McDonald tells FF ard fheis of Brexit danger Woman who conned four Wexford priests has sentencing adjourned
BREXIT poses a serious threat to Rosslare Europort and the Wexford and national economies, Wexford councillor Lisa McDonald told the Fianna Fáil ard fheis at the RDS recently.
‘I am deeply concerned about the impact that Brexit will have on the local economy in Wexford and Irish trade,’ she said.
‘ Tourism, the agri-food sector, the fishing industry and Rosslare Europort are significant sources of employment in Wexford and are critical to the economic prosperity of the county. Brexit poses a serious threat to each and every one of them.’
Cllr McDonald said that in the face of Brexit, the location of Rosslare Europort is more strategic than ever.
‘ The possibility of several different customs posts being involved in crossing the UK by land to reach mainland Europe makes our exporters’ position unworkable and further accentuates Rosslare’s importance as the nearest port to mainland Europe,’ she warned the party gathering.
‘Our future is wedded to Europe – we need to continue trading. Rosslare Europort needs immediate investment to accommodate extra and bigger shipping to reflect increased volume of imports and exports and allow for the opening of new sea routes.
‘ The administration needs to change to reflect the new reality. A modern shipping port cannot be run by a railway company, particularly one in financial difficulties.’ Cllr McDonald said it was vital that the infrastructure to the port should be finished.
‘ The final piece of the M11 from Enniscorthy to Rosslare needs to be completed to link Rosslare Port to Belfast, with obvious potential for Northern Irish trade. The motorway to Cork and a modernised rail link also need urgent attention.
‘ The government needs to seriously up its game on Brexit; their wait and see approach and their lack of urgency to what is one of the gravest threats that our State has ever faced is putting thousands of jobs at risk, not only in Wexford, but throughout the country,’ she said.
‘Brexit may be a historic mistake A BUNCLODY woman who fraudulently obtained money from four members of the clergy has had sentence adjourned until Wednesday to allow time for the opening of a savings account to reimburse the injured parties.
Before Wexford Circuit Criminal Court last week was Rebecca O’Leary, of 52 Castlerock, Carrickduff, Bunclody, on 11 separate charges to which a guilty plea had been entered at an earlier sitting of the court.
The total amount conned from Fr Noel Hartley in June 2015 came to more than €3,000, according to the charge sheet.
Fr Hartley was persuaded to part with seven sums ranging from €100 to €2,000 by Ms O’Leary’s ‘fabricated stories of financial difficulties’. She often accompanied Fr Hartley to an ATM so he could withdraw the money.
In the case of Fr Diarmuid Desmond, on September 6, 2015, at St. Patrick’s Church, Rosslare Harbour, the defendant purported to be a social worker and persuaded the priest to hand over €200 in cash.
In the case of Monsignor Denis Lennon, the priest was conned into handing over €300 as the defendant purported to be a social worker on dates unknown between May 23, 2015, and June 3, 1015, at 39 Beechlawn, Clonard, Wexford town.
She also induced Fr John O’Reilly of Pierestown, to hand over €200.
Garda Burke said that while the investigation was ongoing, an incident occurred in Portlaoise, where the defendant was apprehended by local gardai, following which gardai in Wexford contacted Ms O’Leary. She volunteered information that she was involved in these incidents and co-operated fully with the investigation. She was arrested and detained when she made full admissions of receiving money from the priests in question.
‘I am not aware of any monies having been repaid,’ said Garda Burke.
Defence Counsel, Dylan Redmond, said the defendant is the mother of three young children living with her partner, while she is not someone who is in a good financial position. The best the defendant could offer by way of compensation is €50 per week, said Mr. Redmond, adding that she is in receipt of €420 per week social welfare for herself, partner and children.
Judge Martina Baxter said she would be willing to adjourn the matter to Wednesday November 1 when she wanted to see €50 in a savings account. ‘I want to see this on Wednesday morning. The matter would be finalised then,’ said Judge Baxter.