Your local site for news
Today's stories in brief.
InishowenNews.com brings you the news as we get it.
If you wish to contact us regarding any of our
news items please do so...
Email:
linda@inishowennews.com
|
:: News In Brief
Sad passing of Greencastle man 09.02.10
The community in Greencastle has been saddened by the sudden and
tragic death of a popular local man. Frankie Duffy, who was in his
50s, died in the early hours of Friday at his home in Upper
Drumaweir, Greencastle. There was a large attendance at his wake
over the weekend and his funeral. The father-of-four was laid to
rest yesterday following 11am requiem mass in St Mary's Church,
Ballybrack. He is survived by his wife Eilish, children Elaine,
Sarah, Gemma and David, his mother Sarah and siblings.
Award for Grianan Hotel 05.02.10
AN Grianán Hotel has been honoured at the Fáilte Ireland Optimus
Awards. The Burt hotel received the Service Excellence Award in
recognition of its ongoing commitment to business excellence. An
Grianan Hotel co-owner Pearse Callaghan said he was delighted with
the award. “I am over the moon. It is a great achievement for
everyone at the hotel. I think if you continue to deliver the
highest possible standards of service you can flourish in these
difficult times,” he said. Pearse, who co-owns the Burt hotel with
his brother, Sean, paid tribute to the staff at An Grianan.
Third of firms fear closure - survey
03.02.10
NEARLY a third of Irish businesses feel at risk of closure this
year, a new survey reveals. It also shows that more than half the
small businesses who responded, fear they will have to let staff go
within the next six months. The online survey was carried out last
month by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBS) including
Donegal Enterprise Board. Nearly half of respondents felt credit
availability was worse than six months ago; 54% felt conditions were
the same while just 3% felt it had improved.
Jubilee celebrations in Malin 01.02.10
THE Inishowen branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA)
will host a party later this month to mark the association's 50th
anniversary. The IWA operates three days a week from the Kathleen
and Michael Connolly Foundation in Malin. The party in Malin on
Friday, February 19, will be one of 50 around the country the same
day to celebrate the IWA Golden Jubilee.
"Mairead is an inspiration" 01.02.10
SENATOR Pearse Doherty has congratulated Altan's Mairéad Ní
Mhaonaigh on being named Donegal Person of the Year 2009. “I want to
congratulate Mairéad, a native of my home parish, Gaoth Dobhair. She
is a champion of native Irish music and culture and, through playing
her part in the foundation of ‘Cairdeas na bhFidléirí’ and her
involvement in Altan, has really put Donegal on the map," said the
Sinn Féin senator. "The wonderful, unique, culture and richness of
Co Donegal is kept alive though Mairéad and Altan’s music and I am
sure that many young people in the county will look to them as an
inspiration in the years to come."
Aid sought for potato growers 01.02.10
THE EU has been asked for ‘urgent and immediate funding’ to save
Irish potato farmers from financial ruin, writes Jessie Magee. Fine
Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says she has been ‘hounding’ officials
from the European Commission to see what assistance can be given to
potato growers whose crop has been destroyed by cold weather. The
IFA estimates that 20% of last year’s potato crop cannot be
harvested because of the freezing winter conditions that followed
heavy rain last November. This leaves farmers facing losses of €15
million. Inishowen potato growers stand to lose an estimated €1
million.
€1,500 increase for MEPs 01.02.10
THE decision by MEPs to increase their assistants/support
allowance by over 8.5% has been criticised by the People's Movement.
The People's Movement describes itself as "Ireland’s EU monitoring
group". Its chairperson, former MEP Patricia McKenna, said: "The
decision by MEPs to increase their already generous allowance is a
scandal. MEPs already receive more that €17,000 per month for
assistants and now they want to increase it by a whopping €1,500 a
month under the guise extra work load. "I cannot believe that MEPs
have the audacity to argue that this increase is to compensate for
the extra work of the Lisbon Treaty considering that they argued the
treaty would make the EU more efficient not more expensive.”
85 new jobs at Seagate 29.01.10
SEAGATE Technologies is to create another 85 jobs in Derry, it's
been announced. The US company makes computer hard-drive components.
It currently employs 1,400 people including a number of workers from
Inishowen, at its site in Springtown, Derry. Seagate president Steve
Luczo, who travelled from the US for the announcement, said the
development was of major importance to the company globally. "The
financial support of Invest Northern Ireland and that organisation's
commitment to encouraging innovation were of pivotal importance in
securing this venture for Northern Ireland," he said.
Inishowen hit by two more tremors 28.01.10
INISHOWEN has been struck by two more earthquakes. The tremors
occurred on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning and could be felt in
the Inishowen and Fanad peninsulas. The first occurred around 9pm
and measured 1.5 on the Richter Scale. The second happened shortly
before 8am yesterday and measured 1.7 on the Richter Scale. The
minor earthquakes bring to three the number of tremors to hit North
Donegal this month. Thomas Blake of the School of Cosmic Physics in
Dublin said while three tremors in a short space of time was
unusual, it was not remarkable. He reiterated that the tremors are
nature's way of releasing stresses built up deep in the rocks over
time. For previous stories about earthquakes in Inishowen, click on
the following:
- Seismic vibrations at local school
- Earthquake hits island home of tremor
expert
Drivers skid on black ice 26.01.10
A number of drivers were caught out by black ice on Saturday
morning with three accidents occurring within the space of an hour
in Fahan. The first car skidded on the ice around 8.45am with the
next one occurring 20 minutes later at 9.05am. A third driver was
caught out at 9.40am. A Garda spokesperson said all three accidents
happened on the approach to Fahan village. There were no reports of
injuries.
Donegal public staff earn under €30K
25.01.10
A total of 27,095 public sector workers in Donegal are paid less
than €30,000 a year, according to Donegal Senator Pearse Doherty. He
said the recent budget cuts of 5% would be seriously damaging for
these workers and should be reversed. “These cuts did not have to
happen. Indeed my party put forward a number of alternative
proposals such as introducing a third tax rate of 48% on individual
earnings in excess of €100,000; introducing a wealth and property
tax and standardising all discretionary tax reliefs among others,"
he said.
Person of 2009 revealed soon 25.01.10
THE Donegal Person of the Year 2009 will be announced in Dublin
later this month. The event is open to everyone and takes place in
Foley's Lounge, 1 Merrioon Row, Dublin 2 on Thursday, January 28 at
8pm. Please note that this is a change of date. Live music and
finger food will be available on the night and musicians are invited
to bring their instruments along. Meanwhile, the Donegal Person of
the Year Gala Ball will take place on Saturday, February 27 at the
Burlington Hotel, Dublin at 8pm. This is also a change of date.
Industrial action from today 25.01.10
PUBLIC sector employees across Donegal will take part in a
national campaign of industrial action from today. The action will
include staff only working within their contracts of employment.
They will refuse to undertake tasks associated with unfilled posts
or secondments. Some disruption to public services are likely.
Meanwhile, Donegal county manager, Michael McLoone, is to meet trade
union representatives in the county to discuss how the "severe and
wide-ranging" action will affect services.
Safety concerns at Greencastle Pier 25.01.10
MAJOR safety concerns arise from the Government’s decision to
cancel funding for unfinished construction work at Greencastle Pier,
according to Deputy Joe McHugh.
" I raised this matter with the Minister for Agriculture and Marine
in the Dáil this week, and I visited the pier in Greencastle with
Cllr Mickey Doherty," said the Fine Gael T.D.
Blaney urges jobs scheme uptake 25.01.10
DONEGAL North East T.D., Deputy Niall Blaney has urged local
businesses to apply for a new scheme that promotes local employment
and reduces their PRSI contributions. The Employer Job Incentive
Scheme allows an employer to hire a person on the live register for
six months or more. They will then be exempt from the employers’
PRSI contributions for the first 12 months of that employment.
“Typically this will result of a saving of about €3,000 per annum in
the cost of employment which is obviously a huge saving for any
business,” said Deputy Blaney.
Psychiatric delay fears 25.01.10
THERE are fears that a promised new psychiatric unit at
Letterkenny General Hospital may be delayed, according to Fine
Gael's Deputy Joe McHugh. He said he has since raised the matter
with Health Minister Mary Harney. "She promises that the unit will
be operational by mid-2011," he said. "I will continue to raise this
matter in the Dáil, because it is a vital health service for our
county." He also spoke to Ms Harney about the urgent need for a
haematology service in Letterkenny as well as mooted plans to sell
HSE lands at St. Conal’s Hospital.
Cars damaged in Buncrana 19.01.10
GARDAI have appealed for information following a number of
incidents in which cars were vandalised in Buncrana last week. One
of the incidents happened on the Main Street near the West End when
a wing mirror was broken off a parked vehicle sometime between
January 14 and January 16. A dent was also caused to the vehicle.
Another incident occurred on January 17 at Ferris Lane when the side
panel of a parked car was kicked and damaged. Gardai are following a
definite line of inquiry in relation to a separate incident, on
January 16, around 3.15am, when the wing mirror of a car was kicked
off. Anyone with information on the West End or Ferris Lane
incidents is asked to contact local Gardai on 07493 20540.
Stolen property recovered 19.01.10
GARDAI have recovered an item of property stolen in a burglary
at a residence in Greencastle in the early hours of New Year's Day.
The stolen item was recovered during a search of a property in the
Moville-Greencastle area on January 12. Gardai in Moville are
following a definite line of inquiry in relation to the incident.
Water tank for Iskaheen 18.01.10
A WATER tank has been made available to residents in the
Iskaheen area of Muff who were left without water following the
winter weather crisis. Senator Cecilia Keaveney said the water tank
was made available as a short term solution to the problem. However,
she said Donegal County Council felt the worst of the problem was
over. A breakdown at a water plant in Redcastle has also now been
fixed. "Reporting leaks and burst pipes and being careful in our use
of water as an entire community will continue to ease the
situation," said Senator Keaveney, who praised the water and roads
personnel for their hard work during the past month.
Cllr welcomes St Conal's move 18.01.10
LETTERKENNY Councillor Gerry McMonagle has welcomed the HSE
announcement that it will give up some private rental accommodation
around the town and return some services and staff to St Conal's
Hospital campus. The Sinn Féin councillor said: “I have called on a
number of occasions in the past for the HSE to make more use of the
St Conal's campus. This is a large campus which is being allowed to
go to wreck and ruin by the HSE while at the same time they are
paying more than €1 million a year to private landlords in
Letterkenny for the use of rental accommodation in order to deliver
healthcare services."
Blaney welcomes cervical vaccine 18.01.10
DEPUTY Niall Blaney has welcomed the imminent introduction of
the cervical cancer vaccine for first year schoolgirls in Co
Donegal. “The vaccination will be made available this year to all
girls in the first year of secondary school," said the FF deputy.
“The Government was not in a position to introduce the vaccination
some time ago because of prohibitive costs, but vaccine companies
have now offered the Government considerably better prices for
Ireland.” Deputy Blaney urged parents to contact their GPs or family
planning clinics for more information on the vaccine. The national
Cancer Helpline can also be contacted on 01 800 200 700.
C of I in Haiti appeal 18.01.10
THE Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All
Ireland Rev Alan Harper has appealed for help for the devastated
people of Haiti. The Church of Ireland Bishops' Appeal, the Church's
World Aid and Development Programme on Friday donated an initial
£20,000 towards the emergency relief effort. The funds will be
distributed through Christian Aid who have partners working in
Haiti. Rev Harper said: "I pray for the success of the international
response to the disaster and I encourage all those who feel able to
do so to contribute financially to assist the people of Haiti at
this terrible time."
300 Irish on the 'polypill' 18.01.10
At least 300 Irish people are to take part in medical trials for
an inexpensive ‘polypill’ that combines several different drugs to
guard against heart attack and stroke, writes Jessie Magee. The
trials are being wholly funded by the European Commission, and will
involve a total of around 6,000 patients worldwide. Recruiting of
Irish patients is expected to begin in May, once the trials have
been approved by the Irish Medicines Board and the Ethics Committee.
Major drugs seizure in Carrigans 14.01.10
THREE men have been arrested following a drugs seizure in
Carrigans last night. Gardai from Letterkenny made the arrests
following a search of a house at 5pm. Around 1200 cannabis plants,
with a street value of up to €500,000, subject to analysis, were
confiscated. Three men, aged in their late 20s and early 30s, were
arrested. They are currently being detained at Letterkenny Garda
Station under Section 2 of the Drugs Trafficking Act and can be held
for up to seven days.
Dole numbers up again 13.01.10
INISHOWEN closed out the old year with 4,880 people signing on.
This was an increase of 239 on the figure for the end of November.
It was also a worrying jump of 1,486 compared to this time last
year. The number of people signing on for unemployment payments in
the county, as a whole, has now reached 20,748. This is a rise of
5,494 year-on-year. The breakdown of the current figures is: Ballybofey, 2,507; Ballyshannon, 1,510; Buncrana/Inishowen, 4,880;
Donegal Town, 1,397; Dunfanaghy, 1,606; Dungloe, 2,143; Killybegs,
1,205 and Letterkenny, 5,500.
Burglary at Greencastle property 12.01.10
GARDAI have appealed for witnesses following a burglary next
door to a pub in Greencastle. The incident happened at a property
adjacent to the Sean Tí Bar, Drumaweir, on January 1, between 2am
and 5am. CCTV footage showed two men shouldering the door of the
property but Gardai would also like to hear from anyone who saw the
men in the area on the night. A number of items were taken in the
raid. Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardai in Moville
on 07493 82002.
Bad start on Inishowen roads 12.01.10
2010 got off to a bad start on Inishowen roads with up to ten
accidents reported to Gardai in the first week of the new year while
countless more ice-induced incidents went unreported. A total of
five accidents, where material damage to vehicles was a factor, were
reported to Gardai between January 1 and January 8 with a further
three crashes involving non-serious injury. Meanwhile, a woman from
Derry in her 40s, is understood to be still recovering from her
injuries following a serious road accident near Clonmany on January
2. Popular student, Joe McLaughlin, was the first person to die on
the peninsula's roads this year. He was laid to rest in Carndonagh
last Wednesday.
Donegal union leader to retire 11.01.10
DONEGAL-born union leader Peter McLoone is set to retire later
this year. Mr McLoone will step down as general secretary of the
country's largest public sector union, Impact, in May. He was one of
the advocates of the controversial proposal to give public servants
two weeks' unpaid leave rather than pay cuts. A native of
Ballyshannon, he began his career in 1969 as a psychiatric nurse at
St Luke's Hospital in Clonmel. He was president of the ICTU from
2006 to 2008 and a director of the board of Beaumont Hospital from
1988 to 1999.
Keaveney condemns car bomb attack 11.01.10
SENATOR Cecilia Keaveney has condemned last week's car bomb
attack that injured a PSNI officer in Co Antrim. Senator Keaveney,
who is the Government's Seanad deputy spokesperson on Northern
Ireland, said the attack was "an evil act of terrorism whose
perpetrators must be vigorously pursued".
A virtual visit to Burt Cemetery 08.01.10
DONEGAL Genealogy Resources has recently updated its website to
include extensive details of Burt Cemetery. A large number of
headstone inscriptions, including photographs, family links and some
links to the 1911 Census have also been added. A spokesperson said
every effort had been made to identify and catalogue as many graves
as possible in the graveyard "to help preserve the identities and
locations of the people buried there for future generations and also
to enable emigrants from Burt to find and see their family graves"
Click here .
Winter weather crisis 07.01.10
THE National Emergency Response committee convened yesterday for
the first time in a bid to tackle the winter weather crisis. As the
icy conditions continued to paralyse the country, the Taoiseach
Brian Cowen ordered the committee to meet daily until the severe
weather abates. Meanwhile, Inishowen and other parts of Donegal
awoke yesterday to yet another fresh blanket of snow as Met Éireann
issued a severe weather warning for west Ulster. More schools closed
their doors yesterday and other local services ground to a halt. For
a list of Donegal schools closed until Monday or further notice,
click here .
Inishowen still in deep freeze 07.01.10
LOCAL children got a welcome extension to their festive holidays
yesterday with news that most schools will remain closed until
Monday due to the ongoing icy spell. Some exams have been postponed
at LYIT while a number of other services around the peninsula
including the Cashel na Cor Centre for people with intellectual
disabilities, have also been affected. Inishowen has been in the
grip of this unusually protracted cold weather since mid-December.
Gardai continue to urge motorists to drive with great caution
especially on untreated roads. Meanwhile, Met Eireann is forecasting
no let-up in the extremely cold conditions. Frost, ice and fog is
expected to linger in the North West today with wintry showers near
the coast. Temperatures are expected to stay at a chilly -1 to 3
degrees.
Court tomorrow for Raphoe man 07.01.10
THE man injured in the road accident that claimed the life of
Buncrana-based Garda Gary McLoughlin is scheduled to appear again at
court in Letterkenny tomorrow. Martin McDermott, 24, from Raphoe,
was remanded in custody after the judge
learned he had evaded previous warrants for his arrest. Mr McDermott was arrested
on foot of these outstanding warrants
on December 23 upon discharge from Letterkenny Hospital where he had
been treated since the collision near Burt on December 13.
Judge Hughes remanded the defendant to Castlerea Prison until
tomorrow when a date for his next hearing is expected to be fixed.
Sad passing of Frank Guckian 07.01.10
TRIBUTES have been paid to the late businessman Frank Guckian,
who passed away over the festive holidays. Shroove-based Mr Guckian
formerly served as chief commissioner of the North's Planning
Appeals Commission, from 1985 to 1992 and was a past director of
Derry Chamber of Commerce. Mr Guckian who retired to Inishowen some
years ago, was a former member of the Parades Commission and the
Western Health and Social Services Board. There was a large
attendance at his funeral on Saturday, January 2, 2010. He was laid
to rest in Ballybrack cemetery following Requiem Mass in the
adjoining St. Mary’s Church. Mr Guckian is survived by his wife
Dodo, daughters Bernadette and Joan and sons Gerry and Neil.
Fall in Donegal road deaths 07.01.10
THE Donegal Road Safety Working Group has welcomed a drop in the
number of road deaths in the county during the lifetime of its
three-year plan from 2007 to 2009. The number of road deaths fell
from 22 in 2007, to 18 in 2008 and 15 in 2009. The group is to meet
shortly to discuss a new plan after its first three year plan
reached its conclusion at the end of December. Group chairperson and
Donegal County Council road safety officer Eamon Browne said while
he was heartened by the figures, more needed to be done.
Cardinal was "ahead of his time" 07.01.10
SENATOR Cecilia Keaveney has paid tribute to the role played by
the late Cardinal Cathal Daly in the Northern peace process.
Speaking after attending his funeral in Armagh on Tuesday, she said:
“Cardinal Daly was highly respected by people in both religious and
political circles for the work he did to help achieve peace in
Northern Ireland.
“He was ahead of his time when, in 1973, he started to work with
other Christian leaders to help bring about peace between the two
religious communities.”
Return to > News
> Home
|