WexfordLocal.com

Many Christmas swims cancelled

By Dan Walsh

The RNLI and the Coast Guard are appealing to the public to exercise caution while participating in activity on and near the water during the Christmas and New Year period and at all times to be mindful of the restrictions in place to deal with the COVID pandemic.

Many traditional Christmas and New Year swims which ordinarily had safety measures in place have been cancelled. Accordingly, anybody planning such activity should check up to date guidance and ensure that they have made appropriate safety arrangements.

The second half of 2020 saw a significant increase in water-based incidents placing extra demands on Search and Rescue providers including Coast Guard and RNLI volunteer crews. Mindful of the increased levels of participation in open water swimming both organisations are highlighting the risks of suffering cold water shock, which is a very real danger for anyone entering water which is 15°C or below. Average sea temperature around Ireland at this time of year are just 6-10°C. This can pose a risk of hypothermia, even for the most experienced of open water swimmers.

Irish Coast Guard, Head of Operations Gerard O’Flynn said: “People love to get out and about over the Christmas and New Year period. For those who have an opportunity to go on coastal walks always remember to Stay Back Stay High Stay Dry – and this year please be especially mindful of Covid related restrictions. Open water swimming this time of the year is only for experienced participants and never ever swim alone.”

Stay safe for a Happy Christmas

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council has joined with the HSE and the Gardaí and to reiterate basic messages on preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Speaking as one in a special Christmas appeal and after a schedule of additional restrictions were announced on Tuesday by the government, the three principal agencies say the recent rise in figures for those contracting the virus are very concerning.

The agencies point to the hope being provided in 2021 by the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine and are reminding everyone of the importance in ensuring older and vulnerable people are kept safe in the meantime, so that it may be availed of.

**TOM ENRIGHT CEO Wexford County Council**

The Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr. Ger Carthy and Chief Executive Tom Enright are also urging people not to allow everyone’s hard work to date in 2020 to be undermined and are reiterating that individual actions do matter – including adherence to all the public health restrictions.

Director of the HSE’s South East Public Health Dept. Dr. Carmel Mullaney, the Chief Officer of South East Community Healthcare Kate Killeen White and General Manager of Wexford General Hospital Linda O’ Leary say the HSE is anxious that individuals, families and communities act to avoid any further spikes in infections, which would place pressures on frontline services.

**CLLR GER CARTHY, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council.**

The Garda Chief Superintendent in Wexford Denis Ferry says we are at a critical point in tackling the spread of Covid-19 and that people in Co. Wexford must take personal responsibility to avoid situations that are a risk to themselves, their family and their friends.

Wexford County Council, the HSE and the Gardaí will be working hard to protect people through Christmas and beyond with the aim in mind of getting to a better and safer place as a society in 2021, they are urging people to continue taking precautions in relation to transmissions of Covid-19, to adhere to restrictions, and practice “the basics”:

Reduce your contacts with other people.
Wear a mask.
Keep your distance.
Wash your hands.

Market House doors open in January

By Dan Walsh

Santa and his elves is currently occupying the magic space in front of the building, but changes are coming and the the relocation of Enniscorthy Municipal District Offices from the former Courthouse to the newly refurbished Market House in the Market Square will happen on Tuesday, January 12^th.

**Newly refurbished MARKET HOUSE in Enniscorthy**

The news is welcomed by staff and customers. Many favourable comments have complimented the refurbishment work carried out at the iconic building and everybody is eager to admire the new interior.

The Courthouse Office will close at 1 pm on Friday, January 8^th – offices at both locations will be closed on Monday, January 11^th to facilitate the transfer and normal business will be available to the public on Tuesday morning.

Market House, a well-known town centre landmark from circa-1820’s is a Listed Building 3-storeys high with a 5-bay front has been completely transformed into a bright and modern offices for Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

Sea rescue off Kilmichael Point

By Dan Walsh

Two fishermen were rescued from a fishing vessel near Kilmichael Point in North Wexford by Arklow RNLI all-weather lifeboat following a report from the Irish Coast Guard last Thursday.

Fishing vessel is towed towards Arklow **Pic; RNLI/Arklow**

The lifeboat was launched at 11.07am and the volunteer crew of six on the Ger Tigchlearr responded swiftly. Further reports came in that the vessel had freed the foul and was now dragging its anchor, adrift and in danger of being driven up onto the rocks at Kilmichael Point in the south-south easterly Force 5 winds.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew worked quickly with the casualty vessel’s crew of two to establish a tow line. With this completed, the vessel and crew were towed safely back to Arklow.

Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI Community Safety Officer and Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘Fortunately, our volunteers response time ensured they were able to get to the stricken vessel before the situation worsened and we had a good result.”

Government warned of transport chaos

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Independent TD Verona Murphy and former IRHA President has warned that government action is needed immediately to prevent truck drivers from being stranded for Christmas, as transport chaos erupts.

When asked by Claire Byrne on RTE Radio this morning if she believed drivers could be stuck in their cabs for Christmas Day, Deputy Murphy replied; “Yes of course I am, we don’t have the capacity. Our last ferry is scheduled for Wednesday. If we only have capacity for 90 trucks and we need capacity for 400, well then they are going to be either sitting in a Port or on the side of the road.”

Speaking afterwards Deputy Murphy warned; “We will have rotting produce, stranded drivers and increased costs to farmers and producers, unless the Government sends all available ferries to get food produce onto the shelves and drivers home to their families for Christmas.”

Deputy Murphy blasted Irish Government inaction, and Minister Simon Coveney for claiming there was sufficient ferry capacity, “He has no idea it would appear, there are 200 trucks stranded in the UK, there are another 200-300 heading for Cherbourg, as well as another 200 trying to leave Ireland to take produce to the continent. I have three factories here in the South East with €1 million worth of meat product and they can’t get bookings on ferries.”

Deputy Murphy also said that she had be inundated with phone calls and concerns from drivers and hauliers. “Last night I spoke to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Transport, and it just takes a coordinated effort to get this working.”

According to Deputy Murphy the problem stems from the IMDO report claiming there were no capacity issues from Ireland to Mainland Europe.

“This is something that the IMDO report is false on. I have flagged it for months in the Dail. Minister Naughten, Minister Troy, the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach all refuted what I said. This day of reckoning was coming.”

Christmas travel concerns at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

The deteriorating Covid-19 situation in the UK has prompted a ban on flights and a ban on ferries carrying passengers with effect from midnight for at least 48 hours until midnight Tuesday. The matter will be reviewed at a cabinet meeting in Dublin on Tuesday.

BBC Wales is reporting that people in Wales have been told to stay at home and not travel this Christmas. The new lockdown rules mean the easing of Christmas rules have been reduced to just Christmas Day.

In the days leading up to Christmas these restrictions will have serious consequences for intending passengers on the ferries into and out of Rosslare Europort to Fishguard and Pembroke.

Ferries will continue to be allowed to sail with cargo, which is essential for supply of food and services, and arrangements are been made to allow a return home for those Irish residents who were on short visits to UK and for those who are traveling to Ireland from another country via the UK.

WexfordLocal.com is advising intending passengers and/or their families to contact the relevant authorities before booking or arriving at the ferry ports at Rosslare, Fishguard and Pembroke prior to departure. The situation is extremely volatile and fraught with uncertainty and subject to change at short notice. It is better to stay at home this Christmas and avoid unnecessary confusion, delays, and possibly a costly unwanted staycation!

Pearse Rogan rides his first winner

By Dan Walsh

19 years old Pearse Rogan from Caim, Enniscorthy, received his treasured Christmas present when he won his first point-to-point in heavy ground conditions at Dromahane, Co. Cork today (Sunday).

Rogan was aboard the Donnchadh Doyle trained Fiston Du Mou in the maiden race for five-year old geldings who ran out the four lengths winner.

Wexford riders won both divisions of the maiden race for four-year old geldings. Harley Dunne, Blackwater, rode his second winner of the season on Donny Boy for Aidan Fitzgerald’s Carlow stables in division one.

Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe were celebrating in the winners’ enclosure following division two and Bravo Team’s eight lengths victory. Owned by Milestone Bloodstock Ltd, Bravo Team will likely go to the sales now.

James Kehoe loses out on top IFA post

By Dan Walsh

Monageer farmer, James Kehoe, (41), who is nearing the end of his four-year term as Wexford County Chairman has lost out on his bid to become IFA (Irish Farmer’s Association) South Leinster Regional Chairman.

The new Chairman is Francie Gorman, former Chairman of Laois IFA. He received 1,390 votes, to defeat James Kehoe from Wexford with 867 votes.

IFA National Returning Officer Martin Stapleton announced the result at the count held in the Irish Farm Centre on Friday afternoon in line with public health guidelines.

Mr. Stapleton said the turnout of 87% among delegates to the eight county executives in the South Leinster region (Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Kilkenny, Carlow, Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford) was a decisive mandate.

The outcome is a disappointment for James Kehoe and his supporters. He has been heavily involved in the IFA since he joined the organisation in 1996 and in that time, he has held the position of Chairman in his local branch of Monageer from 2005 to 2009. He represented Wexford on the National Sheep Committee where he was also a member of the Management Committee. He was Vice Chairman of Wexford from 2015 – 2016 and went on to be elected Chairman of Wexford IFA in 2017.

Bowe and O’Neill carry on winning

By Dan Walsh

Sempione Park carried the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd colours to a narrow success – just a head in it – to give Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill a winner in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings at Stonehall, Askeaton, Co. Limerick today (Saturday).

The Kiltealy-based champions missed out on a double in the mares’ maiden race for four-year olds when She’s So Lovely was beaten two and a half lengths by The Real Jet, trained at Ballindaggin by Cormac Doyle, whose horses are running very well in recent weeks and he is clocking up the winners. Trained six winners this season.

The Real Jet was third at Borris House on her first run for the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership and was another victory for Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick, who is a second cousin of leading amateur jockey Jamie Codd and was enjoying his 12^th winner of his career – six of them this season.

No Christmas Party this year!

BY Dan Walsh

I used to love the last weekend of December leading up to the Christmas. It was the time when print journalists and radio presenters used to meet early deadlines to facilitate production and party occasions were on my calendar for decades. Sadly, this year, we haven’t a cracker to pull between us! The hug and the handshake are strictly out of bounds and the legal profession are losing potential business because we can’t tell the boss what we think of him/her! (please, take that last comment as an in-house joke!).

Yes, the Covid-19 restrictions have put manners on us and decking the Santa hat and pulling the cracker to reveal little plastic curiosities have been eliminated from our joviality. Drinking copious litres of wine until we mock the daytime performance of being ‘giddy and senseless’ and clouding our ghostly minds. But it was all good and clean (what happens at the party stays at the party) fun all the same.

The Christmas Party brought colleagues and fellow workers together in a social setting. It introduced the new recruits to the seasoned dudes. It began early and terminated quite late – usually a good chunk of a day later! It was an opportunity to make fools of ourselves without blame or blemish. For the many there are great memories. Thankfully, usually the next day was free of work commitments!

Professor Luke O’Neill is asking us to be patient with the Covid-19 restrictions that will likely be with us until the summer, however, on TV3, Luke gave us hope and hinted that we can revert to the good times in Christmas 2021. We must obey the rules and follow the guidelines and, who knows, we may party again like the ‘old days’ next year. In the meantime, the guidelines are wash the hands, use the sanitizer, wear the facing covering and practice social distancing. Stay Safe. Happy Christmas.