News and Sport and Events that matter across County Wexford.
Two men, aged in their early 40s and late teens, were arrested and detained at Wexford Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1996 following the search of a house in the Kilmuckridge area on Friday.
A cannabis grow-house and a large quantity of amphetamine valued in total at €66,000 was seized.
Gardaí attached to the Divisional Drug Unit supported by local and regional units made the discovery as part of Operation Tara.
By Dan Walsh
In a statement issued on Friday Irish Water and Wexford County Council are asking homes and businesses to check for leaks and to conserve water where possible whilst adhering to public health advice on hand washing and hygiene regarding Covid-19.
“We are asking people to do this to protect the water supply in advance of expected freezing temperatures and snow expected in the coming days. In January, following freezing temperatures and the subsequent thaw the public water network experienced a greater than normal volume of bursts. Irish Water in partnership with Wexford County Council carried out hundreds of leakage and burst repairs arising from the cold snap.
Tom Cuddy, Head of Operations, Irish Water, told WexfordLocal.com; “As we face another spell of sub-zero temperatures over the weekend and into next week we are appealing to homes, businesses and those responsible for unoccupied buildings to check for leaks whilst adhering to current public health regulations and advice, and to turn off water where it’s not needed. We are also appealing to customers to check outside pipes that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and report leaks they see on the public network to us.
“Small efforts by everyone to conserve water wherever possible make a big difference overall and we would ask the public to only use what they need whilst continuing to adhere to public health advice on hand washing and hygiene regarding Covid-19. Simple advice on conservation includes for example taking showers over baths and fixing dripping taps where it is possible to do so.
“We are also reminding people with responsibility for properties that are currently unoccupied to check for leaks, whilst adhering to public health regulations and advice and turn off water where it is not required. There are lots more tips on how to conserve water in your home, business or school on our website at https://www.water.ie/conservation/
To report a leak please contact Irish Water on 1850 278 278
By Dan Walsh
Temperatures are set to drop dramatically and today the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management issued a statement regards potential severe weather next week.
WEATHER OUTLOOK;
There is a risk of frost/ice in some areas tonight and tomorrow night.
From Sunday night there will be widespread frost and ice and with low daytime temperatures. It will turn increasingly cold over the next few days. Low pressure is currently centred near Ireland and will sink southeastwards from today, introducing a colder northerly airflow over the country. Then as the low continues to move away to the southeast, an even colder easterly airflow will be introduced.
From Sunday night, showers will start to turn wintry in nature, but will primarily affect north Leinster and north Ulster. There is potential for yellow snow/ice warnings for these areas. Some showers will penetrate further inland, but are likely to be more isolated in nature.
Midweek next week brings a more significant threat of a widespread snow event as low pressure in the mid-Atlantic (and its associated precipitation) moves up and clashes with the colder air underneath. There is potential for countrywide yellow/orange warnings for this. Met Éireann says there are indications of a milder airflow next Friday that will move in across the country bringing more wet and windy conditions.
Co-ordinated Response Met Éireann updated the Principal Response Agencies (HSE, local authorities, An Garda Síochána) on the current outlook at a meeting this morning. Local authorities lead on the response to severe weather and are undertaking preparedness actions, including:
Making sure extra beds are available for homeless / rough sleepers in line with the Cold Weather Strategy 20/21;
Operating road treatment on key routes (winter maintenance);
Activating of crisis management and an inter-agency coordination;
Maintaining Community Call staff in place to assist vulnerable and isolated persons; Communicating information and safety messages via local news media and WexfordLocal.com.
Met Éireann, local authorities and the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management are continuing the monitor this evolving situation.
By Dan Walsh
A Wexford councillor is calling upon Wexford’s TDs to demand adequate funding for rural roads, which he claims “are devastated and resemble the surface of the moon despite the best efforts of the roads engineer and his work crews.”
Cllr Jim Codd from the Rosslare Municipal District Council is critical of the absence of funding. “In excess of €70 million has been removed from Wexford County Council’s road budget by central government since 2008. Yet central government still benefits from our road tax and the many other tariffs put on workers, homeowners and businesses,” he told WexfordLocal.com.
“The roads in south Wexford have been allowed go to pieces. Cars are being broken up on them,” said Cllr Codd, who said that some of the worst affected roads in his electoral area includes Bannow, Rathangan, Cullenstown, Ballymitty, however, he acknowledges that the same applies to many rural roads across County Wexford.
Cllr Codd says he is inundated with roads issues, which are immediately acted upon, but argues that there is only so much road crews can do without adequate funding and he is consistently calling upon Wexford’s TDs to demand extra funding for Wexford’s rural roads.
By Dan Walsh
Two Wexford growers are among the winners of the Glanbia Ireland 2020 Grain Supplier of the Year awards. Congratulations to Philip Murphy, Ballykerogue, Campile, the Green Feed Beans champion and Michael Cloney, Curracloe, winner of the Dried Feed Barley title.
Philip Murphy farms a mixed farming enterprise of tillage, suckler beef and calf-to-beef with his wife Margaret and the main crops grown on the farm are winter barley, winter wheat, spring malting barley, spring beans and fodder beet.
Michael Cloney farms in Curracloe and over the years he has built up the area farmed to 1,200 acres on which he grows a range of crops including winter wheat, winter oilseed rape, winter barley, spring barley, malting barley, feed oats and gluten free oats.
Wexford-based Glanbia Ireland Chairman John Murphy congratulated the growers whose excellence and attention to detail are recognised as central to the exceptionally high standards in the industry, as evidenced at the latest awards. He looks forward to a promising year ahead.
“Grain farmers across Ireland continue to produce extremely high quality grains, albeit in very challenging weather conditions over the past number of years. 2020 was no different with 60% more than average rainfall and high winds wreaking havoc in the south and south east, particularly in August. Despite all of this, our award winners and their fellow growers excelled and have raised the bar even further this year,” said Mr. Murphy.
By Dan Walsh
Former Teachta Dála, Leader of the Green Party and Minister of State for Food and Horticulture Rev. Trevor Sargent, is the new Rector of Bunclody Union of Parishes.
Rev. Sargent will be instituted to the incumbency of Bunclody Union of Parishes in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory on Friday night.
The service will be led by The Right Reverend Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory and the preacher will be The Very Rev. Maria Jansson, Dean of Waterford Union of Parishes where Trevor has served as curate assistant for almost three years.
Welcoming his appointment Bishop Burrows said: “Trevor’s unique journey from the life of a TD to that of a parish rector gives him a rare palette of experiences. Above all he is profoundly aware that service lies at the heart of all Ministry, whether in church or politics. The people of Bunclody will be much enriched by his passion for service, by his deep interest in people and by his firm conviction that essential to Christian mission is the obligation to safeguard creation and to sustain and renew the life of the earth.”
Mr. Sargent was ordained priest in Christ Church Cathedral Waterford in August 2018 and prior to that assisted in the Tullow Group of Parishes where he was ordained deacon in Shillelagh parish church in 2017.
Rev. Sargent, a native of Ashbourne, Co. Meath, is a former Green Party politician who served as Minister of State for Food and Horticulture from 2007 to 2010 and Leader of the Green Party from 2001 to 2007. He served as a Teachta Dála for the Dublin North constituency from 1992 to 2011.
The special ceremony on Friday night will take place via the web conferencing platform Zoom before 200 invited online guests.
By Dan Walsh
With the latest update on the Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme dominating local news headlines it is a relief to learn that Enniscorthy escaped without panic or emergency action following the weekend’s heavy downpours. No need for sandbags along Templeshannon Quay on this occasion.
The River Slaney was high at Rafter Bridge and flowing fast today, however, it never threatened to rise above the quayside. Parts of the island, north of the town, were flooded, while much of the Bear Meadows, south of Enniscorthy, were also under a considerable amount of water, however, this occurrence is not unusual.
North Wexford was badly hit by flash flooding on Saturday morning, but reports suggest that all waters subsided fairly quickly and no further flooding was reported. Some bridges are subject to inspection under health and safety.
Wexford County Council adopted bye-laws at the Council meeting held on December 14th to regulate the use of Piers, Harbours and Car Parking Areas under its custody and control at Arthurstown Slipway, Barrystown Slipway, Ballyhack Harbour, Cahore Pier, Carne Pier, Courtown Harbour, Duncannon Harbour, Fethard Harbour, Kilmore Quay Harbour, New Ross Marina and Town Quay, Rosslare Strand Moorings, Slade Harbour, St. Helen’s Pier and Wexford Harbour. The bye-laws are available to view and download from Wexford County Council’s website at www.wexfordcoco.ie/
By Dan Walsh
Following an extension of existing restrictions and additional measures announced by the government, HSE, Gardaí and Wexford County Council, in a joint special appeal issued today, are warning that “the Covid 19 incident rate in Co. Wexford in the first month of 2021 has been very worrying and remains a very serious concern.”
Director of the HSE’s South East Public Health Department. Dr. Carmel Mullaney, the Chief Officer of South East Community Healthcare Kate Killeen White. and General Manager of Wexford General Hospital Linda O’ Leary say the ongoing roll out of the Covid Vaccine and the slight reduction in figures evident this week provide some hope. However, they are anxious that older and vulnerable people are kept safe in the meantime, so that the Vaccine roll out has maximum effect and that the pandemic related demand on health services reduces to the benefit of other day to day services.
The Garda Chief Superintendent in Wexford Denis Ferry said the co-operation of the public to remain within their 5km zones was crucial in this respect. Whilst their members will continue to operate check points, the Chief Superintendent said the Gardaí echoed the appeals of the HSE and Wexford Council for people to take personal responsibility to avoid situations that are a risk to themselves, their family and their friends.
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr. Ger Carthy and Chief Executive Tom Enright agreed that a downturn in incidence of Covid-19 locally can be achieved through the continued determination of people to stay at home, to work from home where possible and to avoid meeting and socialising with others. It is imperative, the local authorities say, that everyone continues to strictly adhere to the public health advice to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this highly infectious disease.
In the current Level 5 of restrictions, everyone is being asked not just to adhere to the basics of prevention but also to stay at home – except for travel for work, education or to take exercise within 5kms of home.
The HSE, the Gardaí and Wexford County Council, in thanking the public for their efforts to date, are reminding everyone that individual actions do matter – including adherence to all the public health restrictions.
The three agencies are working hard to protect people with the aim in mind of getting to a better and safer place as a society and are urging people to continue taking precautions in relation to transmissions of Covid-19, to adhere to restrictions, and practice “the basics”:
Reduce your contacts with other people.
Wear a mask.
Keep your distance.
Wash your hands.
By Dan Walsh
Regular flooding and local concerns that the Ahare Bridge could be washed away were raised again following last weekend’s heavy flooding which occurred in a Special Area of Conservation between Tara Hill and Castletown.
“A disaster waiting to happen,” Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council told WexfordLocal.com after the most recent episode which saw the road closed to traffic for several hours.
Cllr Diarmuid Devereux told WexfordLocal.com that the Ahare river flooding is occurring annually for years and is an ongoing risk to public safety. “The fact that no remedial action has been taken, even on a short-term basis, is very difficult to understand. However it’s rural Wexford thus does anyone really care?,” he pondered.
Cllr Devereux added that the river is also a valuable habitat for sea trout and various nesting birds and deserves better attention from national and local authorities.
Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain suggests “doing something to the road, such as raising it, and/or works at the river estuary, removing sediment from time to time which can build up,” and he claims that as the estuary is a Special Area of Conservation authorities are obliged to do it in an environmentally sensitive manner, if permitted at all.”
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, Cllr Ó Súilleabhain added; “Afforestation along the nearby floodplain may also help, as trees soak up large quantities of water and help drain land on a long-term basis. I have requested an update from the coastal engineer. Funding needs to be found as quickly as possible before we have a tragedy on our hands. This has been running on for far too long.”
Former Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran T.D. paid an official visit to the Ahare River site in November 2019 to see for himself the issues that concerned the local community and its public representatives.
Cllr Joe Sullivan was elected as a representative in the formation of a working group who would progress the project. Now he finds himself pessimistic and told WexfordLocal.com “there appears to be no desire to do anything with it.”
The working group engaged with the Office of Public Works and was promised a survey to include a study into the condition of the bridge, the flood plain and environmental impact.
Findings of survey are expected to be made available in March 2021.
By Dan Walsh
The 200-page hardback memoir, The Boxwells of Butlerstown Castle, a lineage of the Boxwell, Harvey, Skrine, Stokes and St Leger families, written by Helen Skrine, a Boxwell descendant, will be featured on Nationwide presented by Helen McInerney, on RTE 1 on Monday at 7pm.
The book is edited by Anna Skrine Brunton and set in Butlerstown House, near Tacumshane, in south-east Wexford and combines the experiences of 94-year-old Helen Skrine with her interpretation of Ireland and Irish history since the arrival of the Normans in Wexford in 1169.
Helen Skrine wrote the book over a period of 30 years. She tells in descriptive, colourful, and entertaining prose about her experiences, and the history of her famous family in the 1798 Rebellion, the War of Independence of 100 years ago, World War II, and the bleak 1950s living in a big house across the yard from the historic Butlerstown Castle on its 100-acre farm.
The Boxwell story goes back in time to England of the 1600s and incorporates family relationships and connections with Bagenal Harvey of Bargy Castle, commander-in-chief of the rebels during the 1798 Rebellion in Wexford, and the legendary Oscar Wilde, whose mother was Jane Francesca Elgee from Wexford.
In more than 16 family trees dating back to the 1500s, she connects her direct family to Boxwells, Harveys, Skrines, St Legers, and more than 280 other names including Dr John Colclough of Ballyteigue Castle and Monk Gibbon. The extended families now stretch from Wexford to Ireland to England to Asia to South America and Australia.
Helen Skrine grew up in Butlerstown, spent two years in London with the BBC, and later many years in Malaysia where she lived with her late husband John Skrine, a lawyer. She started writing the manuscript about her family and her Wexford roots about 30 years ago. During the 1980s she was secretary and later president of the Wexford Historical Society for some years
Copies of The Boxwells of Butlerstown Castle, a lineage of the Boxwell, Harvey, Skrine, Stokes and St Leger families are on sale at Wexford town bookshops at €30 each, and directly from Anna Skrine-Brunton at Butlerstown, Tomhaggard, Co. Wexford, telephone 087 9803403 or email: annaskrine@hotmail.com.
WexfordLocal.com 