risk analysis has been carried out on the supply and the current treatment process. This is the starting point for developing the long-term solution for the treatment plant at Creagh. Further information on the long-term solution will be shared once complete.

Regional Operations Manager Jim Fitzgerald told WexfordLocal.com; “We are pleased to announce that we are in a position to lift the Enniscorthy Boil Water Notice immediately, having consulted the Health Service Executive (HSE), however the Boil Water Notice remains in place for Wexford Town and Gorey until further review next week.

WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT CREAGH, GOREY.

“The recent weather event has proven extremely difficult to treat our water on a few river supplies in Wexford. The issues from last weekend had a big impact on water produced and the priority now is to recover reservoir levels on the supply. We will monitor the plant performances closely over the coming days and we hope to lift the Boil Water Notices in Wexford Town and Gorey as soon as possible, having consulted the HSE.

Prior to last week’s excessive rain, Irish Water had committed an investment of €2 million for the Newtown Water Treatment Plant (Wexford town). In recent days Irish Water has engaged with several process experts to look at various options of the treatment process at Newtown, while also looking at options to expedite delivery of critical elements of €2m investment.

Mr. Fitzgerald added; “I would like to reiterate our commitment and that of Wexford County Council’s in getting all of the Boil Water Notices lifted across Wexford as soon as it is safe to do so. We regret the inconvenience this causes households and business, but public health is our number one priority.”

Vulnerable customers who have concerns can contact the Irish Water customer care team on 1800 278 278.

Future plans for Enniscorthy town centre

By Dan Walsh at Riverside Park Hotel

The regeneration of Enniscorthy town centre was central to discussion at a public consultation meeting in the Riverside Park, Enniscorthy, on Wednesday night last, where Wexford County Council and Loci Urban Design Consultants facilitated the meeting where close to one hundred people in attendance were invited to contribute their views on the future of the town.

Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr. Cathal Byrne said; “The Government has confirmed that there will be funding made available in 2022 for the regeneration of towns across the country. It is vital that a comprehensive and well thought out plan for the town (Enniscorthy) is prepared as part of any application for this funding.

“This public meeting has offered local residents an opportunity to have their say and give feedback directly to Wexford County Council. If anyone has any feedback on what they wish to see in a regeneration plan for Enniscorthy they can still do so through the Council’s website,” concluded Cllr Byrne.

After some short presentations, the meeting moved into workshop mode and the groups were asked to work on questions posed by the Urban Designers. Detailed feedback was presented back to the meeting by representatives of each group.

Diarmuid Houston Senior Planner told WexfordLocal.com; “The meeting was set up so everyone could add to the discussion. I was most impressed with how quickly the attendees got down to work and the fact that they gave so much of their time to help us in this process. We gained a lot of information from the evening, and I want to thank everyone who got involved.”

Conor Norton of Loci said; “It was a hugely productive workshop. We gained many new insights into the critical issues, opportunities and the general way forward for the town centre. The commitment of the community to the future of the town centre was more than apparent in the enthusiasm and contributions on the night.”  

The consultation process will be continuing over the next few months. Individual submissions and information updates on the process can be accessed via Wexford County Council’s Web page consult.wexfordcoco.ie