A serious incident that occurred at the Creagh Water Plant in Gorey where 52 people are known to have fallen ill and the matter was discussed at ministerial level last Saturday in Dublin is continuing and WexfordLocal.com has learned that local representatives are to meet with Irish Water management to discuss the matter on Monday morning.
Speaking to The Examiner newspaper, Senator Malcolm Byrne that the issue was not treated sufficiently seriously when first reported.
“These are our family members, friends, and neighbours who got sick and we trust in the professionals to provide us with a clean and reliable water supply,” said Senator Byrne, who added; “The meeting is to determine what happened and what mechanisms are in place to ensure it does not happen again.”
WexfordLocal.com is of the opinion that the main discussion will centre around Minister Darragh O’Brien’s statement; “Irish Water will also work with Wexford County Council over the coming two weeks, conducting re-fresher training on incident reporting for all plants. Where appropriate, Irish Water will now put in place a technician on site, to ensure the continued safety of water treatment plants.”
There is strong speculation in the Gorey area that the drinking water became contaminated after a malfunction occurred at the plant and the delay in reporting was compromised by holiday arrangements.
They say that goals win games and Rapparees beat the St. Anne’s defence on six occasions in the Pettitts county senior hurling final at Chadwicks Wexford Park today to bring the first title to the Enniscorthy town club since 1978 – 43 years ago.
Enniscorthy in celebration as Rapparees win first county senior hurling championship title in 43 years.
Rapparees were last in a county final in 2001 when lady luck deserted them on the field of play but the 2021 team lead by Declan Ruth dominated on the field of play this afternoon and are worthy champions.
Of course, Starlights – Rapparees football team – are reigning county senior football champions and will be aiming for a memorable double – adding the football silverware to the Dr Bob Bowe Cup.
Rapparees: Anthony Larkin; Dillon Redmond, Liam Ryan, Anthony Roche; James Peare, Ben Edwards, Jack Kelly (1-01); Kevin Foley (capt, 0-03), Alan Tobin (1-03); Ricky Fox (1-02), Ryan Mahon (0-03, 2 frees), Nick Doyle (0-01); Lenny Connolly (2-01), Oisín Pepper (1-01), Tommy Foley.
Subs: Tomás Mahon for N Doyle, temp. (41-42), T Mahon (0-3 frees) for R Mahon (52), Dylan McVeigh for Connolly (58), Kevin Ryan for Pepper (59), Tom Wall for Redmond (59), Oran Carty for Doyle (60+1).
St Anne’s: Paul Brennan; Eoin Ryan, Liam Schokman, Kenneth Cloney; Finn O’Driscoll, Brian Kavanagh, Ben Moore; Diarmuid O’Keeffe (1-05, 0-04 frees, 1-0 penalty), Aidan Rochford (capt); Mark Furlong (0-03), Liam Óg McGovern (0-01), Liam Rochford (0-02); Darragh Furlong (0-02), Dylan O’Brien (0-04), Jonathan Fogarty.
Subs: Mikey Fogarty for D Furlong (43), Páraic O’Keeffe for M. Furlong (46), Kevin Whelan for Moore (59).
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien T.D., has issued an update in relation to a serious incident at a drinking water plant at Creagh in Gorey.
MINISTER DARRAGH 0’BRIEN speaking at Trinity Wharf in Wexford town a few weeks ago.
Commenting following a meeting with the Irish Water Managing Director and the Chief Executive of Wexford County Council on Saturday, Minister O’Brien said;
“In the immediate term Irish Water will now undertake an audit of the water treatment plants across the country. They will prioritise the largest 20 treatment plants, visiting each of them, meeting with the caretakers of each plant to ensure that proper processes are in place in terms of dealing with and escalating any incidents which may arise.
“Irish Water will also work with Wexford County Council over the coming two weeks, conducting re-fresher training on incident reporting for all plants. Where appropriate, Irish Water will now put in place a technician on site, to ensure the continued safety of water treatment plants.”
Wexford County Council has released a statement regards the Gorey water supply which is under ministerial investigation. The statement reads;
“A serious water quality incident occurred at one of the three Water treatment Plants serving Gorey Town. A chlorine dosing pump failure arising from an electricity power outage at Creagh Water Treatment Plant led to a deterioration of water quality due to inadequate disinfection. This problem occurred over the period 19th to 23rd August.
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL headquarters at Carricklawn, Wexford.
“The water quality incident only came to light on 26th August and was immediately discussed with Irish Water and the HSE.
“The water quality information was examined by Council technical staff, Irish Water and the HSE and it was agreed that the incident had passed and the Water Treatment Plant was operating normally, with all network tests clear. Since the incident, the water quality in Gorey has been tested widely and extensively and again all network tests have been clear.
“Wexford County Council, Irish Water and the HSE are continuing to investigate the incident and are co-operating fully with the EPA.
“Every action is being and will be taken to ensure such a serious incident does not recur.”
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 19th and 24th 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 26th 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 24th.
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.
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.
ROSSLARE EUROPORT (File Pic)
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.
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 11th, 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.
Detector dog FLYNN (Pic; Revenue)
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.
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.”
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.
ROSSLARE EUROPORT (File Pic)
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.
From October 1st 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.”
DEPUTY VERONA MURPHY
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.”
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