UPDATE, Tuesday, November 5th; Aoife O’Callaghan, 31 years, who had been missing from Gorey, Co.Wexford since 31st October 2024, has been located safe and well. We would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.
Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 31-year-old Aoife O’Callaghan has been missing from her home in Gorey since last Thursday, October 31st.
AOIFE O’CALLAGHAN
Aoife was last seen in the Phoenix Park in Dublin at approximately midday that day.
Aoife is described as being approximately 5 foot 10 inches tall with a slim build, long brown hair and blue eyes.
When last seen, she was wearing a black top and jacket with dark trousers and white runners, carrying a purple bag.
Gardaí and Aoife’s family are concerned for her well-being.
Anyone with information on Aoife’s whereabouts is asked to contact Gorey Garda Station on 053 9430690, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
The opening maiden race for four-year-olds at Damma House, Kilkenny, was divided and division one was a close affair between two Wexford contestants. Victory went to Soldier In Mayo (Colin Bowe/Barry O’Neill) by a neck with Kool Kid (Michael Goff/Harry Goff) filling the runner-up spot.
BARRY O’NEILL and COLIN BOWE (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Division two was a different scenario as Conman John, handled and ridden by Rob James, came home a clear 20 lengths ahead of the field.
Owner/handler Shane Roche from Cleariestown in his second season as handler saddled his first winner Leading Endeavour who sailed home by 20 lengths under Barry Stone in the maiden race for mares aged five-years-old and plus.
There was a mid-day start at Rathcannon, Co. Limerick and the opening four-year-old maiden race was divided and there was a close finish – a head victory for newcomer Road Exile handled by Cormac Doyle for the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership and ridden by Jack Hendrick, who scored his 90th career winner.
Duncormick rider Eoin Staples enjoyed success in the famous John P. McManus colours on odds-on favourite Priory Park trained by Edward O’Grady who was three lengths winner of the Open Race confined to novice riders.
Next Sunday, November 10th, the Wexford Foxhounds will stage its autumn point-to-point fixture at Knockmullen House, New Ross. First race at 12.30pm. Entries close with p2p.ie on Tuesday next.
The Wexford Centenary Stores this Saturday night. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walshat Wexford
There is massive shock in social circles in Wexford town with the devastating news that Wexford’s iconic late night and music venue – The Centenary Stores on Charlotte Street – is closed.
First opened in 1988 by the late Michael Tierney ‘The Stores’ as it was affectionately called was one of the South East’s best known nightclubs.
The Centenary Stores was one of several high-profile properties taken over by an investment company back in 2022, and sadly the once-booming business has been in decline in recent times.
Many of the staff have been employed at ‘The Stores’ for over 20 years and there is a lot of uncertainty in the air. One employee told WexfordLocal.com; “We still don’t know what’s going to happen to the staff?”
Paying tribute to Michael Tierney on his sad passing, the Mayor of Wexford Cllr Maura Bell said; “Michael Tierney was a massive employer. He will never be forgotten in Wexford, and he shouldn’t be.”
Having established The Centenary Stores in 1988, for many Michael and Adrienne changed the landscape for hospitality in Wexford town and brought it into the modern era.
“I think ‘The Stores’ was kind of the start of nightlife in Wexford really,” long-term colleague of Michael’s and publican Liam Sinnott said. “It got the ball rolling for modern day nightlife in that whole area. It opened in October of 1988.”
The closure of The Centenary Stores ends a glittering generation of nightlife in Wexford town and is a reflection on a changing society, but thankfully it leaves so many people with happy memories of great nights at ‘The Stores’ over about three decades!
UPDATE Monday, November 4th: Daniel Pender, 44 years who was missing from his home in Wexford since Thursday, October 31st, 2024 has been located safe and well.
Gardaí are appealing for information on the whereabouts of 44-year-old Daniel Pender who is reported missing from his home in Wexford town since Thursday, October 31st, 2024.
DANIEL PENDER
Daniel is described as being approximately 5 foot 10 inches tall with a large build. He is bald with a dark brown beard and green eyes.
When last seen, he was wearing a black t-shirt with a large print on the back, denim shorts, black and white Nike runners and a black Adidas backpack.
It is believed that Daniel may have access to a grey Ford Puma car with partial registration 211-WX.
Gardaí and Daniel’s family are concerned for his well-being.
Anyone with information on Daniel’s whereabouts is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Today’s point-to-point action was at Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary and winners from three separate Wexford stables were recorded.
Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe took the opening maiden race for four-year-old maidens with newcomer Adamas in the colours of Brian Acheson. The winning distance was five lengths and Adamas is now likely to go to the track.
BARRY STONE…winner at Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Jonathan Fogarty from Gaynestown Stud, Cleariestown, saddled newcomer Hank West in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings and the pleasant outcome was an eight lengths victory. Another newcomer who will be heading for the sales and was ridden by Barry Stone.
The third Wexford handled winner at the Tipperary track was Sainthilaire owned and handled by Pierce Power, Lofus Hall, Fethard-on-Sea who had a four lengths victory in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden race and was ridden by Jack Hendrick.
Two point-to-points tomorrow (Sunday) at Damma House, Kilkenny and Rathcannon, Limerick. Plenty of Wexford participation at both tracks.
While it will be the end of next week before the polling day date on Friday, November 29th is officially announced by the government the General Election campaign is ‘unofficially’ in full flight in the two constituencies serving Co. Wexford – Wexford constituency (4 seats) and the new South Wicklow North Wexford constituency (3 seats).
Fianna Fáil has selected former international referee Michelle O’Neill, (46), as their candidate for the Wexford constituency. She will be joined on the party ticket by outgoing TD and Minister of State James Browne.
MICHELLE O’NEILL (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Ms. O’Neill stood for Deputy Verona Murphy’s Independent Alliance in last June’s Local Elections in the Wexford Borough District where she received 368 first preference votes.
Ms. O’Neill said that the party’s investment in female sport was a key aspect in her decision to run. “Fianna Fáil believes in the power of women in sport and that has been shown by the overall percentage of women on boards across the sport sector. I am someone who has broken glass ceilings throughout my career, I pledge to continue to do that,” she said.
Tánaiste Mícheál Martin said that he was “delighted” to welcome Michelle O’Neill as the party’s additional candidate.
Ms. O’Neill, who is originally from Enniscorthy, but grew up in Bree, retired from refereeing last month, and had a long and decorated career. In 2019, she became the Irish person to officiate at a FIFA World Cup Final, overseeing the United States’ 2-0 victory against the Netherlands.
Renowned for generations as ‘Beautiful Blackwater’, the characteristic coastal village has retained its title as Co. Wexford’s tidiest village and were rewarded with the Gold Medal at the Supervalu National Tidy Towns 2024 awards presented in Croke Park, Dublin, this morning.
BEAUTIFUL BLACKWATER (Pic; Courtesy of Blackwater Tidy Towns’ Facebook page)
Wexford town were runners-up with Enniscorthy filling third position, both celebrating as recipients of Gold Medals. Gorey and New Ross were both awarded a Bronze Medal. Ballindaggin secured an Endeavour Award.
The official report said; “Blackwater is a very pretty village, and it was your adjudicator’s delight to acquaint themselves with its charms on their first visit.”
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said; “As in previous years, the standard of competition was exceptional this year in all categories, with 904 entries received overall from the almost 1000 active groups nationwide. I want to pay tribute to all the winners today across all the various categories.
“In particular, I want to recognise the vital role of volunteers across the country who are working so hard all year round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit,” said Minister Humphreys.
Minister Humphreys also announced a special allocation of €1.5 million in funding to support the work of Tidy Towns groups in their continued efforts to make their towns and villages better places to live, work and visit. Since 2017, the department has provided almost €11 million in funding to support the activities of these groups.
New car check-in at Rosslare Europort (Pic; Iarnród Éireann)
By Dan Walsh
A state-of-the-art passenger check-in facility has opened at Rosslare Europort, set to revolutionise passenger experience and create a seamless transition from land to sea for port users, signifying the latest milestone achieved for the port in the delivery of its ambitious masterplan.
Part of the largest ever investment in the history of Rosslare Europort, this brand-new passenger vehicle check in facility includes;
over 14,000m2 of new queueing lanes
new passenger rest and recreation facilities
new passenger information systems
a smarter and more efficient check in experience with the new smart port system
a first-class customer experience for port users
The opening of the new passenger vehicle check-in facility comes only a few weeks after the opening of a new Freight Check-in area at Rosslare Europort which has streamlined freight movement around and through the Port, saving time and congestion in and around the Port.
With a quick and seamless port experience now offered for both freight and passenger vehicle port users, Rosslare Europort is well on track to continue its recent expansion and realise the goals outlined in the port Masterplan.
In addition to delivering the streamlined freight and passenger check in facilities at the Port:
Works are continuing at pace on construction of the new Terminal 7 infrastructure, the new permanent border control post being delivered at the port in partnership with the Office of Public Works. These works are set for completion in late 2025.
Project designs are being finalised for Rosslare Europort’s Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub with a view to planning being lodged with An Bord Pleanála before the end of this year. Subject to planning being granted and funding being allocated, it is expected that construction will commence in late 2025/early 2026.
Rosslare Europort has warmly welcomed the decision by Brittany Ferries to more than double its weekly services between Rosslare and Cherbourg, with the service expansion beginning next Monday, November 4th.
During November, Brittany Ferries will operate four services in each way between Rosslare Europort and Cherbourg in Normandy, up from two each way currently. The service will then increase further to five each way at the end of the month.
The expansion of the Brittany Ferries service comes hot on the heels of the opening in recent weeks of Rosslare Europort’s new freight check-in and passenger vehicle check-in facilities, offering a quick and seamless port experience for freight and passenger vehicle customers of the port.
Welcoming the service expansion by Brittany Ferries at Rosslare Europort, Glenn Carr, Director Commercial Business Units for Iarnród Éireann – Port Authority for Rosslare Europort – said “the success of our partnership with Brittany Ferries goes from strength to strength with Brittany Ferries announcement that it will more than double services on the Rosslare Europort/Cherbourg route. Freight and passenger customers on Brittany Ferries’ expanded service offering will also benefit from the unprecedented developments at Rosslare Europort. Our new freight and passenger check-in facilities have opened, supported by our new state of the art SmartPort system; while the port environment is being transformed through our Masterplan investment and the T7 Border Control Post development in partnership with the Office of Public Works.”
A 41-year-old man appeared in court charged with the murder of a 27-year-old man whose body was found in in a disused quarry last Sunday.
Steven Ring, (27), a native of Oylegate, whose body was discovered just before lunch time in the water at Carrigfoyle Lake Quarry, at Barntown, around 6kms from Wexford town.
STEVEN RING
The discovery was made by gardaí almost two weeks after he was reported missing on October 15th.
A woman has also appeared in court in connection with his death.
Christopher Judge and Jane Corcoran, both with an address at Páirc na Dara in Clonard, Wexford, were being held at a garda station in Wexford and they appeared before Wexford District Court.
Gardaí gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
Detective Garda Leonard Casey told the court he formally arrested Mr Judge and that the accused made no reply when he was charged and cautioned.
The court also heard Detective Garda Brian Cummins describe how Ms Corcoran made no reply when she was charged and cautioned at Wexford Garda Station. She is charged with aiding and abetting a crime.
Solicitors for the accused both made an application for legal aid and Judge John Cheatle granted this. No application for bail was made
Mr Judge and Ms Corcoran were remanded in custody to appear in court again via video link next Monday, November 4th.
Steven Ring was laid to his eternal rest following his funeral Mass in St. David’s Church, Oylegate.
WexfordLocal.com 