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.
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.comhas 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.
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.
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.
Promoting the Affordable Homes Wexford project in Gorey district were Cllr Nicky Boland, Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Cllr Oliver Walsh, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Council and Cllr Donal Kenny.
By Dan Walsh
Wexford County Council has launched its first affordable housing purchase scheme for private buyers at ‘Radharc na Beannoige’, Ramsfort, Gorey.
A total of 20 homes consisting of three bed units are being made available for sale by Wexford County Council through the affordable purchase arrangements, under the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and associated regulations.
The development of new A rated homes, in partnership with Mythen Construction, will provide first-time buyers and eligible homebuyers the opportunity to buy a newly constructed home.
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Pip Breen said; “Wexford County Council is delighted to reach this important milestone, the portal launch for this pilot scheme offers eligible buyers a great opportunity to secure their own home at an affordable price’
Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Eddie Taaffe said; “We are absolutely committed to delivering high quality, affordable homes across county Wexford, today’s launch is welcome news to buyers in the Gorey area. I would encourage anyone who might be interested to visit the council’s website and to familiarise themselves with the scheme and eligibility requirements.”
Applications must be made through Wexford County Councils Affordable Housing Portal. The online application portal will open at 10am on Wednesday, February 12th and close at 5pm Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.
Further information on the scheme, including the application process and supporting documentation required is available at Affordable Housing/Wexford County Council at www.radharcnabeannoige.ie
All queries in relation to this exciting new home ownership opportunity, please contact Wexford County Council at affordablehousing@wexfordcoco.ie
Celebration time on Monday at the 20 Dips in December cheque presentation at Kilmore Quay RNLI station. (Pic; RNLI/Elaine Walsh).
By Dan Walsh
Kilmore Quay RNLI Volunteers were delighted this week to meet those who took part in 20 Dips in December raising a record €7535.25 this year for their local lifeboat station.
Now in its fourth year and organised by local ladies Gráinne O’Brien, Melinda Kehoe and Simmi Duffin, the fundraising event challenges participants to take 20 dips in the sea during the month of December culminating in a community swim in Kilmore Quay on New Year’s Eve.
Forty-five people of all ages completed the full challenge at various locations throughout the month of December as conditions allowed. Safety always to the fore, this year the final swim was postponed a day due to inclement weather on December 31st.
However, that did not deter the swimmers who instead showed up in numbers the next day and completed their ‘20 Dips’ on a sunny winter’s afternoon on January 1st.
Gráinne O’Brien, 20 Dips in December Organiser, said ‘We have had phenomenal support for this event from so many people, whether it was help organising swims, donating raffle prizes, donations of refreshments, whatever we needed, somebody stepped up to help.
“We particularly want to thank our sponsors Sofrimar who sponsored our swim caps this year. We are extremely grateful to all who donated to the event or sponsored us and especially to those who took part throughout the month. We are thrilled to be able to handover this fantastic amount to such a great cause. Makes all those cold dips worthwhile!” concluded Ms. O’Brien.
John Grace, Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager who welcomed the participants to the station on Monday, said; “We are delighted to welcome you all here today especially so many young people. This is a fantastic community event and now a regular fixture on the annual calendar. “Fundraising is so important to what we do and without people like yourselves, our lifeboat service could not continue as we do. On behalf of all the volunteers at Kilmore Quay Lifeboat station, thank you all for your fantastic efforts on our behalf,” added Mr Grace.
Mark Chambers Courtown RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Rose Murphy Courtown RNLI Shop Manager and Imelda Willoughby Courtown RNLI Fundraising Committee were delighted to meet Brendan at the boathouse and accept his donation. (Pic; RNLI/Nicky Deacon).
By Dan Walsh
Brendan (Tack) Murphy raised €940 through donations and sponsorship when he completed the Christmas Day swim in Courtown Harbour. Courtown RNLI is Brendan’s favourite charity and he is a regular swimmer in Courtown during the summer months and uses the pool during the winter. He took to the sea on Christmas Day and raised a massive €940 which he donated to Courtown RNLI The RNLI is funded by donations and the station were delighted to receive such a generous donation from Brendan and his sponsors. All proceeds will go to Courtown RNLI lifeboat station. The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.
The St. Brigid’s holiday weekend produced championship racing at the highest standard and a new generation of young jockeys from south Wexford were involved in the winning action; Conor Stone-Walsh from Cleariestown and Tiernan Power Roche from Tomhaggard.
18 years-old Stone-Walsh enjoyed his first major success in the saddle when he guided Backtonormal (11/4 fav.) to a three and a quarter lengths victory in the prestigious Leopardstown Chase extended handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown. Third in the big race was Tiernan Power Roche on Monbeg Park for Ballindaggin trainer Sean Doyle.
CONOR STONE-WALSH (Pic; Racing TV).
Moving on to Punchestown today (Monday) and Conor Stone-Walsh continued his winning ways on Theonewedreamof (9/4 fav.) in a handicap chase for the in-form Gavin Cromwell Meath stables.
Two wins in two days has put Stone-Walsh on the big-time racing map and well deserved by the pony racing graduate with 90 winners to his credit. He started out riding for Joseph O’Brien on the flat and is now showing exceptional skill and progress on the National Hunt circuit.
Tiernan Power Roche scored a riding double at Punchestown today (Monday) on Drusilla (14/1) for Cian Collins in the maiden hurdle and Duffys Hodey (7/2) for Tinahely trainer Philip Rothwell in a novice handicap hurdle.
Power Roche started off with the Killinick Pony Club rode 45 point-to-point winners his biggest successes to date were ‘over the banks’ at the Punchestown Festival; winning the La Touche Cup on Ballyboker Bridge for Peter Maher in 2022 and victory in the 2023 Ladies Cup on Three By Two for The Ballagh, Enniscorthy trainer, Denis Murphy.
Power Roche has struck up a very successful relationship with Philip Rothwell this season and the combination has been adding to the scoreboard frequently.
Heavier than expected overnight rain left the Ballinaboola track with difficult conditions and parking in the field was a non-runner, however, the misty rain cleared to sunshine during the afternoon, a race was divided to make it a 7-race point-to-point card, the event was successfully concluded with the highlights including a double each for rider Jamie Scallan and Coolbawn, Rathnure, handler Robert Tector.
Racing kicked off with the first four-year-old maiden race of the year, nine went to post, this race has not been won outside the Wexford boundary since 2017, and the record was extended when Lion Rose Sivola took the honours for handler Mark Scallan, Cleriestown, racing in the colours of Laura Scallan and ridden by Declan Lavery.
MATTHEW GAHAN rode his first winner at Ballinaboola today.
The maiden race for five-year-olds went off in two divisions. Division one went to Tales of Bravery from Eamonn Doyle’s Balindaggin stables. Six lengths to spare and first leg of a double for rider Jamie Scallan.
Robert Tector initiated a double with Jury’s In scoring by four lengths under Jack Hendrick in division two. Tector’s second winner was The Ducks Walk in the maiden race for seven-year-olds and upwards, confined to novice riders, and a second career winner for Sean O’Rourke from Ballybeg, Ferns. Three weekend winners from Robert Tector’s stables as he saddled An Buachaill Rua to victory in Dungarvan on Saturday.
The race for five- and six-year-old mares concluded in a 15 lengths victory for Where’s Cato, owned by Tom Browne, Ferns, handled by John Martin Walsh, Duncormick, and ridden by Barry Stone. This was Walsh’s 30th career winner as a handler.
Only two finished the maiden race six-year-old geldings and a three lengths victory for Mick Goff’s The Coffey Boy and a first winner for 18-years-old Matthew Gahan from Boolavogue.
Jamie Scallan’s double was completed in the Winners Race Unlimited aboard Sean Doyle’s Between Waters who came home three lengths ahead of the Colin Bowe pair, Theatrical Getaway and Haggard.
It was a good afternoon’s racing with a good attendance and the Wexford Hunt can be proud of their efforts in completing the card safely and satisfactorily despite extremely challenging conditions caused by the overnight rain.
The scene north of Courtown towards the Kiltennel Walking Trail. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com).
By Dan Walsh in Courtown
Yesterday (Saturday) I paid a visit to Courtown and was directed towards the Courtown Kiltennel Walking Trail where I witnessed a trail of destruction in the wake of last week’s Storm Éowyn.
Trees were taken out, and in fairness to the National Parks and Wildlife Service efforts to clear the walkway have been successful, but the greatest challenge facing North Wexford coastline is the fact that the heavy seas are now breaking on to the sandy surface inside the protective rock armour that exists!
Speaking to locals walking their dogs and enjoying the leisure values of this amazing environmental treasure, the general reaction was that “nature is taking its course” and prevention is “at the mercy of the tides and waves and the massive force of the sea when it enters into storm mode.”
Over the past 50 years, Courtown has lost approximately 20 linear acres of coastline. Today, Courtown Community Council are the group responsible for monitoring the popular Courtown Kiltennel Walking Trail. It also conducts annual coastwatch surveys in association with coastwatch.org.
Speaking with WexfordLocal.com, Linda Sinnott from Courtown Community Council said; “Since we began doing our surveys 5 years ago, we’ve seen an ongoing loss of 1–2 meters per annum, with even larger sections disappearing during extreme weather events, like the one that hit last weekend.” Linda adds (see photo) that “In just one month, approximately 5,000 visitors were recorded using the Courtown Kiltenel Walking Trail since the installation of a trail counter in December 2024.
Linda adds; “We understand that coastal erosion is a significant challenge, and tough decisions must be made about what can be saved. However, the data makes it clear: this designated proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA) is a major attraction for both residents and tourists. We must do everything we can to protect it. The key ingredient is political will.
“We now have three sitting TDs, along with a Wexford minister and senator who can directly support our National Parks and Wildlife Service. We urge everyone to contact them, as well as your local representatives and Wexford County Council, to act now, before this valued yet vulnerable stretch of coastline is lost forever,” concluded Ms. Sinnott.
WexfordLocal.com 