The very successful fifth annual BBQ of the Cornmarket Project took place on Wednesday 29th July where one hundred and fifty people gathered to hear about the work that the project does in dealing with substance abuse and anti social behaviour in Wexford.

Speaking at the event, the mayor of Wexford Cllr. Ger Carthy paid tribute to the success that the project has had in turning young people away from crime and substance abuse and back to being productive members of their communities. The mayor also mentioned the fact that over five thousand individuals and their family members have been helped by the Cornmarket Project since it’s establishment in nineteen ninety nine and that hundreds of people have managed to reclaim their lives from the grip of addiction with the help of the project. “This is my first visit to the Cornmarket Project” the mayor continued “and I can honestly state that I was unaware of the extent of the great work that goes on here in helping those who get caught up in addiction and crime to get their lives back on track and move on into further training, education and work.” He continued, “I can see today that the efforts of those who work in the project undoubtedly contributes to a reduction in crime and anti social behaviour in Wexford and this work is to be greatly commended in helping to keep our communities safer for everyone.”

Paul Delaney, coordinator of the project mentioned that an often unseen part of their work is to ensure that the people attending the project get a chance to give back to the community. In this regard he gave a few examples of the type of contributions that participants of the project have made by working with various local community groups and charitable organisations. He mentioned work done on behalf of Wexford Tidy Towns, conducting fund raising activities for the suicide bereavement group Console in Wexford, painting, carpentry and fund raising for the Wexford Collective Sensory Group and refurbishment and printing work done to support Clonard Boxing Club. He stated that in the UK they call such rehabilitation work “community payback” schemes while here we call it “restorative justice” work. Either way, he remarked, it gives our participants an opportunity to show that they are more than just a label and when given a chance and with the right support, they can move away from substance abuse and crime and become productive members of their communities.

The Cornmarket Project is under the umbrella of Wexford Local Development and can be contacted on 0539155800.