WexfordLocal.com

Boil Water Notices for Gorey, Enniscorthy and Wexford town

By Dan Walsh

An estimated 43,842 customers of Irish Water are on a Boil Water Notice after Wexford town (25,196), Enniscorthy (11,187) were added to the list by Wexford County Council today and Gorey (7,459) have been affected since Thursday.

The Boil Water Notice for Wexford town has been put in place and the notice affects all areas supplied by Wexford Town Public Water Supply including Newtown, Barntown, Taghmon, Ballindinas, Shelmalier, Colestown, Coolcots, Carriglawn, Clonard, Townparks, Park, Mulgannon, Maudlintown, Town Centre and surrounding areas.

A Boil Notice Water for Enniscorthy Public Water Supply was issued just before mid-day. A notice last night said that “for conservation purposes it was necessary to shut off the water supply until 7am”.

A Boil Water Notice has been in place in Gorey since Thursday and this notice applies to all consumers on the Gorey (Creagh) Urban Public Water Supply. All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking. Areas affected are Gorey Hill, Gorey Corporation lands, Ramsford Park, Ballytegan, Clonattin Upper, Clonattin Lower, Gorey Bridge and Millands.

**The River Slaney at The Promenade, Enniscorthy, this afternoon**.

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.”

Extra bus routes for rural Wexford

By Dan Walsh

There will be a 25% increase in the number of rural bus services over the next five years, under proposed plans published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) today, which seeks to increase public transport connectivity, particularly in areas outside of the country’s big cities and towns.

**New bus routes planned for rural Wexford**

The extra routes proposed for Co. Wexford include:

Improved inter-urban bus services between Wexford and Dublin via Enniscorthy and Gorey.

Enhanced inter-urban bus services between Wexford and Waterford via New Ross

Enhanced inter-urban bus services between Wexford and Rosslare Strand / Harbour

Improved inter-urban bus services between Wexford and Portlaoise via Enniscorthy and Carlow

New local bus route from Oulart, Ballaghkeen and Ballymurn to both Wexford and Gorey

New local bus route from Bree, Ballyhogue and Killurin to both Wexford and Enniscorthy

New local bus route from Newbawn, Ballycullane and Ballyhack to Waterford (via Passage East Ferry)

The NTA said it intends to finalise its implementation plan during the first half of next year, before proceeding with the implementation in the second half of the year.

Anne Graham, Chief Executive of the NTA, said; “We know that for many people, living in a village or in a rural area can mean that accessing services, or employment, or education, or even retail is difficult if not impossible, without using a private car. We want to change that.”

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D. said the plan represents a ‘step-change’ for rural Ireland. “If we are to deliver on our emissions targets, we need to make sure that people have the services and alternatives they need. Hundreds of rural villages and areas will for the first time will be served by a viable public transport link,” he added.

HSE should reverse Gorey healthcare decision

By Dan Walsh

Public representatives in Gorey are calling on the Heath Service Executive (HSE) to reverse a decision that the popular Saturday Morning Urgent Care Service at The Palms medical practice at The Avenue, Gorey is to cease after 68 years!

It is understood that the HSE have ceased payments for the Urgent Care Saturday morning clinic at The Palms Medical Centre, Gorey and are advising that from next Monday, November 1^st, patients should instead attend Caredoc.

This service has been provided on the Avenue, Gorey since 1953.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin said; “They have now been forced to cease this service from next Monday. Unfortunately, Caredoc is understaffed and no substitute for this medical service and simply do not adequately cater for local people’s health needs, regularly advising people to just go to Wexford Hospital A&E instead, sometimes for relatively minor issues.”

“We are going backwards in terms of healthcare, including at Primary Care level,” said Cllr Ó Súilleabháin, who added: Johnny Mythen TD and I are calling on the HSE to reverse this crazy decision. We are asking members of public locally to please help pressurise the HSE into reversing this decision.”

AUDIO ADDITION; CLLR FIONNTÁN Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN is calling on the HSE to reverse decision on Saturday Urgent Care Clinics

7,459 affected by Gorey Boil Water Notice

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water has announced that working in partnership with Wexford County Council customers on the Gorey Creagh Urban Public Water Supply that due to issues at the water treatment plant, which may have compromised water quality, and following consultation with the Health Service Executive, that a Boil Water Notice is being put in place with immediate effect to protect the health of consumers.

It is unknown when the Boil Water notice can be lifted, however, Irish Water and Wexford County Council will continue to liaise and consult with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting the Boil Water Notice as soon as practicable

This notice applies to all consumers on the Gorey (Creagh) Urban Public Water Supply. All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking. A map of the Gorey (Creagh) Urban Public Water Supply, detailing the areas affected is available on www.water.ie
It is unknown when the Boil Water notice can be lifted, however, Irish Water and Wexford County Council will continue to liaise and consult with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting the Boil Water Notice as soon as practicable

**A BOIL WATER notice has been issued to over 7,000 customers in the Gorey town area with immediate effect.**

Customer queries should be directed to Irish Water Customer Contact Centre on 1800 278 278. Vulnerable customers who have registered their details with Irish Water will be directly contacted. Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland.

You will be kept informed by WexfordLocal.com or the website: www.water.ie

Wexford fights to contain the sea!

By Dan Walsh

The challenging fight against coastal erosion continues and Wexford County Council CEO Tom Enright presented some updates to members at the monthly meeting in October.

A new emergency beach exit is installed at Ballinamona beach, near Kilmuckridge, and local Cllrs Oliver Walsh, Pip Breen and Mary Farrell have been praising the engineers for their valuable work. Rock armour has been installed to protect against the elements at this picturesque beach located in a secluded setting.

**New rock armour to protect coastal erosion at Ballinamona beach.**

Tenders for consulting engineers are being assessed this month (October) and an appointment will follow assessment for the Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme.

At St. Helen’s Bay a preliminary coastal erosion risk a management study has been assigned consultant engineers to assess risk to assets including twenty-three properties.

Consulting engineers have been appointed to design a suitable coastal protection scheme and beach access at Seaview, Kilmore.

An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the Lady’s Island Water Level Management Structure. A foreshore licence application is lodged and is under consideration by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

At Grange, Fethard-on-Sea tender documents have been finalised on works to protect sections of the public road from coastal erosion.

The Morriscastle Sand Dunes are marked for restoration and the project involves fencing and maram grass planting “to restore and manage the dune system at the main branch entrance.” Works are underway.

Call to identify human remains

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí at Enniscorthy are renewing an appeal to the public for assistance in identifying human remains discovered on a beach in Co. Wexford in December 1995.

On the morning of 12th December 1995, Gardaí were alerted following the discovery of a badly decomposed body at Ballinamona beach, near Kilmuckridge.

Local Gardaí attended the scene, and the remains were removed to the mortuary at Waterford Hospital. Following a post-mortem examination foul play was ruled out.

The pathologist reported the remains to be a female aged between 25 and 40 years, approximately 176cm in height who had undergone a lot of dental treatment including a brace fitted on her bottom teeth.

At the time of her discovery, she was wearing a pair of blue ‘Lee’ jeans (sized 33/31) and brown laced shoes (size 39) with white socks. Two Volkswagen keys were recovered in the pocket of the jeans.

In April 1996, the then State Pathologist Dr Harbison carried out an examination of the body. There was no evidence of foul play disclosed and suspected drowning was deemed to be the cause of death.

Despite exhaustive enquires at the time via international policing channels, including Interpol and Missing Persons Organisations, the deceased was never identified.

The deceased was interred at Crosstown Cemetery, Wexford in May 1996.

In November 2007, an exhumation was carried out a DNA sample was harvested from the remains before re-burial. This profile has since been uploaded onto the Interpol database for comparison with profiles from missing persons worldwide but to date there have been no matches identified.

Investigating Gardaí are renewing their appeal to the public for assistance in identifying the deceased and in bringing this case to a conclusion. Anyone with information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station (053) 924 2580, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Wexford Town water supply restored

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water and Wexford County Council wish to notify over 25,000 customers on the Wexford Town 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.

All consumers on the Wexford Town Public Water 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.

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Wexford County Council issued a boil water notice on the Wexford Town Supply last Thursday.

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 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.

Enjoyable day at Wexford races

By Dan Walsh

Mild conditions, close finishes and a good Bank Holiday Monday attendance were the ingredients that made Bettyville Park a good place to be today for the final race meeting of the year.

For the second year in succession Wexford’s only Listed Race – the BetVictor M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase – was won by the Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore combination with Eklat De Rire. A year ago they won with Minella Indo who went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup last March. It was Blackmore’s first success since returning from injury.

**JORDAN GAINFORD… three wins in two days at Wexford**

It was the first leg of a double for the Waterford trainer. He also saddled Fangio De Vassy (Hugh Morgan up) to win the maiden hurdle.

Michael Mulvaney from Kells saddled the winners of the first two races, both ridden by Wexford jockeys. In From The Cold and Sean Flanagan scored in the opening maiden hurdle and Jordan Gainford was aboard Barnacullia, winning at Wexford for the second time this year, in a tight finish to the novice hurdle. This win rounded off a wonderful weekend for Jordan Gainford with four winners, three of them on his home track and the other at Cheltenham.

John Flaven from Tramore saddled Clarens for the Miracle Racing Syndicate in the opportunity handicap hurdle and recorded a one and a quarter lengths success for jockey Jack Foley.

Take All won the beginners chase for the Cleary family and a second winner for Monasterevin trainer Seamus Fahey (he won with Cullaghs Star yesterday in the maiden hurdle) and Kevin Sexton was on board.

Champion Patrick Mullins has made a habit of winning the bumper over the years and no change there. He partnered Fameafterglory for Meath trainer Gavin Cromwell.

The jackpot pool was €273.84, no winners and it will be carried to the Curragh on Tuesday. Tote aggregate €63,153.84. €59,423 last year.

Next meeting at Bettyville Park will be on Sunday, March 6^th 2022.

Sea search off Baginbun Bay

By Dan Walsh

Fethard RNLI launched its inshore lifeboat on Friday afternoon last to conduct a sea search after a concerned member of the public out kayaking reported seeing an object floating in the sea off Baginbun beach.

An extensive sea search of Baginbun Bay was carried out by Fethard RNLI lifeboat, with Rescue 117 assisting from the air. Fethard Coast Guard ground units carried out a shoreline search.

**Fethard Lifeboat searching in Baginbun Bay (Pic; RNLI/Mark Brennan)**

Weather conditions at the time were good with a light south-westerly breeze, calm sea conditions and good visibility.

After two hours, the search was stood down by the Irish Coast Guard, when nothing was found.

Speaking after the call out, Pete Barry, Fethard RNLI Deputy Launch Authority said; “Even though the call turned out to be a false alarm, we would like to commend the member of the public who did the right thing by calling 999 to report what they saw. We would rather launch to investigate what was seen and put everyone’s mind at ease. This call also highlights the importance of always carrying a means of communication when involved in water activities by the sea.”

The multi-agency response involved Fethard RNLI, Fethard Coast Guard, the National Ambulance Service, An Garda Siochana and Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117.

Rob James adds another double

By Dan Walsh

Rob James is riding out of his skin with seven wins over the last three point-to-point racing days and a double at Curraghmore, Co. Waterford today brought his seasonal total to eight.

James got the leg up on Blade Runner for Donnchadh Doyle in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and scored by two and a half lengths. Half an hour later following the maiden race for five-year-olds and older mares he returned Kitty’s Fashion to the winners’ enclosure for Waterford handler Robert Widger. Three lengths to spare.

Donnchadh’s brother Sean Doyle also got on the scoresheet. Is A Real Champ had a four lengths victory in the maiden race for geldings aged six or over with Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan doing the steering.

**LUKE MURPHY had winner today in Co. Meath**

There was also point-to-point action at Tattersalls, Co. Meath, today, and another brace of Wexford winners. Chasing Fire was a winner for Denis Murphy, The Ballagh, and Inch rider Luke Murphy in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. First time out Chasing Fire had six lengths to spare at the finish.

Cormac Doyle, another of the Ballindaggin clan, saddled Chato Santana in the maiden contest for five-year-old geldings and with Jack Hendrick, Mayglass, in the saddle, took the first prize in a close finish – a neck was the judges’ verdict.