WexfordLocal.com

Clerical changes in Wexford Parish

By Dan Walsh

Major clerical changes are imminent in Wexford Parish following today’s announcement that Fr Billy Swan, who is curate at St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, is appointed Administrator in place of Fr. Aodhan Marken who becomes parish priest in Piercestown succeeding Fr. John O’Reilly, who is retiring.

**FR BILLY SWAN new Administrator at Wexford Parish**

Fr Billy Swan, who is a native of Glynn, was ordained in 1998 and served as a curate in New Ross and Enniscorthy. Fr Swan also spent four years in the Pontifical Irish College in Rome.

Fr Marken has spent all of his 26 years of ministry in Wexford Parish and is one of the best-known priests in the diocese and renowned for his participation in the annual Christmas Fast (with Canon Arthur Minion) which has raised hundreds of thousands of euro for charitable causes over many years.

Fr John O’Reilly, a native of Enniscorthy, was chaplain to Wexford County Hospital, 1979-1985, was curate in Rosslare and Gorey, and served in The Gambia, Africa, on missionary work in 1995. He has been parish priest of Piercestown since 2009.

Fr Jim Doyle, curate at Mulrankin, succeeds Fr Swan at St. Aidan’s Parish, Enniscorthy. Fr Doyle grew up in Murrintown and was the first priest in the Diocese of Ferns to be ordained by Bishop Denis Brennan. He served in Bunclody, and Mulrankin since 2014.

Fr. Chris Hayden, currently on sabbatical, is to undertake the role of chaplain and part time lecturer at Providence University, (Great Falls, Montana, U.S.) for one year, commencing September 2021.

The Bishop of Ferns, Dr Denis Brennan, has approved the latest clerical changes, effective on the weekend 13th/14th February.

Mythen defends Wexford nurses

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Sinn Féin Deputy Johnny Mythen speaking in Dail Éireann yesterday (Wednesday) defended the nurses in the current pandemic conditions and demanded that “18 students on placement in Wexford General Hospital and the other 4,000 deserve better.”

“This pandemic is a time of fierce challenges, loss and sadness. We must not, however, let it go down in the annals as a time of unfairness and inequality. I ask the House to imagine how we will be judged by future generations if we do not help the very people who put their lives at risk for our sake and theirs.

“Instead, we turned our backs and refused to help them with a small financial reward and suspended placement. This is what the Government is doing by failing to pay student nurses and midwives. It is entirely unacceptable. The 18 students on placement in Wexford General Hospital and the other 4,000 deserve better.”

Deputy Mythen stated that throughout this pandemic student nurses and midwives have worked hard and tirelessly every day to protect our families and communities from Covid-19 while coping with a healthcare service hampered by years and years of austerity cuts. “These problems are down to chronic underinvestment that began long before this pandemic and illustrate the type of pressured environment in which our student nurses, midwives and radiographers are coping. It is no wonder we have a recruitment and retention crisis and so many of our young nurses and midwives emigrate to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.”

Deputy Mythen noted; “Only this week we have had the death from Covid-19 of a nurse in Co. Wexford. Our thoughts are first and foremost with his wife and young child. We cannot imagine the grief they are going through.

Deputy Mythen urged all Deputies in the House, “including my fellow Deputies from Wexford”, to support the motion.

CCTV is off but illegal dumping is up!

By Dan Walsh

A directive from the Data Protection Commissioner that CCTV footage can not be used as evidence against illegal dumping activity has left councillors bewildered and strong voices were aired at Tuesday’s meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District held under public health guidelines by Microsoft Teams.

Cllr Fionntán Ó’Suilleabhán felt the GDPR issue can be rectified and recalled being informed of 12 bags of rubbish dumped at one site between Monaseed and Annagh and dropped into a stream where animals were drinking. “It is a source of annoyance locally.” He wondered if the fast-food outlets and the drinks manufacturers could be factored into the solution? Something must be done. Hopefully, the CCTV situation can be resolved.”, said Cllr Ó Súilleabháin, who also called for more bins at Ramsfort Park where “a lot of people are walking dogs.”

Cllr Duirmuid Devereux said; “The volume of illegal dumping in North Wexford is increasing. We have a specific problem. We have had significant dumping going on for a long time in Moneycross, Tubberneering, Clough – all black bags, very neatly assembled and evidence is removed – for example, the top of a utility bill – almost as a tactic. We know who is doing it. The warden is continually active. “I know who is doing it and the people in the neighbourhood know who is doing it and I have a strong feeling that a lot of the problems we have in North Wexford is coming from this one source. He suggested if this situation were tackled it would bring a lot of relief to North Wexford. “It is a horrible situation for a community group in a small village wake up in the morning and find 10 or 12 bags of rubbish littered all over the road.”

The use of CCTV for surveillance of litter and illegal dumping it was deemed insufficient for a local authority to comply with GDPR. The Data Protection Commission has informed of the legal provisions of the Litter Act. Wexford Council Council is awaiting developments.

Cllr Mary Farrell praised the clean-up crews for the job that they do which she said is “down to the recklessness and mindset of people who are dumping this rubbish. They are getting clever. They are cutting away the top of a bill – but does that not tell you the mindlessness of people that they will go to that length to cut off the top of the bill and leave the rest of the bill so as they cannot be caught out! How you can factor in that kind of senseless behaviour, I do not know!

Cllr Farrell is disappointed regards CCTV cameras and data protection. “If we can catch them, we catch them. Now if we catch them on CCTV cameras, we cannot prosecute them because, heaven forbid, it is breach of data protection. It just doesn’t make sense that we are coming up with solutions and that solution is against the law.”

Cllr Donal Kenny agreed that illegal dumping is getting worse. “All houses are not using wheelie bins. We see that on collection day.” Cllr Kenny wondered about looking at a property tax and said every house has rubbish.

Cliona Connolly of Wexford County Council Environmental Section briefed the members on environmental matters and answered queries from members.

She told the meeting that the average daily head count for Gorey Recycling Centre was 74 customers in 2019 and increased to 86 in 2020. About a 15% increase. Tonnage in 2019 was 464 tons and in 2020 was 581 tons or an increase of over 20%. “Environmental crews are dealing with illegal dumping and clean-ups,” she concluded.

Call for savings option in vaccine roll out.

By Dan Walsh

New Ross Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Sheehan has called on the HSE and the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to call up the civil authorities to assist in the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccines because he believes using “just GP’s and pharmacies is too expensive and too limited.”

“I believe that we are all in this together but the agreed usage of GP’s and pharmacists to deliver the vaccine is too restrictive and to be frank, far too expensive. €91 million of taxpayers money is far too expensive when I know the programme can be delivered far cheaper and effective for a fraction of that cost.”

Currently, people are waiting to six weeks for an appointment from their GP, if they are already that stretched, then the imposition of a vaccine surely is too much for them alone. How will they be able to deliver the vaccines without displacing existing patients and appointments, therefore the civil organisations who are in every community should be mobilised, trained and set to work.

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, Cllr Sheehan said several organisations across the nation with minimal effort could be retrained, repurposed and engaged to get the vaccine out in the communities. “We should use the time now to get organisations like Civil Defence, Order of Malta ready for when we have upscaled the volume of vaccines available. They are experts at what they do and are already prepared in the administration of needles and ready to answer the HSE’s call.”

Cllr Sheehan pointed out that community organisations operate under the umbrella of County Councils, and have the logistical experience, resources and the ‘know-how’ to roll out the vaccination throughout the communities simultaneously.

Cllr Sheehan believes that savings should be used to pay nurses wages, pay off nurses’ student debts, their registration fees and provide a greater defence of the frontline staff.

Good news for Gorey and Courtown

By Dan Walsh

A submission for funding has been activated under the Active Travel Scheme to progress the Courtown to Gorey footpath that would bring the project up to the tendering stage. The news was welcomed by members at today’s January meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District held under public health guidelines by Microsoft Teams.

Executive Engineer Joanne Kehoe included the information in her monthly report circulated to members.

**BALLINATRAY BRIDGE, also known as COURTOWN VIADUCT, is “almost unique in Ireland.”**

Three applications for funding has been submitted in connection with the extension and completion of the Gorey-Courtown footpath including just over €50,000 for the next phase which is footpath construction stage and a feasibility study for the remainder of the footpath and route selection, and consultation services for the design of the footbridge costing around €100,000.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Sullivan said the joint project of the bridge and the footpath is what the general population and the Council have been looking forward to for some time and he is extremely hopeful that Ms Kehoe’s office is going to bring it to a successful conclusion and he complimented the department involved.

He added that the work will complement the route between Gorey and Courtown but raised some issues with current lighting standards, but Ms Kehoe stated that improved public lighting was included in the scheme.

Cllr Andrew Bolger also welcomed the project and felt that if funding were forthcoming for the footbridge – “it would be a real game changer.” Cllr Donal Kenny added his support.

Cllr Fionntáin Ó Suilleabháin noted that since the lockdown there is a recognition of the importance of walkways and he welcomed the news. “We are linking two urban areas with more than 15,000 people. It is going to be huge and it is a crucial project in the times we are living in. It is adjacent to Ballinatray Bridge which is a beautiful and historical bridge. It is almost unique in Ireland.”

The three-arch Ballinatray road bridge (also called the Courtown Viaduct), spanning the Ounavarra river with wooded embankments to river, and erected in 1847 to a design by James Barry Farrell (1810-93), County Surveyor for County Wexford representing an important component of the mid-19^th century civil engineering heritage of North Wexford with significant architectural value.

Call for Covid-19 testing at Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

A passionate call to the HSE to prioritise a Test Centre and Vaccination Centre for Enniscorthy during Covid-19 was unanimously agreed at today’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held under public health guidelines with Microsoft Teams.

**Staff have returned to the Municipal Buildings at Market Square, Enniscorthy, following a refurbishment programme.**

Cllr Cathal Byrne noted recent Covid-19 figures when district breakdown became available that Enniscorthy was in the top ten in the country. He suggested that as a district it would be appropriate for the Council to contact the HSE about providing a test centre locally.

Cllr Byrne also offered consideration for someone who requires a test but does not drive and has no other means to get to Wexford for a test. “They are in difficulty,” said Cllr Byrne.

Previously it was possible to contact the HSE themselves and home tests were done by the national ambulance service but given the current situation that is no longer possible. Unfortunately, it is not possible for some people to get a test through a GP and some who need a test are going without a test. “Nobody should be in that situation,” he concluded.

Cllr Byrne suggested the district council contact the HSE and stress the point to them the recent statistics for the Enniscorthy district would merit a test centre locally.

Director of Services Carolyn Godkin said the Council were in touch with the HSE for a location in Enniscorthy as a pop-up centre and are still available for support at that location. The issue is led by the HSE who have not made a formal request, but the Council is supportive of a district test centre should the HSE require it.

Cllr Jackser Owens offered his support for Cllr Byrne’s proposal. He had spoken to two people who had no transport. He rang the HSE who said they might be out in five days, “That is unacceptable,” said Cllr Owens who seconded Cllr Byrne’s proposal.

Cllr John O’Rourke said that Enniscorthy Red Cross could play a part because they have their own ambulance fleet and jeeps, and they may be able to put a communique in place that they may be added to the service and assist with transport to the Wexford Test Centre.

Cllr Aidan Browne agreed with his fellow councillors but suggested the possibility of a vaccination centre in the town. “That should be a priority, after all we are in the centre of the county,” he concluded.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy asked the proposer, Cllr Byrne, if he would be happy to add the vaccination centre to the proposal. The members agreed. “If it isn’t needed for one it may be used for the other,” she concluded.

€112,659 for six Wexford projects

By Dan Walsh

The Government has today announced funding of €112,659 for six Wexford walking trails and outside recreation.

The ancient bridge at Duncormick and the entrance to the St. Clomaun’s River Walk.

€20,000 will be used for signage and improvement works at St. Clomaun’s Way River Walk at Duncormick. The Murrintown Community Trail has been granted €20,000 for the extension of the walking trail. And a similar amount goes to Slí Carman coastal trail at Wexford town for minor beach improvements.

€17,405 in funding has been announced for the Mount Nebo and Killanerin-Curragh Wood trail in North Wexford. €17,636 is earmarked for the development of the Kilmicheal Point Trail in the same area. And €17,618 is available for the Boro River Walking Trail at Borodale, near Enniscorthy.

Air and sea search at Wexford Harbour

By Dan Walsh

**Wexford RNLI Lifeboat searching Wexford Harbour tonight.**

Wexford RNLI Lifeboat was launched at 7.42pm this evening after a few sources reported seeing a red flare in the skies above Wexford Harbour.

An intensive search ensued with the Wexford RNLI crew supported by Rosslare Harbour RNLI and the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117.

Nothing was sighted and the operation was stood down at 9pm.

Death of Camolin businessman

By Dan Walsh

The death has occurred of Tom Doyle, Coolnaleen, Camolin, who was a well-known businessman and sponsor of Wexford GAA championship games. Condolences to his family and friends on their sad loss at this time.

Tom Doyle was involved in the tile business for more than 40 years and developed the business (with his son and fellow director Patrick) into one of the best known in the country trading as Halo Tiles and Bathroom with modern showrooms at Main Street, Camolin. He gave employment to many local people and was regarded as a generous and progressive businessman.

He was steeped in Wexford GAA tradition. He was Chairman of Club Wexford when he signed a sponsorship deal with Wexford GAA County Board to sponsor the Tom Doyle Supplies Wexford Senior Football Championship for the first time in 2013.

His sponsorship of the senior football championship is just another of his many involvements in Wexford GAA. He was involved in the Wexford Supporters Club and helped raise much needed funds for the organisation over many years.

Deepest sympathy is extended. Beloved husband of the late Sheila, father of Anna, Patrick, and Elizabeth, brother of Larry, Peter, Ann, Mary, Patricia, and the late Sean. Deeply regretted by his loving son, daughters, brothers, sisters, daughter-in-law, Avril, sons-in-law; Fergus and Barrie, grandchildren; Peadar, James, Kate, Síle, Tom, Sean, Cáit, Ellen, Patrick, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. RIP.

Due to Government restrictions, a private family funeral mass will take place on Monday at 11am, in St. Columba’s Church, Ballyduff, and can be viewed online. Family flowers only, donations if desired to the Hope Centre, Enniscorthy.

New Monday sailing from Rosslare to Cherbourg

By Dan Walsh

There will be increased capacity direct to mainland Europe starting on Monday as Brittany Ferries begin the 2021 crossing between Rosslare Europort and Cherbourg two months ahead of schedule with the MV Cap Finestére replacing the Connemara while essential maintenance is being carried out.

*Cap Finistère*, the fastest ship in the Brittany Ferries fleet. (Image; Brittany Ferries)

Cap Finistère, the fastest ship in the ferry company’s fleet, can accommodate 110 freight vehicles, 20 more than the Connemara, is 204 metres long and weighs 33,000 gross tonnes.

Starting on Monday, the ship will depart from Rosslare at 8pm and arrive in Cherbourg at 1.30pm the next day before leaving again at 4.45pm and returning to Ireland at 7am on Wednesday morning.

During the rest of the week, it will make two crossings between Rosslare and Bilbao in Spain.

In a statement, Brittany Ferries said it was moving to “support the freight sector and to meet the needs of an industry battling Brexit”.

“Irish and French hauliers have traditionally relied on the UK-land bridge when transporting goods to and from mainland Europe,” the ferry company said, but added; “However, since the beginning of the year, more companies have sought an alternative to the additional administration, new formalities, greater costs and potential delays that come from carrying goods though the UK.”

General Manager of Rosslare Europort, Glenn Carr said that the port welcomed the “swift response to the needs of the Irish industry in commencing this year’s Rosslare to Cherbourg services two months earlier than planned.”

Local Cllr Lisa McDonald told WexfordLocal.com; “The good news keeps coming for Rosslare Europort. Rosslare continues to cement itself as Ireland’s Gateway to Europe.”