A 43-year-old South African man has appeared before a sitting of Wexford District Court after he was arrested yesterday and charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997/1984 at Enniscorthy Garda Station where he was detained for questioning.
As part of an intelligence led operation, Revenue officers seized approximately 500g of clephedrone with an estimated value of €25,000, following a search, under warrant, of a premises in the Enniscorthy area.
The joint operation was conducted by Revenue’s Custom Service, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Enniscorthy Detective and Divisional Drugs Units.
Investigations are ongoing.
This operation was part of ongoing joint investigations targeting organised crime groups. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.
Wexford County Council is to receive funding of €377,000 for the refurbishment and repair of 27 empty housing units following an announcement by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD of €40 million for the refurbishment of local authority void housing units.
VERONA MURPHY TD
Speaking from New Ross this morning, Wexford Independent TD, Verona Murphy told WexfordLocal.com; “The refurbishment and re-letting of 27 void properties in County Wexford is vitally important and it has been made clear by the Department of Housing that these works are to be carried out immediately with the units allocated by the end of this year”
The Deputy added; “Applications are categorised into three funding streams; standard voids at an average cost of approximately €11,500, homeless voids at an average cost of €17,300 and long-term voids at an average cost of €47,000, Wexford has received funding for 22 standard voids and five long term voids.”
Nationally 2,398 applications from Local Authorities across Ireland have been approved at a cost of €39.8 million, with further applications anticipated.
Working from home and the poor performance of Broadband in rural areas of Co. Wexford was a topical discussion at the September meeting of Wexford County Council that took place yesterday (Monday) under Covid-19 government guidelines at the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy. Cllr Ger Carthy, Cathaoirleach, was in the chair for the two-hour session.
CLLR LISA McDONALD told the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council about the need to prioritise Broadband roll out in rural areas.
Cllr Lisa McDonald made a call for a variation in the National Broadband in rural Ireland and place areas that have poor Broadband first before the larger towns due to the challenges in working from home for those with poor connectivity to break down the digital divide. “There is perfectly good Broadband in the towns, I know myself, but I have to come in from Murrintown to (Wexford) town if I want to send a big document. The reality work from home…doesn’t work five miles outside Wexford town,” she told members.
Cllr Pat Barden said at a previous meeting that it could take three years for Broadband to be rolled out in Adamstown. “We can’t wait that long. We need to prioritise rural Ireland to roll out Broadband. The present Broadband is not going to bring any industry,” insisted Cllr McDonald, and Cllr Cathal Byrne seconded the motion which received cross-party support.
Cllr Byrne noted the situation in his parish where Broadband “comes down a hill and it comes up a hill and it doesn’t meet in the middle and we are told we won’t have it until 2026!”
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy lamented the lack of commercial quality Broadband on the Templeshannon side of the town and businesses trying to set up there are being told that it cost them ‘ten grand’ per year for the privilege.
Cllr George Lawlor referred to Covid-19 and work patterns and he called for a taskforce to examine the best way for County Wexford to exploit the possibilities for remote working from home for the benefit of remote workers across the county.
Irish Water working in partnership with Wexford County Council are attending to emergency works to the damaged sewer on the R772 at Ferns Village Roundabout where work will continue until Wednesday, September 16th, 9.30am to 6.30pm.
The public are informed that significant traffic delays is likely so motorists are advised to plan their trip accordingly.
These essential works are necessary to construct a foul sewer manhole that requires an excavation of approximately 3.5 metres on clay main sewer. This is to accommodate the repair/replacement of the damaged 150 diameter sewer due to the damaged that was caused to the existing sewer.
Irish Water apologises for the inconvenience caused by these essential works. Customer queries should be directed to 1850 278 278 or @IWCare.
Two dedicated volunteers with Courtown RNLI who each gave 30 years’ service have received official recognition and honoured with long service medals by the RNLI.
Sam Kennedy and Rose Murphy were surprised when the postman delivered the medals, but both were delighted, and when the Covid-19 restrictions allow, an official presentation ceremony is planned.
ROSE MURPHY and SAM KENNEDY are honoured with long service medals for their dedication to Courtown RNLI branch.
Both Sam and Rose were with the Courtown Inshore originally as committee members and crew. When Courtown Inshore was re-established as Courtown RNLI, they readily continued to give their time and service.
Rose Murphy who has always been a stalwart and friendly face behind the counter of Courtown RNLI charity shop, has also held roles such as PRO and Secretary. She recalls the pride and joy when the new lifeboat house was opened in 1992. “Ireland’s Olympic gold champion Ronnie Delaney was one of the people who helped with the official launch, and it was a super day for Courtown RNLI”
Sam Kennedy has been Lifeboat Operations Manager, since 1997, having been a senior Helm on crew prior to this. He remembers a notable rescue in the late 1990s. “I will never forget the rescue of a small boy who had drifted offshore on an inflatable, by the time we got to him he was barely hanging on and was beginning to lose grip due to the cold, the sheer joy and relief on his mother’s face will stay with me forever.”
Gardaí have confirmed that a 35-year-old man missing from his home in Dublin since Wednesday, September 9th has been located safe and well.
It is believed that Christopher Duff had planned to cycle from Dublin to Wicklow and Wexford. His family became concerned when they lost mobile phone contact with him.
He has since been found safe and well. Gardaí thanked the public and the media for their assistance.
Music for New Ross seasonally hits its peak in September each year with the New Ross Piano Festival, but sadly the weekend events planned for September 23-27th were all ready to go last March when the Covid-19 virus struck and, regrettably, the eagerly awaited 2020 programme was cancelled.
ST. MICHAEL’S THEATRE, NEW ROSS
But there is some good news! A token concert with a live audience to mark the cancelled festival will take place on Sunday, September 27th at 3pm in St. Mary’s Church, New Ross, and the booking opens on Tuesday.
The performers will be the festival’s Artistic Director, Finghin Collins and the young Cork pianist Ellen Jameson, and the programme celebrates Beethoven in his 250th anniversary year by presenting three sonatas spanning his entire career.
There will be a strictly limited audience, less than 40, social distancing and Covid-19 regulations will be in place.
Tickets cost €20 and booking opens at 10am on Tuesday, September 15th at St. Michael’s Theatre (Tel. 421244). Please note; Because seats are limited, they will be sold on a first come, first served basis, and will be unallocated.
Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Christopher Duff, (35), who is missing from his home in Prussia Street, Dublin 7.
CHRISTOPHER DUFF
Mr Duff was last seen on Wednesday at approximately 7am when he left his home on a hybrid Trek bicycle. Gardaí said he may have travelled to Wicklow or Wexford.
He is approximately 6ft 1in in height, of medium build, with red hair, a beard, and blue eyes. It is not known what Mr. Duff was wearing when he left home.
Gardaí said they are concerned for his wellbeing.
The man’s sister, Amanda Duff, has appealed to the public for information. “My brother Chris left his home in Stoneybatter on Wednesday morning. He spoke to a friend on Wednesday night and was in Wicklow cycling to Wexford intending to catch a bus back. We haven’t heard from him since that call on Wednesday evening. His phone is dead so no one can contact him. He has a lot of friends and family who are worried about him.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bridewell Garda Station on 01 6668200, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Following today’s breaking news that the Ros Tapestry is on ‘temporary move’ to Kilkenny Castle, published exclusively in WexfordLocal.com, an official statement was released by New Ross Needlecraft Ltd tonight. It reads as follows;
“The Board of the Ros Tapestry wish to acknowledge the concern expressed in the campaign about the tapestry exhibition being moved to Kilkenny Castle. We wish to clarify that this is a temporary visit to the castle venue until our permanent home is ready in the new museum planned for the Murphy building on the Quay. Both Wexford County Council and Failte Ireland have been very clear that the tapestries will be an important part of that exhibition and are very supportive of us.
“The closure of the exhibition due to COVID made it virtually impossible for us to provide a safe environment for the panels and we are relieved to see them moving to a museum standard location where they will be safe and enjoyed by more visitors than we could accommodate. The only alternative was to put them into storage, an expensive option if we used the recommended museum standard storage, and which would have put them out sight completely.
Guide MARION COADY with some panels from the Ros Tapestry Exhibition in New Ross (File Picture).
“We believe the move will increase the profile of the tapestry. We will be promoting the Norman sites in New Ross and its environs in the exhibition and will encourage more people to visit the Norman sites displayed in the tapestry.
“We are all saddened to see the tapestries move from New Ross, albeit temporarily, but they will be back to their amazing new venue in the Murphy building, as soon as it is ready. We are thankful to all who have supported the tapestry, our patrons, friends, members, the people of New Ross, Wexford County Council, our local councillors, Failte Ireland, our staff, and most of all our stitchers. We hope you will visit the exhibition which we hope will be open by the end of October in Kilkenny Castle.”
A new Irish publishing label located in Wexford town has launched a campaign to find new novelists on World Suicide Prevention Day. Red Books Press based out of Red Books Bookshop in Wexford town is offering to publish a new book in conjunction with NaNoWriMo this year.
National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, is an annual Internet-based creative writing project that takes place during the month of November.
Red Books owner Wally O’Neill told WexfordLocal.com; “Participants attempt to write a 50,000-word manuscript between November 1st and November 30th. Today Red Books is launching its 2020 NaNoWriMo Campaign. This year we will offer online prep and motivational advice from published authors, zoom write ins and, most importantly of all, a chance to publish your novel.
Wexford authors Tom Logan, Dan Finn and Daithi Kavanagh, Red Books Wally O Neill and playwright Eamonn Colfer.
“Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, a seemingly fitting day to launch a new venture that we hope can help some frustrated creatives and people struggling with depression. Writing is a medicine for your mind and this creative outlet has been proven to tackle anxiety and stress.”
Mr. O’Neill said that Red Books Press intends to publish the first run of one of the NaNoWriMo participants this year, covering all the upfront costs. This novel will be chosen by an independent panel at the end of the year and will be published in 2021.
Mr. O’Neill concluded; “We want people to join our NaNoWriMo Project and be in with a chance to get their novel published next year. To enter PM Red Books on social media or email irishbooks@yahoo.com, or visit Red Books in Wexford’s St Peter’s Square.”
WexfordLocal.com 