Memorial plaque honours John ‘Urney’ Byrne

Family and Council colleagues, officials and councillors at the dedication of a memorial plaque to John ‘Urney’ Byrne at Duffry Gate. (Pic; Slaney News)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy

There was a special occasion held at Enniscorthy’s Duffry Gate this morning where a memorial plaque was placed on a bench in memory of John ‘Urney’ Byrne on the second anniversary of his untimely death on June 18th 2022.

Cllr Jackser Owens gave a brief eulogy on Urney’s life and times and said he was delighted to see this bench erected to his memory in the part of Enniscorthy that he hailed from – Duffry Gate.

Claire Lawless, District Manager, recalled that Urney was a dedicated and popular member of the outdoor staff at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and this bench is a fitting tribute to his memory.

The attendance at the brief ceremony which took place in poor weather conditions included Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr John O’Rourke, family members and former work colleagues.

The Late JOHN ‘URNEY’ BYRNE (Pic; Dee O’Leary).

John Byrne, (59), affectionately known as ‘Urney’ was a popular member of the outdoor staff of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council who died suddenly while attending to his duties at the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy on July 18th 2022.

The shock incident occurred as members and officials were preparing to attend the July meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council in the Presentation Centre and, as a mark of respect for the family, Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne cancelled the meeting with immediate effect.

In recent times local councillors unanimously agreed to honour John ‘Urney’ Byrne’s memory and recognise his contribution to the town with a plaque on a park bench. Today that tribute was honoured and ensures that his memory will never be forgotten.

Car collided with pole at Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

A male driver was taken to hospital this afternoon after a car collided with a pole carrying telephone wires at Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy. The incident occurred around 2pm.

Ambulances from the National Ambulance Service, units of Wexford Fire Service based at Enniscorthy, outdoor staff at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Gardai attended the emergency.

Diversions were put in place. The road has reopened after closure for a few hours and traffic is now moving normally.

Landline telephone services were lost in parts of the town and technicians are working to restore normal services as quickly as possible.

Swimming ban at Booley Bay Beach

By Dan Walsh

DO NOT SWIM notices have been erected at Booley Bay Beach, near Duncannon, after sampling conducted as part of Wexford County Council’s normal monitoring of bathing water quality showed elevated levels of bacteria.

In a statement, Wexford County Council said; “Following consultation with the HSE, it is necessary to issue “Do Not Swim” warning notices at Booley Bay Beach in accordance with the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008 and in the interest of public health.

Further samples have been taken today and results are expected on Saturday, July 20th at which stage the bathing prohibition notices will be reviewed. In addition, the Council’s Environmental Technical Team are investigating the matter.

More information on bathing water quality can be obtained on http://www.beaches.ie

BREAKING NEWS; Cathal and Bridín set satnav for the Dáil?

By Dan Walsh

Two sitting Fine Gael members Cllr Cathal Byrne, Ballyhogue and a member of Enniscorthy District and Cllr Bridín Murphy, Clonroche, a member of New Ross Municipal District Council have been selected to run for Fine Gael in the next General Election. Two of least ‘kept secrets’ in local politics were ratified at the General Election Convention held last night. Congratulations and good luck to both excellent public representatives.

Enniscorthy site facing demolition?

The old Murphy Flood’s Hotel site at Market Square, Enniscorthy, photo taken yesterday (Wednesday). Pic; WexfordLocal.com

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting

Cllr Cathal Byrne said he welcomed “the demolition of the old Murphy Flood’s Hotel site” in Enniscorthy town centre and Cllr Jackser Owens described the existent appearance of the site as “an eyesore” at Tuesday’s meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held in the Council Chamber at the Presentation Centre.

Cllr Byrne described the site as “a strategic location” and he is optimistic about “using the location as a large retail store site.” Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was enthusiastic about the rejuvenation of the town centre and making the right decision for traffic movements. However, it was pointed out that the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan and the proposals for the old Murphy-Flood’s site are separate plans and the funding is totally unrelated.

However, there could be a spanner in the works as Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services told the members at Tuesday’s meeting that “the Murphy Flood’s site is going to be costly” (€8m was the original estimate). She also indicated that the library service may not be interested in providing funding for the proposed library on the site, a different Part 8 may be required, and Ms Godkin also hinted at the challenges of getting investors and developers involved in future plans for the old Murphy-Flood’s site!

Murphy Floods Hotel was gutted by fire in 2005 and has remained ruinous ever since. In March 2023 the site and adjoining property on Irish St. and Barrack St. was acquired by Wexford County Council who announced an €8 million plan to develop a new library building, retail units, 18 apartments and underground parking. The next step is to demolish the existing buildings and commence the new development.

Last December, WexfordLocal.com reported that Enniscorthy Municipal District Council were informed that complete demolition is planned for the early part of 2024. The Council were reported as seeking to advance a proposal to redevelop this vacant plot, which has previously secured Part 8 consent in July 2022. O’Connor Sutton Cronin Consulting Engineers were appointed in May 2023 to undertake full stage design services for the demolition and site preparation elements of the scheme. There were also delays with legal issues and complaints by elected representatives.

A tender competition to appoint a works contractor for the demolition works on site has been completed and a works contract awarded to John Tinnelly & Sons. Phase 1 works will commence on site in August 2024, according to Council sources.

There are fears locally that following the demolition of the overgrown site, “a hole in the ground” may be the legacy for a long time to come?

What the proposed new Murphy Flood’s Hotel site may look like???? (artist’s impression).

Gorey Market House Festival this weekend

By Dan Walsh

Traditionally the popular Gorey Market House Festival attracts the crowds on the August Bank Holiday weekend, but the 2024 renewal happens next Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 19th-21st with a promise of three days of family friendly music, crafts and events throughout the town with something for everyone.

Philip Knight, Gorey District Manager told WexfordLocal.com; “I am excited for this year’s Gorey Market House Festival. The Committee has worked incredibly hard to put together a strong music line up and events that will provide “something for everyone”. The Family Fun Day promises to be a day of delights for all the family. I would like to thank the Councillors and businesses that are supporting the Festival and I look forward to seeing everyone there.”

Locals and visitors alike can expect a jam-packed schedule of entertainment and events, including free live music on the Main Street every night with artists including Paddy Casey, Buffalo Soul, Mack Fleetwood, Soul Cowboys, Los Wexicanos, Conmor, Frankenstein Bolts,Aoife Doyle, Lucy June and Dr. Jim’s Acoustic Revue to name a few.

The Gorey Market House Festival has always been about the community and the organisers are delighted to announce the return of The Family Fun Day in Gorey Town Park on Saturday from 1pm, An Arts and Crafts Market on Gorey Main Street on Sunday from 10am, The Superhero Fun Run in Gorey Town Park on Sunday from 11am; The Annual Busking Competition in association with Making Music on Saturday, July 20th and entry forms are available from Making Music and Loch Garman Arms.

700 poles and signs coming to rural roads

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy and Gorey meetings

The National Speed Limit Review legislation became law on April 12th last and the provisional commencement for rural local roads is November and elected members were briefed on the changes at two meetings today (Tuesday); Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District by Wexford County Council Chief Technician, David Codd.

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. No reference to surface conditions or the cost!

It is proposed to reduce the existing default 80km/h on all rural non-national country roads to 60km/h, while all regional roads will continue to have an 80km/h default speed limit. Stage one will be an assessment, such as road paved width and stage two will look at geometrics such as horizontal and vertical alignment, traffic collision data, speed data, traffic volumes, seasonal peaks and attractions, the number of junctions and access etc.

There is lots more to follow, but the elected representatives were mostly puzzled by the new 60km/h sign which is “a circle with four diagonal lines at 60 degrees”? (See example attached).

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin wondered aloud as to why the existing 60km/h sign would be replaced by the new ‘four diagonal lines’ sign? Cllr Anthony Donohoe was of the view that it makes no difference because the speed limits are unenforceable on rural roads.

So why go for the four diagonal lines as the replacement for the clear 60km/h sign? Wait for it! Because the 60km/h sign is regarded by many drivers as a ‘target’ rather than a guideline and the new sign takes that notion out of the drivers’ mind! It is accepted that education on the new signs will require the holding of a National Awareness Campaign.

Local authorities will be able to change the new default limits and the Department of Transport is to develop a specific training course for elected members in relation to speed limits.

No Gorey Show this year

By Dan Walsh

There will be no Gorey Agricultural Show this year. The Committee of Gorey Agricultural Show have made an announcement “to make unenviable decision and cancel our 2024 show.”

A statement issued yesterday (Monday) states as follows; “Despite the best efforts of The Irish Shows Association to allocate us a new date, none of the dates were suitable. July and August are very busy months for our area and unfortunately, we have not been able to find a date that suits everybody. It has proven more difficult to postpone/cancel the show than run it!

“Most of our suppliers are booked year on year and most cannot service a new date, as they are fully committed elsewhere. It is most unfortunate for all exhibitors and competitors also as we had a very full schedule of entries, and Gorey Agricultural Show is the first show for a lot of show people.

“However we are confident we made the correct decision on health and safety grounds, this year has been very testing for the farming community, we absolutely could not take any risks with regard to the safety of our competitors, traders, volunteers and our landowners.”

Next year’s show will be held on Saturday, June 21st 2025, and the organisers “hope to see you all then.”

Busy weekend for Kilmore Quay RNLI

KILMORE QUAY RNLI Lifeboat completes another successful rescue mission on Saturday evening. (Pic; RNLI/Elaine Walsh)

By Dan Walsh

It was an exceptionally busy weekend for Kilmore Quay RNLI who responded to three separate requests for help from the Irish Coast Guard for assistance to people on vessels with engine failure off the Wexford coast.

On Friday morning, the crew responded to a request from the Irish Coast Guard to assist four people on a 24-metre fishing vessel with engine failure approximately 18 kilometres south-west of Kilmore Quay. Launching at 6.45am, the lifeboat was quickly on scene. Owing to the vessel being unable to make safe progress, the crew made the call to set up a tow and bring those on board safely back to Kilmore Quay where they arrived at 9am.

The volunteer crew were launched at 9pm on Saturday to assist a person on a 4-metre leisure craft suffering engine failure one kilometre south of Kilmore Quay harbour. The person on board was safe and well. With the boat unable to make safe progress and daylight fading, the lifeboat crew quickly established a towline and brought the casualty vessel back to Kilmore Quay arriving at 9.30pm.

Earlier that day, the crew responded to a request from the Irish Coast Guard to assist four people on a 24-metre fishing vessel experiencing issues with its engine approximately 12 kilometres south-west of Kilmore Quay. The lifeboat crew established a towline and brought the casualty vessel safely back to Kilmore Quay arriving at 10.30am.

Weather and sea conditions were good on each occasion.

Speaking following the call outs, Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, John Grace, told WexfordLocal.com; “Even the best maintained vessels can sometimes have something go wrong, so it is important to always be prepared for when it does happen as these people were. These tows were essential to ensure those on board could make safe onward journeys. All involved here did the right thing in calling for help when they did.

“We would urge anyone heading out to sea always carry a reliable means of communication, VHF, or a mobile phone in a waterproof case in case you need to call for help and always wear a life jacket. If you do get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard,” concluded Mr Grace.

Gardai investigating Wexford town assault

Gardai in Wexford town are investigating an assault that happened around 9pm last night (Sunday) in the Wolfe Tone Villas area of the town.

A male in his 30’s was taken to Wexford General Hospital for treatment to ‘non-life threatening’ injuries.

A male in his 40’s was arrested and detained at a Garda Station in the Eastern region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.