An inquest into the death of a Derry woman killed in a road traffic collision over two years ago will take place in Buncrana in September. 

Amy Loughrey died when her car was involved in a head-on collision at Fahan three days before Christmas day in 2016.

Loughrey was killed instantly when her Fiat Stilo car was in collision with a Ford Focus.

The 25-year-old, from Seven Oaks in the Waterside area of Derry, was involved in the RTC just a short distance from where she worked at the Red Door Restaurant.

During proceedings in the Buncrana Court House on Wednesday, June 5, Donegal Coroner Dr Denis McCauley scheduled Ms Loughrey’s inquest to be held on September 11, 2019.

A 26-year-old man who was driving the other car was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

On January 11, 2019, the DDP (Director of Public Prosecutions) informed the family of Amy Loughrey that it did not intend to prosecute the driver of the other vehicle.

The family have since appealed the Director of Public Prosecutions decision not to prosecute.

Controversial county councillor John O’Donnell is set to be named as the new Mayor of the Letterkenny and Milford Electoral area.

The announcement is to be made at the AGM of the authority tomorrow.

Newly-elected councillor Kevin Bradley is also being tipped to be the Deputy Mayor.

Councillor O’Donnell was sanctioned by his fellow members of Donegal County Councillor recently after the Standards in Public Office found against him.

It follows claims in an RTE Primetime documentary that he was willing to help an undercover reporter with a windfarm application.

Cllr O’Donnell all allegations against him.

The National Lottery has compiled a definitive list of Ireland’s luckiest counties when it comes to winning the top prize when playing scratch cards.

And it shows that Donegal is the seventh luckiest county with 14 players claiming top prizes worth €945,000 in winnings from scratch cards.

Since 2015, there have been a total of 402 winners who have won top tier prizes, which are the maximum cash prizes on a given scratch card game, worth a massive total of €22,565,000 when playing National Lottery scratch card games.

Scratch card players in Dublin came out on top with 102 players winning more than €5.3 million in top tier prizes.

Tipperary came in second place with an incredible €1,695,000 in top prizes shared among 20 winners. Cork came third with €1,580,000 won by 39 individual players while Wexford and Kildare round off the top five with total top prize scratch card wins of €1,415,000 and €1,385,000 respectively. The full county by county stats can be viewed below.

Stanwood Medical Services Ltd is seeking to recruit an Office Administrator to join their hardworking team.

The company, based in Killybegs, are looking to recruit part-time Office Administrator (3 mornings a week).

The vacant Office Administrator position is for an immediate start.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

* Must have good interpersonal/communication skills.

* Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office.

* Previous office experience essential.

* Ability to work to deadlines and in a team environment.

Please send your CV to http://info@stanwoodmedicalservices.com

Greencastle midfielder Shaun Doherty has been snapped up by Finn Harps.

Doherty was a key performer as Greencastle swept the board in the Inishowen League this year.

Doherty was central as the Greeks won a memorable quadruple that included a first ever Jackie Crossan Premier Division title.

On the back of his impressive displays for the Chapel Lane outfit, ’Fagan’, as he is known, has been recruited by Harps manager Ollie Horgan.

Doherty has been in training with Harps recently and Greencastle tonight confirmed that the player had signed for the Ballybofey club.

HE’S ONE of the odd men out in the Donegal dressing room – but Eoin McHugh is determined to get his hands on a coveted Ulster SFC medal on Sunday-week.

The Kilcar man narrowly lost Ulster finals in 2015 and 2016 and was beaten in a semi-final in 2017.

Last year, McHugh watched from America, having taken a year out of the county panel, as Donegal overcame Fermanagh to win the Anglo Celt again.

On Saturday, McHugh was thrust in from the off as Donegal defeated Tyrone in their semi-final.

“You have to put the head down and make sure you don’t get carried away with beating Tyrone,” he said.

“I have lost two Ulster finals and a semi-final. I’m one of the few – Jason McGee and Oisin Gallen are other ones – who doesn’t have an Ulster medal.

“It would be lovely to get one but you have to keep the head and I’m sure Declan and the boys will keep us level-headed for the final. We won’t get ahead of ourselves.”

McHugh’s inclusion came as a jolt, but it was the latest nod to Declan Bonner’s vow that players showing form in training will get selected.

McHugh said: “From the start of the year he told us: ‘If you’re going well at training you’re going to get your chance’ and you saw that through the League with Oisin Gallen.

“He was flying at training and he got his chance – it doesn’t matter who you are, Declan will play you if you’re going well.  If you’re in the right position to play he’ll put you in.

“I took the year out last year and when I came back I struggled to get up to pace with the boys. I found it hard to get back into it in terms of getting the pace up.

“I’m working in Dublin as well so you’re up and down. Declan took the chance with me and I was delighted about that. I’ll keep the head down for the next two weeks and try and push on for the Ulster final.”

Donegal delivered something of a statement win with their defeat of Tyrone, but McHugh has been around for long enough not to let any hype take a hold.

He said: “A win’s a win. It’s a cliche, but it’s a semi-final and nothing has been won. We have no medals in our pockets after that game but it was important for us to get over it.

“You have to beat these teams to get the medals and Tyrone, going on what they did last year, are one of the top teams. We’re extremely happy to get the chance to play them and the way we’re extremely happy with that performance as well but there’s plenty to work on and we have two massive weeks ahead of us now before we play Cavan.”

THERE were surely times when Kate Keaney was wondering if the effort was worth it.

Keaney has endured a hellish time over the last injury-ravaged couple of years.

There was the concussion in 2015 and the cruciate ligament tear in 2017. Keaney’s long road seemed never ending.

Picture: Kate Keaney lifts the Ulster SFC title with Geraldine McLaughlin in 2017.

The Donegal Town woman made it back in time to play in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final against Cork and last weekend she was in the Donegal side that overcame Tyrone in the Ulster Ladies SFC quarter-final.

“It’s felt like a while,” Keaney told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.

“I’ve had a good few injuries. I’m delighted to be back playing and delighted that we got over the line against Tyrone.

“It was fast, but it felt good. Tyrone are a strong running team and we knew they’d come at us. We have a lot to work on for Cavan.

‘I felt good. There’s a lot of change in the team and those young girls have brought a great freshness. They’ll learn a huge amount from that game.”

Keaney is now based in Belfast and is commuting for training and games

Her road to recovery has made her value her appearances more.

She said: “I got back for the Cork game last year and we were gone then. It’s been a long old road, but any day you line out for Donegal, it’s special.

“I went through a bit of a tough time, but I’m just glad to be back in again.

“I had so many injuries and I was chasing it a bit last year. I missed the League and then everyone was going so well in the Championship. I worked my way back for the Cork game. It was tough. I wanted to play on the big days because that’s what you train for. You just want to be out there, playing.”

Donegal, the defending Ulster champions, face Cavan in Killyclogher in Saturday evening’s semi-final.

Keaney said: “Any of these teams will fancy their chances so we’ll need to recover well.”

Setanta hurler Oisin Marley won the Ulster U16 Póc Fada title last night.

Marley won the recent Donegal title and last night he headed off to Glenarm, County Antrim.

Marley emerged as the star of the show in the U16 age group over the tough mountain course.

Marley returned home armed with the trophy.

Tyrone defender Tiernan McCann has been handed a two-game suspension following the incident with Donegal’s Stephen McMenamin last weekend.

During the second half of the game – which Donegal won 1-16 to 0-15 – Donegal defender Stephen McMenamin won a free from McCann.

However with McMenamin grounded and swamped by Tyrone players, footage showed McCann making contact with the face of the Donegal defender.

It appeared as if McCann was attempting to remove McMenamin’s gumsheild from his mouth.

In the days after the game, McCann contacted McMenamin to convey his apologies.

“I watched it back and as I said at the time if it did happen, then it’s unacceptable and that’s exactly it,” Donegal manager Declan Bonner said yesterday.

“It shouldn’t happen on a football field, it shouldn’t happen anywhere but listen it’s been dealt with and Stephen gets on with it.

“It has no place in football and I’m sure there was no-one more disappointed than Tiernan McCann himself on Saturday evening.’’

The Central Competitions Controls Committee (CCCC) proposed a two-game ban for a category 4 infraction and a one-game ban for a category 3 infraction. The proposed penalties will not be appealed.

It is understood that McCann would miss Tyrone’s next game, Saturday-week’s qualifier against Longford, in any case, as he is suffering from a calf injury which forced his departure from the Donegal game.

Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has said he was shocked by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s stance on the Rockall debate this week.

The ongoing dispute between the Scottish Government and Ireland over fishing rights to the waters around Rockall was raised in Dáil Éireann this week as tensions surround the claim of ownership to the rock.

There are fears that Irish and EU vessels will no longer be able to fish near the Atlantic rock 200miles off Donegal after Brexit.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar did not clearly defend Ireland’s claim to Rockall during Dáil debates on Wednesday. This shocked Donegal deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, who said: “Previously all Taoisigh defended an Irish claim to Rockall and to the waters surrounding Rockall but that tradition was broken by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Dáil Eireann.”

Mr Varadkar told the Dáil: “We accept that Rockall is in the United Kingdom’s exclusive economic zone – everyone does – but what we do not accept is that Rockall has a 12-mile exclusive limit around it.

“For so long as the United Kingdom is part of the European Union, these are European waters and Irish fishermen are entitled to fish for their quota and for non-quota species in any part of that UK exclusive economic zone, but obviously with Brexit that will change.”

Following these comments, Pat the Cope Gallagher said: “No previous Irish Government ever ceded our claim to Rockall, nor did they ever recognise the claim made by the British to sovereignty over Rockall, it has  always been an area of disagreement between the UK and Ireland – along with the sovereign states of Iceland and the Faroe Islands in conjunction with Denmark who also dispute the UK claim to Rockall.

“I am also raising the issue of the 2013 Agreement reached between Ireland and the United Kingdom regarding the setting of the sea boundaries between the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone and that of the UK. I am seeking clarity surrounding all possible implications of that agreement reached by the previous Fine Gael Government in 2013, of which Minister Simon Coveney was Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the time of signing this agreement with the UK. There is a possibility that there may be knock-on implications of that agreement from 2013 in the context of the current dispute and that urgently needs to be clarified,” he said.

The Leas Cheann Comhairle says this is an ‘extremely tense time’ for Irish fishermen. He has called on the government to be more proactive preparing for fisheries talks between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Aodh Ruadh came out on top in the U14 county championship hurling final played at the Four Masters grounds in Donegal Town.

This much anticipated final  between the county Feile champions Aodh Ruadh and a St Eunans team that had defeated the League Champions, Carndonagh, to reach the final was played in perfect hurling conditions.

A titantic battle between St Eunans PJ Gallagher and Aodh Ruadhs Tommy Winters was great to see.

Early points from Eunans put them ahead but Aodh Ruadh hit back with three goals in a devastating ten minute period. 

However, St Eunans rallied with their defence battling hard.

Two points followed from Eunans but crucially the Aodh Ruadh defence stopped a close in shot from PJ Gallagher right on the break to leave them with an eight point lead.

Aided by a breeze in the second half Aodh Ruadh hit quick fire goals but St Eunans  never quit and continued to seek a way back into the match.

The Aodh Ruadh ‘keeper was in fine form and made a series of great saves ensuring a comfortable win for the Ernesiders who finished with a brace of fine points despite strong pressure from the St Eunans defense.

For Aodh Ruadh, Tommy Winters (3-1) Kensi Ayres (1-0) and Cian McKenna (0-4) were prominent throughout.

Aodh Ruadh captain Tommy Winters was presented with the Cup as the Ernesiders headed home U14 County Champions for the second year in a row.

Referee: James Callaghan

A Donegal county councillor has said that the new council term is a great opportunity to start live streaming meetings to the public.

Glenties Cllr Micheal Chlom Mac Giolla Easbuig has long advocated for webcasting of council meetings.

This June, as local and county council meetings resume, Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig is aiming to start a process of getting meetings streamed live in the interests of transparency and community involvement in council business.

“It would encourage people to go online and view what is being said (and what is not being said),” Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said.

“Our neighbouring council in Derry / Strabane already use this technology and people in that area can see the debates live on their computer.

“This move would, I believe, benefit the democratic process as constituents can check on what their representatives say and how they vote.”

Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig is urging members of the public who would like to see council live-streams to get in touch with their representatives and ask them to raise the idea at meetings.

“And ask them also to confirm to you by email that they have raised the question at the council meeting,” Cllr Mac Giolla Easpuig added.

“It is time for the council to embrace the technology that is available to them and make the council more accountable and transparent.”

Campsite storytelling, paper flower-making, and tours of a traditional barrel-top wagon are part of a Meath Travellers Workshop Living History Exhibition that is coming to Letterkenny next week as part of Traveller Pride Month.

Refreshments and music will also be featured at the exhibition, which takes place on Tuesday, 18th June, from 10.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. at the front of An Grianán Theatre on the Port Road.

It is being hosted by Donegal Travellers Project (DTP) and the PEACE IV Building Intercultural Communities (BIC) Project.

“This exhibition will be a chance for people to see for themselves what life on a traditional Traveller campsite was like,” said Annie Mongan, DTP Community Health Worker.

“Everyone is welcome to join us for some storytelling, demonstrations, and information about the daily lives of Traveller families in barrel-top wagons along the roads of Ireland.”

The exhibition, which has been on display at museums and schools throughout the country, was created by Meath Travellers Workshop as a way of honouring and raising awareness about the history and culture that are central to Traveller identity.

Activities of the BIC Project, like other projects on the Donegal County Council PEACE IV Action Plan, are designed to promote a society where cultural diversity is celebrated and where people from different backgrounds and traditions can enjoy living, learning, and socialising together.

This project has been supported by the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programme Body (SEUPB). Match-funding for this project has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

More information about the Living History Exhibition is available by ringing Donegal Travellers Project on (074) 912 9281 or the BIC Project on (086) 822 6702.

Independent Councillor Frank McBrearty has officially been elected as Cathaoirleach for the Municipal District of Lifford and Stranorlar. 

The Raphoe politician, who was recently elected on a Fine Gael ticket in May, officially offered his resignation to the party earlier this month and it was accepted.

The 50-year old blamed internal pressure and claims he was being ‘bullied’ by other members of the party.

McBrearty takes over the role from Fianna Fáil Councillor Patrick McGowan.

The much-needed Muff to Buncrana bus will be taking to the road from the 2nd of July 2019.

The news has been welcomed by Inishowen Sinn Féin Councillors Jack Murray and Terry Crossan today.

The tender was issued after a public meeting was held in Muff by Cllr Murray.

Commenting on the news, he said; “I am delighted that we have now reached this point and that this much needed public service will commence soon. This is an issue which has been flagged up regularly by local residents and will be particularly beneficial to secondary school pupils and those travelling to the doctors in Buncrana.

“I couldn’t speak highly enough of Local Link as they have been extremely helpful throughout this process. They immediately agreed to meet residents when the invite was made. They then took all concerns on board and acted upon them.”

His colleague, Cllr Crossan agreed and said; “This is a very positive announcement for the village of Muff. The service will cost just €3 and will be accessible transport for all. I would encourage everyone to avail of this service and ensure it is maintained. Indeed, I am confident that if it proves popular enough then we can lobby to extend the service to six days a week in future.”

A man has been arrested following a dramatic car chase which resulted in Gardai operating a stinger device close to Muff on Thursday evening.

At least one Garda vehicle was damaged during the high-speed chase.

The man, who is in his 40s, was pursued by multiple Garda vehicles before being apprehended.

There were tense scenes in Letterkenny council this morning after Cllr John O’Donnell failed to get a second nomination to the role of Mayor.

The Milford area councillor was tipped to become the next chairperson of the electoral area.

He was formally proposed by Independent Cllr Kevin Bradley at this morning’s meeting in Letterkenny.

However, there was silence in the room when outgoing Mayor Ian McGarvey called for a person to second the proposal.

The meeting was adjourned for 15 minutes.  

More updates to follow.

YOGA, training as gaeilge, mental health workshops and adventure days out are among the activities of the St Eunan’s Ladies gaelic teams as part of a national wellbeing programme being piloted here in Donegal.

The Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Lidl Ireland and Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, have joined with the Letterkenny clubs and three others in the country to the pilot of Lidl One Good Club, a new initiative offering selected clubs the opportunity to support all members to engage in activities that can promote their mental health and wellbeing.

The objectives of Lidl One Good Club include:

•Increasing awareness of mental health across the LGFA community

•Increasing your club’s knowledge on how to promote youth mental health (through the 5 a Day for Your Mental Health programme)

•Enabling your club to respond more effectively to the mental health needs of members

•Increasing awareness of your local Jigsaw service

•Building improved links with local communities

•Creating an improved culture around mental health in your club

•Ensuring your club secures official Lidl One Good Club accreditation

Run over five weeks, commencing this week the 2019 the Lidl One Good Club programme, in association with the LGFA and Jigsaw, will be run as a pilot in just four LGFA clubs including St Eunan’s, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Roscommon Gaels, Co. Roscommon, Castleknock, Co. Dublin.

The programme will see each club being encouraged and supported to undertake a series of mental health and wellbeing initiatives, in line with Jigsaw’s 5 a Day for Your Mental Health concept.

Once completed, clubs will share their details via social media, and on successful completion of the 5-week programme, clubs will receive formal accreditation as Lidl One Good Club.

Dermot Higgins, chair of St Eunan’s LGFA, says players from the U16, Minor, Senior and MothersAndOthers teams are taking part – a Yoga session in the clubhouse tonight (6.30pm) is part of the programme.

“We were delighted to be asked by the LGFA and Lidl to help pilot this programme which has mental health and wellbeing at the heart of it,” said Higgins.

“Gaelic games clubs are the perfect vehicle for reaching young people; the team spirit which already exists in clubs can help to provide a community listening ear to all.

“We will be encouraging friends of our players to become engaged with the club as part of a wider outreach programme and we will be working with Jigsaw to show the importance of being a listener and being there for others.

“We are also keen to make it fun so we have Yoga, Zumba, an adventure away day included in the plans.”

LGFA President Marie Hickey said: “We are very pleased to be involved in the pilot of the Lidl One Good Club programme, and working closely alongside Lidl Ireland, our National League sponsors and retail partners, and Jigsaw, who play such a vital role in positive mental health. We are very much looking forward to seeing how this pilot scheme is received in the four selected clubs and surrounding areas, before potentially rolling out the scheme on a wider basis in due course. This programme has the ability to make a difference in the lives of so many young people.”

Sian Gray, Head of Marketing at Lidl Ireland, commented: “We are excited to be trialling the Lidl One Good Club programme, created as a result of Lidl’s collaboration with our official sponsorship partner, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, and our charity partner Jigsaw, the National Centre of Youth Mental Health. This opportunity has amazing potential to integrate our two partnerships at a grassroots level and make a positive impact on the local communities Lidl is a part of across the Republic of Ireland.”

Mike Mansfield, Jigsaw Director of Communications & Fundraising, said: “Jigsaw is delighted to be involved in this unique programme. Lidl One Good Club, in association with the LGFA and Jigsaw, has the potential to inform, support, educate and empower a wide range of people from across the LGFA club structure. And this is key to Jigsaw in supporting our vision of an Ireland where every young person’s mental health is valued and supported.”

* A yoga session will take place in the St Eunan’s club house this evening at 6.30pm – 7.30pm and is open to all LGFA members from U16 upwards

There’s one change on the Donegal ladies team for Saturday evening’s TG4 Ulster Ladies SFC semi-final against Cavan.

Maxi Curran has made just one switch from the side that beat Tyrone in the preliminary round, with Shannon McLaughlin coming in at corner back in place of Roisin Rogers.

McLaughlin replaced Rogers at half-time in the Tyrone game, as Donegal advanced to face Cavan at Killyclogher (7pm).

Cavan’s last competitive fixture was the Lidl NFL Division 2 semi-final loss to Waterford on April 21.

The reshuffled team for Saturday’s clash with Donegal shows three changes from the starting 15 that lined out against the Déise, with Kate McIntyre, Rachel Doonan and Sheila Reilly named in a new-look full-back line.

They come in for Shanise Fitzsimons, Mona Sheridan and Geraldine Sheridan, who started against Waterford.

Mona Sheridan lined out in the half-back line in Cavan’s previous outing, while Fitzsimons and Geraldine Sheridan played in attack.

The players filling jerseys numbered two, three and four against Waterford, namely Laura Fitzpatrick, Shauna Lynch and Neasa Byrd, have been named in more advanced positions for the Breffni County’s 2019 Championship bow.

Cavan (v Donegal): E Walsh; K McIntyre, R Doonan, S Reilly; S Greene, S Lynch, J Moore; S O’Sullivan, N Byrd; A Gilsenan, A Maguire, D English; C Finnegan, A Sheridan, L Fitzpatrick.

Donegal (v Cavan): A McColgan; A.M. McGlynn, E Gallagher, S McLaughlin; N Carr, N McLaughlin, T Doherty; K Herron, E McGinley; K Guthrie, K Keeney, A Boyle Carr; N Hegarty, G McLaughlin, S McGroddy.