WexfordLocal.com

Let’s get Courtown’s Spike Bridge reopened soon

By Dan Walsh at Courtown

An iconic timber pedestrian bridge crossing the Owenavorragh river and a feature of the Courtown Woods and part of the Wexford Walking Trails programme, known locally as Spike Bridge, was closed by Coillte last week.

A notice on the bridge reads; “Please note that Spike Bridge is closed due to safety concerns. The bridge will reopen once repairs have been made. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Due to the cultural and local significance of this bridge, Courtown Heritage Group are anxious that it be restored and returned to use as soon as possible.

The official trail map shows that if the bridge closes, the bridge walk will no longer be connected to the Wexford Walking Trail network in Courtown.

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com local foraging and forest guide, Lorraine O’Dwyer, from Gallivanting Tours (gallivanting.ie) who runs foraging and folklore walks in Courtown Woods tells us “that Spike Bridge is a pivotal part of the walk as it allows me to talk about the Courtown Estate, the landlords and how the local community lived and worked with them.”

Currently the bridge allows for access to woodland managed by Coillte on the north side of the Owenavorragh river, linking the 1.4km Bridge Walk which is especially popular for active travel and river anglers.

This timber bridge was once an Iron spiked bridge which workers on Lord Courtown’s estate used. It was locked by night after the last workers went home and opened again in the morning, to allow workers access to their workplace.

Lorraine is local Failte Ireland ambassador for Ireland’s Ancient East, and serves on the board of Wexford Walking Trails says that in her view while the bridge does need some repair, it’s far from being so dangerous that it must be closed immediately.

In Lorraine’s opinion, the bridge could be made a little more accessible, but it’s not dangerous, it’s not unstable and it certainly should not be closed indefinitely.

The bridge is relevant to the local community, local businesses and tourists. “We want to raise awareness of this closure and seek confirmation of concrete plans for its restoration and reopening, without which, we fear the bridge will suffer the same fate as the boardwalk at Courtown Beach.

“It is important that places of cultural interest and significance are maintained and returned to use as soon as possible.

“Please bring this to the attention of anyone you think can assist us in re-opening Spike Bridge,” concludes a statement issued by Courtown Heritage Group.

Arrest after death on passenger ferry

**ROSSLARE EUROPORT** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

By Dan Walsh

A woman has been fatally injured in ‘a serious incident’ on board the 2pm Stena Nordica passenger ferry sailing from Fishguard to Rosslare Europort this evening.

A man has been arrested in connection with the investigation and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region.

Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the incident shortly after 5pm and embarked the ship which is currently docked at Rosslare.

A woman was later pronounced deceased and her body remains at the scene.

The scene has been preserved for technical and forensic examination.

In a statement, Gardaí said; “A crime scene has been declared. While Gardaí conduct inquiries onboard, there are no public safety issues at this time.”

A spokesperson for Stena Line confirmed that the incident occurred on the 2pm sailing from Fishguard to Rosslare.

The spokesperson added: “This is a police matter, so please direct all further questions to the Gardaí.”

Gorey IPAS application withdrawn

By Dan Walsh

An application for a proposed IPAS Centre on the Arklow Road, Gorey, has been withdrawn following discussions between the owner of the property, Sean Doyle, and the newly elected TD for the Wicklow-Wexford constituency, Brian Brennan TD.

As a result of Deputy Brennan’s intervention regards the application submitted on February 19^th, follows a statement from Sean Doyle Developments Limited re; property at Waygood, Gorey.

The statement reads; “We recently applied to provide accommodation for 3 to 4 families, approximately 18 international protection applicants and not an IPAS Centre.

“We have since withdrawn this application for the following reason!

“We currently provide staff accommodation in this building and due to a change in circumstances we now require continuing using this property for staff accommodation for the foreseeable future.”

Woman seriously injured in Duncannon

By Dan Walsh

A woman in her 30s who was seriously injured in a two-vehicle road traffic collision near Duncannon today was airlifted to a Dublin hospital.

The collision involving two cars occurred on the R734 at Balliniry Cross shortly after 3pm.

The passenger of one of the vehicles, a woman in her 30s, was transferred to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

The drivers, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 40s, were conveyed to Wexford General Hospital and Waterford University Hospital respectively, for treatment of injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

The road is expected to remain closed overnight to facilitate a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators tomorrow morning.

Local diversions are in place and investigations are ongoing.

Enniscorthy sports facility is “envy of everywhere”

**At the historic opening of the all-weather Astro pitch at Ross Road, Enniscorthy, today.** (Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

By Dan Walsh at Ross Road, Enniscorthy

The sporting heritage found in Enniscorthy was enriched and celebrated today with the official opening of the new all-weather Astro pitch at Ross Road, Enniscorthy. Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, James Browne TD performed the opening address.

AUDIO ADDITION; Minister James Browne speaking at the opening of the all-weather Astro pitch at Ross Road, Enniscorthy, this morning.

Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Aidan Browne said; “It is a privilege to be here today to mark a new chapter in the development of local sports in Enniscorthy. Today, we celebrate the opening of the new Enniscorthy astro pitch; a facility that will make a huge difference in our town and beyond.”

Cllr Browne continued; “As a town, Enniscorthy has some of the best sporting facilities in the country; we have the athletics hub, the greyhound stadium and the rugby club just beside us, two top class GAA clubs, five soccer clubs, two boxing clubs, basketball, tennis, athletics and a cricket club. Sport is massive in Enniscorthy and this facility here today is only going to enhance this further.”

The project was funded by a Sports Capital Grant of €300,000 received from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media and from Wexford County Council.

Denis Hennessy of the Wexford Alliance and Chairman of the Football League explained; “Our alliance is a new one in the country. It’s the schoolboy’s league, the women’s league, Wexford FC and the Wexford Football League come together with Wexford County Council in the running of this excellent facility and we look forward to more of these being done by Wexford County Council across the county in the coming years.”

**MINISTER JAMES BROWNE at the opening of the Ross Road Astro pitch.** (Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

Peter Doyle of the Wexford Football Alliance and Chairman of the Women’s League, who works with the Leinster Football Association and, technically is an employee of the FAI also addressed the attendance.

“This is a very proud project for everyone involved in Wexford football,” said Mr Doyle, who added; “This is the first of a kind and the envy of a lot. Great credit to everybody involved. It is the envy of everywhere else.”

District Manager Claire Lawless, who acted as master of ceremonies, said; “This is an exciting development for Enniscorthy and the facility will be an enormous benefit to the entire community of Enniscorthy and the surrounding areas. “Wexford County Council remains committed to retaining the public realm and providing opportunities for health and well-being,” she said.

The attendance included Deputy Johnny Mythen, Senator Cathal Byrne, Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy and John O’Rourke, Carolyn Godkin, Neil Dempsey and Neville Shaw from Enniscorthy District Council, former County Executive Tom Enright and former Enniscorthy District Manager Ger Mackey and Tony Doyle from the Wexford Football Alliance.

The sporting occasion was demonstrated on the new pitch with mixed teams, boys and girls from 5^th and 6^th class at the town’s primary schools at St. Aidan’s and St. Senan’s showing off their talent. Cllr John O’Rourke was referee. Both teams arrived and departed the new pitch in traditional style – by special bus!

Wexford town water supply back to normal

By Dan Walsh

The Boil Water Notice for customers in Wexford town supplied by the Newtown Water Treatment Plant has been lifted with immediate effect.

Uisce Éireann can confirm that, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, customers can now resume normal use of the public water supply.

The notice was issued as a precautionary measure last Wednesday (February 19^th) to protect the health of 22,849 people due to the detection of cryptosporidium in the water supply.

Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann worked to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible. Following the completion of remedial works and the receipt of satisfactory monitoring results, the notice has now been lifted.

Uisce Éireann’s Fionnuala Callery acknowledged the impact of a Boil Water Notice on customers and thanked the community for their support while the notice was in place.

“Uisce Éireann’s primary focus remains the protection of public health and we worked with our stakeholders to lift the notice as quickly as possible. We are grateful to customers, elected representatives, and the media for their assistance in sharing information on the Boil Water Notice,” concluded Ms. Callery.

Winning weekend for Barry O’Neill

By Dan Walsh

Today’s planned point-to-point fixture at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, failed an early morning inspection that found the track unraceable, leaving Lisronagh the only survivor in testing conditions and Wexford stables took four of the seven races at the Tipperary venue.

**POINT-TO-POINT CHAMPIONS** **BARRY O’NEILL and COLIN BOWE shared a double success today in Tipperary.** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

Champions Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill shared a double winning both divisions of the maiden race for four-year-olds with newcomers Cristal D’Estruval taking division one by a neck and Cooltobecareless by one length in division two. Both ran in the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd colours and will now head to the sales.

It’s been a great weekend for rider Barry O’Neill, who also rode a double in Armagh yesterday. Tonight, he shares top of the leaderboard in the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship with Rob James, both on the 23-winner mark for the season.

Rob James rode First Candidate to victory today in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares by two and a half lengths for Donnchadh Doyle who celebrated his 300^th point-to-point career victory at Punchestown yesterday.

Michael Goff’s stables at Clondaw, Ferns, enjoyed a family success in the maiden race for four-year-old mares with newcomer Clondaw Park in the colours of Caitriona Goff, handled by Michael and ridden by their son, Harry, coming home eight lengths to the good.

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 300^th 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 13^th 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.