Tom Doyle is new IFA Chair

By Dan Walsh

Tom Doyle was elected Chair of Wexford IFA at the annual general meeting held in the Farm Centre, Enniscorthy on Monday night. He succeeds Jer O’Mahony, who served for four years.

TOM DOYLE … the new Chair of Wexford IFA (Pic; Agriland)

Tom, a beef and tillage farmer from Camolin, has previously served on the IFA National Farm Business Committee and is married to the current IFA Deputy President, Alice Doyle.

Tom, the sole candidate for the Chair, stated that he accepted the position after being approached by several members. He pledged to “do the best I can for farmers across the county.”

He commits to maintaining regular contact with members through the association’s branch structure and emphasises the importance of young people taking up roles in the farm organisation.

The outgoing Wexford IFA chair, Jer O’Mahony, extended his best wishes to Tom Doyle as he assumes the position.

He informed the members that he appreciated his tenure as Wexford IFA chair and acknowledged that he would miss it since it becomes a significant part of one’s life.

Mr. O’Mahony stated that one of his most significant accomplishments was achieving agreement with Wexford County Council on farm inspection protocols that prioritise respect for farmers throughout the process.

Mr. O’Mahony will maintain an active involvement in Wexford IFA, serving as both Treasurer and Public Relations Officer.

Contraband seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers seized contraband worth over €172,000 in Dublin and Rosslare Europort operations in recent days.

Alcohol worth €310, with a potential tax loss of €210, was seized at Rosslare Europort.

Investigations into all seizures are currently ongoing.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s continuous efforts to address smuggling and shadow economy activities.

If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.

2,000 people sign petition against Templeshannon IPAS plans

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting

Plans to convert the former Enniscorthy Mercy Convent at Templeshannon into an IPAS Centre were debated at today’s Wexford County Council meeting held at the Council Chamber, County Hall, Wexford, where emotions ran high, and some comments were called ‘disgraceful’.

Closed since 2010 and designated as “a protected structure,” Cllr Aidan Browne stated that “the old convent house” is situated near schools and in a busy traffic area, leading to local frustration over the lack of investment in Templeshannon. “We cannot allow this to happen,” he declared.

Locals against plans for an IPAS Centre on the old Mercy Convent site at Templeshannon.

Cllr Paddy Kavanagh expressed his support for Cllr Browne, describing the former convent as “an iconic building.” He also noted that a petition opposing the planning application has already been signed by over 2,000 individuals.

Cllr Kavanagh noted that Ukrainian refugees are being housed nearby. “I have no issue with the people there,” said Cllr Kavanagh, adding, “My concern lies with the large number of non-vetted single male refugees coming to the Shannon area.”

Cllr Jackser Owens emphasised the need for public consultation. “The residents need to be notified about what is going on and have it explained. I’m supporting the people of the Shannon community,” he concluded.

Cllr Ger Carthy informed the meeting about three applications for IPAS use at Rosslare Harbour and Killinick. Cllr Carthy noted that there are over 300 individuals in IPAS accommodation and more than 100 in Ukrainian accommodation. He suggested that the residents of Rosslare have been exceedingly generous and have significantly contributed to the effort. 

Members stressed the need for caution in how we handle and discuss the issues around IPAS centres.

Wexford school’s reminder

By Dan Walsh

Wexford teachers in primary and second level schools are reminded that the closing date for this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition entries is Friday, 28th February.

The Texaco Children’s Art Competition, now in its 71st year, is recognised as the longest-running arts sponsorship in Ireland.

Further information can be accessed at http://www.texacochildrensart.com or at Texaco service stations located throughout the county.

Sunday doubles for Murphy and Hendrick

By Dan Walsh

Denis Murphy of Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, won both four-year-old maiden races at Askeaton, Co. Limerick and Tallow, Co. Waterford today. Jack Hendrick also secured a double victory in Limerick.

DENIS MURPHY saddled the winners of the four-year-old maiden races at Limerick and Waterford today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick participated in the maiden race for four-year-olds in Limerick aboard Taurus Bay for Denis Murphy, achieving victory by two and a half lengths in the first leg of a double.

Half an hour later and Hendrick got home by half a length on U S Marshall for Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, handler Matthew Flynn-O’Connor in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

The third Wexford winner at Limerick was in the final race, the six-year-olds plus maiden. Midnight Moonshine won by half a length for the Roche family and was handled by Daryl Deacon from Belmont, Clonroche. Brian Dunleavy rode the winning horse.

Denis Murphy initiated the proceedings at Tallow with a decisive 14-length victory for Hitintheheadlines, ridden by Sean Cotter, in the maiden race for four-year-olds. This success marked a double achievement at different venues for The Ballagh handler.

Eamonn Doyle and the Mossy Fen Stables Partnership at Ballindaggin also achieved success at Tallow. The newcomer Mossy Fen Coolio had an impressive 25 lengths to spare over rivals in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and provided another victory for Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan.

Saturday’s point-to-point at Kirkistown in Co. Down featured a notable win for Wexford. Kanzler, trained by Michael Goff of Clondaw, Enniscorthy, secured victory by seven lengths in the maiden race for four-year-olds. This achievement marked the fifth career win for his son, Harry Goff.

Colourful Exhibition at Enniscorthy Castle

Artists Olivia O’Keeffe, Martina Furlong and Marja van Kempen pictured at the launch of their exhibition of paintings, ‘Creations of a Colourful Mind’ in Enniscorthy Castle today. The exhibition is open to the public until April 25th. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle

Visiting Enniscorthy Castle is a rewarding experience throughout the year. This afternoon, a new exhibition titled Creations of a Colourful Mind opened, showcasing a collection of contemporary paintings.

The colourful paintings that adorn the ancient castle walls are the latest work of three talented local artists; Olivia O’Keeffe, Martina Furlong and Marja van Kempen, and part of a joint creative journey where their unique, distinctive style and self-expression is evident.

Marja van Kampen is a full-time painter and printmaker, born in the Netherlands, and moved to Ireland in 1982. She recently moved to Enniscorthy where she set up a new art facility at the IFA Centre.

A Wexford native, Martina Furlong from Galbally, near Bree, paints and exhibits landscapes and abstracts for lovers of colourful, tactile art in her studio gallery at Oulart. Her work has been widely acclaimed and exhibited on numerous occasions.

Born in Cork, Olivia O’Keeffe is now resident in the Netherlads and proudly describes herself as ‘an Irish artist’ with the desire to create a basic instinct and a necessity, connecting us to the universal source. “It’s all about creating and connecting, reflecting and sharing,” she told WexfordLocal.com.

Maria Nolan officially opened the exhibition. A local writer and artist involved in three films, Ms. Nolan praised the talented female artists and admired the vibrant colours in the paintings.

The current exhibition runs in Enniscorthy Castle until Friday, April 25thand moves to the Coastguard Cultural Centre, Tramore, Co. Waterford from April 27th to May 31st.

Almost 1.5million cigarettes seized at Rosslare

By Dan Walsh

Yesterday (Thursday) Revenue Officers seized 1,452,600 cigarettes at Rosslare Europort.

The cigarettes, branded Oscar Special Filter, Oscar Super Slims Blue and Mac Extra Filter Queens, have a retail value of over €1,310,000 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €1,036,000.

The cigarettes were discovered when an accompanied freight unit that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France was stopped and searched. The truck and trailer were also seized.

This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco in the shadow economy.  

If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes or tobacco, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295. 

Legal viw on local roads speed reduction

By Dan Walsh

Sections of the Road Traffic Act 2024 comes into effect today (Friday), February 7th. Local roads will see a reduction in speed limits from 80 km/h to 60 km/h.

WexfordLocal.com has been creating awareness around the new changes to rural roads speed limits this week and there has been public reaction, which is always welcome!

Barrister and former County Councillor for the Gorey-Kilmuckridge district, Andrew Bolger believes that these changes won’t be seismic. “What comes next after this initial step is what motorists should really take notice of.”

“Is speeding normally enforced on a local or rural road? Probably not. There can’t be a Guard on every corner, nor should there be. It’s just not practical.”

ANDREW BOLGER BL. “I would imagine that there will be a number of challenges brought before the District Court on the basis of incorrect signage on the road or in circumstances where people use an App which tells them the speed limit, and that limit may now be wrong. People are bound to make an honest mistake; should they be punished for it?”

Mr. Bolger believes that many motorists will find themselves charged with speeding when they honestly believed they were within the speed limit.“I would imagine that there will be a number of challenges brought before the District Court on the basis of incorrect signage on the road or in circumstances where people use an App which tells them the speed limit, and that limit may now be wrong. People are bound to make an honest mistake; should they be punished for it?”

Later this year, on national secondary roads, speed limits will decrease from 100 km/h to 80 km/h. Mr. Bolger believes this is where most of the issues will arise. “There seems to be more enforcement on these roads, and I think local authorities really need to ramp up their communication campaign about what speed limits will be changing. Councils can increase the speed limit back to its original limit if they feel this is necessary, and I suspect the local engineers’ inboxes will be bursting at the seams once the speed limits drop.

“When the motorways opened in County Wexford, some roads had a speed limit reduction applied to them. It was like shooting fish in a barrel for a GoSafe van. I suspect these changes will be no different.”

These changes are happening against the backdrop of a significant number of road deaths in Ireland. “Perhaps this is the dramatic change of the speed limits that will bring down the number of road deaths. I hope it does, and I think it can, eventually. However, there are bound to be people caught out with speeding fines and penalty points when it was never their intention to speed,” concluded Mr. Bolger.

Two injured in Poulfur collision

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí at New Ross are appealing for witnesses following a single-vehicle collision on the R734 at Poulfur, Fethard-on-Sea, at approximately 11.40pm last night.

A man, aged in his 20s, was taken to Waterford University Hospital to be treated for serious injuries.

The female occupant of the car, aged in her 20s, was taken to Wexford General Hospital for treatment.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Those with camera footage, including motorists with dash-cam, from the area at the time are asked to provide it to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on (051) 426030, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Slower speeds on Wexford rural roads

By Dan Walsh

From tomorrow (Friday) speed limits on all Co. Wexford rural roads are being reduced from 80Km/h to 60km/h.

The change is expected to make roads safer for all users especially motorists, pedestrians, children and cyclists.

The changes make sense as travelling at high speeds on rural roads is lunacy and the inconvenience of slowing down should be fully endorsed by all responsible roadusers. That said, the Gardaí has told WexfordLocal.com that they apprehended a driver travelling at 136km/h in an 80km/h zone at Monart, near Enniscorthy, on St. Brigid’s Holiday weekend!

However, sceptics are enquiring if the lowering of speed limits is an excuse for not filling the potholes and carrying out proper maintenance on rural roads?

REVIEW; The National Speed Limit Review legislation became law on April 12th, 2024, and the provisional commencement for rural local roads was last November, however, we are running behind the proposed date, but the safer roads law is effective from Friday, February 7th (tomorrow).

WexfordLocal.com attended two meetings on the same day last July where elected members were briefed on the changes at meetings of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District by Wexford County Council Chief Technician, David Codd.

Mr. Codd told the meetings that 2,993 km of non-national country roads will be assessed, that is 83.14% of Co. Wexford’s total road network consisting of 865km of Local Primary; 1,428km of Local Secondary and 646km of Local Tertiary. Approximately 700 poles and signs will be erected across the county.