:: News In Brief

Helping prevent suicide 01.09.10
A workshop will take place in Moville later this month aimed at preventing deaths by suicide. The workshop is called Safetalk and participants will learn four basic steps to recognise people with thoughts of suicide. They will also learn how to connect peopel with support and help. The workshop is organised by Let's Talk Drink and is open to anyone. It will take place in the Caiseal Mara Hotel, Moville, on Tuesday, September 14 from 7pm - 10pm. A fee of €3 will apply. To book a place or for more information, contact Natasha on 0872768211or 0749385662 or Toni on 0749381224.

Revival of Moville Pantomime 30.08.10
PLANS are currently being drawn up to revive the Moville pantomime that was last staged in 1992. "There has been an enthusiastic response from people in the community involved in the initial discussion concerning the pantomime's revival," said a spokesperson. A public meeting will be held on Monday, September 13, 2010, at 8pm in the Caiseal Mara Hotel. Anyone interested in being involved in any capacity - actors, singers, wardrobe and stage crew - is invited to attend.

Most Keith Prowse workers paid 30.08.10
MOST of the workers at Keith Prowse, which closed its doors at the Lisfannon plant last week, have now been paid money they were owed up until the end of July, writes Eamonn MacDermott. Buncrana Mayor, Pádraig MacLochlainn held a meeting recently with interested parties, FAS and the IDA. He said he was hopeful the IDA might have clients in their pipeline that could be interested in the site. “We shall re-engage in a few weeks when we are a bit clearer as to what is happening as regards the banks and administrators and hopefully the whole situation might have move don a bit," he said. (Inishowen Independent)

'Swap VRT for small fuel hike' 27.08.10
CAMPAIGNERS against VRT have argued that a proposal to increase excise duty on petrol to cover the scrapping of the Vehicle Registration Tax would see an increase of around 4 cents on a litre of petrol and 2 cents on a litre of diesel. Several proposals have been put to Transport Minister Noel Dempsey including the abolition of all road taxes (including VRT, annual motor tax, and motorway tolls) in favour of increase taxes on motor fuel. Ryan Stewart said: “We believe that people will accept a 4 cent rise in petrol and a 2 cent rise in diesel to see an end to the VRT. However, any increase over and above that would have serious consequences for the likes of the haulage industry and the like and could be catastrophic.” (Inishowen Independent)

'Derry-Aughnacloy route needed' 27.08.10
DONEGAL Deputy Mayor, Cllr Pádraig MacLochlainn has rejected Ulster Unionist opposition to a dual carriageway from Derry to Aughnacloy. Cllr MacLochlainn said comments by UU Assemblyman for Fermanagh-South Tyrone, Tom Elliot, comments were "mind boggling”. "At a time when motorways have recently been completed, connecting Dublin to Belfast, Cork, Galway, and Limerick, it is simply unthinkable that Derry, the fourth largest city on the island and Donegal and the North West region would be further excluded from that process," said the Buncrana-based councillor.

Rod thieves fishing the Crana 26.08.10
GARDAI are investigating the theft of an expensive fishing rod and equipment from the banks of the Crana River in Buncrana. A local fisherman, who was angling on the river in the early hours of Sunday morning, temporarily concealed the rod, line and reel behind a wall in Swan Park near Westbrook. However, when he returned, the equipment was gone. He reported the theft to gardai around 7am that morning. Anyone with information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 93 20540.

Inishowen rugby needs your help 25.08.10
INISHOWEN Rugby Club has won the Ulster heats of the Kellogg’s Field of Dreams competition and is now in the last four for the whopping top prize of €100,000.
The club now needs your help to get them over the line so they can get a make-over for their playing grounds. "It's badly needed in our swamp," said a spokesperson. The winner will be decided by public vote, email or text. Closing date is October 28, 2010. To vote click here.

Euromillions win for Donegal family 25.08.10
DONEGAL couple, Alan and Anne Louise Cowley, are celebrating a Euromillions win of €691,609. The parents-of-two discovered their good fortune while sorting through house bills last Saturday. "At first I thought we won €5,000, than I checked on the website and saw that there were two winners with a prize of €691,609, so we automatically assumed that the prize would be shared. It was not until today that we realised each ticket was worth €691,609. We are absolutely thrilled," laughed Alan. They bought their ticket in Burtonport.

Cllr slates vehicle tax 25.08.10
SINN Féin Councillor, Pádraig MacLochlainn, has slated a proposal from Minister John Gormley to impose a new tax on the owners of commercial vehicles. The tax would penalise licence holders who use commercially-registered vehicles for purposes other than work. Cllr Mac Lochlainn said: “One thing that has to be said about this Government is that they have demonstrated great ingenuity in inventing new ways to take money off people. Many small business people and indeed employees use commercial vehicles for purposes other than work. Indeed in many instances a commercial vehicle is the only means of transport that people have," he said.

10 patients on trolleys 24.08.10
THERE were 10 patients being treated on trolleys at Letterkenny General Hospital yesterday, latest figures show. The statistics were compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) in their weekly Trolley Watch survey. The league table also shows there was a total of 215 patients being treated on trolleys at hospitals nationwide yesterday.

Event for Keith Prowse workers 23.08.10
EMPLOYEES losing their jobs at Keith Prowse in Buncrana are being invited to a jobseekers' information day this week. The Job Club at Inishowen Development Partnership has organised the event for this Wednesday, August 25, at 11am. It will take place at the IDP offices on St Mary’s Road. For more details call 9361376.

Not so sweet jobs announcement 23.08.10
A Letterkenny councillor has described as a "devastating blow" Oatfield's announcement that 30 jobs are to go at the sweet factory. Sinn Féin's Gerry McMonagle said: "This news could not come at a worse time for the workers at Oatfield with Christmas just around the corner and unemployment in Donegal continuing to rise. There will be little or no prospects for other employment opportunities for those being made redundant," he said.

Scrap 5% ESB levy 20.08.10
BUNCRANA mayor, Cllr Padraig MacLochlainn has demanded that the Government abandon the imminent 5% ESB levy. He said the levy was "untenable" at a time when many families were already struggling to meet their bills. “This is just another way that the Government is forcing ordinary people to pay for the financial deficit created by pouring €25billion into Anglo-Irish Bank."

'Become thinkers and doers" 20.08.10
SENATOR Pearse Doherty has urged Donegal's 2,000 Leaving Cert graduates to become "thinkers and doers". “Society in the 21st Century needs thinkers and doers. Everyone agrees that the Leaving Cert is very much about rote learning with little emphasis on practical tasks and problem solving. I believe that now is the time for us to reflect on how relevant the Leaving Cert is to today and to make progressive changes," he said, offering his congratulations to the Class of 2010.

Bridgestone gurus in Buncrana today 19.08.10
TOURISM gurus John and Sally McKenna will visit the peninsula today to demonstrate how Inishowen can capitalise on its unique strengths.
The couple behind the prestigious Bridgestone Guide will give a talk at Tullyarvan Mill this morning at 10am to highlight how local bars, restaurants, hotels, producers and leisure providers can make the most out of 'magical' Inishowen.
Space is limited so please book by calling Inishowen Tourism’s Buncrana office on 074 9362600. You can also contact: Donal Doherty on 087 2195577 or Kathleen Gill, marketing manager at Inishowen Tourism on 074 9362600.

Man injured in gas explosion 17.08.10
A 68-year-old man is being treated in a Dublin hospital after a gas explosion at his house in Co Donegal. Emergency services attended the scene of the accident in the Cloonbara area of Falcarragh around 10pm on Sunday. The house was extensively damaged in the blast. Gardaí conducted a forensic examination of the house yesterday they believe the explosion was not suspicious. The victim was first taken to Letterkenny General Hospital before being transferred to St James's Hospital in the capital.

Senator welcomes High Court date 30.07.10
SENATOR Pearse Doherty has welcomed the setting of a date for a High Court hearing of his case against the Government for failing to hold the Donegal South West by-election. The case has scheduled for listing on October 18 with a view to having the case heard that week subject to the court’s availability. However, Senator Doherty said the Government’s decision to fight the case has delayed the by-election even further. “This whole episode highlights the urgent need for a reform of the system of dealing with Dáil vacancies as they arise," he said.

Three taken to hospital after crash 28.07.10
THREE people were taken to hospital after an early morning crash in Carndonagh today. The accident happened between two cars at the junction between Tul-na-Ri and the Moville Road shortly after 9am. A man and two women women were taken to hospital but it is understood that none of the injuries are life-threatening.

6th annual Carn art exhibition 27.07.10
THE 6th annual local art exhibition at the Colgan Hall, Carndonagh will take place this August bank holiday weekend. It will open with a preview on Friday, July 30, at 8pm with light refreshments and a chance to meet the exhibition artists. Those exhibiting this year include Sharon McDaid, Brian Ferran and Denise Ferran. The exhibition will run until Tuesday, August 3. Opening times are 12 noon to 5pm on Saturday; 11am to 5pm on Sunday, 12 noon to 5pm on Monday and 10am to 5pm on Tuesday. Admission free and works will be available to buy.

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