Two persons have been arrested after Chloromethcathinone and Herbal Cannabis with an estimated value of €118,450 was seized by Revenue Officers during a search of a premises in the Enniscorthy area.
ENNISCORTHY GARDA STATION
Under ‘Operation Tara’ as part of ongoing investigations targeting persons suspected to be involved in organised crime in the Enniscorthy area, earlier this morning, a joint intelligence led Operation was conducted by the Revenue Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Wexford Divisional Drug Unit and the Detective Unit at Enniscorthy Garda Station.
The Operation resulted in the search of a premises in the Enniscorthy area where Chloromethcathinone and Herbal Cannabis with an estimated value of €118,450 was seized by Revenue Officers.
Gardaí arrested a 46-year-old male and a 47-year-old female in relation to Drug Trafficking offences. Both are detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Drug Trafficking Act, 1996.
Irish Water and Wexford County Council has issued a statement this evening notifying customers on the Gorey Public Water Supply that following the completion of remedial measures and the receipt of satisfactory monitoring results, the Boil Water Notice which has been in place is lifted with immediate effect. This decision follows consultation undertaken with the Health Service Executive.
GOREY WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT CREAGH
Regional Operations Lead, Ronan Walsh said; “We would like to thank the people and the business community of Gorey for their patience as we and our colleagues in Wexford County Council worked as quickly as we could to lift this Boil Water Notice. As we have previously announced, we have secured additional funding in principle for further works on the Creagh plant, so we will continue to improve the water treatment plant that supplies Gorey and our commitment to safeguarding the water supply in the town remains resolute.”
All consumers on the Gorey Public Water Supply can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.
Irish Water and the Local Authority/Health Service Executive Water Liaison Group will continue to meet and will 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 this water notice. Further information is available on www.water.ie.
Irish Water and Wexford County Council acknowledge the patience, co-operation and assistance of the public during the period of the boil water notice and greatly regrets any inconvenience caused to householders and the business community.
Eamonn Hore, Director of Water Services at Wexford County Council has issued a statement this morning updating the situation regarding Boil Water Notices in Wexford town and Gorey.
The Boil Water Notice for Wexford town has now been lifted following consultation with Irish Water and the HSE. The notice in place since October 30th impacted approximately 25,000 people connected to the public supply in Wexford, Barntown, Taghmon.
“Extensive sampling was carried out in the network and at the plant to ensure that we were satisfied to recommend the lifting of the notice,” said Mr. Hore, who added; “The network was also scoured extensively, and water supply is now back to normal and safe to drink and use as normal.”
The Boil Water Notice for Gorey impacting approximately 7,500 people remains in place for now. Irish Water are monitoring treatment plant performance since the upgrades to the sand and the plant controls were carried out last week.
To date over €100,000 has been invested in upgrading the plant. All network sampling has been clear of bacteria and chlorine results in the network are compliant.
“We are hopeful that there will be positive movement on the lifting of this notice in the coming days,” concluded Mr Hore.
Minister for Housing and Local Government Darragh O’Brien T.D. and Cllr. Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, in a virtual event, signed a UN Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designating the High Performance Building Alliance (HPBA) as a designated UN Centre of Excellence in Enniscorthy at the recent COP 26 Climate Change Conference.
The initiative signals Ireland’s commitment to the sustainable and energy efficient development of buildings in an initiative led by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe outlined by Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary and Scott Foster, Director of Sustainable Energy at the UNECE.
Wexford County Council (WCC) and Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) worked together to establish the centre of excellence as the first local authority provider of NZEB social housing and the first Education and Training Board to provide NZEB training nationally with over 1,000 people trained to date at the WWETB NZEB training centre in Enniscorthy.
Cllr. Barbara Anne Murphy-Chair addressed the COP 26 event and outlined how the High Performance Building Alliance aims to be a leader and champion of high performance energy buildings and to increase knowledge, capacity and demand for low carbon emissions buildings. In particular the HPBA will advance innovation and lead in the use of sustainable solutions through collaboration with the global Network of Centres of Excellence.
The UN Centre of Excellence at Enniscorthy is already named as a key driver in reducing carbon emissions in the built environment and providing training for the construction industry in the National Development Plan. The UN status now elevates the HPBA to represent not just Ireland but to be a global leader working in collaboration with UN centres from other Nations.
Pictured at the UN virtual signing at Government Buildings of the High Performance Buildings Alliance in Enniscorthy as a Centre of Excellence at COP 26. From left; Tony Larkin, Deputy Chief Executive Wexford County Council, Liz Hore, Head of Enterprise & Economic Development Wexford County Council, Minister James Browne, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Chairperson of High Performance Building Alliance and Wexford County Council, Minister Darragh O’Brien, Paul Kehoe TD, Michael O’Brien Innovation and Development Manager at Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board and Kevin Lewis Chief Executive of Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board. Photo: Mary Browne.
The built environment and construction sector is central to tackling climate change, with buildings consuming as much as 70% of the electricity generated globally and accounting for 40% of Co2 emissions. High performance buildings are designed to use minimal amounts of energy for heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation with a range of benefits for both the environment and the people who live and work in them.
Providing education and training and other critical resources the centres will support their local industries to move forward in line with the UN framework guidelines for Energy Efficiency Standards in Buildings.
The WWETB flagship Enniscorthy training centre model funded by SOLAS, is now being rolled out by the Irish government to four other regional centres in order to ensure the industry has trained and skilled staff in working in the delivery of energy efficient buildings both new and retrofit.
Wexford County Council are currently recruiting a new Chief Executive for the HPBA and establishing the HPBA headquarters with the UN centre in Enniscorthy.
The Board of the HPBA involves a number of key stakeholders, government departments, state agencies, NGO’s and Industry including Tomas O’Leary from Mosart architects, an Enniscorthy native who is an industry leader in energy efficient buildings in Ireland.
It is expected in 2022 that the HPBA initiative will host an international event to launch the UN centre in Enniscorthy and to showcase international speakers on how the built environment can address climate change while providing warmer, and better homes for people.
Liz Hore, Head of Enterprise and Economic Development at Wexford County Council gave a comprehensive presentation on the UN MoU at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held in the Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy.
The Boil Water Notice on the Wexford Town Public Water Supply since October 30th is “now lifted with immediate effect.”
A statement issued this afternoon said; “Irish Water and Wexford County Council wishes to notify customers on the Wexford Town Public Water Supplythat following the completion of remedial measures and the 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.
All consumers on the Wexford Town Public Water Supplycan now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.
Irish Water and the Local Authority/Health Service Executive Water Liaison Group will continue to meet and will 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 this water notice. Further information is available on www.water.ie.
Irish Water and Wexford County Council acknowledge the patience, co-operation and assistance of the public during the period of the boil water notice and greatly regrets any inconvenience caused to householders and the business community.
Plans for the Centenary Programme was controversial amongst members at today’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held in the Upton Court Hotel, Kilmuckridge, where Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen was on hand to calm matters.
Prior to the meeting, Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain claims he contacted his Council colleagues seeking their support for a cross-party motion which read; “That we produce a mural as one part of our Centenary Programme to honour local figures such as Liam Mellows, Seán Etchingham and Máire Comerford”.
Cllr Ó Súilleabháin told the meeting that while viewing the online agenda last night he felt disappointed, but not at all surprised to see that Fianna Fáil as a group had withdrawn their support for the proposal despite having agreed to their names on the cross-party motion when it was submitted.
An historic stone memorial in Gorey Town Park. Is there room for another?
“It was done in a spirit of co-operation for what should be a non-party political approach to these centenary events,” he stated.
He could not understand why murals were not suitable despite “having several beautiful murals on other subjects in the district, which they had praised and fully supported and with which they were delighted to pose for photos.”
Cllr Diarmuid Devereux praised the three major historical figures associated with the Gorey area,
“We are the only town in Leinster, that I am aware of, that has three significant leaders, one an executed leader of the War of Independence, that are buried within a four-five mile radius of the town – we have Máire Comerford, a world renowned feminist, Liam Mellows who is commemorated annually and Sean Etchingham, who was the first Cathaoirleach of Cumann Lúth-cleas Gael Loch Garman.
Cllr Willie Kavanagh believed “a mural won’t be there for all time.” Cllr Anthony Donohoe asked if murals were “putting a ball and chain around Councils in twenty or thirty year’s time when they would have to be replaced,” he felt maybe a memorial in Gorey Town Park might be the best approach. He favoured a “more classier piece of art or something like that.”
Cllr Donal Kenny said he was not in favour of a mural. He supported Cllr Donohoe and claimed “they are alright for a couple of years, they need maintenance and they don’t get it.”
Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen said “we are all in agreement that we need a memorial, whether it is a mural or a stone, and he suggested putting a sub-committee together to liaise with the County Librarian, when Cllr Donohoe interjected and claimed that 1798 was blighted with stone memorials, in 2016 we put up stones, and he felt that something more thoughtful be considered.
Cllr Mary Farrell asked if the removal of the word ‘mural’ from the proposal would help? Cllr Joe Sullivan told the meeting that there were numerous talented artists around Gorey and he suggested setting up a committee to look at the various options and come up with a fitting memorial to 1922.
There is a strong demand for tickets to the Gorey One-Act Drama Festival taking place from Wednesday to Saturday, inclusive. Three plays each night in Gorey Little Theatre.
Kilmuckridge Drama Group’s A Family Affair and Kilrush Drama Group’s Red Carnation are the Wexford performers on the opening night along with Gaggin Drama Group from west Cork with Lucy in the Sky.
On Thursday night, Camross Drama Group presents Semblance of Madness, Balally Players will perform Bedbound, and concludes with Something Unspoken by Martello Productions.
Friday night’s line up is as follows; The Christmas Tree by Blue Transit Theatre, Galway, A Night With The Stars from Coolgreany Drama Group and Lucan Drama Group, Dublin, presents Contractions.
Adjudication takes place after Saturday night’s three plays; Normal from Navan Theatre, A Kind Of Alaska by Pic Players from Clara, Co. Offaly, and the concluding presentation is The Fat Lady Sings in Little Grimley by the Clondalkin Drama Group.
Tickets for the drama festival in Gorey will be available on the door or online at http://www.gr8events.ie, Prices are €12 per night, or €40 for a Patron’s Ticket for all four nights.
Audience members must wear face masks in the theatre, with refreshments served at intervals. Covid Certs and ID are also required.
Today’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council chaired by An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Cathal Byrne and held in the Presentation Centre, Convent Road, learned that an application was submitted to the Department of Rural and Community Development for works at the River Walk south of the town.
The project would involve the resurfacing of the entire riverside trail –about three kilometres – and resurface a track by the River Urrin up to St. John’s Bridge consisting of a 600-metre loop.
Municipal Administrator, Bernie Quigley, claims in her report that this work will allow wheelchairs and disabled users access around the Urrin footbridge.
A grant allocation of €200,000 is available and funding allocations is expected to be announced in December or January.
The installation of water fountains at The Promenade, which is the pathway to the River Walk, along with installations at Bunclody, Bree, the Twenty-One Steps at Templeshannon, and Doyle’s Corner, The Duffy is imminent and should be complete by the end of December.
There was also support at today’s meeting for the laying of a footpath from Cherryorchard to The Still. Members agreed and suggesting that it would be “another leisurely walk on the outskirts of the town and families could admire the ducks in The Still Pond.” The project will be advanced when funding becomes available.
The Promenade leading to the Enniscorthy River Walk seen from the Urrin Footbridge.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has released its preliminary findings into a crash landing on a beach near Carnsore Point, Co. Wexford, on September 23rd 2021, in which, fortunately, all persons on board survived.
The twin-engine aircraft, a Partenavia P68 Victor, with one Pilot and three passengers on board, departed Waterford Airport (EIWF) at 11.08 hrs. All of the passengers were part of an environmental research team and the purpose of the flight was to record sightings of a variety of marine wildlife. During the occurrence flight, one passenger was seated in the front right seat next to the Pilot, and the two other passengers were seated in the row directly behind.
The plan for the flight was to fly at low altitude along 16 pre-defined survey lines. Each line was approximately 45 km in length and the lines were spaced approximately 4 km apart. The planned 16 survey lines were completed after 4 hours and 30 minutes of flying. Following a discussion with the passengers, and after assessing the remaining fuel, the Pilot determined that there was approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes of fuel remaining and they decided to complete two more survey lines before returning to EIWF.
The Pilot informed the Investigation that two minutes after commencing the final survey line an abnormal drop in the indicated fuel quantity was observed, the right engine stopped, and within approximately four minutes the indicated fuel quantity in the right tank dropped to zero.
The Pilot advised that he switched on the fuel pump and pushed the throttle, fuel mixture and propeller levers forward, in an attempt to re-start the engine, which was unsuccessful. At the time of the right engine stoppage, the aircraft was travelling at approximately 108 knots (kts). Recorded data shows that the aircraft then climbed to approximately 500 feet (ft). The Pilot said he carried out the actions required to secure the right engine including feathering the right propeller. The Pilot noted that the left engine and left fuel quantity indicator at this point were stable. The Pilot decided to fly directly to EIWF which he estimated was approximately 20 minutes away.
Scene of the crash landing near Carnesore Point last September. Fortunately, all persons on board survived. (Pic; RTE)
However, the Pilot informed the Investigation that he had difficulty gaining and maintaining altitude on one engine, and that he did not believe the left engine was delivering full power. He said that he verified that the left fuel selector and fuel pump were on, and that he moved the fuel tank cross feed to ON, waited and then turned it OFF again, but it did not make any difference to the engine power.
He decided to fly close to the shore so that a forced landing could be carried out if necessary. The Pilot reported that when the aircraft was turned towards EIWF at an altitude of approximately 250 ft, the left engine stopped. The Pilot attempted to re-start the left engine several times. The Pilot said that the engine did re-start but each time it re-started, it stopped again within a few seconds. The Pilot then flew directly to the shore and when the aircraft reached the shore, he banked the aircraft to the left and carried out a forced landing on the beach. The beach surface consisted of loose shale causing the aircraft to decelerate rapidly on touchdown. This caused the aircraft to pitch down, and the nose of the aircraft impacted heavily with the surface, causing significant structural damage to the cockpit and forward cabin areas. The Pilot informed the Investigation that immediately after landing, the left engine spontaneously re-started and accelerated to full power. The Pilot said he pulled the engine mixture lever back to stop the engine.
The passengers exited the aircraft through the aircraft door and the Pilot exited the aircraft through the windscreen which had broken during the impact. The Pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries during the impact sequence and were airlifted to hospital by two Coastguard helicopters that attended the scene. The two other passengers sustained injuries and were taken to hospital by ambulance.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit on-call duty Inspector was notified of the accident by Shannon Air Traffic Control (ATC) at 17.30 hrs on 23 September 2021. Three Inspectors of Air Accidents deployed to the accident site where Gardaí with the assistance of local people had secured the aircraft, which had come to rest in the intertidal zone of the beach.
During the night of 23 September, an initial examination of the aircraft and site was carried out. At low tide the aircraft was moved to a position above the high-water mark. The following morning further examinations of the aircraft and accident site were completed before recovery of the aircraft to the AAIU’s secure wreckage examination facility at Gormanston, Co. Meath for further examination.
The forced landing was performed on a beach near Carnsore Point, Co. Wexford. The surface of the beach consisted of loose shale and sloped towards the sea.
The aircraft was a Partenavia P68 Victor manufactured in 1973. It was powered by two Lycoming IO-360-A1B engines, each of which was fitted with an MTV-12, 3-bladed, variable pitch, constant speed propeller. The aircraft cabin could accommodate a maximum of six people (one pilot plus five passengers) with seating arranged in three rows of two seats. Each seat was fitted with a ‘lap-strap’ style seatbelt. The two front seats were also fitted with a single shoulder strap. Cabin access and egress was provided by a door on the left side of the aircraft.
The aircraft had a Certificate of Airworthiness issued by the French Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC) on 11 April 2018. The most recent Airworthiness Review Certificate was dated 29 October 2020 and had an expiry date of 02 December 2021.
A preliminary examination of both engines was carried out at the accident site and at the AAIU wreckage examination facility. The preliminary examination found that:
There was no evidence of a fuel leak on either engine.
The fuel hose that was identified as the source of the fuel leak on 18 September 2021 was found in place, with the connection secure.
A small amount of fuel was present in the gascolator5 bowl for each engine.
The fuel injector manifold which divides the fuel between the four cylinders of the engine, was found to be dry for both engines. The right engine was then removed from the aircraft and shipped to a UK engine test facility approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The fuel hose at the inlet to the mechanical fuel pump was left undisturbed. The test was witnessed by a Senior Inspector of Air Accidents from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). The test report made the following observations: The engine was connected to a dynamometer to replicate a propeller.
The engine was connected to the test rig using the engine’s own fuel and oil hoses. The engine started normally.
The engine had no oil or fuel leaks at the time of the test.
The Pilot informed the Investigation that the fuel tanks were full prior to departure of the accident flight and that he used a fuel consumption value of 62 litres per hour for flight planning purposes. He said that in his experience, the fuel gauges on this aircraft were reliable. At the accident site, the Investigation removed the refuel caps from both wings and noted that there was a quantity of fuel in each fuel tank. A sample of one litre was taken from each tank. No fuel leaks from the fuel tanks were observed at the accident site, and the fuel tanks were re-secured for transit to the AAIU wreckage examination facility. A sample of fuel drained from the occurrence aircraft was tested by a specialist laboratory.
Met Éireann (Aviation Services Division) provided the Investigation with an aftercast of the weather conditions at the time and location of the accident; Wind: Surface: West-northwest 5-8 knots (kts) 2000 feet (ft): Northwest 10 -12 kts Between surface and 300 ft: Similar to surface Visibility: 30 kilometres (km) Weather: Dry and sunny Cloud: Largely clear skies, isolated fair weather cumulus with bases around 2,500 ft.
The passengers stated that they were wearing the lap strap seatbelts provided in the aircraft as well as life jackets and immersion suits. A life raft and a crash axe were also carried on board. The passengers reported that the Pilot carried out regular safety drills as well as briefings before each flight.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) is satisfied that WexfordLocal.com publish its findings, however, it points out that this is a safety investigation, exclusively of a technical nature, and the Final Report reflects the determination of the AAIU regarding the circumstances and its probable causes. The Final Report will follow.
There were extraordinary scenes at today’s point-to-point races at Knockmullen House, New Ross, where two dead-heats were recorded and featured the same rider – Brian Dunleavy from Cork. The turf history books will be under heavy scrutiny for a few days as historians and statisticians search to find if anything like this ever happened in the history of horse racing.
Dead-heats are rare, although there was one at Loughbrickland, Co. Down yesterday involving Barry O’Neill and Rob James, and they happen when the finish is so close that the judge cannot separate the horses, even with the aid of photography!
MAURA GLEESON, ROBERT McCABE (owner and Handler) and rider Brian Dunleavy with Irish Blaze following his win at Knockmullen House today.
First race was the Cooney Furlong maiden race for four-year-old mares where Dontyawantme, owned and handled by Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, ridden by Luke Murphy, Inch, Gorey; shared first prize with Royale Dance from the Baltimore Stables, handled by Ellen Doyle at Coolgarrow, Enniscorthy, and ridden by Brian Dunleavy.
Amazingly Dunleavy was involved in the second dead-heat of the day at the finish of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. He was aboard Irish Blaze, owned and handled by Robert McCabe, Corbally, Enniscorthy. He shared the winner’s prize with Twosarewild, bred and owned by Jimmy Devereux, Rostoonstown Stud, Broadway, and handled by his son, Vincent. Having their first runner of the season.
The winning rider was Conor Moore, Kilmore Quay, who notched up a double on the day and gained his first success of the season. He was aboard Benefits Jeu, owned by his father, Denis Moore, and handled by Tom Byrne, and had eight lengths to spare at the finish of the maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards.
The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was won by Bearwithmenow, handled on the Kilkenny side of the close-by Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge by Garrett Power and career winner number twenty for Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick. The winning distance was two lengths.
Midway to Getaway was a winner for the Redbridge Stables of Michael Murphy at Duncormick in the five-year-old and upwards maiden race for mares. One and a half lengths were the verdict and Dan Nevin was the successful rider. The Winner of Two race went to Rose of Coolbally handled by William Murphy at Rathoe, Co. Carlow, and ridden by Moira McElliogett. One and a half lengths the winning margin.
JIMMY DEVEREUX and CONOR MOORE (a double) were amongst the winners at Knockmullen House point-to-point races today.
Conditions were pleasant and a fog that appeared all around was courteous during racing and did not invade visibility to any significant degree and much to the delight of Cian Cassidy who made an impressive debut in the commentary box on the day of the two ‘dead-heats.’ and only three winning riders!
The fixture was well organised and conducted smoothly by Wexford Hunt. Pleasant conditions and a good-sized attendance.
Racing also took place today at Quakerstown, Co. Clare, where the team of Monbeg Syndicate, Donnchadh Doyle and Rob James managed a brace of winners and were narrowly beaten in a determined search for a treble.
Saint Davy won by eight lengths in the maiden race for four-year-olds, Aubis Walk won by asimilar margin in the mares’ maiden race for five-year-olds, and Jimmy Chau Pecos AA was beaten a length into second place in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Good weekend for Rob James with a double on Saturday and Sunday and he is now on the 13- mark for the season, four behind the champion and current leader Barry O’Neill.
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