DUNGARVAN
OBSERVER
M i n o r H u r l e rs l o w e r T i p p e ra r y c o l o u rs
Vol. 104
Friday, 29th April, 2016
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Easter Rising commemorated in Dungarvan and Waterford FLAG raising ceremonies were held in Dungarvan and Waterford last Sunday to commemorate the official date of the 1916 Easter Rising - a pivotal moment in Irish history, writes Paul Mooney. A large crowd gathered outside the Civic Offices in Dungarvan at 3.00 p.m. last Sunday, 24th April, to hear Ballyduff Upper’s Captain Stephen Molumphy of the Irish Defence Forces read the Proclamation, while Lieutenant Shane Flood, from Passage East, raised the Irish Tricolour. The events in Dungarvan and Waterford were an opportunity for
the people of the County and City to mark the historic events that took place one hundred years ago, and remember the participation of Waterford residents, Liam O’Réagain and Sean Ó Griofáin, in the 1916 Rising. Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. John Cummins, laid a wreath during both events. MC for the ceremonies was Cllr. Eddie Mulligan (Lieutenant Commander,
Aisling Moloney from Dungarvan pictured with Aoife Shanley from Abbeyside at the Commemoration of the Centenary of the Easter Rising at Dungarvan Civic Offices hosted by Waterford City and County Council. [David Clynch] Officer Commanding Waterford Naval Reserve), supported by Oifigeach Gaelach Máire Seo Breathnach; while the Ecumenical Prayers of
Remembrance were delivered by Father John Harris C.C. Dungarvan and Reverend James Mulhall, Curate, Stradbally.
Some local children laid flowers in memory of all those who died during the Rising, while music was provided by Cór Fear na nDéise, Dungarvan
Brass Band and the Voice Over Ladies Choir who commissioned songs commemorating 1916. Continued on pages 6 & 7
Gardaí investigating theft of sheep in Nire
Please go to page 9 for further details
Motorists warned to slow down
REWARD OF €10,000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO ARREST OF CULPRITS By Paul Mooney
page 2
GARDAÍ in Dungarvan have confirmed they are investigating a report of a major theft of sheep from a farmer in the Comeragh Hills / Nire Valley area.
1916 Easter Rising Commemoration pages 6 & 7 16
Up to 20 sheep that were heavy in lamb were taken in the last several weeks. The sheep taken from the Comeragh / Nire Valley area are Scottish Blackface Ewes and Cheviots and have a distinct red raddle mark across their shoulder. Sheep farmers have different colours of raddle marks on different locations on their sheep to identify them. The sheep taken from the Nire Valley also have ear tags, as required under rules of the
National Sheep Identification System. The farming family affected by the theft of the sheep expressed their shock to this newspaper and said they wanted the matter highlighted to make other farmers in the area aware that ‘sheep rustling’ is taking place. This is not the first time the farming family have been affected by the theft of their sheep. Over the past four years, they have lost a total of 180 sheep due to theft. The farmer, who did not want to be named, said they had 110 sheep stolen in 2013; 50 sheep were taken in 2014; and the 20 sheep taken more recently. “It is scandalous and we have reported the matter to Gardaí,” said the farmer. The family are heartbroken
and upset as they have lost thousands of euro of their livelihood as well as the expense of vaccinating the sheep to ensure they would go in lamb this season. With the lambing season now here, the price of lamb trade remains “solid”, with top prices of €5.90 per kilogramme being paid, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association. It is understood that other farmers in the area may also have had sheep stolen from their land during the same period. €10,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION IFA Sheep Chairman, John Lynskey told the Dungarvan Observer that the IFA and Crimestoppers are offering a €10,000 reward for significant information that will lead to the
The Nire Valley area at Knockanaffrin, looking towards the Comeragh Mountains, where the theft of sheep occurred recently. arrest and charge of individuals in connection with livestock theft. “I would ask anybody who has noticed or heard about any suspicious activity around farms or in their locality to come
forward to either An Garda Síochána or to the confidential Crimestoppers 1800-25-00-25 number,” said Mr. Lynskey. Continued on page 2