:: 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.”

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