WexfordLocal.com

Gorey is “producing clean water” again

By Dan Walsh

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien T.D. has met with Irish Water and Wexford County Council following the contamination in drinking water at the Creagh Plant in Gorey recently and, in a statement, says the plant is “operating normally” and “producing clean water.”

Minister O’Brien said; “Irish Water has assured me that the treatment plant at Gorey (and Ballymore Eustace) is stable, operating normally and producing clean water. I am pleased that Irish Water and the local authorities are working together in full co-operation to put in place urgent corrective measures.”

Unsafe water leaving the plant at Creagh over a five-day period led to 52 confirmed illnesses and several hospital admissions.

The Minister noted that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) had issued audit reports on the incident at Gorey.

“The EPA’s action in pointing out the seriousness of the failures at Gorey is crucial in ensuring that my Department, Irish Water and the local government system responded promptly and appropriately to immediately address the risks of similar incidents happening elsewhere,” concluded Minister O’Brien.

The contamination of the drinking water supply from Creagh was discussed at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council.

Cllr Joe Sullivan requested that it be put on the record that he has full confidence in the investigation and said the perfect outcome is to ensure that it does not happen again.

He stated that the Council should engage with the people who were adversely affected by the last outrage and restore public confidence in the water supply in Gorey. “That is the way forward. No point in going back in a blame game,” concluded Cllr Sullivan.

Director of Services for Water Eamonn Hore gave a detailed report into incidents and a timetable of events at Creagh in August. There were equipment failure and human failure and he said we must ensure that an incident like this never happens again. He added the final detailed report on Creagh should be available in the next week or ten days.

Ballymore-Mayglass mourns parish priest

By Dan Walsh

There is great sadness in the parish of Ballymore-Mayglass following news of the sad passing of the parish priest of sixteen years Fr Murty Byrne, (74), announced today by the Diocese of Ferns.

Fr. Byrne will always be fondly remembered for his leadership of the fundraising committee in the small parish of 1,000 people who collected €350,000 in seven years to cover the cost of renovations and a new roof at the 180 year old Mayglass Church completed in 2009.

**FR. MURTY BYRNE P.P. BALLYMORE-MAYGLASS**

Martin (Murty) Byrne was born in 1947 at Muchtown, Rathangan, attended Baldwinstown National School and St. Peter’s College, Wexford, and ordained in the Church of the Assumption, Rathangan, in June 1976.

He served in the UK Diocese of Brentford and on his return served as a curate at Rowe St, Wexford (1983) and Kilmyshal (1989). He spent 14 years as curate at Raheen and was appointed parish priest of Ballymore-Mayglass in September 2005.

Cllr Jim Codd paid tribute on social media. “Your kindness and humanity were legendary. You touched the lives of so many. My deepest condolences to your family and parishioners.”

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Fr. Murty Byrne on 13th October 2021. Parish Priest of Ballymore /Mayglass Parish and formally of Muchtown, Rathangan.

Beloved brother of Jim, Seanie, Blee and Ell. Sadly missed by his brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, parishioners, neighbours and friends. “May He Rest in Peace”

Reposing in Ballymore Church on Thursday evening from 5pm 9pm Funeral Mass in Ballymore Church on Friday at 2pm. Burial afterwards in Rathangan Cemetery. House strictly private please.

Is ‘Ireland’s Fittest School’ in Wexford?

By Dan Walsh

A call has gone out to schools in Co. Wexford, and elsewhere across the country, from sprinter Phil Healy and fellow athlete, David Gillick, who have joined forces with Fyffes in a quest to find ‘Ireland’s Fittest School’.

Irish Olympians, Cork sprinter Phil Healy and fellow athlete, Dubliner David Gillick, have joined forces with Fyffes in an online quest to find ‘Ireland’s Fittest School’. Pictured at the launch were young supporters, Casey (6), Jerry (8), and Juneau Conroy (10), from Raheny.

Together, the Irish Olympians have recorded a series of workouts which they say are ‘fit for even the least active’ – exercise routines they hope schools will adopt as part of their PE curriculum.

In this latest fitness initiative, Fyffes has introduced a strong competitive element. Coupled with monthly and spot prize rewards, one successful school will have the distinction of being chosen as ‘Ireland’s Fittest School’, the prize for which will be a visit from the Fit Squad ambassadors Phil and David and €5,000 worth of sports equipment.

Last year, the Fit Squad went online when schools were forced to close. With hundreds now awaiting visits, Fyffes says it is looking forward to resuming live sessions in schools ‘when conditions permit’.

Registration for the competition, which runs from November until April, can now be made online at www.fyffesfitsquad.ie, with the overall winner to be announced in May.

Wide angle view on CCTV plans

By Dan Walsh

At today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held in ‘The Street’ at Carricklawn headquarters an interesting discussion centred on approval of applications for authorisation of Community CCTV in accordance with Section 38 of the Garda Siochána Act 2005.

Cllr George Lawlor wondered why twelve cameras were proposed for Gorey Town Park on fourteen acres and only four cameras were deemed enough for Min Ryan Park in Wexford town which comprises eighteen acres. “Are the people in Gorey deemed more photogenic?” he suggested.

David Minogue, County Secretary and Data Protection Officer, told the members that the meeting was seeking approval for CCTV extension in Wexford town and Bunclody CCTV system and that Gorey, who has applied for twelve cameras is waiting approval, and Enniscorthy must be be discussed at district level.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin noted that CCTV was badly needed at Gorey Town Park and alluded to anti-social behaviour at the weekend that witnessed two portable toilet units smashed to pieces. Cllr Andrew Bolger wondered when will the five cameras are switched on at Gorey Town Park, it is black dark there at night?

Regards a proposal to place more CCTV in Enniscorthy, Cathaoirleach of the Municipal Council Cllr Cathal Byrne suggested that the proposal should come before Enniscorthy Council first.

Approval was agreed to amend the Wexford Town Community CCTV system with the addition of twelve cameras. The proposed locations were selected following extensive consultations with An Garda Siochána in Wexford to include South Main Street, Min Ryan Park and Redmond Park.

Ownership of the Bunclody Town CCTV system, installed ca-2010 and comprising of 13 CCTV cameras, are to be retained with three new locations to be added to the overall system which will require an additional five cameras.

Mr Minogue informed the members that the total projected cost of new equipment added to the existing system is €45,000. “The Council has made provision for the necessary funding in addition to the Department of Justice support funding to a maximum of 60%, subject to a maximum grant of €40,000 per scheme.”

Every track’s a winner for Kiltealy team

By Dan Walsh

Point-to-point action was located north and west this weekend and the Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe team from Kiltealy were successful at both tracks.

Today’s fixture was at Loughrea, Co. Galway where Kansas City Star in the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd colours had a clear 15 lengths to spare for O’Neill and Bowe at the end of the Maiden race for four year olds.

Diese Des Bieffes who was once in the Paul Nicholls stables and was successful at Monksgrange recently did the business again for Monbeg Farm Partnership and Ballindaggin handler Cormac Doyle with Jack Henrick registering his 18^th career winner ‘between the flags’. This was in the Open Race and the margin was ten lengths.

The first fixture north of the border took place yesterday (Saturday) at Moira, Co. Down, but yielded only one Wexford winner.

Sweet Auburn, a faller at Monksgrange on her first outing two weeks ago, made no mistake this time in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares and won by four lengths for the Ruby Ann Syndicate, handler Colin Bowe and rider Barry O’Neill.

Next Sunday’s races are the Shillelagh & District Hunt fixture at Fairwood, Tinahely. Six races – for four year olds, five year old geldings and mares, a Mares Winner of One, the Open Race and the maiden race for six year olds and upwards – and the first is off at 2pm.

Some banks are not open on Monday

By Dan Walsh

Eighty-eight Bank of Ireland branches nationwide will not open their doors on Monday morning, the day before the 2022 Budget announcement in Dáil Éireann. Customers who were so proud of supporting their local branch service in rural parts of the country are disappointed and feel betrayed at losing another integral part of rural villages.

The bank has ceased services at more than a third of its locations as part of significant changes to its branch network and local banking services. The move was first announced on WexfordLocal.com last March.

Two branches are permanently closed in Co. Wexford at Rosslare Harbour and Taghmon. But other closures also affect customers who do their banking outside the Wexford border at Carlow where Tullow and Borris are closed and Bank of Ireland branches in Carnew, Rathdrum and Tinahely in neighbouring Co. Wicklow.

Banks services, such as cash withdrawals and lodgements, will now be available through the post office network.

In the footprints of Wexford history

By Dan Walsh

A centenary series of “War of Independence and Civil War Tours in County Wexford” is taking place in the coming weeks. Talks will be given by Barry Lacey, Historian-in-Residence at Wexford Libraries focussing on events and incidents that occurred in Bunclody, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Gorey and New Ross between 1916 and 1923.

The War of Independence and the Civil War were pivotal periods in the history of Ireland that shaped the country as we know it today!

During October and November, Barry Lacey will be exploring both periods via a series of walking tours through the towns of the county. Many of the streets, roads and buildings people pass everyday were scenes of various incidents and events during the revolutionary period. The aim of these walks is to create an awareness of what occurred locally during this era.

Each tour will take approximately one hour, starting at 10:30am sharp from the entrance of each respective library branch. Advanced booking is required and can be made by contacting the relevant library.

DATES AND LOCATIONS OF THE WALKS;

**BARRY LACEY, Historian-in-Residence, Wexford Public Libraries**

Saturday, October 16; Bunclody.

Saturday, October 23^rd; Enniscorthy (War of Independence Focus).

Saturday, October 30^th; Enniscorthy (Civil War Focus).

Saturday, November 6^th; Wexford.

Saturday, November 13^th; Gorey.

Saturday, November 20^th; New Ross.

If you wish to book a place on any of these tours, please contact each library directly:

Bunclody Library: 053 9375466

Enniscorthy Library: 053 9236055

Wexford Library: 053 9196760

Gorey Library: 053 9483820

New Ross Library: 051 421877

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy commented; “As Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, I am happy to be offering free historical walking tours of our towns. By exploring events that happened one hundred years ago in each town, Barry (Lacey) will raise awareness of Wexford’s involvement in the events that shaped the formation of the State. Wexford’s rich history is for everyone.”

Kids workshops at Hook Lighthouse

Wexford County Council in partnership with Creative Ireland and Dig It Kids are offering free workshops for children in Hook Lighthouse next Sunday, October 10^th, however, places are limited.

The workshops will comprise of Dig it Kids usual magical mixture of fun facts (including Dad jokes of course), inventive and satisfying crafts, and engaging stories. They will be looking at the Anglo-Norman Invasion of Ireland and the Greatest Knight, Sir William Marshall. And will be making models of the oldest, fully operational, original lighthouse in the world – that’s right, the Hook!

“We are delighted to be able to run an in-person events but we will still be very mindful of Covid-19 safety measures. We will be running the 90-minute workshop three times (10.30am – 12pm, 12.30pm to 2pm and 2pm to 4 pm) with a maximum of 20 children (and four adults) per workshop,” said a spokesperson for Wexford County Council, who added; “There are three times to choose from, with a maximum of four tables per workshop – places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.”

Wexford entries welcome for sport awards

By Dan Walsh

The Texaco Support for Sport awards takes place again this year and is open to sports clubs across the 26-counties, irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender – including clubs that may have made an unsuccessful application previously – the initiative sees a fund of €130,000 being set aside for distribution to sports clubs on a twenty-six, county-by-county basis.

Last year, the successful county winner to receive a €5,000 award was Kilmore United FC who applied under the scheme for funding to ‘carry out further development of its Abbie Troy Park grounds’.

Pictured at the launch is former Irish rugby international, broadcaster and Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, Donncha O’Callaghan with young supporters Jack Whelan (6) from Tallaght and Grace Kelly (11) from Ballyfermot.

Launching the scheme this year, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited said:; “At a time when many sports clubs have had to weather difficulties and limitations of one kind or another, the Texaco Support for Sport initiative opens up an avenue to funding for those that need it most.”

Leading the adjudication process once again is Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, acclaimed broadcaster and former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan.

Information and rules governing the operation of the scheme can be viewed online at www.TexacoSupportforSport.com, the most important requirement being that applicant clubs be properly constituted and hold a valid Games & Sports Number (GS Number) issued by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and featured on a recent list published by them on June 30^th 2021.

Open for applications from now until December 31^st, adjudication will take place in January 2022.

Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited – the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand – supports the Texaco Support for Sport initiative.

€2.4m worth of cigarettes seized at Rosslare

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers seized over 3.3 million cigarettes at Rosslare Europort yesterday (Tuesday). Cigarettes branded ‘JPS Red’ have an estimated retail value of approximately €2.4 million representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €1.9 million.

The illegal cigarettes were discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched a Polish registered road train, and its accompanying trailers, that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France.

The search, which was carried out with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner led to the discovery of the cigarettes concealed within the load.

A polish national in his 40s was questioned.

Investigations are ongoing.

This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products.

If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295.