WexfordLocal.com

Wexford newcomers are successful

By Dan Walsh

Award-winning champion handler Colin Bowe sent out newcomer Here Comes The Man to win the five-year-old geldings maiden race at Boulta, Co. Cork, today for Toomevara owner James Grace. The mount of Rob James Here Comes The Man was an impressive winner by ten lengths. He is for the sales.

Hard luck on champion Barry O’Neill who was committed to riding Colin Bowe’s runners at Olcastle, unfortunately, the Meath track was found to be waterlogged in places this morning and the races were cancelled.

Ellen Doyle’s Tomgarrow Lane stables continued in winning form when newcomer Setme Straightmate had a dozen lengths to spare in the maiden race for four-year olds in the hands of John O’Neill. The winner is sales bound.

Today’s other point-to-point action was at Stradbally. The popular Laois track is always good for Wexford stables and the success continued in heavy conditions this afternoon.

Cormac Doyle, Ballindaggin, captured the second division of the maiden race for four-year olds with newcomer Ozzie Man getting home first by two lengths for Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick in the colours of the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership.

Division two of the five-year olds plus mares’ maiden race resulted in victory for Dazzling Glory from the Redbridge Stables, Duncormick, trained by Michael Murphy and ridden by Sean Staples.

Most impressive winner of the day was High Stakes who became the first horse to win four races this season and was runner-up in his only other outing when he won the Winner of Three race by six lengths for owner/handler John Edward Walsh, Prebin, Tinahely. Winning rider, James Walsh, said afterwards that High Stakes “could go for an Open before contesting a hunter chase in the New Year.”

Equally impressive was James Devereux’s home-bred Mr Mantilla who was a six lengths winner in the Open Race and could be aimed at the Foxhunters Chase next Spring. Trained by the owner/breeder’s son Vincent Devereux at Rostoonstown Stud, Broadway – it was his 30^th career success as a handler – and ridden today by Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, Mr Mantilla was winning his third race of the season and has won five of his six career starts. Ironically, his only defeat was in a photo-finish at Lingstown last March in a race sponsored by the family stud business!

NUJ support for striking workers

The Irish South East branch of the National Union of Journalists presented a cheque to the striking Debenhams workers at City Square, Waterford, in solidarity as their union struggle continues. The presentation took place on Saturday made by Chairperson, Damien Tiernan of WLR.

**DAMIEN TIERNAN (extreme right), Chairperson of NUJ South East Branch. presenting a cheque to striking Debenhams workers in Waterford.**

“It is only €200. Wish we could have given more.” said Mr Tiernan, who added; The money goes towards small Christmas hampers which other trade unionists are organising for those picketing. Hope ye get justice folks. Our hearts go out to ye and wish we could do more. Ye are inspirational.”

Dan Walsh, managing editor of WexfordLocal.com who is Treasurer and Acting Secretary for the NUJ South East Branch, acknowledged the trade union difficulties encountered by the Debenhams workers and fully endorsed the NUJ support. “We need to show solidarity with our unionised colleagues and ensure that they are treated fairly with dignity at work and when employment ceases.”

Mr Walsh is well aware of the stress caused by job losses and recalls his own situation when The Wexford Echo was liquidated in the High Court and local journalism jobs were lost in June 2017. “I was working normally. Told a meeting would take place in an hour. Less than two hours later and I was instructed ‘no need to turn in next morning and no newspaper will be published next week,’ he recalled.

In April, the NUJ Irish South East branch donated €250 to NUJ Extra which is a charity established to assist union members unable to work.

Ships on new Rosslare route are named

By Dan Walsh

The first two of three ferries to be deployed on DFDS’s new Brexit Buster Rosslare to Dunkerque route have been named KERRY which was previously used on Brittany Ferries Rosslare to Bilbao route and will be joined by Rederi AB Gotland’s VISBY. The identity of the third vessel is expected to be confirmed next week.

While KERRY is well known in Irish shipping and haulage circles, VISBY is a new vessel to both the English Channel and Irish Sea. Completed by Guangzhou Shipyard in 2003, the ship was originally designed for the Visby – Nynashamn/Oskarshamn service in Sweden. Although configured as a day ferry, VISBY also has 119 passenger cabins onboard. By contrast, KERRY has 79.

Brittany Ferries ship KERRY (Pic; Brittany Ferries/ Jose Luis Diaz Compa).

VISBY was designed to sail at up to 28 knots, though it seems unlikely DFDS will utilise this speed given the high fuel consumption required to achieve it. VISBY has been chartered until May with the option of an extension.

KERRY will become the fourth Visentini series Ro-Pax in service between Ireland and Continental Europe when she joins the route. The others are Irish Ferries EPSILON, Stena Line’s STENA HORIZON, and Brittany Ferries CONNEMARA. The Dunkerque – Rosslare service is expected to start next month once the UK leaves the current EU transition arrangements.

€200m Government investment “urgently needed” in Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Independent TD and former President of the IRHA, (Irish Road Haulage Association) Verona Murphy has welcomed the announcement by Stena Line today of an additional vessel on the Rosslare Europort to Cherbourg route and the doubling of weekly sailings. This will bring Stena Line frequency on the route from three to six times weekly each way direct services from January 2021.

This follows the announcement just two weeks ago by DFDS of a new six times weekly each way direct service between Rosslare and Dunkerque and means Rosslare Europort will be Ireland’s leading port connecting Irish industry to Europe, with up to 15 sailings each way weekly in 2021.

Deputy Murphy has said “this announcement goes further to opening up markets for Irish businesses. It is long overdue and is greatly welcomed by hauliers and businesses alike. Today’s announcement from Stena Line further supports the RORO capacity needed to service import and export trade.

The Independent TD continued; “Significant government investment into Rosslare Europort, in the region of €200 million, is now needed without delay so as not to hinder capacity and future trade opportunities. Irelands economy is dependent on the growth of Rosslare Europort. Government can no longer ignore the fact that Rosslare is Irelands most strategically placed port, and that Port development is pivotal in securing Irelands import and export trades, Irish businesses and Irish jobs.”

Ms. Murphy concluded by commending Stena Line on their forward thinking in light of the Brexit chaos which will ensue in January 2021 and Europort manager Glenn Carr for his ongoing work with stakeholders in developing the port into Irelands gateway with Europe.

21,760 on Boil Water Notice for Wexford Town

By Dan Walsh

A Boil Water Notice has been put in place with immediate effect for customers served by the Wexford Town Public Water Scheme.

This notice applies to customers on the Wexford Town Public Water Supply who reside within the affected areas. This includes customers in the following areas: Newtown Road, Carcur, Carricklawn, Coolcotts, Whitemill, Wyram, Clonard, Townparks, Ard Carman, Hill Street, Barntown, Taghmon.

The Boil Water Notice has been put in place as a precaution to protect approximately 21,760 customers due to a deterioration in the quality of raw water entering supply. Customers in Wexford Town and surrounding areas are advised to boil water before use until further notice.

Brian O’Leary, Irish Water’s Operations Lead for Wexford, said: “We acknowledge the impact and inconvenience caused by the imposition of a Boil Water Notice to homes and businesses. We are working with our partners in Wexford County Council, in consultation with the HSE, to address this issue and lift this notice as soon as it is safe to do so. We wish to thank the community for their patience and cooperation while we work to resolve this issue. Our priority is the provision of safe, clean drinking water and safeguarding that water supply for the future is a vital focus.”

Irish Water is contacting customers registered on the vulnerable customers register affected by this Boil Water Notice. Irish Water would like to remind customers to follow the HSE COVID-19 advice and ensure frequent handwashing.

For queries regarding this Boil Water Notice, customers should contact Irish Water directly on our customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1850 278 278.

Deputy Murphy supports Mental Health

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Independent TD Verona Murphy, along with her colleagues in The Regional Independent Group of TDs, have secured cross party support for their motion on Mental Health which was brought to the Dail floor on Wednesday morning.

Speaking from Leinster House Deputy Murphy said “Referrals for mental health services have significantly increased during the pandemic. The pandemic continues to have a profound impact on people; increasing social isolation, loneliness, anxiety, depression and undermining the social and cultural supports that we all rely on. The Government needs to stop talking about what they intend to do and put action to their promises. The mental health system was not adequately prepared to cope with the significant increase in demand experienced over the last few months”.

Ms. Murphy added; “The Covid-19 pandemic is impacting profoundly on the mental health of our population regardless of age. It is having detrimental effects on young and older people and support services available to them. Over 2,000 young people are awaiting appointments for CAMHS. Our own CAMHS unit in County Wexford remains without a child psychologist and dietician and I will be working hard and demanding that these vital positions are filled without further delay.”

Concluding, Deputy Murphy said; “The Government’s response to the pandemic cannot continue to deny or delay access to people who urgently require mental health supports. We need to apply a whole-of-society approach to promote, protect and care for mental health, as mental health actions need to be considered essential components of the continued national response of COVID-19.

New 100,000 trees and hedging plants programme

By Dan Walsh

Glanbia Ireland and its family farm suppliers are embarking on an exciting new initiative to drive increased planting of trees and hedgerows in the Irish countryside through the Operation Biodiversity programme utilising Ireland’s experienced CountryLife horticulturalists to work with farmers to further enhance and enrich the landscape.

Renowned environmental educator and broadcaster Éanna Ní Lamhna pictured launching the tree and hedgerow planting initiative. Glanbia Ireland and its family farm suppliers are embarking on an exciting new initiative to plant 100,000 trees and hedging plants in the Irish countryside through its new Operation Biodiversity programme. Pic; Finbarr O’Rourke.

Glanbia Ireland Chairman John Murphy said that the business will donate significant volumes of trees and hedging plants as part of a long-term programme to encourage biodiversity.

“We believe that by working together through our Operation Biodiversity programme we can help enrich our landscape for generations to come. Every single tree or metre of hedgerow planted makes a difference and builds on the great work that many farmers are already doing. We are aiming to plant 100,000 trees and hedging plants, however, that is just the first step,” he said.

To help drive this initiative, Glanbia Ireland will donate 10 bare root trees for every low-cost bundle of 15 trees purchased. The options feature a “Rich Species Bundle” to suit both limey and acidic soils, including a variety of trees such as Oak, Alder and Mountain Ash.

In addition, for every two hedgerow bundles purchased Glanbia Ireland will donate a further bundle to cover an additional 10 metres. Each low-cost hedgerow bundle has been carefully selected and includes 40 plants, which are a mixture of both bare root trees and hedging plants.

Operation Biodiversity has teamed up with renowned environmental educator and broadcaster, Éanna Ní Lamhna, and is supported by the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

Environmentalist Éanna Ní Lamhna explained: “This is a great initiative. Vibrant hedgerows on farms provide wildlife corridors for many of the insects, birds and mammals that are such a help to the farming operations. They also provide much needed shelter for grazing animals. Pockets of trees on farms play their part in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow and so all help to combat climate change. The native species being donated by Glanbia Ireland will grow very well on Irish soils and enhance the appearance of the farms on which they are planted.”

For further details on the Operation Biodiversity initiative and to follow our blogs and educational videos check out www.glanbiaconnect.com and www.countrylife.ie

€94.5k splashed out on Wexford pools

By Dan Walsh

Funding to the tune of €94,589 in supports is to be provided to leisure centres in Wexford to assist them through what has been an extremely challenging time.

PAUL KEHOE TD welcomes funding for swimming pools

The funding is being provided as follows:

Brandon House Hotel Leisure Centre – €6,100

Club Amber, Amber Springs Hotel – €6,100

Club Vitae Clayton Whites Hotel – €6,959

Club Vitae Leisure Club, Maldron Hotel – €6,443

Club Whitford Leisure Centre – €9,021

Kelly’s Aqua Club – €9,536

Riverside Park Hotel Leisure Club – €6,787

Seafield Hotel & Resort – €6,787

Talbot Fitness Wexford – €5,756

The Apex – €11,168

The Waterfront Pool and Leisure Centre – €9,966

Wexford Swimming Pool & Leisure – €9,966

Paul Kehoe TD said; “Swimming is the second-highest participation sport among adults in Ireland and this funding will help swimming pool operators continue to provide safe and essential service at a time when physical activity is more important than ever.”

Winners in Kilmuckridge… it could be you!

By Dan Walsh

A few weeks after winning the All-Ireland Pride of Place title, Kilmuckridge is in the national spotlight again as residents of the village and district are urged to check their EuroMillions tickets after the National Lottery confirmed the winning location for Friday night’s €500,000 win.

**A EuroMillions winner in Kilmuckridge but in what direction?**

The winning Quick Pick ticket was sold on Friday at Hammel’s Centra Store in Kilmuckridge village.

The winning EuroMillions Plus numbers are; 01, 03, 37, 41 and 46.

Plenty of speculation locally as to who the winner might be – some suggest it was a local syndicate of nine people? – but it is unlikely we will ever know? Congratulations all the same.

This is the 27^th time this year that the EuroMillions Plus top prize of €500,000 has been won in Ireland.

The winning ticket holder is advised to sign the back of their ticket and to get in touch with the National Lottery claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie and arrangements will be made for them to claim their prize.

Funding for Cahore Inshore Rescue

By Dan Walsh

Good news. Approval of €3,000 grant aid to Cahore Inshore Rescue from Wexford County Council Community Enhancement Scheme.

Independent Cllr Mary Farrell is delighted; “I was more than happy to work with the group to submit the application and secure the funding. This is a vital and worthwhile service and I’m happy to support the group in any way I can. Best of luck with the project.”