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Energy efficiency badge for Wexford County Council

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council has announced that supported by 3 Counties Energy Agency it has achieved the globally recognised international energy management standard, ISO 50001, becoming more advanced in optimising energy efficiency.

Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council Cllr Ger Carthy said; “This international accreditation energy performance improvement is top of the agenda for the organisation and I commend all involved for the great work done to date.”

Tom Enright, CEO, Wexford County Council said; “We are focused and fully committed to continuously improving energy performance in all our operations. This year will see the completion of an extensive public lighting upgrade resulting in significant energy and operational costs savings. Upon completion approximately 97% of the public lights within the county will have been converted to high efficiency LED technology.”

Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services Wexford County Council paid tribute to the work undertaken by the cross-departmental energy team and the 3 Counties Energy Agency.

Ray Murphy, Acting Chief Fire Officer with Wexford County Council who has led the certification stated that “there is a programme of works about to commence approved with funding support under SEAI’s Better Energy Communities scheme. This will focus retrofitting several of our facilities such as District Offices, Libraries and Fire Stations with a range of measures including insulation upgrades, fabric improvements, lighting upgrades and Solar PV. In terms of transport Wexford County Council has started to introduce Electric Vehicles into the fleet with a current complement of four electric vans and three forklifts.”

The ISO 50001 standard was developed to support public and private sector organisations committed to efficient energy management providing the most robust framework for achieving cost and carbon emission reductions.

Tánaiste has “fond memories of Wexford”

By Dan Walsh

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has fond memories of Wexford General Hospital and got his first job as a surgical intern there back in 2003, however, he is unfamiliar with current concerns at the hospital.

The Tánaiste was replying to a question from Independent Deputy Verona Murphy during Questions on Promised Legislation in the Dáil on Thursday.

**Deputy Verona Murphy and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar**

Deputy Murphy said; “In 2016, the Friends of Wexford General Hospital group was told that it would be given funding for an essential MRI scanner for the hospital if the group was able to raise €250,000. The group appealed to the people of Wexford and within 18 months that €250,000 was raised by the people of Wexford. It was by 2018, some 18 months later.”

Deputy Murphy told the House that Paul Reid, chief executive officer of the HSE was asked when Wexford General Hospital would see the promised MRI scanner in place. Mr Reid replied that there was no mention nor provision made for an MRI scanner in the HSE’s capital fund.

“Can the Tánaiste confirm to the people of Wexford that the previous Government, in which he was the Taoiseach at the time, and this Government have not hoodwinked the people of Wexford and that they do not think they can just fob them off? Can the Tánaiste confirm when the MRI scanner will be in place and a timeline for that?,” asked Deputy Murphy.

An Tánaiste replied; “I am a friend of Wexford General Hospital. My first job as a surgical intern was in the hospital back in 2003. I have fond memories of working there. I got a great education there but I also met some really great people. Increasingly, MR is becoming a standard investigation method and it would make sense to have that facility available in every acute general hospital. I do not know what specific commitments were made by this Government and the previous one regarding Wexford General Hospital, so I will have to check. I appreciate, however, that the Deputy is raising an important issue and I will follow up with the HSE and get her a more detailed response.”

€37,000 donation to Fethard RNLI

By Dan Walsh

Fethard RNLI has received a generous €37,000 donation from Interger New Ross after the company’s staff and management chose the lifeboat station as its Charity of the Year.

Volunteers at Fethard RNLI were delighted to be considered and have been overwhelmed by the amount raised.

Receiving the funds raised from Seamus Hamilton of Interger New Ross, Sarah Bates, from Fethard RNLI’s fundraising branch said: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the staff at Integer. As a charity, Fethard RNLI totally depends on the goodwill of the public to provide our lifesaving service. This significant donation will continue to help us save lives at sea on the Hook Peninsula and on the River Barrow up to New Ross.

**SEAMUS HAMILTON from Interger New Ross presenting the ‘Charity of the Year’ cheque to Sarah Bates, Fethard RNLI Fundraising at a socially distant presentation ceremony earlier this week.** (Pic; RNLI/Mark Brennan)

“These funds will now go towards providing the essential kit our volunteer crew needs to do their lifesaving work and to helping maintain our lifeboat and lifesaving equipment. The funds will also support our crews training. In the last two weeks alone, 12 volunteers undertook training and were awarded with casualty care certificates.”

Walter Foley, Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager added; “Our station has remained operational throughout the pandemic and our volunteers have continued to be on call adhering to additional safety protocols including wearing extra PPE. We are so grateful for this extraordinary donation from all at Integer during a year when our own traditional fundraising activities had to cease due to Covid-19 restrictions. We would like to thank all the staff for their hard work fundraising and their generosity.”

No Blue Flags for Ballymoney and Courtown

By Dan Walsh

Ballymoney and Courtown will be without Blue Flag status this summer according to Cliona Connolly of the Environment Department at Wexford County Council who addressed members at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District held under Microsoft Teams under Covid-19 protocols. Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach, presided.

Courtown is being monitored but there are no signs of recovery of the beach as the draft beach bye-laws have gone on display and will be available to public consultation on the website and submissions are welcome until June 8^th.

Many aspects of seaside resort life for the months ahead are being looked at, including parking, some potential measures at Cahore and Morriscastle, the anticipated arrival of motor homes and planning issues.

Funding has been applied for restoration purposes at Morriscastle under the National Biodiversity Action Plan for chestnut fencing to protect the dunes and planting when restrictions are lifted.

Details about access to Ballinamona beaches are expected to come before the May meeting.

The booms are still in place on the Owenavarra River following the recent oil spillage and since there has been no significant rainfall since the incident, booms will remain in place and monitoring is ongoing.

A new anti-dog fouling campaign that focuses responsibility on the dog owner will also be strongly enforced along the coastal areas.

Cllr Pip Breen mentioned “facilities for camper vans” as the summer season draws near. Cllr Mary Farrell wondered how the problems of “beach parking” can ever be solved at Cahore and she was conscious of the motor homes. “There was about 10 of them parked at Cahore last weekend on any of the given nights. We can’t continue to encourage tourists to the area if there is no place for them and motor homes seem to be the preferred way of tourism and we need to address the situation,” she concluded.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin was of the opinion that this “is the year of the motor homes” and it is crucial that planning issues are set aside and he knew of a motor home enthusiast who was heading for Cork because he believed Wexford doesn’t have the necessary facilities.

Cllr Andrew Bolger drew attention to the wooden walk at Courtown Harbour leading down to the beach. He felt it could do “with a bit of cleaning” up and he recalled that the glass had been smashed on the notice board some months ago.

Ms Connolly replied that hazards would be removed from the wooden walkway although the beach is closed and will not be opened and is closed off. She added that the glass in the display cabinet – notice board – was to do with the Blue Flag – which will not apply this year and it housed the information around the Blue Flag such as the water quality results.

**The wooden walkway at Courtown is to be closed off!**

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux asked how many Blue Flags will be in the Gorey-Kilmuckridge District this summer? Ms Connolly confirmed that Ballymoney and Courtown will not be applying because there are water quality issues at Ballymoney and Courtown has no beach!

Two in Court after North Wexford drugs raid

Two people will appear before a Special Sitting of the District Court charged in connection with the seizure of drugs to the value of €215,000 in the North Wexford area on Wednesday.

The seizure was made after Gardaí from Gorey Detective Unit, Uniform Unit with the Wexford Divisional Drug Unit conducted several searches in the North Wexford area.

As a result of these searches drugs to the value of approximately €215,000 were seized. Three people were detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Drug Trafficking Act 1996.

Tributes to Paddy the poet and novelist

By Dan Walsh

Tributes have been paid to Paddy Cummins, poet, novelist, musician, loyal friend and native of Kilmannock, Campile, who was laid to rest yesterday (Wednesday).

Forced to drop out of school at the age of 15, Paddy got a job as a motor mechanic to contribute to the family finances of his parents and five siblings. He worked in the garage for ten years.

In ‘swinging sixties’ Paddy, gave his named to the seven-piece Paddy Cummins Showband from Campile that lasted for five years and were exceedingly popular in dance halls across the country until disbanded in 1965.

In 2000 Paddy took to writing a dozen books. His novels included In Love With Malta, Green Lodge, The Crying Sea and Dream Valley. I remember having him as a guest on Mid Week Voices (South East Radio) on a few occasions when he returned from Malta and he was also a keen follower of horse racing with a successful involvement on occasions.

Paddy (Patrick) Cummins (poet and novelist), Campile, New Ross; Loving father of the late Tommy and brother of the late Vinny, Simon and Brenda. Paddy passed away peacefully at the residence of his son Shane, at Duncormick, in the loving care of his family.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Mary Ann, sons Anthony, Kevin, Shane, daughters Celia, Joan, Helen, Carol, sons – in – law Jack, Franny, Georg and Ian, daughters – in – law Liz and Cathy, Anthony’s partner Michelle, grandchildren Dearbhla, Saoirse, Joanna, Clara, Rachel, Rebecca, Eva, Finn, Anna, great-grandchildren Ruadhan, Rossa, Jack, Daniel, Zanna, brothers Frances, Sonny, sisters – in – law, brothers – in – law, nieces, nephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends.

A private family funeral took place in accordance with current guidelines on Wednesday followed by private cremation. RIP.

Job losses in Gorey, Enniscorthy, Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Several job losses across three Wexford towns are amongst the 485 redundancies caused by the closure of Carphone Warehouse’s 80 stores in the Republic of Ireland.

**CLOSED; Enniscorthy branch of Carphone Warehouse on Irish St.**

Carphone Warehouse had outlets at Gorey Shopping Centre, Irish St, Enniscorthy and North Main St, Wexford where staff have been informed of the decision and the company said it was influenced by “changing consumer trends and decreased footfall.”

The UK parent company, Dixons Carphone, closed its standalone stores in the UK last year.

This is a worrying trend for Wexford towns who already this year have experienced closure of Bank of Ireland branches at Rosslare and Taghmon and the winding down of the Ulster Bank organisation.

Community in action at Ballyhogue

By Dan Walsh

A stop-go system is in operation near Bellevue Heights leading to Ballyhogue village this week to facilitate the creation of a new footpath that will complement other improvements in the village including the installation of a defibrillator attached to the local school.

The work is being spearheaded by the Ballyhogue Residents’ Association, formed 18 months ago, with the co-operation of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council through local representative Cllr Cathal Byrne.

CLLR CATHAL BYRNE with members of the BALLYHOGUE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION – GERRY PAGE (Treasurer) and JOHN V CARR (Secretary) – paid a socially distant visit to the site of a new footpath extending the existing walkway.

Ballyhogue, famous for its champion football teams, was once served by Macmine Junction railway station and had its own forge in the village, they are long gone, but in recent times there is no business happening in the local shop and the post office has disappeared. However, in recent decades a growing number of housing estates and other houses have emerged and the village now has an approximate population of 300 and is staging a strong community comeback.

“We are making good progress,” said John V Carr, secretary of the residents’ association, who added; “We are getting the footpath, we need some traffic calming around the school, we hope to provide a play area for the children of Ballyhogue, the crossroads have been resurfaced, so we are doing well!”

Cllr Cathal Byrne said it was a privilege to represent his native townland and village on the council. He is also conscious that Ballyhogue remains one of the options on the M11 Oylegate to Rosslare route and locals have concerns about that.

AUDIO ADDITION; CLLR CATHAL BYRNE explaining some of the developments affecting the residents of Ballyhogue village.

Currently, there is a campaign to raise funds of €1,500 for a community Defibrillator and there is a call out for donations through a gofundme website. It is getting strong support, but a little push is needed to complete that aspect of improving life for the people of Ballyhogue.

€1.5m facelift for Gorey’s Esmonde St

By Dan Walsh

Despite an application for the development of Esmonde St in Gorey under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) being unsuccessful Wexford County Council intends proceeding with a scaled-back project that would achieve the same aims costing upwards of €1.5 million.

The announcement was made by the CEO, Tom Enright, who addressed today’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District held with Microsoft Teams adhering to Covid-19 guidelines and protocol.

**How Gorey’s Esmonde St was planned last October. A scaled down version will now take place. (Artist’s impression supplied by Wexford County Council).**

Mr Enright said the project would proceed without central government funding in a scaled-back lesser expensive project that will achieve the same aims of creating a proper town centre public realm space in Esmonde St providing better footpaths, better pedestrian arrangements, better traffic arrangements, drainage and other general improvements.

“Esmonde Street is becoming a particularly important part of the local economy and as retail businesses open up in the coming weeks it will come back to life again. We have asked our consultants to bring forward the project at an early date and we will provide between €1m -€1.5m of our own funds towards putting the project in place,” Mr Enright promised.

The announcement was welcomed by the members. Cllr Diarmuid Devereux thanked the CEO and said Esmonde St was a pillar of the progress that was made with the business community and he welcomed scaling back the project as he felt the original project was basically refurbishment of the street. “Gorey has received a lot of good news this afternoon,” added Cllr Devereux.

Cllr Andrew Bolger was glad that some money is going into Esmonde St. “It needs a bit of a clean up and when the country is opened again we will see huge numbers flock there and it will be great that people who visit or the people that live here can take pride in the street because it does bring so much to North Wexford.”

Cllr Donal Kenny said he was encouraged that the Council can move on with a scaled back Esmonde St as there was disappointment that it did not get the go-ahead, but he was happy with a scaled back Esmonde St.

Cllr Pip Breen thanked Mr Enright for attending the meeting and bringing some good news. Cllrs Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, Anthony Donohoe and Mary Farrell also contributed to the discussion.

Casual trading returns to Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

The April meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held with Microsoft Teams under Covid-19 guidelines yesterday (Monday) has unanimously agreed to adopt bye-laws for the draft framework for outdoor trading and is to seek expressions of interest.

Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, said there has been several enquiries in terms of casual trading licences in some areas of the town, details had been circulated to members, and if a proposer and seconder could be found, the Council would look at implementing the draft framework for the granting of licences within the Enniscorthy Municipal District.

Ms Godkin said they were following suit in how Wexford enhanced the scheme there with a number of units along the quayside and she emphasised that there is a formal review of casual licences across the county that will not be complete for another number of months, so this is “an interim provision.”

She added that the proposal now is to provide one unit at Urrin Bridge on the Promenade Country Walk; one at Vinegar Hill; one up around the Enniscorthy Sports Hub and one in Bunclody Market Square.

Cllr Aidan Browne said he was conscious that Ferns had been left out. “We need to remember that Ferns is part of this district and it may be ideal to have a unit in Ferns up around the castle as well.”

**The old Dunnes Stores car park designed for casual trading is left off the current list?**

Cllr Cathal Byrne was concerned that it does not include Bree either. “I know there would be interest at the walking trail at Bree Hill,” he added, before including the Kiltealy and Ballycrystal walking trails. Regards Enniscorthy town, Cllr Byrne said he does not see “the site at the top of the old Dunnes Stores car park included” and he knows that it is a site designated for casual trading and he wondered if it should be on the list?

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan felt that areas included should include those where tourists visit on walking trails during the summer. She was thinking of the beautiful little village of Kiltealy where someone might like to start up something there.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy said that other areas can be included in a public call and Cllr Aidan Browne (proposer) and Cllr Kathleen Codd -Nolan (seconder), and all members agreed, to adopt bye-laws for the draft framework for outdoor trading and seek expressions of interest.