Latest:

Surge in domestic violence

THE RECESSION is being blamed for a huge upsurge in domestic violence which has seen Wexford Women's Refuge struggle to cope with all requests for help and accommodation. A pregnant woman and her two children even had to spend a week sleeping on a sofa there due to there not being enough beds to go around. 'It's been a hectic summer so far. We've been inundanted with famillies,' said Betty Doyle, the manager of the refuge, this week.

Treat in store with 'The Golden Ticket'

By ANNE MARIE O'CONNOR

'COME with me, and you'll be in a world of pure imagination...' Willie Wonka, Roald Dahl's best loved children's character, will bring out the child in even the most aloof opera lover this year when the European premiere of the new opera ' The Golden Ticket' forms part of the trilogy for this year's Wexford Festival. It's the first time for the Festival Committee to choose an opera they hope will appeal directly to children and families, and it represents a brave new venture.

Armed robbery suspect arrested

A LOCAL MAN has been arrested in connection with the armed robbery at Wexford pub Metro17 last Monday.

AT LAST: a roundabout for accident black spot

By ANNE MARIE O'CONNOR

WORK HAS FINALLY STARTED on a roundabout at Ashfield Cross - seven and a half years after it claimed the lives of two young Dublin children.

Hospital staff told not to talk to the media

By CONOR CULLEN

A WARNING LETTER has been issued to staff at Wexford Hospital to tell them not to discuss bed closures there with the media. It says disciplinary proceedings may follow if any statements are made that have not been approved by senior management. MEMBERS OF staff at Wexford General Hospital have been warned they may face disciplinary action if they discuss the situation regarding ongoing bed closures there with the media.

ABOVE: Members of the Rowe Street Junior Choir singing with X-Factor sensation Mary Byrne as they recorded a Christmas single in 2008.

Rowe Street kids sang with new X-Factor star

By ANNE MARIE O'CONNOR

SHE'S BEEN tipped as the new SuBo, but X Factor auditions sensation Mary Byrne from Dublin has shared the singing spotlight before with a team of young Wexford singers.

Night classes fail to see light of day

By CONOR CULLEN

WEXFORD town will once again be left without night classes by the county's Vocational Education Committee ( VEC) this year due to the organisation's inability to appoint a Director of Adult Education.

Decision time for rail line

By CONOR CULLEN

THE NATIONAL Transport Authority (NTA) is due to decide on the future of the Rosslare-Waterford rail line this Friday, September 3.

Hospital staff told not to talk to the media

By CONOR CULLEN

Five artists shortlisted for €120,000 Rackard statue

By ANNE MARIE O'CONNOR

THE new Nickey Rackard statue for Wexford town will carry a €120,000 price tag, but it will be over a year before it's erected in Selskar Square.

Welcome to Wexford town's 'wilderness'

THERE is growing anger in Wexford about the old Tesco site in Crescent Quay which has yet to be re-developed, more than three years after the supermarket moved to a new flagship store in Distillery Road.

Martin's dump Rathnure

ST. MARTIN'S showed that their desire to repeat the Pettitt's Senior hurling championship win of 2008 is strong as they dumped fellow big-hitters Rathnure out of the race at the quarter-final stage in Wexford Park on Sunday last. The men in maroon made full use of the strong wind in their favour in the opening half, and they defended resolutely after the break to book a place in the last four with an impressive display. Indeed, they now look like the only one of the three teams capable of really giving Oulart-The Ballagh a rattle, with all six forwards scoring from play and their backs doing well in the face of that heavy pressure after the break.

OVER THE WATER

BARBEQUE: Continuing on from the enormous success of last year's barbeque, the Shelmalier GAA club are holding a monster Autumn barbeque at the Hollymount complex on Saturday next, September 4. Tickets are again priced at €15 and they can be purchased from Flanagan's of Castlebridge, Freddie's in Screen and Hotel Curracloe. The club officials ask that you purchase your ticket as soon as possible as the attendance will be limited.

Cleaning up our act

Should Wexford's litter problem be highlighted, in the hope of inspiring more people to do more to tackle it?

Yes 80%
No 20%

Editor's Choice

A letter from Jim Hayes, Deputy Group Editor

Dear Reader, The Wexford People is about to change its website, offering you the chance to access enhanced premium content
An introduction to premium content

All about the Wexford People's new premium content