Passengers diverted as Fishguard-Rosslare service still affected

FISHGUARD ferry services have faced another day of disruption, with early hopes of a return to normal sailings dashed again this morning (Tuesday, April 8).

The 1:30am sailing of the Stena Nordica was once again cancelled, marking several consecutive days without service on the Fishguard-Rosslare route. The vessel has not sailed since the early hours of Saturday (April 5).

Stena Line has blamed a combination of adverse weather and an ongoing technical issue for the disruption, which began when Saturday’s 2:00pm sailing was delayed and subsequently cancelled. This also resulted in the evening return crossing from Rosslare being called off.

Passengers affected by the cancellations were either transferred to the Holyhead-Dublin route or remained on board in the hope of a later departure.

Among those onboard on Saturday was George Holland, a regular ferry passenger, who had planned a day trip. He reported that the ferry was busy, with 96 vehicles and many families travelling at the start of the Easter holidays.

Despite expectations that Sunday services might resume, sailings remained suspended, and affected passengers were rerouted via Irish Ferries’ Pembroke Dock to Rosslare service.

Hopes were again raised for a resumption of service on Monday (April 7), but that afternoon’s 2:00pm sailing and the corresponding evening return crossing were also cancelled.

A spokesperson for Stena Line said: “Due to a technical issue with Stena Nordica, sailings on the Rosslare-Fishguard route were cancelled over the weekend and on Monday, April 7. Engineers are working onboard to resolve the issue, and it is currently anticipated that sailings will resume at 1:30am on Tuesday, April 8.”

However, the scheduled early morning crossing did not take place, with Stena’s website again citing a technical issue. Passengers were again transferred to Irish Ferries.

At the time of writing, today’s 2:00pm departure from Fishguard and the 7:30pm return from Rosslare remain on the schedule.

A HEMP user has appeared in court after claiming a legally purchased CBD product caused him to test positive for an illegal drug.

Daren Bradbury, 54, from Seven Steps Road in Sageston, told police he had taken cannabidiol (CBD), a substance derived from the hemp plant and sold legally in the UK. However, blood tests revealed that he had 2.3 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his system — just over the legal limit of 2mcg.

THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that causes intoxication and remains a controlled substance under UK law.

“He received the CBD from the internet, believing it didn’t contain THC,” said Bradbury’s solicitor, Michael Kelleher, when the case was heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“He handed the packet to the police and was surprised that the test came back positive — albeit only 0.3mcg over the limit.”

Bradbury was stopped by officers on December 4 while driving on the A477 at Milton. A roadside test proved positive, and subsequent analysis confirmed the presence of THC.

He pleaded guilty to the drug driving offence, but Mr Kelleher requested an adjournment to gather further evidence from the CBD supplier.

“We would like to raise a ‘special reasons’ argument as to why the defendant should not be disqualified from driving,” he said. “We hope to obtain proof from the vendor that the CBD should not have contained THC, as the defendant believed it was perfectly legal.”

Mr Kelleher added that CBD products can be legally purchased both online and in pharmacies.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until May 1.

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared in court accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on his ex-partner’s 70-year-old grandad.

Tommy Davies, 26, is alleged to have assaulted Brian Johnson outside his home on Pill Road, Milford Haven, on June 20, 2024.

The Crown alleges that following an argument, Davies pushed the pensioner, causing him to fall and hit his head on a kerb. Mr Johnson reportedly sustained a haematoma and abrasions to his head, which required hospital treatment.

Davies appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court heard the incident occurred when Mr Johnson visited the defendant’s home to collect a pram.

“He became aggressive,” Davies told the court. “He was in my face, and when he raised his fist, I pushed him off. He then fell over.”

Davies was granted conditional bail ahead of a trial scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 19.

He must not contact Mr Johnson or Mrs Julie Johnson and must not enter Hubberston while on bail.