WexfordLocal.com

Major probe into unsafe drinking water that caused 52 cases of illness in Gorey

BREAKING NEWS – By Dan Walsh

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD is meeting with the Managing Director of Irish Water and the Chief Executive Officer of Wexford County Council tomorrow morning (Saturday) after failures occurred at Creagh Water Treatment Plant serving Gorey where it has been confirmed there has been 52 confirmed cases of illness associated with the Gorey outbreak, including bacteria linked to E. coli, with a number of associated hospitalisations.

Minister O’Brien, who was informed of the matter by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a letter earlier this week, said the failures were “concerning and unacceptable.” The purpose of the meeting is “to consider what further steps are required to ensure our water supplies are safeguarded”.

EPA Director General Laura Burke said there were unacceptable delays in notifying her organisation and the Health Service Executive about the incidents. “This meant that water consumers were left unaware of the failures and did not have the opportunity to protect themselves.

Investigations at Gorey have revealed what the EPA described as “abject failure” of managerial oversight, operational control and responsiveness by Irish Water and local authorities in terms of their respective roles to deliver safe and secure drinking water.

The EPA investigation at the Gorey Water Treatment Plant found that a power failure and a chlorine pump failure resulted in water leaving the plant and entering the public supply without the appropriate level of disinfection.

This went on for approximately five days between 19 and 24 August.

Neither the EPA nor the HSE were notified until 26 August, preventing a timely risk assessment of the impact on drinking water quality and to allow interventions to be taken that could have protected public health.

In the case of Gorey’s water supply, serious illness was detected in the community.

The EPA also said that the main issues highlighted by these incidents include:

The abject failure of managerial oversight, operational control and responsiveness by Irish Water and local authorities in terms of their respective roles to deliver safe and secure drinking water.

While Irish Water has the primary responsibility for the safety of the water supply, the failure to report incidents between the local authorities and Irish Water prevented a timely risk assessment of the incidents and resulted in unacceptable delays in notifying the EPA and HSE.

These unacceptable delays in reporting and in particular the failure to consult with the HSE as to the risk to public health during the incidents, meant that there was no opportunity to issue boil water notices, which would have served to protect public health until issues at the plants were resolved satisfactorily.

The EPA said it is satisfied that Gorey plant has returned to normal operation since the incident, but “immediate and significant improvement” in the provision of water services by Irish Water and local authorities is required to ensure the public are provided with safe and secure drinking water and that public health is protected.

In a statement issued this evening Irish Water confirmed to WexfordLocal.com that Irish Water works in partnership with Local Authorities across the country to deliver safe drinking water to the public and return wastewater safely to the environment and is working closely Wexford County Council following drinking water incidents at Gorey Water Treatment Plants.

The incident at Creagh was reported to the EPA and consulted with the HSE as soon as Irish Water became aware of the issues. Irish Water agrees that the issues identified by the EPA require urgent action. In particular, the process around notifiable incidents to protect public health.

Eamon Gallen, General Manager, Irish Water, said: “Irish Water’s priority is to protect public health. In this incident at Gorey Irish Water and our partners in the Local Authority fell short of the standards we set ourselves. Late notification to Irish Water of issues relating to the disinfection process at the plants, potentially put public health at risk.”

**Major investigation into issues with the concerns around “unsafe drinking water” in Gorey recently.**

INCIDENT REPORT GOREY; Irish Water, working in partnership with Wexford County Council, have investigated an issue with the treatment process that occurred at the plant between August 19^th and 24^th and can confirm that it has since been resolved.

Irish Water was made aware that there had been an issue with the treatment process at the Creagh water treatment plant on the 26^th of August and immediately notified the EPA. The HSE was also consulted on this date. Following consultation with the HSE, they advised that a Boil Water Notice on the supply was not necessary at this point as the incident had passed and the plant was operating correctly. There have been no issues at the Water Treatment Plant since August 24^th.

Irish Water issued communications to customers and stakeholders via elected representatives and on the Irish Water website as soon as a number of reports of illness in the community were received. Irish Water has been working with the EPA and Wexford County Council to investigate the incident.

Irish Water is also reviewing the disinfection and filtration process at the plant and continue to liaise with the EPA, and our partners in Wexford County Council, to ensure there is no repeat of the issue, with a programme of works now in place. A virtual EPA audit was completed on 7th September and a further EPA site visit was carried out on Thursday 16th September.

Irish Water and Wexford County Council are reviewing their processes and would like to apologise to customers for the delay in communicating the incident and would like to assure the public all steps are being taken to avoid any reoccurrence.

€197,000 of ‘roll your own’ seized at Europort

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers at Rosslare Europort seized 315kgs of ‘roll your own’ tobacco yesterday (Thursday). The tobacco branded ‘Flandria Golden Blend’ had an estimated retail value of more than €197,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €162,000.

The discovery was made when Revenue officers, with the assistance of detector dog Gus and Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, stopped and searched a UK registered vehicle and its accompanying trailer, that had disembarked a ferry from Cherbourg, France.

The smuggled tobacco was discovered concealed within the floor of the trailer and within a vehicle the trailer was carrying.

A UK national in his 20’s 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.

Cash detention orders granted

By Dan Walsh

Yesterday (Thursday) at a sitting of Gorey District Court, Revenue officers were granted a three-month cash detention order by Judge John Cheatle, following the seizure of €10,500 cash at Rosslare Europort.

The cash was discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched an Irish registered vehicle intending to board a ferry to Bilbao, Spain. A Spanish national in his 40’s was questioned.

Separately, on Saturday, September 11^th, at a sitting of Gorey District Court, Revenue officers from Rosslare Europort were granted a three-month cash detention order by Judge John Cheatle, following the seizure of €14,460 cash.

The cash was discovered with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner and detector dog Flynn, when Revenue officers stopped and searched an Irish registered freight vehicle that had disembarked a ferry from Bilbao, Spain. A man in his 50’s was questioned.

These seizures were made by Revenue in accordance with Proceeds of Crime legislation.

No further information available as investigations are ongoing.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. 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.

Minister Browne welcomes maritime authority to Wexford

By Dan Walsh

The development at Trinity Wharf and the establishment of MARA in Wexford town got airtime in Dail Éireann yesterday (Thursday) when Minister James Browne, Minister of State with responsibility for Law Reform spoke at the second stage of the Marine Area Planning Bill 2021.

Minister Browne said; “A couple of years ago, Wexford County Council put forward proposals to develop Trinity Wharf in Wexford town to rejuvenate a brownfield site at the heart of the town to help to develop the socio- and commercial development of the area, to facilitate economic growth and, in particular, to create a vibrant place to live, to do business and to support the cultural part of that town.

**An artist’s impression of TRINITY WHARF (Courtesy of Wexford County Council).**

“I was delighted recently when the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, provided almost €19 million under the European Regional Development Fund, (ERDF), scheme to help to develop that as the location is wonderful, looking over Wexford Harbour and Wexford town has a rich maritime history.

“The Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, visited Wexford town only two weeks ago with me and the Mayor, Cllr. Garry Laffan, from Wexford town, where he confirmed that the new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, (MARA), will be in Trinity Wharf. I could think of no better location.

“There is a rich history in Wexford and we have deep connections to Savannah, to Newfoundland, where you can still hear the Wexford accent several hundred years later, and to Argentina. We did not go to anywhere handy in the United States, like New York or Chicago. We went to some very distant places but our history and tradition is still there.

“I wish MARA the best as a key agency. It will be in a county where we already have the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It is a crucial agency to support the Maritime Area Planning Bill and to ensure it will be effective in ensuring the protection of our coastlines and developing the potential of those coastlines, but to do so in a manner that is safe and protective of our coastlines and our climate and in a way that recognises the local communities.

“It will be critical that in any developments that MARA will oversee, the local communities on the coastlines are protected and, whether they be the fisheries or the villages, are involved and consulted. They should also benefit from any economic advancements because of developing offshore wind energy, such as wind, tidal and other wave energies. Of course, that would be another key part of it as well.

“We are facing a catastrophe around climate change or, to use the more apt phrase because of what is happening, global warming. MARA will be critical to ensuring we can develop that offshore energy in a manner that recognises the importance of our coastal culture. Our sea area is seven times the area of our landmass. We have huge potential there to develop it, but in a sustainable way that helps to tackle global warming and climate change.

“As I say, this will be a hub of excellence based in Wexford town. I tried to argue that if you stood up on top of Vinegar Hill in Enniscorthy town on a ladder you could see the sea on a clear day and maybe Enniscorthy would be a great location for MARA but that was an argument and a stretch a bit too far.

“I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, on this Bill. It has huge potential. I also congratulate the Ministers of State, Deputies Noonan and Peter Burke, who no doubt have had significant input into these proposals.”

Cash and tobacco seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers have seized over €70,000 worth of tobacco and €24,000 in cash on three separate occasions at Rosslare Europort and Dublin Port over the last number of days.

Two seizures occurred at Rosslare Europort. The first involved an Irish-registered vehicle which was intending to board a ferry to Bilbao, Spain. Officers stopped and searched the vehicle, discovering €10,500 in cash.

A Spanish national, aged in his 40s, was later questioned in relation to the matter and a three-month cash detention order has since been granted by Gorey District Court as investigations continue.

On Saturday, a second seizure at Rosslare Europort involved €14,469 in cash, which was discovered with the assistance of a mobile x-ray scanner and detector dog, Flynn. The Irish-registered freight vehicle, in which the cash was found, had disembarked from a ferry from Bilbao and a man in his 50s was questioned.

Revenue officers were also involved in a seizure at Dublin Port where 116kg of tobacco was found in three separate consignments which had come from Poland, with an estimated retail value of €72,700 representing a potential loss of €59,900 to the Exchequer.

Wexford shellfish boats unable to land in UK

By Dan Walsh

From October 1^st Bivalve/Mollusk shellfishing boats can no longer land their catch in the UK, meaning that they must go to Belgium or France to land their catch, according to Wexford Independent Deputy Verona Murphy, who stated; “There are seven boats affected by this and all of them are owned in Co. Wexford.”

Speaking from New Ross, Deputy Murphy has outlined the impact of this change. “Boats being unable to land in the UK means hours upon hours of extra sea journey time to land catch in EU ports and then more time to get the catch transported back to Ireland for processing. These fishers not included as part of the Trade and Co-operation agreement because they are non-quota. They receive no compensation but are gravely affected.”

Deputy Murphy continued; “There are seven boats affected by this and all of them are owned in Co. Wexford. The extra costs imposed because of this change will cause major hardship for our hardworking fishers trying to make a continued success of their businesses.”

Deputy Murphy concluded by proposing a solution. “Those affected by this must be supported with a liquidity fund to allow for the costs incurred because of the change and to allow time for them to identify mainland EU processors as we have only one processor in Ireland. The way those affected have been treated is unacceptable but symptomatic of the way in which our government treats our fishing communities. When it comes to Northern Ireland the protocol can be kicked down the road, yet we are enforcing it to the ninth degree. This has created an unlevel playing field. Government must think that if no one mentions it, it will go unnoticed, but untold damage is being done.”

Gorey motorcyclist (22) has died

By Dan Walsh

A 22 year old motorcyclist from Gorey who was in a critical condition from injuries sustained in a serious road traffic collision on the N2, in Co. Louth, last Saturday, has since passed away. He is named as Finlay Power from Annagh, Hollyfort, Gorey.

Finlay Power (22) was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and had been in a critical condition following a collision between the motorcycle he was travelling on and a car.

The driver of the car, a man in his late 30s, and a passenger, a man in his mid-60s, were treated at the scene.

Finlay was son of James and Catherine Power and a past pupil of Coláiste Bhride, Carnew. He had been a member of Gorey Civil Defence for the past two years and had attended a training session with the group the evening before the accident.

Gardaí are continuing to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward. Any road users who were travelling on the N2 in the townland of Edmonstown, Co. Louth on Saturday evening, September 11^th, between 8pm and 8.30pm 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 Ardee Garda Station on 041 6853222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

No Ministerial handshakes for some?

By Dan Walsh

Some public representatives are up in arms with Wexford County Council officials after claims that only selected members were informed of the recent visit to Wexford by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and the topic was hot at Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held in ‘the Street’ at Carricklawn, Wexford.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin referred to Minister O’Brien’s visit to St. Waleran’s in Gorey, and despite being Leas-Cathaoirleach for Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District – “I was not aware of the Minister’s visit.”

Cllr Davy Hynes was also angry. He found the Minister’s visit as “a surprise” and he described the event as nothing more than “a photo opportunity.” And he warned the Council and the Minister and the Housing for All policy by saying that “affordable housing is a joke.”

Cllr Tom Forde raised the matter of poor communications and was critical of the ministerial visit. “Why other parties and members were not informed reflects badly on the Housing for All policy,” he claimed.

Eamonn Hore said he was 40 years with the Council, and he was “disappointed and surprised” at the members reaction to the Minister’s visit and he informed the meeting that CEO Tom Enright was attending a meeting with the Minister (hence his absence from County Hall) and will bring back more detail.

Cllr Tom Forde was unhappy and felt it was a breakdown in communications and “a one party trick.”

Cllr Fionntán Ó Suilleabháin reminded the meeting that he was Leas-Cathaoirleach in the Gorey Kilmuckridge district and he observed that it was “a one party show.”

Communications Officer David Minogue said that Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach, attended on behalf of the members. He also pointed out that the district Cathaoirleach and in Wexford, Mayor of Wexford Garry Laffan, met Minister O’Brien “who was on a very tight schedule.”

Battle of Vinegar Hill revisited

By Dan Walsh

On 21 June 1798, 20,000 men, women and children found themselves trapped on a hill outside Enniscorthy, facing a Crown force of some 15,000 troops led by no less than four generals and 16 general officers.

More than two centuries later a multi-disciplinary research programme involving archaeologists, historians, folklorists, architectural historians and military specialists provides startling new insight into what happened at Vinegar Hill on that fateful day in June 1798.

The comprehensive story is told in a new publication called VINEGAR HILL… The Last Stand of the Wexford Rebels of 1798 by co-editors Ronan O’Flaherty and Jacqui Hynes quietly launched due to Covid-19 restrictions on Vinegar Hill recently. The work has 17 contributors and is a brilliant reference source with up-to-date detail through the efforts of an academic team that threw passion and expertise into the project.

It was the dying days of a rebellion that had shaken British rule in Ireland to its core. The army that now surrounded the hill was determined that none should escape.

Using cutting-edge technology and traditional research, the sequence of the battle jumps sharply into focus, beginning with the ‘shock-and awe’ bombardment at dawn, the attack on Enniscorthy and the hill, and the critical defence of the bridge across the Slaney that allowed so many of the defenders on the hill to escape.

At the launch of VINEGAR HILL… The Last Stand of the Wexford Rebels of 1798 were (left to right); Liz Hore, Head of Enterprise and Tourism, Tony Larkiin, Deputy CEO, Wexford County Council, Jacqui Hynes (co-editor), Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Ronan O’Flaherty (co-editor), Cllr Aidan Browne, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council and Cllr Jackser Owens. Pic. Patrick Browne

Dr Ronan O’Flaherty is an archaeologist and independent researcher, and Chair of The Longest Day Research Project.

Jacqui Hynes is a folklorist and teacher, a former manager of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre and a member of The Longest Day Research Project.

VINEGAR HILL The Last Stand of the Wexford Rebels of 1798, Ronan O’Flaherty and Jacqui Hynes, editors. Paperback Large Format, 352 pages, Full Colour throughout. Published by Four Courts Press, Dublin. ISBN: 978-1-84682-962-8

DON’T FORGET TO TUNE IN; Ronan O’Flaherty and Jacqui Hynes talks about the book, the archaeological survey of Vinegar Hill, and an overview of the Battle of Vinegar Hill with Dan Walsh on MIDWEEK VOICES, Wednesday, September 15^th at 8pm on SOUTH EAST RADIO.

Celebrations at Fethard RNLI

By Dan Walsh

Fethard RNLI celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the local lifeboat station with a search and rescue display, off Baginbun Beach, in the company of neighbours Dunmore East RNLI and Kilmore Quay RNLI, Fethard Coast Guard and Rescue helicopter 117.

As the weather held off, a crowd gathered to observe lifeboat crews carry out a scenario which saw the three RNLI lifeboat crews work as a team to form search patterns to locate survivors of a fictional light aircraft, which had reportedly come down just off Baginbun Head.

When located, the casualties were brought ashore where the volunteer crew of Fethard Lifeboat administered casualty care and transferred them into the care of Fethard Coast Guard. In the final part of the exercise, Waterford based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 flew overhead; in this scenario the helicopter crew would have airlifted the casualties onboard to receive more urgent medical care and transport to hospital.

Also present on the day were members of the RNLI’s Water Safety team, who provided advice and handed out waterproof pouches to water sports enthusiasts for the safe keeping of their mobile phones when they are out on the water.

**RNLI crews from Dunmore East, Fethard and Kilmore Quay taking part in the demonstration off Baginbun Beach. Pic; RNLI/Liam Ryan.**

Speaking about the joint exercise to mark the 25^th anniversary, Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager for Fethard RNLI, Walter Foley said; “This major exercise between the three RNLI lifeboat stations, Fethard Coast Guard and Rescue117 shows the public the services that are available to them when things go wrong. It highlights the importance of always carrying a means of calling for help on your person and to call 999 or 112 if you or someone else gets into trouble.”

Fethard lifeboat station had been off service for a period of 82 years before locals were successful in getting the historic lifeboat station reopened with an inshore lifeboat in 1996.