Wexford Chronicle 19-10-21

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thechronicle

October 19, 2021 t: 0539102441, www.thechronicle.ie

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October 19, 2021

wexford

thechronicle

October 19, 2021 t: 0539102441, www.thechronicle.ie

FREE

20,000 copies

Fresh hope in search for missing women

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Local woman Fiona Sinnott among the disappeared GARDAI believe a search on the Wicklow border may hold the answer to a decades old mystery.

The wooded area is just 10 minutes’ away from where JoJo Dullard went missing in November, 1995 and where “unusual activity” was reported on the evening Deirdre Jacob was last seen on July 28, 1998.

The two women are among eight who disappeared in mysterious circumstances in the 1990s, including Fiona Pender

(pictured), who was 19 and the mother of an 11-month-old boy when she disappeared on February 8, 1998.

Her family have since said they believe they know who killed Fiona and that her body is buried somewhere in Wexford.

The dig is taking place in Taggartstown, Kildare, on the west Wicklow border, and is part of investigations into the

murders of Ms Jacob and Ms Dullard.

Detectives are focusing on reports a man was seen dragging something from the boot of a car on the evening that Ms Jacob disappeared.

The search is expected to last for at least three weeks and will cover an area of around four acres.

“The woodland was identified

as an area of interest which may be relevant to the investigation,” Inspector John Fitzgerald said.

“For that purpose we have commenced a search of that woodland on foot of a search warrant we obtained from the District Court.”

He added that, while the search was related to Ms Jacob’s disappearance, gardai are aware that Jo Jo Dullard was last seen in the nearby town of Moone.

Continued on page 16

Chora Mackey and Hannah Nolan at the Oylegate National School Confirmation

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Children’s concern for climate

A new survey has found that 91% of Wexford school chidren say that climate change is something they worry about and two out of every three want to see climate change taught as a separate subject in school.

The survey was conducted by the Climate and Nature Summit, Ireland’s first climate change summit bringing together school-aged children, teachers, educators and activists, which will run from November 1-5.

“I want our school to be part of the Climate and Nature Summit because it’ll be fun,” Ellie Doyle (9) from Adamstown National School said.

“Nature is in trouble and the animals and plants need our help. We can talk about all the things we can do to make our world a better place.”

The summit will coincide with COP26 in Glasgow and is a new initiative developed in partnership with Fifty Shades Greener, The Irish Schools Sustainability Network (ISSN) and Education for Sustainability and is supported by Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB).

October 19, 2021

Back; Anita Furlong (Pieta House) Cllr Leonard Kelly, Cllr Tom Forde, Johnny Mythen TD, Cllr Maura Bell, Belle Butler, Cllr George Lawlor, George Graham and Senator Malcolm Byrne, Front; Jer O’Mahoney Co IFA Chairman, Cllr Barbara Ann Murphy Chairperson Wexford County Council, Verona Murphy TD, John Kelly, Michael Martin and Patrick Hipwell at County Council HQ at Carricklawn lighting up green for mental health

Walk in the footsteps of the War of Independence

WEXFORD Libraries have just launched a fascinating series of War of Independence and Civil War Tours in County Wexford, this autumn.

The talks will be conducted

by Barry Lacey, Historianin-Residence at Wexford Libraries, and will focus on events and incidents that took place in Bunclody, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Gorey

and New Ross between 1916 and 1923.

During October and November, Mr Lacey will be exploring both periods via a series of walking tours through the towns of the county.

The aim of these walks is to create an awareness of what occurred locally during this era. Each tour will take approximately one

hour, starting at 10:30am sharp from the entrance of each respective library branch. Advanced booking is required and can be made by contacting the relevant library. The remaining dates are as follows: 23rd October – Enniscorthy 30th October – Enniscorthy 6th November – Wexford 13th November – Gorey 20th November – New Ross

Four firms win Origin Green gong

A TOTAL of four Wexford firms have been awarded Gold Standard for Sustainability recently, in what demonstrated progress on a range of sustainability actions.

Atlantis Seafood, Greenhill Fruit Farm Ltd, Slaney Farms Produce Ltd, and Slaney Foods received the awards following extensive auditing across a range of sustainability initiatives, at a ceremony held

by Bord Bia and Origin Green.

Origin Green introduced Gold Membership in 2020, recognising members who are performing at a high level or excelling in their sustainability performance.

Deirdre Ryan, Director of Origin Green and Sustainable Assurance with Bord Bia, commented: “It gives me great pleasure to announce that four businesses from county Wexford have achieved Gold Member status this year. This achievement reflects that hard work of all of their teams.

“As we look to address the urgency of climate change and the need for sustainable development, it is excellent to see companies like these, showing leadership.”

Minister: Water plant ‘is now stable’

THE Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien has received an update on the actions taken by Irish Water and local authorities following the two recent incidents at Gorey and Ballymore Eustace drinking water plants.

Commenting following a meeting with Irish Water and Dublin City Council and Wexford County Council, Mr O’Brien said: “Irish Water has assured me that both treatment plants at Gorey and Ballymore Eustace are stable, operating normally and are producing clean water.

“They have completed the audits that I requested on the 25 largest water treatment plants in the State and refresher training has been provided to the operatives at these plants.

“Refresher training is also being provided for all local authority management and engineers who are then ‘cascading’ this training to all operatives and technical staff in all 800 plus water treatment plants.

“I am pleased that Irish Water and the local authorities are working together in full cooperation to put in place these urgent and necessary corrective measures.”

Irish Water presented the Minister with plans to employ additional Process Optimisation Specialists to provide better support to local authority water

plant operational staff and to assist with enhancing existing communications and escalation processes.

Irish Water also briefed the Minister on the proposed expansion of the functions of the Irish Water National Operations Management Centre.

This will provide nationwide 24/7 support to operational staff in treatment plans and provide real-time connections with treatment plant alarms and monitors to ensure that local authority staff have the backup they need to ensure the safe and secure delivery of drinking water.

The Minister highlighted that public confidence in water supply was crucial and the steps that Irish Water and local authorities were now putting in place are essential to ensure public confidence in our drinking water supply.

He noted also that the EPA had issued audit reports on the incidents in Gorey and Ballymore Eustace. “The EPA’s action in pointing out the seriousness of the failures at these two plants was crucial in ensuring that my Department, Irish Water and the local government system responded promptly and appropriately to immediately address the risks of similar incidents happening elsewhere,” he said.

The Minister will review progress in November.

See page 18

WEXFORD County Council has announced the launch of eduroam Wi-Fi in all five libraries in County Wexford as part of the eduroam Everywhere initiative.

Eduroam stands for education roaming. It provides secure and easy-touse Wi-Fi access in thousands of locations across more than 100 countries. Students whose college/university participates

in eduroam can simply open their laptop or mobile device within an eduroam hotspot to have immediate internet connectivity.

Eduroam is pioneered by HEAnet, Ireland’s National Education and Research Network, which has helped enable over 200 eduroam hotspots in universities, institutes of technology and libraries.

Local libraries to get Wi-Fi boost

October 19, 2021

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Search on for Ireland’s fittest school

A call has gone out to schools in Wicklow from sprinter Phil Healy and fellow athlete, David Gillick, who have joined forces with Fyffes in a quest to find ‘Ireland’s Fittest School’.

Together, the Irish Olympians have recorded a series of workouts which they say are ‘fit for even the least active’ — exercise routines they hope schools will adopt as part of their PE curriculum.

In this latest fitness initiative, Fyffes has introduced a strong competitive element.

Coupled with monthly and spot prize rewards, one successful school will have the distinction of being chosen as ‘Ireland’s Fittest School’, the prize for which will be a visit from the Fit Squad ambassadors Phil and David and €5,000 worth of sports equipment.

Building on its campaign to promote fitness and healthy eating amongst young people, the Fit Squad programme has been introduced to 20,000 plus pupils in a countrywide series of live school visits.

Registration for the competition, which runs from November until April, can now be made online at: www.fyffesfitsquad.ie.

October 19, 2021

Pension and allowance for fuel to increase by €5

WITH Energy prices having jumped by almost 50% this year, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath announced a €5 increase in weekly pension payments in the Budget.

The Minister also said he would raise the living alone allowance by €3, to ensure the well-being of many thousands of the country’s older citizens are protected in the year ahead.

Overall, the Minister announced a social welfare package worth €558m.

This sees an increase of €5 for weekly payments for working age, while young jobseekers will also be paid another €5.

Mr McGrath said that he was acutely aware of the impact on households of increasing energy costs.

To directly address this, the weekly rate of the Fuel Allowance has now increased by €5.

With energy prices surging, the fuel allowance was in the spotlight for the Budget.

The allowance is a weekly payment made to help defray winter heating bills for older people or those on limited financial means.

It is paid for 28 weeks, or just

Olympians Phil Healy and David Gillick with Casey (6), Jerry (8), and Juneau Conroy (10), have joined forces with Fyffes in the quest to find ‘Ireland’s Fittest School’, which runs from November until April, Find out more www.fyffesfitsquad.ie over half the year. This autumn, the payment kicked in on September 27th and will run to April 10th, 2022.

At the new €33 rate, that’s €924 in financial support to ease the pressure from heating bills.

The allowance is paid either weekly, or in two lump sums – one in September and the other in January.

To be eligible, you must be in receipt of certain specific welfare payments and meet an income, or means, test.

While the means-tested amount you can earn over and above welfare payments has been increased by 20% to €120 a week.

However, this measure will only kick in in January so, if you are looking for the allowance this autumn, the income threshold is still €100.

Separately, people in receipt of Jobseekers’ Allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowance may qualify for fuel allowance after 12 months, instead of 15 at present.

But this will only really benefit people next winter as it does not come into force until next September.

Meanwhile, the pension and core social welfare payments are to increase by €5 per week from January.

This will bring the full State pension to €253.30 per week and the maximum personal rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Jobseeker’s Benefit with no dependents to €208 per week.

The increase will be applied

WITH schools back full swing, all pupils have been asked to consider the environment — the coast in particular. for all Waterford pupils — and Think Before You Flush!

Only the 3 P’s (Pee, Poo and Paper) should be flushed down the toilet and everything else should go in the bin.

If the wrong things, like wipes, dental floss and sanitary items get flushed down the toilet they can lead to blockages, wastewater overflows and discharges to our marine environment, where they can, in turn, harm wildlife or wash up on our shores.

All national schools in Wicklow are receiving information and resources about the Think Before You Flush campaign.

Approximately 2,000 blockages occur in the Irish Water wastewater network every month, 75% of which are caused by wipes.

Think Before You Flush is

a public awareness campaign about the problems these items can cause in our marine environment and our wastewater systems if they are flushed. The campaign is operated by An Taisce’s Clean Coasts programme and is supported by Irish Water.

Every day thousands of wet wipes, cotton buds, sanitary products and other unsuitable items are flushed down toilets in Ireland instead of being put in the bin.

This causes costly blockages in our homes, businesses and wastewater systems, ultimately leading to sewer overflows in our communities and plastic pollution in rivers, on beaches and in the ocean.

Raising awareness of this issue particularly with schools will help get this important message out to a wider — and a younger — audience.

Join the campaign at www.thinkbeforeyouflush.org and follow @CleanCoasts.

proportionately to lower rates and for qualified adults.

For Jobseekers’ payments, there will be an increase for a dependent under 12 of €2 or €3 for those over 12. To support families, the Minister said he would increase the duration of Parent’s Benefit by two weeks to seven weeks from July next year.

And from June next year, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will also rise by €10, while the income threshold for the Working Family Payment will also increase by €10 for all families.

To support carers and people with disabilities, from January next year the Domiciliary Care Allowance has been increased from three to six months and the rate of Wage Subsidy Scheme for people with disabilities will rise by €1 an hour.

From June next year, the income disregard for Carer’s Allowance will rise from €332.50 to €350 for a single person and from €665 to €750 for a couple.

The Capital Disregard for Carer’s Allowance is rising from €20,000 to €50,000, while the earnings limit on Disability Allowance will increase from €350 to €375.

Think about our Break the fast Looking for a tutor? environment School Is Easy is before you flush in aid of

here to help you

Advertorial As we battle to cope with the restrictions imposed by Covid-19 regulations, home-based learning has taken on a new importance.

Many parents who want their children to enjoy the benefits of one-to-one tuition are, nevertheless, nervous about having a stranger in their home or sending young students to a tuition centre.

School is Easy (SIE) can solve that problem.

We can offer one-to-one or group grinds for Primary, Junior Certificate or Leaving Certificate school students at a time that works for you and your family.

We offer the following subjects, from Primary to Secondary to Specialist Third Level courses: Irish/Gaelige, English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, German, Spanish, History, Geography, Business Studies, Economics, Design and Technology, Music, and Physical Education .

Going to university and dreading the college exams? No problem, we have skilled and experienced tutors to help every student.

We provide safe, online tutorials that are recorded so that your child can future reference any topic covered.

When you work with SIE, you will get nothing but the best.

All of our tutors have formal education, classroom experience and a passion for teaching.

For senior subjects we use college and university instructors with a Masters degree.

The choice is yours when it comes to the style of tutoring and our range of subjects is broad.

We don’t use generic tutoring lessons. We customise each programme based on the student’s needs, goals and capacity and we take care to match students with the right tutors.

We are easy to work with. We screen tutors for you. We identify learning deficiencies and we get results .

Our certified tutors will provide an initial assessment, if you need it, to ascertain your child’s requirements.

Call us today on 01 556 3553 to book a consulation.

We will be delighted to match you with a tutor.

see our ad on page 2

ISPCC

THE ISPCC Childline is calling on communities, clubs, creches and businesses in the county to breakfast together this month and help raise vital funds for the children’s charity as we approach another winter.

Childline Breakfast is a highlight of the annual fundraising calendar for Childline and, in recent years, has seen individuals in Waterford come together for the most important meal of the day and help raise funds for Ireland’s national listening service for children.

This year, Childline Breakfast Week will run from October 18th to 25th. By gathering with friends, colleagues, neighbours or clubmates to enjoy breakfast together, you can help keep Childline listening.

The service operates 24 hours a day, every day, but relies heavily on public and corporate support to make this possible. To register your breakfast see ispcc. ie/breakfast-2021 or contact the Childline fundraising team on 1850 50 40 50.

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October 19, 2021

opinion&comment

Sláintecare is not the cure for all our health service ills

O

NE good thing about Sláintecare is that it got all the big political parties to agree on a health policy that would survive a change of government.

Unfortunately the policy is a bad one. It is aimed at providing a hospital service similar to that operated in the UK. But the British system does not work well; its health service is far from healthy.

If you want proof, just look north of the border. Northern Ireland’s hospitals have lengthy waiting lists. They have coped badly with the Covid crisis, often shutting wards and sometimes entire hospitals, and calling in the British army to assist overworked medical staff.

I could counter this with a list of deficiencies from the Irish

Michael Wolsey

system but I am not playing king of the castle. My point is simply that the UK’s National Health Service, once the envy of the world, is no longer a good model to follow.

It was set up after World War Two, by the Labour government of Clement Attlee, at a time when people in Britain paid for all their own health care. The rich got the best treatment and

the poor had to rely on charity.

Atlee’s dynamic health minister, Aneurin Bevan, swept in a system based on the socialist principle of ‘from each according to his means, to each according to his needs’. It was paid for only by taxation and free to all users, even the very wealthy.

From the outset this proved impractical. A row over the imposition of token prescription charges split the Labour Party and brought down Atlee’s government. The re-elected Conservatives did not dare abandon the hugely popular NHS, but the service would never again be entirely free. Funding has not kept pace with population growth or the huge cost of marvellous, modern medical technology. Taxpayers are just not prepared to foot the bill.

When Bevan gave birth to the NHS, Ireland’s health system was much like Britain’s. Since

then we have gone on our own rather shambolic way, extending free medicine here and bolting on private insurance there.

We have medical cards for some people and everyone is entitled to free treatment in public hospitals, if they wait long enough.

They can shorten the wait by paying for private treatment.

Their payments subsidise the public hospitals but their health care is, in turn, subsidised by allowing doctors who practise private medicine to operate from those hospitals.

For better or worse, our system is now nothing like the British one and we should not try to turn it into the NHS, which itself is no longer working well.

If we want to copy another country, we should look at Germany. Its system delivers better results than ours but its broad structures are not so very different. It, too, mixes private and

public health care, using the same staff and, in most cases, the same hospitals and clinics.

The big difference is that all German residents must have health insurance. It is provided by ‘insurance funds’ set up for that purpose alone, strictly regulated and price-controlled.

For people earning less than €63,000 (not a bad annual salary, even by German standards) the insurance is paid for by employers, employees and the government, via tax concessions.

If you earn more, you can top up your benefit with insurance bought from a private company.

This will get hospital patients a private ward, probably a nicer ward, and sometimes their choice of doctor.

Germans can also opt for entirely private treatment in facilities built and financed by private companies, but this is so expensive only the very

wealthy choose to do it.

Everyone else is in the same boat, although some are travelling first-class.

Everyone ends up getting the same level of care in the same hospital. If you can afford it, and choose to spend your money that way , you can have the deluxe package, but the difference won’t be huge.

Since the money spent on the German hospital system comes from insurance funds, not taxation, it is ring-fenced and does not go up or down with the economy or at the whim of governments.

This could be a German solution to an Irish problem, a more workable model for Sláintecare and one that could be introduced in stages. The present model has hit problems. Before pushing on down the rocky road we should at least consider a different route.

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October 19, 2021

wexfordinpictures

Sophie Cowman, Meabh Hegarty, Jamie Ryan and Ciara Murphy at Murrintown School Confirmation

Ray, Libby and Sharon Fortune at Oylegate National School Confirmation Robert and Ryan Murphy and Palema Rowe at the Oylegate National School Confirmation

Brian, Conall and Maria O Shaughnessy at Oylegate National School Confirmation

Adam O’Donnell at Murrintown School Confirmation

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October 19, 2021

independentliving

Employers will need to make their workplaces more “age-friendly” to accommodate greater numbers of workers aged over 65, according to new research.

Latest census data show the over-65s are the fastest growing population segment in Ireland, and this increase in the older population is a trend projected to continue.

Moves towards increasing the State pension age to 67 and the removal of mandatory retirement mean the age-profile of the workforce is likely to increase significantly.

A study into the implications of longer working lives says employers will need to invest in redesigning offices or factory floors to allow older workers to thrive for longer.

The report gives the example of a BMW plant in Germany, which noted a decline in productivity at the plant where there was a higher number of older workers.

Employers introduced physical changes to reduce wear and tear on workers’ bodies, such as magnifying lenses to reduce eye strain, weight-adapted footwear

Why workplaces must be ‘age-friendly’ for over-65s and special chairs and tables which adapted to each worker’s height. In addition, a physiotherapist developed strength and stretching exercises for the workers.

The changes led to a 7% increase in productivity, and lower levels of absenteeism.

The study, Living longer,

learning longer – working longer? Implications for new workforce dynamics, by academics at Dublin City University (DCU) says flexible employment terms will also be needed to make work more flexible to retain employees as they grow older. This includes more parttime work, job-sharing and

home-working options to allow older people fulfil caring and other roles.

The report also highlights the need for more access to lifelong education given the rapid pace of change in the nature of work. “The only certainty is that working life in the future will require adaptability, flexibility

and the continuous acquisition of new skills,”says the report.

“While for many individuals this may mean self-employment, for employers (public as well as private) this points to the creation of workplaces where lifelong learning is supported for all employees as critical.” Ireland, however, has

a relatively poor track record of adult participation in lifelong learning, with rates of participation below the EU average and declining with age.

This, the report says, would benefit the over-50s in particular by giving them the necessary education and training to maintain and enhance skills and knowledge to help equip them for longer working.

The report also addresses “misconceptions” about older workers, such as that they are unwilling to engage in education and training.

Research indicates that older workers were found to be as likely to succeed in education and training as younger colleagues.

It also cites a study which indicates that older workers appear to perform as well as younger colleagues, subject to good health and updated skills.

“Evidently a balance needs to be found between, on the one hand, recognising the functional capacities of older workers and, on the other, providing relevant support to ensure optimal performance,” says the report.

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October 19, 2021

Wrap up warm this Winter 1. Open fires can be wasteful of energy with more than 70% of the energy going up the chimney.

Using good quality wood and coal will help prevent this.

2. 20ºC is an ideal room temperature. Turning down thermostats by 1ºC can reduce annual space heating energy consumption by 10% with an equivalent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Heat bedroom areas to less than 18ºC. 3. Proper temperature and zone control of your central heating system can reduce fuel consumption by 10-20%. There is a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (S.E.A.I.) grant for a heating controls upgrade.

4. Homeowners can typically reduce their energy usage by up to 20% by installing a high efficiency condensing boiler or range cooker as a replacement for older lower efficiency models. There is

a S.E.A.I. grant for this measure.

cannot be pulled out of place.

5. Regular servicing of your heating boiler is recommended.

For example, servicing a kerosene boiler, which has not been serviced for 3 years, will bring about an immediate fuel reduction of some 5%.

8. Heat the hot water cylinder by means of the central heating boiler rather than by immersion on full rate electricity, as the running costs will be much lower. Use a timer if the immersion heater has to be used.

6. If a radiator is mounted below a window, a projecting windowboard or shelf above the radiator will direct warm air into the room, reducing heat loss through the window.

9. Combining solar collectors with a wood-burning stove provides an ideal year-round renewable energy heating solution. A solar collector system can provide around 60% of your annual hot water needs for free (80 to 90% in summer).

There is a S.E.A.I. grant for solar panels.

7. A lagging jacket on your hot water cylinder will keep water hotter for longer and pay for itself in 2-3 months. If replacing the hot water cylinder, a rapid heat recovery cylinder with factory-applied insulation should be considered.

Such insulation is more effective at retaining heat than a lagging jacket, is less easily damaged and

10. Insulate your attic and save up to 20% on your home heating bill. Much of the heat loss from a house occurs through the windows particularly if they are single glazed.

October 19, 2021

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October 19, 2021

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October 19, 2021

WILDLIFE

ninenottomiss

Babewatch!

book of the week

with Justin Ivory

Grey Seal pup (Pic: Justin Ivory) It’s that time of year when myself and many other trained Marine Rescue Volunteers with Seal Rescue Ireland are getting constant call outs. Yes we are right in the midst of Grey Seal pupping season, which runs from early August right upto the end of December, and even into January. I have written about this topic before but is worth repeating again given the increase in encounters between humans and seals.

Here is the advice from the Seal Rescue Ireland website.

What to do if you have found a seal?

• Keep at least 100m distance (and preferably out of sight) – disturbance may lead to mothers abandoning pups • Don’t put the seal in the water they are on land for a reason • Don’t touch seals – they are wild animals and will bite • Keep dogs on a leash – they may injure or pass diseases to each other How to tell if a seal needs help?

• A healthy seal is plump and barrel shaped. Seals with loose skin rolls, protruding hip bones, ribs and a visible neck may be under-weight and need help.

• Seals with swollen limbs, cuts, bites or visible injuries including entanglement in netting, may need help • Healthy seals eyes are wide open with no cloudiness or marks. Wet patches around their eyes shows good hydration. Dry, squinting, cloudy eyes with discharge may indicate illness.

• Healthy seals have clear, deep breaths and no wheezing, sneezing or discharge from their nose. Dry coughing, rapid or erratic breathing, discharge or blood from the nose, may indicate illness.

If you think a seal needs help…

• Call SRI’s 24/7 Rescue Hotline at 0871955393 • Provide your name and number • Send you location pin • Give a detailed description of size and condition of the pup or seal • Send photos and/or videos

TV of the week

HOROSCOPES

stream of the week

Independence Memories Valerie Cox

Neven’s Spanish Food Trails RTE1, Wed 20th October, 8.30 pm

guilty Netflix

THIS is a fascinating social history, from living and inherited memory, of the period surrounding Irish Independence and the Civil War, written by journalist Valerie Cox, author of Growing Up With Ireland. In a similar vein, a wonderful compendium of stories and memories are told by Ireland’s oldest citizens; from Galwayman Michael Feerick, who rode his white horse through the streets of Dunmore, shouting ‘blackguards’ at the Black and Tans. We meet the two Mollys, Dublin street traders and runners for Michael Collins, who sewed bullets into the hems of their long skirts.

IF you’ve missed the great chef traverse the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Menorca, then this is your last chance to do so with the series finale this evening. This episode sees Neven head off for a spot of lobster fishing, and then meets a food historian to learn more about mayonnaise, which Menorcans claim to have invented. But don’t fret if you have missed out, to bring a taste of the Balearic islands to Ireland, Neven has been sharing mouthwatering recipes throughout the series for viewers to try at home. You can find them all on RTE.ie/Food.

A troubled police detective (Jake Gyllenhaal) is demoted to 911 operator duty and one evening scrambles to save a distressed caller.

Some viewers may have already seen the original 2018 Danish version of this nailbiter, but this remake, from a screenplay by Nic Pizzolatto (True Detective) dials up the thrills a notch as LAPD officer Joe Baylor answers a call from a woman who reveals she has been abducted. Joe learns that she and her abductor are travelling in a white van, but Emily is forced to hang up before she can provide more details. Riveting drama.

recipe of the week

movie of the week

charity of the week

AriesEngage in a professional challenge. Work closely with your partner now.

Collaboration gets more fun and valuable.

TaurusAdventure calls. Pour energy into work and fitness.

Work faster to produce better results, including better financial results.

GeminiDiscuss shared finances.

Passions awakens. Savor family, fun and games. Love and romance flower with playfulness.

CancerDomestic renovation benefits from physical effort. Energize a homeimprovement project to nurture your family.

LeoPhysical effort energizes you. You’re intent on getting the whole story.

Get multiple sources before breaking a scoop.

hearty pumpkin soup bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/creamy-pumpkinlentil-soup NOW the pumpkins are being flogged and you’re getting some pratice in carving them up and making a total disaster of that scary face, why not put the sorry mess you’ve made to good use by cooking up some hearty soup and redeem yourself? This recipe is easy peasy, and can be made using stock from stock cubes (low salt, if you can!) and ingredients that can be found in any supermarket. It does mention thyme as the herb of choice — but this is not everyone’s herb of choice as it is something of a bully, so use sparingly, if at all.

album of the week

no sudden move Cinemas nationwide Detroit, 1954. A trio of criminals (Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, Kieran Culkin) are sent to the family home of an accountant for GM (David Harbour) with the plan to force him to visit his office in order to retrieve certain documents.

While the plan initially begins simple enough, things spiral out of control and what you get is a Steven Soderbergh at the top of his game.

‘Ocean’s Eleven, Out of Sight and the hilarious Logan Lucky . . . ‘No Sudden Move’ sits very comfortably alongside some of his best work.

event of the week

smithfield tower halloween abseil rmhc.ie/fundraising-events/ Towering above the skyline at 190 feet, this iconic Dublin landmark will see 100 of you abseil into Smithfield Square this Halloween for Ronald McDonald House.. This challenge is only for the bravest, by the way. Participants must be over 16 and no abseiling experience is required. Insurance and training will be provided for the day — Courage, however, will have to be supplied by you! 244 winding steps await you before you take the plunge so please be sure you are fit. To register for this once in a lifetime challenge there is a payment of €100 to cover the cost of your abseil. Takes place on Friday, October 29th.

cause of the week

VirgoFollow your heart. Energize your moneymaking efforts over the next six weeks.

You’ve got the moves to make it happen.

LibraPour love into your home. Focus on personal development. Get energized to contribute to a bigger cause.

ScorpioReview papers, photos and possessions. Clean closets, garages and attics. Purge the past to clear space for new adventures.

Sagittarius-

Team projects and community efforts get farther than solo work.

Pull together and share resources.

coldplay Music of the Spheres Do we really need another . . . well, that’s, as always, a moot point. We’re getting one, like it or not. But did they not just have a new album . . . no, it does feel like that though, because they never seem to go away. But their last album was Everyday Life, that was back in 2019. So is this any good then . . . Do you really think Coldplay is on the Waterford Today office playlist?! Let’s just say this. The band, this time out, have turned to Swedish producer, Max Martin, who has churned out hits for Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears . . .

dublin brick show Red Cow Moran Hotel, October 30/31

one million tress selfhelpafrica.org/onemilliontrees/schools

THE Dublin Brick Show has lined up some amazing original models for LEGO fans, including: Ireland and UK’s biggest LEGO Death Star; Avengers tower; Zombie attack and Kirwan castle. Kids can also enjoy a free LEGO play area, free face painting, free speed build competition, treasure hunt, master builder competition, chill out area, colouring table for younger kids, and a sensory area.

Tickets are priced €9 per child, €13.50 per adult and €38 per family. Go to: eventbrite.ie/e/dublin-brick-show-31st-oct10am-1pm-tickets-89067775113

PRIMARY school children are being urged to sign up to support a nationwide campaign aiming to plant tens of thousands of trees in a single day. Schools that support the initiative will receive a native Irish tree sapling per classroom, and get the chance to support communities across sub-Saharan Africa, who are seeking to plant 100,000 trees. Pictured: Pupils Amber Heneghan, Nicole Connolly and Sienna Heneghan at the site of Ireland’s oldest tree, at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

CapricornEnjoy yourself and have fun. Advance professionally with Mars in Libra. Move forward boldly and grab passing opportunities.

AquariusMake plans and dreams.

Venture farther for six weeks with Mars in Libra.

Travels, education and exploration delight you.

PiscesTeam projects come together. Make financial plans for the future with Mars in Libra. Collaborate for shared financial gain. It could become profitable.

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October 19, 2021

The ex-Garda who spent 13 years searching

Alan Bailey spent 13 years as National Coordinator for the specialist Garda taskforce Operation Trace which was created following the disappearances of six Irish women.

These women — aged between 18 and 38 — went missing between 1993 and 1998. Subsequently, the search was expanded to include two more women (see graphic).

To date none of these women have been located and there have been no convictions made.

Operation Trace was set up in the hope of finding some connection between the six cases, something detectives were unable to do.

After some years, the taskforce established that there was no serial killer involved, as some had suspected.

“In the end we could name viable, independent suspects in five of the cases,” said Mr Bailey.

Mr Bailey described the disappearance of Deirdre Jacob as “most unusual” because she was seen standing outside the front gate of her home.

On Morning Ireland recently, he said: “She was seen standing at the gate and waved to a number of neighbors and friends that passed by on the road, a busy road leading into Newbridge, but no trace has been found ever since.”

Convicted rapist Larry Murphy has been reported to be a person of interest in more than one case.

When the Wicklow Voice asked Mr Bailey about this, he said: “It is dangerous to name him as a ‘suspect’.

“If we say that Larry Murphy did this or that then people tend to exclude other possibilities.

“We cannot afford to take a narrowminded view like that. We have to think that maybe he is a person of interest in an investigation but that’s not to say that he is the guilty person.”

When discussing recent speculation that Murphy may return to the country, Mr Bailey recalled that Operation Trace found “palpable fear in communities” when Murphy was released from Arbour Hill prison in 2010.

Mr Bailey noted that the notoriety of the crime he was convicted of has singled him out as a person to fear.

Although there have been no convictions at this time, Mr Bailey — now retired — has not lost hope that the cases can be solved.

“The problem is that we don’t have the normal crime scene that we can depend on and we have alibi evidence for these suspects.”

Mr Bailey explained the fates of the missing women are “undoubtedly, known to persons other than the culprits but who, through either their evidence or their silence, to this day continue to hamper the investigations.” But Mr Bailey believes those who do often do so out of either fear or love and knows that these are emotions that can change over time.

“The influence exerted on another, either through fear or love can wane over the years.

“What seemed so right years earlier can, in the cool light of day, not stand up to scrutiny,” explained Mr Bailey.

New information surfaced in relation to two missing women – teenager Ciara Breen (17) who disappeared in February 1997 and Offaly woman Fiona Pender (25) who went missing in August 1996.

A fresh appeal in Fiona’s case was just made in September, 25 years after her disappearance. Fiona was last seen by her mother, Josephine, and her brother, John, on August 22, 1996, when she was 25 years old and seven-and-ahalf months’ pregnant. They were in Tullamore together shopping for baby clothes.

Former Detective Sergeant Bailey has dedicated a chapter to each disappeared woman’s story in his book, Missing, Presumed.

Each chapter details the timeline of events leading to that woman’s disappearance, beginning on the day she went missing through to the ensuing investigation.

‘Beast of Baltinglass’ in spotlight a Continued from page 1

Detectives are not saying that the cases are directly linked but are part of several incidents where women went missing in the 1990s.

Notorious rapist Larry Murphy — dubbed the ‘Beast of Baltinglass’ remains the chief suspect in the murder of Ms Jacob and the area being searched is close to where Mr Murphy lived at the time of her disappearance.

The DPP is awaiting the review of a file on whether charges will be made against Murphy, who was previously convicted of the kidnap, rape and attempted murder of a woman in the Wicklow Mountains on February

11, 2000. Ms Jacob was last seen about 1.5km outside her home in Newbridge on July 28, 1998. The last sighting of her was from CCTV footage at an Irish Permanent office on the town’s Main Street at around 3 p.m.

Ms Dullard disappeared on November 9, 1995. She was in a phone box, in Moone, when a car was said to have pulled up for her.

Murphy (55) who is now living in the UK, has always denied any involvement.

He was released from Arbour Hill prison in 2010 after serving 10 years of a 15-year jail sentence for the brutal sex attack of the woman in the Wicklow mountains.

He repeatedly raped the young victim, beat her, then tried to smother her with a plastic bag.

Murphy had stalked the 28-yearold for a month and was only put off killing her when he was scared away by two hunters, who recognised him and later identified him to gardai.

During questioning about the woman’s injuries, it was reported that Murphy commented: “Well, she’s alive isn’t she?”, calmly stated that “she was lucky”, and showed no sign of remorse or guilt.

Since his release from prison, Murphy has spent time in Barcelona, Amsterdam, northern France and London.

He had been picking up transient

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October 19, 2021

Why Wicklow woods may hold answer to disappearances

mid search for missing women work as a carpenter.

However, despite the fact he has not been living in Ireland since shortly after getting out of prison, social networking sites are repeatedly awash with rumours of sightings of him in particular towns or localities throughout Ireland.

The Wicklow native has been at the centre of the Operation Trace investigation probing the disappearance of a number of women in the Leinster area throughout the 1990s.

Murphy has refused to talk to gardai about the missing women, but is a suspect in the disappearance of six women — although the disappearance of two other women

have since been added to Ireland’s so-called ‘Vanishing Triangle’.

They are Eva Brennan (40) who disappeared in 1993 in Dublin, and Imelda Keenan who disappeared on January 3, 1994 in County Waterford.

And while gardai also have other suspects for three of the original women, Murphy remains the chief suspect in the disappearance of Ms Dollard (21) and Ms Jacob (18).

The other three missing women are Ciara Breen (18), who went missing in 1998 from the Dundalk area; Fiona Pender (25), who went missing from her flat at Church Street in Tullamore in August 1996; and Fiona Sinnott, who was last seen leaving a pub in Broadway, County Wexford, in 1998.

Wicklow’s woods and lakes might hold the key to the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Deirdre Jacob in 1998.

Searches took place in 2012 and 2013 around the Wicklow countryside and in an isolated lake in an effort to locate the missing teen’s body.

The searches were prompted when a convicted murderer informed gardaí that Larry Murphy had confessed to killing the then 18-year-old.

Murphy is alleged to have confessed to his fellow inmate during a drinking session in Arbour Hill prison.

The prisoner, who is serving a life sentence for murder, claimed that Murphy admitted to killing Deirdre before dumping her body in a lake.

The confession is said to have taken place in 2010, shortly before Murphy finished serving 10 of his 15-year sentence for the rape and attempted murder of a businesswoman in 2000.

According to the inmate, Murphy spoke of how he had scattered toys on the backseat of his car in order to make his victim feel more comfortable talking to him.

The prisoner also claimed that Murphy knocked Deirdre out and dragged her into the vehicle after he had asked her for directions.

He then purportedly drove up into the Wicklow mountains and when she put up a struggle, he reached for a hammer and killed her before dumping her body in a lake. The claims made by Murphy’s fellow inmate were taken extremely seriously by investigating gardaí.

Search teams, Garda divers and detectives from the Garda Cold Case Unit scoured areas, including a lake, in the west of the county over the course of several weeks in 2012 and 2013.

Murphy has been a person of interest in the disappearance of Deirdre for some time. Deirdre was last seen on the afternoon of July 28, 1998 as she walked towards her home in Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

She had walked into the town from her home in Roseberry and gone to the post office, the bank and to visit her grandmother before heading home again.

Murphy, a professional carpenter, had been doing work for Deirdre’s grandmother in her sweetshop.

Deirdre visited the shop, where Murphy was working, just hours before she went missing. Murphy was also very familiar with the area when Deirdre lived and disappeared.

He had worked in the stables just a half a mile from Deirdre’s home. He had also visited Newbridge in the weeks before her disappearance planning to do some work on a local pub. He returned to the village two months after her disappear-

ance to carry out this work. In 2018, on the 20th anniversary of Deirdre’s disappearance, her father renewed the family’s appeal for information.

“We are always hopeful that anyone who might have any information, even after all these years, might let gardaí know about it so we can find Deirdre,” said Michael Jacob.

“Nobody need fear getting into trouble if they held onto information or didn’t pass it on earlier. Information can also be passed on anonymously.”

When asked whether he believes his daughter is alive or not, he replied, “You always have hope.”

Deirdre is not the only woman whose disappearance that has been linked to Murphy.

Josephine Dullard, known as Jo Jo, has been missing since 11.30pm on November 9, 1995.

Jo Jo, who was 21 when she disappeared, had phoned her friend from a phonebox in Moone, Co Kildare and told her that she was hitching a lift to her home in Callan, Co Kilkenny. This was the last anybody heard from her and when she did not reach her home, her parents reported Jo Jo as missing.

Gardaí received reports from the first two drivers who gave Jo Jo a lift that night — one from Naas to Kilcullen and the next from Kilcullen to Moone.

When Murphy kidnapped the young businesswoman in 2000, he drove her to a field near the spot where Jo Jo was last seen.

Jo Jo’s older sister, Mary Phelan, is reported to have said that she does not believe Murphy was involved in her sister’s disappearance.

However, she was quoted as saying his early release was a “disgrace” adding that “he should never have seen the daylight again”.

Murphy has also been linked with missing American student Annie McCarrick, who has not been seen since she left Johnnie Fox’s pub in Glencullen, Co Dublin in March 1993. Although, it has since emerged that a member of the Provisional IRA, whom she reportedly met at the pub, became a person of interest in the ongoing case.

Retired detective sergeant Alan Bailey said the IRA member was part of an active service unit at the time, responsible for shootings and punishment beatings in west Belfast.

He was believed to be in a safe house in the Rathfarnham/Tallaght area. Murphy insists that he knows nothing about the disappearance of any of these women.

If you have any information that may assist in locating any missing persons, contact your local Garda station or the National Helpline on 1890 442 552.

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October 19, 2021

wexfordcountycouncilround-up

By Dan Walsh

Give banks to the communities Cllr Ger Carthy was critical of Bank of Ireland and the closure of two branches in Co. Wexford at Rosslare Harbour and Taghmon. He is calling on the CEO of Bank of Ireland who, he claims, “has a moral obligation to give the buildings to the communities.

Cllr Davy Hynes described the bank closures as “horrendous” after the taxpayer bailed them out and declared “they don’t give a damn about the people.”

Enniscorthy calling Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan enquired about the outdoor dining and wondered if it would be kept on next year? “It was really a great addition to the town,” she felt.

Cllr Cathal Byrne was looking forward to the winter months and inclement weather and asked if the R730 from Kiltealy to Ballymackessy and through Bree and Killurin would be on the ‘gritting’ list for the coming months?.

Power outages in south Wexford Cllr Jim Codd raised concerns about the power supply in the south Wexford area around Rathangan where 120 households have had eighty outages this year. Cllr Codd wondered what was going on and what can be done about it?

He noted that 140 had been seated for Confirmation in Rathangan Church when the lights went out and he outlined difficulties as farmers tried to milk their herd of cows.

It was suggested that the Council write to the power service provider and tell them that rural villages are depleted enough without outages and ask that something positive be done quickly.

Coastal erosion is a major risk The ongoing fight against coastal erosion continues and Wexford County Council CEO presented some updates to members at the October meeting.

Tenders for consulting engineers are being assessed this month (October) and an appointment will follow assessment for the Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme.

At St. Helen’s Bay a preliminary coastal erosion risk management study has been assigned consultant engineers to assess risk to assets including twenty-three properties.

Consulting engineers have also been appointed to design a suitable coastal protection scheme and beach access at Seaview, Kilmore.

An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the Lady’s Island Water Level Management Structure.

Also a foreshore licence application has been lodged and is under consideration by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

And at Grange, Fethard-on-Sea tender documents have been finalised on works to protect sections of the public road from coastal erosion.

Minister Malcolm Noonan TD visiting Clohamon Bridge, Bunclody recently with Minister James Browne, Paul Kehoe TD, Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy, Chris Murphy, Sean O’Brien, Richard Burges and Barty O’Connor and others

Restore confidence in Gorey water supply

An investigation into incidents at the Creagh Water Treatment plant in Gorey where the drinking water supply was contaminated when unsafe water entered the system and a number of people reported illness was discussed at the October meeting of Wexford County Council.

Cllr Joe Sullivan requested that it be put on the record that he has full confidence in the investigation and said the

perfect outcome is to ensure that it does not happen again.

He stated that the Council should engage with the people who were adversely affected by the last outrage and restore public confidence in the water supply in Gorey.

“That is the way forward.

No point in going back in a blame game,” concluded Cllr Sullivan.

Director of Services for Water Eamonn Hore gave a detailed report into incidents

and a time table of events at Creagh in August. There were equipment failure and human failure and he said we must ensure that an incident like this never happens again.

He added the final detailed report on Creagh should be available in the next week or ten days.

Cllr Pat Barden raised issues concerning capacity in the Adamstown area and sought clarity on the matter from Irish Water.

At the October monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held in ‘The Street’ at Carricklawn headquarters an interesting discussion centred on approval of applications for authorisation of Community CCTV in accordance with Section 38 of the Garda Siochána Act 2005.

Cllr George Lawlor wondered why twelve cameras are proposed for Gorey Town Park on 14 acres and only four cameras were deemed enough for Min Ryan Park in Wexford town which comprises 18 acres. “Are the people in Gorey deemed more photogenic?” he suggested.

David Minogue, County Secretary and Data Protection Officer, told the members that the meeting was seeking approval for CCTV extension in Wexford town and Bunclody

CCTV system and that Gorey, who has applied for 12 cameras is waiting approval, and Enniscorthy plans needs discussion at district level before moving forward.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin noted that CCTV was badly needed at Gorey Town Park and alluded to recent anti-social behaviour that witnessed two portable toilet units smashed to pieces. Cllr Andrew Bolger wondered when will the five cameras are switched on at Gorey Town Park, it is black dark there at night?

Regards a proposal to place more CCTV in Enniscorthy, Cathaoirleach of the Municipal Council Cllr Cathal Byrne suggested that the proposal should come before Enniscorthy Council first. Approval was agreed to amend the Wexford Town Community CCTV

system with the addition of 12 cameras. The proposed locations were selected following extensive consultations with An Garda Siochána in Wexford to include South Main Street, Min Ryan Park and Redmond Park.

Ownership of the Bunclody Town CCTV system, installed ca-2010 and comprising of 13 CCTV cameras, are retained with three new locations to be added to the overall system which will require an additional five cameras.

Mr Minogue informed the members that the total projected cost of new equipment added to the existing system is €45,000.

“The Council has made provision for the necessary funding in addition to the Department of Justice support funding to a maximum of 60%, subject to a maximum grant of €40,000 per scheme.”

New CCTV for Wexford towns

Motorway anger in Rosslare area over N11/N25

While expressing her delight at the progress of the N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road, Cllr Lisa McDonald is ‘disgusted’ at the delay in progressing the N11/N25 Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour project and was outspoken on the matter at the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council.

She said it is all well to take the trucks away from the port and that needs to happen, but “I am disgusted that it is going to take until 2023 until it goes before An Bord Pleanála when we were told it would be one year,” stated Cllr McDonald, who added; “The people of Killinick, Piercestown and Murrintown are affected and taking their lives into their hands.”

In a current newsletter presented at the meeting Wexford County Council points out that the N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road is a separate stand-alone project from the N11/N25 Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour project.

“While the two projects are inter-related. They are not inter-dependent and are being developed independently of each other. It is anticipated that a planning application for the N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road may be submitted to An Bord Pleanála before the end of the year or early next year, it is anticipated that the N11/N25 Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour project may be submitted for planning in 2023 at the earliest.”

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October 19, 2021

We take a look back at extracts from old newspapers to see what was in the news this month in years gone by

Freemans Jrn 10/10/1823

Irish Press 23/10/1963

Freemans Jrn 19/10/1911

Freemans Jrn 29/10/1847

Irish Press 13/10/1961

Freemans Jrn 19/10/1839

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thechronicle.ie October 19, 2021