Concern route could cut Glynn community in two
AROUND 80 people gathered on a mild summer’s evening outside Glynn Community Centre last week to express their concerns over the new N11/N25 Oylegate to Rosslare road scheme. With the maps of potential routes having now been published, there was cause for concern for residents in the Glynn and Ballyhogue areas as two of the outer routes (G and F) would have a major impact on their community.
‘I suppose the biggest concern is that should route G be chosen, Glynn would be divided in two,’ said organiser Triona Savage. ‘Then there’s all kinds of questions as to how this would work. I suppose among the biggest concerns though is why we are back here ten years later when the route had already apparently been chosen. I understand that the council have to adhere to new legislation, but they haven’t made clear what the legislation is. From the outside, it seems like we’re just starting again.’
Councillor Garry Laffan attended the meeting and heard people’s concerns. However, he believes that the two outer routes are least likely to be chosen.
‘You just can’t tell, but I would be of the opinion that the two outer routes would be the least likely,’ he said. ‘ The amount of work it would require and the distance from the original route would go in its favour. I think the road definitely will happen this time though, especially given the investment we’re now seeing in Rosslare Europort. It is a massive concern to home and landowners though, particularly in areas like Crossabeg and Barntown which are affected by the majority of routes.’
Following a well managed, socially-distanced meeting, those in attendance decided on the formation of a committee to represent the wider Glynn community and they met again last night with a view to making a submission to Wexford County Council seeking further information.
LOCAL SEARCHES continued today from early morning in the hope of locating missing Gorey woman Deirdre Redmond (50) after she was last seen leaving her home in Garden City at approximately 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, July 11.
Deirdre’s family released an appeal after reporting her missing on Saturday evening, some hours after she didn’t return from a trip into town to run her usual errands, something they described as ‘completely out of character’.
Deirdre has short red/dark hair, is approximately 5ft 6” in height and of slim build. When last seen she was wearing a purple top and dark jeans.
Her family are concerned for her well-being and have sought Garda assistance in tracing her, but help and assistance has come from all across the community with searches taking place consistently for the last two days.
Another search began yesterday (Monday) morning from the Naomh Eanna GAA grounds, and searches by the Courtown/Arklow Coast Guard Unit and Courtown RNLI Lifeboat are continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Gorey Garda Station on 053 9430690 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
Gardaí in Gorey said that they will maintaining a presence at the Naomh Eanna GAA complex over the next couple of days, describing the location as the ‘unofficial search headquarters’.
Sergeant Stephen Ennis of Gorey Garda Station said that the search for Deirdre will remain a local search at this time.
‘We have now confirmed a latest sighting of Deidre on the Sea Road in Ballymoney, Gorey, at 3.20 p.m. on Saturday, July 11. We are happy that the sightings and CCTV footage are correct.
‘Anyone who wants to assist in the search is asked make contact through the station or the Naomh Eanna club,’ he said.
Deirdre’s son Jason Redmond, said that the family will not give up on the search and are hopeful she will be found.
‘On Saturday she was the same as she was normally when she left, absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. She was calm, the same as she’d usually be.
‘If she went up the town on a Saturday, normally she’d be back in an hour or two. So we started to
Deirdre Redmond.
get worried then at about 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. as it would be at a real push that she’d stay out that late.
‘When it started hitting 7 p.m., 8 p.m., that’s when it started to hit us. My father Pat and I were out searching and walking for 24 hours straight with mostly close family. I put the appeal out online that evening because we knew something was up,’ he said.
Deirdre is a popular local woman, and mother of three. She is a full-time family carer to her youngest child Niamh, who is 23, has autism and is non verbal.
Her family are particularly involved with the sporting community, known particularly well in GAA circles.
Deirdre’s popularity was reflected in the level of support shown to her during the searches over the past few days, as Jason said that about 150 people showed up on Sunday morning to search in groups.
‘The community support during the search operation has been phenomenal. People were out from 7 a.m. and there was still at least 100 people there at about 6 p.m. that evening. They were so willing to keep walking and keep going to their credit. They didn’t even have lunch and most didn’t even have a break.
‘The support has been absolutely incredible and the community has just rallied around to help and support us. My mum is the type of person that if she knew someone or someone was missing in Gorey, she’d be the first person out, he said. ‘I have a positive outlook on everything and I’m hopeful we’ll find her.’