
'Habitual vandalism' threatening to spoil €1m project in New Ross town centre
Despite funding of almost €1m going towards its rejuvenation Brennan's Lane in New Ross continues to be a centre for anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Commencing in 2024, the laneway underwent a comprehensive refurbishment to enhance safety, accessibility, and vibrancy. The project was funded by a €500,000 grant from the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and was further supported by match funding from Wexford County Council, with the backing of the elected members, bringing the total investment to €891,000.
However, at the June meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) Councillor Michael Sheehan said there were some who cared little for the new facilities.
'I want to condemn the anti-social behaviour and vandalism at Brennan's Lane, this has become a habitual issue now,' he said. 'The neighbouring businesses have to go down and take the plants off the roof every evening, because they've been ripped out of it several times. Having spent the amount of money that we did there this is disgraceful behaviour.'
Cllr Sheehan received support from Cllr John Fleming who urged the district office to ensure the area was kept in good condition.
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Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Irish Independent
'Habitual vandalism' threatening to spoil €1m project in New Ross town centre
Despite funding of almost €1m going towards its rejuvenation Brennan's Lane in New Ross continues to be a centre for anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Commencing in 2024, the laneway underwent a comprehensive refurbishment to enhance safety, accessibility, and vibrancy. The project was funded by a €500,000 grant from the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and was further supported by match funding from Wexford County Council, with the backing of the elected members, bringing the total investment to €891,000. However, at the June meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) Councillor Michael Sheehan said there were some who cared little for the new facilities. 'I want to condemn the anti-social behaviour and vandalism at Brennan's Lane, this has become a habitual issue now,' he said. 'The neighbouring businesses have to go down and take the plants off the roof every evening, because they've been ripped out of it several times. Having spent the amount of money that we did there this is disgraceful behaviour.' Cllr Sheehan received support from Cllr John Fleming who urged the district office to ensure the area was kept in good condition.


Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Calls to remove man from Wexford town centre ‘making dreadful claims' about Asian retailers
Fearing that visitors to the county will be confronted by 'a mob in the middle of the town', Councillor Jim Codd has called upon Wexford County Council (WCC) to ensure anyone expressing racist sentiments is moved away from public areas. 'This man is making dreadful claims about shopkeepers in the area who are of an Asian background. They're rate payers, while this individual and the people he draws to him have time to stand around and hurl abuse all day,' said Cllr Codd at the June meeting of WCC. 'Could this be addressed prior to the Fleadh? This is not the Wexford we want on display.' Referencing a story which appeared in the Wexford People last month, chief executive Eddie Taaffe said that, as far as he was aware, a complaint about the individual in question had been made to local gardaí. In that story it was reported that Wexford gardaí confronted a man who has been displaying placards along the Main Street. Among the subjects broached on the signs were 'Chinese nail shops' which the man claimed are putting indigenous operations out of business and are breaching employment law. And Cllr Codd reiterated his belief that such messaging had no place in Co Wexford. 'We're at a very dangerous impasse if an individual is allowed to whip up a mob in the middle of the town while law-abiding shopkeepers go about their business.' Referencing WCC's policy on advertising in public places, the Aontú councillor said the council's energies would be better spent elsewhere. 'These are dangerous times, I know we're not An Garda Siochána but we have such energy to take down sandwich boards while ugly protests like this continue.'


Irish Independent
30-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Wexford County Council's ‘hands are tied' on funfairs organised on private lands
District Manager Philip Knight explained that Wexford County Council cannot do much to stop funfairs being organised on private lands and one of the only things they can do under the Events License is look at applicant's proposals for the different types of attractions. Additionally, as long as the applicants submit their documentations including public liability and safety certificates, Mr Knight said, 'if all that's in order we really have no reason to refuse their application'. He went on to say that he's aware of the concerns surrounding the funfair. However, it is on private land and it meets the criteria within the planning regulations so his 'hands are tied'. In response, Cllr Darragh McDonald asked if a traffic management plan or security plan was in place. 'I've no issue with anyone who owns a piece of land doing whatever they want with it but the amount of people coming in and out of that and the facilities that are year round being impacted. I refuse to believe that there's any traffic management out there,' said Cllr McDonald. Cllr McDonald then requested that the Council investigate what can be done to tackle these traffic issues and 'make this whole process a bit tighter'. "It's not fair to year round members of local clubs and groups that their facilities are being damaged because there's not proper security on three nights of the year,' said Cllr McDonald. Cllr Joe Sullivan shared Cllr McDonald's concerns in regards to the damage done to local facilities but didn't believe there were any laws in place to tackle these issues. Cllr Anthony Donohue subsequently chimed in, proposing that the Council introduce a Bye-Law. Cllr Sullivan explained part of the issues regarding the laws, saying he previously 'poured through the laws on that and couldn't find the law to corner it'. "Funfairs and circuses and things like that are in a certain area. It's not like organising a music festival or something like that. A funfair or circus, there's a prescribed number of days you can operate in a year,' said Cllr Sullivan.