The count in the new 3-seat Wicklow-Wexford constituency will recommence this Sunday morning at 9am at the Count Centre in Kilanerin Community Centre.
There appears to be an extraordinary result emerging with all three seats going the way of North Wexford candidates – Brian Brennan (Fine Gael), Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fáil) and Sinn Fein’s Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin.
Brian Brennan of Fine Gael remains in the lead with 9,112 votes followed by Malcolm Byrne of Fianna Fáil on 8,577 and then Ó Súilleabhán.
Aontú’s Sinéad Boland has been eliminated and her votes (1,667) will be distributed.
BRIAN BRENNAN
Count 4 will resume in the morning. Quota is 9,560.
Sinéad Boland (Aon) 1,667
Brian Brennan (FG) 9,112
Malcolm Byrne (FF) 8,577
Pat Kennedy (FF) 5,597
Peir Leonard (Ind) 4,606
Fionntán O’Súilleabháin (SF) 8,475
Aontú’s Sinéad Boland is eliminated. Votes to be distributed tomorrow
Ann Walsh of the Green party has been eliminated and her 910 votes are currently being distributed.
FIONNTÁIN Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN
Count 2: Distribution of Lawlor and Nolan votes
Quota 9,560
Boland (Aon) 1,545
Brennan (FG) 8,856
Byrne (FF) 8,344
Kennedy (FF) 5,493
Leonard (Ind) 4,134
O’Keefe (PBP/Sol) 1,089
O’Súilleabháin (SF) 7,790
Walsh (GP) 910
Ann Walsh of the Green Party eliminated. 910 votes distributed.
MALCOLM BYRNE
Following the first count in the Wicklow-Wexford constituency, Fine Gael’s Brian Brennan leads the way with 8,820 votes, followed by Fianna Fáil’s Malcolm Byrne on 8,311.
Fionntán Ó Súilleabhán of Sinn Féin is in third with 7,719 and Fianna Fáil’s Pat Kennedy, who is based in the South Wicklow area of the constituency, received 5,478 votes.
Independent candidate Pier Leonard who is a councillor also based in South Wicklow – in the town of Arklow – received 3,824.
Aontú’s Sineád Boland who is from Kilmacanogue which is outside the constituency received 1,350 votes; Asilinn O’Keefe of Solidarity/People Before Profit received 1,021 votes while Ann Walsh of the Green Party received 897.
With a total valid poll of 38,236; no one has reached the quota of 9,560 in the first count.
Frances Lawlor of Independent Ireland who received 648 votes and Independent IIse Maria Nolan who received 168 votes have been eliminated.
Thumbs up from victorious Verona Murphy as she takes in another radio interview at the Wexford Count Centre. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Wexford Count Centre
Outgoing Deputy Verona Murphy has been elected on the first count in the Wexford constituency with 11,340 first preferences. Her surplus of 838 is now being distributed by the Returning Officer Deirdre Burke.
Verona has been afforded a rousing reception by her many followers who were in attendance and amongst the first to congratulate the Ramsgrange woman was outgoing Minister James Browne.
Others expected to be elected include outgoing Deputies James Browne (Fianna Fail) and Johnny Mythen (Sinn Fein) and newcomer George Lawlor of The Labour Party.
Seasoned observers told WexfordLocal.com that Cathal Byrne cannot make up enough ground to retain the Fine Gael seat vacated by Paul Kehoe.
Wexford Count Centre opened at 9am this morning in Wexford. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Wexford Count Centre
In the last few minutes the spotlight has been focused on poll topper elect Verona Murphy. Ms. Murphy will come in with about 11,000 first preference votes.
VERONA MURPHY will be first to be elected in Wexford. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com
The official tally figures for Wexford constituency have just become available and it looks like sitting Independent TD Verona Murphy will top the poll with over 21% of the poll.
James Browne (Fianna Fail) is coming in at around 16%. Johnny Mythen (Sinn Féin) just over 14%. George Lawlor (Labour Party) is almost 14%.
It will be difficult for Fine Gael to secure a seat – Cathal Byrne almost 10% and Bridín Murphy just under 6%. Jim Codd (Aontú) is just over 7%.
All 169 boxes are open and the count is continuing.
The count for the 2024 General Election got under way at 9am at Loreto Secondary School Sports Hall, Ballynagee, on the outskirts of Wexford town.
Boxes from 168 polling stations in the 4-seat Wexford Constituency are being sorted and counted.
The first official tally figures are expected around mid-day.
15 candidates are chasing just four seats in the 34th Dáil.
The Emigrant Park in New Ross was recognised at the prestigious Excellence in Local Government Awards recently, winning the title of Best Municipal District Initiative Award.
Cllr Bridín Murphy, Cathaoirleach of the New Ross Municipal District, said “As Cathaoirleach of the New Ross Municipal District I would like to congratulate everyone one involved in the development of this project. I am incredibly proud of the Emigrant Park winning the award and putting New Ross on the map.”
Director of Services, Eamonn Hore said; “The new Emigrant Park in New Ross won a further honour at the Excellence in Local Government Awards held in Dublin. Voted the ‘Best Overall Municipal District Initiative’ throughout the country, the newest award nicely complements the Best Urban Planning Award win of earlier this year also achieved by the Emigrant Park. The Emigrant Park is a beautiful public realm space replacing the old oil tanks site which dominated the quay front in New Ross for many years.
“The Emigrant Park honours and reminds people of the strong history of emigration from the Port of New Ross, whilst providing a reflective space to relax and enjoy the wonderful views along the River Barrow. The park’s location beside the Dunbrody adds meaning and context to the park and is another link in the chain of projects to return the river to the people of New Ross to enjoy. The award is very welcome recognition of all the quality work invested in this latest project. Thanks to all concerned.”
This accolade reflects the hard work and dedication of all Wexford County Council staff involved in the project, from the Special Projects Team and the New Ross Municipal District.
New Ross Municipal District faced stiff competition in the category, but this recognition not only elevates the status of New Ross but also serves as an inspiration for future community initiatives. Earlier this year, the park also won a Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) Award for Best Urban Planning, making Emigrant Park New Ross a multi award-winning location.
The General Election for the 34th Dáil takes place today, November 29th with polling stations open from 7am to 10pm in the new 4-seat Wexford constituencyand the new 3-seat Wicklow-Wexford constituency.
WexfordLocal.com is urging everybody to cast their vote. Make sure you are on the register! If you didn’t get a polling card in the post, contact the polling station where you may have voted on a previous occasion.
Unlike some media sources WexfordLocal.com doesn’t suggest who to vote for, but we can urge you to cast your vote – a once-every-5 years opportunity to choose your legislators and have public representation in the national parliament.
Candidates are harmless and powerless until elected, they will court your vote and canvass your neighbourhood, but once elected the system demands obeyance to the party allegiance and your voice is reduced to a whisper!
It is vitally important for all of us to have hardworking public representatives, the ones with a proven track record and strong political experience (and a passion for the county ahead of the party), but others are in the contest for the very first time and should be afforded a chance to prove themselves! Best of luck to all 25 candidates in the two constituencies that will make a difference in Co. Wexford during the next five years (or months)!
WEXFORD CONSTITUENCY (4 seats)
The following 15 candidates have been nominated to stand in the Wexford constituency. Please note; they are not in the order here as they will appear on the ballot paper… so study the form ahead of casting your vote!
STEPHEN POWER The Irish People, a painter from Wolfe Tone Villas, Wexford.
VERONA MURPHY Non-Party, a public representative from Ramsgrange.
MICHAEL SHEEHAN Non-Party, Educator from Ballinteskin, New Ross.
JOHNNY MYTHEN Sinn Féin, a public representative from Enniscorthy.
BRIDÍN MURPHY Fine Gael, a social worker from Clonroche.
CATHAL BYRNE Fine Gael, Solicitor based in Enniscorthy.
PEADER McDONALD Green Party/Comhaontas Glas, a community worker from Clonard, Wexford.
JIM CODD Aontú, a teacher from Taghmon.
JACKSER OWENS Non-Party, a county councillor from Enniscorthy.
MICK WALLACE Independents 4 Change, a builder from Wellingtonbridge.
GEORGE LAWLOR The Labour Party, parliamentary assistant from Wexford town.
MARTINA STAFFORD People Before Profit-Solidarity, an administrator from Dublin 8.
JASON MURPHY The National Party – An Páirtí Náisiúnta, a factory worker from Broadway.
JAMES BROWNE Fianna Fáil, public representative from Enniscorthy.
MICHELLE O’NEILL Fianna Fáil, fitness instructor from Wexford town.
SOUTH WICKLOW-NORTH WEXFORD (3 seats).
The following 10 candidates have been nominated to stand in the new Wicklow-Wexford constituency. Please note; they are not in the order here as they will appear on the ballot paper… so study the form ahead of casting your vote!
ANN WALSH Green Party/Comhaontas Glas, a psychologist from Castletown, Inch.
PEIR LEONARD Non-Party, a County Councillor from Arklow.
BRIAN BRENNAN Fine Gael, a hospitality consultant from Gorey Hill.
PAT KENNEDY Fianna Fáil, a public servant from Rathdrum.
SINEÁD BOLAND Aontú, a former teacher from Kilmacanogue.
FIONNTÁN Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN, Sinn Fein, a public representative from Guaire.
AISLINN O’KEEFFE People Before Profit – Solidarity, a tour guide from Dublin 8.
MALCOLM BYRNE Fianna Fail, public representative from Gorey.
FRANCES LAWLOR Independent Ireland, homemaker from Greystones.
IISA-MARIA NOLAN, Director of Medical Company from Dublin 18.
WexfordLocal.com will be based at the Wexford Count Centre from Saturday morning when the boxes are open and the votes counted and will bring you all the news and developments until all the seats are filled.
The man who was fatally injured in a multi-vehicle road traffic collision on the N11 between Kyle Cross and Oylegate village on Wednesday has been named as Eddie Broaders, a healthcare worker from Joseph Street in Wexford town.
The collision happened shortly before 5pm and involved a truck and two cars. Mr Broaders, who is in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The truck driver, a man in his 20s from Northern Ireland was arrested at the scene and brought to Enniscorthy Garda Station for questioning. He was subsequently released without charge on Thursday morning and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The road was closed overnight but reopened to traffic this afternoon.
Gardaí are appealing for any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and were travelling on the N11 and the surrounding area between 4.45pm and 5.45pm on Wednesday afternoon to make this footage available.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on (053) 9233534, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
A man in his 50s has died in a multi-vehicle road traffic collision on the N11 between Kyle Cross and Oylegate village this evening.
The collision happened shortly before 5pm and involved a lorry and two cars.
A man in his 50s was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two others received medical treatment at the scene for injuries which are understood to be non-life threatening.
A man in his 20s has been arrested and is currently detained at a Garda station in Co. Wexford.
The road will remain closed overnight with local diversions in place, and a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators is ongoing.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
Gardaí are appealing for any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and were travelling on the N11 and the surrounding area between 4.45pm and 5.45pm to make this footage available.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on (053) 9233534, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Motorists using the N11 near the village of Oylegate are urged to avoid the area where possible and local diversions will be signposted by Gardaí following a road traffic collision earlier.
It is reported that a ‘multiple vehicle collision’ occurred on the Wexford side of Oylegate village at around 5pm. It is believed that as many as three vehicles were involved. There is no news of casualties currently.
Emergency services rushed to the scene with several units of Wexford Fire Service, the National Ambulance Service and Gardaí in attendance.
There were major tailbacks in both directions with reports of cars at a standstill and forced to turn back to Kyle Cross with diversions to Crossabeg and Castlebridge on the east and across the River Slaney and through Killurin and Ballyhogue on the western side of the N11.
Pictured at the NUJ presentation night in the Talbot Hotel were (back row, left to right); Damien Tiernan, Chair Irish South East branch NUJ, Jackie Hore, Margaret Walsh, Dan Walsh, secretary/treasurer Irish South East branch NUJ. (front row) recipients Ger Hore, Maria Pepper and John Walsh. (Pic; Jim Campbell/NUJ).
Three retiring members of the press have been honoured by the Irish-South East branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) “in recognition of services to local journalism’ at a recent branch meeting held in the Talbot Hotel, Wexford.
Damien Tiernan, Chair and member of the Irish Executive Council, presided. Dan Walsh, secretary/treasurer of the branch was organiser of the event which comprised of a general meeting for members and a presentation ceremony.
The branch honoured three retiring members – journalist Maria Pepper and photographers, Ger Hore and John Walsh -many glowing tributes came from all in attendance and Damien made the presentation of specially inscribed trophies “in recognition of services to local journalism’.
Many tributes were paid. Padraig Byrne, senior journalist with The People newspaper paid tribute to retiring journalist from The People newspaper after 40 years’ service. He said Maria Pepper’s byline “is synonymous with journalism in the South East”, and he added, “her name and work is legendary.”
Dan Walsh paid tribute to Ger Hore, who is retiring after 40 years’ service from the defunct Echo newspaper in the beginning to a long-standing contribution to The People newspaper group. He pointed out the popularity of Ger Hore and acknowledgement of his work.
Tributes were also paid to John Walsh from Enniscorthy who was a press photographer for over 20 years. In 2017, when Echo Newspapers went into liquidation, John was instantly signed up with the Enniscorthy Guardian and his images were published in the following week’s edition.
All three recipients were lauded for their contribution to the local media over collectively more than 100 years and wished the best of health to them and their families in long and happy retirement.
The attendance included life members of the union and retired journalists and photographers, and new members. A pleasant reception followed.
WexfordLocal.com 