Finn Valley AC last night gathered to honour their World Masters athletes.

Finn Valley athletes, coached by former Irish athletics team manager Patsy McGonagle, returned four medals from World Masters Athletics Championships in Toruń.

Pictures by Dermot McGranaghan.

Noreen Bonner won team gold and individual bronze; Mark Connolly took a gold with the Ireland team; and Kay Byrne collected a bronze as part of the Irish team.

Bonner finished finished the half marathon in one hour, 35 minutes and 35 seconds on Saturday to take a bronze in the W60 category as well as helping Ireland to a team gold.

Connolly was a gold medal winner in the 8k cross-country, while Byrne was part of the Irish side that won bronze in the cross-country event.

Sinead McConnell returned a national indoor record of 15:42.88 in the 3000m walk and narrowly missed out on a podium spot.

Catriona Devine was sixth in the women’s 1,500m (W45) final, finishing in 4:50.60, while club-mate Kieran Carlin was ninth in the men’s 1,500m (M50) final.

A man caught in possession of a machete and a bill hook has been refused bail after a court heard he is making his nieces’ lives hell.

Danny Connors Snr appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

Gardai told the court that they caught the accused ‘red-handed’ with the items at his home at Canal Road in Letterkenny, Co Donegal on March 31st last.

Garda Sgt Jim Collins said he was objecting to bail on a number of grounds.

The accused man’s niece said Mr Connors had made her life and the lives of her two sisters a living hell since their father died eleven years ago.

She told a hushed courtroom “I feel that they’re out to kill me and my two sisters. We have had to run through fields and through windows to get away from them.

“Every time they drink they threaten to kill us. I feel intimidated.

“I’m a carer for my sick mother and these boys just won’t stay out of our lives.”

Solicitor for Mr Connors, Michael Shiel asked Judge Kelly if he would consider a cash bail and an undertaking that Connors would stay away from the women.

Having heard the evidence, Judge Paul Kelly refused bail in the case because that evidence was not challenged.

He said the refusal was because of the potential fear and intimidation of witnesses.

Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh has today launched Active School Week 2019 at Letterkenny’s Educate Together National School.

Active School Week is a Department of Education and Skills’ initiative, supported by Healthy Ireland and co-ordinated from Mayo Education Centre.

The week is part of the Active School Flag programme, which aims to get more schools, more active, more often. The particular focus of the 2019 Active School Week is the ‘Mile a Day Challenge’.

This challenge encourages every class to commit to an activity that allows them to complete a mile every day during their Active School Week.

Donegal has the highest percentage of schools with Active School Flags of any county nationally.

All schools are encouraged to build an Active School Week into their annual school calendars.

Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. pictured with students from Letterkenny Educate Together National School at the launch of Active School Week 2019 today. Copyright Clive Wasson photography.

Speaking at the launch in Letterkenny, Minister McHugh said: “Active School Week makes it easy for teachers with fun and inclusive activities that get children more active in schools. Energising the school day brings benefits to teaching and learning in schools, as well as to health and wellbeing.

“I am especially proud to launch this year’s Active School Week in Letterkenny, in my home county, and to celebrate the success of Donegal schools with this initiative.”

Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. pictured with students from Letterkenny Educate Together National School at the launch of Active School Week 2019 today. Copyright Clive Wasson photography.

The Active School Week 2019 ‘Mile a Day’ Challenge helps schools to link with other national initiatives, such as ‘The Daily Mile’ programme and the ‘Swim for a Mile’ challenge.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross T.D. said: “It is very important that we increase physical activity levels across all ages and groups. This initiative is providing a wonderful opportunity for our children to enjoy all the benefits that being physically active can bring. It is about getting children out in to the fresh air and being active and having fun. I wish the initiative every success.”

The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin T.D. said: “The impact of this type of initiative can be transformational – improving not only children’s fitness but also their concentration levels, mood, behaviour and general well-being. I am delighted that this links in with “The Daily Mile” programme which is doing a wonderful job in instilling healthy habits in our young people.”

Active Schools Week Launch at Educate Together Letterkenny. #ASWN19 Photo Clive Wasson

The Minister of State with responsibility for Health Promotion, Catherine Byrne T.D. said: “I am delighted to welcome the launch of this year’s Active School Week which provides a great opportunity for schools to bring physical activity into the classroom and the school yard in a practical, fun way. Our schools have enthusiastically signed up to the goals of Healthy Ireland; supporting and encouraging children from a young age to be healthier and more active.

“The support provided by the HSE and Donegal Local Sports Partnership is a great example of successful collaboration across the health, sports and education sectors, which is clearly reflected in the high percentage of Donegal schools holding the Active School Flag.

“The Department of Health is proud to support Active School Week through the Healthy Ireland Fund, and congratulates everyone taking part in events around the country this week.”

The Chair of the Referendum Commission will address students at Letterkenny Institute of Technology on Tuesday, April 9th at 12 30 pm.

The Chair of the Commission, Judge Tara Burns, will attend the launch for the register-to-vote campaign.

The launch marks the start of the Commission’s information campaign encouraging people to ensure they are on the electoral register.

A referendum on the regulation of divorce will take place on May 24th, the same day as the local government and European Parliament elections.

Those not registered to vote have until May 7th to get on the electoral register in time.

County Donegal had one of the lowest voter turnouts in the last referendum, and the Chair will talk about the importance of voting and will answer students’ questions.

Continuing his popular Medical Matters column, this week Dr Ciaran Roarty of Scally McDaid Roarty Medical Practice talks about acne.

Acne is a common problem mainly associated with the teenage years though it can affect young babies and older adults.

It causes black, red or white spots on the face, neck, back and chest. It more commonly affects boys and most teenagers develop it to some degree.

Blocked skin pores (which usually have hair growing out of them and release oil)  become infected with bacteria and this is usually the underlying problem with acne. Sometimes other conditions e.g. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can also cause acne.

Can anything make it worse?

Covering acne with a lot of creams and makeup can exacerbate things as well as constantly touching your face with your hands (which can spread germs).

Tight clothing, excessive sweating and certain medicines can also make things worse as well as picking or squeezing the spots.

Poor hygiene does not cause acne and stress while not helping acne, is not a cause for it.

Advice to people with acne

Wash twice a day with lukewarm water and an antiseptic wash. Do not use strong soaps and avoid abrasive cleansers with granules. Air dry your face.

Your doctor can advise on various treatments which work really well for acne. Each individual is different however and your treatment may have to be tailored for you. They do take time to take effect.

Your doctor may advise a topical gel or cream containing, for example, benzoyl peroxide. Other topical treatments that are prescribed are known as retinoids and your doctor will likely explain to you about any possible side effects and using sunblock.

Topical antibiotics may be prescribed in combination with other treatments also.

Antibiotic tablets work by killing germs that contribute to causing acne and are often prescribed along with a topical treatment.

It takes time to work and it is important to tell your doctor if you intend becoming pregnant before commencing as some of the above treatments will not be advised.

Certain contraceptive pills may help acne, while others can exacerbate it. Other more powerful tablets are also sometimes prescribed for more severe acne and they work by reducing the amount of oil made by your skin. 

Any treatment takes up to 6 weeks for there to be any effect and may take up to 4 months to be most effective so you need to give it a chance to work.

Ongoing topical treatments may be needed to keep spots at bay once the initial treatment has finished.

Scars from acne can be treated by laser treatment, peeling treatments and collagen injections though these can be quite expensive.

The above information is intended as advice only and should you have any concerns please contact your own Doctor.

Dr Ciarán Roarty MB, BCh BAO MICGP DRCOG Grad. Cert. Obst. Ultrasound

is a full-time  GP at Scally McDaid Roarty Medical Practice, Scally Place, Letterkenny,  Tel 0749164111

scallys.ie

International Darts extraordinaire Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor is in Donegal today for a special event in the Abbey Hotel.

The 16 time world champion will appear in an exhibition event that is sure to delight all darting fans.

This will be a unique opportunity to see the world-renowned skills of the world’s greatest player on stage. In depth interviews and a Q&A session will give fans the opportunity to hear incredible stories and put burning questions to the legend himself.

Last minute tickets are available at The Abbey Hotel Donegal Town and on Eventbrite.ie:

VIP Tickets: €40.00 (include Interview and Q&A with Taylor from 7:15-8:00pm)
Limited Availability for VIP

Standard Tickets: €25.00 (Doors at 8:00pm)

Click HERE to get Standard Tickets

Click HERE to get VIP Tickets

(above ticket prices exclude booking fee)

For more, see: www.abbeyhoteldonegal.com/phil-taylor-exhibition

If you’re thinking about building, renovating, extending or upgrading your property, you need to visit BUILD this weekend.

BUILD is the northwest’s most popular home expo event and takes place in Lurgybrack Open Farm, Letterkenny this Saturday 6th April, from 10am – 5pm and this Sunday 7th April from 11am – 4pm.

Entry is free and this year promises to be the biggest show to date with 33 exhibitors from across all sectors of the house building and renovation process.

For the past four years, the BUILD management team has worked together to showcase some of Donegal’s finest tradespeople and services. A key focus of the event is to highlight the breadth and quality of services available in Donegal and to encourage home-builders to keep business local.

AIB is the main sponsor of BUILD which takes place this weekend. Pictured are (l-r) Maggie O’Donnell, Homes Advisor AIB Letterkenny, Darren Donaghy of Donaghy Safety Training, Gareth McLarnon of Glen Estates Estate Agents, Barry Naughton, Head of AIB Donegal, Bert Galbraith of Galbraith Construction, Garry Clarke of Lanigan Clarke Solicitors, Sally-Ann Mullholland, Head of Homes AIB Donegal and Bill Steele of Cullinane Steele Architects. Pic: Clive Wasson

Donegal has a wealth of experience and expertise in the construction sector and the idea behind BUILD was to bring all the leading industry experts together under one roof so developers, self-builders and fixer-uppers can access essential free information from leading experts and get the advice they need to make the right decisions for their build or renovation project. BUILD has grown from strength-to-strength and the event has established itself as one of the largest and most respected construction events in the northwest.

Some of the BUILD management team on a site visit to Lurgybrack Open Farm, Lettekrenny ahead of this weekend’s event.

The exhibitors will cover a range of sectors from planning experts and architects to legal advisors and flooring experts, as well as garden landscaping experts and suppliers who can talk you through energy efficient products, which can save thousands of euro in the long run. Even if you’re not building this year, you can learn a lot that will help you with a future build.

BUILD is proudly supported by its main sponsor, AIB who has been backing the event since 2017. AIB’s lowest variable rate mortgage is the most competitive in the market and ensures a fair mortgage rate for its customers. Their mortgage approval also lasts twelve months, which is a big bonus. The AIB mortgage experts will be on hand at BUILD 19 this weekend to speak with anyone building, renovating or improving their homes.

Entry to BUILD 19 is free of charge and there will be prizes and giveaways on the day. Facilities include ample car-parking, a heated building and an on-site café. For more information visit Build 19 on Facebook or email builddonegal@gmail.com

WATCH: Why you should visit BUILD this weekend:

Video not displaying? Watch it here on BUILD 19 Facebook. 

The BUILD exhibitors include; Allied Irish Bank (AIB), McDaids Bathrooms Pluming and Tiles, McClean Thermal Imaging, Spratt’s Fireplaces, Glenard Plant, Creative Landscaping Works, PJ Designs, Topline McCreary, Letterkenny Skip Hire, Joe McDaid Windows, North West Aluminium (NWA), Virtual Teic, Patterson Kitchens, Kangen Water For Life, Floor IT, PVC Fencing Donegal, Balcrete, Unique Blinds and Curtains, Watson Hire, Letterkenny Glass, City Electrical Factors, McTaggart Insulation, Key Stone Group, Ward Stone, Thin Stone Ireland, Kelco Communications, MI Flues, Galbraith Construction, Lanigan Clarke Solicitors, Cullinane Steele Architects, Glen Estates, Donaghy Safety Training and Efficient Renewables.

Don’t miss BUILD at Lurgybrack Open Farm, Letterkenny this Saturday 6th April, from 10am – 5pm and this Sunday 7th April from 11am – 4pm.

A bright idea has led the Letterkenny Shopping Centre to win a Green Jersey Award from Rayal Energy.

The popular shopping centre, which is part of the Harcourt Shopping Centre group, has earned praise for making the switch to LED lighting. The results have been immediate and extremely cost effective.

Letterkenny Shopping Centre is committed to being as energy efficient as possible and the conversion to LED has vastly reduced the centre’s energy consumption.

Ed McCulloch, the property manager who received the award at the recent FM show in Dublin’s RDS on behalf of Letterkenny SC and the other Harcourt Centres said: “Harcourt Developments are proud to receive the Green Jersey award from Rayal Energy for saving 642,401 kg of CO2 by making the big switch to LED.

“All six Shopping Centre’s in the Harcourt Group have now completed LED lighting upgrades which use significantly less energy than fluorescent fixtures, while increasing lumen output to make our Centre’s brighter. On average the upgrades have provided energy savings of approx. 40%, so great for the planet and our tenants,” Mr McCulloch said.

Tom Hefferon (CEO) Rayal Energy, Ed McCulloch (Senior Property Management Surveyor) Harcourt Developments, Michelle Shirley (Sales & Operations Director) Rayal Energy.

Letterkenny University Hospital has apologised to a Burtonport man in the High Court whose leg had to be amputated after he went into the hospital for an angiogram.

In the letter to 77-year-old Hugh McElroy, a retired construction worker, the hospital’s general manager said the care afforded to him in 2014 and 2015 was not to a standard which they would have hoped or expected.

Sean Murphy told Mr McElroy that he apologised unreservedly for the quality of care he received and acknowledged the devastating impact this had on his life.

He said he recognised that nothing he or any of the team could say, could make up for the impact on Mr McElroy’s quality of life and on his family.

Mr McElroy went into Letterkenny University Hospital in September 2014 for an angiogram – a procedure where a tube is inserted into the groin and threaded up to the heart to check the blood vessels.

He developed a blood clot at the site where the angiogram had been inserted and was readmitted to hospital in Letterkenny where his condition worsened.

By the time he was transferred to University Hospital Galway, on 14 October 2014, he was in poor condition and had to undergo surgery.

He subsequently underwent further surgeries and treatment.

But in September 2015, a decision was made to amputate his leg.

Details of the settlement made with Mr McElroy were not revealed in court.

A taxi driver was arrested for drug driving just moments after dropping off a customer in south Inishowen.

Gardaí detected the driver at Burnfoot last week when they were on their way back to base.

The driver tested positive for cannabis and was also found to be in possession of the drug.

They were subsequently arrested by Buncrana Gardaí and will now face a court date.

Meanwhile, Gardaí in Letterkenny are urging road users to slow down and ‘arrive alive’ following a recent speeding incident.

A car was caught travelling at 135km per hour in a 100km/hr zone. Conditions were described as hazardous at the time due to heavy rainfall.

Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit detected this vehicle doing 135k/ph in a 100k/ph zone in very hazardous conditions. #Slowdown #Arrivealive pic.twitter.com/4Eh08mfCz5

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) April 5, 2019

Finn Harps are still searching for their first League win of 2019 as David Parkhouse struck a late brace for Derry City in a fiery north-west derby.

Finn Harps 2 Derry City 3

By Chris McNulty at Finn Park. Pictures by Joe Boland, North West News Pix

Parkhouse headed home from Jamie McDonagh’s cross eight minutes from time to edge the pendulum in the Candystripes’ favour.

Deep into added time, the Strabane man slotted in from an acute angle after getting the better of Ciaran Gallagher in a race for possession.

Mikey Place converted a late spot-kick for the hosts, but the final whistle shrilled and Declan Devine’s side move into third after a hard-fought win over ten-man Harps, who had Colm Deasy sent off.

Nathan Boyle cancelled out the Derry opener, scored by Donegal native Adrian Delap, but Parkhouse sent the Derry fans in the 2,228 Finn Park crowd singing into the night.

Ray native Delap drilled in off the underside of Ciaran Gallagher’s crossbar eight minutes into the second half.

Ciaron Harkin’s quick free fed Delap, who ventured back in after delivering a cross from the right.

Junior Okedi-Uzokwe’s drag-back was a little behind Delap, but the 20-year-old improvised and crashed home.

Eight minutes before half-time, Deasy was sent off after scything down former Harps player Ciaran Coll close to the half-way line.

Deasy’s tackle was reckless, the red card came instantly and, after a lengthy spell of treatment on the side of the pitch, Coll was carted off on a stretcher and Delap was given an earlier-than-anticipated introduction.

Harps were level 16 minutes form the end as Boyle tucked home from close range after Sam Todd helped on John Kavanagh’s delivery.

Re-energised by the goal, Harps went in search of another and Daniel O’Reilly, played around the back of Derry’s wall by the quick-thinking Caolan McAleer, riffled over the top.

Harps were incensed in the 22^nd minute when Boyle had the ball in the net only for Neil Doyle, the referee, to chalk it off. Derry goalkeeper Nathan Gartside’s kick out cannoned off the back of Sam Todd and Boyle rolled in.

Derry – and Gartside in particular – were given a fortunate reprieve with Todd booked amid the confusion. An animated Ollie Horgan was livid on the sideline – and replays showed the Harps boss’ ire was justified.

The tone was set in the opening minute when Coll fouled McAleer in front of a baying Town End Terrace, who got an early opportunity to ‘welcome’ their former captain back to Finn Park.

Conor McDermott and McDonagh were restored to the Derry XI in place of Eoghan Stokes and Darren Cole in two switches made by Devine to the side from last week’s win over Sligo Rovers.

Harps had started brightly with McAleer curling over the top after a surging run on the left channel.

Derry came close 14 minutes in when Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe headed over from David Parkhouse’s cross. The Candystripes were closer still when Harkin clipped just over from a Barry McNamee centre.

As Derry turned the screw, Greg Sloggett headed off target from a Parkhouse throw-in before Ciaran Gallagher palmed away from McDonagh after McNamee’s delicious pass invited the shot

Harps showed two changes from the side that lost 4-0 to Waterford United last weekend, with Jacob Borg and Tony McNamee coming in for the suspended Mark Coyle and the injured Raffaele Cretaro.

For McNamee, it was a first League start since his return to the club and it put him in direct combat with older brother Barry, Derry’s captain.

O’Reilly came close to levelling for Harps 20 minutes into the second half. As O’Reilly bent to head in from McAleer’s corner, Gartside did well to block and Derry managed to avert the danger in a claustrophobic six-yard box.

All the goals arrived in an eventful second half and Harps end the night five points from safety and already appearing as if they’re clamouring for their lives.

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Niall Logue, Keith Cowan, Sam Todd; Colm Deasy, John Kavanagh, Jacob Borg, Tony McNamee, Daniel O’Reilly; Caolan McAleer; Nathan Boyle (Mikey Place 82).

Derry City: Nathan Gartside; Conor McDermott (Darren Cole 57), Eoin Toal, Ally Gilchrist, Ciaran Coll (Aidy Delap 41 (Eoghan Stokes 85)); Jamie McDonagh, Greg Sloggett, Ciaron Harkin, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe; Barry McNamee; David Parkhouse.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

A frustrated Ollie Horgan admitted that the sending off of Colm Deasy changed the complexion of tonight’s north-west derby.

Harps lost 3-2 after an action-packed jostle with Derry City at Finn Park, having played the guts of an hour with ten men following Deasy’s red card for a wild lunge on Ciaran Coll.

“The sending off cost us,” Horgan told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.

“We were right in the game until then.

“Something different each week costs us. I can’t fault the effort. They gave everything, especially the ten men.

“Derry were the better side at 11 v 10; it was very even at 11 v 11. They celebrated like it was a Cup final.”

Deasy’s dismissal, a week after Mark Coyle’s red card in the defeat to Waterford United, means Harps will be down another body for next week’s game against Bohemians.

Horgan said: “We’re down a lot of bodies, but that’s not an excuse.

“We need everyone. We’re down to the bare bones. They’re a good bunch.”

Listen to the full interview below …

Declan Devine, the Derry City manager, blasted a section of the Finn Harps support who cheered as Ciaran Coll was stretchered off during tonight’s derby at Finn Park.

Coll was carried off after being on the receiving end of a horror tackle by Colm Deasy, who was sent off.

After getting treatment from Michael Hegarty, the Derry physio, Coll was carried off and taken to hospital.

Devine said that Coll had suffered a suspected broken leg.

“I thought it was horrendous. It was a really, really bad tackle,” Devine said.

“The suspicion is that he has a broken leg. Hopefully that’s not the case.

“I’m disappointed that some of the Finn Harps fans were cheering after seeing a player who gave ten years’ service to their football club, carried off on a stretcher. I thought that was poor.”

David Parkhouse’s late double, after Nathan Boyle cancelled out Aidy Delap’s opener, secured a 3-2 win for Derry, with Harps’ Mikey Place netting a consolation penalty with the last kick of the game.

Devine said: “We were in charge of the game, we had 11 players on the pitch, we went to sleep and it went to one-each.

“The boys showed character to get an absolutely fantastic second goal from David Parkhouse. It was a night for character, for work ethic and for the team to dig in.

“We’re over the moon to get three points because a lot of teams will get it difficult here.”

A Donegal-based woman has gained a major lift on her road to recovery from spinal injury, thanks to a team of kind-hearted donators.

Anita Jackson, 42, has been using a wheelchair for the past two years following a horror fall in Kenya.

But that long and challenging rehabilitation journey has been boosted this week as a successful fundraiser helped Anita buy two pieces of home exercise equipment.

Anita and her partner Manus Gallagher, from Burtonport, were forced to go public with an appeal to raise funds for a leg and arm trainer in March.

It took just a few weeks for Anita’s story to touch the hearts of hundreds of people all over the country, who rushed to help the couple reach their target of €4,400 on GoFundMe. Thanks to almost 200 donators, Anita is now able to do regular training at home.

Anita told Donegal Daily: “I’m really shocked and so appreciative of how nice people can be. Every single person who donated is amazing.

“We bought the Motomed and SkiErg last Friday evening and I’ve been using them this week.

“I feel like everyone who donated is cheering me on and helping me to get better. I was really tearful when I saw the fund total go up.”

Anita Jackson training in the new crowd-funded Motomed

Anita’s life was turned upside down in 2016 when she suffered an incomplete spinal injury in a freak fall on holiday in Mombasa. Some doctors feared that she would never walk again. But the determined woman has found a way to get back on her feet after she and Manus moved from their former home in London to Donegal.

Anita is now making great strides in her physiotherapy with the No Barriers Exoskeleton. She has used the robotic therapy tool to take over 65,000 steps, while she wanted to complement her progress with home training on a Motomed.

Anita Jackson with her partner Manus Gallagher. Anita is a service user of the Letterkenny-based No Barriers Foundation, which provides exoskeleton therapy for people with spinal injury, MS, brain injury and stroke. (North West Newspix).

However, due to demands in the HSE, she could only have access to this equipment every three months before it went to another patient.

Anita and Manus were inspired to buy the Motomed privately through a GoFundMe campaign, which was a sure success.
The overall total raised was €6,397, and the extra money was used for a skiing exercise machine and physiotherapy sessions.

Anita said: “I’ll get to use the equipment every day now. The fundraiser has given me a huge chance to progress and get my life back.

“Before I had my accident I used to go to the gym a lot. This has made me change a negative experience into a positive one. It’s given me such a boost of hope.”

Anita Jackson training with the SkiErg machine, which was funded through GoFundMe

And there are more than a few winners from this campaign.

“The other person who used the HSE motomed must be really happy too because I think they will get to use it full-time now,” Anita said.

Such kindness from friends, family and strangers has given Anita even more encouragement to progress in her rehab.

She said: “I just have to keep the positivity up and make it happen, not just for me but for the people who backed me too. I’m amazed at how loving and helpful people can be.”

A man who abused Gardai in a pub claimed he got drunk after not getting any sleep after attending an all-night wake.

Chris Bonner, of Convoy in Co Donegal appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with a public order offence.

The court was told the 45-year-old father-of-two was drinking in Rosie’s Bar in Drumkeen when Gardai arrived at the premises.

Bonner became aggressive with Gardai and asked them if they had nothing better to do before telling them to “f*** off.”

Gardai asked Bonner to desist but his tirade of abuse continued before Bonner called the Gardai “c****” and was arrested.

His solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client was the worse for wear after going without sleep having stayed up all night at a family wake.

Mr Gallagher said “As is the custom in these parts, he stayed up all night at the wake. He had been drinking at the meal after the funeral.”

The court was told that Bonner of Aughyalt, Convoy had a number of previous convictions.

He is now working as a labourer o building sites in Dublin.

Judge Paul Kelly said he was ordering Bonner to pay €150 to Letterkenny Youth and Community Project in lieu of getting another conviction.

Barry McNamee says Derry City are ‘aiming high’ after moving into third spot last night.

Derry’s 3-2 derby win away to Finn Harps lifted the Candystripes, although Bohemians could go above them again tonight when they play Sligo Rovers.

A much-changed Derry have made a useful and promising start to the campaign and David Parkhouse’s late brace last night gave Derry a valuable win at Harps.

“It was vital that we came here and got three points,” McNamee told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.

“We’re looking up the table. We’re aiming high. We’re aiming to push forward and get as many points as we can.

“We have a group of 20-22 players, most of them new to Derry, giving their all.

“We have to forget about this now and move on to focus on UCD.”

Listen to the full interview below …

Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher Fianna Fáil Marine spokesperson has welcomed the admission that the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES ) advice has been inaccurate over the past number of years and in fact has overcut our National Quota or Total Allowable Catch for various fish species.

He says this has cost our marine sector millions of Euro’s and our fishermen have been severely impacted by this dude or inaccurate advice which determined the value or size of our quotas over the past number of years.

Pat the Cope added the accurate information which has come to light shows a major change in the perception of the stock.

And it proves that the Marine sector were correct in their assessment – earlier this year when ICES advised a massive 68 % cut last year this based on false calculations of stocks.

He said “The correct position is 4.16 million tonnes of a stock size as opposed to 2.35 million tonnes, as ICES had informed us last autumn. In actual fact they underestimated stocks by 50%, it is shocking that the advice on which Quotas were set and based was out by a margin of 50% or almost 2 million tonnes. It is not surprising then how we retain little confidence in how quotas are set annually.”

He added last year and again earlier this year he stated that he had lost confidence in recent years in the mackerel advice provided by International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and that the inaccurate advice being put forward by them was costing the Irish Marine sector in terms of catch and onshore jobs.

He said “The position is now confirmed whereby these sets of inaccurate advice given by ICES have cost the state millions of euro each year.

“In November 2018, I stated that I believed their advice is not based on the accurate assessment of the stocks and too many errors have occurred over the last number of years. ICES advice each year was filled anomalies and inaccuracies, this was always contested by fishermen, as each year the fishermen were reporting increased stocks at sea but ICES were reporting decreases. It is now clear and beyond doubt that the fishermen were correct and the professional advice from ICES was completely wrong.

“Last November I informed the Marine Minister that the ICES advice is totally contrary to the entire pelagic fishing industry observations on stocks of fish at sea, which even then were not consistent with ICES view or observations indicating huge decline in fishing stocks but instead the pelagic sectors evidence showed very large stock sizes at sea.

“But, as we all are very well aware of now the ICES advice was accepted by the EU and cuts were made when in actual fact no cuts should of occurred.”

He said he is now calling on the Minister for​ Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the EU Coastal states to revisit the recent decisions which were taken on the basis of ICES advice, and to without delay put in place an increased Quota and TAC for those states which were unfairly cut in those respective years.

“The decisions to cut the TAC over the past number of years should not have been taken – they were based on a false premise and inaccurate information provided by ICES. It is clearly now a matter for Minister Creed to correct the wrongs of the past and appropriately compensate the Irish marine sector and the fish producers with increased catches in the years ahead.

“There is sufficient basis now for a revised and increased quota for 2019, this must be immediately acted on and examined by the Irish Government in conjunction with our EU partners concluded Pat the Cope.

We live in an age where everything is instant. When we want something, we want it now.

High-speed broadband, instant coffee, self-serve checkouts, instant downloads, instant messenger, swipe right, likes, hearts, pings, etc, the list goes on and on.

We have become impatient and no longer want to wait for anything we want.

Turn on YouTube to upload a video and if we have to wait longer than 10 seconds for it to load, we will lose interest and move onto another.

People get frustrated if they have to queue, are stuck in traffic or get stuck behind a slow driver.

When it comes to weight loss, health and fitness, these things are even worse.
The same, high-speed expectations apply, only they are in overdrive.

We live in an age where someone is disappointed if they only lose a pound per week when on a weight loss program.

Guys and girls who are looking to build a great physique are turning to P.E.D’s so they can get to where they want to be as fast as possible.
Gotta, get that Insta look and keep it year round you know…..

People are always looking for the quickest way to get in shape while doing the least amount of work.

It’s a great way to get unsustainable results that don’t last.

Diet companies magazines, social influencers, celebrities are all promising and promoting unsustainable weight loss in an attempt to attract the most customers, fans and endorsements.

The problem with always looking for the quickest way to do anything, is when you finally reach your goal, you will probably go back to your starting point just as quick, if not quicker.

Fat to Fat to Fat again, how’s that for high speed?

Goals must be realistic.

I had a conversation recently with a person who wanted to lose weight for a family event that was 10 months down the road.

They wanted to lose 2 stone for the event but was getting frustrated that the weight was coming off too slowly.

They were ONLY losing 1lb per week.

It was getting to the point where they were getting so frustrated that they felt like giving up.

2 stone is 28lbs.

There are roughly 40 weeks in 10 months.

28lbs divided into 40 weeks is 0.7lbs per week.

So, they were 0.3lbs a week OVER what they needed to reach their goal weight, which means if they kept going, they would have nearly 3 stone off come the event.

Yet they were ready to quit!

Why??

They were ready to quit because they were being influenced by what they saw and heard through social media, the internet, friends and their work colleagues.

They were all telling them that they should be losing more weight, faster than they were losing it so why bother trying at all?

Great advice, huh?

Misinformation and negativity like this makes it very hard for people when they set out on their goals.

You feel as if you should always be getting there faster.

You lose 5lbs the first week, so you want 10lbs the next, then 20lbs and so on.

It is completely unrealistic to expect goals like this to be achieved or sustainable if they are reached.

If you actually manage to reach them in this manner, it would be like bungee jumping.

You start (jump)…
Speed towards your goal (the decent)…
Reach your goal (bungee at full stretch)…
Then get snapped right back to where you started, because the manner in which you got there wasn’t realistic or sustainable.

If you have a goal, allow yourself plenty of time to get there.

Once you reach it, keeping it will be easy.

#leanin2019

These are just some of the tips I give to the members from my Lean in 2019 program.

If you want to get in shape for Summer, we can help you to get a head start on that now.

You can find out more through the link below.
https://www.rushefitness.ie/class/lean-in-2019-gym-plan/

* Emmet is the owner and operator of Rushe Fitness LTD

Ardara will be awash with GAA people from near and far this weekend for Pat’s All Star Weekend – in memory of former Donegal and Ardara Goalkeeping coach Pat Shovelin.

Two years ago, Pat Shovelin passed away at the age of 41.

The highlight of the weekend will be the meeting of Pat Shovelin’s All Stars and the Donegal 2012 All Ireland winning this evening at 6.30 pm in Pearse Memorial Park.

Afterwards upstairs in the Clubhouse there will be a meet and greet with the Stars and a Championship preview/Question and Answer session hosted by MC Sean Perry.

The Clubhouse Bar facility will also be open and the night will end with a dance in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel from 11-1 pm with music by Tony and Seamus.

John McConnell of the Organising committee said this week: “We are looking forward to what we hope will be a very successful weekend to remember Pat Shovelin and pay tribute to the huge contribution he made to the GAA in Ardara and Donegal.

“We have a great line up of legends on both the All Star team and Donegal 2012 so we are hoping it will be an occasion that will live long in the memory.

“We are expecting a big crowd and we would ask those attending to co-operate with the stewards and use the Shuttle Bus system for parking which will be in operation at the top of the town.

“A one way system will be in operation from the town end towards the pitch for those who wish to use it. All proceeds from the weekend will go towards the Irish Cancer Society, Donegal Hospice and the Oncology Unit at Letterkenny General Hospital. Admission will be by donation only.”

A star studded all-star panel has been named to play the Donegal 2012 team with Malachy O’Rourke of Monaghan managing the team.

Captain of the All Stars will be Pat’s long-time friend Brendan Boyle from the Ardara club.

The weekend finishes off on Sunday with a Midwest Donegal Vintage Club tractor Run starting from the Clubhouse at 2pm.

The All Star panel

1. Niall Morgan  (Tyrone)
2. Conor Mortimer (Mayo)
3. Aaron Kernan (Armagh)
4. Benny Coulter  (Down)
5. Adrian Sweeney  (Donegal)
6. Chrissy McKaigue  (Derry)
7. Daniel Hughes  (Down)
8. Dick Clerkin (Monaghan)
9. Eamon O Hara  (Sligo)
10. Enda Muldoon  (Derry)
11. Joe McMahon (Tyrone)
12. John Doyle  (Kildare)
13. Michael Hegarty (Donegal)
14. Owen Mulligan (Tyrone)
15. Oisin McConville  (Armagh)
16. Paddy Bradley  (Derry)
17. Paul Finlay  (Monaghan)
18. Sean Kavanagh  (Tyrone)
19. Finian Hanley  (Galway)
20. Steven McDonnell  (Armagh)
21. Brendan Boyle  (Donegal)
22. Barry Monaghan (Donegal)
23. Raymond Sweeney (Donegal)
24.  Peter Harte (Tyrone)

Derry City prevailed last night in a heated north-west derby against Finn Harps in Ballybofey.

David Parkhouse scored a late brace of goals for the Candystripes in a 3-2 win.

All the goals came in the second half on an eventful night at Finn Park.

Harps played for just under an hour with ten men after Colm Deasy was sent off for a horror tackle that ended Ciaran Coll’s night.

Harps were fuming in the first half when Nathan Boyle had an effort chalked off, which the hosts argued should have stood.

All the goals and a shocking red-card challenge from Finn Park as @derrycityfc beat @FinnHarpsFC #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/vMiAMBK1Iw

— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) April 5, 2019

Here ye go. Think because Todd moves towards the keeper gave Doyle reason enough to disallow it. Not sure what the exact law is in this situation. pic.twitter.com/VXp2yziPCl

— Conka (@conkamcbride) April 5, 2019