Major inquiry into Gorey Town Park?

By Dan Walsh

A major inquiry is likely into the delay in completing works at Gorey Town Park, value for money and the escalating cost to the taxpayer and following a verbal attack on a public representative by the contractor the issue has been thrown into the public domain with renewed vigour.

Cllr Joe Sullivan has made a formal complaint for an official explanation into an unpleasant and unprovoked incident that occurred in Gorey Town Park during a viewing on site in the presence of fellow public representatives, Council officials and the approved contractor for the site, on a recent date.

CLLR JOE SULLIVAN (FILE PICTURE)

The group walked the park and council officials gave an updated progress report, a photograph was taken for the local press, and Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council addressed all present and as he finished his address the contractor requested and was permitted to address the gathering.

Cllr Sullivan said; ‘Mr Contractor’, then proceeded to lambast me in relation to reports in the local press around questions I as a public representative had asked around the progress of the park going so far as to threaten legal action.”

“Surely as a public representative I am entitled to represent the people who elected me without public humiliation from people who hold county council contracts,” said Cllr Sullivan, who added; “I have huge concerns about contractors who can reprimand elected representatives who dare to question their work or timelines!”

Work on Gorey Town Park is long over the completion date, in the region of €1 million over budget and has been debated at numerous meetings of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council where the members have expressed disappointment over delays, although, it must be acknowledged that the Covid-19 pandemic has played a role in delaying completion.

Cllr Sullivan is pursuing the matter with vigour and is calling for public availability of all contracts awarded to the current contractor at Gorey Town Park since June 1st 2014 and an analysis on how the money was spent and an investigation into value for money for the taxpayer.

Plans for Gorey Town Park at the main entrance. (File Picture)

The matter was raised at last Tuesday’s meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District, however, Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen was reluctant to allow Cllr Sullivan address the matter in any great detail. Cllr Breen said; “I have to stop you. This happened on a restricted site and if this can go on a legal route, as we are not in camera, I think this has to be referred back to a different forum than this.”

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux asked that it be placed on the record that “I was very embarrassed and upset as a councillor of how the meeting (in the Park) ended up that day. I felt I was ambushed as a public representative and in all my years in the public service I have never experienced a contractor speak like that to officials or a design team in that manner. I just found it very frustrating and very upsetting and unless I get a guarantee that that kind of thing won’t happen in future I will not be attending any more site visits.”

Sea, sand, sky and a fresh Rosslare wind

By Dan Walsh

A drop in the recent ‘heatwave’ conditions today brought pleasant relief to many people and was appreciated, however, it was very warm, especially, in areas sheltered from the moderate east to northeast winds, but fresher near the coast.

Passenger ferries meet in the shipping lane into Rosslare Europort while a hang gliding enthusiast soars above the beach to get a better view!

I visited Rosslare Harbour this evening where people were enjoying the walking trails and the ferries were busy with the StenaLine departing for Fishguard passing the Irish Ferries Blue Star 1 between Tuskar Rock and the harbour.

From the cliff on the walking trail some enthusiasts were launching their hang gliding craft and they informed me that the wind was 22 knots from the northeast. It was 19 degrees Celsius. The breeze posed a small bit of a challenge for the talented flyers and on one occasion safe landing was on the beautiful beach that was occupied by a small number, but it is all part of adventure and fun and appreciation of the summer beauty where the sea and the sky meet the land and nature merges for benefit of us all.

And the outlook for tomorrow! It’ll be a gorgeous day for the great outdoors, and we must all make the most of it.   

New scanner was deployed at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

The Revenue Commissioners announced on Thursday it has formally commissioned a new, state of the art, mobile x-ray container scanner.

ROSSLARE EUROPORT (File Pic)

The new scanner cost €2.16 million and was part-funded by a grant of €1.73 million from the European Anti-Fraud Agency, OLAF, under its Hercule III Programme. Revenue Commissioner and Director General of Customs, Mr Gerry Harrahill, expressed the thanks of the Revenue Board to OLAF for their financial support in the acquisition of the new scanner.

The new scanner proved its worth when it was first deployed in Rosslare Europort earlier this year. It is a vital resource in Revenue’s strategy to target fiscal fraud, fuel fraud and the supply of illicit drugs and tobacco products, with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the illicit products and prosecuting those responsible.

The Nuctech MT1213DE high energy mobile x-ray container scanner replaces an older scanner that had reached the end of its operational lifespan. It was selected following a competitive tendering process and is expected to operate until at least 2030.

Children inspire outdoor activity for all

By Dan Walsh

You can’t beat activity and fun in the fresh air! Min Ryan Park, Wexford, was a wonderful place to be this morning with children and families enjoying themselves in the hot summer sun in the play area, others taking in the walking trails, and the launch of a wellbeing map by children for children Wexford Great Places and Spaces by the Minister for Older People and Mental Health Mary Butler TD adding to the magic of the great outdoors.

Alice Doyle, Chairperson of Wexford Mental Health Association, acted as master of ceremonies at the socially distance outdoor ceremony, and said Wexford Great Places and Spaces is a wonderful publication and the brainchild of Paula Lowney. “It is the voice of children and the work of children for children by children, and Wexford Mental Health is proud of the project,” she added.

Minister Butler congratulated everyone associated with “a hugely original approach and it was driven on so well by Wexford Mental Health Association and their partners in Mental Health Ireland and I want to compliment the community and the volunteers because this could never happen without the volunteers and the endless hours that people put in.”

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council said she was delighted to support the project and she was armed with compliments! “The engagement in the project was outstanding. 22 schools and outreach programmes participated in the project resulting in a total of 889 creative responses from primary school aged from across Co. Wexford,” stated Cllr Murphy.

Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Garry Laffan praised “a child friendly, wonderful and colourful publication through the eyes of our children” and he complimented the Wexford Mental Health Association on a splendid product.

Paula Lowney spoke about the idea for the publication and how it developed and stated that the Project gave an opportunity from primary school aged children from all over Co. Wexford to share their Great Places and Spaces that has had a positive impact on their wellbeing.

Minister for Older People and Mental Health Mary Butler TD, Mayor of Wexford Cllr Garry Laffan, and Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy pictured with other public representatives and friends and guests of Wexford Mental Health Association at the launch of Wexford Great Places and Spaces in Min Ryan Park, Wexford, this morning.

There were further praise and acknowledgement of success from Martin Rogan, CEO Mental Health Ireland and Dr Dervla Howley, Head of Health and Wellbeing in the South-East.

The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputies Verona Murphy and Johnny Mythen, Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllrs George Lawlor, Leonard Kelly, Tom Forde and Maura Bell, Tom Enright, CEO Wexford County Council and volunteers and friends of Wexford Mental Health Association.

Thanks was expressed to the Wexford Mental Health Project team of Paula Lowney, Niall Ó Muirí, Theresa Goff, Lorraine Cleere, Conor Ryan and the teachers and schools, and, especially the children, who participated in the Project and helped bring it to fruition.

The launch concluded with a poetry reading by Chloe Goff, composed by the children, and carried the message; “We hope that you find by using our map that Wexford has great places that can capture your heart.”

The booklet is a guide and a map for families and carers to support and encourage outdoor activities and play in the wonderful natural environments of Co. Wexford. Copies of the Wexford Great Places and Spaces Project – Wellbeing Map for children by children will be available to the public, free of charge, through the libraries and schools in the coming weeks and months.

AUDIO ADDITION ; Minister Mary Butler in full praise for the Wexford Great Places and Spaces Project which she launched in Wexford today.

Car failed to stop after bike crash

By Dan Walsh

The scene at Ferrycarrig Bridge this morning. (Pic; An Garda Siochána).

Gardai are investigating a serious incident in which a cyclist was knocked from his bicycle and the vehicle involved failed to remain at the scene. The incident happened shortly after 7am today at Ferrycarrig Bridge, on the outskirts of Wexford town.

The vehicle involved is described a white/silver Ford Fiesta or similar.

Gardai have confirmed that the cyclist suffered no serious injuries, however, this incident could have had much worse consequences.

Gardai are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have information to assist their investigation to make contact at Wexford Garda Station at 053 9165200.

€319,000 funding for Wexford remote working hubs

By Dan Walsh

Funding to the tune of €319,000 has been announced for several connected hubs across Wexford under the Connected Hubs Scheme to enable them to enhance and add capacity to their remote working infrastructure and to assist hubs to deal with COVID related challenges.

€64,789.00 goes to Kilanerin Community Centre to upgrade existing remote working capacity, develop privacy pods and own door office spaces. The centre currently operates a remote hub (KCC Workspace) with hi-speed fibre broadband at Kilanerin Community Centre. Currently the shared community workspace consists of 10 dedicated workstations, 1 Private office and 1 Breakout / Meeting Room.

€36,890.00 for 61 North, Wexford town, to improve the existing facility through a general upgrade and modernisation, including improving security and access, improving accessibility, enhancing the internal and external aesthetics of the building.

€217,350 granted to Wexford County Council to upgrade nine Broadband Connection Points across the county. Each hub will be upgraded to provide an underlying physical network infrastructure as well as fitted with necessary fixtures and fittings – Askamore Childcare Centre, Ballyroebuck Hall, Raheen Family Resource Centre, Hook Head Lighthouse, Marshalstown GAA Club, Ballyfad Community Centre, St Mary’s GAA Club, Stella Maris Community Centre, Kilmore Quay and Wexford Swimming Pool.

PAUL KEHOE TD

News of the funding is welcomed by Deputy Paul Kehoe who told WexfordLocal.com; “One of the positives to take out of the last year and a half is that there has been an increased shift to working from home and OurRuralFuture recognises hubs as ideal locations for people to work remotely, as well as acting as key economic assets for towns and villages.

“We have an opportunity now to design our rural towns and villages to support a better work life balance for many people and to provide greater job opportunities outside of the cities.

“The investment announced today will provide an increased number of families and individuals with the option to live and work in our rural communities. Remote working from hubs and Broadband Connection Points benefitting from this funding will also support local economies and assist in reducing our carbon emissions,” concluded Deputy Kehoe.

Fishermen rescued in Wexford Harbour

Three fishermen were rescued after their vessel suffered engine failure and drifted onto a sandbank close to the ‘bar’ in Wexford Harbour on Monday.

After the vessel suffered engine failure the anchor snapped allowing the vessel to drift onto the sandbank.

Wexford RNLI Lifeboat (File Picture)

Wexford RNLI Lifeboat launched at 3.30pm on Monday and navigated through sandbanks on a falling tide to the vessel. As attempts to refloat the vessel failed at that time, the crew took one fisherman onboard.

At 1.33am on Tuesday morning both Wexford and Rosslare Harbour managed to work together to tow the crew and their vessel to safety.

Wexford and Rosslare Harbour RNLI Lifeboats were involved in a joint operation and the crew, and their stricken vessel were towed to safety.

‘Keep Well’ photo competition winners

By Dan Walsh

During the last Covid-19 lockdown Wexford Libraries launched the ‘Keep Well Photo Competition’ and the people of Wexford were asked to take photos that showed who or what was helping them. The organisers were looking for images that would lift our spirits and the photos could include people, places and activities if they were taken somewhere in Co. Wexford.

There were 318 entries. These were shortlisted to 20 and the top 3 were voted on by the public. Three judges were then engaged to place these in order. The judges were Paul Finnegan, Chair Visit Wexford, Dr. Denise Rogers Acting Principal Psychology Manager, Wexford Mental Health Services, HSE and Philip Knight, Wexford Local Authorities Photographic Society. The judges put the photos in the following order:

THE WINNER; Tintern With a Twist by DANIEL STENNING

First place: Tintern with a Twist by Daniel. Stenning. Daniel Stenning, who lives in Taghmon, was delighted to win first prize with his striking photo Tintern with a Twist.  He said; “The picture I took was just a spur of the moment thing, my brother and I were out on our kayaks. As we travelled under the bridge in Tintern, I noticed the shape of the small arch was the same shape as the front of the kayak. I took a few different shots but did not know if I had taken a good one. I checked later that evening and luckily, I had one that had the right shape to it. I was delighted to get into the top three nominations, and even more so that I was chosen as the winner.”

SECOND PLACE; Sunrise by Patricia Murphy

Second place: Sunrise by Patricia Murphy. Patricia Murphy, who won second place with her photo Sunrise, lives in Oulart, and is a paediatric nurse in Wexford General Hospital. She was driving home after night duty and notice the amazing colours in the sky. She pulled over at Ferrybank and captured her beautiful photo.

THIRD PLACE; Otter Pups by JOHN NUNN

Third place: Otter Pups by John Nunn. John Nunn, who came third with his captivating photo Otter Pups, has lived in Kilmore Quay for 32 years. John was aware of adult otters in the locality, but he had never been lucky enough to see otter pups. He said; “It was a case of being in the right place at the right time and I was fortunate to be able to frame them with the Saltee Islands in the background.”

They were presented with their prizes by Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council and County Librarian Eileen Morrissey on Thursday evening in Wexford Branch Library. The winners won fabulous Taste Wexford Hampers and Taste Wexford Boxes.

Jet Ski anger divides Council opinion

By Dan Walsh

A contentious failed motion that stated; “We remove the permission for jet ski’s from Courtown bye-laws in line with other beaches in the county.” was defeated by 5 votes to 4 at the June meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council and the issue surfaced again today and once more emotions went skywards at the meeting held with Microsoft Teams in line with Covid-19 protocols and guidelines.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux reminded the members that the issue of the jet ski’s in Courtown was discussed at the last meeting, but he was of the impression that things had not improved a whole lot and it continues to be a major problem! There are health and safety issues. “I believe we have to revisit it. We just cannot ignore the problem. Put that on the agenda for another day,” he added and was supported by Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin.

Cllr Joe Sullivan said he was down there (Courtown) at the weekend and he observed jet ski’s in action and there was no one from Wexford County Council to police the water and no Gardaí and then he infuriated some members of the chamber when he criticised the Kilmuckridge members for voting ‘en bloc’ to oppose jet ski’s in the Gorey district when the motion came before the June meeting.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen was having none of it and he said there was more jet ski’s launched at Cahore than there was in Courtown! “To push the problem up to Cahore is not fair on Cahore, nor is it fair on Courtown. This is a problem that must be dealt with countrywide. They are a scourge countrywide, not just in Courtown.”

Cllr Mary Farrell objected to Cllr Sullivan’s comments. “Nobody is in favour of jet ski’s but we have to remember that not everyone who has a jet ski is a thug! (shouting broke out much of the conversation was lost). Cllr Farrell suggested that what needs to happen is to put something in place that solves the problem for everybody and she quoted a sign she saw from another County Council;

“Personal watercraft e.g. Jet ski’s and recreational craft, speedboats are prohibited from being launched into or operated in these waters or off this beach for a distance of 300 metres seaward from the mean low water mark as shown,” and Cllr Farrell said this means they can’t be launched or operated within 300 metres and anyone who is being genuine and cautious about what they do will go out to the 300 metres and operate in a safe and risk free manner.

Director of Services, Amanda Byrne suggested bringing Captain Phil Murphy, Wexford County Council Harbour Master to the September meeting and bring the Gardaí in as well. “When Capt. Murphy met with the Gardaí after the July meeting he was able to point out powers that they really didn’t realise they had. A person standing there with a jet ski – that is not a crime in any sense of the word, but where there is bad behaviour or abuse of the system that needs to be reported. It will be interesting to see the number of incident reports that have come to the attention of the Gardaí.

She added that Capt. Murphy will have the data from the users found lifting the barrier and a history to bring to the next meeting.

Cllr Willie Kavanagh repeated a comment he made at the previous meeting that he was in favour of accommodating everyone to enjoy the water – it is there for everyone to enjoy – in a safe manner.

Cllr Andrew Bolger agreed that there is a problem in Courtown. Cllr Donal Kenny also contributed.

Jet Ski’s in action at Courtown Harbour on Tuesday evening.

Cllr Sullivan concluded that the roads are there for everybody and the water is there for everybody, and if you misbehave on the road you get put off the road and if you misbehave on the water – you can’t get put off the water and Cllr Sullivan alleged that jet ski’s are ‘banned from everywhere bar Courtown’. An Cathaoirleach and Cllr Sullivan ended up disagreeing as to the legality of jet ski’s – the issue rolls on and meanwhile the waters around Courtown are alive to the sound of jet ski’s watched by large numbers enjoying their day visit or staycation.