Inquest into diving tragedy off Hook Head

By Dan Walsh

Tragic circumstances of how off-duty Garda David ‘Dave’ Hearne lost his life in a diving tragedy about 20kms off Hook Head, were recalled at an inquest, where the coroner returned a verdict of “death by drowning”. Sympathy was expressed to his family on their tragic loss.

Mr. Hearne was an experienced and accomplished technical diver,  a former member of the Garda Water Unit, and a member of the Hook Sub Aqua Club who organised a ‘dive on’ from Slade Harbour to a shipwreck off the Wexford coast on May 25th 2019.

GARDA DAVID ‘DAVE’ HEARNE

Mr Hearne was found by diving companions near the seabed, unresponsive and with his breathing mouthpiece displaced.

Desperate efforts to revive him failed. He was removed by the Coast Guard R117 helicopter personnel to University Hospital Waterford. The naval vessel LE Orla was also sent to the scene.

A post-mortem examination was conducted at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) by pathologist Dr Fergus McSweeney.

At the inquest, the Coroner, Gerard O’Herlihy, said that death was by drowning. “Something went wrong down below, and it appears to have been a spike in oxygen, for whatever reason. It seems that the late Mr Hearne was not able to deal with that spike, it had caused him to go into a convulsion, the mouthpiece went out of his mouth.”

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the Coroner’s statement.

Back in 2014, Waterford Marine Search and Rescue presented Garda Hearne with a new PFD (personal floating device) after he had rescued three people from the River Suir and the Colligan River in Dungarvan in the previous years.
Dave trained to be a Garda at Templemore in 1994 and was initially with the Santry Underwater Unit, was later transferred to Cahir, Tipperary, and in recent times was based in Waterford Garda Station at Ballybricken.

From Innyard, Fethard-on-Sea Dave Hearne, 47, lived at Upper Grange Road in Waterford city with his wife Barbara and their children Dylan, Toby, Noah, and Libby. He was son of Declan and Gemma and brother of Bríd, Maeve and Declan and other loving family, relatives, and legion of friends.

He was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery following Requiem Mass in the Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Duncannon. R.I.P.

Mass suspended from midnight tonight

By Dan Walsh

Public Masses in the Diocese of Ferns will be suspended as and from midnight tonight and will remain suspended for the duration of Level 3 of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions imposed by the government.

The Bishop of Ferns, Dr. Denis Brennan has asked the faithful to approach the newly announced Level 3 restrictions with ‘a spirit of cooperation and solidarity, mindful of the need for sacrifice in the interests of the common good.’

BISHOP DENIS BRENNAN

“I would like to thank the priests and people of the diocese for the great energy and creativity they showed in reopening the churches. Adherence to best practice was made possible because of an army of very committed and diligent volunteers who set a standard worthy of emulation,” he said.
In returning to online celebration only for daily and Sunday Masses, the bishop encouraged priests and parish personnel “to repeat and continue the high standard broadcasts which were so well developed during the last lockdown.”
Bishop Brennan concluded; “Unfortunately we find ourselves in a worrying situation nationally – and responsibility which we endeavour to exercise as citizens and Christians – dictates that we double down now together, follow the basic guidelines and hopefully emerge sooner to a time when we can resume physical attendance at public worship.”

The churches of the Diocese will remain open for private prayer. 

Extension for Wexford Co. Council home loan scheme

By Dan Walsh

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has confirmed to WexfordLocal.com that the mortgage payment break already in place for local authority home loan borrowers in County Wexford will be extended for those continuing to face difficulties due to the Covid-19 emergency.

Borrowers under Wexford County Council’s home loan scheme could already avail of two payment breaks totalling up to six months and borrowers who take up a third payment break will be contacted by their local authority during the payment break to assess their financial situation and discuss options if necessary.

Commenting the Minister said; “Due to the continuing economic uncertainty associated with COVID-19, many local authority home loan borrowers in Wexford continue to face difficulties in paying their mortgage or have very real fears that they will face repayment problems in the future.

“The simplified application process in place allows borrowers in distress to access a payment break quickly. Any local authority home loan borrower facing difficulties due to COVID-19 are urged to contact Wexford County Council as soon as possible to access the information that is available on the Wexford County Council website.  

“Importantly, no additional costs to the original home loan balance arise for the borrower who avails of these measures, as borrowers are not charged interest for the period of the breaks,” concluded Minister Browne.

‘Healthy Wexford’ launch at Heritage Park

By Dan Walsh

Minister Frank Feighan, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy attended the Irish National Heritage Park today to formally launch Healthy Wexford.  The launch was streamed via an open access link to an online audience meaning all could attend virtually and included the launch of the Healthy Wexford County Plan 2020-2022.

The Vision for a Healthy Wexford is where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential, where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society and is everyone’s responsibility.  

Speaking at today’s launch Minister Feighan said; “At Healthy Ireland we want to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to live a long, happy and healthy life. We want to empower every person to improve their own health and wellbeing, but to do that we need to support them to make healthy choices.”

CLLR JOHN HEGARTY, Chairman Healthy County Committee (File Pic; Joseph Dixon)

At the launch Cllr John Hegarty, Chair of the Healthy County Committee, highlighted Healthy Wexford as the structure that connects and highlights all of the great work that that is already happening, and encourages the partnerships and collaboration for future developments. “Healthy Wexford is about thinking and working differently and seeing health and wellbeing as a focus in all that we do,” concluded Cllr Hegarty.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. Ger Carthy, highlighted that many of the determinants of health such as where we live, work, play, and age are outside of the direct influence of health and social services.  However, the Local Authority touches the lives of our citizens in many of these areas each day.  Therefore, Wexford County Council is uniquely placed to assist in delivering the vision for Healthy Wexford, in collaboration with agencies and communities across County Wexford.

To find out more about Healthy Wexford see https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/community/healthy-wexford

7,100 litres of cider seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers seized nearly 7,100 litres of cider following a search of a Northern Ireland registered truck that had disembarked a ferry from Fishguard last Friday evening.

The smuggled alcohol had an estimated retail value of almost €31,000 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €12,500.

Investigations are ongoing.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the supply and sale of illicit alcohol products in the shadow economy. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.

Gorey’s Niall Kennedy KO’d in Round 3

By Dan Walsh

Niall Kennedy is still a world sporting hero in his native Gorey and is credited with doing his country proud despite a bruising end to his fight against Croatian Alen Babic tonight.

Kennedy was no match for his opponent and was on the floor twice before the referee called a halt to the gruelling contest in the third round.

Report on the fight by Richard Damerell of SKY SPORTS.

ALEN BABIC and NIALL KENNEDY in action in tonight’s big fight which was viewed in Ireland on SKY SPORTS
By Richard Damerell – SKY SPORTS

Last Updated: 04/10/20 9:47pm

Alen Babic blasted out Niall Kennedy in the third round as ‘The Savage’ continued his destructive progress as a heavyweight contender.

The Croatian was extended into the third round for the first time, but swiftly finished off Kennedy with an explosive assault to bring up his fifth straight knockout win.

Charging out from his corner, Babic unloaded a barrage of early hooks, and Kennedy had to withstand clubbing shots in the opening round.

Kennedy wilted to the canvas in the second, with the referee ruling out a knockdown, but Babic continued to hammer away with brutal punches from both hands.

A short, savage hook sent Kennedy toppling to the floor in the third and Babic ruthlessly followed up with more sustained shots to force the referee’s intervention.

Barry O’Neill rides his 600th winner

By Dan Walsh

Barry O’Neill left wet and soggy Castletown-Geoghegan this evening with a career tally of 601 winners following a treble this afternoon. The four-time reigning champion point-to-point rider is leading the 2020-21 championship with 10 winners so far.

BARRY O’NEILL… rode his 600th point-to-point winner

It was Paul Nolan’s first timer Fire Love who gave O’Neill his milestone 600th victory by half a length in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares. Nolan has few point-to-point runners these days as he concentrates on the track, but it was at the Toberona House Stables, near Enniscorthy, that O’Neill started out!

O’Neill’s opening winner at the Westmeath track was in division one of the maiden races for four-year olds on Grady Hollow in the colours of Maria Kavanagh, Arklow, and trained at Kiltealy by champion handler Colin Bowe. The winner got home by six lengths in testing conditions with only two finishers.

Barry O’Neill has enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Fermanagh handler David Christie, and they shared O’Neill’s third victory of the afternoon when Handy Headon come home ten lengths to the good in the Winner of Two race.

Fireworks seized at house in Gorey

One person has been arrested after a large quantity of fireworks, cash, watches and tobacco was seized at a house in Gorey town last night.

Fireworks seized in Gorey town

The search was conducted under warrant as part of Operation Tombola.

Gardai are advising the public “Please do not purchase fireworks from illegal unregulated sources. Serious injury may occur with life changing consequences.”

Please contact your local Garda Station if you have any information on the illegal sale of fireworks or call the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111.

Contaminated horse feeds rule out Aidan O’Brien’s Arc runners

By Dan Walsh

World champion trainer and Wexford-man Aidan O’Brien has ruled out his four intended runners in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp today (Sunday)  after it was revealed on Friday that various batches of GAIN horse feeds, which O’Brien uses, had been found to be contaminated with a prohibited substance.

A Tweet on the official account of O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard at 9.20pm last night, read: “Unfortunately the results of the urine samples taken from the horses yesterday have come back positive from the French laboratory.

CHAMPION TRAINER AIDAN O’BRIEN (Pic; Ballydoyle Facebook Page)

“There is a possibility that the contaminant may have left their racing by the time of racing tomorrow, however, we have no guarantee of this and in order to protect the integrity of racing we have decided to withdraw all our horses from racing tomorrow.

“Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien will do likewise.”

WexfordLocal.com became aware of difficulties for several local yards using Gain horse feeds and, as a consequence, many runners were taken out of race meetings and point-to-points in recent days.

GAIN Equine Nutrition had issued a statement on Thursday advising trainers to refrain from feeding horses its equine products, including its widely used cubes and mix, after it emerged some of its products have been contaminated with Zilpaterol.

That substance is unlicensed in Europe but is used in America and elsewhere to promote weight gain, mainly in cattle. The advisory came about after France Galop announced five horses had tested positive for Zilpaterol in recent weeks.

GAIN Equine is working closely with all appropriate agencies, including the Irish Department of Agriculture, to fully investigate the source of the contamination and says it will provide a more detailed update once more information is available.

Martin Ryan, Head of GAIN Equine, said: “We apologise sincerely to our valued customers for the inconvenience caused by this incident and we are committed to promptly keeping you fully informed. A thorough investigation and trace back of all feed ingredient sources is underway as a matter of urgency to determine how this external contaminant could have found its way into some batches of our equine product.”

GAIN Equine Nutrition is the equine feed brand of Glanbia and is located at Clonroche Mill, near Enniscorthy.

Colin Bowe double in first two races

By Dan Walsh

Colin Bowe continued his good new season point-to-point form at Toomebridge, Co. Antrim today (Saturday) with a double in the opening two races with two newcomers – Branson Missouri in the mares maiden race for four year olds and Jungle Jack in the maiden race for four year old geldings.

COLIN BOWE… champion handler had a double today Pic; Horse Racing Ireland

Branson Missouri in the colours of Leo McArdle gained advantage after the first past the post was disqualified for taking the wrong course and was awarded first prize with five lengths to spare under Caim rider Jordan Gainford.

It was a tight affair with the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd’s Jungle Jack getting the nod by half a length to give Bowe a double on the day and his sixth success of the season with Barry O’Neill in control.

Donnchadh Doyle and the Monbeg Syndicate were victorious in the maiden race for six year old geldings with Figaro Des Bordes who had an easy twenty lengths success under James Walsh, Tinahely, who is enjoyed a brilliant start to the 2020-’21 season.

Only a head separated the first two over the line in the maiden race for ‘older’ maidens but the verdict favoured First Revolution for the Monbeg Partnership,  trained at Ballindaggin by Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard, was in the saddle.