:: News In Brief

Buncrana's Jane needs your vote 27.02.15
A Buncrana woman is in the running for a prestigious award in the Big Apple and needs your vote before lines close at 5pm today.
Thirty year old, Jane McCarter, daughter of John and Breda McCarter, is Arts and Cultural Director at the New York Irish Center.
She has been nominated for the ‘40 Under 40’ People’s Choice Award, organised by the Irish Echo newspaper. The award celebrates Irish and Irish Americans who have distinguished themselves in their field before reaching the age of 40.
Delighted dad John appealed for votes today as the clocked ticked down in a bid to "push her over the winning line".
Votes can be cast online via www.irishecho.com .

Georgia's funeral takes place tomorrow 25.02.15
THE funeral of 13-year old Georgia Louise Doherty who tragically died in a weekend road accident will take place tomorrow.
The popular Redcastle teenager, who attended Moville Community College, died in a collision on the Glenshane Road, about 10km from Derry, on Sunday evening. Her older sister was injured in the two-vehicle crash which happened as the sisters returned from Belfast.
There has been an outpouring of sympathy to Georgia's heartbroken family and friends. Staff at Moville Community College described the young teen as "a bright, bubbly girl" who was "full of energy". They said the messages of sympathy that have poured in since the tragedy were a "source of strength" to everyone at the school. To read funeral arrangements, click here .

Inishowen child dies in Derry crash 23.02.15
POLICE in Co Derry are appealing for witnesses to a crash in which a child from Inishowen died.
The 13-year-old girl was killed in a two-car collision on the Glenshane Road last evening about 5pm. It is understood the teenager's older sister was seriously injured in the crash. The sisters are understood to be from the Redcastle area.
Their names have not yet been released. The accident happened near the Tamnaherin and Tirbracken road junction. The road has since reopened to traffic.

€283m fund could help border groups - MEP 17.02.15
A NEW €283 million EU inter regional programme could be of considerable benefit to border counties, Independent MEP Marian Harkin has said.
Welcoming the new Interreg programme Ms Harkin urged SMEs, organisations and cultural bodies to acquaint themselves with Interreg to see how they can access funding by engaging in joint projects with counterparts in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
“Funding will be available to public, private, non profit organisations and research institutions to collaborate and exchange knowledge," she said. Funding would also be available to improve water quality and sewerage systems which for instance, might afford opportunity to ensure realistic funding for remedial works on septic tanks.
“There will also be opportunity to encourage tourism, health and transport projects with two separate programmes involving Ireland and Wales, on the one hand , and Ireland North and South and Scotland on the other."

Some young farmers will miss top-up pay 12.02.15
AGRICULTURE Minister Simon Coveney has been asked to reassure young farmers that they won't be excluded in the roll-out of new farm payments.
Sinn Féin Midlands North West MEP, Matt Carthy, expressed concern regarding the exclusion of some young farmers from a 25% top-up under the new Single Farm Payment Young Farmer Scheme.
The rules require that a farmer be under 40 years old and recently or within the past five years, has set up a holding and successfully completed a FETAC Level 6 or equivalent in agricultural education. The problem has arisen for farmers under 40 years who have had a holding for more than five years. "While I appreciate the stated purpose of the scheme is to encourage the setting up of new holdings it is unfair that individuals who have made every effort to complete requirements and are eager for opportunities to improve their farms are being punished," said Mr Carthy.

Funeral of Martin McCrossan this week 08.02.15
THE funeral will take place on Tuesday of North West tourism stalwart Martin McCrossan who died last week following a short illness.
The Derryman had dedicated many years to promoting his native city as well as Inishowen and other parts of Co Donegal and the wider North West.
A book of condolence has opened at the Guildhall to allow the public to offer their sympathies. Mayor of Derry, Cllr Brendan Stevenson described the father-of-two and grandfather as a "superb ambassador" for Derry and the entire North West.
"His sudden death is a total shock to all of us who knew and loved him. A well known businessman and tour guide, he was a real character who left a lasting positive impression on everyone who met him.
"Martin worked tirelessly to promote the local tourism industry and to showcase all that is good about our city. An extremely proud Derry man, he will be greatly missed and my sincere condolences go out to his wife Sharon and his extended family at this extremely sad time," added Cllr Stevenson.

Moville Port Scouts seek volunteers 25.01.15
THE 18th Donegal Port Sea Scouts based in Moville are seeking volunteers to become Beaver leaders.
The Moville scouts are the first of only two sea scout groups in the Northern Province and have only been operating for the past six months.
In that time, they have successfully worked to help young boys and girls enjoy the scouting experience while having fun in the outdoors and meeting new friends. The youngsters have also been learning new skills, achieving goals and developing their potential. Volunteers will be asked to give up just an hour and a half per week to work with the Beaver Scouts. Anyone interested is invited to a meeting at St Eugene’s Hall, Moville, on Monday, February 2 at 6.50pm.
For more information please contact 18thdonegalmovilleportseascout@gmail.com or see Facebook MovillePort Seascouts. You can also call Mairead White on 086 8365199.

TD calls for review of WDC appointments 21.01.15
INISHOWEN T.D., Padraig MacLochlainn has called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny to review his government’s appointments to the board of the Western Development Commission.
Deputy MacLochlainn revealed that four of the nine board members are former Fine Gael and Labour councillors as well as a candidate.
He said the appointments should be reviewed immediately "to restore confidence" in State-sponsored boards and charities in receipt of subsidies.
The Western Development Commission is tasked with promoting strategic social and economic development in the counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare.

€35,000 grant for Donegal Youth Service 20.01.15
DONEGAL Youth Service is celebrating an award of €35,000 to bring four international volunteers to the county to teach skills including multi-media, drama and video edition.
The funding has been granted by Leargas through the Erasmus+ programme.
The volunteers will hail from Spain, Italy, Jordan and Russia. Two will be based in Letterkenny Youth Information Centre; one with Donegal Youth Council and one in the cross border Activ8 project.
Letterkenny Youth Information Centre co-ordinator Gareth Gibson said: “We are excited at the prospect of offering young people the opportunity to sign up and benefit from the expertise that these volunteers will bring in terms of drama, DVD production and editing. It really is a win-win for all concerned.”
An opportunity now also exists for young people aged between 18 and 30 to link with DYS and spend up to 12 months volunteering in Europe at no cost to themselves. For more details call 07491 29640.

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