Thursday 27 December 2018

Letterkennypost YOUR FREE LOCAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Thursday 27 December 2018

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Green light for Supermacs?

Chris Ashmore chris@letterkennypost.com

Donegal Co. Council has given the green light for the construction of a two-storey Supermac’s restaurant and take-away close to the busy Station Roundabout in Letterkenny.

However, an appeal regarding the decision could yet be made to An Bord Pleanala.

Plans for the project in a high profile area close to the roundabout by the Letterkenny Shopping Centre, were first submitted in 2017, but a number of objections followed.

Concerns were expressed about trafficrelated issues, litter, and aspects of the town development plan. Issues were also raised in relation to the site.

The local authority subsequently sought additional information and revised plans.

The planning application included a 198 page Traffic and Transport Assessment.

The revised plans provide for the demolition of an old vacant shed and the construction of a new building with 25 car parking spaces.

Supermac’s is one of Ireland’s biggest fast food and take-away chains. It wants to build a two-storey restaurant with drive-in facilities and parking.

The company says it will create approximately 25 jobs if the project goes ahead.

Offences in Letterkenny dwarf those of other towns in Donegal

PUBLIC DISORDER FIGURES UP Chris Ashmore chris@letterkennypost.com

The number of public order and other “social code” offences in the Letterkenny Garda District in 2017 was greater than the figure for the next ten highest ranking towns for this category, according to the most recent crime figures.

A total of 510 public order and social code offences were recorded by An Garda Siochana in Letterkenny in 2017.

The combined total for the next highest ranking towns in this category amounted to a total of 507.

Buncrana came next with 123 of-

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fences, followed by Bundoran on 102 and Ballybofey on 92 while Donegal Town made up the top five with 42. The rest of the top ten were: Ballyshannon (28), Milford (27), Carndonagh (20), Clonmany (19) and Dungloe (18).

The figures for 2018 will not be released until December next year.

The actual number of public order and social code offences last year was higher than in 2016 (491), and 2015 (407), following a decline every year from 2008 – when there was a peak of 1,091 - to 2015.

Indeed, the figure for last year in Letterkenny (510) is less than half the figure of 1,091 at the end of the Celtic Tiger era in 2008.

The latest crime figures, released by the Central Statistics Office, also reveal that Letterkenny had the highest number of “controlled drug offences” of any Donegal garda station by some distance.

The number of offences in this category in 2017 stood at 122 in Letterkenny, compared with 31 in Bundoran, 29 in Ballyshannon, 18 in Ballybofey and 16 in Buncrana.

Of some concern is the fact that the Letterkenny figure (122) was the third year in a row that it has increased and is more than twice the number of controlled drug offences (59) reported in 2014, which was the lowest over the past ten years.

Not unexpectedly, given that it

has a bigger population than any other garda district in Co. Donegal, Letterkenny had the highest number of burglary and related offences recorded in 2017, at 95.

But there was clearly a spike in crime in the Finn Valley with Ballybofey the next highest on 17, with Raphoe (12), Newtowncunningham (10), Convoy (9), Castlefin (7) and Lifford (4), all reporting an increase on the previous year.

These latest CSO figures are “Under Reservation” due to some concerns about the completeness and accuracy of the figures which are derived from the Garda Siochana’s “Pulse” system.

Some of the figures are likely to be revised.

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Sophie, Ronan, Niamh and Gemma meeting Santa at Gastle Grove House. PHOTO: Darren Crossan.

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2 NEWS NEWSBRIEFS Gardaí appeal following stabbing Gardai are investigating a serious assault on a man in his mid 30s after he received a number of stab wounds in his back during an incident at around 3.30am on Saturday last in the Glencar area of Letterkenny.

The man remains in Galway University Hospital for treatment.

Investigations are ongoing.

Contact us

(074) 911 2700 EDITORIAL

Chris Ashmore Group Sports Editor chris@letterkennypost.com

(074) 9112715

Rory Mooney News Editor editor@letterkennypost.com

(074) 9112710 ADVERTISING

Cassidy Peoples

Donegal Domestic Violence Services awarded €500 Donegal Domestic Violence Services has become the latest charity to benefit from Aldi’s Community Grants programme.

Aldi’s Blaney Road Letterkenny store staff have awarded the charity a €500 grant in recognition of its tremendous work within the local community and to help support its vital services.

The €500 grant was pre-

sented to Marie Hainsworth from Donegal Domestic Violence Services by Annette Pearson, Aldi’s Blaney Road Letterkenny store “Charity Champion”.

Now in its third year, hundreds of charities have been supported by the programme to date with over €200,000 donated by Aldi.

Commenting, John Curtin, Group Buying Director,

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Marie Hainsworth, Donegal Womens Domestic Vilence Service and Annette Pearson, Letterkenny ALDI Donegal Charities. Photo Clive Wasson.

Aldi Ireland, said: “We are delighted our Blaney Road Letterkenny store employees have chosen to support Donegal Domestic Violence Services for their crucial support and care to women and children in County Donegal affected by domestic abuse.”

“Supporting the local communities our stores serve is something that we truly believe in.

"Through our Community Grants programme and partnerships with both FoodCloud and Foróige on a national basis, we have been able to directly help many of the worthwhile charities and organisations making a huge difference to County Donegal.”

Operating six stores in County Donegal, Aldi is deeply involved in the local

community.

Through its partnership with FoodCloud, its stores in County Donegal have donated nearly 20,000 meals to local charities to date, while as Foróige’s lead sponsor since 2015 it has helped support initiatives including the Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards and the Aldi Foróige Junior Baking Competition.

Sales

cassidy@letterkennypost.com

Mob: 086 7714 067

Suzanne Callaghan Sales

suzanne@letterkennypost.com

Mob: (074) 9112753 PRODUCTION production@letterkennypost.com (074) 9112746 (074) 911 2726 @DonegalNowNews Donegal Now

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS The Letterkenny Post reserves the right to decline, omit, or alter an advertisement submitted for publication, or to terminate any contract. The Letterkenny Post will not be held responsible for any loss caused as a consequence. No liability accepted for any loss or damage caused by an error in the printing of an advertisement, or by the omission of an advertisement. Positioning of an advertisement is at the discretion of the newspaper. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage caused by a delay in the forwarding of box numbers.

North West Breast Cancer Charity Ball Raises €17,000

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The organising committee of the North West Breast Cancer Ball 2018 thanks most sincerely all those who attended, sponsored or in any way supported this important community event.

This increasingly popular night on the North West social calendar was attended by a large crowd, with glamour and glitter being order of the day...or night!

The committee extends particular thanks to Andrea Gilligan from Newstalk, our special guest on the night.

We were delighted also to welcome Majella O Donnell, a great friend of the Breast Ball whose generous donation of a week at her villa in Tenerife created a great buzz during the auction.

The committee are also

Please send your letters to editor@letterkennypost.com keen to acknowledge the support of a great number of sponsors... local and national... whose generosity year after year never ceases to amaze.

Also worthy of special mention are host Noel Cunningham and Gabrielle McMonagle, as well as a number

of public representatives, some local GP practices and representatives from local media.

Those who danced into the wee hours will know what a contribution the band made to the occasion, so a big ‘thank you’ to the Bentley Boys.

Thanks also to Ciaran and Rose Blaney and staff at the Silver Tassie Hotel for preparing a stunning venue and excellent meal.

The committee have been blown away by the generosity of supporters this year... a whopping €17,000 was raised on the night.

WE ARE

DIGITAL!

The monies raised at the ball support the continued employment of a fulltime research assistant at Breast Centre North West and research fellows are also employed during the summer months.

Research carried out at Breast Centre North West has been presented at national and international meetings.

Funds are also used to support patient comfort at the clinic as well as aspects of community care including an outreach programme to those recovering from breast cancer.

In their generous support of the North West Breast Cancer Charity Ball 2018, ball attendees have contributed to this work.

Thank you from the organising committee and all at Breast Centre North West!!

Visit www.donegalnow.com for more

AVAILABLE ON

NEWS 3

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Letterkenny and Twin Towns are already home to 20 refugee families

80 more refugees coming to Donegal next year Chris Ashmore

80 more Syrian refugees are set to arrive in Donegal next year.

chris@letterkennypost.com

A total of 133 refugees have been housed by Donegal Co. Council under the Department of Justice and Equality’s “Irish Refugee Protection Programme,” the Post can reveal.

Four more families will be arriving in the coming weeks, which will bring the total to 150.

And it is anticipated that a further 80 people will arrive in 2019, although it is not yet known how many of them, if any, will be housed in Inishowen.

To date 25 refugee families have been housed in the county, with five of the families settling in Carndonagh, and the remainder in the Letterkenny and Ballybofey/Stranorlar areas.

“By and large things are going well and people have settled in,” according to Patsy Lafferty, Acting Senior Executive Officer, Housing and Corporate (MD Services), Donegal Co. Council.

The refugee resettlement programme is promoted by the Department of Justice and Equality but it is steered and monitored by the Donegal Interagency Resettlement Working Group that includes representatives from statutory and community and voluntary agencies.

This programme is completely separate from the direction provision system. The non-nationals who are coming to Moville

Low-interest home loan attracting more Donegal applicants Chris Ashmore chris@letterkennypost.com

are people who are seeking asylum.

They have to be assessed before it is determined if they are granted refugee status.

Responding to a query from Cllr Rena Donaghey, Mr Lafferty said that the council is dealing with the refugee relocation programme.

“Moville is for those seeking asylum and the council has no role in this,” he said.

Mr Lafferty was speaking at last week’s meeting of Donegal Co. Council’s Housing and Corporate Services Strategic Policy Committee in Lifford where an update on the refugee resettlement programme was outlined.

Some of those who have been housed have been accommodated in social houses already owned by the council while others have been put into houses acquired by the council.

Mr Lafferty disclosed that Donegal Co. Council has acquired properties to enable it to deliver the programme, explaining that the properties were a “combination of new and existing stock (houses).”

He added that the local authority will be seeking to acquire new properties where it feels it is necessary.

The funding for this will come directly from the Department of Housing & Planning with the support of the Department of Justice.

Cllr John Campbell congratulated the council on the success of the project and said that it showed it has the capability and ability to accommodate the people concerned.

He described the recent incident in Moville (where there was an arson attack on a hotel that will be used a direct provision centre) as being “extremely disappointing.”

There has been a big increase in the number of people in Donegal taking up a Government-backed housing loan scheme during the second half of the year.

A total of 14 people were successful in their applications under the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme since July, compared with just three in the five previous months since it began on February 1st, 2018.

The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan was essentially introduced to assist first time buyers with a gross annual income of less than €50,000 (€75,000 for joint applications) who had been unable to secure loan ap-

proval from other financial institutions.

Other criteria to be eligible also included a stipulation regarding continuous employment, that you were aged between 18 and 17 and consented to an Irish Credit Bureau check.

The maximum permitted value for a dwelling in relation to this loan is €250,000m with a loan of up to 90% available.

Interest rates are 2% fixed for up to 25 years, 2.25% fixed for up to 30 years, and 2.30% variable for up to 30 years.

Commenting on the scheme, Patsy Lafferty, Acting Senior Executive Officer, Housing & Corporate (MD Services), said: “To date in Donegal, we have 17 approved applications.”

4 NEWS

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

NEWSBRIEFS Stab victim sends emotional letter to attacker Changes to seasonal workers’ rights announced Donegal TD Joe McHugh has announced an important change in regulations to improve seasonal workers’ employment rights and earnings.

“The change in regulations around Jobseeker’s Benefit for seasonal work means we are making a better, fairer and more flexible system for people who want to work,” the Education Minister said.

“The new regulation, which kicks in on New Year’s Day, will allow seasonal and casual workers to earn €7,500 a year without it impacting on their rights to Jobseeker’s Benefit at another time of the year when work is scarce.

“It’s going to benefit part-time workers like farmers who come in to work in factories in places like Killybegs, Co Donegal where they might only get a few months work a year.

“Some of this work only last for several weeks at the start of the year and for years there was a clear disadvantage to work. We have corrected that.

“Instead of only being allowed to earn about €12.70 a day for seasonal work, people who take on such short term employment will be able to earn about €28 a day.”

Minister McHugh said: “It is a fantastic result just before Christmas and I wish the delegation from Killybegs and the workers well.”

‘I do not hold onto any hate’

Catherine McGinty Reporter

Donegal man Kristian Shortt will always remember his 2018 birthday.

In a poignant twist of fate, the man found guilty of attempting to murder him in October 2008, was sentenced to 15 years in jail on Kristian’s birthday, December 19 past.

Redcastle man, Kristian said he found it “ironic” the perpetrator, Ken Broe, was sentenced on that particular day.

Kristian said: “Today, on my birthday, the man who attempted to murder me, Ken Broe, was sentenced to 15 years in Prison.

“I find it especially ironic that this happened on my birthday, for imagine if I had died back then, and this man had been sentenced to life imprisonment on the birthday of the man he killed.

“And now, the fact that I am alive, it's like destiny to end off a 10 year chapter of my life in such fashion.

“I feel no real desire to celebrate, for a man's life will be behind bars for some time and it means sorrow for one man, so I cannot make it joy for another. The only thing I can do now, is to

express my feeling about all of this, about this man who tried to take my life.”

Kristian Shortt has written a letter to Ken Broe, which he is going to give him when he visits him in jail in the New Year.

Mr Shortt said: “I do not hold onto any hate for Ken Broe, for hate will decay my soul. The letter will also feature in the book, which I will release once I secure the TV show, which the Hollywood director team I have secured are working hard to do.

“Ken Broe stabbed me 17 times. I died twice on the operating table. My jugular and carotid veins were cut open on the right side of my neck.

I suffered six lung punctures and total collapsed lungs.

“Those were just some of the injuries. It was brutal.

“The stabbing was a breeze actually compared to the fight for my life afterwards in hospital, which was intense, and was touch and go for the first seven days in intensive care.

"I was in hospital for one month in total.

“The worst experience of this horrific struggle to stay alive were the lungs drains, which I received about 20 times daily for the first week as my lungs filled up with fluid.

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and malice”.

'Inspire'

Stab victim Kristian Shortt has written a letter to his attacker, forgiving him.

“The nurses would drain them with pipes but that also drained my air until the point I would almost pass out.

"They would then pull out the drains, so essentially I died a drowning death, or

as close to, 20 times per day for the first week, it was truly horrible.”

The Redcastle man said he felt it was important to say that, despite all of his suffering, he has managed to rise above the emotions of “hate

Mr Shortt said: “I have managed to rise above all the emotions of hate and malice towards this man, into a realm of non-feeling, where the notions of heaven exist, and man is devoid of earthly emotion and free.

“All I wish to do in life is inspire. This is the reason I am attempting to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for writing the biggest memory book about my daughter.

“The book currently comprises 2,500 pages and the TV show will feature me salvaging people from drug addiction, as that is where I was myself in the past.”

Concluding Mr Shortt said: “I would encourage people to realise that life is full of love, forgiveness and compassion, even within men who once found such qualities weak. Love, compassion and forgiveness are not qualities of weakness, they are what constitute real men and real warriors.

“And I will do whatever I can to leave a positive and inspiring legacy for all children, the children of my family and future generations. it's all about the kids, all about the kids.”

NEWS 5

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Council to draw up new Traveller Accommodation Programme

Traveller children living in “squalid conditions� - claim - to attempts to house a number of the families concerned, Cllr. John Campbell maintained at the December Housing and Corporate Strategic Policy Committee meeting in Lifford.

Noting that Donegal Co. Council has under-spent during the last Traveller Accommodation Programme, he said that various attempts to house a number of fami-

Chris Ashmore chris@letterkennypost.com

Some children with severe disabilities who are members of the Travelling community in Donegal are “living in squalid conditions,� it has been claimed.

However, there has been local resistance – some led by public representatives

lies had not been successful.

He said that members need to understand how and why this is the case.

Donegal Co. Council is preparing to draw up a new Traveller Accommodation Programme to cover the period 2019 – 2023.

Twelve submissions have been received following a public consultation process.

The council has been in contact with the Donegal Travellers Project and the HSE in relation to assessing the current needs.

A new Traveller Accommodation Programme in Donegal must be in place by the end of next September.

Members of Donegal Co. Council will be presented with a draft programme of the plan in the second quar-

ter of next year.

Relevant stakeholders will then be consulted and further submissions invited over a two month period.

One area like to be looked at is the provision of “transient sites� for travellers.

Donegal currently has no such facilities, with the last one, in Lisfannon (near Buncrana) now shut for some time.

Christmas Carols

NEWSBRIEFS Housing waiting list is over 900

The net number of people on Donegal Co. Council's housing list now stands at 923, according to the latest ďŹ gures.

There are currently 2,514 households on the housing list. This includes 1,591 households that are already accommodated with in council accommodation or under the HAP scheme, resulting in a net waiting list of 923 households.

Airport boost

Donegal Airport is set to beneďŹ t to the tune of â‚Ź50,000 from Donegal Co. Council towards its operating cost for 2019.

The airport in CarrickďŹ nn currently has scheduled services to Glasgow and Dublin. The local authority is committed to supporting the airport. Meanwhile, the local authority has allocated â‚Ź1.2m in its budget for 2019 for tourism promotion.

Almost 5,000 council houses

Donegal Co. Council now manages 4.922 housing units, of which 4,755 are owned by the local authority while the remainder are leased.

During the past year, the council has upgraded over 2,000 houses under the Energy EfďŹ iciency/Fabric Upgrade Programme. This has involved insulation measures which make houses warmer and also cut-down on fuel costs.

Children from Scoil Mhuire Gan SmĂĄl carol singing in aid of St Vincent de Paul outside the new Dunnes Stores in Letterkenny.

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6 NEWS

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Accidents / Personal Injury?

Tanjier is set to play in the Balor Arts Centre.

Be Informed.

Get Advice.

• Road TraĸĐ ĐĐŝĚĞnt • PĂƐƐĞŶgĞƌ /ŶũƵry • MotorĐyĐůĞ ĐĐŝĚĞnt • PĞĚĞsƚƌŝĂŶ /ŶũƵry • ^ůŝƉ FĂůů ĐĐŝĚĞnt • ĐĐŝĚĞnts at Work • DĞĚŝĐĂů EĞŐůŝgĞŶĐĞ

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Local Band Team up with St Vincent De Paul for Balor Gig Up and coming band, Tanjier will play their final gig of 2018 in the Balor Arts Centre on Friday, December 28.

The band have partnered with the charity, St. Vincent De Paul, Castlefinn for the show with 20% of ticket sales being donated to the charity.

The past 12 months have seen the indie-pop trio go from strength to strength.

They have brought their live show nationwide to the likes of Electric Picnic, Forbidden Fruit and Other Voices.

Their recent tour saw them sell out their headline Dublin gig and support the likes of Sorcha Richardson, Le Galaxie

and Ryan Sheridan.

Tanjier are inspired by the likes of Sigrid, The XX, The 1975, LANY and LCD Soundsystem.

Their most recent single, ‘Lights’ was released in October and has amassed over 120,000 streams on Spotify and was featured on a number of ‘Best Tracks of 2018’ articles.

They were chosen as Today FM's 'Irish Artist of the Week', 2FM's and 'Fresh on Fridays'.

Although Tanjier are mainly Dublin based, Mick Killen and Ronan Lynch are from Castlefinn.

“We are delighted to be back at the Balor this Christmas,”

said Ronan. “Our gig last year was very special and to be helping a charity like St. Vincent De Paul gives us an even bigger drive to put on the best show possible.”

Mick added: “The home support over the last year has been brilliant so it’s great to play here again. With support from Chanele McGuinness, this promises to be a great night of music.”

Tickets cost €10. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets for the show can be bought online or by phone: https://balorartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ shows/873581201 or (074) 91 31 840.

www.mcginleylaw.ie email: info@mcginleylaw.ie

Tel: 074 91 27059

*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

Mary Conway presenting a cheque for €1,900 raised from a calendar and prints all done in memory of her dad. Pictured are: Pauline Nugent, Amantha Harkin, Mary Conway and Sharon O'Donnell.

NEWS 7

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Donegal hotels bracing for Brexit storm Despite another year of growth in 2018, business sentiment among hotels in Donegal and across the country has dropped significantly according to the latest hotel barometer from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF). ď€Žď€–ď€“ď€˜ď€“ď€•ď€“ď€˜ď€šď€€ď€„ď€ˆď€Šď€—ď€—ď€€ď€?ď€?ď€“ď€žď€™ď€œď€›ď€€ď€ƒď€€ď€€ď€ƒď€Šď€ ď€ƒď€„ď€ ď€„ď€‚ď€ƒď€‰ď€€ď€€ď€ƒď€„ď€Œď€…ď€‚ď€€ď€€ď€‘ď€“ď€•ď€”ď€€ď€ƒ Less than half of hotels (49%) nationally now report a positive outlook for the next 12 months compared with the 82% who had a positive outlook this time last year. Key concerns for the sector include the escalating risk and uncertainty around Brexit, reduced visitors numbers from the UK and the increasing costs of doing business.

While 73% of hotels have seen some increase in overall business levels this year, growth from North America and Europe has masked the poor performance of the UK market with visitors still down 5% on 2016 due to persistently weak performance following the referendum.

This is having a direct impact on hotels throughout the country with 52% reporting a drop in business from Great Britain this year while 40% have seen a drop in business from Northern Ireland.

The vast majority of hotels (91%) now express concern about the impact of Brexit on their business over the next 12 months.

Paul Diver, Chair of the IHF’s Donegal branch, said: “We are increasingly concerned about the direction that Brexit is taking and the impact that heightened uncertainty is having on our sector.

"A disruptive Brexit would have enormous economic repercussions which would be felt directly by tourism businesses here in Donegal and across the country given our heavy

reliance on the UK market.�

Tourism currently supports 7,500 jobs in Donegal and contributes some â‚Ź213m to the local economy annually.

Mr Diver states that, even if a deal is eventually reached, any prolonged uncertainty in the coming months could result in a further erosion of consumer sentiment.

He said: “The consistent growth achieved over the last seven years in a dynamic and competitive international market cannot be taken for granted.

"We are particularly concerned with the Government’s change in approach to tourism and the lack of recognition of the important role it plays as an engine of economic growth and regional balance.

"With the Brexit storm gathering, relentless increases in the cost of doing business, international trade wars, a slowdown in European growth and the increase in tourism VAT, there is little surprise in the drop in business sentiment.

have some control over our destiny. ď€Žď€–ď€“ď€˜ď€“ď€•ď€“ď€˜ď€šď€€ď€„ď€ˆď€Šď€—ď€—ď€€ď€?ď€?ď€“ď€žď€™ď€œď€›ď€€ď€ƒď€€ď€€ď€ƒď€Šď€ ď€ƒď€„ď€ ď€„ď€‚ď€ƒď€‰ď€€ď€€ď€ƒď€„ď€Œď€…ď€‚ď€€ď€€ď€‘ď€“ď€•ď€”ď€€ď€ƒ "We have to retain our competitiveness and this means taking decisive action on the issues that are affecting the cost of doing business.â€?

According to Mr Diver, however, only one in five hoteliers believe that the Government is doing enough to tackle the high cost of doing business in Ireland. Some 76% of hotels have seen further increases in insurance costs this year.

Of these, the average increase in premiums was 15%. This is in addition to substantial increases in recent years.

Mr Diver states that insurance costs have reached an unsustainable level, averaging â‚Ź1,150 per room annually.

He called on the Government to introduce a Tourism Satellite Account within the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to provide a full analysis of the economic activity in the Tourism industry and how much it contributes to each county throughout the country, including Donegal. “It will also provide independent verification to assist those who rely

! on the National Accounts, where Investment " # # $ is not identified, to inform "Many of our members are now re- tourism examining their future investment their deliberations on taxation and % strategies and taking a more cautious economic policy,� he said.

On a brighter note, Christmas events approach to planning for next year ď€Žď€–ď€“ď€˜ď€“ď€•ď€“ď€˜ď€šď€€ď€„ď€ˆď€Šď€—ď€—ď€€ď€?ď€?ď€“ď€žď€™ď€œď€›ď€€ď€ƒď€€ď€€ď€ƒď€Šď€ ď€ƒď€„ď€ ď€„ď€‚ď€ƒď€‰ď€€ď€€ď€ƒď€„ď€Œď€…ď€‚ď€€ď€€ď€‘ď€“ď€•ď€”ď€€ď€ƒ and parties remain a significant part and beyond.â€?

He added: “The Government must of the business for more than half of mitigate Brexit related risks to tour- the hoteliers surveyed (52%).

Of those, almost half (47%) report ism and facilitate the continued growth of an industry that supports an increase in business this festive approximately 266,000 jobs, over 70% season compared to last year with over a third (36%) of those surveyed of which are outside Dublin.

"There are aspects of the economic taking on additional staff for the environment and Brexit that are Christmas period. largely outside our control but it is imperative that we mitigate the risks RIGHT: Paul Diver, Chair of the IHF’s and potential damage where we do Donegal branch.

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J A N U A R Y S A L E S T A R T S T H U R S D A Y 2 7 T H D E CEMBER !

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8 NEWS NEWSBRIEFS Rory Gallagher gig

Donegal singer Rory Gallagher the former Revs man who later had success with the "Jimmy's Winning Matches" hit - will be performing in the Orchard Inn on Saturday, December 29.

Having spent several years in the Canary Islands, he has now moved back to his native Donegal and has recently been gigging around Ireland and in the UK.

Antiques and Collectables Fair

An Antiques and Collectables Fair will be held in Letterkenny Community Centre on Sunday, January 6 from 11.00am to 5.00pm.

Donegal Oil reunion

A reunion of former Donegal Oil staff members will be held in the Silver Tassie Hotel, on Saturday, March 2. Tickets cost €25 (includes three-course dinner).

For more information please contact Mary 086 417 1932, Martina 086 621 9255 or Louise 087 691 2040.

Computer Training Programme

Students from Royal & Prior Comprehensive School, Raphoe will be conducting a five week computer training programme whereby they will work on a oneto-one basis with people over the age of 55. Courses will begin in January. All courses are free of charge. Places are limited.

Contact Age Concern on 014756989 to book your place.

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Donegal set to benefit from new German route to Knock Siobhán McNamara Reporter

Donegal tourism is set to benefit from the addition of a new flight route from Cologne to Ireland West Airport Knock.

Operated by Ryanair, the route will come into operation in June. It is estimated that 10,000 will travel from Cologne to Knock in Summer 2019.

Donegal will be featured in a major marketing campaign in Germany that will run online as well as in press, radio and PR. The campaign will take place in early 2019 and will feature Donegal in images, website links and mentions on various platforms.

Donegal County Council’s Barney McLaughlin told the December meeting of the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal that this was a great opportunity for the county.

He said: “Donegal is working closely with Ireland West Airport on content for this campaign.”

Donegal is also featured in the new Visitor Discovery Centre at the airport.

The centre is a joint initiative with seven local authorities in the west and north-west, including Donegal County Council. It was officially opened by Minister for Community and Rural Development Michael Ring TD. The Visitor Discovery Centre will have information on Donegal attractions, activities, events and visitor

experiences.

It also offers Donegal suppliers the opportunity to showcase local crafts, have food tastings, give information about hotels etc and even facilitate musical performances.

Mr McLaughlin said: “This offers fan-

tastic exposure to the one million plus people who pass through the airport annually.”

Donegal County Council has been working steadily to promote tourism to the area.

Representatives will host a tourism

stand at Boot Dusseldorf in January 2019. This is one of the world’s largest boat and marine tourism exhibitions in the world. The event is particularly timely to the announcement of the new flight route to Knock as Dusseldorf is only a 35-minute drive from Cologne.

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Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

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10 PICTURE SPECIAL YOUR

EVENTS

Principal Micheal O Giobain showing a group of pupils around.

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Colaiste Ailigh Open Day

Pupils with Maistir O Maolagáin proudly displaying key rings they made.

Rachel Price and Zara Short with Colaiste Ailigh pupils Andrea Cutliffe and Erin Cannon.

Niamh Wilkins, Bevin Coyle and Ellie Martin with Maistir O Breacain.

Grace Nugent, Chloe Boyle, Rona Mc Carron, Phillip McGee, Senan Martin and Cormac Breatnach.

Ronan Higgins, Rudi Murphy-Brown and Micheal Mulraine with Maistir Keith O Comhain.

Back Row: l-r: Katie Coyle, Nicole Fox, Cassie O Donnell-Bonner, Beibhinn Laverty. Front row: Caitlin Fletch, Kelly Dorrian, Ella Tobin, Sophie Crealey, Amy Devenney Rhianna Sheridan.

Pupils from Scoil Naisiúnta an Ghlasáin, Creeslough Illistrin National School and N. Bhríd, Downings.

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

11

12 NEWS

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Community groups benefit from over €1 million since 2007

Almost 50 local groups receive share of €108,850 Over €108,000 has been presented to community groups close to the Meentycat Wind Farm.

SSE Airtricity makes annual contributions to local projects in Co. Donegal through its Community Fund programme and Sponsored Walk. These initiatives have provided over €1 million to local groups since 2007.

On Tuesday, December 4 the company presented €58,196 to local groups, topping-up the €96,052 raised by community members from this year’s Sponsored Walk at Meentycat Wind Farm.

The following day, Wednesday, December 5 the firm awarded a further €50,384 for 13 local projects through its Community Fund. Both presentations took place in the Villa Rose Hotel in Ballybofey.

A large number of this year’s Community Fund recipients are putting the funding towards improving their energy efficiency measures, which SSE Airtricity strongly supports.

Glenswilly National School will have new windows fitted, while Ballybofey United Football Club will improve insulation at their clubhouse.

Glenswilly GAA Club and Letterkenny RFC will benefit from the installation of solar panels and Illistrin Football Club will replace its old stor-

Pictured are group represnatives with Seamus Herron, Service Manger SSE Anne Reynolds, Community Development Officer and Michelle Donnelly, SSE. PHOTO: Clive Wasson.

age heaters.

Elsewhere CLG Ghleann Fhinne and Robert Emmet’s GAA will enjoy new pitch lighting in the seasons ahead, while LED lighting upgrades were supported at Raphoe Congrgational Church and Stranorlar Presbyterian

Church.

Twin Towers Boxing Club have received funding towards the installation of a defibrillator and training on appropriate use.

Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said: “With our big-

gest ever Sponsored Walk this year, the walkers raised an incredible €96,000 for their own causes.

"With such a fantastic effort from the local community, we were delighted to be able to follow-up with an additional €58,196 to support the

groups.

"We also presented a further €50,384 from this year’s Meentycat Community Fund to 13 forward-thinking and important community projects.

"It’s great to see so much of the money going towards improvements in energy effi-

ciency, which is a great way to secure long-term benefit for the community.”

SSE Airtricity’s Meentycat Wind Farm, and the adjoining Culliagh Wind Farm near Lifford, generate over 100MW of clean, green energy combined.

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The gospel reading for the morning Mass on Christmas Day is the sublime opening passage from St John relating to the Divine Word, otherwise known as the Divine Son. It is an invitation to reflect on the profound mystery of the Incarnation which we are celebrating at Christmas. The infant Jesus lying in the humble stable manger is the Infinite Son of God in Whom and for Whom the whole of creation is made. He has become one of us and we have become his adopted sisters and brothers.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things

were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

“The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.

But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

13

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

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Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Letterkenny Poet James Finnegan’s most recent poetry collection ‘Half-Open Door’ is reviewed by Dr Liam Campbell, Lecturer in English Literature, Language & Creative Writing Coordinator at the Derry Playhouse ‘Art Skills’ Project.

Finnegan’s work was previously highly commended by the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry competition, and has been published in notable outlets such as The Bombay Review, Cyphers and The Irish Times. He was shortlisted for the Over the Edge new writer of the year.

James Finnegan: Half-Open Door James Finnegan has that rare ability, the heart of the poet’s art, to defamiliarise the everyday: to awaken wonderment in the commonplace and breathe new life into frozen moments.

Memory and lived experience are foundational touchstones of this collection: Half-Open Door; yet the past is not some far distant shore but rather “the frontier country of memory” (18) as Finnegan describes it in “How Much Do I Carry with Me”. Again and again in poems such as “Flood”, “Chopping wood” and “Roofs” there is a rekindling of the day, the moment, the heartbeat of a life as the poet invites us to walk with him in this “frontier country” whereupon he distils philosophy, self-reflection, and thematic power whilst “casting some life”(19) onto days past.

Philosophical concerns interconnect in Finnegan’s poetry with intellectualism and even a searching embrace of art Part of the strength and vitality of Finnegan’s poetry lies in his unwavering ability to draw clear lines of resonance between the past and the present – to find the fulcrum of change – to offer a catch from the flux of a live lived or a moment considered. In works such as “The Female Deer have Antlers” where Finnegan asks “where does this stillness come from” (37), and in “Elegy” where the essence of the poet’s art is declared: “I slowly fathom in the aftermath” (72) – in these we have the considered poet: the precise, deliberating philosopher who draws on and gives elegiac and lyrical expression to the past, the moment and the

afterglow.

Finnegan is a poet whose work blossoms from the soil of all he has seen, experienced and encountered – and he interrogates, considers and unlocks the poetic from this reservoir of experience with the measured meticulousness of a scientist.

In “The Mathematician in Me” Finnegan explains how “a good eye is needed” to dig poetic truth from the common ground of the everyday – from the macro of a life lived to the micro moment of the single beat of a heart: “a life a lifespan a heartbeat / how can I not care for the particular”(68).

The soil that brings forth the seed of Finnegan’s poetry comes from an awareness of things “frozen in idleness” (36), to the living vibrancy of the waking world. It is in the coming together of all this, as well as: “the good dark of the conscious / and unconscious collective” (18) as Finnegan puts it.

Finnegan’s art is not merely his ability to gracefully light up moments past and present, rather he gives us the alchemy of the human condition: the banal, the everyday is raised on high, as it should be, to be the true marking of all there is. For it is here where true tragedy, triumph, anguish and elation live. Across the pages of Half-Open Door all of these themes and emotions are presented.

In “Hallowed Ground” the true unexpectedness of tragedy and the fragility of mortality is underscored: “death / called tonight / as I was tying my shoelaces” (32), elsewhere Finnegan tells us: “I still miss what’s missing / there is a winter in losing” (79).

Yet we perceive also a poet revelling in the sheer joy and “the inexhaustible mystery of being” and of “being loved by someone” (18). This elation is fused also with a profound contemplation of the natural world, at various points we journey with the poet out into nature. The poem “Early-Winter Run” is a case in point: out for a winter’s evening run I stop still by the sound of water treble sound upstream bass sound down my stereo ears take it all in (15)

Dr. Liam Campbell

Finnegan does indeed “take it all in” – and what returns on the pages of

this collection is a singular embrace of nature and the living world: where landscape and the sea are hailed as the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth” (26). Poetic focus falls too upon wildlife: “I look at crows / and take in their now and here” (41) and chance meetings with strangers and creatures alike: “a grey cat”, “a Labrador” (12), “a girl with a long coat…bare feet / looking out to sea unaware of being seen” (24).

The poet’s eye falls upon all this in a contemplation crafted “along the long river of patience” (83).

The poet again and again acknowledges how the waking and natural world around him enlivens and engenders his art: “the world trees friends / cats and dogs” “all make their presence felt” (90) “blue & purple flowers play the wind / & marmots stop for a standing chat / I am in & on the river”.

Finnegan’s poetry offers us the lyrical contemplation of memory and experience, and a meticulous meditation on nature – yet we find also across these pages a philosophical and at times existential wonderment: in “When I’m Gone” the poet muses: “there will still be / no way of knowing / for sure / if all we see is all there is” (50) yet within this also is an acceptance of “the good dark”(18) and a metaphysical peace with the unknown: “I’m happy in the dark to acknowledge mystery” (78).

Philosophical concerns interconnect in Finnegan’s poetry with intellectualism and even a searching embrace of art in works such as “Philosophy of the Face” where the self-portraits of Finnish painter Helene Schjierfbeck (1862-1946) are contemplated through poetry.

Here and elsewhere there is a real exploration of the power of art to move and to lead us to a deeper understanding of ourselves – but this is far from some esoteric reasoning.

Part of the strength and vitality of Finnegan’s poetry lies in his unwavering ability to draw clear lines of resonance between the past and the present In the poem mentioned above, the poet takes us back out of the portraits and gives us the tangible truth of the sorrow etched in the face of another who gazes upon Schjierfbeck’s work: “I love the sadness I see in him” (59).

This theme echoes across the collection in poems such as “Art & Craft”

Poet James Finnegan

and is further explored as those such as Raymond Carver, Charles Wright, Primo Levi, and Yusef Komunyakaa are given poetic space and time.

It is worthy of note also that Finnegan is a master of form. His poems decorate the pages of the collection, free and flowing across the page. A n interesting feature is Finnegan’s recurrent employment of strategic spacing between words, these act as thought spaces where revelation and undercurrents of implication reside for the reader and poet alike.

James Finnegan is a poet whose work is anchored in the wonderment and contemplation of the everyday.

His poems are doorways into stillness, where the cut and thrust of the world is forced to withdraw, and time slows to a moment lit only by the keen and considered focus of the poet’s eye.

Finnegan’s poems offer us cow bells and flowers, hooded crows, pastoral beauty and urban streets, desolation and winter, a broken cross, a lesser saint, sunlight and salvation, the saboteur and the saviour - the walkways of a life lived.

The work stretches across many locations and landscapes, external and internal: memory, history, pop culture and fine art, divinity and humanity, love and loss, childhood and aging, beauty and naked fear, all are here through the Half-Open Door of the poetry.

This is a stunning collection from a lyrical Irish heart, and a poet in full command and in full embrace of his art. Throw the pages and the doorways of this work wide open and spend passing time with the living

heartbeat of the poems. Half-Open Door is published by Eyewear.

James Finnegan was born in Dublin, but now lives near Letterkenny.

He holds a doctorate in Living Education Theory.

Finnegan’s work has been highly commended by the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry competition, and has been published in notable outlets such as The Bombay Review, Cyphers and The Irish Times.

His poems are doorways into stillness, where the cut and thrust of the world is forced to withdraw, and time slows to a moment lit only by the keen and considered focus of the poet’s eye He was also recently shortlisted for the Over the Edge new writer of the year.

PICTURE SPECIAL 15

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

LOCAL

EVENTS

Photos: Shaun Egan

Orla Egan and Sean Griffin.

Adam Grady, Mark Smith, Sean Griffin and Shane Gibbons.

Megan Friel, Orla Egan, Shauna Logue and Emma McNutt.

Loreto Milford Prom

Shane Gibbons and Shauna Logue.

Megan Friel and Adam Grady.

Mark Smyth and Emma McNutt.

16 NEWS

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Rory Gallagher, one of Donegal's best-known musicians, has returned to his native Kilcar after 12 years in Lanzarote. Now he is getting time to spend writing music, and has done a number of gigs in Ireland in the UK. A new album is on the way, and 2019 promises to be an exciting year. Chris Ashmore reports.

Singer back in Donegal after over a decade in the Canary Islands

A new chapter for Rory Gallagher Rory Gallagher is buzzing.

He’s back home in his native Kilcar, he’s been doing gigs around Ireland and Britain.

Trips to America and Germany have been lined up for 2019, and he’s working hard on a new album.

These are indeed exciting times for the talented musician, known by one generation for his times with The Revs, and for many more as a result of his “Jimmy’s Winning Matches” Donegal GAA anthem!

Rory Gallagher performing.

Of course, he has enjoyed success with numerous other songs – and his Island Bar in Lanzarote became a magnet for Donegal and Irish visitors for over a decade. On the island with 330 days of sunshine a year, it was the number one live music venue.

But along with his wife Cara and son Aidan, they are now living in Donegal having sold their business in Peurto Del Carmen.

“I emigrated to my own country,” he jokes. It was strange coming back; coping with all the paperwork.

As one door shuts, another opens.

He has been touring again, teaming up with Sean Magee of Enniskillen. Rory is doing the kick drums, guitar and vocals, Sean does the harmonies and fiddle. Rory’s written about ten new songs already.

Sean’s father sent Rory some clips of Sean (17 years Rory’s

Sean Magee and Rory Gallagher.

younger) some years ago.

Sean played with Sharon Shannon in the Island Bar. Rory saw for himself the talent - a man for the future – and now they are regularly performing together.

In recent months they have done quite a few gigs, with “lively trad”. The new music is interspersed with some of the hits and favourites from the past, including the likes of the classic “Mad Dog Coll” and – depending on the venue – the

popular and clever “Ryanair Blues”.

“I hope to have a new single out before the end of February.

I am choosing between three songs,” he says. An album could be out by the summer.

Now living in Kilcar (in the home where he grew up), Rory has been kept busy with gigs in the likes of Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Glasgow, and Manchester.

“It’s been great to get into a car and get out and drive

around to cities I have not been in for years,” he notes.

Lanzarote is the size of Inishowen, so car journies are short!

He has gigs lined up in New York in April, and will be in Germany for St. Patrick’s Day. Exciting times ahead.

• Rory Gallagher will be appearing in Workman’s Club, Dublin, on Friday, December 28 and in The Orchard Inn, Letterkenny, on Saturday, December 29 (from 9.00pm).

Visiting youth workers ‘Czech’ out Donegal Youth Service The Letterkenny Youth Information Centre at Donegal Youth Service recently hosted a group of 10 youth workers from the Czech Republic for a study visit.

The youth workers were representing the organisations Decko Nachod, Décko - DDM Rychnov nad Knežnou and MeDDM Slunícko.

The group spent their visit shadowing jobs in the Youth Information Centre (YIC) and working on

the principles and good practices of youth work in Ireland.

The YIC team paid particular attention to providing information about Cyberbullying and Internet Safety, which is one of their areas of expertise.

They also focused on the advantaged of being part of networks like Youth Work Ireland, Eurodesk and ERYICA, as well as activities throughout the week working on

the importance of inclusion and equality and youth work ethos.

In return the Czech Youth Workers also delivered a dancing and a mindful art workshop to the YIC team.

Letterkenny Youth Information Officer Katarzyna Kurzeja was the project coordinator for the 5 day visit.

"Working side by side with youth workers from other countries always

open our eyes: we can see different styles of work, various methodologies in approaching the same problems and challenges, but first of all we learn from each other.

"And that type of informal learning is truly priceless, both for us and young people we are working with.

We hope to get more partnerships with organisations across Europe in a future” she said.

The study visit was funded by the

EU Erasmus+ Programme which gives many opportunities for young people, as well as professionals to develop their skills.

The Letterkenny Youth Information Centre provide a confidential service for young people and those that work with them.

Find out what they can do for you.

Call 074 91 29630, pop in to 16-18 Port Road Monday-Friday from 126pm with your queries.

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

17

18 COMMENT

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Another voice

by Mark Loughridge, pastor of Letterkenny New Life Fellowship.

He can be contacted on 074 9123961 or mark@newlifefellowship.ie

What's in a name?

Dean Hamilton pictured at his recent graduation. Dean currently resides in Letterkenny. Dean graduated out of Sligo IT with a Bacholer of Business. Dean has returned to Sligo for further studies.

Dean is a past pupil of Scoil Chomcille, Letterkenny and St Eunan's College.

The other day I was reading about a group of missionaries who were working among the natives on one of the islands in the south Pacific.

They soon discovered that they weren’t the first English speakers to have been on the island.

It turned out that many of the natives had been given English names.

Well, not names as we would know them; their parents must have heard some English phrases at some time and had liked the sound of them so much that they had called their children by these words.

One man was named ‘Tinned Fish’ and another ‘Second Gear’!

Usually we aren’t too bothered with what our name means.

Patrick means ‘Noble’. Eoin and Sean mean ‘God has blessed’.

The girl’s name Megan means ‘Strong’, and Niamh means ‘Bright’.

We may or may not live up to our name; our parents would have found it hard to guess how we’d turn out!

In the Bible, however, we find some people who were given a name that described something of what they would become.

The one that springs to mind at this time of year is Jesus. Why was Jesus called Jesus? It was actually a fairly common name.

Many young men would have been called Jesus after the great Hebrew gen-

eral Joshua. Jesus is simply the Greek version of that name. But there’s more to it than that.

In Matthew 1:21 we read what God said to Joseph when he told him what he was to call the child whom Mary was expecting: “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

When we name a child, we may hope that they will live up to their name somehow.

But when God named this child, he did so knowing that Jesus definitely would live up to his name. God tells us that Jesus came to save, or rescue, people from the power and destruction of sin.

Sin is the big problem that has plagued the entire human race ever since Adam &

Eve first disobeyed God. Their sin got us all into a terrible mess and ruined the relationship that we have with God. That’s true for all of us, whether we like it or not.

So what is Christmas about? It’s all in the name – it’s about Jesus, the one who came to save us from the destiny of punishment and separation from God that we all have coming to us.

It’s about the one who came because we could not save ourselves. It’s about God providing the solution, the rescue package, himself.

God is saying that there is hope. If we want to be part of it then all we need to do is ask him.

Not only is Jesus the one who rescues us from judgment – he is the only rescue option. For centuries the Jews had looked forward to the one who would rescue them, they had asked over and over again, “Is this the Saviour?”

They had named their babies in the hope that this was the one. But now God takes away any uncertainty – this is the one.

“He will save.” It won’t be anyone else – only him. There is an absolute certainty in these words of God. “He will save”.

God does what he says.

But we need to ask him. “He will save his people”. Not everyone, just those who’ve asked.

What’s in a name? Eternity - yours, for the asking.

A thanksgiving of Christmas gathering of Couples for Christ Northwest Chapter

The Sister's of CFC Northwest

CFC Northwest.

YFC (Youth For Christ)

The Brother's of CFC Northwest

KFC (Kids For Christ)

Enjoying the day.

CINEMA 19

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

MOVIE OF THE

HOLMES & WATSON Holmes And Watson ďŹ nds the world’s greatest consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes and his loyal biographer, Dr John Watson, challenged by Professor James Moriarty to solve a case within four days before the Queen is murdered.

WEEK Director: Etan Cohen Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Ralph Fiennes Genre: Comedy, Action Run Time: 95 minutes Release Date: December 26

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Caitlin Foody Beechwood Avenue, Letterkenny Last Week’s Answer: The Banks Family

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20 PICTURE SPECIAL LOCAL

EVENTS

Photos: Clive Wasson

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony

Jobstart 3 at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony Back Row L-R Gerry Wallace, Lisa Carson, Harry Herron, Craig Kelly, Front Row L-R Elvis Egilitis, Caroline Baird Instructor, Conor McConigley.

Jobstart 3 at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony Backrow L-R Heather Browne, Zach Corcoran, William Barrett, Dermot Mc Daid, Middle Row L-R Aishling Boyle, Mablean Aduaka, Bevin Tooms, Daniel Martin Front Row L-R Colm Richardson Donegal ETB, Rachael Thurlby Rehabgroup, Guven Faracli Donegal ETB, Mura Herron NLN.

Prospects photograph: Back Row L-R Shane O Donnell, Front Row L- R Thomas Sheridan, Roisin McCaughan , Aude Lehman, Instructor Shauna Connaghan at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony.

More than 100 learners from National Learning Network, Letterkenny and Rehabcare Lifford received awards for their achievements in a range of personal and vocational development courses over the past year.

These awards were presented to the learners as a result of what they have achieved through their hard work and dedication throughout the year. The learners have shown great commitment throughout their variety of HSE and Donegal ETB

courses some with QQI accreditation.

The ceremony was attended by students of National Learning Network Letterkenny and Rehabcare Lifford, and their families and friends. Representatives from Donegal ETB, HSE and National Learning Network, INTREO, and local community groups also attended.

Courses available in National Learning Network, Letterkenny In Letterkenny, National Learning Network provides

supported vocational and community-based rehabilitative training programmes to people with disabilities, people with mental health difďŹ culties and others who are distant from the labour market from throughout Letterkenny.

Training offered includes QQI Level 5 OfďŹ ce Administration, QQI Level 4 Employability Skills and QQI Level 3 Employment Skills. QQI Level 2 General Learning and QQI Level 1 General Learning.

Mura Herron, Area Manager

Sarah Kelly speaking at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony.

Gary Quigley NLN Student at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony.

Living for Life Group at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony Back Row L-R Elaine Byrne Instructor, Brian O Donnell, Jason Thompson, Caolan McGrory, Daryl Thompson, Jamie Gallagher, Caoimhe McGuiggan Instructor, Front Row L-R Sarah Kelly, Tarragh Sharma, Niamh Sheridan.

PICTURE SPECIAL 21

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony

LOCAL

EVENTS

Photos: Clive Wasson

Lisa Penrose receives her presentaion from Rachael Thurlby, Rehab Group at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony.

in National Learning Network Letterkeny said: “It is a very proud day for myself and all staff here at National Learning Network and for the students’ families, friends and the local community, to watch them receive their awards.

“We are presenting QQI Major Awards and component certificates from levels 1 to 5 to many of the students here today” “I would also like to highlight and commend all the students on their personal achievements and how each and every one of them has grown and succeeded in their personal goals during their time here on our courses.”

Joan Maguella owner of the Poppyseed Bakery said that

“NLN support both the employer and the learner. NLN do their utmost to ensure that the student in training becomes accomplished in the specific skills needed to work.

“They visit you regularly and train the learner on the job, and they are at the end of the phone should you need them between visits.

They invest in the people they are training, and we as employers reap the benefits” National Learning Network works on a continuous intake basis throughout the year.

If you are interested in furthering your skills or getting support to get a job, please contact the centre directly at Tel: 0749168288; or email: letterkenny@NLN.ie

Mary Kildea receives her presentaion from Rachael Thurlby, Rehab Group at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony.

Lisa Carson at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony.

Nadine Wilkie receives her presentaion from Rachael Thurlby, Rehab Group at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony.

Grace Blane speaking at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony.

IT & Business Studies at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony Back Row L-R Tibett Hughes, Hillary Anne Hetherington, Amanda Boyle, Stpehen O Donnell, Kealan Gibson, Ciska Jungernell, Rebecca Gibson. Middle Row L-R Grace Blaine, Kyle McLaughlin, Sara McGeough, Nicola Breslin, Grahame McGinty, Aimee O Byrne, Sarah Rodgers Instructor. Front Row L-R Colm Richardson Donegal ETB, Rachael Thurlby Rehabgroup, Guven Faracli Donegal ETB, Mura Herron NLN..

Kyle McLaughlin speaking at the National Learning Network 2018 Student Award Ceremony.

22 COOKERY/TRAVEL

HomeCOOKING

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

by Barbara Collins

ICE CREAM CHRISTMAS PUDDING I am not a huge fan of Christmas Pudding on its own but I do love ice-cream. Here I combine the two ideas but with mincemeat instead of crumbled up pudding. Buy a jar of good mincemeat, the best you can afford and use good rum or brandy. Double cream is also a must.

METHOD

INGREDIENTS 1 jar of mincemeat (without suet) 3 tbsp rum or brandy 4 free-range eggs 300ml or half a pint of double cream 100g / 4oz caster sugar

Line a pudding bowl or tin with cling film Mix the mincemeat and rum/brandy together Separate the eggs. Mix the yolks until well blended and in another bowl, beat the whites till the stiff peaks stage.

Add a teaspoon of sugar at a time and beat more.

Then add the egg yolks and cream and mix well.

Follow with the brandy and mincemeat mixture.

Turn it into the pudding bowl and freeze overnight.

You can place the bowl briefly in water to turn it out and serve or just scoop it out as needed.

It will keep in the freezer for a month.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Contact Barbara:- Twitter: @thegoodchinaset | Email: barbara@thegoodchinaset.com

Christmas fairytale in New York

By Conal O’Boyle New York is the best four-day town on earth. When the days coincide with the holiday season, that’s true with bells on.

There is simply nothing like the Big Apple at Christmas. From grown adults on ice-rinks to glittering windows, Broadway shows and snow in Central Park, it’s a guaranteed mood-lifter.

Even the skyscrapers look like giant Christmas trees.

The iconic Rink at the Rockefeller Centre starts from $27. It is pretty small, but the atmosphere is incredible. For $60 per person, a VIP tent has private seating, hot chocolates, cook-

ies, and a little bit more instruction on hand.

Don’t forget to look up. Skyscrapers soar, stars and stripes blow patriotically in the wind, and the plaza’s 30m Norwegian Spruce tree is a beacon in the Big Apple.

Department store windows are a holiday tradition in NYC, kicking off after Thanksgiving.

People travel from all over the US and abroad to put their noses up against the glass. In 2016, Bloomingdale’s had a display based on PT Barnum’s circus and freak shows. Macy’s 2018 displays are titled ‘Believe in the Wonder of Giving’ with a brand new character in Sunny the Snowpal.

Central Park is enormous; so don’t try to see it comprehensively on foot.

Rent a bike, or grab a pedal-cab and pick your stops- they range from Strawberry Fields (the John Lennon memorial) to Gapstow Bridge and the Central Park Zoo. The city’s perennial Christmas staple is The Nutcracker, performed by NYC Ballet since 1954, at the Lincoln Centre. Family shows include Frozen and Wicked, with perennial favorites including The Lion King, School of Rock- The Musical and Aladdin.

Classic Christmas films from New York include “Elf” (2003), “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947) and “Home Alone 2” (1992).

So maybe this Christmas, you should head over to the Big Apple to see for yourself what’s portrayed in the greatest Christmas song of all time!

REVIEW 23

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Letterkennypost Letterkennypost Letterkennypost Letterkennypost Thursday 4 January 2018

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Former Donegal General Election candidate heckles Health Minister

PRO-LIFER CRASHES â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;YESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; MEETING Rory Mooney editor@letterkennypost.com

Dramatic scenes unfolded this week ahead of the hotly contested abortion referendum as a former Donegal General Election candidate stormed a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign meeting.

Finn Valley man and pro-life campaigner Tim Jackson crashed a cross-party meeting of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign supporters, that included the Minister for Health, Simon Harris. The Minister was heckled with calls for him to resign over the controversial referendum.

The Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health in Ireland press conference, which was attended by members of Fine Gael, Fianna FĂĄil, Sinn FĂŠin, Labour, the Green Party, the Social Democrats and some Independent TDs, was abruptly ended due to Mr Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actions.

Mr Jackson, who had a videographer with him to record the exchange, shouted: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Minister for Health are you happy that taxpayers money will be used to fund the killing of innocent human beings?â&#x20AC;?

Those attending the event attempted to drown out the heckles with clapping to which Mr Jackson shouted: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Can we continue to clap for the killing of Irish children?â&#x20AC;?

He was then politely asked to leave the event.

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The site in question was previously the subject of plans for a four-island ďŹ lling station.

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Hat trick for Manus and Donal

A man passed away after a 12 day delay in arranging a transfer Letterkenny University Hospital to University Hospital Galway, the regional centre, for a urology review, it has been revealed.

The case is included in Ombudsman Peter Tyndallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual report which shows 79 complaints were last year received from people living in Donegal.

Pages 21-26

The report reveals a man complained how his brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condition deteriorated in Letterkenny before a transfer occurred and he later passed away.

The man felt that not enough was done to ensure the transfer happened. In addition, his brother suffered a number of falls while he was in hospital. The family complained that they were not told

about all the falls.

Mr Tyndallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report reveals the man suffered four falls while in hospital. He received treatment after each fall and an orange band was placed on his wrist to indicate he was at risk of falling.

However, no particular actions were taken to prevent him falling again, documentation was incomplete and the family was not noti-

ďŹ ed of all the falls.

The urology team in the regional centre accepted the man for transfer but his name was not added to the bed management list in the regional centre until 13 days later.

The local hospital rang most days to see if a bed was available and wrote in the bed management log book â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;no bedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;not on listâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Horsing around!

There was mch horse power on display in more ways than one at the Donegal International Rally at the weekend.

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Groundsman claims 300 bags of dog faeces thrown over church walls

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A thoughtless dog owner has been accused of causing an unholy mess at a Letterkenny church.

It is claimed that the pet lover has been causing a stink at the Church of the Irish Martyrs on Gortlee Road for the last three years.

The churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s groundsman has told the Letterkenny Post that up to 300 bags of dog waste has been chucked over the church wall.

Jim Patton (75), who has

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been the church caretaker since the 1990s, revealed his work was without incident for 20 years - but all that changed around 2015.

Since then, there has been an unrelenting barrage of dog poop being spread all over the church grounds, including the grassy area in front of the priestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; parochial house, and at the main entrance to the car park, but mostly at the junction of Gortlee Road and Cruach Na Cille.

Jim is now appealing for the culprit to desist and show some decency.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

From only

See inside on page 27 Church of the Irish Martyrs groundsman Jim Patton points to infected area.

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Council seeking views onAddress rate of Local Property Tax

Telephone Fax Email Website

COULD YOU BE PAYING MORE? Submissions are being invited from members of the public on proposals to vary the basic rate of Local Property Tax in Donegal in 2019.

Donegal Co. Council is looking to hear the views and opinions on any proposal to vary the rate of Local Property Tax and in particular, on the potential effects of this on households, individuals, businesses and indeed on Council services.

Local Property Tax is an annual tax charged on all residential properties in Ireland and came into effect in 2013.

In accordance with the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 as amended, local authorities may vary the basic rate of Local Property Tax within its own area by a

maximum of 15%.

This means that Donegal Co. Council can either increase or decrease the rate of Local Property Tax in 2019 by a maximum of 15% of the 2018 rate.

For example, if a house is valued at under â&#x201A;Ź100,000, the Local Property Tax in 2018 would have been â&#x201A;Ź90. If the Local Property Tax rate is increased by 15%, this house owner will pay â&#x201A;Ź103.50 in 2019 and if the Local Property Tax rate is reduced by 15%, then this house owner will pay â&#x201A;Ź76.50 in 2019.

The money collected under the Local Property Tax contributes towards the cost of providing a range of local Council services including libraries, public lighting, road maintenance, housing services, ďŹ re services, dealing with

illegal dumping and littering, community initiatives, beach management and tourism development initiatives.

An adjustment in the rate of Local Property Tax will have an impact on the Council's capacity to deliver these services. For instance, if the rate is reduced and if funding is not available to replace this reduction, then the income available to the Council will be reduced which will in turn limit the range and extent of services and supports that can be provided in 2019.

If the rate is increased then an increased level of income available to the Council will increase the capacity to deliver services and supports in 2019. Having considered a range of issues, the Council

could also decide not to vary the rate and to the leave the rate the same as in 2018.

The deadline date for all submissions is August 17 and submissions should be made in writing and emailed to LPT@donegalcoco. ie or posted to Donegal County Council, LPT Submissions, County House, Lifford, Co. Donegal.

Feedback from the public will be considered by the elected members of Donegal Co. Council as part of the decision making process at a meeting in late September 2018 when a ďŹ nal decision will be made on varying the rate of Local Property Tax in Donegal.

Further information, including a list of frequently asked questions is available on www.donegalcoco. ie.

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Deceasedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family reported case to Ombudsman office Website

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keep Safeâ&#x20AC;? road show came to Letterkenny. Up to 100 children from Scoil Mhuire Gan SmĂĄl , Scoil Cholmcille and St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s N.S. Lurgybrack attended the Health and Safety Authority event in the Aura Complex, Letterkenny.

Pictured at the event are students trying out the mountain rescue shelter.

PHOTO: Clive Wasson.

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ance provided by our partners in An Garda Siochana who worked closely with us in this cross-border proactive investigation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This organised crime gang were supplying large quantities of controlled drugs into the Derry/ Londonderry and Donegal areas which had the potential to cause signiďŹ cant harm.â&#x20AC;?

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Darren Donnelly in this drugs ganga. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All four have now been sentenced for their role in the supply of controlled drugs by an organised crime gang operating in Derry/Londonderry and County Donegal areas.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would particularly like to acknowledge the assist-

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The three male occupants - Desmond EnďŹ eld, Seamus Boyce and Kieran Austin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; were arrested at the scene as they were caught in the act of supplying ÂŁ300k of herbal cannabis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Further enquiries by the PSNIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Organised Crime Unit resulted in signiďŹ cant evidence which proved the involvement of HGV driver

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Pages24-25

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Two men from Donegal have been handed prison sentences after pleading guilty to a number of cross border drugs offences.

Desmond EnďŹ eld (34) of Ramelton and Seamus Boyce (38) of Letterkenny, were sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court along with their co-defendants, Kieran Austin (61) from Lurgan and Darren Donnelly (33) of Sixmilecross, Omagh.

Desmond EnďŹ eld was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 months to be served in prison and 12 months on licence, as well as a Forfeiture Order issued for a Audi vehicle. Seamus Boyce was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; eight months to be served in prison and eight months on licence, as well as a Forfeiture Order for a Ford vehicle.

Yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Tuesday) sentencing brought to a close a joint investigation between the PSNIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Organised Crime Unit and An Garda Siochana, into the importation and supply of controlled drugs.

Detective Inspector Tom McClure, of PSNIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Organised Crime Unit, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;On April 22, 2016 officers searched three vehicles in a layby at Derrymacash Road, Lurgan. In one of the vehicles, ofďŹ cers uncovered herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of ÂŁ300,000 in 15 vacuum packed plastic bags in the back of one of the vehicles.

Page 14

Station House - Pearse Road - Letterkenny

THURS 22nd feb OFF THE KUFF fri 23rd feb

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Plans by one of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest fast food restaurant and take-away chains to build a new outlet in Letterkenny have hit a number of stumbling blocks.

Last year, it emerged that Galway headquartered Supermacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was looking at Letterkenny, and a planning application was lodged with Donegal Co. Council to build a two-storey premises, with a drive through facility, on a site adjacent to the busy Station Roundabout and close to the main entrance to Letterkenny Shopping Centre.

However, Donegal Co. Council has now issued an executive order asking the applicant to â&#x20AC;&#x153;submit revised plansâ&#x20AC;? amid concerns about the proposed building, parking, trafďŹ c and access arrangements.

It is also seeking information that â&#x20AC;&#x153;clariďŹ es the applicants precise legal interest in the subject site.â&#x20AC;?

A number of objections to the proposed development have been submitted to the local authority, notably in relation to the impact it would have in an area where there is already considerable trafďŹ c congestion.

The proposed entrance and exit were both â&#x20AC;&#x153;left-turn onlyâ&#x20AC;? on the

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Donegal men handed prison terms for cross border drugs offences

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Voters across Donegal and the State will go to the polls to decide whether to repeal or retain the Eighth Amendment on Friday.

The result is expected to be announced on Saturday.

Three sets of St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NS, Lurgybrack National School twins celebrated their First Holy Communions recently in the Church of the Irish Martyrs. See pages 18, 28 and 29 for more local First Communion coverage.

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in our hospitals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is pernicious to try to excuse away the manner in which people are being failed in the health service. People will be shocked.â&#x20AC;?

The HSEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PR spend was paid to external companies by hospital groups such as the Saolta University Health Care Group that manages LUH and hires Dublin firm Setanta Communications to handle some of its media work.

Objections lodged over proposed new Supermac's

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they left the event in Dublinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Davenport Hotel.

This is not the ďŹ rst stunt Mr Jackson has performed to highlight his pro-life beliefs. In September of last year, the Ballybofey native staged a 10-day hungerstrike outside the DĂĄil in a bid to force the

Pub llllslls lsss rr Pub Ulste Ul U Ulste Ul Ul U Year the Year oof offtthe of of THURS 24th may OFF

â&#x20AC;&#x153;offensiveâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;shockingâ&#x20AC;?.

He told the Letterkenny Post: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s serious money. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x201A;Ź1.8m needed for this short-stay ward to allow the HSE to address the issue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good point to make about the HSEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s [â&#x201A;Ź1m PR spend].

I think the money would be better spent on the short-stay ward, rather than on spin doctors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People will be angry with this.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an outrageous amount of money. These private spin doctors are paid to divert peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attentions away from the reality

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of the â&#x201A;Ź1.8m that is needed to fund a short-stay ward, which was closed during the summer, at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH).

A senior politician in the county is warning that the public will be outraged at the expenditure â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at a time when Donegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest hospital is crying out for more beds, he claims.

Donegal senator Padraig MacLochlainn, who has campaigned for the restoration of a short-stay bed in LUH to ease bed waiting lists, said the â&#x201A;Ź1m is

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The judge of the Northern Circuit, Judge John Aylmer pictured with legal practitioners at the first official sitting of the Circuit Court in the new courthouse in Letterkenny on Tuesday last. PHOTO: Clive Wasson.

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The HSEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x201A;Ź1m spend on spin doctors should have been spent to tackle the overcrowding crisis at Letterkenny University Hospital, it is claimed.

It has been revealed that the Health Service Executive ran up bills of â&#x201A;Ź1 million to pay private public relation firmsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fees last year amid record numbers of people on trolleys.

The money is more than half

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The hospital beds crisis at Letterkenny University Hospital has now reached record levels â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but with winter now with us, the situation could get even worse.

The total number of people on trolleys at Letterkenny University Hospital in 2017 stood at 4,889 which was more that TEN TIMES the total ďŹ gure of 2010 when the total was 474, the Post can reveal.

The 2017 ďŹ gure of 4,889 was up from 2,047 in 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a jump of almost 140%. After two years of falling numbers in 2015 and 2016, last year saw a remarkable spike in the numbers being accommodated on hospital trolleys rather than in proper beds in wards.

Donegal Sinn FĂŠin Senator PĂĄdraig Mac Lochlainn has described the numbers of patients on trolleys at Letterkenny Hospital throughout 2017 as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;damning indictment of Government failure.â&#x20AC;?

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A large crowd turned out in Letterkenny to support Fr Tony Coote on his long trek to Ballydehob in Cork to raise funds and awareness of Motor Neurone Disease. Supporters included, his mother Pat Coote and brother Ciaran Coote, Cllr Seamus Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Domhnaill, Cllr Ian McGarvey, Donegal Rose Niamh Duggan and Michael Murphy. See page 5 for more... PHOTO: Clive Wasson.

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Thursday 13 December 2018

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St Columba's College Prom Page 10

ALSO INSIDE

Concerns raised are 'highly unusual' occurrence

editor@letterkennypost.com

An investigation has been launched following the discovery of two whales on two separate Donegal beaches on the same the day.

The two Cuvierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beaked whales were found dead in Sheephaven Bay and Gola Island on August 4.

A third Cuvierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beaked whale was found at Tirraun on the Mullet Penin-

sula in Co. Mayo.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has described the strandings as â&#x20AC;&#x153;highly unusualâ&#x20AC;? for the deep-diving mammal.

Poor condition

According to the IWDG all three animals had likely been dead for several days and were in poor but similar condition, suggesting the possibility that all three had died around the same time.

A spokesperson for the IWDG said: "It would be relatively normal to record three or four strandings of this species in Ireland in any one year but it is highly unusual to have three recorded in separate locations on the one day."

Cuvier's beaked whales are a deep diving species and have previously been found to be particularly affected by loud underwater man-made noise (eg sonar).

Raphoe Tractor Run Page 10

Christmas party feature

Letterkenny Fair Day

Pages 19-24

Pages 14-15

Pages 26-27

Ceol le ChĂŠile Page 22

Jason Black pictured with his family at his homecoming in Letterkenny following his successful climb of the world's second highest mountain, K2.

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One of the Cuvier's beaked whales that washed up on two separate Donegal beaches. PHOTO: Gareth and Amanda Doherty.

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FOSTER CARE FAILINGS Major failings have been found in Donegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foster care services.

A Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspection on the services provided by the child and family agency, Tusla revealed a number of child protection compliance issues.

The report identiďŹ es major non-compliance with three of the eight standards against which performance was measured â&#x20AC;&#x201C; safeguarding and child protection, assessment and approval of relative foster carers and reviews of foster carers.

The Donegal foster care service has a total of 132 foster care households and the inspection found that all foster carers in the area were allocated to a professional qualified social worker and that a duty system was operated, whereby another social worker would be available to the foster family in the event that the allocated person was not available.

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HIQA report finds child protection non-compliance issues in Donegal

The inspection focused on recruitment, assessment approval, supervision and review of foster carers and found that four standards were substantially compliant but four were not.

The report said that improvements were required in the

placement of children with relatives in an emergency, safeguarding, and reviews of foster carers.

HIQA said there was a lack of oversight of the implementation of risk management plans and not all adults who had signiďŹ cant contact with children in placements had the necessary An Garda SĂ­ochĂĄna vetting.

However, the report says that the Donegal service area has provided an action plan response to address the noncompliances which were identiďŹ ed in the inspection.

Tuslaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service director for the West Region, Dr Aisling Gillen, said the inspection report â&#x20AC;&#x153;reveals an effective, child-centred fostering service in Donegal, where childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights are respected and all children and foster carers have allocated social workers.â&#x20AC;?

While HIQA found non-compliance in a number of areas including Garda vetting, Dr Gillen noted the report said they had received assurances steps were being taken to clear backlogs in these areas.

Dr Gillen said she was pleased to note that HIQA highlighted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;there were examples of very good practice in Donegalâ&#x20AC;? and had acknowledged Tuslaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work in addressing areas of concern.

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Planning ofďŹ cials could decide as early as next week whether to give the green light or not for a major extension â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which will include a spa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at one of Letterkennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best known hotels.

Donegal Co. Council is currently examining a revised planning application to build 61 additional bedrooms at McGettiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hotel (formerly Gallagherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hotel) in the centre of the town.

However, around 40 residents in the area have backed an objection that has been lodged with the planning department of Donegal Co. Council.

Their primary concerns relate to increased trafďŹ c and noise issues if the development goes ahead, and also in relation to car parking. The submission includes photographs

to support their claims.

If the go ahead is given, this will increase the number of bedrooms from 80 at present to 141.

It is proposed to demolish and â&#x20AC;&#x153;reconďŹ gureâ&#x20AC;? part of the former Milan Niteclub part of the site with the building of a new four-storey extension that would have 35 bedrooms.

A new fifth floor is also proposed over the existing bedroom block, to provide a further 26 bedrooms.

The applicants have included a report in relation to traffic and maintain that there is sufďŹ cient parking in the area, namely at the nearby McGinleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multi-storey car park.

It is also claimed that 15 new full-time jobs will be created at the hotel if planning permission is given.

According to Donegal Co. Council a decision on the planning application is due next Wednesday.

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Emma Harper, Zara Tinney and Kesha Tinney at the Wilson Barn Dance held in Aid of Donegal Hospice, St John's Ward in aid of Kelsey Barnett and Cardiac Unit Letterkenny University Hospital. (More coverage pages 26-27). PHOTO: Clive Wasson.

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Callum Friel, age 15, from Creeslough pictured with players, Jonny Evans of Northern Ireland, left and Shane Duffy (whose father Brian hails from Letterkenny) of Republic of Ireland during a visit from Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland players to Our Lady's Children's Hospital at St John's Ward Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin ahead of this week's friendly international in Dublin. PHOTO: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.

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A Donegal TD has claimed that trolley ďŹ gures at Letterkenny University Hopsital have been 'maniplated' in an attempt to downplay its overcrowding crisis.

Sinn FĂŠin TD Pearse Doherty was reacting to a statement from the Minister for Health in reply to a DĂĄil Question in which he was asked to give the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s views on overcrowding at LUH. In his answer, the Minister claimed that as of the end of October last, the number of patients on trolleys at the hospital's Emergency Department was 2,570, an increase of over 28 per cent from the year previous.

However, Deputy Doherty says that the numbers quoted by the Minister are grossly understated and has pointed to the overcrowding data compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), which has recorded the number of patients who have had to wait on trolleys at both the hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Emergency Department and Inpatient Wards between January and October to have reached 4,251.

Accusing the Government of massaging the ďŹ gures, Deputy Doherty said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In his reply, the Minister began by ďŹ rstly stating the obvious when he acknowledged that 2018 had been a challenging year for the hospital and its frontline staff with demand for unscheduled care, particularly among the over 75 age group due to the pro-longed ďŹ&#x201A;u season, having been very high. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, he went on to claim that by the end of October 2018, Emergency Department attendances at LUH were up by 4.6 per cent

compared to the same period last year, before stating that the cumulative count of patients waiting on trolleys at the hospital had been 2,570. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yet, when we compare the Ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ gures to those compiled by the INMO as part of its yearly Trolley Watch Campaign and which gives a more whole picture of hospital overcrowding, we see that the number of patients recorded as having spent time of trolleys and chairs between January and October to have actually been 4,251 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a difference of 1,681 patients or, in percentage terms, a difference of 50 per cent.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Minister is clearly trying to manipulate the ďŹ gures and he and his government are doing their best to downplay what has become a perpetual and ever worsening crisis at the hospital. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And, despite his efforts to massage these deplorable and absolutely shocking ďŹ gures, no amount of spin can hide the fact that overcrowding at the hospital has brought the service to a breaking point. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And yet while overcrowding continues to inďŹ&#x201A;ict misery on patients and staff at LUH, the Government continues to drip feed information about what measures it is putting in place to address this crisis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One only has to look at the announcement made over recent days that only half of the beds at the hospital's Short Stay Ward will be opened early next year, despite a campaign from my colleagues in Sinn FĂŠin and I who have repeatedly urged the facility to be fully reopened without delay.â&#x20AC;?

Over â&#x201A;Ź650K for Donegal Airport Donegal's Carrickfinn Airport is to receive â&#x201A;Ź650,060 in funding for the development of the airport, it has been confirmed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donegal Airport is like a jewel in the crown of the Wild Atlantic Way in Donegal and financial backing like this is an investment in the top class people who run the airport and those who are fortunate enough

to get to use it,â&#x20AC;? Minister Joe McHugh said.

This funding comes on the back â&#x201A;Ź326,700 funding that was sanctioned earlier this year to cover costs associated with safety and security.

Minister McHugh added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donegal Airport at Carrickfinn is right up there every year among the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top travel experts and public

NAME

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Fionn and Eibhlin Cannon enjoying the LK Babies Christmas Jumper Party at the Letterkenny Community Centre. See pages 22-23 for full coverage. PHOTO: Darren Crossan.

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24 REVIEW

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

WHAT MADE THE FRONT PAGES IN 2018 Letterkennypost January Letterkennypost YOUR FREE LOCAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

unprecedented trafďŹ c gridlock YOUR FREE LOCAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER amid plans to double the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population without ďŹ nishing the Thursday 4 January 201 8 countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;biggest infrastructure â&#x2014;? The hospital beds crisis at www.donega & THE NORTH WEST FOCUS lnow.com

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ALSO INSIDE The meeting heard of plans which was more that TEN TIMES Numbers on hospital trolle to increase Letterkennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the total ďŹ gure of 2010 when ys at Letterk University Ho â&#x201A;Ź2.7m for enny sp than the 2010 ital in 2017 were TEN TI population from its current ďŹ gure the total was 474, the Post M LYIT project ďŹ gure - and it could get wo ES higher of around 19,000 to 39,000 revealed. rse by 2034 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sparking councillorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The 2017 ďŹ gure of 4,889 was Chinese 'tw inning' warnings for the future of the up from 2,047 in 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Winter is here! town. a jump of almost 140%. After They revealed fears that the vital two years of falling numbers Donegal gardai stretched, under equipped, and feeling abandoned Bonagee Link Road, which is in 2015 and 2016, last year proposed to ease congestion in saw a remarkable spike in the Out & About Letterkenny, will not open until numbers being accommodated the year 2031 at the earliest on hospital trolleys rather than and will be out-of-date by then in proper beds in wards. because it would be insufďŹ cient Raphoe 5k to meet the needs of the rapidly â&#x2014;? Letterkennny is facing Brrrr.....New Year's Day Swim growing population. dire consequences from Pub Pub Thursday 18 January 2018

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â&#x2014;? An eight-year-old schoolgirl was smiling again after enduring a lengthy operation, her family revealed. Mikaela Breen has a Spina BiďŹ da condition that affects her bladder and bowel functions. She underwent surgery in Liverpoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous Alder Hey Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital last week.

Her loving parents, mum Sinead and dad Chris, have been by her bedside and have kept their supporters informed on Facebook page Mobilize for Mikaela.

They revealed their daughter, who goes to Scoil Bhride Convoy and recently celebrated her birthday with her school friends, was in recovery from her operation.

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Pages 3

5 Steps to the Perfect Wedding Pages 19-24

rt Variety Conce Pages 26-27

servgal Cancer Bus The vital Done affected by sancbe tiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ice will not by the Chari tions imposed been claimed. has RegRegulator, it rday that the It emerged yeste g to prosecute tenin threa is charity ulator New cancer corpo the Good and to ng relati amid accusations. nance gover charrate rkenny based But the Lette the Donegal Cancer patients ity - which runs port cancer vowed trans to Bus treatment - has for lifesaving on. been that it will go y Post has The Letterkenn will not be closed shop will contold that the Cancer Bus and that the rt Donegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cancer tinue to suppo

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patients. rday (Tuesday) RegulaIt emerged yeste the Charitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the morning that g to prosecute tor is threatenin sanctions have that charity and by the Regulator folbeen imposed t site inspection amid ty is not lowing a recen that the chari s ation obliaccus with â&#x20AC;&#x153;its legal fully compliant proper books of acgation to keep s countâ&#x20AC;?. opment come alThe shock devel hs after it was only two montlast Christmas that 000 leged before ed over â&#x201A;Ź400, the charity receiv in the two years spent it more than ty previous. an for the chari A spokeswom a statement to the d has now issue in response to the Letterkenny Postator threat.

Charitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Regul INUED ON PAGE 4 CONT

Pubb er Pu s er sst lsst Ulllllslls Ul U Ul U ar Year thee Ye offtth of of oof

who was at Scoil ansformation, See of OperationTr front of the RTE cameras. for 10 at 10, part class in fitness coaches joined in for an exercise ale, one of the GrĂĄinne Bleasd kenny last week where pupils Colmcille in Letter 41. more on page

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Letterkennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous â&#x201A;Ź5 cab fares could be stamped out as taxi drivers consider ending their 10-year practice of undercharging customers.

Higher metered rates were approved 12 years ago by the taxi regulator, but Letterkenyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drivers continued to charge â&#x201A;Ź5 ďŹ&#x201A;atrate fees because the national rates were â&#x20AC;&#x153;too dearâ&#x20AC;?.

Some local taxi drivers are now warning that full metered charges â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which include starting prices of up to â&#x201A;Ź9.70 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; could be ushered in after a member of the public went on Highland Radio to complain that he was charged too much, prompting a potential

examination of taxi practices in Letterkenny by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The member of the public claimed that a 1.7km (1.05 miles) taxi journey from An Grianan Theatre in Letterkenny to the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nearby Glencar Inn pub for three people cost â&#x201A;Ź8.60.

Speaking on air, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It showed â&#x201A;Ź6.20 on the meter and then he [the driver] pressed a button and the fare went up to â&#x201A;Ź8.60. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually only â&#x201A;Ź5. There were three of us. Have taxi fares gone up?â&#x20AC;?

The latest fare increases from the National Transport Authority (NTA) came into force on February 1 past and cabbies can be

ďŹ ned â&#x201A;Ź100 for caught not using meters and not issuing metered receipts.

Members of the public were invited to object to the fare increases during a three-month consultation last summer from July to September.

It is understood that the Letterkenny manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x201A;Ź8.60 taxi fare included a â&#x201A;Ź1 per person charge for the two extra passengers, a legal â&#x201A;Ź2 charge that drivers can apply, as per NTA regulations.

Other legal charges, which drivers can apply, include â&#x201A;Ź2.50 for a call-out on top of a â&#x201A;Ź4.20 evening hire charge, plus a â&#x201A;Ź3 fee for up to three extra passengers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a total of â&#x201A;Ź9.70.

This is before the car even begins its journey.

A veteran Letterkenny

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This complaint has opened a can of worms.

Customers in Letterkenny have been charged â&#x201A;Ź5 for the last 10 years, but that could all change now. taxi driver has now told The Post: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This complaint has opened a can of worms. Customers in Letterkenny have been charged â&#x201A;Ź5 for the last 10 years, but that could all change now.â&#x20AC;?

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(Continued on page 2)

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A Donegal garda has warned that Letterkenny gardai are going to be stretched to cover downgraded stations elsewhere in the county.

He is warning that the diversion could lead to less effective policing in the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest town with a population of nearly 20,000 people.

The withering attack from Garda Representative Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Don-

egal spokesman Brendan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor focused on managementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy of pulling gardai from one station to cover a lack of resources at another.

He indicated that low morale within the force in Donegal and went as far as to say that local guards feel â&#x20AC;&#x153;abandonedâ&#x20AC;?.

GRA spokesman Garda Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor, who last November warned that the lives of gardai are being put at risk due to reduced numbers, was this week speaking out about the closure of the Garda TrafďŹ c Unit in Bunbeg, Gweedore.

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â&#x2014;? The vital Donegal Cancer Bus service would not be affected by sanctions imposed by the Charitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Regulator, it has been claimed.

It emerged that the Regulator was threatening to prosecute the Good and New cancer charity amid accusations relating to corporate

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governance. But the Letterkenny based charity - which runs the Donegal Cancer Bus to transport cancer patients for lifesaving treatment - vowed that it will go on. The Letterkenny Post was told that the shop would not be closed and that the Cancer Bus would continue to support Donegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cancer patients. â&#x2014;? Plans by one of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest fast food restaurant and take-away chains to build a new outlet in Letterkenny hit a number of stumbling blocks.

Last year, it emerged that Galway headquartered Supermacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was looking at Letterkenny, and a planning application was lodged with Donegal Co. Council to build a two-storey premises, with a drive through facility, on a site adjacent to the busy Station Roundabout and close to the main entrance to Letterkenny Shopping Centre.

However, Donegal Co. Council has now issued an executive order asking the applicant to â&#x20AC;&#x153;submit revised plansâ&#x20AC;? amid concerns about the proposed building, parking, trafďŹ c and access arrangements.

March â&#x2014;? March got off to a chilly start as temperatures in Donegal were expected to plummet as the country became gripped in Arctic like polar vortex winds from Siberia and the North Pole.

Multitude warnings were issued by the state authorities but while the speculation was that the east and the south east would be the worst hit, painful experience is that the north west should ignore the potential ferocity of the rapid changes in temperature at its peril. â&#x2014;? Letterkennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous â&#x201A;Ź5 cab fares could be stamped out as taxi drivers consider ending their 10-year practice of undercharging customers, it emerged.

Higher metered rates were approved 12 years ago by the taxi regulator, but Letterkenyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drivers continued to charge â&#x201A;Ź5 ďŹ&#x201A;at-rate fees because the national rates were â&#x20AC;&#x153;too dearâ&#x20AC;?.

Some local taxi drivers warned that full metered charges â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which include starting prices of up to

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will be expected to cover road policing elements in west Donegal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not realistic. These units are severely depleted in manpower too. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The trafďŹ c unit in Letterkenny is often diverted away from their core functions and used for something like prison escorts and delivering urgent dispatches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are also budgetary constraints that stops them from being away from their station for more than ďŹ ve hours. Realistically, they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be far from Letterkenny.â&#x20AC;?

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

He revealed: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back to the old adage of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;do more with lessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. What happens is that the trafďŹ c units in Donegal Town and Letterkenny will be expected to cover road policing elements in west Donegal.

He told the Letterkenny Post: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letterkenny will be called out to cover, but Letterkenny is busy enough and resources there are stretched. They have very low numbers.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back to the old adage of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;do more with lessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. What happens is that the trafďŹ c units in Donegal Town and Letterkenny

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This beautiful picture of Fintown captures the wintery conditions that has gripped Donegal in recent days.

Speaking at the launch of the Bryden project in Belfast, Minister Joe Mc Hugh TD, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This collaboration will see LYIT, among many other things, examine the potential for wave and tidal power generation in Donegal.â&#x20AC;?

He also met the ďŹ rst student recruited to the Bryden Centre.

LYIT in conjunction with QUB registered the ďŹ rst student to the Bryden Centre programme.

Nuala Carr a Donegal native accepted a Bryden Centre studentship and registered as a QUB PhD student in November.

Nuala while a student of QUBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Built Environment, Planning and Architecture is based at the Bryden Centre, CoLab, LYIT. She is co-supervised by Dr Wesley Flannery, QUB and Drâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s John Doran and Simon Stephens, LYIT.

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LYIT is to share in a â&#x201A;Ź9.7m research windfall.

The Donegal campus is being awarded â&#x201A;Ź2.7m for its role in a new cross-border research centre for renewable energy projects.

The Bryden Centre for Advanced Marine and Bio-Energy Research will recruit 34 PhD students across the marine and bio-energy disciplines and will be based at LYIT, Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University Belfast, Ulster University and the University of Highlands and Islands in western Scotalnd.

LYIT will act as lead institution for seven PhD candidates and will co-supervise many more.

The project currently involves staff from three schools in the Institute, Business, Science and Engineering and is truly multi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; disciplinary in nature.

The Institute will beneďŹ t from â&#x201A;Ź2.7m worth of funding to cover studentships, PDRAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, an administrative post to support the project and equipment. It is an opportunity to build further research capacity across institute at Level 10.

chris@letterk ennypost.com

The hospital beds crisis at terke nny Univ Lethas now reach ersity Hosp ital but with winte ed recor d levels â&#x20AC;&#x201C; situation couldr now with us, the The total numbget even worse. trolleys at Lette er of people on rkenny Unive sity Hospital r4,889 which in 2017 stood at was TIMES the total more that TEN ďŹ gure of 2010 when the total was 474, the can reveal.

Post The 2017 ďŹ gure of 4,889 was up from 2,047 jump of almo in 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a years of fallinst 140%. After two and 2016, last g numbers in 2015 able spike in year saw a remarkthe accommodated numbers being leys rather thanon hospital trolin proper beds in wards.

Done gal Sinn FĂŠin Sena PĂĄdraig Mac Lochlainn has tor scribed the numb deers of patients on trolleys at tal throughou Letterkenny Hospiing indictment 2017 as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;damnt of Governme failure.â&#x20AC;? nt

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Plans by one gest fast food of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bigtake-away chain restaurant and outlet in Letter s to build a new kenny have number of stumb hit ling blocks. a Last year, it emerged that way headquarter Galed Supermacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was looking at planning applicLetterkenny, and a with Donegal ation was lodged Co. a two-storey premiCouncil to build ses, with a drive through facilit y, on a site adjacent to the busy Station Round and close to the main entranabout Letterkenny ce to Shopp However, Doneg ing Centre. al Co. Counc has now issued il asking the applican executive order ant to â&#x20AC;&#x153;subm vised plansâ&#x20AC;? amid concerns it rethe proposed about trafďŹ c and accesbuilding, parking, s arrangement It is also seekin s. g inform that â&#x20AC;&#x153;clariďŹ es the applicantsation An aerial view of the propo cise legal intere pre- busy round sed st in the subjec about at the entran site for a Supermac's fast-fo site.â&#x20AC;? t ot restau ce to Letterkenny Shopping Centre rant and take-away in Letterk A number of Port Road. . enny, beside proposed develoobjections to the the One of the object pment have congregating.â&#x20AC;? submitted to ions expresses the local authobeen concern about anti-so Had notably in relatio rity, and waste cial activity light the project got the green construction period n to the impac and 25 from plann it would have manent roles t and claim management issues, once operationalperhad indicated ers, Supermacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s s that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the there is alread in an area where develo The planning proposed that it was its tention to application . inďŹ c congestion.y considerable traf- mises pment potentially comp ro- operationaldevelop the site and be the name of Atlantic Enterp is in the insura The proposed nces of neigh Limited, whose later this year. rises bourin Accor were both â&#x20AC;&#x153;left-tentrance and exit becom g properties where it Pat McDonagh, directors include will seen byding to docum entati on urn onlyâ&#x20AC;? on e the chief execu the Post, the the nightc a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;destinationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for post tive of Super lub and barsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; macâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. company envis ages the The customers estim ated 80 creati on of an ously site in question was previjobs durin g the subject of the four-is land ďŹ lling statioplans for a n.

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â&#x2014;? Two men from Donegal were handed prison sentences afterKUGA 7 YEAR WARRANTY pleading guilty to a number of â&#x201A;Ź5,000 Savings* cross border drugs offences.

Desmond EnďŹ eld (34) of Ramelton and Seamus Boyce (38) of Letterkenny, were sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court along with their co-defendants, Kieran Austin (61) from Lurgan and Darren Donnelly (33) of Sixmilecross, Omagh.

Desmond EnďŹ eld was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 months to be served in prison and 12 months on licence, as well as a Forfeiture Order issued for a Audi vehicle.

Seamus Boyce was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; eight months to be served in prison and eight months on licence, as well as a Forfeiture Order for a Ford vehicle.

WEST

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â&#x201A;Ź9.70 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; could be ushered in after a member of the public complained that he was charged too much, prompting a potential examination of taxi practices in Letterkenny by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

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Two men from Donegal have been handed prison sentences after pleading guilty to a number of cross border drugs offences.

Desmond EnďŹ eld (34) of Ramelton and Seamus Boyce (38) of Letterkenny, were sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court along

with their co-defendants, Kieran Austin (61) from Lurgan and Darren Donnelly (33) of Sixmilecross, Omagh.

Desmond EnďŹ eld was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 months to be served in prison and 12 months on licence, as well as a Forfeiture Order issued for a Audi vehicle. Seamus Boyce was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; eight months to be served in prison and eight months on licence, as well as a Forfeiture Order for a Ford vehicle.

Yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Tuesday) sentencing brought to a close a joint investigation between the PSNIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Organised Crime Unit and An Garda Siochana, into the importation and supply of controlled drugs.

Detective Inspector Tom McClure, of PSNIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Organised Crime Unit, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;On April 22, 2016 officers searched three vehicles in a layby at Derrymacash Road, Lurgan. In one of the vehicles, ofďŹ cers uncovered herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of ÂŁ300,000 in 15 vacuum packed plastic bags in the back of one of the vehicles.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The three male occupants - Desmond EnďŹ eld, Seamus Boyce and Kieran Austin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; were arrested at the scene as they were caught in the act of supplying ÂŁ300k of herbal cannabis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Further enquiries by the PSNIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Organised Crime Unit resulted in signiďŹ cant evidence which proved the involvement of HGV driver

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;All four have now been sentenced for their role in the supply of controlled drugs by an organised crime gang operating in Derry/Londonderry and County Donegal areas.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would particularly like to acknowledge the assist-

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ance provided by our partners in An Garda Siochana who worked closely with us in this cross-border proactive investigation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This organised crime gang were supplying large quantities of controlled drugs into the Derry/ Londonderry and Donegal areas which had the potential to cause signiďŹ cant harm.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keep Safeâ&#x20AC;? road show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keep Safeâ&#x20AC;? road show came to Letterkenny. Up to 100 children from Scoil Mhuire Gan SmĂĄl , Scoil Cholmcille and St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s N.S. Lurgybrack attended the Health and Safety Authority event in the Aura Complex, Letterkenny.

Pictured at the event are students trying out the mountain rescue shelter.

PHOTO: Clive Wasson.

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Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

WHAT MADE THE FRONT PAGES IN 2018 Letterkennypost April Letterkennypost YOUR FREE LOCAL WEEKL Y NEWSPAPER

Thursday 12 April 2018

l A thoughtless dog owner was accused of causing an unholy mess at a Letterkenny church.

Clar Road, Do negal Town Te l: 07 4 97 It was claimed that the pet lover had ww w.d mg mo 21 39 6 tor s.ie been causing a stink at the Church of the Irish Martyrs on Gortlee Road for ALSO INSID E Groundsman claims 300 bag the last three years. s of dog faeces thrown over chu rch walls The churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s groundsman told the Letterkenny Post that up to 300 bags New look McDonald's of dog waste has been chucked over opened the church wall.

Jim Patton (75), who has been the From only ¤21 9 per monchurch caretaker since the 1990s, th Pearse Rd, revealed his work was without Letterkenny, Co. Donegal incident for 20 years - but all that 074 912 0622 changed around 2015.

Since then, there has been an REFURBISHED unrelenting barrage of dog poop See inside on page 27 being spread all over the church grounds, including the grassy area in llllsl Pub Ulster Ul U Ulster U Ul Ul Pub oof of the Year Year off the of front of the priestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; parochial house, THURS 12th apr OFF THE KUFF TAKE fri 13th apr 074 916 0008 and at the main entrance to the car d cchh iilll l iish YOUR KARAOKE DJ PAU ak sha er ke r L PICK SAT 14th apr RYA park, but mostly at the junction of N TURNER BAND â&#x201A;Ź2,700!

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Page 27

THE NEW SEAT

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hy been the churc sean.murphy@ rivermedia.ie since the 1990s, h caretaker work was withou revealed his A thoughtless t incident for 20 years been accuse dog owner has aroun - but all that changed d d 2015. unholy mess of causing an Since then, at a Letterkenny church. an unrelentingthere has been It is claime poop being barrage of dog spread all over lover has beend that the pet the at the Church causing a stink ing church grounds, includ the grassy area tyrs on Gortleof the Irish Mar- the priestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; paroc in front of last three years.e Road for the and hial house, at the main entran The churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s groundsman the car park, but mostly ce to has told the at the juncti Letter that up to 300 kenny Post Cruac on of Gortlee Road and h Na Cille. waste has been bags of dog Jim the church wall. chucked over culpriis now appealing for the t to desist Jim Patton and show (75), who has some decency.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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l A senior official at Donegal Co. Council unequivocally eliminated any chance of any

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l The Cathaoirleach of Donegal lashed out at the deteriorating state of Letterkennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roads and appealed that council chiefs take urgent remedial action.

Cllr Gerry McMonagle hit out during a discussion about potholes at this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting of Letterkennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s councillors. Almost a quarter of all the motions tabled by councillors at the meeting concerned problems associated with bad roads in Letterkenny.

Cllr McMonagle said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are between a rock and hard place. We havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t got the resources that we need for the onth in this bloody county.â&#x20AC;? per mroads

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Pages 22-23

kenny despite West 10K in Letter ng the North Runners enjoyi full coverage. pages 25-32 for

CCTV EXTENSION

By Rory Mooney

editor@letterkennypost.com

Letterkennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CCTV network is set for a major expansion, it has been announced.

Taking the lead, Letterkennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chmber of Commerce, along with Donegal Co. Council and An Garda Siochana have applied for funding from the Department of Justice to upgrade the current system by adding new cameras in various location throughout the town.

The need for an increase in CCTV cameras has been a hot topic of late, with several high proďŹ le crimes being committed in the town, including the brutal attack of 18-year-old girl, Shanan Reid McDaid.

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hy year, compared sean.murphy@ rivermedia.ie throughout 2016 to 217 burglaries (a jump of 35 cent). per Letterkenny This repor was the most gled area in bur- hours after t was released 24 all of Done An Garda according to a new report gal, published ďŹ gures to Siochana ďŹ cial crime statis show that on of- home burgl aries have dropp There were 95 tics. across Donegal ed burglaries in Letterkenny the These provi so far in 2018. area cording to Centr last year, ac- show there sional Garda ďŹ gures al Statistic were 62 resid (CSO) ďŹ gure ential s, which have OfďŹ ce burglaries in Donegal for the ďŹ rst examined as been part of â&#x20AC;&#x153;an-depthâ&#x20AC;? port by secur reity company Watch.

Phone Donegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s larges t town, which the location of only one of four is hour Garda statio 24had signiďŹ cantly ns in the county, more burgl than the next worst hit townsaries cording to the , acCSO stats.

There were 95 burglaries Letterkenny in and 16 in both donagh and Ballybofey â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Carning there were meanburglaries in 493 per cent more Lette Donegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other rkenny than in The report by worst hit areas.

Phone Watch security company out an â&#x20AC;&#x153;in-de - which has carried pthâ&#x20AC;? the ofďŹ cial CSO examination of year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was publi ďŹ gures for last shed on Tuesd of this week. ay Phone Watc Report show hâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2017 Burglary s there were 292 burglaries in Done gal for all of that

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tem has been very successful over the last 10 years. Originally, we knew it would need to be extended and we are pleased to have this opportunity to apply for this funding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope that it will give the public an increased sense of security and will help in the detection of crime. We know from the outset of the original system that the cameras were very effective. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As technology has moved on we believe that the extension to the system will contribute even more to creating a safer society for all.â&#x20AC;?

The Chamber President also urged residents of Letterkenny to email their comments and ideas for the new CCTV system to: cctvletterkenny@gmail.com.

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Subject to funding from the Department of Justice, it is intended that two cameras will be installed at the Polestar Roundabout as it is a busy junction and a main arterial route leading into the town centre.

It is hoped the CCTV system can be extended to include new cameras at the Junction of Oliver Plunkett Road and Main Street, as this area is deemed as the heart of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nightlife.

The junction of Larkins Lane and Pearse Road has also been earmarked for new cameras as well as the hospital roundabout.

Speaking about the proposed extension to the system Leonard Watson, President of Letterkenny Chamber said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letterkenny Community CCTV sys-

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l Letterkenny was the most burgled area in all of Donegal, according to a new report on official crime statistics. s 90th Muriel Kellys' There were 95 burglaries in the Letterkenny area in Birthday 2017, according to Central Statistic Office (CSO) figures, that were examined as part of â&#x20AC;&#x153;an-depthâ&#x20AC;?

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TAK colo nditiDonegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good, ur touc onin Reso said during Cllr McMonagle ng of the meeti the monthly Municipal DisLetterkenny between a rock trict: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are . and hard place got the reâ&#x20AC;&#x153;We haven â&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need for the we sources that y.â&#x20AC;? bloody count roads in this â&#x20AC;&#x153;As I drive He added later: roads in Letaroun d the all see how terke nny, we around the es major arteri ling. crumb town are are crumbling. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our roads curthat we are The money [for roads] is a rently getting pittance.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are in the He continued: the county in premier town are crumbling. and the roads PAGE 4 CONTINUED ON

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l Letterkennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CCTV network was set for a major expansion, it was announced.

Taking the lead, Letterkennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chmber of Commerce, along with Donegal Co. Council and An Garda Siochana applied for funding from the Department of Justice to upgrade the current system by adding new cameras in various location throughout the town.

The need for an increase in CCTV cameras had been a hot topic, with several high profile crimes being committed in the town, including the brutal attack of 18-year-old girl, Shanan Reid McDaid.

THE VOLKSWAG now Typical Finance EN GROUP www.donegal example: SEAT Leon 1.2 TSI Refer Optional Final Payment ¤7,21 ence OTRP ¤19,5 8.10. Total hire offer is made 95 (¤18,995 + under a hire purch purchase price FOLLOW US ON: ¤21,148.61 includ ¤600 dealer & delivery relate ase agreement and regulated SEA by the Central d charges). Depo . SEAT Finance ing T.IE accep tance Bank of Irelan is a trading style sit / Part Excha fee and comp 3.8-6.0l/100km d for conduct letion fee (¤75 of Volkswagen nge ¤5,896.51, and C0 emiss of business rules. each). Minimum Bank GmbH Branc ions are 99-13 36 monthly paym 2 Model shown 9g/km. deposit is 10%. h Ireland, autho ents of ¤219. is for illustrative Subject to lendi rised by the purposes only. ng criteria. This Official combined Federal Financial Supervisor y Authority in fuel consumptio Germany n figures for the SEAT Leon range are

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community group using Letterkennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old courthouse. The official wrote to a Letterkenny-based community organisation to expressly rule out use of the historic building by it or â&#x20AC;&#x153;other groups and organisations, who have also approached the councilâ&#x20AC;?.

Details of the letter emerged , just days after a petition was set up by angered members of the public to appeal to the council to open the former court to use by Letterkenny community groups.

quarter of 2018, burglaries over compared to 115 Donegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the same three month period - ďŹ cer, GardaCrime Prevention Ofin 2017 (a fall Sergeant Paul per cent). of 46 lace said: Walâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to A senior Done see a fall in any area of crime gal garda has sponded to . welcome the re- burglaries reportedThere were 115 Garda ďŹ gure s, but he has new date for 2017 and in the year-tourged that 62 [so far] this also year vigila tion must rema nce and cau- for â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a 46 per cent drop Done in gal. a top prior for homes and â&#x20AC;&#x153;The CSO has businesses in ity county. to verify those the ďŹ gures.â&#x20AC;?

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3.

Wesley Ramse y, PRO unveils a PGA plaque to at the officia l launch of the Ballyraine National Schoo l Classic to be heldGolf Letterkenny Golf at Club on Saturday, May 19. Front from left are: Ben Ander son, Joseph Kelly, Charlie Robinson, Ellie O'Donnell, Olivia and Jamie Rodge Scott Back from left rs. are: Vikie McArt, Karen Welch, Billy Ramse Margaret Ramse y, Wesley Ramse y, y, Raymond Sween ey and David Olive.

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8.1 travel95 r 9,5 GEN GROUP offer is madewww.donegaent ¤7,21From erou rem Minister Health, 0. a you SWA gen is g all Tot VOLK (¤1 for stin Leon al T THE een 8,9 SEA 95 + ¤6 e pu under a hire pu too. Boa em withhir /MEMBER OF Thursday 21 June 2018 ur touc FOLLOW US ON rchhscr ase Y. deale 00 5â&#x20AC;? colo engines, the new pridies ceel¤2 : rheckled rch ia systag & delivery rel NOLOGY TO ENJO 1,1The and regulated medase TECHMinister 48N..61 ssions petrol and reelow meemi inc with calls him to resign over the ated cha nt. luding accwas NEW SEAT LEO and SEAT.IE by the Central fuel efficient SEAT Finth.anTHE T.IE

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Addressrway Specialist plans unde the regional centre, for Deceasedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family reported case to Ombudsman ofďŹ ce ALSO INSIDE ALSO INSIDE NAME Telephone Fa a urology review, it was l Letterkenny took a dress x EmAd ai l Email revealed. massive step forward in Address Telephone Fax Website Website The case was included in becoming a Gaeltacht town.

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A separate initiative will specialed Work is underway on promote dedicated supports sanction ist plans to support and in Let- for four Gaeltacht Service Towns, Irish is Letterkenny, for the increased use of t on one of which and comsocial leisure, g terkenny and in the Gaeltach providin .

Irish speakArranmore and in Dungloe mercial amenities for for Strategy Under the 20-Year 0 and ers. language, the Irish Language 2010-203 Minister for the Irish Process, the Islands, Joe the Language Planning t Act Gaeltacht and Deas set out under the Gaeltach ed McHugh said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;OfďŹ cials in my sanction 2012, speciďŹ c regions

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Pages 21-26

15/06/2018 16:10 15/06/2018 16:10

A man passed away after a 12 day delay in arranging a transfer Letterkenny University Hospital to University Hospital Galway, the regional centre, for a urology review, it has been revealed.

The case is included in Ombudsman Peter Tyndallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual report which shows 79 complaints were last year received from people living in Donegal.

The report reveals a man complained how his brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condition deteriorated in Letterkenny before a transfer occurred and he later passed away.

The man felt that not enough was done to ensure the transfer happened. In addition, his brother suffered a number of falls while he was in hospital. The family complained that they were not told

about all the falls.

Mr Tyndallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report reveals the man suffered four falls while in hospital. He received treatment after each fall and an orange band was placed on his wrist to indicate he was at risk of falling.

However, no particular actions were taken to prevent him falling again, documentation was incomplete and the family was not noti-

ďŹ ed of all the falls.

The urology team in the regional centre accepted the man for transfer but his name was not added to the bed management list in the regional centre until 13 days later.

The local hospital rang most days to see if a bed was available and wrote in the bed management log book â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;no bedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;not on listâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

outdoors as the A unique music session sun sets over Muckish. and the spicy The Happy Camper Pancakes all evening.

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â&#x2014;? Fifteen children with autism from a Letterkenny summer camp group had the chance to attend the Irish Open thanks to the trojan efforts of St Eunan's GAA stalwart, John Haran and the local Donegal community.

John began contacting the European Tour eight weeks before the tournament began but grew ever frustrated as he was redirected to a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;relevant personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at every juncture without an actual reply.

This is when the power of social media and the goodwill of the Donegal people came to the fore for the entire world to see. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jimmy Stafford from the Bank of Ireland then saw

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by reaching the summit the world's of memory. second highe mountain - K2. st camp a On arrival at base plaque was erect Donegal man The Limer ed in Ger McDonnell' has begun his Jason Black in 2008 whenick climber died This is not Jasons memory. 's ďŹ rst atthe world's bid to climb in an avala he was caught tempt at nche on his ous mountain most danger- scent. de- is locat climbing K2, which - for a second ed on time!

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words to stop for action â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time and best the trainingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friends, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;r done the comm e my world youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;r made the self itments are carry me e my inspiration all time high. belief is at an prayer." on your wings in Donegal and lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m off to do An Irish Red Cross ambasonce again." Ireland proud sador, Jason is one of He added: "Than the elite group to k you to all have summited my supporters Everest. estlyâ&#x20AC;Ś and to for their honHe also without whommy sponsors taineering holds the mounnot have been this would completingworld record for possi a "Finally my beaut ble. of Kilimanjar double ascent o in 22 and iful family half hours. a

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to the top on hope to reach Monday and the summit by Saturday.

Writing on his blog befor their ascen t, Jason said:e "This is the bigge st climb of my life, all the rest been preparation have just for this mountain. K2 it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t getis the ultimate much bigger than this and so so ready. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m ready, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m "So for now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for

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GardaĂ­ urged the publiscam. ly to the scene investiises. e launched an break- and arrived quick , the prem ver a float of â&#x201A;Ź450 was mobile phon the calls from +88 GardaĂ­ have going to print Howe ing overnight At the time of d to the public to raid.

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who suffered a Donegal man alia The family of following a fall in Austr es serious injuri to be by his side. have ďŹ&#x201A;own out going to print, 21-year-olda At the time of Shaun Dunworth was in man, ital. lton hosp Rame in a Sydney e critical conditionwas discovered by polic Mr Dunworth ey Harbour Bridge. A full Sydn close to the into the incident has been investigation police.

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Garvey said the will pull throu Affairs is prohoping Shaun t of Foreign The Departmen to the family. lar assistance have launched a viding consu Dunworth Friends of Mr to help raise funds to his GoFundMe page gal. return to Done

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Chamber sends clear message to Varadkar

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The importance of upgrading the infrastructure of Letterkenny, and indeed Donegal, was highlighted to An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, when he visited Letterkenny on Tuesday.

Letterkenny Chamber President, Leonard Watson, stressed the need to upgrade the main road from Letterkenny to Lifford and the link into the A5 from Derry to Aughnacloy which has been earmarked for upgrading - although the project has been the subject of numerous delays.

"We would urge you do do whatever you can to make this a reality," he told those gathered in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny, where Mr. Varadkar was the guest of honour, and guest speaker.

Mr. Watson also reiterated calls for a new bridge over the River Swilly (locally referred to as the Bonagee Link) and the planned bypass of Ballybofey and Stranorlar.

He also spoke of how local businesses have had to battle with the challenges caused by the weakness of sterling, and the continuing concerns over Brexit.

Emphasizing the need for â&#x20AC;&#x153;sustainable growthâ&#x20AC;? and a change from the "boom or bust" cycle of the past, Mr Varadkar outlined a number of priorities to drive development.

This includes better management of public ďŹ nances and re-

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar adressing local business owners and leaders at the Letterkenny Chamber lunch yesterday (Tuesday) during his official visit to Donegal. PHOTO: Clive Wasson.

ducing the national debt; raising living standards; reducing the cost of access to childcare, education and healthcare; achieving full employment; investing in public infrastructure (including housing), modernising the public sector; and developing new long term

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Donegal adventurer and extreme sport competitor Jason Black is preparing to return to his native county having conquered the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second highest mountain K2.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a truly tremendous achievement and it was with huge pride that he ďŹ&#x201A;ew the tricolour and the Donegal ďŹ&#x201A;ag on the summit of the 8,611m (28,251 ft) mountain.

But two other people that he met during the course of his climb of the 'Savage Mountain' have tragically died. (continued on page 2)

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Jason Black with the tricolour at the top of K2, the second highest mountain in the world and one of most dangerous.

funding mechanisms.

Regarding Brexit, he warned that whatever happens some of the new trading and security partnerships â&#x20AC;&#x153;could take years to negotiate.â&#x20AC;?

Chamber Vice-President Jimmy Stafford told Mr. Varadkar that the

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He also called on Mr. Varadkar to "stand your ground" on Brexit, given Donegal's particular exposure to changes ahead, not least due to its geographical location.

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â&#x2014;? Major failings were found in Donegal's foster care services. A Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspection on the services provided by the child and family agency Tusla revealed a number of child protection compliance issues.

The report identiďŹ ed major non-compliance with three of the eight standards against which performance was measured â&#x20AC;&#x201C; safeguarding and child protection, assessment and approval of relative foster carers and reviews of foster carers â&#x2014;? The importance of upgrading the infrastructure of Letterkenny, and indeed Donegal, was highlighted to An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, when he visited Letterkenny.

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The funeral of one of the victim car crash has s of the Doneg taken place. al

Shiva Devine was one of two people in the collision who died in Bundoran on ing.

Sunday mornShiva's funera day morning. l took place in Ballintra on TuesAt the service, condolences to Fr Joe Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell extended and tragic death,Shivaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family on her untim his ely est experiences saying it was one of the tough in any given lifetim The horriďŹ c crash, e. which left nall McAleer dead and three Shiva and Coninjured, has sent more seriou nities on both shockwaves through commsly sides of the borde uRachel Elliot is r. mont Hospital. in a critical condition in Beauwere taken to Two other male passengers Sligo University rious condition.

Hospital in a seAll ďŹ ve were in The driver was their twenties. self voluntarily arrested after presenting himat Ballyshanno He was later releas n Garda ed without charge Station. is being sent to and a ďŹ le the DPP.

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patients within band has gone this waiting time numb since January. up by 25 per cent have er of patients on waiting lists remained relativ Over 2,000 Donegal TD patients have ely static at crease since January. over 15,000 Pearse Doher waiting 18 â&#x20AC;&#x153;This since March ty months and been acted angrily to of this ation is a very dangerous the latest ďŹ gurere- year, those waiting for outpatient more situand the fact Depu in the longest time bands that the terkenny Univetreatment in Let- latest ty Doherty said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thess. e been increa for treatment have tion of travel here, where direchas been revea rsity Hospital, it Outpa ďŹ gures from the NTPF by each month more sing steadily. into led. tient waiting and more patien â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can see from The ďŹ gures, comp times at Letare facing exces terken the ny ďŹ gure the number sive waits to ts tional Treatment lied by the Na- a horriďŹ University Hospital paint of patients s that ceive specialist Purchase Fund c picture of the whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve hospi been waiting treatment at re(NTPF), show nature the for 15 tal, should the crisis within be enoug waiting in exces2,351 people are within the hospital of more is now 10 per months or spur gover and nment to take h to cent s of 18 month see a consultant, s to broad our health service more than at the start of 2018. higher action.â&#x20AC;? urgent ly. have increa â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, the every month He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Give â&#x20AC;&#x153;The data repre most alarming since the startsed ďŹ nding from n the fact that 2018. sents the DĂĄil is set of ing for a ďŹ rst appoi those wait- to the numb the NTPF data relates comin to resume in It means that ntmen ers the whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been consultant-l t at a ing the number wait- this g weeks, I intend to raise over a year of the hospi ed Outpatient clinic at issue with the and a half to tal and while a consultant see call on Minister and the overall which now stand him to interv 2,351 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a whop ping 25 per cents at clearly the time for ene because action has long in- since come and gone.â&#x20AC;? editor@letterke nnypost.com

RYAN STRIKE S THE broadcaster broug RIGHT CHORD IN RATHM ULLAN... Late ht his show to Late Donegal this week. PHOTO Show host Ryan Tubridy pictur : Clive Wasson. ed with the gosple

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â&#x2014;? More than 65 new jobs are expected to be created when a new 64-bed nursing home opens in Letterkenny in November.

Larissa Lodge Nursing Home, located in the Carnamuggagh/ Mountain Top area will provide long-term, convalescence, respite and step-down care for older people.

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A new report has revealed Donegal have that 85 pubs across closed The report, carrie from 2005 to 2017. of Ireland, shows d out Drinks Industry Group Donegal in 2005 that there were 453 pubs in There are 7,443compared to 368 in 2017. lion in revenue jobs which generate â&#x201A;Ź168 for millocal touris report stated m economy, . the

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President, Leonard Watson, stressed the need to upgrade the main road from Letterkenny to Lifford and the link into the A5 from Derry to Aughnacloy which has been earmarked for upgrading although the project has been the subject of numerous delays.

"We would urge you do do whatever you can to make this a reality," he told those gathered in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny, where Mr Varadkar was the guest of honour, and guest speaker.

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Thursday 13 September 2018

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â&#x2014;? An investigation was launched following the discovery of two whales on two separate Donegal beaches on the same the day. The two Cuvierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beaked whales were found dead in Sheephaven Bay and Gola Island.

A third Cuvierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beaked whale was found at Tirraun on the Mullet Peninsula in Co. Mayo.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has described the strandings as â&#x20AC;&#x153;highly unusualâ&#x20AC;? for the deep-diving mammal.

According to the IWDG all three animals had likely been dead for several days and were in poor but similar condition, suggesting the possibility that all three had died around the same time.

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â&#x2014;? It was revealed that 2,351 patients have been waiting for over a year and half to receive outpatient treatment at 08 00 6 074 91 sha ker. com Letterkenny University Hospital.

Pubb terr Pu ww w.c hilli l te lls lllls Ulls UU r ar Year ker h a ke thee Ye i s ha off th of of oof ch i l l is The ďŹ gures, which are for the month of July and were c h ill d TAKE UESSTTSS UE GUES theatre TH GGUE YOUR compiled by the National Treatment Purchase Fund Value meal preTHE KUFF WIWITH !

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ON 00 NIX N ,2 ly â&#x201A;Ź28.00 RO n o â&#x201A;Ź1 SHA 2 r aug o f Sat 4th et meal DJ PAUL 18 months to see a consultant have increased every 11pm Sharp e h o m e s NEWSPAPER KARAOKE RKI t a kWEEKLY YOUR FREE LOCAL N SUN 5th aug HA E JOANN month since the start of 2018. â&#x201A;Ź1000 CASH & THE SENSATIONS GIVEAWAY It means that the number of patients within this waiting time band has gone up by 25 per cent since January.

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â&#x2014;? Donegal adventurer and extreme sport competitor Jason Black is preparing to return to his native county having conquered the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second highest mountain K2.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a truly tremendous achievement and it was with huge pride that he ďŹ&#x201A;ew the tricolour and the Donegal ďŹ&#x201A;ag on the summit of the 8,611m (28,251 ft) mountain.

But two other people that he had met during his climb of K2 have tragically died.

"I felt a real sense of responsibility and duty standing on the world second highest summit (28.325ft) and the toughest mountain of all,â&#x20AC;? Jason said.

& THE NORTH WEST

www.donegalnow.com

Thursday 26 July 2018

â&#x2014;? A Donegal man was left critically ill after an accident in Australia. Ramelton native Shaun Dunworth was in a critical condition in a Sydney hospital The 21-year-old was discovered by police close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was believed that his injuries could have been sustained either by falling from an overpass or been a pedestrian on the road and was hit when he attempted to cross the road.

8 August 201 Thursday 2

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YOUR FREE LOCAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Thursday 20 September 2018

& THE NORTH WEST

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65 new jobs expected for Letterkenny

NURSING HOMES JOBS BOOST More than 65 new jobs are expected to be created when a new 64-bed nursing home opens in Letterkenny in November.

Larissa Lodge Nursing Home, located in the Carnamuggagh/Mountain Top area will provide long-term, convalescence, respite and step-down care for older people.

The premises was originally built and used as a private nursing home for a number of years, and was then leased by the HSE.

It became vacant and was later acquired by the current owners who have over ten years experience in the sector.

Planning permission for a major renovation and extension to the property was granted back in 2015.

Larissa Lodge has been completely refurbished by local contractor Boyle Construction who expect to be ďŹ nished on site in October. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over 18 months we expect the nursing home to create in excess of 65 jobs in total for nurses, care assistants, kitchen

staff, housekeeping, laundry, administration and maintenance,â&#x20AC;? a spokesman for the operators told the Post.

Meanwhile, up to 50 new jobs are also being created in the nursing care sector as the Hillcrest Nursing Homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new facility â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lodgeâ&#x20AC;? comes on stream in the Long Lane area of the town following a major investment.

With an ever-increasing demand for nursing home care, more jobs are expected in this sector in the years ahead.

Storm Ali blows through Donegal has survived the effects of Storm Ali. The county was under an Orange weather warning as Donegal experienced stormy gale force winds of speeds of up to 80km/h.

The storm caused power outages with over 2,000 customers in the county affected with parts of Buncrana, Newtowncunning-

ham, Stranorlar, Convoy and Inch Island all affected.

The majority of outages were down to fallen trees on overhead lines as a result of the high winds.

A number of roads were closed including the N14 between Letterkenny and Lifford at Tullyrap, also due to a fallen tree.

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The 21-year-old, from Ramelton, was discovered with severe head injuries on the Warringah Freeway in Sydney back in July.

A charity quiz night will now be held in Ramleton Town Hall to raise funds to help bring Shaun home from Australia.

Special guest on the evening will be Letterkenny 'Egghead' Pat Gibson.

Pat was born in Galway and moved with his parents and sisters; Mary, Regina

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Eugene Duffy presenting a cheque to Sean McMenamin for the Donegal Downs Syndrome branch at the recent St Eunan's GAA fun day in O'Donnell Park. PHOTO: Geraldine Diver.

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Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

WHAT MADE THE FRONT PAGES IN 2018

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Thursday 18 October 201 8

www.donega

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Clar Road, Do

& THE NORT H WEST

nega

Te l: 07 4 97 21l Town 39 6 ww w. dm gm ot or s.i

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Donegal based

candidate urg ed to quit Ă r as race

October

l Irish Water confirmed it was to write to thousands of homes and businesses on the public water network in seven different parts of Donegal where the drinking water quality is not as good as it could be â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and where there can be potentially harmful tiny particles.

However, Irish Water insisted that customers should note that water is still to drink. Nevertheless, msafe onth it is taking action in order to improve water quality.

CASEY'S PRESIDE NTIA CAMPAIGTNHCERUNMEW SLEAT L EON BLES Fro

plistic gener alisations that on Travellers.

Peter makes community. that some of And I would even suggest Calls have been his comments â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Travelling on racism. are bordering made for a based Irish lived with a cloud community have long Donegal Presidential â&#x20AC;&#x153;His comments of negativity, withdraw from candidate to and marginalis are not beďŹ tt person who is ing of any ation hanging exclusion Former Drago the race for the Ă ras. a candi Sinn FĂŠin over them date in for President. has been urged nsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Den star Peter Casey Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re meant the election the Trave candidate Liadh NĂ­ Riada .â&#x20AC;? dent lling comm said to to be end for a Presi all his campaign lowing controvers fol- to be inclus of the people. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re mean - monized and viliďŹ e unity have been ded by elements ive.â&#x20AC;? about the Trave ial comments he made t media who of the President Mich lling community see The Independe scapegoat when Travellers as a hand ael D .

Higgi y nt ns candidate claim discussing socia said that the State lems. ed lers comp Travell probâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rise an ling communityrecognition of the Trave She added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;For l- ethnic mino anyone seeki rity â&#x20AC;&#x153;a load of nonse as an ethnic minority is lic ofďŹ ce, let alone ng pubwhich exper that of the natio iHe also descr nseâ&#x20AC;?. ďŹ rst citizen to ence s disnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ibed Travellers engag cally people e in as lazy, racist â&#x20AC;&#x153;basi- criminatio stereotyping that of n. one elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landâ&#x20AC;? are camping on some unacceptable.â&#x20AC;? any ethnic group is â&#x20AC;&#x153;I find are â&#x20AC;&#x153;not payin and asserted that they Fellow Drago these g their fair share in societyâ&#x20AC;?. nsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Den star of taxes appa views candidate Gavin and lling ,â&#x20AC;?

Mr Casey made found Mr Case Duffy said he Mr Higgins the remarks view with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;deeply conc yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comm ents â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Floating Voter in an inter- told RTĂ&#x2030;. the Independen erningâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Podcast, on they should be that Fellow t.ie website.

The Derry nativ withdrawn. candidate â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think his of criticism since e has come under a hail comments reckless and Sean GalinďŹ&#x201A;ammatory are Spokesperson making the comments. have no place laghe r said and with Traveller group Pavee in a campaign advocacy he for election Point, Martin was â&#x20AC;&#x153;disthe comments Collins said guste They reach backof First Citizen. dâ&#x20AC;? by the were not beďŹ tt bordered on â&#x20AC;&#x153;racistâ&#x20AC;? and into another which I belie rema ing of a Presi era didate. dential can- abou rks made and a comm ved we, as a society t mem unity, have put Speaking on hind us,â&#x20AC;? well bebers of the Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rourke radioRTĂ&#x2030;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Today with Sean Mr Casey is Travelon two per said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;?We are programme, Mr Collin s ling latest Irish Time cent in the very disappointvery disturbed and indee s/Ipso d ed with the very opinion poll. s MRBI sim-

m only ¤219 p er

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President Higgi ns with newly and Skills, Joe appointed Minis McHugh who received his Seal ter for Education An Uachtarain.

Minister McHu Of Office in Aras to have been nominated for gh said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very grateful this position Leo Varadkar.

by An It is colleagues and a real privilege. I also want Taoiseach those TDs on the opposition to thank my the Independen bench ts, for their suppo the well wishe rt tonight in the es, including s that have been Maxwell/Maxwellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; extended to me.â&#x20AC;? Dail and all s.

PHOTO: Tony

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sider ess t of her kindn . g of Poignant tribu had the beneďŹ the sad passin years paid following Principal, Nora dedication for so many ent ute treasure andd Loreto Conv "She was an absol misse away her presence will be sorely .

Friel. native passed The Carrigart Univer- by all at Loreto Letterkennyrtunity kenny Letter in oppo this illon Monday for "We also take following a short wider community sity Hospital to thank the words." ness. y, Ms Friel condolences and kindmusician, Ms rkenn Lette d who Living in An accomplisheinstrumental in ated Principal t of was a dedic Friel was alsofor Life Donegal in ssly for the beneďŹ worked tirele g Relay and helpin tion .

Educa its Loher pupils issued on the proceeding with amme for Secondwas In a statement y.

Awareness progr page, Ms Friel reto Facebook an 'absolute treas- ary Schools across the count r on for the cance described as A spokespers with great sadis was "It â&#x20AC;&#x153;It ure'. said: said: y in full charit of the unThe statement ss and regret that ness that we heard today Friel. with deep sadne of our dear Prin- timely passing of Ms Nora Loreto loss ipal of Princ we share the and friend Ms Nora was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nora rkenny cipal, colleague Ms Friel's family in Secondary School in Letteall of us to Friel. We keep and prayers at this and a wonderful friend Life Donfor our thoughts cted with Relay Ms conne difďŹ cult time. encountered egal.â&#x20AC;? hts and who thoug ne â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our "Anyo at They added: have a fond memNora's family Friel will surely to share. prayers are with . ory or wee story forgot a face and this difďŹ cult time for them lences d our condo "Ms Friel neverin making people â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also exten nts in took great care cted and cared to her colleagues and stude kenny. feel valued, respe Loreto Letter is shining bright in all for.

"Another star ibly proud of "She was incred staff of Loreto heaven tonight.â&#x20AC;? and MORE. the the students SEE PAGE 4 FOR and recognised Letterkenny individual.

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A 19-bed Short Stay Ward in Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) is to be reopened, it has been conďŹ rmed.

The welcome move by Minister for Health Simon Harris comes in a week where LUH has been the second and third most overcrowded hospital in the State. On Monday there were 31 patients waiting to be admitted, while on Tuesday the

l Ever wondered how what it would be like to soak up /MEthe sun at Daniel O'Donnell's villa? /QUALITY ENG INEERING MBER OF THE VOLKSWAGEN GROUP Well, that dream became a reality as the Donegal singing-sensation kindly allowed his SEAT.IE luxurious Tenerife mansion to go under the hammer the recent glitzy North West Cancer Charity Ball.

One lucky punter won a week long holiday in the hills above stunning Las Americas. l A voluntary organisation in Letterkenny that collects and distributes food for people in need has to send a van to Dublin in order to get additional supplies, it emerged.

We Care Letterkenny Food Bank currently supplies food to more than 40 families.

But the numbers are growing and it simply does not receive enough donations of food local to meet the needs of those in food poverty.

Thurs 11th oct Sat 13th OCT

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Short Stay ward in LUH is to reopen,â&#x20AC;? Minister McHugh said.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have pushed for this investment in the hospital in Letterkenny for a considerable period of time and we hope that this development will help to ease the pressure on beds in the hospital.â&#x20AC;?

Minister McHugh said that with the reopening of the ward, more nursing jobs will be made available for LUH. Donegal Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn said that people power had won the day again with over 5,500

SUN 14th oct

THE N

delay. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am calling on Minister Harris to give approval to hospital management to advertise these posts immediately so that the ward can be reopened as soon as possible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is imperative that this ward is up and running so that the pressure on the Emergency Department, its staff and patients can be eased,â&#x20AC;?

Deputy McConalogue said.

Fellow Fianna FĂĄil TD Pat â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the Copeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Gallagher said that LUH needs to be made an ongoing top priority for the HSE in the year ahead.

people from across the county signing a Sinn FĂŠin petition calling for the reopening of the ward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over recent months, Sinn FĂŠin members across Donegal gathered up a petition to reopen this ward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank you to the thousands of Donegal people who signed the petition and stood up for our major county hospital,â&#x20AC;? Senator Mac Lochlainn said.

Fianna FĂĄil TD Charlie McConalouge welcomed the announcement but called for assurances that staff will be recruited without

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Majella is a porter of the regular suptended as specball and atEver won dere guest in 2015. ial celebrity would be like d what it â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know this auction item sun by the to soak up the will be of pool of Dani Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s el to many particular interest villa? of Danielâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Well, that drea Majellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fans in m can become a realit further aďŹ eld.â&#x20AC;? Donegal and y singing-sensatias the Donegal Mean while , the Com mitallowed his on has kindly tee has also decided luxurious Tenerife mansion to seek commissio to hammer at next go under the pressive n bids for an impiece of art by weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glitzy North West Kevin Sharkey.

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The villa can The Nort h West Canc eight adults, accommodate Charity Ball takes place er commands a which usually Friday, on November price in exces weekly rental A limited numb 30. s of er of tickets A spokesperson â&#x201A;Ź4,000. for the said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The comm for the Ball able fromBall are still availBreast Ball woul ittee for the Hotel. Call The Silver Tassie d 074-9125619 this opportuni like to take to secu now re Daniel and Maje ty to thank in a posit your place and be credibly gene lla for this in- once in ion to bid for this a lifetime holid rous offer. ay opportunity! editor@letterkenn

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The reopening of the Short Stay Ward aims to be ease pressure, on the already overstretched services, in the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest hospital.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Donegal TD and Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh said the ward is set to be reopened by next year.

However no date has been conďŹ rmed for its reopening. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am delighted to conďŹ rm that the

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Page 30

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YOUR FREE LOCAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

l Calls were made for a Donegal based Irish Presidential candidate to withdraw from the race for the Ă ras.

Former Dragons' Den star Peter Casey was urged to end his campaign following his controversial comments about the Travelling community. The Independent candidate claimed that the State's recognition of the Travelling community as an ethnic minority is "a load of nonsense".

THE NEW SEAT

Rory Mooney

editor@letterk

Letterkennypost

reopened, it was confirmed.

The welcome move by Minister for Health Simon Harris came in a week where LUH had been the second and third most overcrowded hospital in the State.

terkenny

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BLANEY SEEKING EUROPEAN NOD Former Donegal TD Niall Blaney, has said he's received a lot of favourable reaction to the announcement that he is seeking the Fianna FĂĄil nomination to contest next year's European election.

"Since my decision to seek a nomination was made public on Monday, I've had contact from a lot of people across the Midlands Northwest constituency," he said.

"The reaction has been extremely positive, but people have concerns about Brexit and have concerns about being neglected simply because they live north of the Galway Dublin line.

"The electorate want to know that their corner will be fought in Europe, that infrastructure such as broadband will be delivered and that European directives and regulations will reďŹ&#x201A;ect real life," he added.

The former public representative, who was ďŹ rst elected as a Donegal County Councillor in 1999, has been busy travelling around the 13-county Midlands North West constituency in recent weeks where he needs to secure the FF nomination.

"I'm meeting as many people from the organisation as I possibly can and that ground work has been going really well," he conďŹ rmed.

Brexit

The continuing uncertainty around Brexit is an issue which Ireland's MEPs will have to deal with after next May's elections.

"Brexit is bringing many challenges for our country that need to be addressed. I do believe there will also be opportunities and that some of those can be realised at a European level.

"But from a north-south point of view, I think it begs the question why relationships weren't developed further than they have been over the last number of years.

"I feel that the Irish government needs to be doing more to enhance the relationship with our neighbours.

"From the point of view of developing our infrastructure and national development plans, we need to be doing a lot better.

"For the Irish government to be releasing development plans and not recognising that the North exists at all is short-sighted.

"If you see an Irish government development plan launched, you'll see a blank when it comes to including Northern Ireland - it's being treated as if it simply doesn't exist.

"It's hard enough in counties like Donegal to be cut off by the border, but it's harder again when what's on the other side of the border is ignored.

"That way of going makes it much harder for us to get our fair share. I really believe that a ďŹ ght can be brought to Europe to bring a more balanced regional development," he said.

The Midlands North West constituency is currently served by Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (Roscrea in Roscommon), Matt Carthy (Carrickmacross in Monaghan), Marian Harkin (Sligo town) and Mairead McGuinness (Navan, Meath).

"There is no way everyone is going to be close to their MEP geographically. To me it's about the candidate being accessible, on the ground and contactable - that's a strong point for me."

Given that his party failed to take a seat in the last European elections in the Midlands North West constituency in 2014 when running two candidates - Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher and Thomas Byrne, took almost 18 per cent of the vote between them - Mr Blaney acknowledged that he has a tough battle ahead.

"But I am determined to do my utmost to ensure that the people of the Midlands Northwest constituency have their concerns addressed in Europe," he added.

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Rory Mooney

ning process we have received some funding and will be opening 10 beds in the Short Stay Ward once the stafďŹ ng is in place. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will continue to work towards opening the remaining beds, which will be dependent on the availability of funding and the ability to recruit the necessary

staff. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A discharge lounge has been introduced to help free up beds on the wards earlier in the day and reduce congestion in the Emergency Department. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This discharge lounge is temporarily located in the Short Stay ward until further accommoda-

tion becomes available. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The discharge lounge is a separate initiative, not to be confused with opening of additional inpatient beds in the Short Stay Ward.

Patient feedback to date has been overwhelmingly positive and 21 patients availed of the new facility in the ďŹ rst three days.â&#x20AC;?

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Pictured alongside colleagues from Tesco Letterkenny is Temple Street patient Lewis Evans (5) from Letterkenny with the Cedric teddy bear that he named following a Tesco colouring competition during a visit to the hospital. Cedric teddy bears will be on sale in Tesco stores for â&#x201A;Ź5 in aid of Temple Street.

PHOTO: Clive Wasson.

dd chillishaker Station House - Pearse Road - Letterkenny

chillishaker

Letterkenny Retail 1, Pearse Rd, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

T. 074 912 0622

Opening Hours: 5.00pm - 11.00pm

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody throughout the hospital knows that this is the new Short Stay Ward that was promised.â&#x20AC;?

In a statement to the Post, the Saolta University Health Care Group said that the new discharge lounge is being â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;temporarilyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; located in the Short Stay Ward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This discharge lounge is temporarily located in the Short Stay ward until further accommodation becomes available. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The discharge lounge is a separate initiative, not to be confused with opening of additional inpatient beds in the Short Stay Ward," a hospital spokesperson said.

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The group responsible for Letterkenny University Hospital has denied that a new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Discharge Loungeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is to be used the longawited Short Stay Ward.

Hospital bosses announced recently that the new discharge lounge would facilitate 16 patients per day who are discharged from the wards and who will now go to a comfortable seated area while waiting to be collected to go home.

The new discharge lounge aims allow patients to be collected by their relatives or friends from the old ED exit, meaning they do not need to go into the paid parking area of the hospital grounds, which will also make it easier for the patients to leave the hospital.

However a member of staff at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) contacted the Post to highlight their concerns that the new discharge lounge would act as the Short Stay Ward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This new lounge is laughable,â&#x20AC;? the staff member said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody throughout the hospital knows that this is the new Short Stay Ward that was promised.â&#x20AC;?

In a statement to the Post, the Saolta University Health Care Group said that the new discharge lounge is being â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;temporarilyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; located in the Short Stay Ward.

The statement said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As part of the Saolta Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winter plan-

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Danny's pre-Christmas polar plunge!

Olympian and former postman Danny McDaid takes the plunge at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge in Rathmullan on Saturday last. PHOTO: Clive Wasson.

dd chillishaker Station House - Pearse Road - Letterkenny

chillishaker

Opening Hours: 5.00pm - 11.00pm

074 916

0008

www.chillishaker.com

Value meal pre-theatre 3 amazing courses!

Mon - Thurs (ex public hols) 5.00pm - 7.00pm

Meal â&#x201A;Ź14.95 house wine â&#x201A;Ź12.95

take home set meal for 2 only â&#x201A;Ź28.00

28 PICTURE SPECIAL LOCAL

EVENTS

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

DCIL Christmas Party and Awards 2018 Donegal Centre for Independent Living (DCIL) held its Christmas Party and Awards evening recently.

A large number for Leaders and PAs attended the 2018 event in the Radisson Blu Letterkenny which is a fantastic opportunity to bring all members of DCIL together. A massive thank you to all who support this event especially Tracymarie Photography, MC Martin Friel and Martin Orr for the entertainment.

Huge congratulations to this year’s “Leader of the Year” and “PA of the Year” Awards.

“Leader of the Year” went to Pauline Larkin, nominated by her long standing PA Susan Doherty. The Award was presented by DCIL General Manager Rosaleen Bradley.

‘PA of the Year’ went to the much deserving Aisling Hunter, nominated by Leader Christopher Mc Brearty. The Award was presented by DCIL General Manager Rosaleen Bradley.

Christina and Christine Friel.

Leader of the Year Pauline Larkin.

Kathy Gillespie with her PA Nicola Doherty and Rosaleen Bradley.

Owen McGirr with his PA Gavin Doherty.

PA of the Year Aisling Hunter.

Emily Kennedy with her PA Breda McCloskey.

Pauline and Frank Larkin.

PICTURE SPECIAL 29

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

LOCAL

Stramore NS Christmas Play The Greatest Wizard

EVENTS

Photos: Geraldine Diver

Young actors treading the boards.

Performing for the crowd.

Danielle Diver playing yukele.

Charlie Gidea

The yellow brick road.

Posing for the camera.

Kyle Mc Laughlin as the Scarecrow.

killian Doran as the Tin Man.

Grainne Gallagher as the witch

Muireann Callaghan as Dorothy

Smiling after a job well done.

Conor Crossan singing.

30 COMPUTERS/HEALTH Computer Guide

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

brought to you by Inishowen Computer Systems Ltd

5 good reasons why computer maintenance is so Important Computers work well when they are taken care of, you could have the best computer network money can buy, but without regular IT maintenance and servicing you may not get best bang for your money.

Here are five good reasons to why it’s a good idea to maintain your IT network

make arrangements so that your business isn’t impacted.

Using regular IT servicing you can also help reduce your IT support costs by fixing during scheduled maintenance windows where other work is scheduled.

1. Detect issues early, before they become problems

Viruses and malware are a pain to any business, virus writers actively seek to disrupt your business and access files on your network.

When your computer is infected a number of symptoms may be felt, from annoying slowdowns to popup messages or contacts emailing you about a strange email you apparently sent them.

If your IT system is compromised

You’ve just gone out and bought a brand spanking new machine, should give you a couple of years of no IT hassles, right? Maybe. Whether your computer is new or old problems can pop up at any time.

By using regular IT servicing you can get the jump on problems and

2. Prevent against viruses and malware

your business could be used as a launching pad to infect other businesses, which can have consequences as companies start black listing your email address.

If Microsoft Windows and your antivirus software is kept up to date then it greatly reduces your chance of a virus infection as commonly known IT loopholes are closed to hackers and virus writers.

If you do receive a suspicious email or come across something you’re not sure about online, be careful with it, in a moments haste you could cost a lot of productivity and money to be wasted.

Remember antivirus is not foolproof, always exercise caution and if in doubt give Inishowen Computer Systems Ltd a call.

3. Speed up Your Computer

Over time, files that are stored on your computer can become disorganized and fragmented, this results in slow loading times and delayed access to programs and files.

By regularly running speed checks and smart optimization, we can speed up your computers loading times and take care of those annoying pauses when you are busy and need quick and efficient access to your files and software.

4. Keep Antivirus Software Up-to-date

Antivirus software is vital and every PC should be protected but having antivirus software installed isn’t the end of your IT security – it

needs to be up-to-date and working as intended.

Some office staff can ignore important warnings from antivirus programs, mistakenly thinking that the system is just doing its job.

It is important to check out these issues and make sure you are running the latest version of your antivirus software, as an infection could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to fix - and can have a devastating effect on productivity.

5. Maximise Software Efficiency

Computers age and over time they start to slow down – software packages that performed quickly and efficiently to begin with, can become sluggish and have a negative impact on productivity. Because this slowdown has occurred over many years,

the computer user may have grown used to the issue and may think that it is normal. It's not normal, and at SOHO systems we do regular checks to ensure your software is running to its maximum efficiency – often the answer is just a slight hardware modification or a quick clean out of programs that are no longer needed; if the issue is more complicated however, we can investigate and advise on a range of suitable options.

Nothing is more frustrating than a computer IT network that is slow and full of glitches – at Inishowen Computer systems Ltd we'll make sure that your IT network is regularly serviced and maintenance checks are carried out to keep your Auckland IT support costs at a minimum, so that it's always safe, efficient and delivering the right information to the right people at the right time.

Inishowen Computer Systems Ltd, Riverside, Mindoran, Clonmany, Co. Donegal Tel: ++353 7493 76019, Website: www.ics-ltd.ie, Facebook: www.facebook.com/inishowencomputers

The

Other Side of the Coin Sharing the ancient wisdom that is Chinese medicine

Acupuncture Treatment for weight loss Can Acupuncture be used along with healthy eating to lose weight? Can it be used along with exercise to lose weight?

The answer is a resounding YES! Sometimes diet and exercise alone does not do it for a lot of people, simply because their internal organs especially the spleen/digestive system is very sluggish, so loads of exercise and diet may not work until this is corrected.

But this does not mean that you should not exercise. More on this later.

Acupuncture works by enhancing the function of two neuro-endocrine pathways that regulate many bodily processes, including metabolism.

It lowers body weight by lowering body fat, insulin levels, and lipid levels in the blood. It decreases excessive appetite and makes it easier to satisfy your hunger with less food. It decreases menopausal weight gain, in one study; acupuncture took off 10 pounds in two months.

Combined with diet control, and aerobic counselling it not only takes off the pounds and body fat, but keeps them off by balancing the spleen/digestive matrix, especially if you're dili-

gent with the exercise.

Overweight means an excess of body weight. This excess weight may be muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water.

Obesity refers specifically to an abnormally high proportion of body fat. You can be overweight without being obese for example, a bodybuilder or other highly muscled athlete, or someone just a few pounds overweight. But many people who are overweight are also obese.

classes, focusing on self esteem, motivation, exercise and diet.

In my own clinics I treat people all the time for weight loss, one woman who followed my instructions lost one stone! In 4 weeks! This in my opinion was too much too soon, but was good testament to the effectiveness of acupuncture for this particular problem.

Constipation stops weight loss

Depress cravings

Acupuncture releases endorphins into the body, which has a relaxing effect to reduce the sort of stress that triggers overeating and bingeing on high calorie foods.

The bodys natural feel good factors are enhanced by acupuncture which decreases the need for comfort foods like sweets and chocolate.

Also endorphins affect the digestive and hormonal systems so acupuncture can help rebalance the organ systems (e.g. metabolism) that are running too slow.

The theory behind acupuncture for weight loss is that it helps to curb appetite, depress

cravings, rid excess water, and stimulate the pituitary gland to burn off extra calories.

Problem 1 (Enzyme Deficiency): Modern digestive science explains that when your body can't digest a food, you crave more of it - you're not getting what you need from it.

This leads to a cycle of craving and over-eating the exact foods you can't digest.

Problem 2 (Low Blood Sugar): Another vicious cycle happens when you can't digest complex carbs, so your blood sugar is low, so you eat simple carbs that raise your blood sugar which raises insulin, which low-

ers your blood sugar again, and you’re stuck eating donuts and feeling horrible.

Acupuncture

Solution: Acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas can help you digest your food and break both of these cycles.

With acupuncture treatment the stomach/spleen system can be strengthened allowing the proper digestion of all foods thus interrupting the food craving cycle, which in turn will balance the digestive system, eliminate cravings and lead to an overall reduction in weight.

Exercise

Eat a low fat sensible diet, and don't miss breakfast! Weigh yourself regularly, and exercise an hour a day or better still join an exercise class, the new “Body Burn Workout” at our Health Centre would be a good start.

If you have never exercised before try a Tai Chi class or try walking a few minutes each day, or take the stairs at work. Don't overdo it!

Remember the rubber band effect if you stretch it too quickly it will bounce back. Get some aerobic exercise or book one of our private aerobic counselling

Constipation can also be a major factor that blocks weight loss and I usually try to treat this problem first and foremost to put the bowel in good working order to pave the way for weight loss.

There are two very important acupuncture points on the stomach which move the bowel and also the Chinese herbal formula Ma Ren Wan is excellent to treat this condition, it is not a laxative nor does it have a laxative effect, it moistens and moves the bowel in a very natural way.

All in all acupuncture combined with regular exercise seems a really good start on the path to weight loss, but realistic checks to lifestyle and diet must also be considered.

Kim-Dip.Ac. Lic.Ac. C.Ac. China MQP is a registered licensed practitioner of Chinese Medicine. Treatments are VHi, LAYA healthcare (formerly Quinn), Hibernian Health (Vivas) and HSF Healthplan approved.

E mail kim@naturalhealthireland.com or write to the Natural Health Centre, Millfield, Buncrana, Tel. 074/9362606, From North 00353749362606 or to the The Traditional Chinese Medical Practice, 5 Academy Court, Oliver Plunkett Rd., Letterkenny, Tel. 0863981882, from North 00353863981882. Visit the Website www.naturalhealthireland.com

HOROSCOPES/CROSSWORD 31

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

TEABREAK TEASERS

Weekly Horoscopes Aries

(March 21-April 19) Today you are skilful in guiding the activities of others. People will listen to you because you will instinctively take the right approach. You will be firm, focused and above all, patient to get the results you want. Let’s face it, you’re a natural leader.

Taurus

(April 20-May 20) You impress others today, especially bosses and people in authority, because you demonstrate the qualities of leadership. You show that you are ambitious, willing to work hard and that you know where you are going and what you want to achieve. And you’re ready to do what it takes to get there. (I’m impressed.)

Gemini

Name.......................................................

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You can get a lot done at home today if you want to rearrange furniture, do renovations or make practical changes where you live. Even family disputes can be ironed out smoothly because you have patience and focus to keep everyone on track. Bravo!

Address...................................................

................................................................

................................................................

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Leo

Aquarius

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) This is a wonderful day for those at work or those of you who set yourself an important task because you will work tirelessly to achieve your goal. You have endurance; you have patience; you have focus. And you won’t stop until it’s done.

Letterkenny

Scorpio

Cancer

Virgo

Sponsored by

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Those of you who are involved with teaching children today will be in top form. Likewise, those of you who coach sports will be excellent because you have physical energy, focus and patience to deal with others. This is also a good day to do social or event planning.

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You have wonderful, focused, mental energy today, which can be used to sell, market, teach, act or write. Your mind is like a machine that is well oiled. You can count on it; and it will not let you down. Patience and excellent powers of concentration are yours. (Yay me!)

(July 23-Aug. 22) Today you see that patience is your only recourse when dealing with partners and close friends who irritate you. You can’t change others. The only thing you have control over is your own response.

Finally, the penny drops.

VOUCHER

Libra

(May 21-June 20) If you have to study today or finish an important paper or make travel plans or deal with legal or medical matters - you will do well because you’re in the groove.

You have the right balance of energy, focus and patience.

(June 21-July 22) This is a good day to settle disputes about shared property and inheritances because you will defend yourself but you won’t go overboard. You’ll be fair to all sides but you will be in control. Basically, you want swift results that are practical and doable.

WIN

€10

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) This is a strong day for discussions about finances and business because you know what you’re doing and you know what you want. You won’t be flustered.

You won’t be bamboozled. You’re ready to slowly do whatever it takes to get what you want. (Wow.)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You’re a dynamo today. You have lots of energy but what is more important, the energy is not loose and flyaway. Au contraire. Your energy is contained and focused. You know what you want and you have the patience and willingness to wait to get it. People admire you.

Tel: ..........................................................

Send your entries to: The Editor, Letterkenny Post, 26 Balliniska Road, Springtown Industrial Estate, Derry, N. Ireland BT48 0NA

Across 1. Shakespearean character came to a settlement.

(6) 5. Doctor in the middle of a course uses end of stethoscope as a telescopic instrument. (8) 9. I will escort you round Cape Horn..... (8) 10. ..... while she will forcibly lead you up the river.

(6) 11. Aprons to be sorted out by the minister. (6) 12. I quote, so it sounds, the sense. (8) 14. Aristocratic skills are numbered. (12) 17. The opposite of the 19 thing. (12) 20. Ironically, not one sleeping place for two close people. (4,4) 22. How to get cross-country when there is no road. (6) 23. Member gets stuck in test while dicovering alpine creature. (6) 25. They’re Monday’s dynamos. (8) 26. No.1 is close to capturing the King, my friend.

(8) 27. A French nobleman in a Scottish river? Work it out. (6)

Last weeks solution

Pisces

(Feb. 19-March 20) If you work behind the scenes today, you will accomplish a lot, probably more than you expected. This is because you have endurance and at the same time, the patience to channel your energies in the right direction.

Congratulations to: Mark Deniffe, Buncrana

Down 2. Marsha gets straightened out in religious retreat. (6) 3. I spoil the first part of 14 terribly with a slimmer’s course. (11) 4. The fearsome creature, thanks to the outburst, upped and left at the beginning. (9) 5. Get that man, Brown, off to the side. (7) 6. A barrel in the dictionary can provide eggs. (5) 7. Bring on alligator first, then the snake. (3) 8. They open a puzzle for the beginner. (8) 13. Sick, Irish father kidnaps French man, also a father. Not a happy bunny. (3-8) 15. 1$. A room for the night and transport. (9) 16. A midwinter gala celebration. It doesn’t stand a chance in Hell. (8) 18. He left the property in Yorkshire in his will. (7) 19. Blondie’s explosive number. (6) 21. Anything you find in the index, traditionally is a bonus. (5) 24. A vegetable that grows from the ground up on a bush. (3)

32 PICTURES

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Out

About

Photos: Darren Crossan

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Christmas party season in Letterkenny

Pictured out and about at McGinleys Bar for the LYIT Student 12 Pubs of Christmas

Amanda Gallagher and Amy Friel out and about at Dillons Hotel for the 12 Pubs of Christmas

Lauren Gribben and Nicole Cuskelly enjoying the 12 Pubs of Christmas in McGinleys Bar

Kyle, Niall, Connor and Michael out and about at Dillons Hotel

Chris Friel and Aaron Mc Groarty joined together for the LYIT students 12 Pubs of Christmas in the Orchard

PICTURES 33

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

&

Out

About

Photos: Darren Crossan

Christmas party season in Letterkenny

Pictured out and about at McGinleys Bar for the LYIT Student 12 Pubs of Christmas

Emma Russell and Joanne Coyle enjoying the 12 Pubs of Christmas at the Orchard

Oisin McDermott, PJ Slevin, Michael Gillesoie, Mathew Carlin and Ryan Johnston on a lads night out for the LYIT students 12 Pubs of Christmas in Dillons Hotel

Leah McGarrigle and Adam Hughes out and about at the Downtown Bar

Ă ine, Sonia and Leah out and about at McGinleys Bar

34 PICTURES

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Out

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Christmas party season in Letterkenny

About

Photos: Darren Crossan

Decky and Cas enjoying the 12 Pubs at Christmas in McGinleys

Simon McGlynn and Dillon Doherty out and about at the Downtown Bar

1st year LYIT students out and about at the Orchard for the 12 Pubs of Christmas

Members of the LYIT Hurling team at McGinleys Bar

PICTURES 35

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

&

Out

Christmas party season in Letterkenny

About

Photos: Darren Crossan

Lads night at McGinleys Bar

Leah Kelly, Edel McBride and Siobhan McMenamin out and about at McGinleys

4th Year Fire Engineering students at the LYIT 12 pubs of christmas at the Oasis Bar

Lisa Dorrian, Gemma McFarland and Melissa Quinn enjoying the start of the LYIT students 12 pubs of Christmas at the Oasis Bar

Pictured out and about at Oasis for the LYIT 12 Pubs of Christmas

Shane Ă&#x201C;g and Sean Doolyn getting photo bombed at the Orchard

36 PICTURES

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Out

About

Photos: Darren Crossan

LYIT 2nd year Sports and Performance students enjoying the 12 Pubs of Christmas at Sister Sara's

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Christmas party season in Letterkenny

Pictured out and about for the LYIT 12 Pubs at Christmas in Sister Sara's

Jessica Browne, Chloe Boyce and Ă ine McAteer out and about at Sister Sara's

Niamh O'Donnell. Niamj McCurry, Mary Healy and Aisling Carlin pictured out and about at Sister Sara's Dean O'Donnell. Oisin Gallagher and Conor Gallagher out and about at the Warehouse Bar

PICTURES 37

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

&

Out

Christmas party season in Letterkenny

About

Photos: Darren Crossan

4th year LYIT sports students enjoying the 12 Pubs of Christmas at the The Brewery Bar

Louise O'Donnell and Eva McLaughlin enjoying the LYIT 12 Pubs of Christmas at Sister Sara's

James Burke, Danielle O'Heir, Roisin Duggan Denise Devenney and Leanne Sweeney pictured out and about at the Warehouse Bar for the LYIT 12 Pubs of Christmas

Joe and Siobhan out and about at The Brewery Bar

Leah McGarrigle, Megan Aiken and Clare O'Donnell at the Brewery Bar for the LYIT students 12 Pubs at Christmas

38 PICTURES

&

Out

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Christmas party season in Letterkenny

About

Photos: Darren Crossan

Alan, Collum, Katelyn, Clodagh and Aileen at The Brewery for the 12 Pubs of Christmas

Oisin Logue, Sophie Ramsey, Clara Lowry and Nikita Tafpetrovs enjoying the LYIT Student 12 Pubs at Christmas at the The Central Bar

The LYIT GAA team (subs) pictured out and about at The Central Bar

Out and about atVoodoo for the LYIT Student 12 Pubs of Christmas

Aidan, Eliza, Annemarie, Anna and Leah pictured out and about at the Central Bar for the LYIT student 12 pubs of Christmas

PICTURES 39

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

&

Out

About

Photos: Darren Crossan

Students enjoying the LYIT 12 Pubs of Christmas at The Shack

Shay Devenney, Adam Coyle and Joey Coyle on a lads night out at the Shack for the 12 Pubs of Christmas

Holy Kelso and Colm McNesabie out and about at the Warehouse Bar

Christmas party season in Letterkenny

Erin Duggan, Molly Hunter and Sarah McHugh enjoying the LYIT 12 Pubs of Christmas at The Shack

Pictured out and about at Voodoo

Paddy Gillespie, Michael Friel, Ernie Pullock and Cas McDaid enjoying the LYIT student 12 Pubs of Christmas at the Warehouse Bar

40 LEARN TO DRAW

WE ARE

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

DIGITAL! Visit www.donegalnow.com for more

AVAILABLE ON

BUY DIGITAL EDITION The Letterkenny Post is also available digitally on computer, smart phone, tablet, and iPad.You can buy single issues or sign up for three, six or 12 month subscriptions. We use the world leading digital newspaper and magazine distributor Magzter to offer the digital edition of the Letterkenny Post.You need to get a free account with Magzter and then you will be able to access digital editions of the Letterkenny Post. Plus you can download the Magzter app to your mobile phone, iPad or tablet.

FARMING 41

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

FARMING

EVENTS

Photos: Clive Wasson

Raphoe Mart Christmas Sheep Show and Sale

Roy Craig with the Champion Sheep from the Raphoe Mart Sheep Show and Sale he paid €200 for the the sheep purchased on behalf of Bernard McCarron Butchers Raphoe.

Prizewinners at the Raphoe Mart Christmas Sheep Show and Sale with the champion pen of lambs. From left: Glen McConnell, Reserve Champion, 2nd & 3rd, Dan Harkin, 1st Suffolks, Andrew Wilson, Judge, Nigel Gibson, Inishleigh Farm Foods Newtown, Luke, Barnett, Robbie Barnett, Winner, Ian Maxwell, Mart Chairman and Vicotr Barnett, Robert Brownleigh, Natural Nutrition, Anne Harkin, Mart Manager, George Colhoun, 2nd Suffolks and John McConnell, 3rd, Suffolks.

Ciaran Cullen of Ciaran’s Burtcher’s, Raphoe with the Reserve Champion Sheep from the Show and Sale which he purchased for €166 each.

John Walsh, EWS Donegal Town who purchased Christian Wilsons, 1st & 2nd Housewives Choice prizewinner at the Raphoe Mart Fatstock Show and Sale. From left: John Walsh, Kyle Walsh, Christian Wislon and Kyle Walsh.

WE ARE

DIGITAL! Visit www.donegalnow.com for more AVAILABLE ON

William Doherty, Butcher from Clonmany who purchased 3 of the prizewinners at the Raphow Mart Fatstock Show and Sale on Friday last.

42 FARMING

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Letterkennypost YOUR FREE LOCAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

& THE NORTH WEST

=Xid`e^ NEWS MART RESULTS PHOTOS

McGinley Motors

Pearse Rd., Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

www.landrover.com

Tel: 074 91 25666

Farmers encouraged to take action now for the months ahead Patrick Butterly

AIB Agri Advisor Donegal

With the end of year upon us, farmers will be looking to 2019 in hope and anticipation that it bears no resemblance to 2018 – a year, irrespective of farm system or location, which will be remembered for increased expense, stress and workload.

On dairy farms, milk price has remained relatively strong and is likely to average around 35c/l (solids adjusted) this year compared to 37c/l in 2017. Output held up well, even during the drought affected summer months, and to the end of September milk intake by creameries was up by 1.2%. However, the increased input expenditure as a consequence of the weather will put downward pressure on dairy farm incomes this year.

In the cattle sector, increased costs, reduced thrive and a more challenging marketplace will certainly impact incomes this year.

While factory prices were running

ahead of last year for the first half of the year, this was followed by a price reduction in July and August and current prices are now on a par with 2017. Throughput is up by about 2% to date this year – driven by a large increase in cow throughput, which is up 7%. What is obvious in the sector this year is the price variation in marts between quality and plainer lots. Quality, well fleshed animals and forward stores continue to sell well, but plainer lots are finding it more difficult to find a home.

A similar story in the sheep sector, where prices in the first half of the year were well above 2017 levels. However prices declined significantly from the end of May onwards, and are now on a par with 2017 levels. While throughput is up almost 3% on last year, (mainly driven by an increased throughput of ewes and rams) the throughput of lambs coming to market was later than previous years.

It was a year of mixed fortunes too for the tillage sector. There was a big increase in output prices – to

over €200/t in the case of barley, up around €60/t on last year. This price increase was driven by a reduction in global stock levels for a second consecutive year.

This price increase, combined with increased straw prices were negated by a reduction in yields – particularly for spring crops. Margins in the sector are expected to be at similar levels to 2017 – but with significant variation depending on crop mix and location.

Finally, coming off the back of the highest margin-over-feed levels in over 10 years, the pig sector endured a very difficult 2018, with current prices running 14c/kg below 2017 levels and feed prices on the rise, margin-over-feed is at its lowest level in 30 years.

All in all, reduced output prices, yields, and increased input expenditure have eroded margins and are creating cashflow pressure on some farms. If you are experiencing or anticipate cash flow pressure, I encourage you to quantify your requirements for the months ahead

Patrick Butterly, AIB Agri Advisor Donegal

and to engage early with your bank.

The good weather during September and October has helped somewhat, keeping stock at grass; winter crops sown and established (it is estimated that the area under winter cereals is up almost 30,000 hectares on last year), and also providing the opportunity to conserve additional winter forage supplies, meaning winter fodder deficits have reduced somewhat on many farms. The latest Teagasc fodder census estimates suggest that, despite the favourable conditions, one in three farmers still have a fodder deficit (average -15%).

The advice to those in deficit is to put a plan in place and take action early. ‘Hoping’ for a late winter/early spring, in itself, isn’t the most convincing strategy to rely on.

Looking to 2019, projecting forward

The packed Raphoe Mart where the staff Staff Choir taking part in the first mart carol service in the ring, which raised €840 for Raphoe senior citizens.

with certainty is by no means an exact science, and will again depend much on prevailing weather conditions, global supplies and trade negotiations. Dairy commodity prices, although weakened somewhat in recent months, should remain relatively stable in the short-term, helping limit any reduction in on-farm milk price currently received. The outlook for the beef sector will be impacted more than most by the trials and tribulations of the Brexit negotiations, while for cereals, sheep and pigs, their fate will largely depend on global supplies. Overall at this stage, 2019 looks set to be another mixed year for the sector.

Article includes statistics drawn from sources including AIB, Bord Bia, CSO and Teagasc.

FARMING 43

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

FARMING

EVENTS

Photos: Clive Wasson

Raphoe Mart first choir performance

Thomas, Mary, Ian and Lorraine Stevenson at the Raphoe Mart Choir performance.

Families at the first Mart Choir performance.

The Raphoe Mart Staff Choir taking part in the first mart carol service in the ring, which raised €840 for Raphoe senior citizens.

Anne Harkin, Mart Manager Directing the Raphoe Mart Staff Choir taking part in the first mart carol service in the ring, which raised €840 for Raphoe senior citizens.

The packed mart for the first Mart Choir performance.

Standing room only for the first Mart Choir performance.

44 PICTURE SPECIAL YOUR

EVENTS

Photos: Clive Wasson

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

Annual Multidisciplinary Letterkenny University Hospital Research Symposium prizegiving

Dr Paul Stewart, Anne Frize, Dr Bob Franklin, Prof Juan Sancho, Grace Doherty and C. Gillespie at the 9th Annual Multidisciplinary Letterkenny University Hospital Research Symposium.

Aoife Wilson from Letterkenny winner of the Professor J. Campbell, Nobel Laureate Gold medal for excellence at the 9th Annual Multidisciplinary Letterkenny University Hospital Research Symposium.

Dr. Claire Lynch collecting her Medal from Prof Juan Sancho and Dr Paul Stewart.

Aisling Clancy, Antimicrobial Pharmacist at Letterkenny University Hospital collecting her Medal from Prof Juan Sancho and Dr Paul Stewart.

Aoife Wilson with Prof Juan Sancho and Dr Paul Stewart as she is presented with her prize.

Dr. Paul Stewart collecting his Medal from Prof Juan Sancho and Dr Paul Stewart.

Aoife Wilson, winner of the Professor J. Campbell, Nobel Laureate Gold medal for excellence pictured with Michael Sugrue and Dr Louise Moran.

Letterkennypost SPORT Thursday 27 December 2018

www.letterkennypost.com

ATHLETICS

Letterkenny AC round-up

Three members selected for N.Ireland/Ulster team There was an early Christmas present for three inform LAC athletes. Three runners were selected to run for the Northern Ireland/Ulster team in the Celtic International Cross Country, which is part of the IAAF N. Ireland International Cross Country Championships.

The runners are Eoin Hughes (Under 23), Nakita Burke (Senior Women) and Jack Holian (Under 17).

The event will be run at the Billy Neil Centre of Excellence, Dundonald, Belfast on January 19th.

Letterkenny AC's popular New Year Race will take place

on Sunday January 6th, and registration will be at Aura Leisure Centre from 10.30am with the race at 11.30am.

There was a dearth of competitive action the weekend before Christmas. This freed up athletes to engage in shopping, social evenings and, of course, valuable win-

ter training runs.

A group of LAC runners took part in the ever popular Letterkenny parkrun last Saturday morning.

Paul Toner had a fine run, finishing 2nd overall and 1st in the M45 category in a time of 19.29. Martin Gormley clocked 19.39. He was 4th

overall and the leading M50 runner. Martin Donnelly was the 2nd M45 runner in 20.14.

Young Alex Plumb's time of 21.55 gave him 1st place in the JM11-14 category. Mark McFadden was the 2nd M40 runner in 22.52. Parkrun regular, Cathal Roarty, reached the half century mark for

parkrun participation. More than half of the 50 have been run in 2018 alone. He was the 3rd M50 runner home in 23.49, which was Cathal's 9th best time of the year. Olivia Plumb was the 1stJW runner in 25.57. Peter McLean completed his 84th parkrun in 28.48.

GREYHOUNDS

GAA

Donegal U-21 GAA Championship Final

Eunan’s lift the silverware Saint Eunans

3-10

Buncrana

1-8

By Patrick Sharkey Despite Saint Eunan’s going on to win the game in comfort, the pre-match build up had suggested that this could have been quite an even affair not least because Buncrana had overcome Setanta to get to the decider.

And in the first half there was little to choose between the sides as they went into the break all square, but the Letterkenny lads just had too much in the tank in the second half and went on to win by an eight point margin.

Buncrana started the game on the front foot with them managing to open the game with two points.

John Vaughan performed well as a fullback making it tough for the forwards of Saint Eunan’s to register any early scores.

The foundations for the dominance in the game began when Thomas Hartnett got St. Eunan’s opening point but Dylan Duffy was quick to respond for the Scarvey-siders.

Harnett then got a St. Eunan’s

first goal to propel them into the lead, but further points were exchanged and the sides were soon level again.

Jordan Barr then got a St. Eunan’s point putting the black and amber ahead, before Duffy again responded.

Tom Clare’s puck-outs were superb for Buncrana which led to many points in the first half.

The half got wrapped up with three more Buncrana points and two more Saint Eunan’s points.

The half-time score read Buncrana 0-8 Saint Eunans 1-5.

St. Eunan’s opened the second half with Kevin Kealy getting a goal which was soon followed

by Sean Halvey getting a point.

Buncrana were then unlucky when Dylan Duffy hit a good shot but he was unable to get the sliotar over the bar.

Odhran McGonagle was a complete rock at the back for St. Eunan’s.

Kevin Kealy got the second goal and while Oisin Grant was unlucky to get the side netting for Buncrana, the Cathedral Town side were getting very much on top.

Highly praised youngster in both football and hurling Niall O'Donnell got a point to help extend the lead for St. Eunan’s.

A glimpse of hope came for Buncrana when Ben Doherty got a goal but St. Eunan’s were deserved victors with Kevin Kealy getting his second goal and St. Eunan’s third. He finished with a tally of 2-4.

St Eunan’s: Darragh McBride; Brian McIntyre, John McIntyre, Odhran McGonagle; Conor Kelly, Conor O'Grady, Ryan Hilbert; PJ McBrearty, Sean Halvey (0-1); Kevin Kealy (2-4, 1 ’65), Darragh McCarthy, Cormac Finn (0-1f); Thomas Hartnett (0-3, 1f), Jordan Barr (0-1), James Hartnett (1-1). Subs: Lochlann O’Dea and Oisin Randles for McGonagle and Barr (45), Niall O’Donnell for McBrearty (47), Shane O’Donnell for O’Grady (60).

Buncrana: Tom Clare; John Vaughan, James Patrick Doherty, Oisin Hegarty; Kevin Vaughan, Paul Tourish, Matthew Wilson; Aedan Stokes, Niall O’Doherty; Ben Doherty (1-1), Daniel Deery, Dylan Duffy (0-5f); OisinGrant, Sam Doherty (0-1), Declan McCarron (0-1).

Subs: Callum OG Wilson for Vaughan (29), Darren Doherty for Deery (43), PJ McCarron for Wilson (48), Wilson for Tourish (53), Tourish for Grant (57) Referee: Hugo Wallace (Burt).

Local owner Austin Maxwell and his son Kyle, who was joined by his pals for his birthday celebrations, on a night that saw the Maxwell’s Briannah’s Jet winning the Lifford Christmas Lotto S7 350 Sprint.

Photos: John Killen.

SOCCER

Letterkenny Rovers FC The Letterkenny Rovers senior team is set to resume on Sunday, January 6th with a trip to the Brandywell to face Derry City Reserves.

The Youths final game of the season against Fanad Utd did not go ahead as scheduled last Saturday.

The u16s SFAI National Cup clash at Tramore has been fixed for Saturday 26th January

and will have a 12noon kickoff at the Waterford venue.

This week’s mini lotto numbers drawn were 2-7-10-17.

People who matched three numbers and receive 15 euro are Joe Blake, Jim McLaughlin, Evelyn Gildea, Mairead Molloy, Damien Daly and J Blake, The jackpot climbs to €2,725 euro.

Club bingo continues on Thursday night ( December 27th) at the Station House Hotel at 830pm sharp.

Snowball is €4,225 on 45 numbers or less.

The club would like to wish all players, coaches, supporters, sponsors, bingo patrons, lotto players and friends of the club and their families a very happy new year.

Kelsey’s Bobby won the second heat in the first round of the Trapper’s Bar S3/S4 350 Christmas Sprint in a time of 19.19, and is pictured here with Sean and Stephen Radcliffe (owner).

Carn Jake won the Getting Out for Christmas S5 350 sprint in 19.47 and is pictured with winning owner Brian Maguire from Co Fermanagh and his sister Briege Kiely with her daughter Aoife Kiely.

46 SPORT SPORT IN 2018

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

It was another wonderful year for sport in Donegal. Declan Kerr of the Donegal Sports Star Awards Committee has complied a list of the highlights for the period January - June 2018.

DONEGAL SPORTS STAR AWARDS REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2018 . . . JANUARY

YEAR BEGINS WITH MANY HIGHS There were many notable success in January as the year got off to a great star for many.

Athletics

The good form of Letterkenny AC’s Karol Duggan continued as he finished 20th at the IAAF Antrim International CrossCountry Championships. LAC athletes Matthew Johnston and Donal Farren were members of the Ulster U20 team in Antrim while Glenswilly lad Sean McGinley, a member of the Derry Olympian Club was on the province’s U17 team.

Donegal representation was completed by Teresa McDaid of LAC who was manager of the Irish team while Finn Valley’s Neil Martin was in the charge of the U17s.

Letterkenny AC’s Fionnuala Diver was second in the O35 category and the LAC men’s team took gold at the Northern Ireland and Ulster CrossCountry Championships in Belfast. Letterkenny AC’s Ann-Marie McGlynn won the five mile Raheny 5 in a time of 26.44.

Finn Valley AC athletes Sommer Lecky and Dempsey McGuigan were both included in the Northern Ireland team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Badminton

Raphoe badminton player Rachael Darragh was also included in the Northern Ireland team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Basketball

There was disappointment for St. Eunan’s College who suffered a defeat 44-32 to Colaiste Chiarain from Kildare

Special Guest Ken Doherty with overall winners Donall Barrett and Manus Kelly at the Donegal Sports Star of the Year Awards.

in the All-Ireland U16 Schools Basketball Final in Dublin.

Letterkenny boxer Stephen McMonagle was included on the Northern Ireland boxing team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Super-Heavyweight division.

Dungloe’s Matthew McCole secured a place in the LightWelterweight Final at the National U22 Championships in Dublin.

Labhaoise Clarke just missed out on a 10th All-Ireland title after losing on a split decision to Shauna Blaney at Dublin’s National Stadium.

Cricket

St Johnston players Scott Macbeth and Harry Pearson were included on an Ireland U13 squad for Cricket Ireland’s Cubs Winter Training Programme.

Ellevyn Irwin of theFabplus North West women's basketball team in action against Shannon Brady of Meteors during the Hula Hoops Senior Women's National Cup semi-final match between Fabplus North West and Meteors at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Fabplus North West, made up of players from all over Donegal, lost the semi-final by 76-59. Photo by Eoin Noonan/Sportsfile

Darts

Buncrana man Sean Wilson won the Irish National Darts Organisation’s singles title.

He defeated Michael Meeney of Kilkenny 3-2 in the final and Sean qualified to play in the British Darts Organisation tournament, the Winmau World Masters and also the Lakeside World Championship Qualifiers.

GAA

Declan Bonner’s first competitive game of his second spell as Donegal senior football team manager got off to an easy start with a 2-15 to 0-6 win over Queen’s University Belfast in Ballybofey in the McKenna Cup opener.

But, a week later ex-Donegal manager Rory Gallagher had satisfaction of putting one over on his former team in Ballybofey as his Fermanagh side defeated the hosts 1-13 to 1-10 in the second McKenna Cup group game.

In the final group game the return of Kilcar men Ryan McHugh and Paddy McBrearty helped Donegal book a place in the McKenna Cup semifinals thanks to a 10-point win over Monaghan in Clones (4-19 to 0-19).

Bonner’s men then had a comfortable seven-point win over Armagh in the Dr. McKenna Cup semi-final in Celtic Park thanks to a strong second half performance with Paddy McBrearty scoring eight-points (0-20 to 1-10).

Fourteen-man Donegal went down by just a single point to Kerry in an NFL Division 1 opener in Killarney (2-18 to 3-14). Bonner’s side who played from the 20th minute with 14 players following the straight red card received by Nathan Mullins led by a point in the dying minutes but the

hosts came back to snatch victory.

Naomh Colmcille hopes of a big day out at Croke Park were dashed by Cork side Knocknagree who had a 2-9 to 0-7 win over the Newtowncunningham outfit in the All-Ireland Junior Football semi-final.

The Donegal Ladies suffered a four-point (2-5 to 0-7) defeat to All-Ireland champions Dublin at the O’Donnell Park in their opening National Football League Division 1 game.

In secondary schools GAA, St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny reached the semifinals of the Ulster McLarnon Cup after an easy 1-16 to 1-4 win over Loreto College, Colraine in Owenbeg.

Hockey

Raphoe Hockey Club suffered defeat in the Linden Cup Final this time losing out 5-0 to Bangor in Belfast.

Horseracing

January was good for Trentagh jockey Martin Harley who had winners on Author’s Dream at the Betway Stayers Handicap at Lingfield and then at Kempton Park on the 11/2 backed Thaqaffa in the 32Red Casino Handicap.

ships at the UL Sports Arena on the University of Limerick campus. The former Irish boxing champion was first in the 2 km 40-49 age-group and then won the 500m Open Men category. And Ryan also achieved a new Irish record in the 40-49 age category in the 500m event.

Rugby

Letterkenny lad Joe Dunleavy was named for the first time in the Ireland U-20 squad for the international Six Nations Championship.

Soccer

Seamus Coleman returned to competitive action with the Everton U23s, ten months after suffering a terrible double leg fracture.

Carndonagh CS won the Ulster Senior Schools title for the third-year in a row after defeating St. Columba’s College Stranorlar 1-0.

The Scoil Mhurie Buncrana U15 girls clinched the FAI Schools Minor Ulster Cup title after a 4-1 victory over Carndonagh C.S. Moville Community School secured their place in the All-

Ireland Schools Senior Soccer Final after a 3-2 win over Enniscorthy’s Coalise Bride.

Mulroy College Milford were crowned All-Ireland Senior ‘B’ Girls champions after a great 2-0 win against Cork side Midleton at the Home Farm grounds in Dublin.

Letterkenny lad Shane Blaney made the move from Finn Harps to Doncaster Rovers.

St. Johnston’s Tyler Toland played the full game as the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team defeated Portugal 3-1 in an international friendly. Greencastle’s Roma McLaughlin came on as a late sub while also in the Irish squad were Milford’s Amber Barrett and Amy Boyle-Carr from Glenties.

McLaughlin was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ as IT Carlow won their third successive CUFL Women’s Futsal Cup at the WIT Arena.

Snooker

There was also a big snooker success for the CYMS Letterkenny team who were crowned All-Ireland champions.

Hurling

Setanta’s brilliant run in the All-Ireland series came to an end when the Killygordon outfit lost 4-12 to 0-13 to Ardmore from Waterford in the semifinal in Navan.

Martial Arts

It was a great month for martial arts with gold medals at the European Jiu Jitsu Games in Lisbon.

Two Carrigart men got on to the podium with Paul McHugh and Liam McBride winning gold medals in the novice section.

Convoy’s TJ McMenamin claimed a gold in the Blue Belt Masters Division in Portugal while Emma Dolan from the Three Rivers Shotokan Club was a brilliant second at the Ishoj Karate Cup in Copenhagen.

Motorsport

Manus Kelly and Donal Barrett will forever remember Friday the 26th of January when they were crowned Overall winners at the Donegal Sports Star Awards after their superb success in retaining the Donegal International Rally event last June. Kilmacrennan’s Richard Kerr won the ‘Young Rider of the Year’ at the Motorbike Awards in Bangor.

Rowing

Danny Ryan continued where he left off last year winning two gold medals at the Irish Indoor Rowing Champion-

Remember Nathan Mullins? Here he receives a red card from referee in the Allianz Football League Division 1 Round 1 match between Kerry and Donegal at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Co. Kerry. But Mullins did not figure in the championship.

2019 DONEGAL SPORTS AWARDS ARE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 27TH

SPORT 47 DONEGAL SPORTS STAR AWARDS REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2018 . . . FEBRUARY

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

PLENTY OF ACTION DESPITE THE COLD There was no shortage of sporting success for Donegal in February with big achievements in GAA, swimming, triathlon, soccer, darts, horseracing, endurance cycling, athletics and snooker.

Athletics

Finn Valley AC’s Dempsey McGuigan set a new Donegal record in the hammer throw, as well as a new PB and University Best in Illionois, USA. McGuigan threw the 35lb weight a distance of 21.22m.

Karl Griffin returned from injury to win the 800m at the Athletics Ireland Indoor Championships in Abbottstown in a time of 1.50.31.

Griffin was back on the podium as runner-up to fellow Donegal man Mark English in the 800m Final at the National Indoors in Abbottstown. Finn Valley’s John Kelly took silver in the Shot Putt while club colleague Sommer Lecky won the High Jump title.

Letterkenny AC’s Danny Mooney won the 1,500m event at the Athletics Ireland Indoor Championships in a time of 3.51.71.

Letterkenny AC’s Nakita Burke finished second at the National Intermediate Championships. The Donegal Ladies took bronze in the Inter-County race while Letterkenny AC were runners-up in the O35 team event.

Sommer Lecky won the High Jump at the IFAM International event in Belgium, clearing 1.86m in her first attempt.

Letterkenny AC’s Catriona Jennings broke her own Irish record as she won the National 50k Championship title in Kildare. Amy Greene of Rosses AC won the Girls U15 event at the Irish Intermediate, Masters and Juvenile CrossCountry Championships.

Boxing

Dungloe B.C.’s Matthew McCole lost in the Irish Elite Championship Finals at the National Stadium going down 5-0 to Wayne Kelly of Portlaoise in the 64kgs category.

Cycling

Letterkenny man Jason Black completed the mammoth 1,000km cycle race in the Middle East. The incredibly

Noreen Doherty, looks happy, as Hugh Mc Fadden,Donegal captain, raises the Mc Kenna Cup, after Donegal defeated Tyrone in the final in Armagh.

challenging event took place in Oman and was Black’s first attempt at a solo unsupported race.

Darts

Donegal did the treble at the West Coast Challenge in Castlebar with their senior men and women taking titles along with the youth team.

Gaelic Football

Donegal were crowned McKenna Cup champions after a well deserved 1-16 to 1-12 win over Tyrone.

Three Cian Mulligan goals helped Gweedore to take the Ulster U21 Club Championship title after a big win over Lavey on a score of 4-7 to 0-6.

Coaliste Ailigh Letterkenny won a senior schools GAA title for the first time ever after defeating Ballybay Community School from Monaghan by 3-12 to 2-10 in the final.

In the Allianz NFL Division Declan Bonner’s men went down by a point in Division to Galway at the O’Donnell Park

(1-12 to 0-14). Six days later and despite a gallant performance Donegal suffered their third successive loss in the league, this time to Dublin Croke Park (0-20 to 0-15).

The first league points were finally secured against a Kildare side that played with 14 men from the 15th minute at Fr. Tierney Park in Ballyshannon (1-15 to 3-7).

A late Yvonne Bonner free got the Donegal ladies 1-13 Galway 0-16 draw against Galway in a Division 1 game in Glenfin.

They side did a demolition job on Westmeath winning by 9-17 to 1-5 and then had a 1-7 to 1-4 win over Monaghan in Clones.

Hurling

The Donegal senior hurlers made history at the O’Donnell Park by defeating Down for first time ever by 0-17 to 0-14 in Division 2B. Mickey McCann’s men also defeated Derry, by 4-17 to 2-09, at in Letterkenny, but

lost 2-21 to 0-21 in Wicklow.

Motorsport

At the Birr Stages Rally Donagh Kelly and Conor Foley were second in their Ford Fiesta WRC with Declan Boyle and Conor O’Reilly third also in a Ford Fiesta WRC while Joseph McGonagle and Ciaran Geaney finished fourth in their BMW Mini WRC.

Racing

It was a fabulous February for Trentagh native Martin Harley who first rode Thaqaffa to victory for the third time in 2018 as he steered the Amy Murphy-trained five-year-old to a win at Kempton Park in the Matchbook Casino Handicap.

A couple of days later he steered Author’s Dream to victory in the Betway Casino Handicap at Lingfield Park.

Next up Harley rode Inn The Bull to victory at Wolverhampton in the Betway Casino Handicap.

At Wolverhampton the Trentagh man completed a spectacular treble (Ty Rock Brandy, Inn The Bull and Rae Guest’s Midnightly)to bring him past the 20- winner mark for the season.

Individual U18 Championships in Bulgaria.

Soccer

Mulroy College Milford retained their FAIS Senior ‘B’ National Girls title after a 2-0 win over Midleton College from Cork.

Inishowen man Georgie Kelly helped UCD to win the Collingwood Cup final.

Gweedore’s Marc Walsh started for the Republic of Ireland U17s in a 1-1 friendly draw against Turkey at Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway.

Walsh is on the books of English Premiership side Swansea

City. Barry McNamee scored the very first goal of the new League of Ireland Premier Division season when he put Cork City ahead in the third minute against St Patrick’s Athletic.

The Ramelton man had also scored in the President’s Cup Final the previous weekend as cork won 3-2.

Letterkenny Rovers U15s secured their place in the SFAI National Cup quarter finals after a well deserved 1-0 win over Mervue Utd. Despite losing 2-0 to group toppers Mayo the Donegal Youth League qualified as runners-up for the knockout stages of the FAI Inter-League competition.

Letterkenny Rovers booked their place in the semi-finals of the FAI Intermediate Cup after Darren McElwaine’s brace gave Eamonn McConigley’s side a 2-0 win over Dublin outfit Home Farm.

Colaiste Ailigh, Letterkenny had a 5-2 win over Crana College, Buncrana to win the Ulster Junior B Girls Final. It was a fine performance from Keith Cowan’s side.

There was an Ulster double for Moville Community School who won both the Senior and U17 FAI Schools provincial soccer titles.

Swimming

Ramelton man Paddy Bond took a gold and silver at the International Ice Swimming Association GB Championships in Leeds. Paddy was first in the M35-39 1k swim category and second overall in the 50 Fly.

Tug of war

The Carndonagh team took silver at the British and Irish Tug-o-war Championships in Enniskillen in the 620kg category.

Rugby

Former Letterkenny underage rugby player Justin Allen signed a two-year professional contract with the Houston SaberCats Club in the USA at Christmas time.

Ballybofey’s Laura Feely made her competitive international debut as last sub Ireland lost 24-0 to France.

Patrick McMillan - Competed for Ireland in the Downhill and Super G at the Winter Olympics.

Snooker

Ardara’s Ronan Whyte reached the last 16 European

Ronan Whyte from Ardara reached the last 16 of the European U18 Snooker Championships.

2019 DONEGAL SPORTS AWARDS ARE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 27TH

48 SPORT DONEGAL SPORTS STAR AWARDS REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2018 . . . MARCH

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

PLENTY OF VARIETY ON THE SPORTING FRONT March was a busy month for many individuals and teams and there were some notable performances to recall.

American Football

The Donegal/Derry Vipers got their season off to a winning start away to Westmeath Minotaurs (22-7).

Athletics

Letterkenny AC’s Nakita Burke's phenomenal improvement continued in Belfast in the Deep River Rock Queen's 5k. Nakita earned a new PB of almost 20 seconds and her first sub 17 minute 5k in an excellent time of 16.45. She was the second woman with only Newcastle and District AC's Kerry O'Flaherty ahead of her.

Basketball

The LYIT ladies team won the Division 2 national final thanks to a narrow 94-92 win over Griffith College at Inchicore in Dublin The Mulroy Hoops U14 Boys won the NWB U14 League Play-off title defeating Belfast Star in Ray. It was a good weekend for the Mulroy Hoops Club as their U14 Girls side reached the NWB League Final for the first time ever.

Boxing

Letterkenny IT student Matthew McCole took gold in the Elite 64kg category on a unanimous decision at the Irish Third Level Boxing Championships Finals defeating Sean Gallagher from Trinity College Dublin. Another LYIT student Danny Boyle took the Senior Novice 75kg title by overcoming Waterford IT’s Paul Fitzgibbon inside the distance.

A spectacular late strike from Leitirmacaward's Carl McHugh helped his side Motherwell to secure a 2-1 win over Hearts in a Scottish FA Cup quarter-final tie.

Paddy Mc Grath getting to grips with Jason Doherty of Mayo in the NFL clash at MacCumhaill Park. it ended in a draw and Donegal were relegated to Division Two.

Dylan Browne-McMonagle and Paddy McShane members of Letterkenny ABC took Irish juvenile boxing titles over the weekend at the National Stadium in Dublin. McShane was successful in the Boy 4 category. Browne-McMonagle who was also a winner in Boy 4 is a talented sports boy having also excelled as a jockey over the past couple of years.

Jason Quigley made a winning return to the ring in Boston by stopping Daniel

Rosario in the sixth round

GAA

The Donegal senior team suffered their fourth defeat of the Division 1 league campaign as Tyrone came out on top 2-13 to 1-10 at Healy Park in Omagh, and they then lost by six points against Monaghan in Clones (1-16 to 1-10).

Donegal were relegated on Sunday at McCumhaill Park when Mayo came from three points down to secure their

place in the top flight for 21st successive year (if finished 0-13 each).

There was bitter disappointment for St. Eunan’s College who lost out by a single point to Holy Trinity, Cookstown in the McLarnon Cup replay at Celtic Park in Derry after extra-time (2-8 to 0-13).

There was also bitter disappointment for Coaliste Ailigh, Letterkenny who lost 2-14 to 4-9 to St. Cuan’s Castleblaney Coolooney, Sligo in their first ever All-Ireland Final appearance.

Four Donegal players the Hegarty sisters Ciara and Niamh along with Yvonne Bonner and Karen Guthrie were members of the 2016 and 2017 TG4 Ladies Football All-Stars who played in Bangkok over the St. Patrick’s weekend.

The Donegal senior ladies are in the frame for the knockout stages of the Division 1 league after a massive 20-point win over a very disappointing Kerry side in Ballybofey (6-11 to 0-9). There were two goals each for Yvonne Bonner and Ciara Grant while Karen Guthrie and Sarah Jane McDonald also found the back of the net.

Carndonagh Community School won their first ever Ulster Markey Cup title getting the better of St. Columba’s College Stranorlar in an all Donegal final at the O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny (3-8 to 1-10).

Handball

Glenfin lad Odhran McGlynn secured a place in the U17 All-Ireland Final with a super win over Cork’s Michael O’Callaghan. The semi-final which took place in Cork saw McGlynn won 2-0 (21-7, 21-8).

Hurling

Over 2,000 people took part in the annual Cara Bundoran 10m/10k Challenge.

Two Declan Coulter goals helped give the Donegal senior hurlers a 2-17 to 1-17 win over Armagh at the Athletic Grounds to secure Mickey

McCann’s side a place in Division 2B for a second successive year. It was the first time that Donegal has managed to achieve that objective.

Motorsport

Declan Boyle and co-driver James O’Reilly made the perfect start to the season by winning the opening round of the National Rally Championship in Mayo. Boyle and O’Reilly led the nine stage Mayo Rally from start to finish.

Donagh Kelly won the West Cork Rally for a fifth successive year. Kelly and his codriver Conor Foley led from start to finish.

Rugby

Letterkenny lad Joe Dunleavy turned in an impressive performance on his Irish U20 debut in a super Six Nations Championship 30-25 win over Scotland at Donnybrook. He made his second international appearance but it ended in defeat at the Irish U20s lost to England at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Snooker

Northwest Snooker Club Letterkenny members Sean Devenney and Johnny Connors won the NSASA Eamonn Casson Memorial Cup at the AOH Club in Derry by overcoming the CYMS pair of Phelim McClafferty and Gareth Kirwin.

Soccer

Seamus Coleman made his 250th club appearance for Everton but it ended in a 2-1 defeat to Burnley.

A spectacular late Carl McHugh strike helped his side Motherwell to secure a 2-1 win over Hearts in a Scottish FA Cup quarter-final tie.

Donegal players Conor Blaney, Timmy Govorov and Jason Quinn were members of the IT Sligo squad that defeated Limerick IT 2-1 in the Intervarsities Division 1 Final in Limerick.

Finn Harps kicked-off their

new League of Ireland First Division season with a 1-1 draw against Shelbourne in Ballybofey.

Harps followed that up on the Monday night with a narrow 4-3 win in the end against the Mayo League in the EA Sports Cup. Late goals from John O’Flynn and Ciaran O’Connor game Finn Harps an excellent 2-0 win over Cobh Ramblers at St. Patrick’s Park, but they then lost 2-0 to Drogheda and drew 1-1 with lowly Athlone.

The LYIT Ladies side won the national O’Regan Intervarsities Shield title after a 2-0 win over the Garda College in Limerick. Player of the Match Zoe Green and Zoe McGlynn were the goalscorers.

Moville Community School won the FAI Junior Girls National Cup Final by overcoming Galway’s Coaliste Bhaile Chlair (Claregalway) 2-1 in the decider.

Swimming

Ballyshannon Marlins Swimming Club member Mona McSharry set another Irish record in the 50m breastroke at the Edinburgh International Meeting in a time of 30.87 seconds.

Triathlon

Saturday 17th March - Letterkenny 24/7s John Conaghan was first in he M55-59 category in the Tri122 Lanzarote International

Tug of War

Four Inishowen men were medal winners at the World Tug of War Championships in China. Carn’s Gerard Porter won double gold in the 560kgs category for his club St. Pat’s Louth and Ireland. Another St. Pat’s member Shaun Doherty from Clonmany also won gold in the 680kg category. There was bronze for Doherty and two other Clonmany men Dan Harkin and Andrew McGonigle in the 680kg category.

2019 DONEGAL SPORTS AWARDS ARE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 27TH

SPORT 49 DONEGAL SPORTS STAR AWARDS REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2018 . . . APRIL

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

A BUSY MONTH OF MIXED EMOTIONS Success in soccer, swimming, athletics and motorsport headline the Donegal Sports Star Awards April review.

Athletics

Letterkenny AC Male Masters M35-49 team, comprising Raymond Birch, Karol Duggan and Ciaran Doherty, returned from the National Road Relays in Raheny, Dublin with silver medals. They were deprived of gold by only a fraction of a second.

The Finn Valley AC Masters Ladies team including Teresa Doherty, Marie Harvey and Catriona Devine won the Over-35 race. And the FV team of Kay Byrne, Noreen Martin and Mary Hippsley took silver in the O50 category.

Finn Valley’s Sommer Lecky finished 10th in the final of the High Jump at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Over 650 completed a very successful Run Donegal Women’s 5k which took place in the Twin Towns. It was the 12th staging of the charity event based at the Finn Valley Centre and was held in memory of Lisa McGranaghan a married mother of two who died from cancer two years ago.

Badminton

Raphoe’s Rachael Darragh won her Round of 64 match in the Women’s Singles at the Commonwealth Games, but lost in the next round on the Gold Coast. Darragh and Sinead Chambers also lost in the women’s doubles last 16.

Basketball

The Donegal Town U16 Girls Basketball team won the Division 2 national title after three victories at the All-Ireland Club Championships weekend.

Boxing

Dunfanaghy Boxing Club’s Bernie McDonagh won the second Irish boxing title of his career at the National Stadium in Dublin in the Boy 3 44kgs category. There was also a national title for Shane McConigley from the Letterkenny Boxing Club in the Boy 1 52kgs section.

Endurance event

Ramelton’s Marty Lynch created history by becoming the first man to win ‘The Race’ in two successive years and in a record time. He is also the only person to have won 255km endurance event around Donegal twice. Lynch’s time was 13 hours, 32 minutes and 26 seconds.

GAA

There was no National League semi-final spot for the Donegal Ladies despite their big 4-11 to 2-3 win over Cork in Ballybofey. That’s because other results on that weekend didn’t go in their favour.

In the middle of April the Donegal U17s suffered a disappointing 2-21 to 1-12 defeat at the hands of Monaghan in the Jim McGuigan Cup Final at

2018 Rose Hotel Circuit of Kerry Rally Winners, Frosses man Donagh Kelly (right) and Conor Foley (left) with Clerk of the Course Richard Talbot. Photo: Dermot Kelleher Dejected Donegal players at the final whistle of the Ulster-17 final in Drumragh against Monaghan.

Drumragh.

The Minors also suffered a heavy 5-12 to 1-10 defeat by Tyrone in the first round of the Ulster Championship at McCumhaill Park.

Kilcar’s Paddy McBrearty was named on the first ever GAA Club Players’ football team of the championship.

The Donegal U16s booked their place in the Buncrana Cup Final with a big 4-10 to 0-8 win over Monaghan at the O’Donnell Park. St. Eunan’s College won the Ulster Schools Treanor Cup title (U15 and a half) after defeating St. Louis Grammar, Ballymena in Colraine by 0-7 to 1-2.

help the Republic of Ireland Senior Women’s side to a 2-1 win over Slovakia in the first of a double header of World Cup qualifiers at the Tallaght Stadium. However, there was disappointment for Barrett four nights later as Colin Bell’s team lost 2-0 to the European Champions the Netherlands at the same venue in front of a record attendance of 4,047.

Barrett was then shortlisted for the first Women’s National League Player of the Month award of 2018.

The boys from PCC Falcarragh produced a remarkable fightback to win the FAI Schools Minor B Boys National

Cup Final at IT Sligo. PCC as they beat against Coola Post Primary School 3-2.

There was also success for Carndonagh Community School who won the Dr. Tony O’Neill Senior Boys Cup Final.

Meanwhile Harps underage players Patrick McGarvey and Fionnan Coyle both featured for the Republic of Ireland U15s against the Czech Republic.

For the second year in a row Fanad United Youths were crowened Dick Duffy Memorial league champions after Niall Doherty’s side secured the title when they defeated Kilmacrennan Celtic.

There was a very special night for Lifford native Shay Given who received the ‘Donegal Person of the Year’ award at a gala dinner in the Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin.

Carndonagh Community School’s Kieran Farren and Daniel Houghton started for the Republic of Ireland Schools team that won the International Centenary Shield after overcoming Scotland 3-1 at Home Farm FC in Dublin. Houghton saved a penalty in the second half. St. Eunan’s College pupil James Carolan was also a squad member which was managed

by Cockhill Celtic player and Finn Harps coach William O’Connor. Milford’s Mickey McGlynn was the Irish physio

Rallying

while Harps manager Ollie Horgan is on the coaching staff.

Snooker

Ronan Whyte defeated his North West Snooker Club colleague Sean Devenney 3-0 in the first ever all Donegal RIBSA U-18 qualification ranking final. Devenney secured his place in the U18 National Snooker Final after defeating his North West Club colleague Whyte 3-2.

Swimming

Ballyshanon Marlins Swimming Club member Mona McSharry won three gold and a bronze medal at the Irish Championships in Dublin. She set a new 50m freestyle Irish record.

Donagh Kelly in a Ford Focus WRC won the Circuit of Kerry.

It was round two of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship and the Frosses man finished 16.4 seconds ahead of the Ford Fiesta WRC of another Donegal man, Declan Boyle from Leitirmacaward.

Muff driver Joseph McGonigle finished fourth.

Kelly and Conor Foley won the Monaghan Stages Rally in their Ford Focus with just 1.8 seconds to spare over Sam Moffett and Karl Atkinson in a Ford Fiesta R5.

Soccer

Finn Harps made their exit from EA Sports Cup on Bank Holiday Monday evening in Ballybofey after local rivals Derry City came back from a goal down to secure their spot in the third round draw with a 2-1 win. Skipper Ciaran Coll had put Harps in front on 11 minutes.

In the league and despite performing well Harps lost 3-2 to UCD at Belfield in the League of Ireland First Division. Burnfoot man Georgie Kelly grabbed a super hattrick for the Students.

Milford’s Amber Barrett scored a dramatic late goal to

Donegal's Adam Voss was an entrant in the Irish Downhill and Mountain Bike Series.

2019 DONEGAL SPORTS AWARDS ARE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 27TH

50 SPORT DONEGAL SPORTS STAR AWARDS REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2018 . . . MAY

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

DONEGAL TO THE FORE AT HOME AND ABROAD There was a strong Donegal connection on foreign shores as well as at home as May turned out to be a month of considerable success, notably in swimming and athletics.

American Football

There was a third win in a row for the Donegal-Derry Vipers who moved top of the Irish American Football League 1 table after doing a demolition 27-0 job on the NI Razorbacks.

Athletics

Brendan Boyce produced an excellent performance to finish 17th at the World Race Walking Team Championships in China.

Gortahork man Brian O’Domhnaill, a member of Finn Valley AC, won an individual silver in the 30k Walk and bronze in the team event for Ireland at the European Masters Championships in Alicante, Spain.

On the national stage Lifford/Strabane athlete Brendan O’Donnell set a new personal best of 67.68m in the Men’s Hammer at the Leevale Open Sports in Cork. He set a new record in the Senior Boys Hammer, throwing 63.32. at the Ulster Schools Final at the Antrim Forum.

Meanwhile Martin McLucas, Pauric McKinney and Finbarr Gallagher were members of the first Inishowen AC team to win the National 10k Championship in Dublin.

City of Derry Spartans athlete Conor Bradley won the 22nd North West 10k in a time of 32.21. Finn Valley AC’s Teresa Doherty was first across the line in the women’s section in a time of 36.16.

Locally Ramelton man Marty Lynch won the WAAR 2018 in time of 2.22.20 while Letterkenny AC’s Danny Mooney did a double at the Donegal Track & Field Championship at the Finn Valley Centre winning the 800m and 3000m finals. Danny McDaid’s legendary athletic achievements

Girls 13-16 200m Medley Relay gold medallists, from left, Nimah Hughes, Katie McMullin, Caoimhe McCauley, Cora Rooney, Anna McCaffrey and Clodagh O'Connor, from Ballyshannon, during the Aldi Community Games May Festival, which saw over 3,500 children take part in a fun-filled weekend at University of Limerick from 26th to 27th May. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.

was honoured when the Glenswilly man was bestowed with the Freedom of Donegal at the County House in Lifford.

Boxing

There were Irish titles for two Donegal female boxers during the month. Dunree ABC boxer Breda Collins won the 43kg title at the Irish Championships staged at Dublin’s National Stadium.

Raphoe Boxing Club’s Leah Gallen won the Irish Junior 1 66kg Category.

Cycling

Three Donegal cyclists Ronan McLaughlin, Mitchell McLaughlin and Aaron McBride completed the grueling Ras Tailteann around Ireland.

GAA

Rory Kavanagh’s Donegal U16s won the Buncrana Cup

Final for the first time in five years with a narrow 1-13 to 1-12 win over Tyrone at the Scarvey Grounds in Buncrana.

On the May Bank Holiday Monday, Naomh Conaill took the Donegal Senior Gaeltacht title in Downings with a 1-13 to 3-6 win over Naomh Columba while Fanad Gaels proved to strong for hosts Na Dunaibh (0-13 to 0-6). On the Saturday, Glenfin defeated Termon in the Senior Ladies decider.

The Donegal Minors lost 1-12 to 1-10 to Monaghan in an Ulster Football Championship Round 2 Qualifier.

Donegal advanced to the Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final after a very comfortable 2-20 to 1-15 win over Cavan at McCumhaill Park.

Declan Bonner’s men booked their place in the provincial semi-final of after a 2-16 to

0-16 win over Derry at Celtic Park. Donegal U20s impressed in a 2-11 to 0-10 victory over Cavan at Celtic Park with Niall O’Donnell scoring 1-12.

It was a good month for underage girls GAA with the Donegal U15 Girls winning the Ulster Football title after an easy 5-17 to 1-5 victory over Down at Drumragh.

Then the Donegal U16 Ladies took a provincial title after a 4-10 to 0-5 victory over Cavan in Augher, Co. Tyrone. That was followed by the Donegal U14 Girls winning their Ulster Football Final thanks to a 3-11 to 2-9 victory over Tyrone in Omagh.

Hockey

Three former Raphoe Royal & Prior students Luke Witherow, Alexander Tinney and Ben Wallace were named on the Irish U21 Hockey squad for a Four- Nation tournament in New York against Argentina, Brazil and the United States.

Snooker

Father and son Aidan and Sean Devenney suffered defeat at the National Snooker Finals at the Ivy Rooms in Carlow.

Sean lost out 4-2 to Aaron Hill of Cork in the U18 Final while dad Aidan was defeated 4-1 by fellow North West Snooker Club member Johnny Connors in the last 16 of the Senior Championship.

Swimming

The Ballyshannon Marlins Club member Mona McSharry won three gold medals for Ireland at the World Schools Games in Morocco. The golds came in the team 4x100m Freestyle, 50m Breastroke and 4x100m Individual Medley Relay.

Soccer

Leitirmacaward’s Carl McHugh was captain of the Motherwell side were beaten 2-0 by Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final.

Finn Harps came from behind to defeat Drogheda Utd 2-1 thanks to goals from Keith Cowan and Ciaran O’Connor. A wonder late strike from Jesse Deevers saw Ollie Horgan’s men bag a big three points against Galway Utd. Harps followed that up with a decent 0-0 draw against Shelbourne at Tolka Park. However, after a five-game unbeaten run Horgan’s outfit lost1-0 against Cobh Ramblers in Ballybofey.

A late equaliser denied Harps a win against Wexford Youths at Ferrycarraig Park after Paddy McCourt had given the visitors the lead from the penalty spot in the 67th minute.

Fanad Youths completed a double by defeating Letterkenny Rovers 1-0 thanks a very late extra-time winner from Keelan McGroddy at the Moss in Drumoghill to retain the Colin Breslin Memorial Cup title.

Dunfanaghy Youths won an historic first Donegal youth title as Danny Ferry’s boys defeated Swilly Rovers 1-0 in the John ‘Gorey’ Curran Memorial Cup Final.

Kildrum Tigers were crowned Donegal Junior League Premier Division champions for the first time in 17 years after a 1-1 draw against title Castlefin Celtic in St. Johnston.

They completed the double after overcoming Kilmacrennan Celtic in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in the Brian McCormick Cup Final at the Dry Arch.

Letterkenny Rovers retained the Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup title with a 2-1 win over Cockhill Celtic coming from behind with goals from Declan Sharkey and Ryan Lonergan.

Glengad Utd clinched their fourth Inishowen Premier Division title in a row after a 1-0 win over Aileach FC. However, there was revenge and some consolation for Aileach on the last Sunday of May when they won the Buncrana Credit Union Cup Final after a 1-0 victory over Glengad thanks to a first half Darren McMonagle goal.

Motorsport

Manus Kelly and Donall Barrett, in their first outing of the season, had a super win at the Killarney Rally of the Lakes in their Subaru Impreza with 29 seconds to spare in the end over Bob Barrable and Damien Connolly in a Fiesta.

Declan Boyle in a Fiesta WRC finished second and 34.6 seconds behind winner Josh Moffett in the Cavan Rally which was round three of the National Championships.

Rugby

A proud day for the Doherty brothers, Odhran, Ultan, captain, and Eunan, as they pose with the trophy, after Naomh Conaill won their third Gaeltacht title in four years, in the senior final in Downings.

Larissa Muldoon from the Twin Towns, a member of the Railway Union Club, won the Ladies Player of the Year at the Ulster Rugby Awards.

Letterkenny’s Conor McMenamin was named Youth Player of the Year.

Abbey VS class mates Niamh Mohan (nearest camera) and Rachael Gallagher in the final of the 75m hurdles at the Ulster schools championships.

2019 DONEGAL SPORTS AWARDS ARE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 27TH

SPORT 51 DONEGAL SPORTS STAR AWARDS REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2018 . . . JUNE

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

JUNE WAS A REAL HIGHLIGHT FOR MANY What a month it was for a range of individuals and teams from Donegal, with numerous successes locally, nationally and on the international stage.

display to win the Nicky Rackard Cup for a second time by overcoming Warwickshire 2-19 to 0-18 at Croke Park with Man-of-the-Match Declan Coulter scoring 1-9.

Athletics

On the first Sunday in June when all the figures had been collated following the VHI women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin, there was further good news for Letterkenny Athletic Club’s three competitors. It was already known that Nakita Burke and Catriona Jennings had scooped finishing places in the top 10 in a very competitive race, with Nakita gaining the bonus of a new PB. It was also known that Monica McGranaghan had acquired a PB. However, it emerged on the Monday that the three LAC ladies also comprised the second team and so secured silver medals.

Tirconaill AC’s Kelly McGroary won the U23 400m at the Irish U23 and Junior U20 Championships in Tullamore while club colleague Caolan O’Callaghan took silver in the Triple Jump.

At the same championships Letterkenny AC’s Niamh Kelly won a silver medal in the 5,000m.

Boxing

Dungloe ABC fighter Matthew McCole won the 64kg Elite title in Harringey, London as a member of the Irish Third Level College team.

On the last day of the month Inishowen ABC fighter Tyrone McCullagh won his Super Celtic Bantamweight bout against Joe Ham despite being knocked down in the third

Motorcyling

Michael Murphy about to hit the deck but still holds possession for Donegal as Che Cullen watches on for Fermanagh when the sides met in the championship in 2016.

round of the contest at the SSE Arena.

Clay Pigeon Shooting

In Clay Pigeon shooting there was a Donegal treble at the DTL Irish Open, which took place at Ashbourne, Co Meath. Newtoncunningham’s Jim Doherty and Charlotte Kennedy from Ardara won the respective Men’s and Women’s Irish Open Championships while Michael Boyle of Killybegs took the Irish Novice title. Mark Barnett from Porthall won the Irish Open Class C Championship.

Cycling

Team Donegal Oil finished the toughest cycle race in the world, the ‘Race Across America in the East Coast’s capital city of Maryland, Annapolis.

Arthur McMahon, Gerard Callaghan, Gavin Harris and Padraig McGinty were members of the first ever Donegal team to take part in the race spanning

Donegal captain Karen Guthrie lifts the cup after the TG4 Ulster Ladies Football Senior Championship Final match between Armagh and Donegal at Brewster Park in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. Photo

by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile.

3,200 miles across 12 States from the East to West Coasts of the US which started in Oceanside, California on the 16th of June.

Spanish based cyclist Cormac Keeney won the Donegal Ultra 555k Cycle in a record breaking time of 18 hours and 42 minutes. It shaved 37 minutes of the previous best time set by Ronan McLaughlin.

Gaelic Football

There was double provincial success for the county. First the Donegal Ladies retained their Ulster Senior football title with an easy 9-21 to 4-8 win over Armagh at Brewster Park, Enniskillen with star forwards Geraldine McLaughlin Yvonne McMonagle scoring 3-6 each.

Then a week later the Donegal men won the Ulster Senior Football Championship title for the ninth time thanks to a comfortable 12-point win over Fermanagh in Clones with first half goals from Eoghan Ban Gallagher and Ryan McHugh giving Declan Bonner’s men a big advantage.

It rounded off a unique achievement for Bonner as he had previously managed Donegal to U16, U17 and U21 titles.

There were celebrations on the double for host club Downings who won both the men’s and women’s All Junior Gaeltacht titles. The ladies had a 1-17 to 2-12 victory over Cill Chomain from Galway and the Na Dunaibh men defeated neighbours Fanad Gaels 1-12 to 1-10 in their junior final.

And the Milford Club

won it’s first ever All-Ireland Gaeltacht title after a 3-9 to 1-7 win over Leitir Mor (Galway) in Downings in the Intermediate decider thanks to a brace of goals from Leanne Boyce while Megan Ryan also found the back of the net. In the senior Gaeltacht decider Glenfin had a 13-point win over Maigh Cuilinn (Galway) in Downings (7-10 to 3-9).

Gymnastics

Two Letterkenny gymnasts Meg Carr and Patrick Quinlivan won a total of six gold medals at the Special Olympics National Finals in Dublin.

Patrick took gold in the floor, vault, rings and parallel bars.

Meg had firsts on the floor and beam and a silver on the vault.

Hurling

The Donegal hurlers produced a super second half

Caolan Irwin took his first and Irwin Racing’s first ever motorcycling podium finish in the British Superstock 600 Championships. Caolan also recorded a first ever fastest race lap to taken an impressive third place. Younger brother Rhys achieved his best results to date in the British Talent Cup taking home two points scoring finishes from Snetterton. Another Kilmacrennan lad Richard Kerr finished 14th and 13th respectively in his two races during the fourth round of the British Superbike Championships in the Dickies Supersports Class.

Rallying

Manus Kelly and Donal Barrett won the Donegal International Rally for the third successive year and made history by being first all-Donegal crew to do so. The only others to achieved this feat were Cathal Curley and Billy Coleman.

Rugby

Letterkenny native Joe Dunleavy played his part in ensuring that the Irish U20 side will have a place at next year’s World Championships.

Dunleavy came on for the second half as the Irish eventually won an exciting game 39-33 in Beziers, France. Now playing his club rugby with Malone, Dunleavy had scored his first ever international try in Ireland’s win against hosts France who won that World Cup opener.

Snooker

Dungloe man Shaun Sharkey was given the

honour of captaining the Irish team for the World Championships in Blackpool.

Two members of the North West Snooker Club in Letterkenny Sean Devenney and Ronan Whyte were included in the World U18 and U21 Championships in Jinan, China.

Soccer

Finn Harps had a 4-0 win over bottom of the table Athlone Town but then lost 4-2 to Longford Town.

Ollie Horgan’s outfit then got a good 2-1 win away to Galway Utd but suffered a 3-1 defeat to league leaders UCD in Ballybofey.

Harps bounced back after the mid-season break to secure a precious three away points thanks to a 1-0 win over Cabinteely at Stradbrook.

Cockhill Celtic won the Donegal News League Cup Final by overcoming arch rivals Letterkenny Rovers 3-1.

Dreams of playing at the World Cup ended for Donegal women Tyler Toland Amber Barrett, Roma McLaughlin and Amy Boyle Carr after their Republic of Ireland side lost 1-0 away to Norway.

It was a good month for Rathmullan native Adrian Delap who was named Ulster Senior League ‘Player of the Year’ at the annual awards function and four days later the midfielder came on as an 82nd substitute for the Irish Universities side who defeated France 2-1 in a friend in Longford.

Transplant Games

Ramelton man Kieran Murray impressed at the 10th European Transplant & Dialysis Games in Cagliari.

Murray won gold in golf; silver in the 1,500m and two bronze medals in the 5k and 800m events.

ABOVE: Manus Kelly and Donall Barrett celebrate their wonderful Donegal International Rally success.

LEFT: Donegal captain Danny Cullen lifts the cup following the Nicky Rackard Cup Final match between Donegal and Warwickshire at Croke Park in Dublin. PHOTO: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.

SEE NEXT WEEK'S PAPER FOR PART 2 OF THE SPORTING YEAR

52 SPORT

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

ATHLETICS

Gerard Gallagher and Teresa Doherty take the spoils in great community event organised by Finn Valley AC.

Almost 600 complete St. Stephen’s Day 5k Weather conditions were pretty much perfect as a total of 593 people completed the popular Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5k.

Gerard Gallagher was the first man home while Teresa Doherty won the female category.

But while there were plenty of competitive runners, the occasion was – as always – very much about community participation, and getting people outside after all the Christmas Day trimmings.

The event, which began in the early seventies in Drumboe Forest, Stranorlar, has gone from strength to strength, and has also attracted some big names in the past, including Olympic champions Vivian Cheryuiot of Kenya and Great Britain’s Mo Farah.

“The Valley 5k has established itself as a go to event in a major way in East Donegal each year and is a family event for the entire family,” explained chief organiser Patsy McGonagle.

Gerard Gallagher pushing hard on his way to victory in the Finn Valley St. Stephen's Day 5k. PHOTOS: GARY FOY0

ABOVE: The main field reaches the half-way point.

LEFT: Letterkenn AC had a good representation in the Annual Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race.

Look good, feel good for the NEW YEAR!

YOU CAN DO IT! NEW Couch to 5K class

These two lads were in good positions as they reached the mid point of the Annual FVAC St. Stephen’s Day 5K.

Starts Monday 7th January You can also start on Tues, 8th Jan, or Thurs, 10th Jan.

Classes held at Letterkenny Community Centre. Registration from 6.20pm.

Only €2 per class. Class starts at 6.30 pm.

Ideal for beginners.

In eight weeks you can do a 5k!

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For more details contact 086 8175194

Conditions were perfect for the Annual Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race.

This FVAC athlete was well positioned at the half-way point.

Foyle Valley as usual were also well represented in the Twin Towns event.

SPORT 53

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

ATHLETICS

Pictured taking part in the Annual Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race.

Two more host club athletes taking part in the Annual Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race.

Finn Valley athlete Johnny Mc Elhill from Aghyaran seems to be pointing the way to his fellow athletes

One of the athletes who got away to a great start in the Annual Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race.

Martin Gormley taking part in the Annual Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race.

An athlete pictured along the route of the Annual Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race.

Colin Mc Nulty (125) is a regular on the Annual event in the Twin Towns

The early pacesetters in the Annual Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race.

Going well around the 3K mark in the Annual Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race.

On of the large contingent of home club athletes who took part in the Annual Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race.

Peter Mc Menamin (364) knows the course well and is accompanied by another athlete as they reach the 3K point.

An athlete pictured taking part in the Annual Finn Valley AC St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race.

Teresa Doherty won the female categroy.

54 SPORT

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

SOCCER

16 players now contracted for 2019 SSE Airtricity Leaguie campaign

Major boost for Harps as Cowan and Borg sign Chris Ashmore

chris@letterkennypost.com

Finn Harps boss Ollie Horgan now has the bulk of his squad signed up for the 2019 season - but the search is still on for several more players in the coming weeks.

To date, Harps have 16 players signed, with the most recent additions being captain Keith Cowan and Australian native Jacob Borg Both played hugely influential roles last season, and Horgan is delighted to secure their services again.

Cowan (33) played in 26 league games last season as well as in the four play-off games.

"It's good to have Keith back on board. He was a real leader for us on the field last season," commented Horgan.

And he added: "It's a credit to him the way he came back from the horrible knee injury that left him out of football for over a year. Keith's experience is going to be vital to us in the Premier Division."

Cowan formerly played with Swilly Rovers in the Ulster Senior League before first singing for Finn Harps in 2005. He returned to Swilly in 2008 for two seasons.

The Ramelton man went back to Finn Park in 2010.

B o r g ( 2 7 ) joined Harps duri n g t h e summer

transfer window and went on to play a significant role as Ollie Horgan’s side secured promotion to the Premier Division. “We’re glad that the negotiations have been completed and Jacob has now signed a contract for next season. He came in during the July transfer window and did very well for us. Jacob is versatile and a player with lots of experience. Hopefully that will help us a lot in the Premier Division," Horgan said.

Borg, who can operate in defence ir midfield, is a Maltese citizen who had played his club football in Australia with Dandaloo F.C. before moving to Malta where he featured for Silema Wanderers, Zebburg Rangers, Balzan F.C and Gzira F.C. The defender has been capped once at senior level by Malta.

Meanwhile, Harps could become embroiled in a fixtures row - before the new season begins on Friday, February 15th when they begin life back in the Premier Division away to Bohemians.

According to the fi xtures list, Harps are scheduled to travel to Dublin on Monday, March 4th to play Shamrock Rovers. The game has been moved from May in order to accommodate a Republic of Ireland underage game at Tallaght Stadium (Shamrock Rovers' Ground) on the weekend of Sunday, May 12th.

Left: Jacob Borg

Finn Harps’ Keith Cowan tussles for possession with Derry City’s Ronan Curtis in a League Cup clash in Ballybofey in April.

From a Harps perspective, it means a demanding trip to Dublin on a Monday night.

It is expected that Harps may well see if the game can be reversed or re-arranged, or reversed.

Harps' first home game of

the SSE Airtricty League campaign could not be more challenging. They take on double winners Dundalk at Finn Park on Friday, February 22nd.

They then travel to the capital to tackle St. Patrick's Athletic before their second

home game which is against great rivals Sligo Rovers. The big north-west derby will be on Friday. March 1st.

Interestingly, Harps' concluding fixture is against Derry City at the Brandywell on Friday, October 25th.

GAA

Dr. McKenna Cup round-up

Donegal could end up facing Tyrone again Chris Ashmore chris@letterkennypost.com

Donegal will be fancied to top Section A in the Dr. McKenna Cup, and could well end up playing Monaghan in the semi-finals, if things go according to the formbook.

And all the indications are that the winners of that semifinal could end up playing Tyrone in the decider. But, as always, it’s one game at a time.

Last year Donegal ended Tyrone’s six year winning streak in this competition as they won the final.

The youthful Donegal side defeated their great rivals by 1-16 to 1-12 in the decider at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh before a crowd of 4,287.

Donegal will be expected to overcome Queen’s in their

opening fixture this Sunday at MacCumhaill Park and then travel to Down before completing their group games with a home clash with Cavan in Ballybofey on January 9th.

The winners of Section A will meet the winners of Section B in the first semi-final.

Although Armagh opened their account with a massive 6-17 to 1-7 hammering of St. Mary’s College, Monaghan will be fancied to top this group with the big game being the clash between the Farney men and the Orchard County on January 9th.

Section C should see Tyrone coming through. They have already beaten Derry handsomely, by 0-20 to 0-11, and are unlikely to be troubled by Fermanagh or Ulster University.

Of course, there is still one other semi-final place up for grabs. It will go to the best

A youthful Donegal squad, who defeated Sligo, in the recent challenge game at Coláiste Ailigh in Letterkenny before Christmas.

runner-up.

With the games coming thing and fast, it certainly will be an opportunity for Declan Bonner to try out some of

the younger faces and fringe players.

Donegal begin their Allianz National Football League campaign in Ennis against

Clare on January 27th.

They will be fancied by many pundits to get promoted at the first attempt back to Division One.

Donegal’s other opponents in Division Two this coming season will be Armagh, Cork, Fermanagh, Kildare, Meath and Tipperary.

SPORT 55

Letterkennypost Thursday 27 December 2018

GAA

Dr. McKenna Cup round-up Section A

30 December 2018 Round 1 - Cavan v Down, Cavan; Donegal v Queen’s University, Ballybofey 6 January 2019 Round 2 - Down v Donegal, Newry; Cavan v Queen’s University, Kingscourt 9 January 2019 Round 3 - Donegal v Cavan, Ballybofey; Down v Queen’s University, Newry

Section B

Armagh Monaghan Antrim St. Mary’s Univ

P W 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0

D 0 0 0 0

L 0 0 0 1

PF 35 0 0 10

PA 10 0 0 35

PR Pts 3.5 2

0 0

0 0 0.28 0

16 December 2018 Round 1 Armagh 6 -17 – 1-07 St. Mary’s University College

29 December 2018 Round 1 - Monaghan v A ntrim, Clones 6 January 2018 Round 2 - Monaghan v S t. Mary’s University College, Clones; Antrim v Armagh, Woodlands, Belfast 9 January 2019 Round 3 - Antrim v St. Mary’s University College, Belfast; Armagh v Monaghan

Section C Barry John Keane Kerry in action against Eoghan Ban Gallagher Donegal in the Allianz Football League Division 1 Round 1 match between Kerry and Donegal at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney last year. Donegal begin the competitive season with a Dr. McKenna Cup clash against Queen's this Sunday in Ballybofey.

Donegal face Queen's on Sunday

MCKENNA CUP CAN PAVE THE WAY FOR LEAGUE SUCCESS

Gerry McLaughlin sports reporter

Donegal can get promoted back to Division One, and a strong Dr McKenna Cup campaign will be the ideal boost, according to top defender Eoghan Ban Gallagher After winning the pre-season competition last season, Declan Bonner’s side suffered relegation, through a mix of patchy form and bad luck.

But having bounced back to triumph in the Ulster Championship, Gallagher looks ahead to 2019 with a glass half full, rather than half empty.

“Being Ulster champions, you’d have to say the glass is half-full, and from our perspective, it was a positive year,” he said.

“Although we wanted to stay up in Division One, that didn’t happen, but performances on the whole were positive.

“We had a few disappointments in the middle of the way, but near the end and at the start of the league, I thought we performed really well. But ultimately, we did get relegated.

“We have to push on now and aim to get promoted straight away out of Division Two. “And in the McKenna Cup, Declan sets his stall out at the start of every year to

win every game you play, be it challenge games or whatever.

“We went into the McKenna Cup to win it, and we did win it, we went into the Ulster Championship to win it, and we did win it. but obviously we fell short then in the Superb 8s.”

The Killybegs clubman is hoping manager Bonner can discover one or two new talents capable of adding something extra to the squad in the year ahead.

“We need to get a few new players in, it’s very important every year. You see Dublin, they always seem to bring in one or two new players that have a big impact come the championship.

“On Sunday we face QUB and they will be preparing for the Sigerson Cup so the McKenna Cup is a good preparation for them also.

“So it is good preparation for both sides and we are all looking forward to getting back into competitive action.

“QUB will give us a good test as they have been in training for quite some time.

“In my first year, the McKenna Cup gave me my first opportunity to get game time with the seniors. It sets a good platform, gets you Declan Bonner, Donegal manager

Section A

Donegal v.

Queen's University MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey Sunday, December 30th Throw-in: 2.00 pm

out playing games, because games at the end of the day are what everybody is training for.”

Donegal fans are looking forward to the sight of the attacking corner back, in his trademark white boots, setting off on those searing runs into oppos i tion territory i n the year

ahead.

This supreme athlete could comfortably take on a more offensive position in the team, but he’s happy to sit back and pick his moments to get forward.

“I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but you literally are happy to play wherever you’re put, and I think everybody in the Donegal team is exactly the same.

“But in the modern game now, it’s so fluid, any player could end up anywhere. You see Michael (Murphy) back in the full back like at times, Jamie Brennan is the same.

“And Paddy McGrath came up and got a few scores this year, and Stephen McMenamin got in for a few goals chances, so it’s a fluid game and we’re able to play in the defence and the attack.”

Gaoth Dobhair

Donegal will be without their Gaoth Dobhair contingent for the early part of the season, possibly until after St Patrick’s Day. The Ulster Club champions will be otherwise engaged as they prepare to enter the AllIreland series in a semi-final against holders Corofin.

“I think there’s six or seven Gaoth Dobhair fellows now in the Donegal senior team, so it’s

Tyrone Ulster Univ Fermanagh Derry

P W 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0

D 0 1 1 0

L 0 0 0 1

PF 20 12 12 11

PA 11 12 12 20

PR Pts 1.82 2 1.0 1 1.0 1 0.55 0

15 December 2018 Round 1 Fermanagh 1 -09 – 0-12 University of Ulster

20 December 2018 - Derry 0 -11 – 0-20 Tyrone

6 January 2018 Round 2 - Fermanagh v Derry, Enniskillen; Tyrone v University of Ulster, Omagh 9 January 2019 Round 3 - Tyrone v Fermanagh, Omagh; Derry v U niversity of Ulster, Dungiven Semi-Finals Sunday, January 13th at 2.00 pm Section A Winner v. Section B Winner, venue TBC Bes Runner up v. Section C Winner, TBC FInal - Date and Venue to be confirmed. a major loss not to have them for the start of the league," Eoghan Ban Gallagher told the Post.

“But the experience it’s going to give to a lot of the boys who are my age at the top of the club scene is fantastic, and for a Donegal team to win the Ulster Club Championship is great. It’s been so long since St Joseph’s won it back in the seventies.

“It’s a big, big statement by them, and I hope they push on now and give the All-Ireland a rattle.”

New rules

On the issue of the new rules, Gallagher fears they could backfire by defeating their intended purpose, and making the game even more defensive.

“There’s a few of them I’d agree with, but I think the three hand-pass rule could end up making the game more defensive.

“I think the forward kick pass from side line balls could make the game a lot more defensive as well, for teams can just bring players

right behind the ball. It’s very hard to break down a blanket with just hand-passes.

“But I think the idea of it will force teams to practice their kicking over the pre-season.

“But we’ll just have to see, and hopefully they’ll re-evaluate it after the McKenna Cup and make the right changes before the league."

He continued: "I was just thinking about how many of our scores last season came from four or five handpasses. I think the first goal in the Ulster final was five handpasses.

“But every team is going to have to adapt. Dublin even play hand-pass football. It’s not to say it’s a negative side of football, but I think every team is going to take a wee while to adapt to it.

“Last year we did try and mix it up with a bit more kicking, but we’re going to have to put a greater emphasis on it again.”

As for Sunday, Donegal should have too much strength in depth for the students and get their season off to a winning start.

Letterkennypost Finn Harps' latest signings P54 Thursday 27 December 2018

Dr. McKenna Cup Preview P55 www.donegalnow.com

Clar Road, Donegal Town

Tel: 074 97 21396 www.dmgmotors.ie

GET BEHIND US Over 5,000 players have been with Letterkenny schoolboy club

Chris Ashmore

chris@letterkennypost.com

Over 5,000 players have been registered over a period of 40 years with a leading Letterkenny schoolboys club – and it is now hoping that those who enjoyed donning the Ballyraine FC colours over the decades will get behind a major fundraising drive.

This week Ballyraine FC announced details of a Private Members 200 Club and have called on former players and friends of the club for support.

Club Founder Andy O’Boyle and Club secretary Charlie Shiels have written a letter addressed to all former players and friends appealing for their support as the club develops a state-of-the-art new pitch at Orchard Grove.

Shiels said: “Anyone can join the 200 club, you don’t have to be a former player. We’ve had over 5,000 players from U6 to U16 teams in the club’s 40 years history and it would be very much appreciated if some of these former players, who are now working professionals, gave a little back to the club.”

The 200 Club will run for a period of 24 months and will be restricted to 200 members. A monthly draw will be made with prize money totalling €2,000 being handed out every month.

To find out more or to subscribe to the Ballyraine FC Private Member 200 club contact Andy O’Boyle (086) 229 4995 or Charlie Shiels (086) 896 2709 or email club treasurer Cliff Smith at cliffordsmithord@hotmail.com Registration forms are available in Arena 7.

St. Eunan’s lose

Charlie Shiels

St. Eunan’s were beaten by Derry side Wolfe Tones, Bellaghy in a remarkable semi-final of the St. Paul’s Ulster Minor Football Tournament in Belfast on St. Stephen’s Day. Bellaghy were in front by 0-10 to 0-1 at half-time but the Letterkenny side stormed back and led 3-6 to 0-14 before eventually losing 0-16 to 3-6.

ST. STEPHEN'S DAY 5k

Letterkenny's Dessie Shiels was one of almost 600 people to take part in the popular annual St. Stephen's Day 5k hosted by Finn Valley AC. See pages 52 and 53 for more. Photo: Gary Foy.