THE PRESIDENT of the Donegal Boxing Board, Peter O’Donnell, has welcomed the news that Belfast has been chosen as the venue for the 2020 European Schoolboy/Schoolgirl Championships.

Belfast will host the 18th staging of the Championships, the first time since 2001 that the city has held an international boxing tournament.

The announcement was made on Saturday following an inter-county match between Antrim and Kildare at the Corpus Christi Club on the Whiterock Road.

“It is brilliant news for all of Irish boxing,” O’Donnell, who was present for the big announcement, told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.

“Belfast is a real home of boxing and has produced some great champions down the years. Irish boxing has had great success over the last number of years and it’s a great testament to the work being done that the IABA has secured the European Championships.”

Ireland last staged the European Championships in 2013 when Aaron McKenna – now a stablemate of Jason Quigley with Sheer Sports Management – and Jordan Myers won gold medals at the City West Hotel in Dublin.

Also at those Championships, Finn Valley ABC’s Leon Gallagher was a bronze medalist after being beaten by Ivan Chebrevichev from Ukraine in a 65kgs semi-final. Paddy Donovan who is being trained, like Quigley, by Andy Lee was also a participant, but her made an exit after a loss to Russia’s Nikia Piskunov in an early round.

O’Donnell said: “Irish boxing is looking forward to having the top boxers from Europe with us next summer. It will be a big undertaking to hold this tournament, but it’s fantastic to give our young boxers this kind of Championship to view on the doorstep.”

In 2001, Belfast hosted the World Championships when Guillermo Rigondeaux, David Haye and Carl Froch – who all went on to become World champions – won gold medals.

IABA President Dominic O’Rourke and Belfast boxing strategy development officer Liam Corr attended a EUBC Conference in Antalya, Turkey earlier this month when the decision was made.

“Ireland has a proud record at this level, and our young boxers will be looking to improve on that next summer at what will be a wonderful week of boxing in Belfast,” O’Rourke said.

“We want to bring in major events, and this will be stepping stone to possibly the Under 22 Championships and possibly the Elite Championships in two years’ time.”

Boxers from 34 countries are expected to compete at the Championships. While the venue and the dates have yet to be officially confirmed, it is likely that the new Brook Leisure Centre will house the Championships from June 25 to July 9.

Contested across 33 weights (19 male, 14 female), Ireland won 10 bronze, 6 silver, and 2 gold in the most recent edition of the championships in Tblisi, Georgia.

The Donegal Volunteer Centre is partnering with First Fortnight Donegal 2020 to run a series of events throughout the county.

And they are looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers who want to start the first fortnight of the year off with a fizz.

First Fortnight is a charity that challenges mental health prejudice through arts and cultural action.

From January 4th – 13th 2020, events will be taking place in Letterkenny, Gweedore and Ballybofey.

The events will include film screenings, theatre productions and creative and health workshops. There are volunteer openings for; Stewards, Information Givers and Audience Surveyors.

If you would like to contribute your time to a worthwhile event, you can find details on how to get involved by contacting www.volunteerdonegal.ie. OR www.firstfortnight.ie/volunteer

Well-known county councillor Jack Murray will have a Christmas to remember after getting married yesterday.

The Sinn Fein politician tied the knot with his stunning bride Sabrina Friel.

And the Burnfoot man simply couldn’t hide his delight!

Jack said “Happiest man alive. Thanks to everyone who made yesterday so fantastic.
Nollaig shona everyone!”

Letterkenny Athletic Club’s globe trotting long-distance specialist, Caitriona Jennings, had another successful race in midweek. 

The 2012 Olympian won the women’s race in the annual Shek Kong 30K race in Hong Kong. 

Caitriona ran an excellent time of 2.04.30. It was the 20th time that the race, designed for runners building up to the Hong Kong Marathon, had been run. The date of the Marathon is February 9th 2020. Caitriona’s average pace for the 30K event was 4.09/KM. 

Two LAC runners were top 3 finishers in Saturday morning’s Letterkenny Parkrun. Teenager, Conor Farrell, was 2nd in 20.14. Michael Harkins was 3rd, and the leading M40 runner, in 20.43. Cathal Roarty was the first M55 runner across the line in 25.05. Cathal again acted as guide runner to John Doherty, who had the best time of his 6 parkruns to date. 

Theresa Wiseman was the leading W55 runner in 25.28. James McBride, competing for the 60th time, was first in the M65 category in 25.56. Peter McLean’s time was 29.55. 

LAC helds its Annual Awards Night and Christmas Party on Friday evening in Arena 7. It was an enjoyable evening and a large number of athletes receive awards to mark their effort, achievements and successes:

Click here for a full roundup of the winners.

Keith Harrison, the Donegal garda whose claims of corruption at the highest levels of the force were raised by the opposition in the Dail, has withdrawn the allegations he made to the Disclosures tribunal.

The Sunday Times reports that Harrison’s legal team has written to the tribunal — led by Seán Ryan, a former president of the Court of Appeal — to say their client wishes to withdraw the claims he made against senior gardai.

The Letterkenny-based garda had alleged he was the victim of a five-year campaign of intimidation after he arrested a colleague for drink-driving in Athlone in 2009.

Harrison came to public prominence in 2014 when Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty told the Dail that the officer’s superiors had set out to undermine him after he was publicly identified as a whistleblower.

The government included his allegations in the tribunal’s terms of reference at the request of the Labour Party, Sinn Fein and the former independent TDs Mick Wallace and Clare Daly.

He also attended a meeting with Katherine Zappone, the children’s minister, at which he alleged that superiors had set out to undermine him by making reports to Tusla, the child and family agency.

Pupils, parents and staff from Stramore National School enjoyed a wonderful carol service in Glendowan Chapel on Thursday last.

It was a fantastic evening with lots of talent and Christmas spirit on show.

The service was also attended by Bishop Alan McGuckian and Joe McHugh, Minister for Education.

See photos from the special event below, by Ray McDermott: 

The Donegal Mountain Rescue Team were tonight called out on an emergency operation.

The team received a call-out to an incident on Muckish Mountain at 8pm.

According to a DMRT spokesperson, the team has since been stood down at 9.12pm and all involved are safe.

No other details of the nature of the call-out have yet been given.

A man who had been told by a Judge he could spend his first Christmas with his family for fifteen years is now to spend it behind bars.

Stephen Darby was given his festive wish earlier this month when he pleaded with a Judge not to send him to jail.

The 45-year-old, who has 72 previous convictions, appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with a number of serious offences including assaulting Gardai.

Darby was caught acting suspiciously at The Beeches housing estate in Ballybofey on September 29th last.

He was dressed in black and was trying to force his into one of the houses and fled when Gardai arrived but was caught jumping over a fence.

A vicious altercation saw Darby assault a number of Gardai.

At one stage he picked up a block and threatened to hit a Garda with it while he also told another Garda that he would kill him and burn down his house.

After being pepper-sprayed a number of times, he was eventually arrested.

Solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client had been in care since he was aged 9 and was subject to horrors that no person should ever have to go through.

He ended up in Dublin and became part of a criminal gang which he then, rightly or wrongly, considered his family unit.

He ended up in prison for long stretches but in recent months he reconnected with his mother.

Darby claimed that on the night in question he had taken medication and also drank lots of vodka and was trying to find his mother’s house.

Judge Paul Kelly sentenced Darby on a number of charges including the assault on Gardai as well as criminal damage to a total of four months but backdated the sentence to when Darby went into custody.

The accused man pleaded with Judge Kelly to suspend the last month of the sentence as he had not spent Christmas with his real family for 15 years.

Judge Kelly asked him whose fault that was and Darby replied that it was his own.

The Judge agreed to suspend all the sentence under the condition that Darby not be convicted of any public order offences for the next 12 months.

However, Darby was one of two men caught allegedly breaking into a house in Ballybofey in the early hours of Thursday morning last.

He appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court where he was charged with aggravated burglary and was remanded in custody by Judge Paul Kelly to appear by videolink for a bail hearing on December 27th at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin.

The family of Mary Ellen Molloy who was killed in a freak accident in Australia on Friday have thanked all those who contributed to a fund for her and her friends.

The hugely-popular 26-year-old nurse from Ardara died following an incident in which a tree fell on the taxi in which she was traveling in Melbourne.

Since the incident, St Kevins GAC in Melbourne, of which Mary Ellen and her two friends in the taxi Aoife Sheridan and Sarah Fitzpatrick were members, has organised a Go Fund Me page.

That fund is now heading towards raising in excess of €100,000 thanks to generous donations both here in Donegal and around the globe for Mary Ellen and her two friends.

Mary Grehan, organiser of the campaign, said the fund has passed all their expectations and they will continue to keep the page open.

She said “On behalf of St Kevin’s GAA we wish to thank everyone for their support and generosity in the last 24 hours, it has surpassed any expectations we ever had.

“The families have passed on their appreciation for the support they have received during this very difficult time.

“We will keep the page running after we meet the target so everyone can contribute to the girls and their families. A long road ahead for all of them.”

Meanwhile, efforts to repatriate Mary Ellen with her family back in Ardara are ongoing.

If you would like to contribute to the Go Fund Me page please see https://www.gofundme.com/f/mary-ellen-molloy-sarah-fitzpatrick-aoife-sheridan

A senior Donegal Garda has issued a warning for people not to store presents in cars when they are out shopping.

The Christmas shopping rush in now in full swing.

Many have ordered presents which they are due to collect in stores across the county today and tomorrow.

Santa will have his own presents to bring but there are plenty of other presents ordered for aunts, uncles and cousins.

Sgt Paul Wallace has appealed to Christmas shoppers to be extra careful when collecting presents for loved ones.

He said people are watching cars and also the comings and goings of shoppers in a bid to steal goods from cars.

“What we would say is not to stock up your car and then simply go away and have a coffee or whatever.

“Cars are being watched and these people will know if there are valuable in vehicles.

“If you have ordered a present and are due to collect them, check with the store and tell them to keep it behind the counter or whatever and that you will be back.

“If you have to collect the present and put it in the car make sure you put it in the boot or out of sight that it is not easily accessible for someone to take.

“And always, always lock your car no matter how short a time you think you will be away from your vehicle.

“It only takes a second for your entire Christmas to be ruined,” he said.

Daniel O’Donnell has revealed his plans for Christmas Day as he heads to Dungloe Community Hospital to perform for patients.

The star will be balancing his day between family and religion.

Speaking to the Sunday Independent’s Life magazine, Daniel explained that he and his wife Majella will be spending Christmas Day at their Donegal home with Majella’s daughter, Siobhan, her husband Gavin, and their children Olivia and Archie.

Majella’s son Michael is also travelling home for the festive holidays from Australia.

Daniel said: “It will be nice to gather together and have a quiet time. It’s terrific having the grandchildren around at any time of year, but especially at Christmas, and now that the wee one (Olivia) is four, she is quite excited about Santa.

“The wee children being born has brought us so much joy.

“I have plenty of nieces and nephews too. New life in the family is great.”

Daniel will be attending Mass on Christmas Day and will take the opportunity to perform in the church choir.

“I sing in the choir on both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, and I sing at another Mass at the hospital in Dungloe for patients there, as some of them don’t get home for Christmas,” he added.

“Usually PJ, an old school friend of mine, and I will go together to sing at Mass.”

Admitting that Majella is in charge of the kitchen on Christmas Day, Daniel did add that he would be available to wash the dishes after dinner.

“I love the feeling of Christmas – the down time, the warmth, the long nights, the fire on and people calling over,” he added.

Looking ahead to 2020, he said: “This coming year, I’m going to be taking a bit of time off.

“I’m doing the Gertrude Byrne Cruise in February, which is leaving from San Diego and heading for Mexico. I normally do it every couple of years but I did it last year too – we went to Alaska.

“Then after that I have decided to cut down a wee bit on the touring. So I won’t be doing anything until August.”

Daniel will be doing four shows in the INEC in Killarney from September 22, and then two shows in the Dublin Convention Centre on December 12 and 13.

The 40th class reunion of the Leaving Cert Class 1979 is taking place in the Mulroy Woods Hotel on 28th December at 7pm.

All classmates, minus the dodgy haircuts and a little more mature (we presume!) are welcome to attend.

It will include a welcome introduction, presentation, food and refreshments.

This should be a lovely night and a great opportunity to share memories and reminisce of time spent in Loreto College Milford.

“We would also love to see as many past pupils and staff as possible and to remember the loved ones that we have lost,” said an organiser.

Well-known Rosses man Hugh ‘The Yank’ Boyle is well-known to many for his likeable charm, easy manner and friendliness. Just don’t cross him on the football pitch. Now living in the US, this is Hugh’s My Donegal.

What is your favourite place in Donegal and why?

An easy one to start of with, Carrickfinn beach. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?

I might be biased with this one but for what he has achieved it has to be Daniel O’Donnell. He has done so much not only locally but nationally and internationally, and still makes time at Christmas for his local hospital.

What’s your happiest Christmas memory in Donegal?

The Christmas Daidí na Nollag brought a set of football goals, an O’Neills football and a sliotar along with Dj Carey and Colm Cooper jerseys.

If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?

Accessibility i.e. the roads, trains (lack of), buses. Donegal unfortunately, is so far behind the likes of Kerry, Galway etc in terms of being able to showcase our county due to the inaccessibility of Donegal.

What has been Donegal’s proudest moment in recent years?

Karl Lacey and Michael Murphy with the Sam Maguire Cup after Donegal win the All-Ireland in 2012

Michael Murphy lifting Sam in 2012. Another proud moment for Donegal was holding the Irish Open in 2018.

If you found a magic wand that allowed you to grant one wish for Donegal, what would it be?

Turn Letterkenny into a city. No reason why it shouldn’t be competing with the rest (except the traffic situation)

What is your favourite Donegal-made product?

There’s a lot to be said about a bottle of McDaid’s football special.

Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?

Mr Daniel O’Donnell gets the nod again from me, he is known around the globe and what a man to represent us.

What is your earliest memory associated with Donegal?

A random one but the foot and mouth disease in 2001 I think it was, all over the news. Almost as bad as the Foot’n turf.

What has been the biggest compliment you’ve ever received?

Gaoth Dobhair’s Kieran Gillespie will answer this one.

Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?

Build the statue already, Michael Murphy.

What is your favourite Donegal restaurant/bar?

I’ll stay local, Caisleain Oir Hotel, highly recommend. An honourable mention is the Olde Castle Bar in Donegal Town.

What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?

“Will we go for a few”

What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?

It may or may not affect the entire county but Brexit sure will challenge the border towns in Donegal.

What is your favourite food that you associate with Donegal?

Gallagher’s white wrapper bread in Ardara, along with a pint of milk from Donegal Creameries.

Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?

Not at all, good crop of people.

Who is your favourite Donegal entrepreneur?

Tony Sharkey of Sharkeys Waste. He provides a professional and honest service throughout Donegal.

If you had a hundred million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?

Pump it into Letterkenny, get the hospital to the standard Donegal deserves and get the LyIT to University status. I Would say after the hospital has been sorted I could be out of funds. Maybe a white water rafting Centre.

Where’s the most unusual place you’ve logged on to Donegal Daily?

Malibu. Catching up with news from home while hiding from the sun.

Nomination for best dressed Donegal person?

A man called Carl Dunnion, fond of McElhinneys department store and yellow Tommy Hilfigers T-shirt’s.

Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of? (example: our culture/language)

It’s great to see Gaelic being spoken around home. Also, we are very unlucky with tragedies in Donegal but the togetherness within the county when something does happen makes it that bit easier to deal with.

Gardai are investigating a spate of break-ins to cars outside churches in Co Donegal yesterday.

Thieves broke into three cars outside different churches while the owners were at mass.

Handbags, an Apple iPod as well as children’s medication was taken during the series of heartless thefts.

The break-ins occurred outside St Mary’s Church in Castlefin, St Columba’s Church in Drumoghill and Carnone Presbyterian Church in Castlefin.

The three robberies all took place within a two hours period but Gardai have not confirmed if the robberies are related.

As well as the value of the items stolen, the thieves also broke windows in the vehicle and also broke the boot lock on one of the cars.

Garda Grainne Doherty said with a number of church services coming up in the coming days with the festive season, people should be extra careful with their vehicles.

“These people are chancers and we are asking people not to take any chances with their vehicles and valuable items in the run-up to and over Christmas.

“These guys might try ten cars and they only have to get lucky once.

“We are asking people not to leave any valuables in cars when they are attending church services over Christmas and also to park their cars in well-lit areas.

“Don’t simply put handbags and other valuables in the footwells of cars as these people know they could be there. Our message is not to take any chances.”

Air pollution in Letterkenny climbed higher than levels in many parts of New Delhi in India last week, according to information from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Professor John Wenger from the centre for research in the Department of Atmospheric Chemistry at University College Cork says it is down to burning solid fuels.

The revelation comes as Donegal County Council continue with a campaign urging people across Donegal not to burn fossil fuels.

Professor Wenger said “I’ve been looking at figured from the EPA for the last few years and it’s the highest I’ve seen,” Prof Wenger said. “It is quite extraordinary.

“Although, it comes as no surprise in some ways because we have been monitoring air pollution in small towns,” he said, adding that the pollution levels spike in winter months “because of solid fuel burning”.

“It really is home fires which are causing the pollution, combined with cold, still winter nights that really create perfect conditions really for air pollution.”

LOCAL football administrator Terry Leyden was toasting a lovely Christmas treat this weekend as he scooped the top prize in Bonagee United’s fund-raising draw.

Leyden was the winner of the €3,000 cash prize in Bonage’s annual club development draw.

Leyden, the Donegal League’s disciplinary secretary, is well used to collecting cheques from clubs, but this was a windfall of a difference for the Drumkeen resident as there were no fines attached!

This morning, Leyden collected his winnings from Bonagee United Chairman Niall Callaghan, winning ticket seller Donal Coyle and Bonagee United committee member Eric Funston.

Bonagee’s annual draw has become a real success and has aided in the ongoing development works at Dry Arch Park.

Ten top prizes were on offer in the draw, which was made at the Clanree Hotel on Saturday night. 

“We would like to thank everyone who bought or sold tickets for the draw,” Mr Callaghan said.

“The annual draw is a major part of the club’s fund-raising efforts and our members always make sure that it is a big success each year.

“As a club, we are going from strength to strength on and off the field. Our fund-raising efforts with draws such as this ensure that we can continue growing and developing.

“2019 was a fantastic year with our adult teams, men’s and ladies, all winning trophies, while our underage system continues to blossom.”

There was an 18-hole open stableford sweep last weekend and the conditions for golf were testing at Buncrana Golf Club.

However it didn’t stop new Marty McGrath from breaking his maiden tag on his first attempt by winning his first competition with a fine score of 40 points. 

The full results of the 18 Hole Open Stableford Sweep are as follows 1st Marty Mc Grath (26) 40 points, 2nd Stephen Fitzpatrick (8) 39 points, Gross Fiachra O’ Flaherty (5) 70 gross, 3rd Sean T. Murphy (14) 38 points. 

Winter League

The qualifiers final of the Owen McDaid (Roe) Winter League final will be between the pairings of Oliver Doherty and Emmet Doherty v Tony Hegarty and Kevin McGrath. In the non-qualifiers Shane Gallivan and Patrick Grant will play Ryan McHugh and Barry Doherty.

18 Hole Open Stableford Sweep

There will be an 18 Hole Open Stableford Sweep this weekend Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th December.

‘Twenties’ Competitions

The 9 hole Stableford ‘Twenties’ competitions will continue over the next few months and will give members the opportunity to play competition golf throughout this period. The cost will be €3.00 to entry and will run until 20 competitors play with the prize being won at this stage and a new competition will start straight away.

Find the Joker Fundraising

The Find the Joker is up and running again with a Jackpot of €1,100.00, lines only cost €2 each and this draw is open to members and non-members alike. Lines can be purchased in the clubhouse or through chief seller Oliver Doherty. 

Membership

There are great membership deals at present Male €350.00, Lady €232.00, Beginner Male €260.00 and Lady Beginner €190.00 all fees inclusive of G.U.I. / Insurance.

O’Flaherty’s Bar 3 Club Challenge

The O’Flaherty’s Bar Annual 3 Club Challenge will take place on Friday 27th December with a shotgun start at 11.30am. Anyone interested please leave your name in O’Flaherty’s Bar as there will be a shotgun start with limited tee times.

Clubhouse Opening Hours Over Christmas

The clubhouse will close at 12.30pm on Tuesday 24th December and will re-open on Friday 27th December at 9am. Any member’s wishing to golf during this period please make arrangements to remove your clubs from the locker room. 

The Buncrana Golf Club Committee and Members would like take this opportunity to thank all the clubs sponsors and visitors for supporting the club throughout the year and wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

Homes and businesses in Stranorlar, Killygordon and nearby areas are without water this morning following a mains burst.

Irish Water crews are currently working on repairs, and a traffic management plan is in place to facilitate the operation.

The fault is affecting properties in Stranorlar, Killygordon, Mullindrait, Cavan Lower, Carricknamana, Burnrock and surrounds.

It is estimated that supplies will be restored by 2pm today (Monday) and customers are advised to allow 2-3 hours after the estimated restoration time for supply to fully return.

The uncle of tragic nurse Mary Ellen Molloy who was killed in a freak accident in Australia has spoken of his family’s heartache and their wish to get her home.

Donegal All-Ireland winning GAA captain Anthony Molloy said there are simply no words to describe how his family are feeling right now.

Mary Ellen was killed when the branch of a tree fell on the taxi in which she was travelling on Friday evening last in Melbourne.

The beautiful 26-year-old had been working there as a nurse having left her native Ardara sixteen months ago.

Anthony, who was also Mary Ellen’s Godfather, said there is just a numbness which has embraced the family and the community since word of Mary Ellen’s tragic death broke on Friday last around 5.30pm.

“It’s so hard to put it into words. It was just such a freaky thing to have happened. We received word from local Gardai around 5.30pm last Friday. We couldn’t believe what they were telling us and it’s still difficult to believe it now,” he said.

Mr Molloy, a Fianna Fail county councillor, described Mary Ellen as a beautiful person “both on the inside and out.”

He said “I think she was always destined to be a nurse, even from a young age. She had that caring nature and loved looking after people, especially older people.

“You can see from her pictures that she was a beautiful-looking girl but her beauty was also inside and anybody in Ardara or who came into contact her in any way will tell you that.”

Mr Molloy said Mary Ellen’s parents Terence and Angela are coping as best they can and are comforting their two other sons John and Karl.

He says Christmas will never be the same again after the tragedy but said the community and people in general have been marvellous.

He paid tribute to Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher for his efforts in helping to repatriate Mary Ellen.

“You cannot describe how the family are feeling. It’s impossible to put it into words because there are simply no words for it. They just want to get her home now and Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, a close personal family friend for many years, is doing trojan work to that end.

“Mary Ellen was the eldest and Terence and Angela were so proud of her and delighted of the young woman she had become.

“It’s impossible to put into words the feeling that is there. This should be a happy time of year for the family at Christmas but all there is is a sense of numbness and sorrow at what has happened,” he added.

Meanwhile plans to repatriate Mary Ellen’s remains back to Ireland to her native Ardara for burial are continuing.

The repatriation is being co-ordinated by Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher who paid tribute to all those working behind the scenes to bring Mary Ellen home.

“This is a very difficult time for everyone especially the Molloy and Gillespie families.

“All that can be done is being done and I would like to pay tribute at this time to the Australian authorities and to the undertaker who are doing tremendous work in helping to bring Mary Ellen home to her family.

“We will know a lot more in the coming days,” added Deputy Gallagher.

Gardaí are seeking the public’s help in tracing the whereabouts of Dublin teenager Jade Burns, 17 years, who has been missing since 29th November.

It is believed that Jade may have travelled to both the Donegal and Longford areas in the time she has been missing.

Jade is described as being approximately 5’9″, with blonde hair, of medium build with blue eyes.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Gardai in Blanchardstown on 01 666 7000.