‘150k in February’ supporting children

By Dan Walsh

LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice invites people in Wexford to dust off their runners and challenge themselves to walk 150km throughout the month of February.  

LauraLynn is asking the public to take on the sponsored challenge, walking, jogging or running about 5.5km per day in February.

The challenge is an important fundraiser for the Children’s Hospice supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families.   

LauraLynn Fundraising Executive Cathy White commented: “Taking part in the ‘150k in February’ challenge is a great way to get outdoors now that the evenings are getting longer. We are asking people to walk or run and just have some fun while raising much needed funds for LauraLynn. These funds will allow us to continue supporting children with palliative care needs and their families all over Ireland.” 

To take part participants register on the LauraLynn website where they will receive a T-shirt, as well as their own sponsorship page. Funds raised from the “150k in February” challenge will help Laura Lynn provide essential care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families from across the country.  

Whether you walk or run regularly or are trying to get more active as part of your new year’s resolutions this challenge is for everyone.  

Participants can share their experiences and photos on social media using the hashtag #TeamLauraLynn and join the dedicated Facebook group to connect with others taking part in the challenge. 

For more information or to register go to lauralynn.ie/150K or contact Cathy at challenges@lauralynn.ie. 

Lá Fhéile Bríde at Ballycarney

By Dan Walsh

LORRAINE O’DWYER tells the Stories of Bridget at the Old Post Office, Ballycarney.

Saturday, February 1st marks the beginning of Spring and the celebration of Lá Fhéile Bríde, St Brigid’s Day. The day has long symbolised hope, renewal and the feminine.

Monday is Brigid’s Day, a new Bank Holiday introduced for the first time in 2024, so the focus is on Brigid in the coming days.

Ballycarney Development Group is inviting interested parties to join with Gorey-based storyteller Lorraine O’Dwyer from Gallivanting.ie for an evening celebrating St Briget!

“Her story begins 1000s of years ago with an ancient tribe that made their home in Ireland, and she has been with us ever since, both Goddess and Saint,” said Lorraine, who added; “So join us as we weave reed crosses, prepare our Brat Bhríd to leave out overnight and celebrate this ancient Spring Festival!”

This is a free event but to manage numbers the organisers are asking that you book a place by emailing ballycarneydevelopmentgroup@gmail.com

It all happens at The Old Post Office Ballycarney (Y21H1K2) on Friday, January 31st, commencing at 7pm.

Six males refused entry at Rosslare

By Dan Walsh

An Garda Síochána continues to investigate following the discovery of nine people in a shipping container at Rosslare Europort last Monday morning.

It is understood that the men and teenagers were found in the container at the port where they were for four days, having arrived on a ship from Dunkirk in France.

It is believed the nine people were aged between 16 and 23 and are all originally from east Africa.

It is understood they may have thought that they were waiting to be transported onwards while in Rosslare before raising the alarm.

Gardaí say that “six adult males have been refused leave to land in accordance with immigration legislation.

“One adult male has claimed international protection and will now be processed by the International Protection Office (IPO).

“Two males are believed to be minors and are now in the care of Tusla.

Gardaí attached to Wexford Garda Station, supported by the Garda National Immigration Bureau, are investigating all of the circumstances of this incident.

Anyone with any information in relation to this discovery is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 66 11 or any Garda Station.

Enniscorthy’s ‘Cyclone’ joins Gladiators

By Dan Walsh

Twenty-three years old Lystus Ebosele from Enniscorthy has joined the popular BBC television programme ‘The Gladiators’ as ‘Cyclone’.

Sister of the Republic of Ireland soccer player Festy Ebosele, who began his career with Moyne Rangers in his native Enniscorthy, Lystus is now capturing the public imagination in her own right and becoming an international television celebrity.

CYCLONE (real name Lystus Ebosele) from Enniscorthy stars in the BBC programme ‘Gladiators‘. (Pic; BBC/Radio Times).

Upon joining the series, Cyclone was certainly not short on confidence – and is set to prove a formidable force for contestants.

Describing herself as “the ultimate all-round athlete”, she said: “I’ve got the look, I’ve got the energy, and I’ve got the muscles.”

She posted: “Secret’s finally out, I am so excited to finally be able to share this with you all, I’m joining Gladiators as Cyclone!”

Cyclone, real name Lystus Ebosele, 5ft 10in is from Enniscorthy and is an Irish powerlifter who was named the 84kg+ Jr World Champion in 2023.

Through her YouTube channel, which has received over 1.8 million views in total, she helps viewers to learn useful powerlifting techniques.

The Gladiators can be viewed on BBC television on Saturday evenings.

Garda investigation at Rosslare Europort

ROSSLARE EUROPORT (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

An Garda Síochána at Wexford Garda Station have commenced an investigation following the discovery of nine people in a shipping container at Rosslare Europort at approximately 10.30am this morning (Monday).

Gardaí were alerted to the presence of a number of people inside a shipping container at Rosslare Europort.

Gardaí and emergency services located the nine males and they have been assessed by medical personnel.

Eight have been deemed to be in good health while one male is receiving further medical assessment at a hospital in the south-east of the country for non-life-threatening injuries.

Gardaí attached to Wexford Garda Station, supported by the Garda National Immigration Bureau, are investigating all the circumstances of this incident.

Anyone with any information in relation to this discovery is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 66 11 or any Garda Station.

Water restrictions at Taylorstown Plant

By Dan Walsh

Because of Storm Éowyn, overnight water restrictions are necessary for some Uisce Éireann customers supplied by the Taylorstown Water Treatment Plant to maintain a daytime supply for customers. 

Impacted areas may experience water outages or low pressure including: Fethard, Saltmills, Hook, Arthurstown, Duncannon, Ramsgrange and surrounding areas. 

Supply restrictions will be in place on parts of the South Regional Scheme for the coming days from 9pm until 8am to allow local reservoir levels recharge. 

FIONNUALA CALLERY… Uisce Éireann (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Fionnuala Callery of Uisce Éireann told WexfordLocal.com last night; “We understand the inconvenience that restrictions cause, but they are necessary if we are to ensure we have a daytime supply for all our customers. We will be assessing the situation daily and an update will be provided in the coming days.

“The majority of customers should have adequate storage in their attic tanks to provide for essential uses such as flushing toilets for the duration of this restriction. However, customers can help conserve water by not running taps needlessly, taking showers instead of baths and postponing using dishwashers and washing machines where possible.

Ms Callery added; “Following return of supply, it typically takes two to three hours for normal supply to fully be restored to all areas as the water refills the network, especially for those on higher ground or at the end of the network. 

The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on X @IWCare with any queries. For updates please visit the Water Supply Updates section of water.ie  

Winning streak for Donnchadh Doyle

By Dan Walsh

Seven days after a treble at Ballycrystal Donnchadh Doyle’s winning form continued today (Sunday) at Cragmore, Co. Limerick, where he saddled Klondike, on his second outing, to a two and a half lengths success in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

Ridden by Rob James, Klondike who is heading for the sales ring beat another Wexford entry, Denis Murphy’s Apache Tribe ridden by Jack Hendrick who was making a welcome return to point-to-point action following an injury.

DONNCHADH DOYLE

This success left the Ballindaggin handler in his 15th season just one short of his 300th career winner!

Barry O’Neill also rode a winner today. He was aboard Glenmalure Lady for Ashbourne, Co. Meath, handler Claire O’Connell, and enjoyed a two and a half lengths victory in the maiden race for six-year-old mares.

The fixture planned for Dungarvan yesterday (Saturday) was postponed because of severe weather conditions and has been rescheduled for next Saturday, February 1st.

The Wexford Hunt point-to-point races take place at Ballinaboola, New Ross, next Sunday. First race at 1pm. The fixture is important as it features the first four-year-old maiden race of 2025. The organisers would love to welcome a large attendance.

Successful Gorey writer Sadie Harpur

Gorey author SADIE HARPUR with her first book The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl in Gorey Library. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

It was a pleasure to meet successful author Sadie Harpur in Gorey Library recently months after she launched her first book ‘The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl’ there, a fascinating work which explores her childhood in foster care, the challenges involved with having a learning disability and losing her brother Gary.

A full-time mum and working as a Special needs assistant (SNA) at Gorey Educate Together while writing her book meant that Sadie wrote whenever she could find the time.

Now living at Newborough, in Gorey, took four years to write the book (co-authored with Jackie Hayden of Killinick) which is biographical and a memoir revisiting and immersing herself in her tumultuous childhood.

“I was very withdrawn as a child and didn’t talk much. I was quite wary of my foster parents. At first our foster parents had to feed me under a tea towel for a while before I got used to being around people,” said Sadie.

Sadie lived in many homes in Dublin throughout her childhood. While her mother was pregnant with Sadie, she was unaware that she was carrying twins. Sadie’s mother went into labour three months premature, and at the time she was unaware that she was pregnant with twins.

Sadie arrived accompanied by Kizzy. Soon after, Sadie was able to leave the hospital with her parents, but Kizzy remained in hospital for months due to having heart problems. During those first nine months of their lives, Sadie moved back and forth between her parents’ home, foster care and the nuns. They were eventually reunited when they went to live with their foster parents, and they remain very close to this day.

Sadie Harpur and Jackie Hayden were guest speakers at an event in the Mansion House, Dublin, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste, who praised Sadie’s honesty in outlining the details of her life in foster care.

The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl by Sadie Harpur (with Jackie Hayden), paperback, ISBN 9781399970112, is available to buy at Bridge Street books, Wicklow town, Hampton’s bookshop, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. And in local bookshops in Maynooth, Wexford town, Gorey, Enniscorthy and Rosslare. You can buy it online at https://booksupstairs.ie/product/the-hidden-world-of-a-foster-girl/https://bridgestreetbooks.ie/product/the-hidden-world-of-a-foster-girl/

Environment is being destroyed

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District meeting

Fly tipping and illegal indiscriminate dumping of household rubbish was raised again at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held in Gorey Civic Centre. Cllr Oliver Walsh, Cathaoirleach, presided.

Cllr Mary Farrell raised the matter of fly tipping in her district of Kilmuckridge claiming that “the environment is being destroyed” and she deplored the pressure on the clean-up crews and Council time that could be used more productively.

Cllr Farrell said people are afraid to report incidents. “People are fearful,” she stated.

CLLR MARY FARRELL

Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said he lives only two miles from Enniscorthy and told fellow members of “nice tied black bags of rubbish left at gateways every weekend and they brazenly believe nobody will ever catch them.”

Cllr Kavanagh spoke of Sunday mornings and the huge amount of ‘chip van stuff’ and bear cans’ thrown from car windows is appalling. Cllr Kavanagh added that he never saw as much rubbish on the roadside, but he wondered was the problem more noticeable in wintertime when the ditch growth is stripped back.

Enda Brennan, Executive Engineer with responsibility for the Environment addressed members questions about reporting incidents in confidence, not being identified, and especially being brought to court to identify perpetrators!

Mr Brennan stated that it is possible to remain anonymous and that “finding a receipt or other written evidence in the waste” should be sufficient bring about a conviction.