WexfordLocal.com

Enniscorthy Flood Relief is ‘not for signing’

By Dan Walsh

The Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme documents are with the OPW and Wexford County Council, but they are certainly not on the Minister’s desk in Dublin, so there is no point in local delegations to the Minister’s office demanding a signature anytime soon.

The matter rose in a tide of frustration and persistent questions from concerned members at last Monday’s March meeting held with Microsoft Teams in compliance with Covid-19 restrictions. The debate was triggered during the monthly report on the Flood Relief Scheme.

Cllr Jackser Owens told the meeting how he discovered the minutes of the meeting of June 19^th 2012 by the OPW when the €45 million contract was signed with Eddie Breen, the then County Manager, John Murphy, the regional manager OPW and Tim Joyce and he felt it was time “for we, as a Council, meet the two ministers Pascal Donohue and Michael McGrath, with a view to getting the project signed off.

“The talking has to stop! I proposed last year to meet this Minister – it was turned down by the Council – it was turned down – and we said we would write to the Minister – but I think it is time to speak to this Minister now and ask him face-to-face when is he signing off on the Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme? thundered Cllr Owens.

“We need the District Manager to ring him up and look for an emergency meeting because we have been flooded almost twice in the last couple of weeks,” said Cllr Owens who added; “I am asking the Council to meet these people – not to write to them – but to meet them and talk to the Minister and ask him will he sign it and when is he going to sign it because we have nobody to go in and ‘bang that door’ to get it signed.”

Cllr Cathal Byrne was “very disappointed” to learn that the tender process was collapsed by Wexford County Council and re-tendering will happen and contractors will be asked to re-submit their submission of interest.

Larry McHale, Executive Engineer, said the matter raised by Cllr Owens will be a matter for the manager and the Council. In relation to Cllr Byrne’s question relating to the shortlisting of the pre-qualification procurement process for the bridge is split into two parts. This is not expected to delay the project.

Director of Services Carolyne Godkin acknowledged Cllr Owens frustrations. “At the moment I believe we don’t have a timeframe for the scheme confirmation,” Ms Godkin asked, and this confirmed by Mr McHale, who claimed that once the information is received from the OPW – “we expect that to be done by June” – and Ms Godkin suggested that until that happens a meeting with the Minister would not bring a result because he won’t be able to sign in lieu of the information being submitted.

Cllr Aidan Browne said that the impression was given that the project was on the Minister’s desk and was just not signed. “A simple question; Is it on the Minister’s Desk or is it still in County Hall. He cannot sign it if it is not up there! The impression is given that he is not signing it,” asked Cllr Browne.

Mr McHale said confirmation documents were sent to the Minister. He carried out his review as required under the recent legislation and he has requested supplementary information to support approval of the process. “He cannot sign off until he receives our information and reviews it.”

Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy said there is very little point in looking to meet the Minister when it is not on his desk for signing and he is waiting for information from us.

Cllr Owens disagreed and spoke about the information going up to the Minister in 2019, however Cllr Murphy told him it had been sent back for further information. “It is not with the Minister now; the ball is in the court of the OPW and Wexford County Council.”

Ms Godkin clarified that the detail would have to be re-submitted to the Minister.

Walsh’s wonderful win at Wexford

By Dan Walsh

The family combination of John and James Walsh, had a wonderful victory at Wexford today when High Stakes won his fifth race from six starts, and his first on the racecourse, at the special point-to-point flat race card, one of a small number such fixtures introduced by the HRI to facilitate the void caused by Covid-19 and the temporary suspension of point-to-points.

A winner of four point-to-points from five starts since last September, High Stakes (10/11 fav.) was a most impressive winner of the Killinick INH Flat Race. Ridden by James Walsh, son of the owner and trainer John, the seven-year-old bay led and disputed in the early stages and had his 10 rivals off the bridle from the three furlong marker and he soon powered clear in the straight, going on to register an easy 18 length win.

It was a first track success for John Walsh, who has six or seven in training at Prebin, Tinahely. “He is a fair bit of a horse. He is for sale, but we will see what happens. He could go for another bumper now.”

Action got under way with the Lingstown race for colts and geldings and the winner came from the Cappoquin stables of Shane O’Brien in the form of Henry Box Brown (17/2) ridden by Darragh Allen from Kilworth.

All races were named after Wexford point-to-point tracks and the Monksgrange race for colts and geldings over two miles and two furlongs was popular with entries and was run in two divisions.

Michael Kennedy from Inishannon, Co. Cork, saddled Hurlerontheditch (11/1) to win division one with Michael O’Sullivan from Mallow up, holding off the Barry O’Neill/Colin Bowe partnership with Chrissies Diamond one and three-quarter lengths behind.

Harley Dunne from Blackwater was involved in an unusual outcome in division two. He trained the winner, Pull Again Green (8/1) ridden by Shane Fitzgerald and finished runner up on Gris Gris Top for Carlow trainer Aidan Fitzgerald (no relation to rider Shane). The winning verdict was one and a quarter lengths.

Sean Doyle sent out first timer Love Envoi (8/1) in the Ballinaboola mares race which resulted in a success for Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan. The runner-up was Miss Tempo from the in-form Waterford stable of Henry de Bromhead. What a championship week he has enjoyed!

The Island race for mares was also divided and run over two and a half miles. The Jenny and Benny Walsh partnership from Tomhaggard were in winning form in the first division. Crossgales Ophelia (6/1) obliged with veteran Benny in the saddle by three and a half lengths. Meath trainer Gavin Cromwell, fresh from a double success at Cheltenham, supplied the favourite, Eyre Square, (5/4 fav.) to gain an easy seven and a half lengths victory in division two. This was a third victory for promising young rider Joey Dunne, (18), from Dunboyne.

It was a fine afternoon, ground conditions were described as “soft, yielding in places, and sadly no spectators due to Covid-19 protocols. Hope you enjoy the highlights courtesy of Horse Racing Ireland. The Tote aggregate was €109,968 compared with €103,118 last year.

Wexford cheers Cheltenham champions

By Dan Walsh

There were no crowds to cheer the winners at Cheltenham this year and the record-breaking success enjoyed by the Irish contingent, an amazing 23 victories from 28 races – and numerous placings – tells its own sporting story and a strong Wexford contingent played a major role in ‘the Olympics of Steeplechasing’.

Sean Flanagan, (33), from Robinstown, New Ross, has secured a pilot’s licence recently and not only did he fly over to Cheltenham, but he also flew up the hill to gain his first festival success on Jeff Kidder at the amazing odds of 80/1 by two lengths in the Grade 3 handicap hurdle on Tuesday.

Enniscorthy trainer Paul Nolan saddled his third festival winner with Mrs Milner, (12/1) in Wednesday’s Grade 3 Pertemps Network Final. The Master of Toberona Stables previously enjoyed festival success with Noble Prince (2011) and Tony McCoy up, and earlier with Dabiroun (2005) for the O’Gorman family, Kellystown, Adamstown, and leading jockey Nina Carberry.

Jordan Gainford, (20), from Caim who learned his trade with Colin Bowe at Kiltealy, and only joined the professional ranks a few weeks ago, registered the first Cheltenham festival winner on The Shunter, (9/4 fav.) by three lengths in Thursday’s Grade 3 handicap chase. He also rode two ‘seconds’ at the festival, so what a start to his professional career!

Sean O’Keeffe, (22), from Harveystown, Taghmon, won the last race of the 2021 festival on the Willie Mullins trained Galopin Des Champ (8/1) in the conditional jockey’s handicap hurdle. Both Gainford and O’Keeffe came into racing via the point-to-point route and their racing talent began to emerge from the early stages.

The unluckiest jockey was Jonathan Moore from Adamstown. He had five booked rides at the festival, but had to give them all up when the after effects of a fall at Naas on Sunday proved problematic and he conceded his rides on the grounds that he could not do them justice at championship level. Two of them ended up in the winner’s enclosure.

Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead won the Cheltenham Gold Cup today (Friday) with Minella Indo, a winner of the MW Hickey Memorial Chase at Bettyville Park last October. Rachael Blackmore, (31), who rode six winners to became top jockey at the festival, was in the saddle for the Wexford win that plotted his path to Gold Cup glory. She changed her mind for today’s Gold Cup and swapped allegiance to A Plus Tard who was runner-up in the big race.

It was a brilliant week for Irish racing and a sledgehammer response to the ‘loose cannons’ who were abusing their privilege of public platform to prematurely predict the demise of horse racing and dance on the stable dunghill for reasons uncalled for! Covid-19 calls on us all to hold off on the celebrations but it allows the positive mental health of satisfaction and pride in our humans and animals in times of achievement against the odds!

Gorey Town Park; “Are we stopped at €2.76m?”

By Dan Walsh

There were robust exchanges concerning the delay in completing Gorey Town Park and the escalating cost of the project when members assembled electronically for the March meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held by Microsoft Teams within the Covid-19 guidelines last Tuesday.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Sullivan, who described the situation as ‘a mini-children’s hospital debacle’ pointed out that it was never the intention to hold anybody to the €1.2 million first mooted in 2016, but he added “in 2018 it went up to €1.8 million; in 2019; €2.3 million; 2021, €2.76 million”, and he noted an upward trajectory and was concerned at “where is it going to stop?”

“We are €1 million over-shooting the runway at this stage. Are we stopped at €2.76m?,” said Cllr Sullivan, who added; “Everybody is getting tired at this stage. We only lost from the 27^th of March to the 18^th of May – that was the official Level 5 lockdown for the construction industry. And work didn’t close again until the 8^th of January.”

Cllr Pip Breen said it was anticipated that the Town Park would be completed in October and were assured that planting would be done before the weather broke, but what was promised was not delivered.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux recalled a chat about an invitation for the CEO to come to a meeting to discuss issues, like the Town Park, He questioned if correspondence had been received and if there is a date set for a meeting with the CEO?

Cllr Devereux felt that some accountability was necessary and an explanation as to how a project escalates from 2019, or a bit further back, by €1 million in a town with a population of less than 10,000 people!

**Plans for Gorey District Park are displayed at the entrance. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)**

Cllr Devereux reminded members that there were issues around the original tender. “This project is about footpaths, open top soil, planting and a pretty limited number of structures, none of which are formidable.”

“If you take it that there are only around 2,000 families in the 10,000 people in Gorey and only a limited number of people will use this park on a limited basis – the cost per person per population of Gorey – shows that the figures are completely off the scale,” concluded Cllr Devereux, who stated that the people of Gorey needs to know what is happening!

Cllr Fionntán Ó’Suilleabháin said that it is a fact that in this country lots of big contracts is seen as public money – easy money – you basically name your price. “That has been the culture in the country with local authorities. We saw it with Courtown Pier Works, the Market House – the initial figure compared to the present figure, there is a massive difference – and there is no reason that the planting in the Town Park could not be going ahead right now!

Cllr Andrew Bolger agreed with his fellow councillors on the Town Park. “If we as county councillors ask for something extra out of Wexford County Council we are told ‘it is not budgeted for’, which we accept, but if a contract is signed at €1.2 million that is allowed to reach €2.7 million of taxpayer’s money it is very disheartening and the councillors frustrations in relation to this project are justified. “We must have accountability on these contracts because we are going to continue to waste taxpayer’s money when all we are trying to do is to give local people somewhere to go for a stroll and use the amenities for something they have already paid through their LPT (Local Property Tax),” concluded Cllr Bolger.

Cllr Donal Kenny agreed with the members. “Over €18 million came down from Dublin to Wexford last week to be divided up and there wasn’t a penny of it came back across the River Slaney,” he added.

Cllr Sullivan summed up the depth of feelings amongst members regards Gorey Town Park. “When you bring it down to layman’s language it is a case of; Start when you like. Finish when you like. Do what you like and charge what you like. Have we a start date, a finish date, a cost, the variable budget – have we all those things in writing from our contractor?

“We need to be told what is going on,” said Cllr Sullivan, while Cllr Mary Farrell agreed that there are many questions that need to be answered.

Cigarettes seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers at Rosslare Europort seized approximately 13,400 cigarettes and 830 grams of tobacco following the search of a Czech registered van at the Wexford port yesterday (Monday).

The illicit cigarettes branded ‘Benson & Hedges Option’, ‘Rothmans’, ‘L&M Red’, ‘L&M Blue’ and tobacco branded ‘Drum’, have an estimated retail value of over €10,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €7,932.

The illegal cigarettes were discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched a Czech registered van that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France. The search, which was carried out with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, led to the discovery of the cigarettes concealed within the load.

A Czech national in his 40’s was questioned. Investigations are ongoing.

The seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and the shadow economy. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.

Danger in four Wexford water supplies

By Dan Walsh

Pesticide exceedances have been detected in the public drinking water supply in four water supply areas in Co. Wexford across 2019 and 2020. The exceedance was detected as part of Irish Water’s public water supply monitoring programme.

**The River Sow passing through beautiful Edenvale.**

The Clonroche, Davidstown, South Regional Supply Scheme and Wexford Town water supply were the supply areas that showed exceedances across 2019 and 2020. Irish Water is asking users of any herbicide or pesticide products in the River Sow at Edenvale, Coolree Reservoir and the Owenduff River as well as users in the Clonroche and Davidstown catchment to consider the vulnerability of the water supplies to pesticide contamination and the importance of this supply to the local homes and businesses in the community.

Pat Duggan, Irish Water’s Regional Drinking Water Compliance Specialist said: “In Co. Wexford, the exceedance of the drinking water regulations for MCPA, Bentazone, Glyphosate, 2,4-D, Metaldehyde and Triclopyr was dedicated in four drinking water supplies. There were seven detections in 2019 and nine in 2020 across those water supply areas. While our consultation with the HSE has concluded that the levels seen do not represent a threat to public health, it is however undesirable and therefore imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when using herbicides or pesticides and seek out alternatives.”

36% of households have no rubbish bin!

By Dan Walsh

It is a staggering statistic, but 36% of households have no rubbish disposal bins, and at Monday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held with Microsoft Teams in compliance with Covid-19 protocol, members were shocked at the findings and wondered what can be done to extinguish the unacceptable scourge of littering and illegal dumping.

A commissioned analysis of bin usage in housing estates in Enniscorthy and Bunclody at undisclosed locations concluded that 36% of houses in the areas surveyed do not have a refuse bin!

“That is a huge amount that is not going into the rubbish collection system,” said District Manager, Ger Mackey, who added; “In one case on the Kiltealy road we collected 36 bags of rubbish – half a ton of litter from that road – and possibly you could pick a similar amount from the New Ross road out towards Clonroche. It is a minority who are offending, but we have seven staff working here in town and 60% of their time is spent picking up rubbish and dog fouling and they would be more productively employed making Enniscorthy better.”

Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy described as “shocking” the District Manager’s observation that 60% of the Council staff in Enniscorthy are picking up other people’s rubbish and dealing with dog fouling. “The local authority is expected to clean up after 36% of people who refuse to get bins. “That is absolutely shocking,” she concluded.

Cllr John O’Rourke recalled a trend in Enniscorthy and Ferns of people stockpiling rubbish in their back gardens that created rat infestation problems. “Neighbours are stockpiling and don’t have a bin. This is a crazy carry on”, he added.

Cllr Jackser Owens said he was baffled at the figure – 36% don’t have bins – and asked the District Manager; “do you know who these people are? He replied, ‘yes’ and Cllr Owens queried “can we write to these people and ask them where their rubbish go?” Cllr Owens said that “everywhere you go you see bags on the roads. This is not good enough. Everybody should have a bin. It is as simple as that and they should subscribe to the service like everybody else.”

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan said they have taken “the carrot and the stick approach” to disposal of rubbish and “nothing seems to be working” a system that works needs to be devised and she said “if 36% of people in a housing estate haven’t got bins they should be pursued, bring them to the courts, and what funding is spent on cleaning up after people that can’t take responsibility for themselves – it’s just beyond a joke at this stage!

Cllr Aidan Browne referred to the 36% figure as “shocking” and he recalled recently reporting a housing estate issue and he complimented the District Manager on attempting to find out who has or has not bins and “he is trying to get it cleaned up” and he suggested “outside the box” thinking was necessary such as signage and education through the schools as a way forward.

Cllr Cathal Byrne recalled that last year 22 people were convicted in the courts for illegal dumping, and he believed they should “be named and be shamed” and he felt that might be a role for the media!

Director of Services Carolyne Godkin summed up by agreeing with the members and admitting that she could not add much to the debate. “It is utterly disgraceful and unfortunately there is a portion of society that will only respond to enforcement and that means that we have to tackle individual households – over 50,000 household across the county – and it only takes a small portion of those households to create a disproportionate impact in terms of dumping on our estates and our roadways.”

Ms Godkin added that the waste disposal bye-laws require householders to demonstrate how they dispose of their waste. “We can’t force people to get a bin, but they have to be able to demonstrate how they dispose of their refuse in an appropriate manner,” she concluded.

€18.4m to progress Trinity Wharf

By Dan Walsh

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has announced €74 million for the South-East under ‘Call 2’ of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and Trinity Wharf in Wexford town is included with welcome funding of €18.4 million.

**An artist’s impression of Trinity Wharf in Wexford. Image wexfordcoco.ie**

The 10-acre Trinity Wharf project is central to Wexford County Council’s ambitious plans to attract foreign direct investment and high-quality employment opportunities to County Wexford. With overall project investment estimated at €120 million, including €26 million of public investment, the huge regeneration project is central to the long-term regeneration and enhancement of Wexford town and environs by creating a new urban quarter for the south of Wexford town with new links to the Crescent and town centre area.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Ger Carthy described the funding announcement as “a truly significant milestone in Wexford’s economic development. “It means that Wexford County Council’s ambition to develop Trinity Wharf as a multi-use regeneration project of regional scale has now become a reality,” he added.

Mayor of Wexford Cllr Leonard Kelly said; “Regeneration projects such as Trinity Wharf are all about making these areas more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest.”

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Mr. Tom Enright described Trinity Wharf as one of the most exciting and ambitious economic developments projects ever proposed in the county. “Trinity Wharf is an example of how the local authority has taken a diverse set of needs, including economic, social and recreational and integrated these into a progressive, modern, fit-for-purpose multi-use development project that can transform the economic and social landscape of County Wexford” said Mr. Enright.

The Council acquired the site in 2016 and prepared a masterplan and preliminary designs for the creation of a high-quality mixed-use development of modern office space, hotel accommodation, multi-storey carparking, a landmark cultural and events multi-use building together with dozens of residential units, a new marina and a boardwalk linking Trinity Wharf to Paul Quay and the Crescent.

Good day for Wexford ‘points’ stables

By Dan Walsh

With no point-to-point racing due to Civid-19 restrictions Horse Racing Ireland secured a small number of point-to-point bumpers and when the first day’s action was run at Punchestown this afternoon, there was plenty of Wexford success.

**BARRY O’NEILL had a double at Punchestown today.**

Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill won both races for four-year-old geldings with the favourites, Ernest Gray (5/2 jt-fav) and Last Quarter (7/4 fav) for owners Milestone Partnership and John Brennan. Both are for sale.

There were two races for five-year-old geldings and both brought victory to Wexford stables. Jet Of Magic scored by four lengths for Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, with Jamie Codd up, while the father and son team of Liam Kenny (handler) and James Kenny (rider) from Craanford enjoyed a one and three quarter lengths success with Green Vault (14/1). The winning owner is the Kennys neighbour Gavin Kinch.

And the five and six-years-old geldings race brought about a second win on the day for Jamie Codd aboard Wall of Fame (5/6 fav.) for Meath handler Denise Foster.

A point-to-point bumper card is scheduled for Bettyville Park on Saturday, March 20^th where plenty of local interest will be on display. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 protocols no spectators are permitted to attend at this time.

Contracts signed for Arthurstown plant

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water and Wexford County Council has signed contracts with the Sisk Group to begin works on the new wastewater plant in Arthurstown also serving the areas of Ballyhack and Duncannon providing wastewater treatment for the equivalent of almost 1,875 people.

Chairman of New Ross Municipal District, Cllr Michael Whelan warmly welcomed the news of the contract signing with the Sisk Group stating; “I have been looking forward to this day for a long time and, I would like to thank all concerned with its delivery.”

The project will see Irish Water investing €12.8m resolving an issue that has been problematic for the area for many years.
New Ross District Director for Wexford County Council, Eamonn Hore stated that “the works when completed will bring great benefits to the villages and surrounding areas in terms of environmental improvements, water quality, development, tourism and investment.”
One of Wexford’s most iconic landmarks and tourism attractions is Hook Head and 50,000 visitors flock to this ancient lighthouse each year.

Centre Manager Lorraine Waters said; “Hook lighthouse is delighted to hear its partnering villages at Duncannon, Arthurstown and Ballyhack have had the contracts signed for their new wastewater treatment plant, as all our areas are striving to go green and become more eco-friendly this is indeed good news, especially in a time where we are now hoping to, in the coming years increase our visitor capacity to our beautiful county.”

Séamus Glynn, Irish Water’s Regional Delivery Lead said; “This is such a beautiful part of the country and to think that the equivalent of 1,500 wheelie bins of raw sewage was flowing into the Barrow, Nore, Suir estuary every day is extremely disappointing. The size and scale of the challenge of raw sewage discharging into our water ways is well documented, however, the good news is that Irish Water has a plan to get to grips with this and with this project, we will eliminate that practice in this area and go a long way to not only supporting social and economic development but to protect our marine life in the years to come too.”

Site investigation and clearance work will begin shortly with the main works to follow in the coming months, with the project due to be completed in 2023. The treatment plant will support social and economic development in these areas of Wexford and will also safeguard marine life.