Future of Wicklow rivers in jeopardy
The draft River Basin Management Plan aims to set out the measures that are necessary to protect and restore water quality in Ireland. Under the draft River Basin Management Plan, protections for 456 water bodies nationwide are at risk of being diluted by being classified as 'highly modified'. If this goes ahead, it will mean that these water ways will no longer be subject to water quality standards. In Wicklow, rivers like the Vartry and Dargle, both currently rated as having 'good' ecological status, could face increased pollution and degradation if these changes are introduced.
Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore said: 'This is yet another hit to our natural environment. We've already seen consistent degradation of our rivers and government inaction on it. Now, they're trying to quietly lower the standards for water quality across the country, not because it's the right thing to do, but because they're failing to meet the standards we already have. Rather than trying to address the problems head on, it feels like government are throwing in the towel on our rivers.'
Deputy Whitemore gained two diplomas at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and Ecology from the University of Ulster. During the ten years she resided in Australia, she studied Environmental Law at the University of Sydney. She has particular concerns over the potential impact on the Vartry and Dargle rivers.
'The Vartry and Dargle are vital arteries in Wicklow's ecosystem,' she said. 'They support biodiversity, provide clean water, and are central to our tourism and recreation. Weakening protections now will only lead to long-term damage that will be far more costly to fix. We've seen what happens when we don't take water quality seriously. Lady's Island Lake in Wexford is a cautionary tale, where pollution and mismanagement have led to serious ecological decline. We cannot let that happen here in Wicklow.
'The government's approach is not just short-sighted, but dangerous. This is about more than just water. It's about our health, our environment, and our future. Every time the government chips away at environmental protections, they're making it harder for us to meet our climate and biodiversity goals.'
She is calling on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to immediately halt any plans to lower water quality standards and instead invest in proper monitoring, wastewater treatment, and nature-based solutions to restore and protect Ireland's rivers and lakes.
'We should be strengthening protections, not weakening them. We should be restoring our rivers, not polluting them. And we should be listening to communities who care deeply about their local environment, not sidelining them,' added Deputy Whitmore.
'The people of Wicklow want clean rivers, healthy ecosystems, and a government that takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. It's time for the government to stop making excuses and start protecting what matters.'
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Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Irish Times
Armagh give wasteful Dublin a hard lesson in the new world order
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[ The Schemozzle: Tiered hurling system sending ill-prepared counties round in circles Opens in new window ] [ Monaghan turn seven-point deficit around to beat Clare in Clones Opens in new window ] McGeeney reflected on the recovery from losing a third successive Ulster final and suggested that as All-Ireland holders, their priorities may have been re-ordered. 'Was it easier than last year? It depends. The provincial titles for me meant a lot when I was playing. They were hard coming, they were the big things. I think things have changed. I do think people are pushing for the big one. When you get it, you're looking for another one. 'I know all the players wanted to win that [Ulster] final when we were there. They still want to win one, but they still know that in sport it's always about the big prize. That's what you're pushing for the whole time.' Farrell's views carried a more bleak tone. 'We were chasing them and that becomes too hard,' he said. 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Subs: S Campbell (0-0-1) for Turbitt (53 mins); J McElroy (0-0-1) for Duffy (64); T McCormack for Grugan (67); N Grimley for O'Neill (68). Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan).
Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Irish Times
Final games of SFC round-robin format will be more fun than a piñata at a children's party
It's time to mention the J word. No, not Jimmy's winning matches again. Or Joyce's Galway salvaging a draw from the clutches of championship elimination. Or Jarly Óg kicking points against the Dubs in Croker. No, the J word. Jeopardy. You wanted it, you got it. The final round of games in what is to be the last iteration of this All-Ireland senior football championship round-robin format will be stuffed with as much excitement as a piñata at a kids' birthday party. READ MORE The permutations and possibilities at play for the round-three matches in two weeks are a number-cruncher's fantasy – for peril awaits behind the gates of all the neutral venues that will host these fixtures. Armagh , the 2024 All-Ireland champions, are safe. Kerry , the 2025 All-Ireland favourites, are also safe. Monaghan , Down and Meath are also assured of a place in the knock-out stages. For the remaining 11 teams, a plethora of outcomes remain on the table. 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Irish Times
16 hours ago
- Irish Times
Conor Doherty's last-gasp point earns Derry a draw in thriller against Galway
All-Ireland SFC: Derry 2-20 Galway 4-14 A last kick of the game by Derry's Conor Doherty, pointing to level a pulsating contest at Celtic Park, left both Galway and Derry with skin still in this season's All-Ireland Championship . Doherty's equaliser came seconds after a dramatic late Matthew Tierney goal which appeared to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Padraic Joyce's side, who had trailed for most of a relentlessly end-to-end game that Derry, marginally, threatened a surprise win. The lack of jeopardy argument, with only four teams ultimately discarded after the group stages, was clearly undermined in the anxious run up to yet another key 'group of death' clash at Celtic Park. The confidence and swagger of winning a fourth Connacht title in a row was quickly followed by that sobering defeat at Pearse Stadium at the hands of a rejuvenated Dublin side. READ MORE Derry, and they are probably sick to the teeth of hearing this, haven't won a league or championship game in 70 minutes since defeating Westmeath in June 2024. Defeat last time out at the hands of All-Ireland champions Armagh had left the Oakleafers, like opponents Galway, with precariously little room for error. Recent championship history against the Tribesmen, of course, does not read kindly for Derry supporters. Galway's last four All-Ireland appearances have come off the back of wins over the Ulster side en route to Croke Park finals. All of which brought us to Celtic Park with two sides hovering ominously over the trapdoor. Backed by a breeze wafting in from the Brandywell end of the pitch, Derry ran in two to the good at the break. In fairness to Paddy Tally's beleaguered team, they more than played their part in a tightly contested, physical and, at times, breathtaking first half. Sam O'Neill, a late change to the Galway line-up, opened the afternoon's scoring as the sunny spells and bursts of rain left the pitch and ball slippery and treacherous. A trademark Brendan Rogers two pointer accounted for the home side's opening points before further white flags from go-to men Shane McGuigan and Conor Glass handed the home side a 0-4 to 0-2 lead after 11 minutes. A scrappy Rob Finnerty goal dramatically swung the pendulum in Galway's favour before Derry regained the initiative when Glass palmed home Derry's goal, courtesy of a 40-yard Diarmuid Baker run. Supporters brave the wet weather at Celtic Park. Photograph: Lorcan Doherty/Inpho Back to back two pointers from first Paul Cassidy, and then McGuigan, further underlined Derry's early dominance as they moved into a 1-8 to 1-2 lead. Galway responded in fine style, notching the next four scores without reply, including a brace of points from Finnerty and a classy Shane Walsh goal in the 21st minute. But once again, and with the scores now level, Derry fought back. Two points from Ciarán McFaul and one from Niall Loughlin handed the home side a three-point cushion before Matthew Thompson's second point of the half left the Tribesmen trailing 1-11 to 2-6 at half-time. John Maher's point opened up the second-half scoring before Derry took complete control of the third quarter, nailing an unanswered 1-4. Glass's 45 was the highlight of their points before Loughlin palmed home Derry's second goal in the 49th minute to give his side a 2-15 to 2-7 lead. A fine two pointer from impact sub Peter Cooke represented Galway's swift response before points from Paul Cassidy and the lively Lachlan Murray stretched the Derry lead to eight points in the 55th minute. But with the gun to their heads, Galway took control at kick-out time and gradually began to reduce the deficit. Tierney's 61st-minute goal, Galway's third, left the Connacht side trailing to 2-18 to 3-12 with eight minutes to go. A rusty Damien Comer, who had been introduced in the 50th minute, converted a 68th-minute free as Galway refused to bend And trailing by two with less than a minute to go until hooter time, Tierney's second goal appeared to have handed his side a back from the dead victory, as they took the lead, 4-14 to 2-19. But Derry would have the last say, working their way back up the pitch to see Conor Doherty restore parity on the scoreboard and bring a fine game to a fitting conclusion. DERRY: B McKinless; D Baker, E McEvoy, P McGurk; C Doherty (0-0-1), P McGrogan, D Higgins; C Glass (1-0-3, 1f), B Rogers (0-1-1); E Doherty, P Cassidy (0-1-1), C McFaul (0-0-1); S McGuigan (0-1-2, 1f), N Loughlin (1-0-2), N Toner (0-0-1, f). Subs: L Murray (0-0-2) for E Doherty (43 mins); R Forbes for P McGurk (56); A Tohill for N Loughlin (59); E Doherty for N Toner (62). GALWAY: C Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, S Mulkerrin, J Glynn; D McHugh, S Kelly (0-0-1), L Silke; P Conroy (0-0-1), J Maher (0-0-1); M Thompson (0-0-2), C McDaid, S O'Neill (0-0-1); M Tierney (2-0-0), R Finnerty (1-0-3, 1f), S Walsh (1-0-1, 1f). Subs: C Darcy (0-0-1) for S O'Neill (18 mins); P Cooke (0-1-0) for P Conroy, D Comer (0-0-1, f) for C McDaid (both 49); J Daly for S Walsh (59); K Molloy for D McHugh (64); J Heaney for S Mulkerrin (66). Referee: N Cullen (Fermanagh).
