Revenue officers were granted a three-month cash detention order by Judge John Cheatle at a sitting of Gorey District Court yesterday (Wednesday). This followed the seizure of €20,000 at Rosslare Europort on Monday, October 12th, when, because of routine profiling, Revenue officers stopped a vehicle that had disembarked a ferry from Cherbourg, France.
The cash is suspected to be the proceeds of, or intended for use in, criminal activity and is detained by Revenue in accordance with proceeds of crime legislation. A man, originally from Lithuania, was questioned in relation to the seizure.
These operations are part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.
Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform at the Department of Justice and Equality, James Browne has welcomed the news that three Wexford monuments and historic sites will receive funding under the new Community Monuments Fund.
The core objective of the Community Monuments Fund is to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites.
View from the pilgrimage site at OUR LADY’S ISLAND
Minister Browne told WexfordLocal.com; “I am delighted that three Wexford sites have benefitted from the Community Monuments Fund. The funding will ensure that heritage is protected as a community asset and made more accessible. This measure will also allow steps to be taken under the Climate Change Action Plan in relation to our archaeological heritage.
“Wexford’s Norman Way Heritage Route boasts terrific potential. The southern coast of Wexford is brimming with medieval history. Lady’s Island’s historic monuments and the medieval church of St. Mary’s in Bannow will benefit from conservation work. Barntown Castle will benefit from improved public access because of this funding too”, Minister Browne concluded.
Two historic sites along Wexford’s Norman Way Heritage Route will receive funding dedicated to capital conservation works. St. Mary’s Church in Bannow will receive €18,756 while €12,467 has been awarded to the historic site of Lady’s Island. Meanwhile, Barntown Castle will receive funding amounting to €8,364, which will be dedicated to identifying conservation works and improving public access.
Thirty-two Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection civil servants began working in Johnstown Castle from last Monday dealing with pandemic unemployment payment-related matters.
The well-kept Walled Garden in the grounds of Johnstown Castle is open to the public.
Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne told WexfordLocal.com; “I’m glad to see the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection create an additional section, which will be based in Johnstown Castle. The pandemic unemployment payment has been a vital source of income for thousands of County Wexford people. Given that the payment will continue to be paid until April 2021, there remains a great deal of administration work to be done.
“I wish every success to these hard-working Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection workers and I’m glad to see the Department recognise the hard-working ability of County Wexford civil servants”, Minister Browne concluded.
Jeremy Hill at Monksgrange Archives office is surrounded by bookshelves and, recently, he became curious about a small locked book he wondered what was inside… but there was one snag… no key for lock… it became lost with the passing years!
JEREMY HILL showing the key that opened up a new chapter in the history of the Famine years.
“I was going into Enniscorthy one day and I brought the ledger with me and I dropped into Paul Campbell, the locksmith on Church St., and asked if there was anything he could do for me, so he took a good look at it and said it might be tricky because the bronze locks were really solid in the old days, and, of course, I didn’t have the key to go with it!
Jeremy continues; “Paul took some time to consider the situation and after a few hours he came up with a new key that fitted into the lock, gave it a turn, it clicked, and history was unlocked.”
“It was amazing to open the pages. The handwriting was classic and there before my eyes was a small piece of history that had been in my family since the Famine years, it dates from 1848 and is in pristine condition with a grey embossed cover, 200 pages, and it measures 18.3×11.8cm.”
Enthusiastic about the new discovery, which he hopes to exhibit sometime in the future when the Covid-19 loosens its restrictions on public participation, Jeremy is happy to share his unlocked discovery and has spent a number of weeks doing research and finding out more about the history of the account book.
AUDIO – JEREMY HILL tells DAN WALSH about the discovery of an account book belonging to the Monksgrange estate from 1848.
The first call out came on Friday evening, when the volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by the Irish Coast Guard at 5.15pm and go to the aid of a Bayliner cruiser with two people onboard that had suffered mechanical issues. The vessel had lost power and found itself in difficulty.
Fethard RNLI’s D-Class lifeboat launched from Duncannon Beach and the crew were soon alongside the casualty vessel. There were calm waters at the time and a Force 3 westerly wind. The crew assessed the situation and found that those onboard were safe and well. A towline was then established, and the vessel was towed to the safety of Dunmore East Harbour.
FETHARD LIFEBOAT (Pic; RNLI/Fethard)
A second call out came on Saturday afternoon when the Irish Coast Guard requested the lifeboat to go to the aid of a 35ft vessel that had ran aground at the spider buoy near King’s Bay. Dunmore East RNLI’s all-weather Trent class lifeboat was also requested to launch. Due to the size of the vessel, it was decided that it should stay and await a flooding tide to get it off the sandbank. The crew of Fethard lifeboat assisted the two-person crew by deploying their anchor. The vessel was secured and remained there until it was safely able to move on when there was enough water.
Mark Brennan, Fethard RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘We were happy to help the crew of both boats at the weekend. Situations can change very quickly at sea and mechanical failure is one of the main reasons for RNLI call outs.
“We would advise anyone out on the water to be prepared for an emergency by always wearing a lifejacket, checking your equipment before setting off, and always carrying some means of calling for help. Should you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
Irish Water, working in partnership with Wexford County Council has confirmed to WexfordLocal.com that the works to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the Barrow, Nore, Suir estuary will commence in 2021. The utility had previously acquired the land and has subsequently been granted planning permission for the new facility, which will be located at Arthurstown.
The treatment plant will also serve the areas of Ballyhack and Duncannon providing wastewater treatment for the equivalent of almost 4,000 people. The project is due to be completed in 2023 and will support social and economic development in these areas of county Wexford.
Speaking about the works, Wastewater Regional delivery Lead for Irish Water, Séamus Glynn said; “These works are hugely significant for the Barrow, Nore, Suir Estuary and for the areas of Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon. This €12.8 million project is needed to eliminate untreated wastewater that is being discharged directly into the receiving waters. The proposed new wastewater treatment plant will bring many benefits to the localities in terms of health, integrity of the environment and improved water quality for all.
DUNCANNON STRAND
“The works, once complete, will eliminate the equivalent of 1,500 wheelie bins of raw sewage being discharged into the estuary per day. Additionally, we have also secured land and planning permission for works to begin in Kilmore Quay which will see the elimination of the discharge of raw sewage there by 2023. These works are proposed to begin by the end of 2021. We thank the communities for their co-operation as we look ahead to the works commencing.”
Wexford County Council’s Director of Services, Eamonn Hore was equally positive about the announcement; “The announcement today that the much-anticipated wastewater treatment projects for Duncannon, Arthurstown and Ballyhack will commence in 2021 is most welcome. A huge amount of work has gone on to date involving Irish Water, Wexford County Council, and the local people to bring this project to this stage. We all look forward to the major benefits to the environment, economy and tourism which these developments will bring.”
A welcome allocation of €195,000 funding for Covid-19 adaptations in Wexford towns and villages is being delivered under the Accelerated Measure of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The funding is welcomed by Minister of State for Law Reform and Wexford TD James Browne.
Wexford town will benefit from €40,000 for a shop local campaign, shop front enhancement, street furniture, pedestrian zones and public realm improvement works. Meanwhile, Enniscorthy town received funding of €40,000 to adapt vacant buildings that will facilitate remote working and training and services for students.
RAFTER STREET, ENNISCORTHY
Rosslare Municipal District will receive €40,000 for village street improvement works, canopies, furniture and bike stands while Carrig-on-Bannow and Wellingtonbridge will receive €25,000 for village centre enhancements including public realm works. Kilmuckridge will receive funding of €25,000 for a sheltered and landscaped outdoor space with seating and cycling facilities while Christmas festivals and craft fairs in Bunclody, Bree and Ferns will benefit from €25,000 in funding.
This funding will enable towns and villages to implement immediate measures that will encourage people into towns and villages to shop and socialise, while adhering to public health guidelines. The funding is facilitated through the Government’s July Stimulus package.
Minister Browne commented, “Wexford’s rural towns and villages have always played a huge role in supporting businesses and communities by providing spaces for people to meet, socialise and shop locally. Recognising their importance to the economic and social well-being of rural areas, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme has invested significantly in towns and villages over the last number of years.
“The scheme is now more important than ever to assist businesses and communities to address the challenges that Covid-19 has brought to County Wexford towns and villages. The results of this funding are already being seen in towns and villages, together with local communities, are rethinking the use of our public spaces. I look forward to seeing the impact of these projects over the coming months so that County Wexford communities can make the most of what our towns and villages have to offer”, concluded Minister Browne.
The HSE/South East Community Healthcare has set up a new Covid-19 Test Centre at St. Aidan’s GAA Grounds in Ferns. Attendance is by GP referral or arrangement with the HSE.
MAIN ST, FERNS
The HSE is concerned at a recent spike in confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the North Wexford area and is appealing for individuals, business, and community organisations to support its necessary contact tracing operations.
Referrals trends are reviewed daily for all the South East and this guides the operation of all centres. Testing also continues at community testing centres (by GP referral) in Wexford town, in addition to Carlow, Clonmel, Kilkenny and Waterford.
If your GP decides that you need to be tested, they will arrange a test for you. You will need to self-isolate while you wait for your test. You will get a text message with the time and location of your test.
Sunday was a brilliant autumnal day. The sun was shining brightly, pleasant at around 14 degrees with a perfect calmness, and with the Covid-19 restrictions at Level 3, I washed my hands, wore my face covering, and observed social distancing amongst the natural environment meandering the ancient walkways in the grounds of Johnstown Castle.
It was a relaxing experience. Everywhere looked magnificent, the trees and shrubs swapping to their autumn coating, the lakes were reflecting the sky, the ducks were swimmingly sublime, the birds were taking off and returning, obviously they had food on their mind, and the fish… well, I didn’t see any… they were foraging in the deep and keeping their heads under water!
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE… looking splendidly autumnal in this October scene.
And while the place was busy, generally the families and the kids, a notable absence of more mature citizens, there was an atmosphere that makes you think… perhaps, we don’t slow down enough and soak up the beauty that exists in our county on a day that the ‘sunny south east’ expression was true to its meaning.
As Liam Gaul wrote in his local history classic publication Johnstown Castle and I quote; “The grey architectural pile of the castle dominates the scene like a sleeping giant with so many tales to relate of conquest, eviction and patriot allegiance. The long occupancy from Norman knight and Cromwellian soldier to the demise of Lady Adelaide Fitzgerald resulted in the castle and estate being gifted to the Irish State in 1945.”
As I wandered through the grounds today, the thought that struck me was reflection on the generosity of Lady Fitzgerald in the first place, and secondly, that the Irish State had the wisdom to retain the property and transform it into a public space promoting relaxation, tourism and everything that is positive about strong mental health. The fresh air and the freedom.
On December 28th 1944, Dorothy Violet Jefferies of Carrigbyrne, Adamstown (The Settler) and Maurice Victor Lakin of Horetown, Foulksmills, and the Minister of Agriculture, signed an act of agreement “whereby the lands, tenements, hereditaments, and premises formerly part of the family estates were given to the nation.”
Seventy-five years has passed since the ink dried on that sacred covenant, the lakes have been iced over on many winter occasions, the castle has stood tall and is now open to visitors, and in recent times, a whole new visitor experience has been added for the pleasure and convenience of us all – a visit to Johnstown Castle is an experience that is never forgotten.
Two point-to-point fixtures across the country today, in Cork and Galway, where Barry O’Neill enjoyed three winners to follow up on his double yesterday, Colin Bowe trained another three winners, and riders Jimmy Kenny and Rob James had a double each to make it a great day for Wexford sport.
Barry O’Neill went to Dromahane, near Mallow, and got off to a good start to the day on the French-bred newcomer Starevich for Colin Bowe, winning by one length in the maiden race for four year old geldings. Running in the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd colours he is bound for the sales.
BARRY O’NEILL …brillant weekend… five winners!
There was only a head to spare in the second division of the maiden race for five year old geldings but O’Neill got Colin Bowe’s Gallow Ford cross the line to clock up winner number two for the Kiltealy handler/rider partnership.
And before heading home O’Neill made it three for the afternoon – and five in two days – aboard Robert Tyner’s Dangan Des Champs by three lengths in the mares maiden test for five year olds and upwards.
Meanwhile, at Loughrea in Galway, Colin Bowe had his third win of the day with Tommy’s Oscar by 16 lengths in the maiden race for five year old geldings and the first leg of a double for Craanford rider Jimmy Kenny.
Kenny was put up on A Rated by his father, Liam Kenny, in the Open Lightweight Race, and despite being absent from the track for about 760 days, gained a one and a half lengths victory and was a popular success for Paddy Redmond of the Ashdown Park and Amber Springs hotel group in Gorey. “He will stay pointing,” said the Craanford-based handler.
Rob James had a double up north in Down yesterday and he followed with another double at Loughrea today. He was aboard Glengouley for Tipperary trainer Pat Doyle in the maiden race for four year olds – six lengths to the good – and followed up with ‘a distance’ victory on Latino Fling for Castlemartyr handler Matt Collins in the mares’ maiden race.
Ballindaggin handler Donnchadh Doyle was in the winner’s enclosure too! He saddled Er Dancer to win the Winner of One Race by a short-head with Ross Foley from Bagenalstown in the saddle. Overall, brilliant form from the Wexford stables and riders on a beautiful autumnal day.
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