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.

Tributes to young man kicked by a horse

By Dan Walsh

The funeral takes place this morning in Mulrankin of Dylan Boggan, (23), Mayglass, who died as a result of injuries sustained when he was kicked by a horse while working at a stables in Fethard-on-Sea around 1.30pm on Tuesday.

Mr Boggan was airlifted by Rescue 117 helicopter to Cork University Hospital where sadly he surrendered his fight for life.

DYLAN BOGGAN

The tragedy has been deeply felt in the community where Mr Boggan was well-known and popular. Cllr Ger Carthy, who is also the Ambulance Officer for the Wexford region and attended the scene said; “ “This really is a tragedy of unspeakable proportions to lose a man so young.”

Cllr Jim Codd said; “Dylan Boggan was once my student but we became very good friends. We shared a passion for lurchers, cobs and country living. Our shared interests led to many animated conversations over the years.

“He was a gentle, sincere and wonderful young man. I know I speak for so many when I express my absolute devastation at the news of his passing. May you rest in peace my friend.”

The Committee, instructors, past members, and present members of the Killinick Pony Club are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former club member, Dylan Boggan. “We express our deepest sympathy to Dylan’s family at this very sad time. Dylan was a member for many years, representing the club at national level. He was a kind and caring young man, who will be dearly missed.”

The annual general meeting of Killinick Pony Club scheduled for last night – December 2nd – has been postponed as a mark of respect.

Dylan was beloved son of David and Sabrina, brother of Aaron, Jordon and Ava, grandson of Kitty Boggan and Noel Kehoe; sadly missed by his loving family, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends. R.I.P.

Funeral Mass takes place today (Friday) at 12 noon in St. David’s Church, Mulrankin, burial afterwards in Mayglass Cemetery.

Road collision victim is named

By Dan Walsh

The woman who died in a road traffic collision on the N25 at Gaulstown, Glenmore, on Wednesday evening has been named as Lorraine Bolger, aged in her 40s and the driver of one of the cars, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three others were seriously injured following the head-on collision that occurred at around 6.30 pm.

Lorraine was a telecommunications and IT worker and there is added tragedy as her husband Séamus Ó Cualáin, Ballynagrallagh, Adamstown, had passed away recently following an illness.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward. Any road users who were travelling on the N25 in Glenmore on Wednesday between 6.15pm and 6.40pm and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make it available to Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Thomastown Garda Station on 056 7754150, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Coolgreany Boil Water Notice lifted

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water, working in partnership with Wexford County Council has announced today that the Boil Water Notice effective on the Coolgreany Public Water Supply since November 29th is lifted with immediate effect.

All consumers on the Coolgreany Public Water Supply can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.

This decision follows consultation undertaken with the Health Service Executive. 

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.

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.

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.

Council adopts €134m Budget for 2022

By Dan Walsh

Members of Wexford County Council have unanimously adopted the 2022 Budget for an overall estimated expenditure and income of €134 million, up more than €3 million from 2021.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr. Barbara Anne Murphy described the consideration of the 2022 Budget as a complex process that strived to achieve a balance between the need for enhanced local services in the county with the ability to fund those services.

CLLR BARBARA ANNE MURPHY; “We the elected members have done what we have been elected to do – we have identified the services areas that we believe are most important to the public at this time.“

“We the elected members have done what we have been elected to do – we have identified the services areas that we believe are most important to the public at this time, such as housing supports, road improvements, economic development, tourism initiatives and community supports and we have sought to ensure that these and other key services will continue to be delivered by the Council in 2022, in the face of significant challenge and uncertainty” said Cllr. Murphy.

Chief Executive Tom Enright described the preparation of the 2022 Budget as highly challenging in the face of financial and other uncertainties brought about by Covid-19. He highlighted the improving economic outlook and high vaccination rates as causes for optimism and renewed confidence going forward.

Housing Services is one of the main areas to benefit, with a total estimated expenditure of €28.5 million in this key area of Council activity, up €1.25 million on 2021 expenditure.

Road funding has also significantly increased with almost €35 million to be spent by Wexford County Council maintaining and improving the county’s road infrastructure during 2022.

Commercial rates charges are unchanged from their 2021 level while the Council’s highly successful Rates Incentives Scheme, which offers substantial discounts to commercial rate payers will also operate in 2022. Local Property Tax is also being unchanged from 2021 levels.

The Council’s 80-page Budget Report sets out the main income sources for 2022. Goods and Services income has been estimated at €36.7 million, income from Grants has been estimated at €37.7 million, Commercial Rates are expected to yield €41.7 million while income from Local Property Tax is estimated at €14.78 million.

Woman dies in Waterford-New Ross crash

By Dan Walsh

A woman has died and four others injured in a head-on collision on the N25 Waterford-New Ross road near Glenmore at about 6.30pm this evening.

The N25 is currently closed at Glenmore and is expected to remain closed overnight.

Gardaí are advising motorists to plan their journeys accordingly.

Challenges on primary school guidelines

By Dan Walsh

Government guidelines introducing face coverings in primary schools is causing immediate concerns in the school communities and is likely to escalate into national headlines with one Wexford teacher challenging An Taoiseach and the Minister for Education on the ethics of the decision.

Principal of Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh, Judy Ní Ifearnáin, has taken to social media, on a personal basis, and taking a stand against the compulsory nature of this measure which she and her fellow INTO members are expected to enforce such as the refusal of entry to unmasked pupils without medical certification.

Government guidelines on the use of face coverings in primary schools, effective from this morning (Wednesday) were issued by the Department of Education last evening.

NPHET has recommended the wearing of face masks/coverings by children aged nine years and above on public transport, in retail and other indoor public settings as already required for children aged 13 years and over. They have also recommended that this is introduced for children in 3rd class and above in primary schools. They have advised that this measure is being introduced on a temporary basis and is subject to review in mid-February 2022.

Ms Uí Ifearnáin said she has taken all the public safety advice. “Up to now I did everything asked of me” – wash hands wear the mask, take the vaccine, reduce social contacts etc.

“But now I am expected as a school leader to stand at a door and tell an unmasked nine-year-old who doesn’t have a ‘medical certificate’ or ‘special needs that they can’t come to school,” said an angry Ms Uí Ifearnáin, who added; “Micheál Martin and Norma Foley – No Way! Absolutely no way!”

The story is expected to run and run…