IT HAS all felt like a bit of a whirlwind for Rachael Darragh.

Last week, the Raphoe woman competed in the European Games for the second time.

Darragh is just 21 and has also been to the Commonwealth Games and all sorts of tournaments in between times.

Four years ago, the day she finished her Leaving Cert at the Royal and Prior, she boarded a plane to Baku for the first edition of the European Games, where she competed in the women’s doubles with Sara Boyle.

In Minsk last week, Darragh was in the women’s singles – and turned in some encouraging displays.

Although she lost her three games, there were more than enough positive signs.

Agnes Korosi of Hungary has the better of Darragh 21-11 22-20, she lost 21-17 21-9 to Yvonne Li from Germany, while Finland’s Airi Mikkela scores a 21-16 21-19 win.

“I knew before I came here that the girls in my group were a lot higher ranked,” Darragh says.

Rachael Darragh in European Games action. Picture: Team Ireland

“I knew I was in for a tough week. I just came to leave everything on the court and I did that.

“I’m happy with that, but disappointed that I didn’t get a win. I did exactly what I came here to do.

“I feel like I’ve gained an experience.

“If anything, it makes me want to go for more and come back for the next one. I want to come back and get wins and I’ve this experience behind me to know what it feels like.

“I felt like I left my best badminton on the court. I gave it everything. It was more about getting out there and getting the feel of being in a big tournament.”

Darragh proudly watched as her aunt and uncle, Chloe and Sam Magee, collected mixed doubles bronze.

Darragh was always destined to follow in the family ways.

In a feature for Badminton Ireland three years ago she detailed how she started in badminton by ‘picking up shuttles as a child for Sam and Chloe’.

But there’s a steely focus and a real resolve to make her own name in the sport.

Darragh says: “I do like to be Rachael Darragh. It’s not that I don’t like it, but I want to be more than ‘another Magee’.

“I’m my own player. I want to make my own mark on the sport and make a name for myself.”

She has certainly been doing that, having already won two Irish National women’s singles titles.

Last April, she competed in the Commonwealth Games. Alongside Sinead Chambers, they beat Elise Dixon and Emily Temple Redshaw 21-9 21-10 in the round of 32 before losing out to by Malaysian duo Soniia Cheah and Jemie Shevon Lai in the Commonwealth Games last week 21-19 21-7.

Darragh also had a win at the Carrara Sports Arena in the women’s singles, overcoming Tella Ngadjui from Cameroon 21-6 21-3 in just 19 minutes, before bowing out to Soniia Cheah.

“The Commonwealth Games was massive. It was a really big experience.

“I’m just coming into the senior world of badminton. My next time around I’ll be wanting more.”

Rachael Darragh at the Commonwealth Games

Last year, Darragh won bronze at the Bulgarian Open, competing with Paul Reynolds and, alongside Sara Boyle, won the women’s doubles at the Irish Nationals this year.

Before going to Minsk, Darragh was part of a five-person Irish team that reached the final of the Sudirman Cup in China.

The sport can be lonely at times.

She says: “You need to be very motivated and driven. You need to know there’ll be bad times.

“Chloe has been Ireland’s number one singles player for so long.

“She knows how these things go. She helps me every day in training and I also live with her. It’s a massive help for me and it’s such an advantage.

“It’s nice to have the guys there. It’s a comfort that other players don’t have. I can always go to Chloe or Sam for anything I need.

“Minsk was a great opportunity for me to get the experience, to see what it feels like and see what I have to do.

“Seeing Sam, Chloe and Josh doing so well above me made me want to do the same. Me and Josh played a lot and trained a lot together. ”

Based in Dublin and training in the national badminton centre, she studies management at TU Dublin and has the mind firmly on the future.

She says: “I think I’d like to go for the Olympics in 2024 and work from that. I don’t think it’ll be for me in Tokyo, but you never know. I just want to keep improving. I know now what I have to do to be as good as these girls who’ll be at the Olympics.

“I feel like this has been one of the best performances that I’ve put out against the best players. I’m coming away feeling happy and feeling motivated. “

A new music video has been released showing Letterkenny in an edgy, criminal light. 

Counterfeit is the new single from Le Groupe Fantastique, an electronic band from London.

The group made up of Al Baker (synths and bass), Tom Gee (synths) and Jono Marshall (vox) describe their music as 80’s influenced, synth heavy, floor fillers.

The Neo-Noir style video features up and coming local actor Aidan O Sullivan and Thomas Sharkey taking part in a shady deal involving counterfeit money. One double-cross later, a femme fatale (played by Kaireht Yovera), is brought in to settle the matter.

The music video was shot in both London and Donegal and was directed by Donegal film-maker Gerard Lough.

Local locations that can be seen in the video include The Pulse nightclub and the Regional Culture Centre. In the dark of night, the lights and architecture of the Letterkenny Courthouse and RCC set the scene for the crime drama.

Watch the video:

Despite it being his 13th music video, Lough feels it will be anything but unlucky.

He said: “Counterfeit is one of  best songs I’ve done a video for and this band should have a bright future.”

The song will also appear in Loughs’ next feature film, Spears, a thriller which will be released next year and also feature music by Irish bands such as Sleep Thieves and Exit: Pursued by a bear.

TEAM IRELAND Women’s Football Team – which includes a strong Donegal presence – overcame Brazil 1-0 last night in their opening game of the 2019 FISU Summer Universiade.

Lauren Kelly’s goal, 14 minutes from time gave Ireland a famous win over the 2017 Gold medallists at the Stadio San Mauro in Italy.

LyIT students Zoe McGlynn (Sion Swifts) and Zoe Green (Illies Celtic) are part of the Irish panel that has travelled to Naples for the tournament.

Letterkenny man Johnny Loughrey is with the Irish men’s team as a physio with Limerick’s Kathy Fahy looking after the women’s team

Pictured: Zoe McGlynn and Zoe Green are with the Irish Team in Naples. Picture by Ed Scannell

Ireland started off with the better of the chances with Chloe Mustaki having a shot from 30 yards which just floated over the crossbar.

Ireland thought they had taken the lead after a quarter of an hour when Megan Smyth-Lynch had a shot from 30 yards which struck the crossbar and bounced down with footage unable to conclude whether it had crossed the line.

Ireland had the ball in the net just minutes later when Smyth-Lynch’s free kick was nodded in by Eleanor Ryan Doyle but as the Irish players ran off to celebrate, the celebrations were cut short by the Assistant Referee’s flag.

Just when it seemed as if a draw was the likely outcome, Kelly stunned Brazil with a cracking finish.

Ireland continued to control the possession and repelled any attack that Brazil could throw against them and kicked off scenes of celebration at the final whistle. It is a quick turnaround for the Girls as they face South Korea on Thursday in their final group game.

Gardaí in Inishowen raided a drugs house and seized a large number of controlled substances over the weekend.

The raid was made on Friday afternoon on a property in the Buncrana area.

During the raid, a large quantity of cannabis was seized.

On Friday, June 28, Gardai targeted and seized the cannabis worth €9000.

One man was subsequently arrested and Gardai in Buncrana confirmed that a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Meanwhile, Garda on patrol in Bridgend at 5:50pm on Friday, June 28, also seized a large sum of cash and detected cocaine worth €650 following the search of a car under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

One male was arrested at the scene, while another male attempted to flee and had to be restrained and arrested.

He was detained and charged with drugs offences to later appear in court.

There is outrage over revelations that the HSE has cut the number of hours of respite care it provides to Donegal children with intellectual disabilities by 245,551 since 2013.

The number of respite hours delivered in Donegal is down to 23,668 in 2018: more than 70% fewer than had been provided just five years ago.

Sinn Féin Deputy Pearse Doherty, who obtained the figures, has branded them as ‘grotesque’ and ‘unforgiveable’.

He said: “They show that back in 2013 there were 80,773 hours of respite provided to children with intellectual disabilities living in Donegal, while last year this figure had tumbled to just over 23,500.

“While there were 70 per cent fewer respite hours delivered in 2018 compared to 2013, there was a shocking 245,551 cumulative reduction in the number of overall respite hours provided to children in this county over the past five years – that is nothing short of grotesque and it is simply unforgiveable to say the least.”

The Donegal T.D. said the people of Donegal will be “rightly disgusted and saddened” by these figures.

“Respite services are a vital part of any health care system as they provide much needed relief and a welcome break to families and loved ones caring for children living with high dependency needs and or complex health conditions.

“It’s of course understandable that the number of hours of respite needing to be delivered will inevitably differ from one year to the next due to changing demand with hours may having to be reduced owing to variables such as some children transitioning to adult care, other children sadly passing away, families relocated, etc.

“However, the sheer scale of the cuts made to the number of respite hours provided by the HSE to children residing here over the past five years cannot be explained by simple demographic changes or other related reasons.

“Clearly, a willful decision has been taken by authorities to make these cut backs and the feedback which I’ve been receiving from parents and service users paint a picture of families struggling to access supports.

“And these figures today bear this out, so much so that we now not only have anecdotal evidence of their plight but we also have hard facts to back them up.”

Deputy Doherty is calling on the government to take responsibility for the drop in respite care:

“They must hang their heads in shame for what they have allowed to happen under their watch as they have allowed some of the most vulnerable children in this county and their families to go without these crucial supports.”

A man is to be charged with the murder of former Sinn Fein member and British agent Denis Donaldson.

Mr Donaldson, then aged 55, was shot dead at a remote cottage on the outskirts of Glenties in April 2006.

He had been living there secretly since being exposed as an MI5 agent in 2005 but was then blasted to death on April 4th.

Although a number of arrests had been made in connection with the overall investigation into Mr Donaldson’s murder, nobody had ever been charged.

However, Garda Superintendent Michael Finan today (Wed) told the inquest, the 23rd adjourned sitting into Mr Donaldson’s death, that he has received directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions in the case.

He revealed “Acting on those directions proceedings have been instituted against an individual for the murder of Denis Donaldson.

“A warrant has recently been obtained from the Special Criminal Court for the arrest of an individual for the purpose of taking him before that court, where he is to be charged with Mr Donaldson’s murder.

“That is as much detail as I can provide in this matter at present.”

Barrister for the Garda Commissioner, Mr Stephen Byrne said the issue for the coroner’s court was now the length of time the case should be adjourned for.

He added that with any criminal proceedings they were erratic and nobody knew what was going to happen with this particular case.

Coroner Dr Denis McCauley said he was taking Mr Byrne’s experience of criminal matters and adjourn the case until September 23rd next year.

Dr McCauley added “This is a case that has been going on for quite a while and there has been doubt expressed about the validity and veracity of the Garda investigation and I would like to commend the Garda investigation.

“At all stages I have been comfortable that the Garda investigation has been active and I would like to compliment them and I’m sure the family would like to join me in commending the Gardai.”

Solicitor for the Donaldson family Ciaran Shields said that it is no secret the individual charged in connection with Mr Doandlson’s murder is currently serving a long sentence outside of the State.

He said he estimates that it will be at least a decade before he completes that sentence and will be extradited back to Ireland for trial for Mr Donaldson’s murder.

He added that Mr Donaldson’s widow was now in her 70s and that potential witnesses in the case are also getting older.

The Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government has been called on to give a definitive date as to when the MICA Redress Scheme will commence for homeowners affected by defective mica blocks.  

Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal, Charlie McConalogue made the appeal on Wednesday.

In June, junior housing minister Damien English has said that the Mica redress scheme will be ready for repair works to begin on homes in autumn 2019.

The plans follow the allocation of €20million from the government for grants to cover remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to defective concrete blocks.

It is estimated that as many as 4,800 dwellings in Donegal and 345 in Mayo are affected by the Mica-defective blocks.

 “It is disgraceful that homeowners, many of whom have homes crumbling around them, still have no certainty regarding a start date from the government for the Mica redress scheme,” McConalogue said.

“In the last budget, €20m was set aside for the scheme.

“A start date was expected to be brought to government by Minister Murphy before Christmas 2018,” he added.

“It is massively disrespectful to the plight facing the thousands of people in Donegal affected by Mica, that eight months later we are no clearer on the details of the scheme.

“The Minister must provide clarity to the families and give a definitive date so they can begin the remediation process as soon as possible,” concluded Deputy McConalogue.

Creeslough man John Downey today lost his appeal aimed at stopping his extradition in connection with the Enniskillen bombing.

UDR soldiers Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston and Private James Eames were killed when a device exploded in a vehicle they were checking.

Authorities in Northern Ireland are seeking to extradite the 67-year-old Donegal man in connection with the bombing on August 25th, 1972.

Mr Downey was arrested at his home in Ards on a European Arrest Warrant.

The High Court in Dublin ordered Mr Downey’s extradition in March, and the Court of Appeal upheld that decision today.

Mr Downey’s legal team said an appeal would be lodged to the Supreme Court.

The Court of Appeal put a stay on the order for surrender, pending the lodgement of a Supreme Court appeal, until July 12.

Thereafter, the stay will continue until the Supreme Court decides to hear Mr Downey’s case or not.

Gardai have confirmed they have called off the search for a missing man in the Killygordan area.

It follows the discovery of a body this afternoon.

Gardai had earlier issued an appeal for information on the whereabouts of a missing 25-year-old man.

A spokesman for Donegal Gardai said “In relation to the missing person appeal made this morning, Gardaí no longer require the assistance of the public. Thank you all for any assistance given.”

Deepest sympathies are expressed to the family of the man at this time.

Buncrana’s Shorefront is set to receive new large bins this week following the removal of bins that had been vandalised in the area several months ago.

The Donegal County Council confirmed that the bins would be reinstalled in the area this week and that Buncrana Tidy Towns had been made aware of the current situation.

A number of smaller bins had been removed earlier this year due to the overflowing of rubbish, but now larger barrel bins would be put in place this week.

A spokesperson for Donegal County Council said: “Some of the bins were no longer fit for purpose and were removed.

“However, the replacement of those bins is well underway and some of the bins will be replaced this week.”

Celebrity Chef Brian McDermott is representing his home county and Ireland at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in China this week.

The award-winning Foyle Hotel owner is the proud author of Donegal Table, a recipe book packed with delicious everyday recipes.

Chef McDermott travelled to Macau this week to take part in the global awards, which begin today. 

He is shortlisted in two categories: Best Chef and Best TV Celebrity Chef.

And the local food ambassador is also hoping to stir up appetites for Donegal tourism, as he has some Chinese travel brochures for Donegal in his luggage!

Later Today we are off to #China as our book #DonegalTable represents #Ireland at the #GourmandBookAwards it’s a book we are so proud of thanks to many people. Can’t wait to experience #HongKong #Macau we have translated #Donegal tourism brochure to bring. Wish us luck pic.twitter.com/45YNqmJ6Mn

— Brian Mc Dermott (@ChefBrianMcD) June 30, 2019

Gideon Kipsang was the winner of tonight’s Ardara Methodist Church 5k.

Kipsang finished in 17 minutes and 25 seconds, ahead of Gary Scully (17:44) and Patrick McCarry (18:54).

The leading female was Eimear Gormley in 22:06.

Caolan Maltha was the hat-trick hero as Bonagee United put Milford to the sword in the Colin Breslin Cup.

Bonagee United 4 Milford United 1

By Chris McNulty at Dry Arch Park

Maltha netted the only goal of a tepid first half, but added two more in the second half while sub Charlie Cunnard added another.

Paul Higgins’ hosts were home and hosed thanks to Maltha, but Dylan Dorrian did pull one back for the Moyle View men.

Jason Martin and Maltha had chances early on for Bonagee.

Milford goalkeeper John Matthews saves well after Maltha connected to a Jack Murphy free kick.

Just before the half-hour, Maltha prodded Bonagee in front with a good finish.

Adam Murphy might have doubled the lead, but a cracking effort stung the inside of the Milford post.

Bonagee doubled the lead on 58 minutes as Maltha found the bottom corner.

Six minutes later, the Bonagee striker completed his treble as he tucked home a penalty.

Dorrian’s super finish reduced the deficit but Cunnard, who was initially denied by Matthews, converted at the second attempt.

AMID EMOTIONAL scenes, Mandy Kelly delivered a Man of the Match display to captain Glenswilly to a gripping win over Sean MacCumhaills in the Northern Board Under-14 League final

Glenswilly 1-11 MacCumhaills 2-7

By Charlie Collins at O’Donnell Park

A minute silence was held before the game for the late Manus Kelly, whose wife, Bernie, was in the stand as son Mandy starred in the win at O’Donnell Park.

Less than a week after three-time Donegal International Rally champ Manus was buried last Thursday, Mandy led the way as the Glenmen took the silverware.

Glenswilly raced to a early four-point lead, two from play by Mark Bonner and Eoghan Scott and a pair of frees from Oisín McGrenra.

Ruairi Callaghan opened MacCumhaills account in the 14th minute with a ‘45 but, five minutes later, Glenswilly finally got the goal they had threatened from the start.

After his first effort had hit the inside of the post, Conor Kelly followed up to slot the ball home.

A minute later midfielder Michael Doherty burst through but, with options available, he choose to shot but missed the target.

Oisín McGrenra pointed from play, Diathi McMahon got only MacCumhaills second point but Christopher Diver kicked two excellent points from play to leave the half-time score 1-7 to 0-2 in Glenswilly’s favour.

Glenswilly opened the second-half with a brillant five-man move which ended with Oisín McGrenra shooting straight at keeper Sean Martin.

Four minutes later it was MacCumhaills turn to sweep towards goal and they were awarded when Conor McGinty finished off an excellent move and the lead was down to six, 1-8 to 1-2 .
In the next ten minutes we had an exchange of points, two for Glenswilly from Donal Gallagher and Oisín McGrenra’s free and three from MacCumhaills, two from play by Odhran Bonner and a Ruairi Callaghan free to reduce the deficit to just four points with 15 minutes left to play.

A couple of minutes later it was down to a single point as MacCumhaills got a second goal.

They were awarded a penalty when Cathal Cannon was fouled and although keeper John Quin denied Ruairi Callaghan first attempt he was finally able to steer the ball through to leave just a point in it.
Oisín McGrenra pointed a free to leave two between them and a minute later MacCunhaills keeper Sean Martin denied Christopher Diver what looked a certain goal.

Daithi McMahon converted a free and then Cathal Cannon produced an excellent point to level it up at 1-10 to 2-7.

It was there for the taking now and both sides squandered but right at the end of normal time, big midfielder Micheal Doherty took on the responsibility of shooting for goal and was rewarded as the ball sailed over the bar.

Referee James Conners added three minutes of injury-time but MacCumhaills just couldn’t fight back again and Glenswilly won by 1-11 to 2-7.

Both teams advance to the County Under 14 Championship Quarter-finals, as do Termon who beat St.Eunans in the third place play-off.

Glenswilly: John Quinn, Mickey Toner, Oran Canning, Aidan Friel,Mark Bonner, Mandy Kelly, Donal Gallagher (0-1), Reid Kelly, Michael Doherty (0-1), Jamie McCauley, Eoghan Scott (0-1), Daithi Gallagher (0-1), Conor Kelly ( 1-0), Christopher Diver (0-2), Oisín McGrenra (0-5, 4f). Subs: Shane Walsh, Lee Gibbons, Karlo, Sean McClean, Adam Lynch, Rickey Guntrip, Jamie Spratt.

Sean MacCumhaills: Sean Quinn, Josh Reid, Martin Mbuli, Tiernan McCafferty, Cathal Cannon (0-1), Fionn McNulty, Joseph Boyle , Diarmuid O’Donnell, Shaun McMenamin, Conor McGinty (1-0), Ruairi Callaghan ( 1-2, 1f, 1 ‘45), Odhran Bonner (0-2), Darragh Boyle , Daithi McMahon (0-2, 1f) Daniel Lynch. Subs: Jamie Meehan, Riain McBrearty, Adam Quinn, Shaun Sweeney.

Raphoe Mart Manager Anne Harkin says common sense must be brought back into farming in order to save the industry.

As she celebrates 30 years of service to the Raphoe Mart, Ms Harkin has spoken out on the current state of farming and the need for change.

Anne Harkin, Raphoe Livestock Mart Manager, with her colleagues as she celebrates 30 years working at the mart. Photo Clive Wasson

“Farming has taken a twist. Everything is stacked against the farmer now. Unfortunately farming isn’t farming anymore, it’s book-keeping. The farmers can’t enjoy being on the land because it is so uniformed,” Anne told Donegal Daily.

Anne Harkin joined the mart as a secretary on a cattle sale day in June 1989. For a person with no farming background, she has come a long way. She was appointed as manager in 2002. She was the only female manager in Donegal at the time, and one of just six in Ireland. It made no difference to anyone.

“I get total respect from the farmers. Nobody has ever said to me: ‘Sure what would you know, you’re a woman’.”

It’s not a glamorous job, she says, but it is a fulfilling job and Anne has seen many good friends come and go over the years. The system however, has changed dramatically.

“I love interacting with everyone and seeing the same farmers every week,” she said.

“But the good times are gone. It is a serious business and the men’s jaws are on the ground.”

Anne says she sees local farmers suffering from the decline of rural Ireland.

“Farmers are going to become a minority. I think people need to put more emphasis in retaining farming. Regulations have now outruled themselves.

“I wish I had the answers. But rural ireland doesn’t matter to people in Dublin. That’s evident in the banks, the post offices and in farming.”

Anne says she has huge respect for the farmers she works alongside and attributes the success of the mart to the supportive customers.

“I couldn’t speak highly enough for farmers. They are working all hours to get a minimal return. The rules of this mart is you pay on the day. And I admire the farmers so much because they do this, but they don’t get wages, they have to wait on their return,” she said.

Anne also credits her brilliant team – the 15 yard workers, the three office staff members and the canteen staff led by Valerie Wallace. Mary Rose Donnelly has been Anne’s right hand woman from the very start.

In honour of her 30 year anniversary, Anne’s colleagues recently surprised her with a presentation and cake. “I couldn’t have taken this journey without the team,” she said.

Ian Maxwell Raphoe Livestock Mart Chairman making a presentation to Anne Harkin, Mart Manager who has worked for 30 years in the mart and has been the manager since 2002. Photo Clive Wasson

Ian Maxwell Raphoe Livestock Mart Chairman making a presentation to Anne Harkin, Mart Manager who has worked for 30 years. Also included are Charlie McMenamin, Mary Rose McMenamin and Alex Gourley, Auctioneer. Photo Clive Wasson

Things are much different from when she took over almost 20 years ago. She remembers the ‘darkest days’ of the foot and mouth outbreak and the other times when sales lasted all day and all night.

“Some days you’d have started at 9 in the morning and you wouldn’t finish until 5 or 6 the next morning. Then you are up again for 9.

“Computerisation has taken away a lot of that work. The value is on the cattle from the minute it goes into the ring. As well as that, the cattle and sheep numbers has decreased,” she said.

Anne said that, without change, she believes the future of farming is under threat.

“There doesn’t seem to be much of a living in it for them anymore. I know there are perceptions out there with regard to people in farming. People think that farmers are grand, but they need every penny they can get.

“The world has to produce food, therefore the government has to look after the people that produce it,” she said.

Anne said that a united front is needed to back the farmers of Ireland.

“They need as much help as they can to get over this line. If the government sits back and lets the EU dictate all the time about what the farmer should be doing – common sense has to prevail,” she said.

Anne said she is not a member of any farming representative groups, but would like to see them working together with one voice.

She said: “All farming organisations should be united rather than disjointed – not one organisation looking out for the dairy farmer, the beef farmer and the sheep farmer. We are all looking for the same answers and the best outcome for the farmer.

“Let’s all work together, I think a lot of good thinking together would prevail much better.”

There is some disappointment in the Falcarragh area after the latest update from Irish Water confirmed that upgrade works won’t begin until the autumn.

A site investigation is planned in the area next week, with construction due to commence in September or October.

Irish Water agreed to fast-track works on the water main in Falcarragh and Gortahork after businesses and residents struggled with regular bursts in recent months. The project was reprioritised to the top of the list for the water authority.

After requesting an update on the progress, local Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig said he hoped it would have been worked on sooner to alleviate problems this summer.

Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said: “We are talking about a small town with a small amount of tourists coming for the summer. We don’t want any inconvenience.

“Plus you have the summer Irish students and homes depending on water to make a living from that.

“We also have the local people who depend on water for their everyday living.

“With the delays that’s in it, I would have hoped they (Irish Water) would have moved sooner rather than later.”

Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig is calling for a clear plan to be laid out for the local council.

“This approach – a little here and a little there – is no good. We know the extent of the amount of work that needs to be done. Irish Water should make the public in the Glenties Electoral Area aware of the next 10 year plan. We need to know what needs to be done, how much it’s going to cost and when it’s going to be done,” he said.

A young Letterkenny man was so addicted to synthetic cannabis caused him to become paranoid to the extent he attacked his sister’s boyfriend with an iron bar and knuckle duster.

Sloan Murphy of 26 Glenoughty Close appeared at a sitting of Letterkenny District Court in April and was adjourned to allow for the preparation of relevant reports from the Probation and Welfare Service.

Judge Paul Kelly heard how the defendant had been attending a birthday party in Oldtown, Letterkenny on September 1, last year, when he attacked the injured party with an iron ratchet handle.

On another occasion, Murphy punched the victim in the face with an implement called a “knuckle duster” which resulted in him needing treatment in hospital.

This week, having read the reports from the Probation Service, Judge Paul Kelly said they revealed that the defendant has a “irrational antipathy to the injured party who is going out with his sister”.

It also noted that he was “addicted to synthetic cannabis” and added “his empathy to the victim is limited as he feels he is a bad influence on his sister”.

The court heard from reports that Murphy has attended for drug use treatment but still has an “inability to rationally reason and problem solve” also suffers from paranoid thoughts and is in the “moderate category of re-offending”.

Solicitor, Mr Frank Dorrian, told the court his client has the motivation to address these issues and has support from his grandparents. He is also commencing a welding course in Gaoth Dobhair and is not using drugs at the moment.

Judge Kelly also noted the Probation Services have said the defendant does not need ongoing support from them and that he is a suitable candidate for community service.

It was also outlined that the injured party does not wish to make a victim impact statement.

Murphy was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 180 hours community service in lieu of six months imprisonment on each. He was also sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for a period of two years provided he commits no further offences during that time.

A delivery driver sprayed his employer’s vans with graffiti after being given his P45 despite being granted time off work.

The man appeared in court charged with damaging two vans belonging to the Asian Food Stores in Letterkenny in June last year.

Letterkenny District Court heard that Robert Stolarczyk used a special dye to scrawl slogans on the vans after being given the sack.

Photos of the damaged vans were handed into court with one slogan reading ‘Slave labour.’

The court was told that Mr Stolarczyk was originally paid €6 an hour as a trainee for the first year of his employment.

Solicitor for the accused man, Mr Kieran Dillon, told the court how his client, of 21 The Gardens, Ballymacool Woods, Letterkenny, had been given the time off but was then sacked.

He said he felt he felt he had no choice but to protest at how he had been treated by the company.

He said “He has been in Ireland since 2005 but was not aware of the intricacies of employment law here, although this is something he is now very familiar with.

He continued: “Shortly before this incident took place, my client asked for time off to pick up his father-in-law and this was agreed with his employer by way of text message. The following week he was not called into work and when he contacted his employer he was upset that he had received no notice.

“On June 26, my client tried to establish what was going on and he was told he was going to be unemployed and would get his P45. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back and he saw red, literally. He felt he had to make a protest and tell the world at large what was going on.”

The court had heard that on June 26, last year, at 12.30pm, gardai received a report of a vehicle which had been covered in graffiti at Asian Food Stores at the Ballyraine Business Park in Letterkenny.

A short time later they said that the same kind of paint had been used to write all over another van belonging to the same person at the Starlight Business Park.

The total damage caused to both, said Sergeant Jim Collins was €454.

Mr Dillon added that the wording referred in the graffiti attacks belonged to a “very peculiar set of circumstances”.

Mr Dillon told the court that the substance used to graffiti the vans was not traditional spray paint but was actually a product sold by the company he had worked for.

He added the colourant was mixed up by the defendant and placed into a manual spray pump.

“It washes off and my client tells me that his former colleagues washed it off that day with a bit of elbow grease. There was no lasting damage,” said the solicitor.

Mr Dillon concluded: “My client accepts he was incorrect in what he did but after one year of working, he felt he was not being treated fairly. He is a 46-year-old father of five who has a strong work ethic and is currently trying to get his HGV licence.”

Judge Kelly asked if the defendant was in a position to offer any compensation and Mr Dillon said that he would not be as he “feels so aggrieved at the way he was treated.”

He also questioned the invoice for €454 which was handed into court.

Judge Kelly adjourned matters until a sitting of the District Court on September 2 to obtain a Victim Impact Statement from the Injured Party and more information on the cost of the cleanup and whether or not there was a loss involved.

You could be very mistaken for taking this very first hybrid Ford Mondeo for just any other top of the range Ford.

There is a hybrid badge on the boot lid but other than that you would never know.

Even when you go inside, this car has more of a luxury message to it than anything else.

It’s as if Ford is saying, “listen, we will do all the hybrid work under the bonnet and you can sit back and take the credit for making the decision for opting to go hybrid and do your part to reducing your carbon footprint.”

Other than a small display at the bottom of the dash showing when the car is running on its petrol engine and recharging its battery or running on its battery only or running on both the battery and engine which the car does beautifully in the background without any fuss.

A view from behind the wheel of the new Ford Mondeo Hybrid. Photo Brian McDaid.

There were even times that I had to put down the window to see if I could hear if the engine was running because it was so quiet cruising along.

On the short time we had with this Ford Mondeo Hybrid, its economy was coming in at 47mpg which was mostly town driving which is where the batteries do most of the work in slow moving traffic, which by the way is an everyday event in Letterkenny!

Late Late Show

It may be a case of the Late Late show for Ford to joint the hybrid race, but this car maker seems to have come up to speed with this first hybrid to be introduced to the Ford line up.

As with most of Ford cars now like the new Focus and the new commercials vehicles all are now known as ‘world cars’ and sitting inside this luxury model, it feels of flavours of America with its white leather in the top of the range model.

In North America, this car is called the Ford Fusion.

Our Hybrid came in the Vignale level which was created by Ford to help challenge premium manufacturers and is designed to deliver the ultimate in terms of luxury within the Ford range.

Vignale models are the luxury flagships in the Ford model lines, where they appear with a leather-lined cabin and a specification packed with the latest Ford technology

World Car

It only seems like yesterday that I mistakenly turned down an invite to test drive what I thought was a version of the Ford Fiesta called St. Moritz in Mondello Park in Dublin.

When Ford rang me to see why I wasn’t going to St. Tropez to test the very first Mondeo, I wasn’t long getting my bags packed to head down to the South of France for a test drive and short holiday of a lifetime.

Our motoring columnist Brian McDaid at the wheel of one of the left hand drive Ford Mondeo when they were first introduced at the press launch in the South of France back in 1993.

That was 26 years ago and there has been many changes and generations of the Ford Mondeo since, but the car still is one of the names that has been Ford for the longest time.

At the launch all them years ago, we were told that the name Mondeo came from the Latin for ‘world’. And ironically it was a 2,000cc petrol automatic Mondeo Ghia that I drove in France back then and this week it was also a 2000cc petrol powered automatic hybrid that I am testing a quarter of a century on.

Diesel v Hybrid

Having a 1.5 Ford diesel that I drive a lot myself and know how easy the car on fuel is, the diesel version of the Mondeo will probably be up their as well in the fuel economy figures and here is where hybrids have a competition with conventional cars.

But the economy is not what its all about when you go out to buy a hybrid. Even if a diesel car will match a hybrid at the pumps, it will not last for long as the trends look likely to tax diesel more than petrol.

And in a way, this new Hybrid Mondeo is now doing its part for what it was called after in the first place, “Mundus” in Latin which translated into present-day English means“World”.

There’s not much to tell you about a hybrid of any type because everything it looked after for you.

The beautiful Mondeo Hybrid which we tested recently courtesy of Hegarty’s Letterkenny. Photo Brian McDaid.

You don’t have to worry about things like range anxiety or charging points our charging leads because this hybrid will recharge itself and will switch for petrol to electric when it’s most beneficial to do so.

Its all down to you now to do your part and make the move to hybrid or even all electric.

They reckon that in as little as 15 or 20 years time there will be more hybrids or all-electric cars on our roads than there will be cars with single powered engines in them so there’s no better time than the present to start thinking on the future in motoring than today.

Happy Motoring Folks

Local members of the Irish Road Haulage Association have heralded the success of a new pilot traineeship for HGV driving.

A delegation from the North West Branch visited Leinster House recently, where they were hosted by Donegal Minister Joe McHugh.

“The Irish Road Haulage Association have shown great initiative in creating a traineeship programme for HGV driving,” Minister McHugh said.

“I am was delighted to see the team so engaged in the idea, including John Hegarty, from the association’s North West Branch, and Ivor Reilly from Ballybofey.

“The results of the pilot show a big plus for anyone who is considering a new career path or a new training programme.”

Mr McHugh, Minister for Education and Skills, said: “The need for qualified and skilled long distance HGV drivers has to be understood in the context of Brexit and also the growing European market and where Irish businesses will be marketing, selling and delivering the products too in the coming years.

“I am delighted the pilot project was so successful and offered a new line of work for trainees. I look forward to hearing about the potential for the programme to be developed in the future.”