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Travel Alert: Kilmacrennan to Lough Salt road blocked

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The Kilmacrennan to Lough Salt road will be blocked today and tomorrow for essential roadworks.

The road is closed between the Junction with the N56 in Kilconnell and the Junction with the L6212/1 in Letterfad.

Donegal County Council will be carrying out the works from today, Wednesday the 8 July until 6pm Thurs 9 July.

Local diversions will be in place.


Donegal TD slams Taoiseach’s ‘ridiculous’ comments on Good Friday Agreement

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Sinn Féin TD for Donegal Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has hit out against Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s recent comments on the Good Friday Agreement – labelling them as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘contradictory’.

The Taoiseach told The Irish Times he would not be rushing into a referendum on the Border Poll. 

Mr Martin said he wants a more ” consensus approach”, which he said is “much more rooted in the Good Friday Agreement” than a Border Poll.

Sinn Féin Chief Whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn described the refusal of the Taoiseach to advocate for a border poll – which is expressly provided for in the Good Friday Agreement – as deeply unhelpful.

Teachta Mac Lochlainn said: “Demand for Irish unity has been growing steadily over the last number of years and Sinn Féin have been pressing the Irish government to begin meaningful engagement with the British government to arrange a date for a referendum on Irish unity within the next five years.

“To plan for a United Ireland, we need an All-Ireland Forum or a Citizens Assembly to plan for constitutional change and to ensure that the path to reunification is inclusive and orderly, because it is reckless to refuse to plan for the future.

“By refusing to plan for unity, the Taoiseach is abdicating his responsibility as head of government. Those that press this view are acting foolishly and are not protecting or respecting any section of our people – unionist, nationalist or otherwise.

“Whilst Fianna Fáil occasionally pays lip service to its Republican roots, it has long since abandoned any desire to advocate for a United Ireland; particularly under Micheál Martin’s leadership.

“A referendum on Irish unity is expressly provided for in the Good Friday Agreement – despite what the Taoiseach thinks. This is an agreement that was endorsed by the people of this island, north and south, overwhelmingly over twenty years ago. 

“Respecting that agreement must be the responsibility of the Irish government. Contradictory remarks about what the agreement says are deeply unhelpful, and quite frankly ridiculous.”

 

Donegal zoo owner wakes up to big prob-llama

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UPDATE: 5pm, 8th July 2020

All four llamas have been found safe: 

Relief as lost llamas are found


PREVIOUS POST:

A search is underway in Kilmacrennan today for four missing llamas who have disappeared from their farm. 

Two adults and two young llamas went missing from the Lough Keel area this Wednesday morning.

At 6ft tall, you couldn’t miss the unusual adult llamas on the road.

Guanaco Llamas at their Kilmacrennan Farm

Owner Mark Byrne of Byrnes Mobile Zoo is searching far and wide to locate them. It is hoped that the llamas may be searching for new grass in nearby fields, but there has been no sign of them since they were last spotted this morning.

The four llamas are part of a herd of guanaco llamas, which are very rare locally. They each have distinctive markings. There are two brown and white adult females, one cria (baby) which is small and brown and white and another young llama that is black/brown with white markings on its face.

Mr Byrne said the situation is more unusual because the mothers have left their babies (known as crias).

One of the missing mothers and her cria

Guanaco Llamas at their Kilmacrennan Farm

“Any animal that would break out would stay in their local vicinity but what is strange this time is the mothers have left their cria behind them. They would never do that,” Mark said.

Collectively the animals are worth around €4,000 and there are growing fears that they may have been taken. Gardaí have also been notified of today’s search.

If you have seen the animals or have any helpful information please call Mark Byrne on 0879051854

 

 

 

 

Doherty criticises banks for loading debt on mortgage-borrowers

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Pearse Doherty TD has criticised the banks for charging additional interest on COVID-19 mortgage breaks, despite not being required to do so.

The Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson said that retails banks “wilfully misinformed” government ministers when they claimed that the regulator required them to charge interest during these payment breaks.

Since the 18th March, nearly 80,000 mortgage-holders impacted by COVID-19 have taken payment breaks. Additional interest charges on the breaks may amount to as much as several thousand euro for borrowers over the lifetime of the loans.

However, the European Banking Authority and Governor of the Central Bank have this week confirmed that banks were not required to charge the extra interest.

Teachta Doherty said: In a meeting held on May 11th between the five retail banks, the Banking and Payments Federation, the Minister for Finance and then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, a number of banks claimed that the regulator required them to charge interest during these payment breaks.

“This was not true.

“It is scandalous that the banking sector deliberately misinformed senior Government Ministers regarding a policy choice that will increase the outstanding debt of 80,000 households that have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

“What is more disturbing is that the Minister for Finance was so easily misled by the banks, despite other EU jurisdictions taking action months before to stop the charging of additional interest.

“I have raised this matter with the Government consistently since March, and shared legislation with the Minister for Finance which would prohibit the charging of interest during mortgage payment breaks.

“Despite this, Government and the Minister have failed to act. The result will be additional mortgage debt for tens of thousands of families.”

 

Superintendent Goretti Sheridan transfers to Sligo District

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Superintendent Goretti Sheridan has made the move to the Sligo District this week as part of new promotions, allocations and transfers within An Garda Siochana.

Supt Sheridan, a native of Rathmullan, was promoted to the rank of Superintendent in 2019 and took up her new post in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. She previously served as an Inspector in Letterkenny, where she had been stationed since 2013.

The Castlerea Garda force was rocked by grief last month following the death of Detective Garda Colm Horkan. Garda Horkan (aged 49) was shot dead in the line of duty while responding to an incident on Wednesday, June 17.

Supt Sheridan was among the gardaí who led tributes to Garda Horkan in the aftermath of his passing.

This week, Supt Sheridan issued a heartfelt letter to the local community to thank them for their support following the loss of their esteemed friend and detective.

“The support from the community at this time of grief has been a source of strength to the men and women of An Garda Síochána and it is truly appreciated,” Supt Sheridan wrote.

“Colm served the communities of Ballaghaderreen and Castlerea with great pride and distinction. As a person, Colm embodied the very best qualities of public service, which every member of An Garda Síochána strives to achieve.

“As a result of Colm’s untimely passing on June 17, 2020 a void has been left in An Garda Síochána, the community of Castlerea and the wider communities in Ballaghaderreen and Charlestown. Colm’s immediate family and friends are foremost in our thoughts and prayers.”

Supt Sheridan is succeeded by newly-promoted Superintendent Thomas Colsh at Castlerea.

Job Vacancy: Car Valeter sought by busy Donegal dealership

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A popular car dealership in the Finn Valley area of Donegal is recruiting for a Car Valeter to join their team.

This is a full-time role (five days per week).

Job Requirements: 

  • Full Clean Drivers Licence essential
  • Experience in the car care industry
  • Customer service experience
  • Hard-working
  • Good timekeeping skills
  • Be able to work on your own initiative and as part of a team
  • Be responsible for keeping work areas clean and tidy, organised and safe from hazards in accordance with health and safety guidelines.
  • Ensuring the highest dealership standards are adhered to.

If you think this opportunity is for you apply now by sending a CV with VALETER in the email subject line to donegaldailyjobs@gmail.com

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 22nd July 2020

‘Buncrana Banger’ set for historic UFC event on ‘Fight Island’

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WHEN John Hutchinson retired from professional boxing in 2018, he had his mind turned to coaching.

Hutchinson hung the gloves up with a 12-2-3 (4KOs) record and has become a successful coach – in a different discipline.

This Saturday, the ‘Buncrana Banger’ will be in the corner for Russian star Peter Yan at UFC 251 on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi. Yan faces Conor McGregor’s former rival José Aldo, a three-time UFC featherweight champion.

Yan (14-1) takes on Aldo (28-6) for the bantamweight title with Hutchinson among the crew who has flown from the Archangel Michael Team base in Thailand.

“Peter is ready,” Hutchinson told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub from ‘Fight Island’ – Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island – today,

“It’s all about timing in life. Aldo has been the king for years, but now it’s time for a new king.

“This will be a really hard fight for Peter, but styles make fights and this weekend you’ll see two of the best UFC stand-up strikers meet. It’s by far the toughest test for Peter, but it’s a fight where he can really shine and no doubt become the UFC champion of the world.”

Hutchinson began working in Yan’s team ahead of his win over Teruto Ishihara in Singapore two years ago. Yan has won each of his last six fights.

“I started working on his boxing for his first UFC fight,” Hutchinson said. “Now I have built up to his full-on head coach for the last few fights.

“For the first fight, he hurt his foot two weeks before the fight and the plan was just to box and not use the kick-work. That worked a treat and, after that fight, we have worked camp-after-camp.”

Hutchinson first moved ti Thailand in 2011 and is now the full time boxing and striking coach in Tigermuaythai, Phuket.

The Donegal man has ended a 48-hour quarantine after arriving on ‘Fight Island’ – a 25-square-kilometre island and a popular tourist destination.

Members of the public are not permitted to attend the fights and all of those in the ‘safe zone’ are tested for Covid-19 several times.

They do not have in-and-out privileges and meals are pre-ordered and delivered to rooms. This is the first of four cards this month on Fight Island with other events on July 15, July 18 and July 25, with the July 18 show featuring Burtonport’s Joseph Duffy.

“We left Phuket on Saturday morning early,” Hutchinson said. “We had to have multiple tests, two before leaving Bangkok and another two when we arrived. We had to do a 48-hour quarantine in the room. The UFC have gone to the next level. We’re in Formula One suites looking over the Yas circuit and we’re in a safe zone. No-one gets in without a wrist band which shows you’re passed the quarantine and test.”

Hutchinson fought for the BUI Celtic middleweight title in 2013, drawing with Gerard Healy.

The Donegal man beat Sivan Hermez for the WBF Australasian super-middleweight title in February 2018. A month later, he drew with Craig Parke in Sydney in what proved to be his last appearance as a boxer in the ring.

“The principles are the same in MMA as they are in boxing,” he said. “The transition is a lot different as you have to think on kicks, take-downs, elbows coming. Your hands just aren’t enough so working the defence is very important.

“Boxing is something I’ve always watched and I still do. I study MMA a lot and all martial arts. Our cam has got wrestling, K1 kickboxing Muay Thai and BJJ so all the coaches bounce off each other.”

Sixth consecutive day with no new Covid-19 deaths in Northern Ireland

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THERE have been no further Covid-19 related deaths in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours.

The latest figures from the Department of Health show that the region’s death toll is still 554.

This means that there have now been six consecutive days without a Covid-19 related death.

Another four cases of the coronavirus have been detected. Since the outbreak, there have been 5,765 infections.


Relief as lost llamas are found

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The llama drama is all over in Kilmacrennan this evening as four missing llamas have been found safe and well.

Two adult and two young llamas went missing from their farm near Lough Keel early this morning.

An extensive search was launched for the unusual animals, but it has now come to a positive end after all four were found in a field four miles away from home.

Owner Mark Byrne of Byrnes Mobile Zoo is delighted to have them returned home safely after their long journey. The four llamas are part of a herd of guanaco llamas, which are very rare locally.

The llama herd is reunited in Kilmacrennan

 

 

Hosepipe ban lifted following heavy rainfall

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Irish Water has today announced that the Water Conservation Order, more commonly known as the hosepipe ban, will be lifted nationwide.

The Water Conservation Order was issued on 9th June in a bid to safeguard water supplies for essential purposes, in particular for sanitation during the COVID-19 crisis.

Recent heavy rainfall and the recovery of sources has allowed the order to be lifted from 5pm today.

When the Water Conservation Order was issued, 27 of Irish Water’s 900 drinking water schemes were in drought with another 50 at risk of going into drought. Thereafter the situation deteriorated rapidly with the number of schemes in drought or at risk of drought peaking at 98.

Over the past couple of weeks there has been above average rainfall in many areas of the country.

Currently only 17 schemes remain in drought and a further 61 are at risk. While the overall numbers are trending downwards, the situation is not uniform across the country and the recovery of some sources is very fragile.

Commenting on the lifting of the Water Conservation Order, the Managing Director of Irish Water Niall Gleeson said, “Irish Water is continuing to monitor the affected water sources as their recovery is fragile and subject to change. We will continue to liaise with Met Eireann, the OPW, the EPA and other key stakeholders to discuss the impact of weather on our sources. Should we enter a spell of prolonged warm and dry weather, and if the sources go into drought again, we may need to reconsider and re-impose a Water Conservation Order. Safeguarding the water supply for homes and communities across the country is a critical priority for us.

“It is really important that members of the public develop good household habits at this time and conserve water, regardless of rainfall. Any non-essential use of water should be discouraged, whether we are in a drought or not.

“We would like to thank the public for their efforts in conserving water in their homes and gardens over the past number of weeks and to remember those good household habits should the good weather return. Thanks also to our large water users who have worked proactively with us to use water more efficiently in their businesses. We are grateful for their diligence at this time.”

Job Vacancies: Security Engineers sought in Donegal

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Job Vacancies: Superior Security has a number of full-time positions available for Security Engineers in their Donegal office.

We are looking for experienced Security Engineers to join our team.

The ideal candidate must have experience in installation, service and maintenance of the following:

  • Intruder Alarms
  • CCTV – both Analogue & IP
  • Access Control
  • Gate systems
  • We have a wide range of projects across many commercial and industrial sectors.

Job criteria:

  • Have experience within the industry of at least 2 years.
  • Full clean drivers licence
  • Candidate must be 23 and over
  • Ability to work on their own initiative
  • Have the ability to lead a team and give instructions
  • Ability to deal with customers and demonstrate how to use these systems
  • Experience in the areas mentioned above
  • Ability to problem solve

Remuneration & Benefits

  • Salary between €30,000 – €50,000 based on experience
  • Continuous training provided
  • Vehicle provided
  • 20 days holidays

To Apply:

Please forward CV to Conal@superiorgroup.ie

Or post to our office:
Superior Group Irl Ltd
Portsween House
Port Road
Letterkenny
Co Donegal.

Irish Water defend busy road closure, insist notice of works was given

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ON FOOT of complaints by a leading Letterkenny businessman regarding a road closure yesterday evening, Irish Water have defended their works insisting that prior notice was provided.

Enda Nicholls, proprietor of the Arena 7 entertainment complex, hit out after the Letterkenny-Ramelton road was closed from 6 o’clock yesterday evening in front of his premises.

“They didn’t let us know about these works at all,” Mr Nicholls told Donegal Daily.

“There was no permit for the closure of the road. It was very frustrating. It’s the attitude of them too, They just come and turn the whole place upside-down without any prior warning.

“The first we knew about it was when the Irish Water men went into Thomas Keys’ at about 4.30 and asked them to close the back gate to stop the traffic come through there.”

Arena 7 reopened last week following a three-month closure during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Mr Nicholls said: “We are only back operating for one week. They had three months to do this work. Why could that work not have been carried out during that time?

“It’s frustrating. We’re only just up and at it. We stayed opened but, to be quite honest, we’d have been as well being closed.”

However, in a statement issued to Donegal Daily this evening, an Irish Water spokesperson insisted that these works – which will also take place overnight tonight from 6pm – were advised in a weekly update to the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce and local elected representatives.

The statement said: “Irish water can confirm these works are part of the Letterkenny Sewerage Scheme as detailed in our weekly update to the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce and Elected Reps in Letterkenny last Friday.

“The information is also provided on our website at the following link: https://www.water.ie/projects-plans/letterkenny-sewerage-sche/ 

“As detailed in the weekly update the works along Ramelton Road are as follows:

· Permanent reinstatement works will commence at 6.30pm on Ramelton Road on Tuesday, 7 July.

· These works will be carried out overnight to minimise impact to traffic.

· Traffic management will be in place during the night works.

· These works are anticipated to last for two nights.

· The road will be reopened to two-way traffic by 7.30am.

“The Contractor working on behalf of Irish Water also undertook a letter drop along Ramelton Road in advance of the works commencing.”

Alcohol seized as Gardaí carry out operation at Raphoe business

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GARDAÍ raided a business premises in east Donegal this afternoon, seizing a quantity of alcohol.

The operation was led by Garda intelligence and conducted by Gardaí from stations at Raphoe and Convoy.

A search was carried out under the Liquor Licencing Act at a premises in Raphoe at which alcohol is believed to have been sold without a liquor licence.

“A large quantity of alcohol was seized and a file will be prepared for the office of the DPP,” a Garda spokesperson confirmed.

Covid-19: No further deaths and 11 new cases

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THERE have been no new Covid-19 deaths notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in the last 24 hours.

The latest figures from the Department of Health were released this evening. The news means that no new Covi-19 related deaths were recorded on the island of Ireland in the last 24 hours.

Northern Ireland has now had six consecutive days with no further deaths from the coronavirus.

In the Republic of Ireland, there have been 1,738 Covid-19 related deaths.

There have been 11 new cases confirmed, bringing to 25,542 the number of infections since the outbreak.

The overall total number of Covid-19 cases in Donegal remains at 466.

Donegal man disqualified after drug-driving offence

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A LETTERKENNY man has been disqualified from driving for drug-driving.

Padhraic Marron (22) with an address at Mountain Top, Letterkenny, was stopped by the Roads Policing Unit at a checkpoint at 7.10pm on May 23, 2018 at Drumbarnett, Manorcunningham.

Marron was said to have been ‘disorientated’ when spoken to by Gardaí and when samples were taken he was found to be over the legal limits for the presence of cannabis and cocaine.

Solicitor for Marron, Ms Donna Crampsie, said Marron, a 32-year-old electrician, was aware of the serious charges which had a ‘devastating affect on his life’.

“He has lost his job as a result of the charges,” Ms Crampsie said. “He has no income at all and he has lost his accommodation as he was not able to keep up the payments.”

Judge Paul Kelly fined Marron €300, giving him six months to pay, and disqualified him from driving for one year.


Donegal singer puts heart and soul into new single

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Soulful singer Jacqui Sharkey has released the second single from her E.P. Home, hot on the heels of the title track of the same name released last month.

A solicitor by trade, Jacqui is also an acclaimed singer songwriter.

Her new record is a beautiful arrangement and performance of the Dutch brothers, Cornelis and Thomas Tol’s song Just An Illusion – specially chosen by Jacqui as the words resonated so much with her.

 

“Of the covers I have chosen to record on my new EP and album, I was really drawn most to this song as soon as I heard it,” she explained.  “I am all about lyrics, and for me, ‘Just An Illusion’ sums it all up, really.

“The Music Industry is a very hard and crazy business, and one which I will never understand. It can be cruel at times for musicians in different ways, but, regardless of the pitfalls, there is nothing like that feeling when you are creating or performing music. Then all the hard stuff almost fades into oblivion.”

Jacqui’s E.P. entitled Home is due for release on July 31st, 2020, and includes Until Then, one of Jacqui’s own original songs.  Jacqui recently shared a live performance of the track for Social Media, recorded from her home in Bunbeg in West Donegal, along with her friend, Musician and Music Director, Ray McLoughlin, who accompanied Jacqui on the recording on piano from his home in County Westmeath. 

The Donegal based singer/ songwriter, known for her soulful, deep tones, has three albums under her belt, and since her smash hit cover of The Waterboys’ Whole of the Moon, she has been taking time to reflect on her journey so far, as well as writing and recording tracks for a forthcoming album.

Jacqui hadn’t anticipated she would have so much time, given the current situation.

“At the moment, in these crazy times, the industry hangs in the balance, with gigs postponed and everything up in the air,” she said. As to what will happen next? Who knows? I didn’t see this coming!  I don’t know what’s next other than to watch that space.

“I can’t go for long without writing, recording and performing. Music is truly my sanity and my peace, and I can’t imagine life without it. Music creates feelings and feelings create music. I am blessed to be able to do it, and I am looking forward to sharing Just An Illusion and quite a few new songs in 2020.”

Just An Illusion is OUT NOW and Jacqui’s E.P. HOME will be released on July 31, 2020.

 

 

New mothers call for a one-off extension to maternity leave

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New mothers in Ireland are campaigning for emergency legislation to extend maternity leave by three months due to the pandemic.

The matter was raised in the Dáil on Tuesday after mothers launched a campaign and petition to call for extra time to access vital supports and health services.

Donegal TD Thomas Pringle and newly-elected Senator Eileen Flynn also backed campaigners as they took to the gates of Dáil Éireann.

Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland with Donegal TD Thomas Pringle and Donegal Senator Eileen Flynn. Photo: National Women’s Council of Ireland

Urgency surrounds the #ExtendMaternityLeave2020 campaign as many women are returning to work in the coming weeks.

“We are already hearing from women being forced to resign from their jobs due to the lack of childcare available for this age group,” said campaigner Paula Solan, whose baby Quinn is now five-months-old.

Together, campaigners collected 28,000 signatures for a petition calling on the Government to extend maternity leave and pay for a once off 12 weeks period during the crisis.

An Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the matter is being examined. The extension of leave would cost an estimated €78 million and it would affect about 24,500 women.

The Covid-19 lockdown prevented many mothers from availing of family and professional support in their babies’ first months, according to Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland.

Photo: National Women’s Council of Ireland

“Babies have missed developmental checks, vital scans, hospital appointments and even vaccinations have been cancelled or delayed. In addition, mothers could not access the many support groups that provide critical support when becoming a new mum,” Ms O’Connor said.

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI added, “This is a real opportunity for our new Government to show their commitment to women’s equality and to extend maternity leave and pay for women who gave birth during Covid by three months.

“In many cases, women gave birth without a partner or loved one present, and faced into motherhood without family or professional support.

“It is crucial that maternity leave and pay is extended for these women so that they can catch up on missed developmental checks and hospital appointments.”

DD Motoring: The new Defender arrives… and Carberry goes electric!

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Donegal Daily’s Motoring Columnist Brian McDaid gets an early look at one of the new Land Rover Defenders.

“Hello… Hellooo.. is anyone in? Come out and have a look at my bike, it’s an electric one, you know”

These were the words of a proud Paddy Carberry this week as he landed at the front door with his new mode of transport.

Former Irish Solider, Paddy Carberry pictured on his Electric Bike in Letterkenny this week. Photo Brian McDaid.

A Longford man and a retired soldier with the Irish Army, Paddy first came to Donegal to Rockhill in the seventies on border duty. Today, his visit was timed perfectly to remind me of an era in Donegal.

This week I was previewing the new Land Rover Defender and thinking: Will they produce a pickup version of the new Defender and have a cloth cover on the back blowing in the wind like the old army Land Rovers which were a familiar sight heading out the Rockhill Road? With that lovely high pitched sound of its transmission and petrol engine and the whirl of its knobbly tyres on a tar road? That sense of urgency was a memory familiar to anybody that lived in a town that had an Irish Army Barracks nearby where soldiers went about their daily routine.

The old Defender before it was called a defender in Army mode on the road to Rockhill Army Barracks.

Long since retired, Paddy is a familiar sight on the golf course using his bike to cycle out to Barnhill. He has evolved to electric and purchased his new bike this week he has moved with the times to go electric.

It doesn’t matter if it was the Defender from the army or one drawing a twin-wheel Ifor Williams cattle or sheep trailer to the mart, it was a workhorse that was more functional, that was the memory. A bit like the old waxed Barbour coat made for the worst of weather which you’re now more likely to see someone wearing the padded lining of rather than the actual Barbour coat.

The first of the all New Defenders went on the road in Donegal (and off road) at the start of July.

This week Donegal Daily had an early look at one of the new Defenders as it left the showrooms at McGinley Motors in Letterkenny.

Dressed in Black: The new Defenders which are now on the roads in Donegal . Photo Brian McDaid.

Dress in Black the new Defender which are now on the roads in Donegal . Photo Brian McDaid.

Sitting in an underground carpark in a deep metallic black with matching black alloy wheels, the new Defender is now the signature looks of the new Land Rover family. From the Range Rover, Discovery, Sport, Evoque, right through to the Velar. But yet the new Defender looks different. It’s as if all the old right angle square corners are still there at the first glance, then you spot the arches that push out to cover the wider wheels.

The new Defender is a lot bigger than the one it replaced, even though it’s still called the 90 and 110 which is the distance in old inches between the two different wheel base models. It’s in the height and the width that this Defender is bigger.

The spare wheel is still in its usual place on the back door which is hinged to the side as before. The completely straight down rear end of the Old Defender is recreated on the all new one.

The rear of the new Defender which looks the most like the old Defender it replaced Photo Brian McDaid.

The Defender we looked at was the 110 which is the first to become available which will be followed by a commercial version and a defender 90,

Sitting inside the new Defender it has more of a feel of luxury, but has a footwell at the same level of the sill making it easy to clean the wipeable floor mats after mucky boots or wellies.

Just sitting in the new Defender this week it feels a lot bigger than the old Defender, gone are all the gear sticks for high and low ratios, diff locks two and four wheel drive selection. All is automatic transmission now, still there are wee feelings of the old one in the way that you seemed to be sitting close to the door pillar. The windscreen is still high but not as near upright as the old Defender but looking at the new Defender from the side it still carries that bit of squareness of its ancestors.

A view of the interior of the new Defender which are on sale in Donegal now. Photo Brian McDaid.

A view from the wheel of the new Land Rover Defender which is one the road now in Donegal. Photo Brian McDaid.

In the coming weeks, we hope to test drive the all new Defender when it becomes available on demo at McGinley Motors in Letterkenny and then we will be able to give a more in-depth report on what it’s like to drive.

And here’s wishing Paddy, who was a familiar sight in uniform on board the old Army Land Rovers of yester-year, many happy years of motoring on his new electric bike.

Happy Motoring Folks.

Judge strikes out public intoxication charge on actor McSorley

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A CHARGE against actor Gerard McSorley as struck out at Letterkenny District Court this week.

The 70-year-old actor, who appeared in Fr Ted and a number of films including Veronica Guerin and Omagh, was charged with being intoxicated in a public place, namely Letterkenny Bus Station, on November 26, 2019.

McSorley was not present in court.

McSorley, with an address at Trinity Court, Newtowncunningham, previously appeared on a criminal damage charge following an incident on the same date.

McSorley was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. While in a cell at Letterkenny Garda Station, McSorely spat at the cell door, which needed to be cleaned by a cleaning company at a cost of €50.

In December, McSorley was fined €150.

Judge Paul Kelly struck out the section 4 charge against McSorley this week.

Beachgoers urged to be on alert for dangerous jellyfish

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Beachgoers in Donegal are being advised to look out for potentially dangerous jellyfish called Lion’s Mane.

Several of the giant jellyfish have washed up on Northern Ireland beaches this week.

While none have been reported in Donegal yet, the Lion’s Mane has been spotted locally during the summer time in previous years.

Dog owners in particular have been warned to keep their pets away from touching the creatures.

“As far as we know no Lion’s Mane Jellyfish have been spotted on any Inishowen beaches. Please be mindful of these, keep a good eye on your dogs!,” said Lough Swilly RNLI volunteers.

The lion’s mane has a powerful sting in its tentacles which can cause severe pain and anaphylactic shock.

A sting from a Lion’s Mane jellyfish can cause nausea, sweating, cramps, headaches and other symptoms.

If you have been stung, the HSE advice is to remove yourself from the water / vicinity of the jellyfish and seek help and advice from lifeguards if you are on a lifeguarded beach. More informaton is available at : https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/hl/water/bathing/jellyfish-in-irish-coastal-waters.html

 

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