Every evening at 6 o'clock, WLR brings you the 6 biggest stories of the day.
1. Waterford councillors call for boundary extension to be revisited
Waterford councillors have voted to revisit the issue of a boundary extension at today’s council plenary meeting. An independent report recommended expanding Waterford’s boundary into South Kilkenny in 2017. However, the proposal was rejected by the then Minister for local government Simon Coveney following strong opposition from Kilkenny. A motion on the boundary was put forward by Cllrs Jody Power, Susan Gallagher, Thomas Phelan, Seamus Ryan, Ger Barron, John Pratt, Davy Daniels, and Joe Kelly at today’s Plenary Council meeting.
2. Slight increase in Covid-19 levels in Waterford; numbers in hospital continue to fall
The level of Covid-19 in Waterford increased slightly last week. That’s according to the latest epidemiology report from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. The 7-day incidence rate increased from 128 cases per 100,000 people to 137. It’s after 160 cases were confirmed in Waterford between the 14th and the 20th of February. However, the number of patients with Covid-19 at University Hospital Waterford is continuing to fall. According to the HSE, there were 30 cases at the facility last night.
3. Restrictions on outdoor activity, sport and travel may ease on April 5th
Level 5 restrictions on outdoor activity, sport, construction and remaining within five kilometres of home for exercise may be eased on April 5th, the Taoiseach has indicated. The Irish Times reports that Micheál Martin told the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on Wednesday night that these four areas would be examined before Easter. Advice on the matter will be sought from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet). If the response from public health officials is favourable, the first steps to a wider exit from lockdown could commence early in April, rather than later in the month.
4. “We want it to be a niche stadium that would be best in class in the country”
The planned redevelopment of Walsh Park is part of the Waterford strategic plan for 2021-2030, with a goal of 2026 set down for completion. The project will now be taken in a phased approach beginning in 2022. The first phase is to begin in 2022 and completion of the first phase by Spring 2023. Waterford county board chairman Sean Michael O’ Regan said that the project will be re-assessed and started with the current financial climate in mind.
5. Why can some shops sell clothes and others not?
On this morning’s Déise Today, Elaine Roche of TRM Clothing on Michael Street in Waterford city, questioned why she was struggling with a closed business and a lack of certainty, while supermarkets are open and selling leisurewear and more. Also, Vincent Pettit, owner of the 360 Cookhouse restaurant in Dungarvan, spoke about continuing pressures on the hospitality industry.
6. Sam Bennett secures 50th stage win of career
Sam Bennett is back in action after claiming his 50th stage win of his career yesterday. The Carrick-on-Suir sprinter won the fourth stage of the UAE Tour – his first stage win of 2021. Today’s “Impossible is Possible” mountain stage will see the riders travel from Fujairah to Jebel Jais.
