Nomadic Dairy (a subsidiary of Donegal Investment Group) based in Crossroads, Killygordon, produces innovative dairy products for national and international markets.

We currently have vacancies for

GENERAL OPERATORS

8 HOUR SHIFT SYSTEMS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

6.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday (Week 1) and 3 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. (Week 2)

The successful candidates will possess the following

• An ability to learn and demonstrate an aptitude for process operation
• Ability to achieve daily/weekly production targets to a high standard of hygiene/food safety in a fast-paced setting
• Willingness and ability to progress in the organisation
• Health and safety awareness
• Good communication skills

STORE PERSON

The successful candidates will possess the following

• Forklift experience preferably licensed (1-2 years)
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Health and safety awareness in a busy working environment

To apply for any of the vacancies please forward an up-to-date C.V. and cover letter to The Human Resources Manager, Donegal Investment Group, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, email to emarley@donegaligroup.com or call to Nomadic with your CV or to complete an application form.

Closing date for applications is Friday 14^th June 2019.

A well-known Letterkenny man is to undertake a massive 555km cycle in aid of diabetes research – after one of his daughters was recently diagnosed with the condition.

Marty Temple, of Crievesmith, is set to compete in the Donegal Ultra Cycle 555km around the Wild Atlantic Way next week.

Marty undertook the huge cycle back in 2017 as part of a three-man team but this time he’s doing it solo!

Training has been tough but he has now been given the perfect incentive to complete his gruelling training schedule and take on the 555km course.

Cheers on by wife Lucia and four beautiful daughters, Marty knows everyone is willing him on.

He explained “I have decided to raise funds for the Donegal branch of Diabetes Ireland.

“We ourselves have recently become a Diabetic family as one of our daughters has been diagnosed with the long term illness of Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 with no family history on either side.

“It’s been a steep learning curve for our daughter and as a family growing each day and educating ourselves daily with all there is to learn.

“I want to contribute funds for the family support services provided locally for the Donegal Association.

“As a family, the support we have received from the Diabetic Team and the Diabetic Specialist nurses, Avril and Rosemarie, and the staff in Letterkenny University Hospital have been amazing.”

So if you see Marty about on the road on the 14/15th June make sure to make some noise.

But better still why not donate a fiver, tenner or whatever you can afford by clicking on this Go Fund Me link https://www.gofundme.com/donegal-diabetes-association

Magic tree air fresheners, old spice aftershave, the whiff of Brylcreem from my father on a Sunday morning.

Pioneer radios and supper tickets for Bella’s nightclub in the Golden Grill.

All memories of touring around when I first started to drive.

You will always remember your first car, the first one you got on the road, especially if it was a car you grew up with.

It also can spark the memories recalling other things other than driving that were in your life at that time.

The transformation of growing up, from sitting in as a passenger daydreaming of the day you drive the car on the road by yourself for the first time.

My father owned an old Hillman Avenger. He bought it second-hand from the late JJ Reid. It was yellow with a black vinyl roof.

A photo out our very young motoring columnist Brian Mc Daid with his father’s old Hillman Avenger in the background.
Picture by the Late Fred McDaid.

They were quite trendy in Letterkenny back then because the Hillman Avenger also made a good club man rally car.

Our car was four years old when we bought it with a 1974 Donegal registration, WIH 211.

The late Eamon Harvey’s latest rally car back then was also a Hillman Avenger, a green one, two doors with a 1973 Donegal registration of UIH 131.

While I was getting on the road complete with my ‘L’ plate front and rear back then two young up and coming local lads were teaming up to build their own rally car from a bare shell up.

It came to Donegal with a Dublin number plate from 1970, 799 RI was a four-door Avenger. All them years ago we didn’t know it but we were watching history in the making.

Looking on in the Church Lane to see if the lights were on late at Caddye’s garage and find any excuse in to see the white rally car taking shape.

A four-door family car transforming from a bare white shell to a rally car in a tin shed on the church lane in Letterkenny.

Back of the field

Them young hopefuls received an entry seeded at 112 on the road, then started the 1979 Donegal Rally on a Friday morning, and over the weekend, passing nearly everybody to finish 100 places up in 12th overall on Sunday evening at the finish ramp and first in their class.

The local boys, and now heroes, were on their very first Donegal Rally.

Over the following decades between them, they went on to win the Donegal Rally no less than six times outright in their separate career paths.

The mighty Hillman Avenger in the hands of James Cullen and Rory Kennedy in their first ever Donegal International Rally

That young Letterkenny crew were of course driver James Cullen and his navigator Rory Kennedy.

With a car prepared by Danny Caddye and Sons, they proved what could be achieved with a little bit of belief and a huge amount of talent.

“And make no mistake about it,” as the late Danny Caddye would say.

Mystery Avenger

Winding the clock on to the present day and while trying to restore some old rally photos this week, I came across a picture of a Donegal registered Hillman Avenger VIH 330 rally car that I had never seen before.

My nose was out of joint because I thought I knew all the Avenger rally cars in Donegal back in the 70s and 80’s as they were passed from driver to driver, but this was the first time I had ever seen this one.

The driver was the late Derek Mc Mahon, he is pictured in it on ‘The Tour of Britain’. I’m guessing it was a 1600GT version by the half vinyl roof, proudly promoting Mc Mahon Bros, Letterkenny on its back quarter panels complete with bog standard steel wheels.

The late Derek and Anne McMahon pictured with one of their sons Arthur. Photo Brian McDaid.

Derek rallied many cars over the years all were well known from Stilettos, Renault Gordni, BMW, RS2000, Series 7 Avengers and Sunbeams all well known in the rally circles but this Series 6 version has mystified a lot even some of the mechanics that worked and prepared his car over the years.

After spending the bank holiday Monday this week trying to find out anything about this car, I felt a bit better because no one else seemed to know about this car either.

A train of thought was that this Donegal car might never have competed in Donegal, and might only have competed in England where Derek ran a motorsport team, ‘Derek Mc Mahon Racing’.

Derek may have proudly registered the car in his native Donegal, a county “Big D” as he affectionally called it and was very proud to be from.

All Winners

If we drew a blank this week in trying to find out the history on this ‘Tour of Britain’ classic Avenger, I hit the jackpot with a chance conversation with Arthur McMahon, a son of the late Derek McMahon, when I showed him a picture of our old Hillman Avenger parked up at the back of our house.

My brother Nelius stood at the wheel with a head full of curly hair and my father, Fred, also known as ‘Big Fred’ alongside our dog, Rover, giving him a paw.

Our old family car in the 70’s a Hillman Avenger, which started out life at the top prize in the Letterkenny Golf Club Prize, which was won by Anne Mc Mahon in 1974. Photo Brian McDaid

Looking at the faded photo and spotting the number plate Arthur asked was the car yellow with a black vinyl roof.

I was to find out that even my fathers old Hillman Avenger was also a winner in its day.

WIH 211 came out of Mc Mahon Bros brand new and was transported to the Golf Club in Letterkenny as the top sponsored top prize in the Barnhill Golf Club Members draw in 1974.

A rare glimpse of this Donegal’s registered Avenger competing on the Tour of Britain with Derek Mc Mahon behind the wheel.

Arthur remembers the car so well because it was his mother the late Ann McMahon who landed home with it after her name was drawn out of the hat in the clubhouse draw and she was the winner of the car.

So, what ended up as our run about family car, and the car that I so fondly started on the road in, was also the family runabout in the McMahon family in the years before it made it way to the McDaids.

Happy Motoring Folks

The Donegal Road Safety Working Group is setting out to score key points about road safety with GAA fans this weekend.

The group are joining forces with the Ulster GAA to highlight road safety through a new campaign at the Tyrone V Donegal semi-final in Breffni Park this Saturday.

The ‘Live to Play’ campaign will reinforce the message with several activities during the Tyrone V Donegal Ladies game and the Tyrone V Donegal – Ulster Senior Championship Semi-Final.

There will be a Road Safety article in the match-day programme, a public announcement about the campaign at half-time of the Senior game and a Live to Play jersey will be carried out onto the pitch by Donegal Youth Council volunteers.

Live to Play (LTP) merchandise will be handed out at FanZone and at other entrances, with the assistance of Donegal Youth Council volunteers.

Jamie Brennan and Neamh Woods are acting as Donegal and Tyrone LTP Ambassadors on social media in the run-up to the game this week.

Jamie Brennan promotes the Live to Play Road Safety campaign. Photo by Clive Wasson

Brian O’Donnell, Road Safety Officer said “This is a great opportunity to remind all road users about their road safety responsibilities. Far too many communities in Donegal have suffered the loss of a loved one as a result of a road traffic collision and we hope this initiative will help to prevent further deaths. The support received from Maura McMenamin, Community, Health & Wellbeing Manager, Ulster GAA,

“CLG Dhún na nGall and Donegal player Jamie Brennan for this campaign has allowed us to highlight that road safety is a shared responsibility and this responsibility must be the number one priority for all road users.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and ultimately it is up to all road users to be aware of the dangers and to treat the roads with the respect they deserve. Too often motorists take a risk and make the wrong decision. Is that risk worth a life?”

Kevin Mills, Chairperson, County Health & Wellbeing Committee stated, “This road safety campaign is supported by Donegal GAA Health & Wellbeing committee in association with the Ulster Council, Donegal Road Safety Working Group and the Alcohol Forum.”

The last time Donegal played Tyrone in an Ulster semi-final it was Mickey Harte’s team who ran out comprehensive winners.

Tyrone were victors on a 1-21 to 1-12 scoreline two years ago and the margin of that victory was probably not even a fair reflection of their dominance over the side managed by Rory Gallagher.

A teenage Jamie Brennan wore the Donegal No 12 shirt that afternoon but was hooked by his manager in what would prove to be a failed attempt to calm the storm.

“One of the harsh realities for me in my first year in, in 2017, was playing Tyrone in the Ulster semi-final and it didn’t go our way at all,” Brennan recalls. “I was taken off at half-time and it was one of those things you don’t forget. It was a learning curve. The level of intensity was so hard to get up to. I just wasn’t used to it.”

Since then, though, Brennan has become a staple in the Donegal forward line. Declan Bonner might’ve had his hands forced in some ways having inherited an ageing squad, although his philosophies of offensive football has seen the likes of the Bundoran forward flourish.

Brennan was man of the match as Donegal opened Ulster last Sunday week with a 0-15 to 0-9 win over Fermanagh in Enniskillen, kicking four points in the process. Beforehand he was a goalscorer in Donegal’s last three outings in the Allianz League – against Armagh, Cork and in the final win over Meath.

 Michael Murphy only appeared halfway through that campaign and helped guide Donegal to promotion with some silverware to boot, while Patrick McBrearty missed the entire series suffering from an ACL injury picked up last June. However, that deadly duo joined Brennan at Brewster Park last month and now Donegal have another meeting with Tyrone – the one side who have shaped their destiny more than any other in recent times.

“It’s a great boost to have Patrick back,” Brennan added of McBrearty. “He’s one of the best in Ireland. You can feed off him cause he’s a different level and you can do that with Michael too. Top quality footballers. When you’re training you’re just trying to keep up to speed with them. I came in just as some of the 2012 team were going out and I was one of the quieter lads and nearly in awe of some of these big players.

“You want to play on the big days and not be shying away from it. We should get a good bounce off the Fermanagh match and we’ll hope to take than into the Tyrone match. This is what it’s all about. The harsh slog and the small percents you try to find at Championship time. It’s a big day and another Ulster final is what’s on offer.”

Former local election candidate Thoiba Ahmed is to hold a peaceful protest in Letterkenny this Saturday to show solidarity with the people affected by the Sudan Crisis.

Thoiba Ahmed made history in May by being the first African Migrant Muslim Woman to run for local elections in county Donegal.

A native of Sudan, the community activist has been moved by the political crisis in the country and is showing support to the Sudanese mission to peacefully achieve democracy and transition to a civil government.

Ms Ahmed said: “This is a critical time in Sudan’s history. We must remain united and peaceful despite all disturbing provocative attempts.”

Ms Ahmed said that this demonstration aims to highlight the need for foreign intervention in Sudan at a critical time.

The protest will take place at Letterkenny’s Market Square at 2pm on Saturday 8th June.

HE’S NEARING his one-year anniversary at the club, but Jacob Borg is looking to the future at Finn Harps.

The Australian-born Maltese international insists that Harps remain upbeat ahead of the visit of defending Premier Division champions Dundalk to Ballybofey on Saturday evening.

“The mindset is good and it’s positive,” Borg told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.

“We haven’t got time to think about the negativity. It’s all positive and keeping the spirits up. We’ve been unfortunate with some results that haven’t gone our way.

“We’ve had some good results. We definitely should be higher than we are in the table.”

UCD are ahead of Harps on goal difference as the Donegal side look to edge the battle for survival.

It was around this juncture last year that Borg was recruited by Ollie Horgan and the Harps manager is expected to be in the market again this summer.

Borg said: “Hopefully if can bring some players in, they add to the team. Every game is different. It’s a big six months ahead. The games will slow down a bit and that’ll give us more time to recover.”

Listen to the full interview below …

Donegal manager Declan Bonner says his players face the risk of being substituted if they are booked early in Saturday’s Ulster semi-final with Tyrone.

The Ulster heavyweights collide at Breffni Park for an eighth Championship clash in nine years and Bonner insists he’ll be taking no chances.

The mercury rarely takes long to rise when these teams meet, but Bonner says his players mustn’t be left treading on a disciplinary tight rope.

“Discipline is huge,” Bonner said. 

“At this stage, picking up a yellow card, you’ll be looking over the shoulder. An early card probably means you’ll be substituted. 

“That’s just the way because you can’t afford to lose men. Discipline will be a huge factor and it’s something that we’re always talking about in the group.” 

Last year, Tyrone condemned Donegal to a first League or Championship loss in Ballybofey in eight years as the Red Hands stormed to a Super 8 win that saw them into the All-Ireland semi-finals.

David Gough will referee Saturday’s meeting.

Bonner said: “David will do his job and he’s an experienced referee.

“It’s a battle of the heavyweights. It’s the game that everyone has been waiting for. It’s a huge game and it’ll come down to fine margins.

“There’s a good rivalry and the two teams know each other reasonably well. It’s a big, big game in a really good Championship.

“It’ll be a really good match. Both teams will play in the proper way. Yeah, there’ll be an edge to it. It’s the Ulster Championship and you expect nothing less. It’s one to look forward to.”

Three Letterkenny primary schools are celebrating the successful completion of their Collaboration & Sharing In Education Peace IV Project.

Educate Together, Ballyraine NS and Scoil Colmcille Letterkenny took part in the shared education programme.

The students from 5th and 6th Class from each school took part in joint dance, drumming, nature walks and photography assignments which finished with a presentation ceremony in the RCC on Friday last. The school principals were presented with a collage of photographs taken during the joint river walk.

The recipients of the 2019 John Carlin primary school athletics awards are Caolan McFadden of Creeslough NS and Riona Doherty from St Mary’s NS, Stranorlar.

They were adjudged to have been the stand out competitors in the recent athletics finals at the Patsy McGonagle Track at Finn Valley AC, to which 1300 youngsters came from 87 schools and were the culmination in many instances of regional qualifying heats which engaged close to 4000 children.

It marks a great honour not only for the youngsters involved but for the school and parents, all of whom have embraced the project.

The awards are presented in memory of late John Carlin, Crossroads, Killygordon, a former Ulster champion and Donegal high jump record holder by his family whom will be represented by Sean Carlin, himself a former national senior champion, Irish International and record holder accompanied by four-times Irish Olympic Team Manager Patsy McGonagle.

The award ceremonies begin next week with a visit  to each school, joined by the school population and attended by parents, family members and school athletics coaches.

This award is based on excellent performance in the finals based on fact that they are final year primary school children.

The Schools Athletics in the past few weeks were the best yet in every respect and we now move on to the cross-country schools on September 17th

This was the 49th annual primary school athletics challenge regarded as the best to date as we move towards the 50th anniversary of same.

Gardai are at the scene of a two-car crash in Fintown.

The crash happened around 9am and the road is currently blocked at the scene of the accident.

It is not understood that anybody has been seriously hurt in the collision.

Ambulance services have also rushed to the scene.

International soccer star Shay Given and Donegal Ladies Captain Karen Guthrie came together on Wednesday morning to raise the active flag in Castlefinn.

The two Donegal native came together to raise the flag at the St Safan’s NS in Doneyloop.

Following the raising of the flag, both sport stars joined the children for a question and answer session in the school with some excellent questions on what both players eat before games, what was their most memorable games were and around training.

As a past pupil of the school, Karen was asked if she was happy to be back and she was delighted to be back.

While Shay was asked why he wears so much hair gel by a certain senior infant.

For those who believe where the health services are concerned that the faraway hills look, and are, greener, the story of John Hayden serves as something of a reality check and in the same process show that the Irish system is far from disentangled.

Resident in Kent in his native England, he had just entered the world of retirement and was anticipating along with his wife, Bridget, relocating to Ireland and specifically Donegal having bought a house in Drumkeen.

It was the summer of 2015 but at the time the move was on the horizon, John, who had been employed in distribution and marketing with the ‘Evenng Standard’, had been feeling unwell.

Initially, he believed he had the symptoms of a very bad cold. “I went to see my GP who, after examining me, prescribed a week’s course of antibiotics for a chest infection,” he related.

Three weeks passed and with still no improvement in his condition, he returned to his doctor only to be given more antibiotics. “This happened on a further two occasions with the same outcome. This occurred over a six month period and just weeks before our move to Ireland.”

On January 26th, 2016, John and his wife arrived in Drumkeen and moved into their new house three days later.

“On that day my daughter and best friend noticed that I was not right and she insisted that I went with her to see her G.P., Dr McDaid in Letterkenny so on the Monday morning I found myself sitting in the doctor’s surgery.”

Within minutes of being examined, John was directed by Dr McDaid to go to Letterkenny Hospital for an X-Ray.

“Later that evening, Dr McDaid called my daughter to tell her that something showed up on the X-Ray which needed further investigation and an appointment had been made for me the next day.

“Having had another X-Ray I was seen by Dr Keating in the cancer department who took a biopsy.”

Within a week, another meeting with Dr Keating disclosed the results.

“Unfortunately the biopsy was cancerous,” John was given the grim news.

As he revealed in a reflection at the ecumenical service during the recent Relay for Life weekend in Letterkenny, an appointment was made for him to see a specialist at St James’ Hospital in Dublin.

“Following consultation and further scans at St James, I was seen by Mr Young who detailed my condition and said the only course of action was to operate and remove either half or all of my lung. It turned out to be the whole lung.”

On March 27th, 2016, John underwent the operation before embarking on a twelve week course of chemotherapy and after care with scans and informative consultation.

“From the six months of seeing my G.P.s in the U.K. with no blood tests, no X-Rays, to being told I might have rheumatoid arthritis, or to the last G.P. testing me for dementia – all incorrect – and then to seeing Dr McDaid who immediately recognised that I had a problem.

“I am now three years in recovery and still receiving the best possible care. I cannot thank Dr McDaid, Dr Keating, Mr Young, the staff at St James and the staff at Letterkenny Hospital enough,” John acknowledged those who had promptly diagnosed his cancer and acted upon it.

And in the process potentially saved his life.

Rooney’s Supervalu in Killybegs are now recruiting for the following position: Butcher.

Previous experience is essential.

Successful applicants will be enthusiastic, demonstrate a passion for quality and be able to work in a busy environment.

Candidates must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends and public holidays.

Please visit http://www.supervalu.ie/careers   for further details.

Concerned residents in Glenfin are to hold a meeting tonight to discuss proposals for licenses to prospect for gold in the area.

Donegal Daily revealed last week how an application has been sought by the Government to grant four prospecting licences for gold, silver and other metals in Co Donegal.

The licenses, which could lead to future exploration and mining, are in Letterkenny, Stranorlar, Glenties and Donegal Town.

A notice outlining plans by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton proposing to grant prospecting licences under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940-1999 appeared on Donegal County Council’s website.

Those wishing to object to the licenses have 30 days from the appearance of the notice which was issued on May 16th.

The company behind the plans are Great Glen Resources Limited, of Queensway, Hertfordshire in England.

Tonight’s public meeting takes place in Coimin National School at 7.30pm.

Letterkenny University Hospital has opened 10 beds in the Short Stay Ward today, but the campaign for full capacity continues, according to Sinn Féin Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn.

The Donegal Senator has given a cautious welcome to confirmation that half of the beds in Letterkenny’s 20 bed Short Stay Ward are reopening this Thursday.

However, Mac Lochlainn has criticised the government for not fully delivering on their assurances last year.

The Senator today challenged the Government to explain why they announced the reopening of all 20 Short Stay beds last October, only for the HSE to allocate funding for five beds and support staff.

Senator Mac Lochlainn said: “Last year, Sinn Fein members across Donegal organised a petition that was signed by thousands of local people, calling for the reopening of Letterkenny Hospital’s 20-bed Short Stay Ward. Throughout 2017 and last year, there was an average of around 20 people every day on trolleys at the hospital and it was obvious to see, the huge difference the reopening of these beds and this ward would have on the trolley crisis.

“The trolley crisis also pushed nurses, doctors and support staff at the hospital into relentlessly impossible working conditions.

“Last October, local Government Minister, Joe McHugh announced the reopening of these beds and Fianna Fáil claimed that they had secured this under “confidence and supply”. While this was welcomed by the people of Donegal as overdue good news, it quickly became clear that these promises and political claims were not backed up with the money.”

Senator Mac Lochlainn said he was shocked by party announcement on the reopening yesterday, adding:

“After much further investigation, we learned earlier this year that the Government and the HSE had only released enough money to reopen 5 beds, much to the frustration of the Saolta Hospital Group and the management of Letterkenny Hospital. So the Saolta Hospital Group allocated enough extra resources to reopen 10 beds and they are to be commended for this.

“But for the Government or Fianna Fáil to now welcome this is astounding. Their political claims last year after the budget have not materialised and for Sinn Féin and the people of Donegal, the campaign to reopen all of these beds continues.”

Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to take part in the Ballyraine NS 5K event this Thursday 6th June.

The race begins at 7.30pm at Ballyraine National School. Registration from 5.30pm.

See the poster below for more details:

Over 120 individuals and representatives from the Donegal tourism and hospitality sector have today attended Fáilte Ireland’s KNOW Donegal Local Experts Programme workshops in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny.

The workshops are free and open to anyone involved in the tourism sector or those in the local community that interact with visitors.

The Local Experts Programme is part of an initiative by Fáilte Ireland to develop a network of local people who share knowledge and interact positively with visitors to Donegal.

Aisling Gillen, Failte Ireland, Louise Boyle Arranmore Ferry, Frances Boyle , Dungloe, Shiela Greene, Gweedore, and Aisling Vieria, Failte Ireland. Photo Clive Wasson

Celina McLaughlin, Silver Tassie, Orlath O’Flannigan, Silver Tassie Hotel, Amanda Boyle Failte Ireland and Patrica Moore, Doe Castle Coffee. Photo Clive Wasson

The programme aims to develop a tourism business network, social media initiatives and to make every visitor engagement a truly positive one in order to ultimately grow tourism businesses and the local economy.

Speaking at the workshops, Amanda Boyle, Senior Travel Advisor with Fáilte Ireland said:

“Today’s attendance at the workshops, with nearly 120 individuals and representatives of tourism and hospitality businesses attending is evidence of how important tourism is to the wider Donegal economy.

“The aim of the programme is to build on that sentiment by inspiring all front-line employees and volunteers to turn every visitor interaction into a truly informative and positive experience and to help offer visitors relevant recommendations on places of interest to visit in the Donegal region.”

Rosie Nic Connaith, Fanad Light House, Amanda Clarke, Travel Donegal, Syliva Gorniak, Raphoe Diocesan Archive, Aisling Gillen, Failte Ireland, Moira Hughes, Raphoe Diocesan Archive, Sue Glackin, Donegal Food Tours and Cait Fealty, Fanad Light House. Photo Clive Wasson

Ms Boyle added: “As we know, Donegal and the surrounding areas are one of the most popular destinations in Ireland for international visitors and its attractions are brought to life every day by locals interacting with tourists. Visitors not only seek out local people and their advice, they trust it. More and more holidaymakers tell us that they rely on and trust the advice and information received from the local people they meet during their stay.”

For more information see link to Fáilte Ireland’s Local Experts Programme brochure HERE

See more photos from the workshop below:

Martin McHugh, Rusty Mackerel, Megan Slevin Biddy’s Barnes, Amanda Boyle Failte Ireland, Delores Robinson, Cope House, Anita McFadden, Bay Bar, and Martin Egan Colmcille Heritage Centre. Photo Clive Wasson

Photo Clive Wasson

Sean Browne, OPW, Aisling Vieria and David Fisher, Oakfield Park. Photo Clive Wasson

Conor Carol, Boyles Buses Creeslough, Catriona Tasker, Rathmullen The Way Forward, Maire Aine Gardiner, Failte Ireland and Donnan Harvey, Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter. Photo Clive Wasson

Rona Gallagher, Sailing North, Laura Brogan, Arnolds Hotel, Aisling Vieria, Failte Ireland, Chantelle Grant, Century Complex and Niamh Quinn, Century Complex. Photo Clive Wasson

Laura Pasoma, Singing Pub, Mairead O’Connell, Singing Pub, Amanda Boyle, Failte Ireland, Shauna Boyce, Mevagh Resource Centre and Helen Donoghue. Photo Clive Wasson

An inquest into the deaths of two elderly fishermen who perished off Inishowen has heard claims that the men’s boat may have been toppled by waves from a large ship.

The inquest in Buncrana into the drowning of the brothers 11 years ago returned a majority verdict of accidental death.

Experienced Glengad fishermen Danny McDaid, 70, and Francis McDaid, 69, died when their boat, the ‘Strath Marie’, floundered at the mouth of Lough Foyle on Friday, 14 March 2008.

RTE reports that the McDaid brothers’ lobster boat had been passed by a large Norwegian oil tanker shortly before it sunk off Kinnego Bay.

The larger ship was later searched and “bore no signs of damage”, however a marine expert said the wash from the passing ship “could have had an impact”.

Dr Norman Fullam said it was clear that a “very sudden” or “catastrophic event” had caused the sinking, because no mayday call was issued and both men had gone into the water with their Wellington boots on.

“If I knew I was going into the water I would get rid of my Wellingtons for sure,” he explained.

Dr Fullam, a former Assistant Director of Operations with the Coast Guard, who had worked for 20 years in Malin Head, said it was possible that the small boat could have “gotten a bang” from the “wash” coming off the larger vessel – but that the crew of the tanker “wouldn’t have been aware of that”.

“If the [McDaid] brothers were engaged in pot hauling at the time, if a wash came at that point it could have been very serious.”

“But there’s no evidence to that,” he added. “A lot of things could have happened.”

“These things happen at sea and unfortunately, unless there’s a survivor – we just don’t know.”

The brothers had arranged to go fishing the night before.

Ellen McDaid remembered that her husband Daniel had “done a few chores around the house” and was in “good spirits” before he left at around 7.45am on 14 March.

The weather was fine and both men were in “good form” when they set off in their boat from Bunagee Pier Culdaff an hour later.

However the Coast Guard was alerted at 5.20pm that evening when they hadn’t returned as expected.

Daniel McDaid was taken out of the water at 6.19pm by the Portrush Lifeboat and was then airlifted to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.

Francis McDaid was discovered almost two hours later by the Greencastle Coast Guard and was brought ashore at Greencastle before being removed by ambulance to Altnagelvin, after a helicopter was unable to land.

Both men were pronounced dead shortly after 9.30pm.

Pathologist Dr Gerry O’Dowd testified that the brothers died by drowning and were alive when they went into the water.

A meeting of the Greencastle Coast Guard on the night of the 14th heard that the ‘Strath Marie’ could have been involved in a collision at sea, “possibly with an oil tanker”.

Subsequently Derry PSNI Inspector Robin Young, who became the primary investigating officer in the case because the men drowned in UK-claimed waters, contacted Interpol and ordered that the Norwegian vessel be boarded and inspected.

After leaving Norway, the tanker was later inspected in Scotland by Strathclyde Police, who found no damage, with the crew reporting “no knowledge of any incident”.

Inspector Young also made a request for a voice recording from the ship but this was never obtained.

This week’s inquest heard that there had been an “undue delay” in the case because of the “peculiar nature” of the waters of Lough Foyle, which is claimed by both the Irish and British authorities.

The deaths were first investigated by the PSNI and later involved the Norwegian police and Strathclyde police in Scotland.

Initially Coroner Sheridan in Northern Ireland accepted jurisdiction but a full inquest was never held, and some years later Coroner Lecky passed it back to the Republic of Ireland side after making representations to then Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar and the Attorney General that it should instead be held in the Republic.

The coroner’s court in Buncrana heard that the Republic’s Marine Casualty Investigation Board had published a report into the sinking in 2010 but refused to engage with the inquest and did not send any representatives to explain its findings or to be questioned on aspects of the case.

Solicitor Ciaran MacLochlainn, acting for Daniel McDaid’s widow Ellen, said it was “an outrageous insult” to the coroner’s court and to the families of the men that the MCIB hadn’t attended.

“It’s an extraordinary situation that a State body that investigated the deaths of two citizens in mysterious circumstances should refuse to attend,” he said.

Solicitor MacLochlainn said authorities on both sides of the border had been “deficient” in investigating the incident.

Coroner Dr Denis McCauley also expressed his anger at the MCIB snub, saying he had made “numerous applications but they refused to attend”.

He conceded that the inquest, which he inherited via three other coroners, hadn’t had all the facts.

“We know what we know, but there’s an awful lot we don’t know,” Coroner McCauley added.

Relatives of the McDaid brothers were in tears after the jury delivered its verdict, which was reached on a 9-3 majority after close to an hour of deliberation.

The jury added a rider that any State body that has investigated an incident should in future produce a witness to explain its findings.

Ronan Doherty has been snapped up by Cliftonville, the Reds have confirmed.

Doherty had a fine first year in the Irish League Premier Division with Institute, having been signed by then ‘Stute boss Paddy McLaughlin last summer.

McLaughlin left to take the reins at Solitude during the season and has raided his former club for Doherty’s services.

“I can’t wait to get started,” Doherty said.

“It’s great to be joining such a big club where there are so many quality players and hopefully I can come in and play a big part.

“Paddy McLaughlin gave me the call a year ago about coming to Stute and, when the call came again about moving to Cliftonville, I couldn’t wait to make it happen and I’m very pleased to get everything done.”

The 23-year-old Carndonagh man made a seamless transition to Institute from Ulster Senior League champions Cockhill Celtic.

McLaughlin said: “He stepped into the Premiership and took to it straight away. We always believed he could keep getting better and better and I’m delighted to get his signature for Cliftonville.”

“At Institute last season, it didn’t seem to matter whether we won, drew or lost, opponents were always asking me who our number 6 was because people were impressed with him week after week.