WexfordLocal.com

Phone plan to report illegal dumping

By Dan Walsh

Cllr Aidan Browne’s motion calling on Wexford County Council to roll-out a QR style code on every public bin in Co. Wexford, seconded by Cllr Garry Laffan, was unanimously carried at today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held in the Hilton Edwards Suite in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy. Cllr Ger Carthy was in the chair.

Cllr Browne said this would allow people to report overflowing bins as well as illegal dumping in real time using their phone and thus ensure a quick and targeted response. “The issue has become much more prominent over the lockdown period with people spending a lot more time outdoors,” said the Enniscorthy district member, who added; “The summer months and periods of good weather further exacerbate the problem and despite the best efforts of the Council, overflowing bins are becoming a common feature near parks and playgrounds across the county.

Cllr Browne continued; “It takes less than a minute to report and means the Council can target problem areas rather than trying to cover everywhere all the time and it also acts as a deterrent to those illegally dumping household waste near public bins as they know the Council will be watching the areas where it is most important.”

If a bin is damaged or overflowing anyone with a smartphone can snap a picture of the QR code and report it to Wexford County Council. This generates a service request and the Council can then send someone around to attend the issue without delay.

18th century bridge stands up for itself!

By Dan Walsh

Ballycarney Bridge is in the news and needs some sort of signage or intervention to keep it safe and in working order according to local Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan.

**18th century Ballycarney Bridge is ‘not always wide enough for traffic’ as the damage shows**

Speaking at the July meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Codd-Nolan told members that there was confusion and ‘near misses’ on the bridge and she is asking the Council’s engineering section to investigate and see what can be done.

The bridge has been strengthened and kept in good working order by Wexford County Council over many years, and that is still the case, but it appears that present day problems may arise from driver behaviour and could be easily solved by common courtesy and reduction of speed in the area.

Erected ca-1780, Ballycarney Bridge has seven arches flanked by smaller ‘flood’ arches and is described as “typical of the 18^th century Irish stone bridge.”

Linking the road to Ferns with Ballycarney crossroads, the ancient bridge is a noted landmark and is rare in that the pointed cutwaters are taken to parapet level and supports ‘pedestrian refuges’ that are v-shaped and quaint in appearance.

Seven arrested for drugs offences

Seven people have been arrested after Gardaí seized a quantity of suspected cocaine and cash during searches in North Wexford that began in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Gardaí intercepted a van and conducted a search of a vehicle at around 2 am. Suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of €17,500 was seized. A short distance away, a second package containing approximately €17,500 worth of cocaine was seized after Gardaí pursued a second vehicle.

Follow-up searches were conducted under warrant throughout the day in Enniscorthy and Gorey. During these searches, approximately €15,000 in cash was seized.

The seven people (five men and two women) arrested are currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 in Garda Stations across Wexford and Wicklow.

Uniformed Gardaí attached to the Wexford Division were assisted by members from the Regional Support Unit, District Detective Unit and Cork Division Dog Unit during the operation. Investigations are ongoing.

Truck overturned at Ferrycarrig Bridge

A 34 year old man has been seriously injured when the cattle truck he was driving went out of control and overturned at Ferrycarrig Bridge this afternoon. A number of cattle died in the collision.

The scene of a crash at Ferrycarrig Bridge.

A parked car that was unoccupied at the time was also involved in the incident.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene.

Ferrycarrig Bridge remains closed. Traffic is quite heavy on approach in both directions, particularly southbound with a tailback of approximately 3km. As a result, traffic is also busy heading into Wexford town from the Ferrybank side.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was travelling on the road from 1.45pm to 2pm – or anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed the incident – to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Ferrycarrig Bridge is closed to traffic

Ferrycarrig Bridge outside Wexford town is currently closed while Gardaí deal with a serious collision.

WexfordLocal.com has been informed that a truck loaded with livestock is involved. Emergency services are at the scene.

Roadusers should avoid the area over the next few hours.

Traffic is quite heavy on approach in both directions.

Terrerath Castle adds to Norman trail

By Dan Walsh

Wexford’s history and heritage is enriched by ruins and vestiges from the Norman period and when Terrerath Castle showed signs of “collapse in the next decade” and a survey by Wexford County Council declared it “a dangerous structure” it was time for action.

**TERRERATH CASTLE is a restored addition to the Anglo-Norman trail in the New Ross district.**

There were two options; one was demolition and the other was stablisation! Fortunately, the latter was the preferred choice.

The castle site, which is on privately owned land, had to be fenced and secured after it became “in a dangerous state”, which meant a 3km detour for local users.

Funding of €112,000 was approved by the National Monument’s Service, with Wexford County Council contributing €30,000 which was a handsome contribution towards the conservation and enhancement of the building.

Terrerath Castle, also known as Tellarought Castle, is a fortified tower-house located about 10 kilometres from New Ross, dating from the Anglo-Norman period. It was held by Sutton in 1307, but it has been in disrepair by the Civil Survey in the mid-1650s.

The ruins have been repaired and cleaned up and it stands as an imposing landmark beside St. Brigid’s Well, which is believed by some people to have healing properties, and even in present times it is adorned by religious objects left by pilgrims.

Ivan Yates says goodbye to broadcasting

By Dan Walsh

It was implied that veteran broadcaster Vincent Browne could never be replaced, but Enniscorthy’s Ivan Yates sat comfortably in his seat for the past three years, TV3 became Virgin Media and The Tonight Show became the nation’s favourite for many late night viewers of current affairs.

Ivan presented his final ‘live’ show last night when his chief guest was An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, who didn’t let the occasion pass with offering some words of congratulations on his retirement. “I want to take the opportunity to thank you for your service to broadcasting and the public in terms of how you have carried out this show. We’ll miss you! I think you brought a degree of freshness and innovation to the job and also something unique.”

Co-presenter Matt Cooper also spoke well of Ivan and wished him well in his retirement. He was presented with a special commission by caricature artist Niall O’Loughlin, who recently immortalised Dr Tony Holohan in similar creative style.

**NIALL O’LOUGHLIN’S caricature of Matt Cooper and Ivan Yates was presented to Ivan marking his retirement from broadcasting**

Aged 60, Ivan Yates is son of Enniscorthy businessman, the late John F. Yates, and Mary Yates of Blackstoops, on the outskirts of the town. He joined the Fine Gael party and was elected to Enniscorthy Urban District Council on his first attempt in the June elections of 1979.

When elected to the 22^nd Dail in 1981 he was the youngest deputy in the House. He served as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry from 1994 until 1997 and he was elected on every occasion until his retirement from politics in 2002.

He was involved in business interests for a number of years until he entered broadcasting with Newstalk FM on the Breakfast Show and Virgin Media (was TV3) taking over The Tonight Show three years ago.

His autobiography FULL ON – A Memoir was published by Hatchette Books Ireland in 2014.

AUDIO ADDITION – Tributes to Ivan Yates on The Tonight Show.

6,000 lobsters returned alive to the sea

By Dan Walsh

Earlier this week, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), acting on information from a member of the public, seized 86 illegally caught lobsters from a recreational fisherman in the South East.

**Lobsters seized by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority at Dunmore East**.

The team of SFPA Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers from Dunmore East also detained a vivier lorry in Rosslare Europort destined for Spain with approximately 6,000 lobsters on board, including almost 700 illegally caught lobster. All lobster were returned alive to the sea and the SFPA is preparing a file for the DPP.

Under regulations recreational or private fishers can catch one lobster daily and are prohibited from selling their catches. There are also regulations about the minimum size of shellfish that can be caught in Irish waters that apply to commercial and recreational fisheries while lobsters that have been V-notched must not be retained on board either.

Over 630 under-size lobster and almost 60 v-notched lobster were seized from the lorry which is specially fitted out with large water tanks to transport live lobster, maximising their value. Further investigations are underway as to the origin of these fish, which the SFPA believe were collected from the north west and west of the country, some of which may have originated from Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the seizure, Dr Susan Steele, Chair, SFPA acknowledged the support of the public in alerting the SFPA and encouraged people who have concerns about suspected illegal fishing or activity that could compromise food safety to contact their local SFPA port office. “The volume of such a find of under-size lobsters is both significant for the future viability of the fishery and concerning given the scale of the find. The fishery for lobster is one of the most traditional fisheries among coastal communities and the mainstay of many small vessels fishing all around the coast of Ireland. The actions of a few fishermen selling under-size and v-notch lobsters undermine the legitimate fishermen trying to maintain a sustainable fishery and livelihood.”

Morriscastle “a victim of its own success”

By Dan Walsh

Parking difficulties at Morriscastle were raised by Cllr Mary Farrell at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council. The road from Kilmuckridge village to the Blue Flag beach is two kilometres long and is a cul-de-sac. One way in and the same way out!

**What can be done about car parking chaos on the cul-de-sac to Morriscastle beach.**

Cllr Farrell wondered what could be done and mentioned a few ideas like double yellow lines, a commuter bus or some way to get visitors to the shops and beach, which has wheelchair access, without the confusion and long delays.

A freshly completed footpath is very impressive but it is a long walk from the village and back and there is also the danger of the village becoming overcrowded if the car parking was to be stopped off from there.

Cllr Pip Breen said Morriscastle needs more car parking in the worst way. Families walking to the beach is out of the question. There was a suggestion that the Council lease land locally, but apparently that was tried before, and it didn’t work out. The Council were of the view that the purchase of land for permanent car parking that would be empty on wet days and only busy for three months of the year is not sustainable and that suggestion is off the table for the moment.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux said there were similar parking problems at Ballymoney and Cahore. “Everyone wants to park on the pier,” he quipped, before adding that it was unrealistic to ask the Gardai to patrol every beach approach.

Cllr Willie Kavanagh floated the idea of visitors paying €2 or €3 per car and maybe have a word with local landowners and test their interest in such a proposal!

Executive Engineer, Gerry Forde, addressing the meeting via video link said the numbers were high on the previous Sunday at the beaches in Duncannon, Morriscastle and Curracloe. “We had two additional car parks at Curracloe, and they were still overflowing. It was like a Bank Holiday weekend,” he added.

Cllr Pip Breen noticed an increase in the number of camper vans, but you can’t move them on because there is nowhere to send them. “If there is an opportunity to make a business, we might as well have it. Holiday makers are paying guests to our county. We are a victim of our own success,” he concluded.

Mr Forde said Wexford County Council are monitoring the situation, which is seasonal and weather dependent, and county wardens will be asked to advise on the overcrowding and car parking chaos seen at our beaches.

Templeshannon link features new footbridge

By Dan Walsh

There is an urgency to progress ambitious plans for a new footbridge over the River Slaney linking east and west and bonding an integral part of the proposals for the redevelopment of the Templeshannon area of Enniscorthy.

A new pedestrian crossing in the shape of a footbridge will link east and west of the River Slaney in line with Slaney Street between the railway bridge and the ancient stone bridge at Enniscorthy when the Templeshannon Regeneration Scheme is completed.

Last Monday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council featured a presentation on the Templeshannon Regeneration Scheme and it emerged that an application for funding the €15 million project has been confirmed.

Cllr Aidan Browne sought an update on the Templeshannon project and in reply it emerged that some of the old buildings will be removed and there are proposals to develop three urban blocks within Templeshannon for re-development to facilitate new commercial and economic development opportunities in the area.

Plans include a major public realm investment to improve accessibility and to make the area attractive to shoppers and visitors and the construction of a new pedestrian bridge to increase connectivity between Templeshannon and the Slaney Street area.

Cllr Cathal Byrne enquired if the pedestrian bridge crossing could be implemented immediately? It would bring accessibility to the swimming pool area, but he felt that there are “two sides to the town and both sides deserve to be funded equally.” Cllr Jackser Owens agreed with Cllr Byrne and said people on the Shannon side (of town) are sometimes forgotten. Cllr Owens is also calling for a new pedestrian crossing on Templeshannon Quay near the busy bus stop.