News
Pembrokeshire ‘to become part of Ireland’ to avoid Brexit disruption to ports and industry

PEMBROKESHIRE is set to be ceded to the Republic of Ireland, in an effort to avoid the disruption to the county’s ports as a result of Brexit.
The Welsh Government had recently admitted that the UK Government’s temporary tariffs on imports, which would come into force in the event of a no deal Brexit, could see Welsh ports lose out. In such a scenario, the UK’s temporary import tariffs will not apply to goods crossing from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland. It is also unlikely there will be routine checks on goods travelling between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, potentially creating an incentive for hauliers to route traffic through Northern Ireland, rather than taking the direct sea routes from Ireland to Wales.
Last year, the president of the Irish Road Haulage Association told Parliament’s Welsh Affairs Select Committee that in a no-deal scenario, the Dublin-Holyhead route would be the only
Irish port able to handle agricultural produce moving between the EU and the UK as it has a specialist inspection post. At Fishguard and Pembroke the facilities are not developed. It has been feared that in Fishguard port alone, 70-80 direct jobs would be lost as a result of Brexit.
A Welsh Assembly committee report found that over 70% of Irish cargo passes through Wales, and voiced concerns that displacement of traffic from Welsh ports as a result of Brexit would negatively impact ports in the Republic of Ireland. As a result, plans have been made to incorporate the county of Pembrokeshire into the Republic of Ireland.
Pembrokeshire would become the 32nd local authority of the Republic, and would be incorporated into the Western region of the Gardaí police service. Trilingual road signs will be erected in the county, displaying directions in English, Welsh and Irish Gaelic.
Pembrokeshire also shares a rich cultural heritage with Ireland. The name Dyfed is derived from the historic name given to the region once settled by the Irish Déisi in the early Middle Ages, and until the 5th century Old Irish was spoken in the region.
Ireland’s citizenship laws currently relate to ‘the island of Ireland’, thereby extending them to Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK. Therefore, this will be updated and extended to Pembrokeshire. People of the county may then exercise an entitlement to Irish citizenship, such as an Irish passport, as well as retaining all the benefits of being an EU citizen.
Crime
Pembroke Dock man to be sentenced for assaulting police officers

A PEMBROKE DOCK man is due to be sentenced on Monday (Mar 31) after admitting to assaulting three police officers and resisting arrest during incidents earlier this month.
Ashley Rickard, aged 27, of Elizabeth Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to four offences when he appeared at court on March 17. Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
The court heard that on March 15, Rickard assaulted PC Morse in Pembroke Dock while the officer was carrying out his duties as an emergency worker. He also assaulted PC Walker and resisted two other officers, PC Cranmer and PC Kendall, during the same incident in Milford Haven.
All of the offences are understood to have taken place on the same day and involved Rickard obstructing and assaulting officers during the course of their work.
Rickard is due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court at 10:00am on Monday for sentencing. The offences carry a maximum penalty of up to 12 months in prison or an unlimited fine.
The Herald will report the outcome of the case following the hearing.
Crime
Milford Haven man faces court hearing for assault on three police officers

A MILFORD HAVEN man is due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 31) facing multiple charges, including the assault of three emergency workers and possession of an offensive weapon.
Adam Williams, 37, of Richard John Road, is facing charges relating to an incident on March 16 in which he is accused of possessing a craft knife in a public place without lawful authority, contrary to the Prevention of Crime Act 1953.
Williams is also charged with three counts of assaulting emergency workers—Police Sergeant 408 Benbow, PC 944 Lee, and PC 764 Mycroft—who were reportedly acting in the course of their duties at the time of the incident.
In addition, Williams is facing a charge of using a motor vehicle without third-party insurance, said to have occurred on Richard John Road on the same date.
The case was adjourned earlier this month for a reports to be prepared.
Williams is expected to return to court at 10:00am on Monday.
Business
Tree-mendous work helping to improve the condition of our rivers

OVER 24,000 trees have been planted along the banks of four south Wales rivers to help reduce nutrient pollution, improve water quality and help protect nature.
The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Four Rivers for LIFE project has been busy this tree planting season on the Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk Rivers.
In partnership with organisations like the National Trust, West Wales Rivers Trust, County Councils and contractors a total of 24,160 native trees have been planted with the aim of reducing nutrient pollution, improving water quality and helping to protect nature.
The trees will soak up excess nutrients from agricultural land run off, improve downstream water quality and provide habitat for wildlife.
The corridors of trees, averaging 10metres in width, act as buffer strips between farmland and the river and have been planted on land that has been fenced to create riparian strips.
Robert Thomas, Four Rivers for LIFE Land Management Officer said: “As the trees mature they will act as an important filter, reducing the amount of excess nutrients reaching the rivers, helping to improve the overall condition of these special rivers.”
As well as providing benefits to the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) river, in time as the trees mature and grow, they will stabilise riverbanks, reduce erosion and soil loss to the river, provide shelter for livestock and shade the river, keeping the water cool for fish.
Simon Rose, Woodland Project Ranger at National Trust Brecon Beacons said: “We have been delighted to work alongside NRW’s Four Rivers for LIFE team and the Woodland Trust at Ty Mawr Farm. This collaborative effort exemplifies the very objectives we seek to achieve through ongoing engagement with volunteer and corporate groups, students from Black Mountains College, and staff from similar organisations on team-building days.”
“Together, we are planting trees and hedgerows that will provide essential food sources and create connected woodlands, fostering the growth of wildlife and the flourishing of habitats.”
The Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk Rivers are classed as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), meaning they are of international importance for the wildlife and plants that make them home, such as salmon, lamprey, shad, otters and water crowfoot.
The Four Rivers for LIFE Project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme with support from Welsh Government and Welsh Water.
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