Border territory up for grabs as chair of Rosslare district is told to ‘acquaint yourself with the maps’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

With a budget stretched to its very limit and endless repairs required throughout the district, you would have imagined that the last thing councillors in the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) would want is even more damaged roads to contend with.

However, at the monthly meeting of the RMD, Councillor Jim Codd lit a flame for a border territory which could have so easily fallen into the hands of others.

Renowned for his ability to name check areas which even his colleagues are unfamiliar with, Cllr Codd brought the Hill of Taylorstown to the attention of senior engineer Michael Brazzill.

“What are we going to tell people in the Hill of Taylorstown about the lack of funding for roads after the floods?” he asked.

Cathaoirleach Ger Carthy immediately interjected, referencing a clip on social media in which Cllr Codd was obliquely accused of claiming works done in other districts.

“The Hill of Taylorstown is in the New Ross district,” said Cllr Carthy. “You’re after being slapped already for being in their district. There’s hardly much of a flood on a hill anyway.”

Refusing to back down, Cllr Codd insisted the hill was in the RMD and suggested Cllr Carthy “aquaint (himself) with the maps”.

“Ask Michael,” he said, “ It’s in bits and you don’t want it repaired. It’s our responsibility.”

“It’s in the Ross district, this is a Rosslare meeting,” said Cllr Carthy.

Ultimately, both councillors were right, or wrong, depending on your perspective.

“It’s in the New Ross district but it’s part of the RMD’s roads network,” said Mr Brazzill.

“So it’s our responsiblity?” asked Cllr Codd.

“Unfortunately,” replied Mr Brazzill.