300th winner for Donnchadh Doyle

By Dan Walsh

Three point-to-point fixtures went ahead today, and the highlight was at Punchestown where Ballindaggin handler Donnchadh Doyle sent out his 300th winner in a career spanning 15 years.

DONNCHADH DOYLE saddled his 300th winner today.

Doyle saddled the Monbeg Syndicate newcomer Pappariche in the five-year-olds plus maiden race and achieved the milestone tally with ‘a head’ victory under Tinahely rider James Walsh who was riding his first winner of the season.

Donnchadh Doyle shared the 2015 Irish Point-to-Point Handlers Championship with Colin Bowe. Pappariche was his 13th success in the current season and he enjoys at 24% strike rate.

Donnchadh’s brother, Sean Doyle, was also successful at Punchestown today. He saddled Park Blue for the Monbeg Partnership in the five-year-old geldings maiden race which resulted in a four lengths victory under Jamie Scallan and the second leg of a double for the Tomhaggard rider.

Scallan won the opening maiden race for four-year-olds on newcomer Heldam in the colours of Abbie O’Connor and handled by Matthew Flynn O’Connor at Balycrystal, Kiltealy. Two lengths were the winning verdict.

Jonathan Fogarty, Gaynestown Stud, Cleariestown, made the journey to Knockanard, Co. Cork, today, where he won the maiden race for five-year-old geldings with Malayalam (Ross Sugrue up) by three lengths beating Mymilkman handled by Donnchadh Doyle.

There was also point-to-point action at Farmacaffley, Co. Armagh, today, where Barry O’Neill and David Christie shared a double success in the final two races with Winged Leader and King in the Park.

Tomorrow’s Bray Harriers fixture at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, is subject to an 8am inspection.

Sunday morning inspection ahead of Tinahely races

By Dan Walsh

Point-to-point action at Fairwood Park, Tinahely. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

The weather is causing difficulties for the scheduled point-to-point fixture at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, next Sunday and precautionary inspections will take place.  

Met Éireann status yellow wind and rain warnings are due to come into effect at 2am on Sunday morning and remain valid until 3pm that afternoon.

The going at Tinahely was found to be ‘Soft’ when inspected on Friday afternoon. However, there is significant rainfall forecast on Sunday morning, ahead of what is the rescheduled Bray Harriers fixture in Fairwood Park.
Speaking on Friday afternoon, IHRB Course Inspector Pat Kelly said; “The track has some casual water on it following the extremely heavy rainfall last night and this morning.

“There is a dry forecast this evening, and mainly dry forecast for tomorrow, but unfortunately we have a very bad forecast for Sunday morning with wind and rain in excess of 15mm, maybe 20mm of rain coming in Sunday morning,” he stated.

‘Suspect Device’ discovered in Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

An area at Cathedral Street, close to St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, was closed to the public for a time today (Thursday), following the discovery of a ‘suspect device’ inside a residential property.

Gardaí and the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended the scene.

The device was made safe and removed from the scene. The road has reopened.

“A cordon was put in place, The Irish Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended, and the device was made safe,” said An Garda Siochana in a statement.

It is understood the device was historical in nature.

Tributes to Killinick road victim

By Dan Walsh

The man who lost his life in a road traffic collision on the N25 at Killinick on Tuesday evening has been named as Dave ‘Taff’ Thomas, a 73-year-old who lived at Pugin Park, Tagoat.

DAVE (Taff0 THOMAS

Mr Thomas was involved in a four-vehicle incident on the N25 at Orristown. He may have suffered a medical event. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Originally from Rhyl in Wales and affectionately known as ‘Taff’ he was due to celebrate his 74th birthday in a few days.

Many tributes have been paid to his wife Rita, children Tye, Keith, Naomi and Shauna, other relatives and friends.

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Dave (Taff) Thomas, Pugin Park, Tagoat, Co. Wexford and formerly of Rhyl, Wales, February 18, 2025, beloved husband of Rita, father of Tye, step-father of Keith, Naomi and Shauna; sadly missed by his family, son-in-law Mark, grandchildren Scott and Emilia, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

May He Rest In Peace

Reposing in Mulligans Funeral Home, The Faythe, Wexford (Y35 DH6V) on Saturday from 6pm until 9pm. Removal on Sunday at 11.15am to St. Mary’s Church, Tagoat for funeral Mass at 12noon. Cremation will take place privately. No flowers by request.

Don’t mention the IPAS Centre!

The proposed IPAS Centre at the old Mercy Convent site at Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, remains a ‘live’ planning issue despite the public protest.

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal Council monthly meeting

Last Saturday an estimated 600 people marched through Enniscorthy town in opposition to the proposed IPAS Centre for the old Mercy Convent at Templeshannon.

“The crowd would have been much bigger than it was had the weather been clear and dry,” said Cllr Jackser Owens at Tuesday’s meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held in the Presentation Centre.

Cllr Owens was one of only two public representatives who supported the protesters – the other was Cllr Paddy Kavanagh – and both addressed the attendance on the day.

At Tuesday’s meeting Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne welcomed the Council’s decision to enforce the requirement for planning permission that will require the applicant to either appeal or re-apply.

Cllr Browne said that “maybe the Council can approach the owner of the building and see about buying the property and have assisted living there.”

Cllr Owens told the meeting that he is “delighted now that it has gone to planning, so we will see what will happen. Hopefully the outcome will be in the people’s favour.”

Then Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy closed the discussion when she stated, “the decision can be appealed to An Bord Pleanála which means it is still a ‘live’ planning issue, so we probably should not be discussing it here in the chamber.”

“We just need to be aware of what we are saying,” she concluded.  

BOIL WATER NOTICE FOR WEXFORD TOWN

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann has issued a Boil Water Notice to protect the health of approximately 22,000 customers in Wexford town supplied by the Newtown Water Treatment Plant with immediate effect.

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), this notice is issued as a precautionary measure due to the detection of cryptosporidium in the water supply.

FIONNUALA CALLERY, Technical Operations Manager Uisce Éireann. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)


Uisce Éireann’s Technical Operations Manager for the region Fionnuala Callery apologised to impacted customers.

She told WexfordLocal.com this evening; “Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health. We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to homes and businesses and would like to assure customers that we are working to resolve the issue and lift the notice as quickly and as safely possible.”

Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. A map of the area is attached and available to view on the supply and service section of water.ie.

New Ross students support for Fethard RNLI

Members of Fethard RNLI; Nadia Blanchfield, Rebecca Doyle and Natasha Blanchfield accepting a cheque from Good Counsel College TY representatives. (Pic; Fethard RNLI).

By Dan Walsh

Members of Fethard RNLI travelled to Good Counsel College in New Ross where they were presented with a cheque for over €1,500 that the students raised through a sponsored 5K run on the New Ross Greenway last December.

Fethard RNLI’s water safety team visited the college to deliver a talk to the TY students. Over 80 students took part in the session learning how to stay safe around the water.

Safety messages included how to spot dangers, the importance of never going alone, practising how to ‘Float to Live’ and calling 999 or 112 for help.

Following the water safety talk, the students set off on their sponsored 5km run along the shore of the River Barrow in New Ross.

Rebecca Doyle, Fethard RNLI Water Safety Officer said; “We are very grateful to the Good Counsel College TY students for giving up their time to raise money for Fethard RNLI. Donations like this help to power our volunteer’s lifesaving work at sea.”

No promo signs for street businesses?

Enniscorthy’s Market Square. (Pic; File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy and Gorey Kilmuckridge meetings today

According to Wexford County Council “the presentation of the town is of utmost importance” and the Council has raised concerns about the “issue of sandwich boards and bollard sleeves becoming more prevalent across the county.”

The matter was raised at meetings of Gorey Kilmuckridge and Enniscorthy Municipal Districts today, the Cathedral town decided to take the issue “as read” although the District Manager informed the members that “letters will be going out” to the business community.

At the Gorey Kilmuckridge meeting, District Manager Philip Knight addressed “unauthorised advertising signage” under ‘any other business’ and he called on “the goodwill of the business community to remove the signs”, otherwise “further action will be taken.”

There were almost no reaction although Cllr Joe Sullivan asked about the situation around advertising community events, ‘for sale’ signs and promotion of tourism and special local events, but to no avail.

A statement issued by Enniscorthy Municipal District Council informs us that “a walkability audit was carried out in recent years and captured the existing conditions on set walking routes in Enniscorthy.

“The audit was carried out by a wide range of people of various ages and abilities including disability and older peoples’ organisations, those caring for people living with dementia, members of the public and Wexford County Council staff.

“The audit process highlighted this issue. Wexford County Council are undertaking a countywide review on this, and letters will be issued to offenders in late February and March.”

At a time when business is on the floor, streets are empty for most of the day, tourism is almost non-existent, surely changing the character of the towns and isolating the business community from its valued customers is the wrong direction to go about things. And don’t get me started on traffic management and parking in our intimate market towns?

Man (70’s) dies in Rosslare road crash

By Dan Walsh

A man has died in a multi-vehicle road traffic collision on the N25 Rosslare road between Orristown junction and Killinick village this evening (Tuesday).

At least three vehicles were involved in the incident which occurred at approximately 5.30pm.

Emergency services rushed to the scene. The man (70’s) was declared dead at the scene.

Other drivers involved in the incident were treated at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.

The incident caused major tailbacks on the busy road leading to Rosslare Europort.  

A stop/go system will remain in place overnight, however, the road will be fully closed to traffic from 8am to 11am tomorrow (Wednesday) to allow Garda Forensic Collision Investigators to carry out a full technical examination.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses and any road users who were travelling in the area at the time and may have camera footage are asked to make it available to Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

€23.4m for Wexford roads 2025 programme

DEEPS BRIDGE linking Crossabeg and Killurin over the River Slaney has been allocated €805,000 to complete works. (Pic; wexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council has been allocated funding of €23,437,550 for the improvement and maintenance of local and regional roads across Co. Wexford for 2025, almost two months into the year.

The breakdown includes €11,080,500 for restoration improvement, with €1,515,500 for restoration maintenance and €1,326,000 for supplementary restoration maintenance. €3,043,500 will be provided for discretionary grants.

A total of €603,000 will be allocated to bridge rehabilitation. Crossings listed for attention are the Still Pond Bridge, Enniscorthy, Borrmount Bridge, (work is already complete there), Ahare Bridge, Castletown, Oulartleigh Bridge, Annagh Bridge, Dunbrody Bridge, Abbey Bridge Phase 2, Ambrosetown Bridge, Goffsbridge Horetown, Knockahone Bridge, Old Boley Bridge, Templescoby Bridge, Ballycadden Bridge and Peppardscastle Bridge.

€1,005,000 of the €23.4m is set aside for specific improvement works, namely the Deeps Bridge at Killurin at €805,000 and repairs to the embankment on the R733 at Wellingtonbridge at a cost of €200,000.

A total of €398,000 will be provided for safety improvement works. The breakdown of these works is: Main Street and Red Row Riverchapel (€80,000); Arklow Road, Gorey (€120,000); McCurtain Street/Clogh Road, Gorey (€80,000); Junction of Bride Street, St Joseph’s Street and Thomas Street, Wexford town (€20,000), St John’s Road outside the Mercy School in Wexford (€35,000); Templeshannon Quay, Enniscorthy (€36,500); Rathnacknee to Ballynass €13,000; Rathangan to Muchtown (€8,000) and Rathaspeck Junction (€5,500).

Funding of €420,000 has been made available for former national roads and in Wexford will be spent entirely on the old N11, while €19,000 will be allocated to cycle signs and a combined total of €49,200 for speed limit signage.

There are several projects earmarked for funding, difficult to unravel at this time, but no doubt they will surface through the district meetings, and in many cases the work may have been completed, and it is just a matter of honouring the invoice. Will it make much difference to most communities, probably not!

The funding is part of a €658 million package announced nationally last week.