Ringbouys removed at Courtown Harbour

By Dan Walsh

There is widespread public concern and disappointment at the news that three Ringbouys have gone missing from Courtown Harbour this morning. They are presumed maliciously removed from their moorings as the likelihood of all three removed at the same time prompts suspicion!

COURTOWN HARBOUR at dawn

David Swinburne, Officer-in-Charge Courtown Coast Unit told WexfordLocal.com; “The removal of Ringbouys is both wreckless and dangerous, when someone is in difficulty in water seconds are vital and every second counts when you are talking about someone’s life”

“If anybody has information please let the relevant authorities know. Ringbouys are located at vital points along coasts for public safety and removing them is not only an offence but puts public safety at risk,” said a spokesperson for Courtown RNLI.

The slogan is A Stolen Ringbouy- A Stolen Life. They have been reported missing to Irish Water Safety on Ringbouys.ie

Remember if you see someone in difficulty on or near the water dial 112/999 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Positive news for school secretaries and caretakers

By Dan Walsh

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed the positive progress being made in relation to regularising pay and conditions for school secretaries and caretakers. 

Minister Browne, who along with his Fianna Fáil Party colleagues, campaigned for an end to the two tier structure which saw some school secretaries at a disadvantage when it came to sick leave, certainty of hours or pay increases, said it was important that Education Minister, Norma Foley T.D., move quickly on the issue.  

Minister Browne told WexfordLocal.com; “Everyone knows their school secretary and caretaker – they are integral to the running of a school and have been taking on more responsibilities than ever, from assisting principals with complex administration, to organising fundraising for school events.  

CLLR LISA McDONALD… supporting school secretaries and caretakers

“They really are the backbone of most schools and often the first port of call for students and parents and it’s important that this is recognised. “In these difficult times where we are expecting a lot from our schools it’s important that they know that they are valued and appreciated,” Minister Browne concluded.  

The news is also welcomed by Cllr Lisa McDonald of the Rosslare Municipal District Council who told WexfordLocal.com; “This was in Fianna Fáil’s General Election manifesto. Good news for our school secretaries and caretakers!”

Discover free library services during Level 5

By Dan Walsh

The five libraries across County Wexford at Bunclody, Enniscorthy, Gorey, New Ross and Wexford town are closed under Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, but library services remain open to the public. 

WEXFORD LIBRARY (Pic; Wexford County Council)

You can continue to use your library 24/7 and free of charge online too!

·         join the library online;

·         download eBooks and eAudiobooks;

·         read magazines and newspapers

·         take eLearning or language courses;

·         watch or listen to storytimes; or,

·         take part in other activities like online bookclubs.

Do you know someone who is isolated and unable to use online library services? Would they like library staff to select some books and deliver them to their door? If so, please get in touch with library staff on 053 9196566.

AUDIO ADDITION – County Librarian EILEEN MORRISSEY explains how to keep in touch with your local library during the Level 5 restrictions

Visit www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries for more information.

€92,265 for 3 Wexford coastal projects

By Dan Walsh

Three Wexford organisations will benefit from EMFF Fisheries Local Action Group funding through the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. Total funding amounts to €92,265.

OUR LADY’S ISLAND gets funding for Tourism Centre

Our Lady’s Island’s Community Development group will receive €64,000 towards the development of a tourist interpretive centre.

St. Kearns Rowing Club, Saltmills, benefits from €22,380 for an anti-vandal unit and rowing machines while Ramsgrange Men’s Shed will receive €5,885 for a woodwork project enhancement.

Wexford T.D. and Minister of State for Law Reform at the Department of Justice and Equality James Browne told WexfordLocal.com; “I’m delighted that three Wexford coastal projects will benefit from the funding. These grants are designed to support coastal communities. I know that Our Lady’s Island Community Development Group, St. Kearns Rowing Club and Ramsgrange Men’s Shed will enjoy terrific economic and social benefits because of these funding allocations.”

North Wexford Park and Ride

By Dan Walsh

Following a parliamentary question Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne T.D. has welcomed a commitment from Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan T.D., to review the assessment of North Wexford Park and Ride locations. 

The Transport Minister says that the National Transport Authority (NTA) will review the potential for Park and Ride locations in the North Wexford area once works on a core bus corridor along the N11/M11 are advanced.

“I’m glad Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan T.D., recognises the importance of the NTA reviewing the need for North Wexford bus-based Park and Ride locations. North Wexford is home to many people who commute to Dublin for their work. People in the Gorey area regularly park in the hard shoulders near the M11 exits 22 and 23. Burglars have previously targeted these cars.

“Overall, the NTA is seeking to develop a bus priority lane between Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow and the Loughlinstown Roundabout in south Dublin. If established, a core bus corridor would stretch between Kilmacanogue and the city centre. This provides a brilliant opportunity to develop a bus-based Park and Ride location in North Wexford. I will continue to keep this development at the forefront of the Transport Minister and the NTA’s plans”, Minister Browne concluded.

Minister Eamonn Ryan confirmed that in line with Action 89 of the Climate Action Plan 2019, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has established a ‘Park and Ride Development Office’. “I understand that the initial work of the Park and Ride Development Office is to prepare a Park and Ride Strategy, which will guide the NTA’s activities in this area over the coming years. Most of the work of the office is focussed on providing strategic (regional level) Park and Ride facilities to enable access to the main urban areas, in addition to rail-based Park and Ride facilities at rail stations and key Luas stops. More local Park and Ride facilities will continue to be the responsibility of the relevant local authority,” stated Minister Ryan. 

Wexford winner has Gold Cup in mind

By Dan Walsh

It was the last race of the day before a local winner obliged at day two of the October racing festival at Bettyville Park on a fine and dry Bank Holiday Monday afternoon, but once again a competitive card and, possibly, the seasonal debut of the next Gold Cup winner?

Eleven fixtures are run at Wexford every year and the richest event is the Grade 3 M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase over two miles and seven furlongs. Today’s renewal saw a classy winner in Minella Indo (8/13 fav.), trained in Waterford by Henry de Bromhead, who is quoted at 8/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup next March

A winner of the Albert Bartlett at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival meeting, Minella Indo was runner up in the RSA Chase at the same track last March, and the plan is to aim for the Cheltenham Gold Cup next year.

Minella Indo only faced three rivals today in soft conditions where Rachael Blackmore had a comfortable ride all the way and cruised past the winning post 25 lengths ahead of everything else.

The de Bromhead/Blackmore combination enjoyed a double with Kapard (3/1) taking the Kehoe Farming Rated Novice Hurdle. Third was Fortune Street for Paul Nolan and Sean O’Keeffe.

The local winner was IlCourra (6/1) in the bumper for owner/breeder Mary Griffin, trained at Ballypreacus, Bunclody, and ridden by Simon Cavanagh. In third place was Mercury Lane for Paul Nolan and Barry O’Neill. The winning distance was three quarters of a length.

The next race meeting at Bettyville Park is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17th, 2021, St. Patrick’s Day.

Man charged with €427,465 seizure at Rosslare Europort

Gardaí have arrested and charged a man in connection with the seizure by Customs Officials of €427,465 in cash at Rosslare Europort last Wednesday.

The man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on Saturday, on suspicion of committing an offence contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, after Gardaí from Meath, Wexford and the Criminal Assets Bureau searched a number of residences under warrant in County Meath.

He was detained at Trim Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. He has since been charged and appeared at a special sitting of Trim District Court yesterday (Sunday) afternoon.

Vandals score ‘own goal’ at Bree pitch

By Dan Walsh

An investigation is taking place into a serious incident at Bree United’s Astro pitch at Macmine were a vehicle was used to vandalise the surface in a mindless act of anti-social behaviour that occurred around 1.10am this morning.

Damage to the playing surface at Bree United’s pitch at Macmine that occurred early this morning.

It appears that the intention was to drive across the pitch when the vehicle stuck in the muddy surface. Leftover Astro turf was removed from the clubhouse and placed underneath the sinking wheels of the vehicle, however, removal efforts failed, and weather conditions deteriorated rapidly.

Back-up arrived at 2.15 am and during a thunderstorm a tow was attached to a second vehicle, but it took some time before the stuck vehicle was freed and eventually both vehicles left in the direction of Bree village.

The activity was captured on CCTV and Bree United have taken to social media calling on those responsible to come forward before handing the footage over to the Gardaí.

Fortunately, for the foreseeable future no games are scheduled for the pitch due to the Covid-19 restrictions, however, Bree United is determined to repair the damage and bring the pitch back to its usual high standard as soon as possible.

Gibberwell waves the Wexford flag

By Dan Walsh

It did not take long for the locals to strike success at sunny Wexford this afternoon. The opening race, the Hook Head Maiden Hurdle, went to Gibberwell (16/5), named after a local townsland, trained at Rathangan by Brian Jordan for Wiliam Bates, Kimore, and ridden by Caim jockey JJ Slevin. The local success upset the long odds-on Mr Jackman (4/9) from the Gordon Elliott stables who was runner-up; one and three-quarter lengths back on ground that was officially ‘soft to heavy’.

Adamstown jockey Jonathan Moore enjoyed success on his home track aboard Gavin Cromwell’s Clonguile Way, (11/4 fav.) in the St. Patrick’s Bridge Handicap Hurdle.

The richest race of the day was the Slade Handicap Chase where three of JP McManus’ five entries finished first, second and fourth. Two did not make the handicap. The winner was Scoir Mear (9/2) trained by Tom Mullins at Goresbridge and ridden by Simon Torrens.

Sun shines for Wexford raiders in Meath

By Dan Walsh

Low-lying sun was causing problems at the Meath point-to-point held at Fairyhouse, but it did not stop the Wexford raiders who left a trail of success. Three winners for Jamie Codd and a double for the Sean Doyle/Jamie Scallan combination were amongst the highlights.

Jamie Codd teamed up with Gordon Elliott to win the four-year-old geldings maiden by twelve lengths with Ginto getting the better of Since Day One in the Matchmaker Syndicate colours for handler/rider Rob James.

JAMIE CODD… three winners at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

Codd made it a double on Passion View for Meath handler Peter Flood in the maiden race for five-year-old mares. Two lengths were the winning distance.

Codd’s treble was aboard the four lengths winner Fanamix, running in the colours of Edelle Logan and trained by Denis Murphy, The Ballagh.

Sean Doyle’s good run continued in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings when Dunboyne, in the Monbeg Partnership colours, came in first by three lengths ridden by Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard, who was enjoying his 15th career winner.

But the Doyle/Scallan team were not finished yet. They completed a double when Solomon Grundy ran out three lengths to the good in the Open Race which was confined to novice riders.

Rob James was amongst the winners on the Donnchadh Doyle runner Crystal Glory, victorious on his debut at Monksgrange last month, four lengths to the good in the Winner of One Race.