WexfordLocal.com

“Ignorant people who are dumping”

By Dan Walsh

It is as sure as day follows night that members raise the scourge of illegal dumping at County Council meetings and a debate on the second stage of the Local Government (use of CCTV in Prosecution of Offences) Bill came before Seanad Éireann on Friday.

Wexford’s Senator Malcolm Byrne said; “I get several complaints from working-class areas about the dumping that is happening in their communities, as well as what is happening in rural communities. There is a real demand to have this issue addressed. Given the powers that local authorities have, it is not that the GDPR is preventing CCTV being used; it is simply that the underpinning legislation is not in place.

“A number of colleagues have raised the fact that dumping appears to be getting worse. That is possibly because of the work of Tidy Towns crews and development groups, which have been keeping areas clear for so long that we have not noticed the extent of the scourge, but because of the pandemic the dumping has become much more visible. I notice it when I am out walking or running.

“The point was made very eloquently by Senator Pauline O’Reilly that it is not just aesthetically unpleasing, but it is really damaging to the environment and especially to livestock. I do not care about privatisation or any such arguments because this is about civic responsibility. It costs more to load a bag into the back of a van and drive out a country road to dump it into a field than it does to bring it into a civic amenity site and dispose of it properly.

“This is about personal responsibility. The ignorant people who are dumping, whether it is in urban or rural areas, need to be caught and to face the full rigours of the law.”

**Over 500 beer bottles were scattered at six different locations on Knockduff Lane, near, Bree, and featured here on** *WexfordLocal.com* **– February 17th. THEY ARE STILL THERE!**

Senator Byrne said; “Wexford County Council receives an average of 2,500 complaints about dumping or littering every year and that is replicated throughout the country. In Wexford, we spend in the order of €2.3 to €2.6 million a year dealing with waste and litter.”

“People talk about CCTV, but it is not good enough to capture somebody hopping out of a van. What we really need to look at is automated number plate recognition, ANPR, cameras. The advice is very clearly that if we use the ANPR cameras, we must ensure there is an appropriate balance between the detection of litter offenders on one side and the risks to individuals who have committed no offence if we are following particular vehicles!”, concluded Senator Byrne.

Tragic death of gifted athlete and musician

By Dan Walsh

The Bannow-Ballymitty and Kilmore region of south Wexford is in shock tonight following the death of Leona Reville, in her early ‘twenties, a star athlete and gifted musician who tragically lost her life in a road traffic collision earlier today.

She was killed in a two-vehicle collision that occurred on the Wellingtonbridge to Wexford (R733) road at the turn off for Murrintown at 6am this morning.

The driver of the other car, a woman aged in her 60s, was taken to Wexford General Hospital but her injuries are described as ‘non-life threatening’.

Leona, who worked as a special needs assistant, was actively involved in the community through sport and music. She was a member of Danescastle Music Group, where she played both the flute and tin whistle and regularly competed in national competitions.

She was also a member of Kilmore Athletics Club where her clubmates are devastated at the news. Tributes have been paid by Paddy Morgan, Chairperson of Kilmore AC. in a statement on social media tonight.

“It was with profound sadness and shock that Kilmore Athletics Club learned this morning of the tragic passing of our much loved, respected and talented member Leona Reville.

As a juvenile Leona won multiple county medals in the 100m, 200m, hurdles and High Jump. In 2014 she won a silver medal in the Leinster Under 18 High Jump in Tullamore followed by another silver medal in the Leinster Indoor Under 19 High Jump in Athlone. She was also a member of the Leinster performance squad. She took a break from athletics but made a welcome return to the club last summer.

Leona however was not only a medalist in our sport, she were a gold medalist in the human race. Kind, caring and down to earth, her personality and beaming smile always lifted our spirits.

We extend our deepest sympathies to her closest family, extended family and wide circle of friends.”

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-Anam.

Woman (20) dies in road collision

A 20 years old woman has died in a two vehicle collision that occurred on the Wellingtonbridge to Wexford (R733) road at the turn off for Murrintown at 6am this morning. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the second car, a woman in her 60s, was taken to Wexford General Hospital and her injuries are described as ‘non-life threatening’.

The road remains closed. Forensic Collision Investigators are currently carrying out their examinations.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward and for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area between 5.30am and 6am to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

€558,650 for Wexford walking trails

By Dan Walsh

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys has announced over €6.5 million in funding for 38 projects under Measure 2 of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and €558,650 goes to County Wexford walking trails.

Phase two of the Duncannon to Ballyhack Trail receives €192,150.

Our Lady’s Island to Carne Trail and Kellyswood Interlink Trail gets €200,000,

Forth Mountain Equestrian Trail and Ballybrittas Portal Tomb Walk on the side of Bree Hill gets €166,500.

News of the funding has been welcomed by local TDs and councillors. The scheme provides funding for the development, promotion and maintenance of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways, cycleways, and blueways.

This investment is in addition to €3.2 million approved for 174 smaller Measure 1 projects in January and is being funded in partnership with Fáilte Ireland.

Kilmore United receives Texaco funding

By Dan Walsh

Kilmore United FC is to receive €5,000 funding under the Texaco Support for Sport initiative by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand.

Open to sports clubs across the 26-counties, irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender, the initiative saw a fund of €130,000 being made available by Valero for distribution in equal amounts of €5,000 to successful applicants chosen on a county-by-county basis.

One of almost 400 clubs countrywide to make application under the scheme, Kilmore United has a 190-strong membership and fields two men’s teams, six under-18 teams and one women’s team.

**Soccer training equipment on green artificial turf. Material for training class of football academy.**

The club is based at Abby Troy Park, named in memory of one of its young female members who passed away suddenly in 2017 at the young age of 16 years – a loss they claim, ‘has affected our club and community deeply’.

The €5,000 award made to Kilmore United will be used to complete the development of their grounds in her name and fund efforts to attract more young women and girls to participate in sport.

Congratulating the club on its success, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited said: “A feature evident in almost all applications was the pressure felt by clubs in the current circumstances to expand their role within their local communities with increased membership demands and the need for extra equipment and improved facilities.”

“The purpose of our initiative is to help clubs to overcome these obstacles so that they continue to remain active and at the very heart of their local communities. The initiative has been so warmly welcomed by sports clubs nationwide in its launch year,” he added.

Ballagh man dies from injuries

By Dan Walsh

An elderly man who was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured while out walking near his home 10 days ago has died from his injuries at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.

Laurence ‘Larry’ Leacy, (89), was on a back road when he was struck by a vehicle at Tinraheen, The Ballagh, around 2pm on Monday, February 22^nd.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene and Mr Leacy was airlifted by helicopter to Beaumont Hospital from Oulart-The Ballagh GAA pitch.

Call for musicians singers and dancers

By Dan Walsh

The search for Ireland’s most talented family! Réalta Agus Gaolta is back and the search for Ireland’s most entertaining family, 2021! Whether your family members are talented musicians, singers or dancers, they want to hear from you now.

Do you think you can impress the judges? Keeping an eye on the talent is champion sean-nós singer and popular broadcaster Irial Ó’Ceallaigh. Alongside him will be Sinéad Ní Uallacháin, journalist and radio producer with a keen eye for up-and-coming Irish talent. Each week they will be joined by a famous guest judge from the world of showbiz.
Has your family got what it takes to become a household name? Can you and your siblings take the sing-along in the sitting room to the national stage? Will you and your parents be the next famous family rocking the country?
If so, get in touch with us now!
To apply, your group must consist of two or more members. All members of the group must be related to each other.
Filming will take place in RTÉ, Dublin later in the Spring.
Applicants must be available for at least ONE day of filming. Should an applicant reach the series semi-final and the final, they would need to be available for a SECOND day of filming.
Applicants are invited to apply via tg4.ie/realta-agus-gaolta or by contacting the production team directly at rob@adareproductions.ie

Walkers make it to safety at Bannow

By Dan Walsh

Volunteer lifeboat crew at Fethard RNLI received a call from the Irish Coast Guard on Sunday to reports of three walkers who were cut off by the incoming tide with no way of getting to safety.

The inshore lifeboat arrived at Cocklestrand, west of Bannow Island at 5.35pm. The Kilmore Quay Coast Guard unit was also tasked. Once on scene the lifeboat crew began the search for the stranded walkers. An extensive search of the north and south shoreline was carried out, but the walkers were nowhere to be seen and had made their own way to safety.

Fethard RNLI Lifeboat responded to a call at Cocklestrand. (Pic RNLI/Mark Brennan)

Mark Brennan, Fethard RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: “The member of the public did absolutely the right thing, reporting someone in difficulty. It is always better to be safe than sorry and we would much rather launch and find nothing than not launch at all, safety is always our priority.”

Mr Brennan added that people are keen to exercise outside within government guidelines and live in a beautiful area with lots of access to the coast. “However, we would advise people to keep an eye on their surroundings, in particular incoming tides and also to watch their footing on the shoreline.”

“Fethard RNLI remain on call and fully operational during the Covid-19 pandemic. There is no crew training or exercises taking place now, but we are here if people need us,” concluded Mr Brennan.

Bank customers punished for following Covid-19 regulations

By Dan Walsh

Wexford’s Sinn Féin Deputy Johnny Mythen has described today’s announcement of Bank of Ireland branch closures in Taghmon and Rosslare Harbour as the wrong decision at the worst possible time for customers and staff.

Deputy Mythen said; “Bank of Ireland closing over a third of its branches in the south and more than half of its branches in the north from September is the wrong decision. This comes in the teeth of a global pandemic and less than two weeks after Ulster Bank announced its withdrawal from the southern market. It is a huge blow for customers and staff.”

“Bank of Ireland has attempted to justify this announcement based on a fall in branch visits over the past twelve months. This is hardly surprising given the entire population had its movements significantly restricted in response to a public health emergency. In reality, the bank is using Covid-19 for cover, punishing customers for following public health regulations. This is not just a cynical move, but a slap in the face that will hurt customers, staff and communities.”

Deputy Mythen said he will be writing to the CEO of Bank of Ireland, the Minister for Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank in light of today’s announcement.

“The Minister is a major shareholder in Bank of Ireland, while the Governor is charged with consumer protection. They have a responsibility to do all they can to put the interests of customers and communities first. The taxpayer poured €4.7 billion into Bank of Ireland during the financial crisis – the least the Irish people deserve from the bank is respect,” he concluded.