Gardai seeking missing Co. Kilkenny Woman

Gardai in Kilkenny are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the where about of a 37 year old woman who has been missing from her home in Paulstown in Co. Kilkenny.

Louise Brennan was last seen at around 11am on Christmas Day at Rathaleek in Callan.

She is described as 5 foot 6 in height with straight shoulder length hair and with blue eyes.

When last seen Louise was wearing a Lilac/Purple hoody with Blue jeans and grey hiking boots. It is reported that she was driving a silver Toyota Corolla with the registration 04 CW 2410.

Gardai have said they are concerned for Louise’s welfare and have asked anyone who might have seen her to contact them at Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 777 5306, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or at any Garda Station.

County Waterford Woman Dies at St. Stephen’s Day Sporting Event

A County Waterford woman has died in an accident near Dungarvan today, where a Hot Rod Competition was taking place.

The woman died during the Annual Demolition Derby Day at The Pike between Dungarvan and Lemybrien.

Gardai seek help in finding missing teenager

Gardai in Clonmel have called on the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of a teenager.

17 year old Dylan O’Brien was last seen on Monday in the Ferryhouse area of Clonmel.

Dylan is described as being 5 foot 8 Inches in height of stocky build, with brown eyes and short black hair.

When last seen he was wearing a navy tracksuit bottoms, black jacket and blue runners.

Gardai have called on anyone who saw Dylan or who can assist them in locating him to contact them at Clonmel Garda Station on 052 6177640, the garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or at any Garda Station.

 

Third Victim in Dungarvan Crash is named as second victim is remembered at Funeral Mass

The second man that died in a horrific crash near Dungarvan on December 4 was cremated today at The Island Crematorium in Cork after mass at Saint Augustine’s Church in Abbeyside today.

Eamon Dixon from Murphy Place in Abbeyside lost his life along with Michael Tobin from Old Parish who was buried after 10am Mass at Old Parish on Sunday last and 39 year old Kenneth O’Sullivan from Blackpool in Cork.

Two adults and four children were also seriously injured in the crash after the car they were travelling in to Waterford collided with the Volkswagen Golf in which the three men were travelling in the opposite direction on the Military Road.

During the mass celebrated by local Parish Priest Fr. Ned Hassett, prayers were said for all those affected by the tragedy.

His uncle Marcus Dixon on behalf of the family paid tribute to his nephew. “From the day you were born you brought us nothing but joy and a smile. It’s easier for us to think of you going away for a while. You were a gift given to us but only for a short while,” he said.

Eamon was brought the short journey to Saint Augustine’s Church from Murphy Place before the mass accompanied by his parents Lorraine and Darren, his siblings, grandparents and other relatives and friends.

Fr Ned Hassett, said he had been told many stories about Eamon since last week’s tragedy, many of which related to his love for his family. “He loved his music,” Fr Hassett said, and added that Eamon loved helping his grandfather on the grounds of the Friary College, and loved greyhounds and coursing.

Elsewhere in Waterford today Rachel Hennessy who lost her life as a result of injuries sustained in a single vehicle crash at the Five Cross Roads near Stradbally on Thursday night last was also laid to rest today.

Rachel from Whitewell in Stradbally lay in repose at Thompson’s Funeral Home in Barrack Street yesterday from where she was removed to the Church in Ballybricken.

Requiem Mass for Rachel was celebrated today at 10am after which she was brought to Saint Otteran’s Cemetery for burial.

Meanwhile, the man who died in yesterday's work place accident at a building site at Parnell Street in Waterford has been named as Alois Makarov (20) an Estonian national. A wall collapsed onto Mr Makarov, resulting in injuries to his head.

The man was rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Waterford but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority have launched separate investigations and are investigating the circumstances of the death.

South Tipperary General Hospital has second highest number on trolleys across Ireland

Figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation yesterday showed that there were 352 patients on hospital trolleys or waiting to be admitted to a bed yesterday morning.

There were 259 people in emergency departments on trolleys which is 23 higher than the maximum allowed under new HSE targets which came into force on the first day of this month.

Cork University had the highest numbers waiting with 34, five more that what was waiting at South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel which is often the first port of call for emergency treatment for people in the South Tipperary, West Waterford, South Tipperary and North Cork regions.

Health Minister Simon Harris said that while the overcrowding figures were unacceptable, the number of patients on trolleys was less this year than last year.

Pressure has been put on many hospitals across the country due to the large number of bed closures and the significant rise in infections and the winter vomiting bug.

INMO General Secretary Liam Doran has said it’s too late to invent beds this month, but said more has to be done on staffing to deal with pressures.

Two of three killed in Dungarvan Crash named locally

The names of two of those that died in Sunday’s road traffic crash near Dungarvan have been named locally.

The pair are named as Eamon Dixon from Abbeyside and Mikey Tobin from Old Parish.

The pair were in a Volkswagen Golf which exploded on impact with a people carrier in which two adults and four young children from Co. Cork travelling to a Winterval in Waterford City. 

The name of the third man who died in the crash has not yet been named but it is understood that he was from Co. Cork.

The adults in the people carrier Gary Fenton, from Cobh, and Mary Bermingham, from Banteer in Co Cork both underwent emergency surgery following the accident.

The four children in the car are between the ages of six and fourteen years with one reported to have special needs.

Gardai continue to seek witnesses to Dungarvan Crash.

Post mortems are to take place today in Waterford of the three men that died in a horrific car crash outside Dungarvan.

The Collision on a stretch of the N72 known locally as the Military Road happened about 10am yesterday involving two cars travelling in opposite directions.

The six occupants of the other car, a man and woman and four children were air lifted to hospitals in Cork and Waterford where they were treated for their injuries.

Three of the most critical underwent operations on last night. The children are aged between six and 14 and one has special needs. 

Reports suggest that the man is from Cobh and works for the naval service, while the woman lived in the Mallow area.

One of the children was discharged from hospital this morning.  The woman's three children remain in hospital along with her and her partner.

The Car with the three men that died went on fire on impact and they were pronounced dead at the scene.

The three men that died in the crash have not been formally identified and may have to be identified from dental records. There are unconfirmed reports that at least two of the dead are from the Dungarvan area.

The road remained closed overnight but is expected to reopen this afternoon.

Gardai in Dungarvan are continuing to appeal for information about the crash and have called on anyone on the stretch of road around the time of the crash to contact them on 058 48600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or at any Garda Station.

Meanwhile the N72 claimed the life of another motorist this morning.

A man in his 20’s died following a head on collision in North Cork.

The Crash happened about 8-15am this morning on the Fermoy to Mallow road at Castlehyde.

The driver of one of the cars was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other car had an adult and two children in it were also injured. The child received head injuries and both were brought to Cork University Hospital to be treated.

The section of road remains closed this afternoon pending an investigation by a forensic crash investigation team.

 

Three die and six injured in Dungarvan Crash

Three people have died and six others are seriously injured following a two car crash on the Military Road near Dungarvan this morning.

It was first reported that two people had lost their lives in the crash. That figure was updated to three this evening.

The Crash between a car and a people carrier happened at about 10am this morning on a stretch of road between Ballyneety Cross and Master McGrath.

It is understood that the car which was travelling in a westward direction burst into flames on impact and all three occupants of the car died.

The People Carrier is understood to be travelling from the Cork direction towards Waterford and contained six people, two adults and four children.

The occupants of the People Carrier were airlifted from the scene to hospitals in Waterford and Cork to be treated for their injuries some of which are described as serious.

Members of the Waterford County Fire Brigade as well as Ambulances from across the region and Gardai arrived quickly on the scene following the reporting of the accident and a major emergency plan was put in place.

The Irish Coast Guard Helicopter based at Waterford Regional Airport and an Air Corps Helicopter were also tasked to the scene to lift the injured to hospital.

Local Parish Priest Fr. Michael Kennedy was also called to the scene where he performed the last rites on the dead and blessed the injured.

Gardai have still not formally identified the three deceased from the car that went on fire.

Diversions were put in place to allow the emergency services to work uninterrupted at the scene throughout the day.

In the last while, the bodies of the deceased were removed from the scene. The road remains closed.

Gardai in Dungarvan have called for any witness or those that travelled the road at around the time of the accident to contact the investigation team in Dungarvan to contact them on 058 48600 or at any Garda Station.

 

N24 and N25 closed following incidents

Two major roads into Waterford are closed this evening following collision’s.

The N24 between Waterford and Clonmel is closed southbound at the junction for Piltown. Local diversions are in place in the area.

The N25 between Dungarvan and Waterford is closed between Kilmeaden and Carrol’s Cross is also closed due to a collision and again diversions are in place.

The Newcapel Road of the N24 between Clonmel and Cahir is also closed this evening following a collision and motorist in the area are asked to used alternative routes.

Earlier today a Status Orange Fog Warning was issued for the country with fog expected to linger until midday on Friday.

A status yellow low temperature was also issued today for the entire country with frost developing overnight and continuing until around midday tomorrow. Lowest temperatures overnight are expected to drop to -5 degrees.

The AA on their website this evening has warned of foggy and frosty conditions in and around Waterford city and have asked drivers to drive with care.

Waterford Mourns the Sudden Death of a Favourite Son

Thousands in Waterford woke this morning to the shocking news that one of its favourite sons’ Billy McCarthy had died during the night following a short and sudden illness.

A popular presenter WLR.FM, the station announced the news this morning at the request of Billy’s partner Des O’Keeffe and the McCarthy family.

Managing director of WLR.FM Des Whelan in a statement issued by the radio station said “Billy was a much loved friend and colleague of all of us here at WLR FM. His untimely death is a huge loss not just to our listeners but to all of us who had the fortune to work with him for many years”.

Billy McCarthy first got involved in local radio in a five year stint with WLR in its pirate days when he presented The Good News Programme on a Saturday morning between 1983 and 1988. After the Station obtained a licence Billy took over presenting Deise AM on the 10am to Midday slot from December 1989 up to two weeks ago. He was also Programme Director of the Station from 1989 to 2014.

Programme Director at WLR.fm Michael Byrne said that Billy’s death “is a huge loss for his partner Des, his family and all his friends at the station; he was a brilliant colleague and an even better friend”.

A special programme to remember Billy McCarthy will be broadcast on WLR FM on Monday Nov 21st from 10am – midday and online via www.wlrfm.com

The Removal of Billy’s remains will take place to the Holy Cross Church, Tramore tomorrow (Monday) evening arriving at 6.30pm. Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday at 1pm with funeral afterwards to St. Declan’s Cemetery, Riverstown, Tramore.

Billy is survived by his partner Des O’Keeffe, his mother Kay, his sister Celine, brothers Declan and Ronan and his extended family, relatives and many friends.

Youth dies in Co. Waterford traffic accident

Gardai in Dungarvan are investigating a single vehicle crash in which the driver was the sole occupant.

The incident happened yesterday evening on the N72 at Ballygalane between Cappoquin and Lismore at about 6-30pm.

Gardai have reported that the car was in collision with a wall and burst into fire. A body was recovered from the car and was removed to Waterford University Hospital.

Gardai have not yet positively identified the deceased or given details of their gender but the name of a youth has been mentioned on a local sports clubs social media page.

The stretch of road was closed over night to allow a Garda Forensic Examination to take place but reopened this afternoon.

Gardai have called on any witnesses to the crash to contact Dungarvan Garda Station on 058 48600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Jobs Boost for Waterford

Waterford is to get 25 new job which will be created over the next 12 months.

Transit software company RouteMatch have announced plans to expand even more, the initial 25 jobs created by RouteMatch will add to its RMPay payment solutions technology services. All new roles are in software development.

“Transit is needed by so many people today, and without it, many cannot get to their jobs, medical appointments or families,” said Larry Breen, head of RouteMatch’s Irish operation.

Mr. Breen called Waterford a “welcome extension” to his company’s team, and said both the environment and talent available makes the location ideal.

RouteMatch provides technologies to help transit companies manage their operations, as well as “engage” their drivers.

The company’s software is used by fixed-scheduled transit services and demand-response transit services where door-to-door delivery is required. It currently services customers across North America and Australia, primarily through state and local government contracts.

Second Evacuation in Waterford inside a Month

Gardai in Waterford City have evacuated an area in the Short-Course area of the city after a suspect device was found.

Roads in the area were quickly closed off and diversions around the Barrack Street area were put in place as Gardai dealt with the incident. The Bomb disposal Squad based in Cork were also summoned to the area.

Gardai began to clear the area at about 8-30am this morning and have no idea of when they can return. Residents are currently being looked after at the Mount Sion centre and at local business premises outside of the area in which the cordon is in place.

Local Waterford City and County Councillor, Sinn Fein’s John Hearne has told local radio station W.L.R.fm that the incident show that the Gardai need more resources in Waterford to deal with law and order issues.

Earlier this month a number of buildings in the city centre were evacuated after an anonymous phone call was made claiming that two bombs were set to explode in the city. On that occasion Gardai quickly evacuated the Mall Area as hundreds of people were told to leave after reports were received of a bomb been placed in the Theatre Royal.

Gardai rescue man from River Suir

Two Gardai helped rescue a man in his 40’s from drowning the River Suir at Clonmel last night.

The rescue happed about 11pm when Gardai received reports there was a man in the River close to the Bridgewater House.

Two Gardai from Clonmel Garda Station rushed to the scene where on arriving Garda Brian Batt and Garda Brendan Ryan jumped into the river to help assist a man floating on the water and who was not moving.

A number of onlookers also helped in the operation as the man was removed from the water by a river ladder.

The man who was unresponsive was transferred to a Garda Car and driven to meet an oncoming ambulance that was also summoned to the scene and was taken to South Tipperary General Hospital where he received treatment.

The man who was unconscious on arriving at South Tipperary General Hospital was reported to be in a stable condition this morning.

Snorkeler dies after getting into difficulty at Ardmore

One person has died after getting into trouble in the water at Ardmore in County Waterford this evening.

Two snorkelers were in the water before 6pm but one made it ashore and the emergency services were called to help search for the second person.

The crew of the Coast Guard Rescue 117 Helicopter based at Waterford Regional Airport were quickly at the scene and airlifted the casualty on board.

CPR was carried aboard the helicopter but efforts to revive the casualty were unsuccessful.

The casualty was transferred to Waterford University Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Man dies after collision with a truck in Co Waterford

A Dungarvan man in his late 20s has died after his car collided with a truck in Co Waterford.

The Accident happened around 7.50am this morning on the N25 between Lemybrien and Kilmacthomas.

The man was the sole occupant of the car was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to University Hospital Waterford.

The driver of a truck also involved in the collision was not injured.

Diversions were put in place in the area to allow for a forensic collision to take place but the road is expected to open shortly.

Gardai in Tramore have called upon those travelling in the area at the time to contact them on 051391620

Following the accident this evening’s 2015 County under 21 hurling final between Dungarvan and De La Salle at Walsh Park is called off.

Waterford City Priest threatened at knife point

A Priest in Waterford City was threatened at knife point during an aggravated burglary on Monday evening.

The culprit called to the Old Ballybricken Church Parochial House at Convent Hill at about 6-10pm and produced a knife as he pushed the priest into the house, threatening him and demanding money.

The man who entered the house is described as being just over six foot tall wearing a blue top and dark trouser. His face was partially covered and spoke with an East European accent.

Gardai in Waterford have called on anyone with information which may help them in their investigations to contact them on 051 305300.

Man rescued in Comeragh Mountains but escapes injury

A cliff walker who got into difficulty on a cliff above Mahon Falls was winched to safety this afternoon in an operation involving the Coast Guards Rescue 115 Helicopter from Shannon and the South East Mountain Rescue Association the Gardai and the MRCC . 

Gardaí alerted the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association and the Irish Cast Guard to assist the walker who became crag fast.

The Coast Guard’s R115 was guided to the location by the SEMRA and began to winch the person from the cliff to lower ground where he was attended to by South Eastern Mountain Rescue. He was uninjured in the incident.

Conditions at the time were very mixed with sunshine, showers of hail and thunder in the distance.

At the time of the rescue the Coast Guards Rescue 117 Helicopter at Waterford Airport was out of commission due to a service on the craft.

Gardai in Dungarvan and Clonmel seek help in finding missing men

Gardai in both Dungarvan and Clonmel have appealed to the public in tracing the whereabouts of two missing men.

Gardai in Dungarvan have appealed for information in tracing 16 year old Adam Sword who was last seen at about 4pm on Sunday February 28 in Dungarvan.

Adam is described as being five foot five tall of medium build with blue eyes and dark blonde or light brown hair.

He was last seen wearing dark blue jeans, a light blue and cream jumper and blue runners.

Gardai believe that he could be seen in Tipperary Town as he is known to frequent the area.

Meanwhile Gardai in Clonmel are appealing for information about 23 year old Daniel Gerrard.

Daniel was last seen in the Bridgewater House area of Clonmel yesterday morning at about 5-50am.

When last seen he was wearing a blue hooded top, grey tracksuit bottoms and grey runners.

He is described as being 6 foot tall with a lean build, short brown hair and brown eyes.

Gardai in Dungarvan can be contacted on 058 48600, Gardai in Clonmel can be contacted on 052 6177640, Gardai in Tipperary Town can be contacted on 062 80670 or can be contacted on the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or at any Garda Station.

HSE Ambulance from Dungarvan dispatched 80km away to treat teen five minutes from biggest Ambulance base in Munster

A 999 call for emergency medical treatment five minutes away from the biggest ambulance base in Cork from where a soccer game was taking place on Saturday afternoon last was responded to by the Ambulance base in Dungarvan, some 80km away.

Craig Linehan was injured at Ballyphehane Park on Saturday afternoon last while playing in an under 15 soccer game.

The first of a number of 999 calls for a HSE ambulance was put in at 1-35pm, five minutes after the player was injured and follow up calls were made at 1-52pm, 2-18pm and 2-31pm when no ambulance was arriving from the HSE Ambulance Kinsale Road base which is based just five minutes from the ground where the game was taking place.

It has emerged that an Ambulance was dispatched to the scene from Dungarvan to attend the player, but was stood down on-route to the scene when an ambulance from Cork arrived at the scene at 2-50pm, 75 minutes after the first 999 call was made.

Kilreen Celtic coach Mark Towler whose club were involved in Saturday’s game has told Red FM’s The Neil Prenderville Show that that the boy’s parents were so upset at the delay getting an ambulance to treat the teenager that at one point, one parent got into his car and drove after an ambulance which was spotted passing on a nearby road.

“We thought at the start that Craig had dislocated his hip. We didn’t know if there was other damage caused. It could even have been a bad fracture,” said Mr Towler, but it later emerged that he sustained a severe soft-tissue injury but will make a full recovery.

A HSE spokesperson confirmed that an emergency call was made to the National Ambulance Service at 1.36pm last Saturday, but that all resources in the local area were engaged on other calls.

12 names on Ballot Paper in Waterford as nominations deadline passes

Three fewer candidates will contest the General Election in Waterford on February 26 than contested the General Election five years ago.

The deadline for nominations passed today at 12 noon with 12 candidates declaring their intention to stand before the electorate in the bigger four seater Waterford Constituency on voting day.

The numbers however could well be cut before voting take place as candidates have under 5pm on Friday February 12 to withdraw their nomination papers if they so wish.

Electorate Boundaries were re-drawn ahead of Election 16 as parts of Co. Waterford south of Clonmel Town towards Ballymacarbry will no longer be voting for Tipperary Candidates who see their representation to the 32^nd Dáil Cut from six to five as Tipperary South and Tipperary North were merged to one constituency.

Fine Gael are the only party in Waterford to run more than one candidate in the up coming election with outgoing deputies Paudie Coffey and John Deasy fighting for two of the four available seats.

Fianna Fail, Labour, Sinn Féin, People Before Profit, Green Party, Renua and Direct Democracy Ireland all have one candidate each with three Independent/Non Party Candidates all vying for the four available places.

Five of the Twelve who submitted their nomination papers by today are female.

The declared candidates in Waterford when nominations closed were:

Sheikh M. Ahmed (Independent),

Mary Butler (Fianna Fáil)

Paudie Coffey, (Fine Gael),

Ciara Conway (Labour),

David Cullinane (Sinn Féin)

John Deasy (Fine Gael),

Una Dunphy (People Before Profit)

John Halligan (Independent),

Grace O’Sullivan (Green Party)

Mailo Power (Renua),

Edward Quilty (Direct Democracy Ireland)

John Walsh (Non-Party)