Naomh Mhuire

The Club Dinner Dance will have Ireland’s most welcome Guest in the shape of the Sam Maguire at the Big Night to be held in Caísleain Óir Annagry on Saturday February 2nd at 8pm. Music by Mickey McGuinness. Tickets priced €30 are available this week from Declan Martin or Cormac McGarvey with a limited number available at the Cope Annagry as well.

Under-age training times: Under 10 training will begin this Saturday at 12pm at the gym in the Rosses Community School. All players born in 2003 and 2004 should attend. Under 12s training continues on Thursday evenings at 6 in the RCS for players born in 2001 and 2002. Under 8s training takes place every Saturday morning at 10am in the aislann for players born in 2005 and 2006. Under 6 training takes place every Saturday morning at 11.15am in the aislann for players born in 2007 and 2008. Please check the Naomh Mhuire Bord na nOg facebook page for regular updates and latest news re underage activities. The Bord na nOg are holding a 5k run/walk on good Friday. More details will follow in the coming weeks.

Peil na mBan Naomh Mhuire are putting in place plans and are at an advanced stage of planning to run an inhouse Developement camp for girls from 9,10,11,12 and 13 years of age to start early February. Any girl who wants to attend this camp, Ask their parents to contact development officer; Donal O’Séarcáigh.

Our Aim is to have a continuous line of players for our club and to ensure our players can have every opportunity to wear the Green and white of Naomh Mhuire and the Green and Gold of Dún na nGall!

Mouthguards – please note this is a requirement for all now for training and games as passed by GAA headquarters. This is a requirement for all senior and underage players. The Bord na nÓg request all parents to purchase the mouthguards which are available locally in any sport shop. No mouthguard – no training or playing.

Jive Alive is on the way – watch this space for upcoming details. Auditions almost complete at this stage.

Great work continues at the pitch and huge thanks to all who have volunteer their time to the club to ensure we keep the development efforts on track and special thanks to Bernard Greene for plant hire.

Lotto details for week 23rd January. Jackpot 1280 euro. No jackpot winner. There was one match 3 winner: Shaun Boyle,Dún Lúiche. Next 100Club draw is 30th January at 9pm in Caislean Óir. Sellers get your subs in on time to the draw co-ordinator. Check out details on www.naomhmhuire.ie.

Congratulations to our club athletes who were on the 1^st year Rosses Community Scholl team who won the County Final of Sportshall Athletics in Carndonagh on Friday last.

Congratulations to Patricia Boyle, competing in the Cranford vest, on her outstanding jump in the Triple Jump at the weekend to finish second place.

Great turnouts last week at the Fit4Life session and the adult’s session on Thursday night which was very encouraging and great to see. Let’s continue to build on this. New members always welcome.

Overview of training sessions happening within the club at present: Monday: High Jump training in Dungloe gym 5.45 pm for 2002 and older with coach Aidan Gillespie. Monday: Sportshall Athletics in Dungloe gym 6.45 to 7.45 with coaches Aidan Mc Ginley and Ita Gallagher. Wednesday: Sportshall coaching for Meenagowan N.S., Leitir N.S., and Doochary N.S. in Ionad Spoirt na Rosann Gym, Dungloe, with coaches Sean Mc Ginley and Louise Gillespie from 11am to 12. Wednesday: Juvenile training in Carrickfinn 4pm to 5pm with coaches Brid Doherty and Breege Ward. Wednesday: Fit4Life meeting at the entrance to the pitch at Carrickfinn at 6:30 with coach Elise Gillespie. Thursday: Senior Men/Women Speed Session for 5k and endurance runners at 6:30pm at the Gweedore Industrial Estate (Screabán) with coaches Aidan Gillespie and Michael Logue meeting at Euroflex. New members welcome. Friday: Juvenile training in Carrickfinn 4pm to 5pm with coaches Brid Doherty and Breege Ward. Friday: Sportshall Athletics in Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair gym 6:45pm to 7:45pm with coaches Aidan Mc Ginley and Timmy Mc Bride.

Registrations are now due for all club members. For additional information contact Ita Gallagher or any committee member to get registered. 15 euro per child, 20 euro per adult and maximum fee of 40 euro per family. Forms also available on facebook page.

Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue has appealed to the Government to halt its dangerous approach to policing policy.

The Fianna Fáil Deputy has accused the Government of undermining the gardaí’s ability to keep communities safe by slashing resources, forcing major cuts to garda numbers, and shutting down rural garda stations.

Deputy McConalogue was speaking ahead of a Dáil debate on a Fianna Fáil motion calling on the Government to reverse its slash and burn of community garda resources.

The motion opposes the closure of 100 garda stations this week as well as the underhand reduction in garda numbers and the cuts to specialised garda units particularly in the border region.

“I have spoken to so many people over the past number of weeks who just cannot understand how the Government’s response to the surge in burglaries, thefts and violent attacks here in Donegal is to dramatically reduce the resources available to the gardaí to allow them carry out their work,” said Deputy McConalogue.

“The Justice Minister Alan Shatter needs to open his eyes and recognise what has been happening in Donegal. People are fearful in their homes. They need a strong and visible garda presence in their communities to deter criminals and to support vulnerable householders – not another slash and burn of community resources.

“The underhand cut to garda numbers must stop. It creates dangerous gaps in our community policing and put enormous pressure on local gardaí who are already going above and beyond the call of duty. The gardaí, and communities, can’t take any more cuts. If the Government allows garda numbers to dwindle below 13,000, our force will be watered down to its lowest level in over a decade.

“Let’s be clear about this. These cuts are Minister Shatter’s own political decisions and are not as a result of an agreement with the Troika or anyone else. No one is forcing him to shut down 100 garda stations. No one is forcing him to target the West and North West region for the bulk of these cuts. No one is forcing him to make such significant cuts to garda numbers. The Minister needs to admit he is making a mistake and support this motion this week.”

* Up to 25 Bus/Coach drivers required for a South Dublin based, long established, award winning operator. Drivers needed for private hire and city tour divisions. Competitive package on offer.

Recruitment open day this Saturday, 2nd February 2013 from 12noon to 5pm in the Gresham Hotel, O’Connell St, Dublin. Alternatively CV’s can be emailed directly to hr@dualway.com

* HGV Drivers urgently required for New Zealand. Must be under 31years old and preferably hold rigid (C) or artic (EC) licence for a minimum of 2 years. HIAB experience desirable but not essential.

Intending applicants will have to undergo interview and driving assessment in Ireland prior to any job offer. Full assistance with visa’s, relocation, licence conversion etc. Contact One World Resourcing on (01)5378122 for more details.

TERMON’S Operation Transformation volunteers certainly know how to fight the flab.

The group has already lost an astonishing 20.6 stone!

And there’s more to come off, they say – including local independent councillor Michael McBride.

“It’s a fantastic result so far,” said Mary McGrenra, taking full advantage of the news to inform Donegal Daily readers that there’s no excuses for anyone wanting to get fit.

So if you are looking to make the first move for fitness come along to any of the classes at An Craoibhin. It’s just €4 per class.

New classes added:

6.45am spin class Tuesday and Thursday mornings

9.30am Circuit class every Tuesday and Thursday morning

Great for parents who are dropping their kids off at school.

Glenveagh Eagles, Termons Basketball Club, train here every Saturday morning, so why not come along and give it a try Under 9 train at 9.30 and U-11’s at 10.30 with Dermot Kelly . Just €3 per child or family rate of €5.

Craoibhín parent & toddler group meet every Tuesday morning at 10.30-12.30 in our hall, a safe friendly environment for New mums, babies, toddlers and expectant mums. Open to the Daddys also!  Just €2 per family. Refreshments included.

Craoibhín Childcare is open from 8am -6pm offering ,Before & Afterschool, Naoinra & Creche places also available under CCs & Ecce schemes.

Irish classes are run here every Tuesday evening, for info call or e-mail us.

Easter Camp- If you want to register your child for our Easter camp, Please call us. Min numbers apply.

Termon Jujitsu here every Thursday from 6.30pm new members always welcome and first class is free.

Slim R Us with Karen Mc Glinchey every Thursday at 7pm

Contact number is 074 91 19988 or 086 8437407

Email: info@craoibhintermon.ie

A man who was found badly injured in Dungloe yesterday has died in hospital.

The 67 year old man was found at the bottom of stairs at an apartment block at the rear of a pub after 1am on Monday morning.

It is understood the man may have been alone for more than an hour before being discovered with serious head injuries.

The victim was named locally as Frank Orrell.

Gardai sealed off the area beside the apartment at lower Main Street Dungloe and a full forensic examination was carried out by crimes of scenes officers from Letterkenny.

The victim, who was originally from England but living in Dungloe for a number of years, is understood to have sustained serious injuries.

Gardai are appealing for anyone who was in the Main Street area in the early hours of Monday morning to contact them.

It is still unclear as to how the man suffered his injuries and Gardai say their investigation is ongoing

THOUSANDS of Donegal families will face ‘water poverty’ when new charges come in, a councillor has warned.

Sinn Fein submitted several amendments in the Dail including amendments to delay introduction of water charges subject to a poverty impact analysis.

The Buncrana Town Councillor said: “The government is totally out of touch if they think that ordinary citizens can afford to pay such charges.

“Most householders simply cannot afford a further utility bill. This is a further imposition on low and middle income earners, following on from the household charge, increases in VAT, the USC and the health levy, all the while the wealthiest in society are not being asked to pay their way.”

He claimed Fianna Fail actually missed a deadline to submit amendments to the legislation.

“There are currently large numbers of families who live with fuel poverty and energy poverty and if water charges aren’t stopped many will soon be water poor as well.

“This will take its toll on people’s welfare and health.”

The councillor said water metering does not reduce water consumption.

“In England, where water metering has been in place for many years,consumption is at 158 litres per head per day, while in Dublin the Dublin Water Supply Report of 2008 showed consumption is at 148 litres per head per day,” he said.

“It is not necessary to bring in water charges,as we can see in the north,where there are no such charges.”

McLaughlin added: “While Fianna Fail has expressed its opposition to the provisions of the bill,the reality is they signed up to water charges in the 2010 programme for National Recovery.

“These parties are wedded to the politics of privatisation,and of indirect,flat rate taxes. Sinn Fein is totally opposed to water charges,and will be opposing the introduction of such charges.”

A local company has been dishing the delights of home out to the Donegal diaspora around the globe.

Parcels have been arriving thick and fast in the US, Australia and worldwide as a new web based company opens for business.

The new company, www.foodsofeire.com, is based in Donegal and has been run off its feet since opening just weeks ago for business.

The idea for the business was stumbled upon by two men from the southwest of the county, who both have many family and friends living abroad due to the economic downturn at home.

The concept of the business is for people to send home comforts to loved ones abroad.

Products such as Lyon’s tea, Tayto crisps, Cadbury’s chocolate can now wing their way to the other side of the world for the same price as your local convenience store all by just the click of a button on your laptop or phone.

What better birthday, Valentines or Paddy’s Day gift than the taste of something from home?

But why need a special occasion – why not just send them their favorite products to help fight off a bout of homesickness?

And it’s not just a taste of home that the guys are shipping out to every corner of the globe.

Remember Sam fever? The up and coming GAA championship is only 3 months away.

You need a Donegal jersey but you’re stuck in Brisbane or the Bronx! Well no need to worry about how you can get your hands on a jersey anymore because the lads supply GAA and indeed all sports merchandise.

Should it be one of the many ready made hampers or you wish to create one of your own, all your custom worries of what can and can’t be sent and the hassle of postal and packaging are all covered by Foods of Eire.

You can join Foods of Eire on Facebook for all the news on their special deals and many discounts.

Also click like on the Facebook page and be in with a chance of winning a voucher for up to €25.

Foods of Eire are now also supplying the retail sector with things now being busy with pubs ordering crisps and chocolate for St Paddy’s day.

Simply click the Foods of Eire advert which features throughout Donegal Daily and you can see all the company has to offer.

Order before the 31st of January for a 15% discount on your next order. 

A motorist drove at a Garda sergeant in a ‘mirror image’ of another incident in which a Garda died.

Owen Orr dropped a gear and then drove at Sgt Eunan Walsh, Letterkenny Circuit Court in Co Donegal heard yesterday.

Orr, 20, was given a three-year jail term which was suspended for three years if he kept out of trouble.

Sgt Walsh said he recognised Owen Orr during the terrifying incident at Foxhills, Letterkenny in 2010.

Orr, who was then 17, was charged with endangerment after Sgt Walsh had to jump into a garden to avoid being mowed down.

Judge John O’Hagan had delayed sentencing from last autumn to see if Orr, who had 19 previous convictions, could ‘behave himself.’

Garda Sgt John Durcan revealed how he heard the car “drop a gear” and speed towards them.

“If he hadn’t got out of the way he would have been seriously injured or killed,” said Sgt Durcan.

Judge O’Hagan said previously that he case was a “mirror image” of an incident in which another Garda was killed while on duty in Co Donegal.

Garda Robbie McCallion died when he was struck by a car during an attempted car robbery in Letterkenny in March 2009.

When asked at a previous hearing what he thought of the man who tried to run him over, Sgt Walsh said “He has had a troubled upbringing and I don’t think he knows much else.”

Judge O’Hagan had remarked at the last hearing: “This is a very similar incident occurred here in Co Donegal and a Garda lost his life. The car didn’t miss – it hit him. He (the driver) was convicted of dangerous driving causing death.

“Here we are in September 2010 and we have a young man practically carrying out a mirror image.”

Yesterday the judge said he had read probation reports and had been assured that Orr had not come to Garda attention since.

Suspending a three-year sentence for three years, the judge said: “He’s under the microscope now.”

When asked if he knew what that meant, Orr told Judge O’Hagan “Yes judge, I have to keep my nose clean.”

We’ve all heard the song ‘North the Alaska’ but a team from Letterkenny will make this a reality when they take on a daredevil challenge in March.

Les O’Donnell and Denis Ferry, who run their own garages at Mountain Top in Letterkenny, hope to complete a fundraising expedition that starts at the top of Ireland – Malin head – and ends at the top of America – at a town called Deadhorse at Prudhoe bay in Alaska. Deadhorse is 350 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

Paul Doherty from Kilmacrennan, who was recently placed in the top ten photographers in the world, has joined the team to record and photograph the trip.

Asked why they have taken on such a mammoth and risky challenge Les quips, “we didn’t know whether we would be fit enough to run a 5k sponsored run so instead we decided to fly 16,000 miles to the Arctic Circle and drive 1,000 miles on one of the worlds most dangerous roads.”

The team will leave Malin Head on Thursday 28th March 2013 in a Ford Ranger and travel to Dublin – the easiest part of the trip.

They will fly 8,000 miles to Fairbanks in Alaska where a specially adapted arctic Ford Escape equipped with studded snow tyres, CB radio, satellite phone, camping and survival equipment awaits them.

On Holy Saturday they start the trip up the Dalton Highway. The road has been made famous by the TV programme Ice Road Truckers screened on the Discovery Channel and currently aired on channel 5 on Friday nights. The team will travel the same route as the ice road truckers from Fairbanks to Deadhorse at Prudhoe bay

The first leg of the journey is 240 miles to a town called Coldfoot, here they will refuel and stay the night. On Easter Sunday an early start is needed, as the further north you go the lower the temperature, and they must make the next stop before night which is Deadhorse, some 260 miles away.

Explaining the depth of isolation Denis says that between these two stops there is nothing, only a road and snow, no petrol stations no towns, nothing.

“Once at Deadhorse we will be at the Arctic Ocean and the top of America. That’s the last stop before the North Pole. We will spend the next day here and then head South, down the Dalton Highway, stopping 260 miles south in Coldfoot, resting for the night and preparing for the journey back to Fairbanks the next day. This will involve crossing the Artic circle after 100 miles.”

The timetable they have will be determined by the weather, which is expected to be around -25c. People have been stuck for periods of time due to road blocks caused by snow storms and avalanche’s hence the need for the survival equipment and the specially Arctic-prepared FORD ESCAPE.

Les and Denis are undertaking the challenge in aid of three local charities – Donegal Hospice, Friends of Letterkenny General Hospital (the COPD unit) and Cairde la Cheilie (friends together supporting people with disability).

All monies raised will be given to the charities. Denis, Les and Paul are paying for there own flights and accommodation while Hegarty’s Ford Letterkenny are sponsoring both jeeps and all fuel used is sponsored by Top Oil in Bonagee. Other sponsors include PPG Auto paints Letterkenny, Carpet Interiors, Irwin electrical, LK bikes, Pinehill Warehousing and Media Box.

Denis and Les have chosen the charities for their own personal reasons. Fundraising will take place from a mix of selling tickets, one for each mile completed.

When you buy a ticket you will be entered into a draw with the winners drawn after an evening of sharing stories, photos and perhaps even video footage of the men’s trek.

The event will be held in the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny on 26 April 2013

Please support the Donegal Ice Road Trekkers on their Arctic Challenge. For more information contact Denis or Les on 087 2536275 086 8098818 or email: donegaliceroadtrekkers@hotmail.com

ANGRY residents in Ranafast say one of the county’s biggest pothole is damaging their cars.

This picture – sent in by a Donegal Daily reader – shows one of them.

And although it’s filled with water, it’s more than a foot deep.

It’s on the White Cross Road.

“The problem is that there’s another pothole opposite so you can’t even drive around it,” said one local dad.

* Have you spotted a bigger pothole? Email your pix to info@donegaldaily.com

 American Diaspora member and successful Boston businessman, Dan Adams, has offered to promote the Donegal Gathering throughout the US.

Dan explained how he wanted to become involved with the Donegal Gathering and offer assistance in honour of his mother who sadly passed away last September.

Dan runs a successful ‘out of home’ static, marketing business called All Over Media, and will use this advertising space to promote the Donegal Gathering throughout 2013.

Not only does he intend to extensively advertise the Donegal Gathering throughout the Massachusetts area, but also to use his franchising network to advertise across fifteen other states throughout the US.

Dan said “The advertising is currently running from Chicago to Denver, Florida to Minnesota, Boston to Texas and Carolina to Worcester and it is expanding all the time. Our corporate office has accepted organising placement and tracking of all these ads and it will be free of charge”.

This quirky type of advertising uses platforms such as restaurants, telephone boxes and gas pumps.

The value of such a marketing campaign, Dan said that it would run into tens of thousands of dollars.

The Chairman of the Donegal Gathering, Paddy Harte, who explained how he met Dan in Boston late last year while promoting the Donegal Gathering.

“It is incredible that the Donegal Gathering website and logo will have a presence across America for the coming year thanks to this fantastic gesture, this will definitely get Donegal on the map!

Dan also said that he hopes to visit Donegal this year.

He explained how his mother, Marjorie’s family hailed from Carndonagh, her maiden name being Coyle and also having links to the McLaughlin’s of the that area. This is a prime example of what the Gathering aims to achieve by reconnecting people with their roots.

A CO Donegal man is spending the first of at least three days behind bars after a vicious attack at his own brother’s wedding after party.

Darren Kelly, from New Bungalow, Carrigans, but who now lives in Newtowncunningham, was remanded in custody at Letterkenny Circuit Court after admitting the violent attack.

Judge John O’Hagan (pictured right) said he will sentence Kelly this Friday.

Kelly faced a charge of assault causing harm arising out of an incident at the Fisherman’s Inn in St Johnston on the night of Sunday, May 9, 2010.

Prosecuting barrister Patricia McLaughlin, outlining the case, said Kelly had attended his brother Anthony’s wedding the day before.

Kelly, 28, had been drinking heavily until 6am on Sunday morning before going to bed.

When he got up later that day, he started drinking again before going to the local pub for a so-called ‘After Party’ with close family and friends that Sunday evening.

It was while he was at this party, he became involved in two altercations with another local man – lorry driver Leonard French.

“Mr French said he was subjected to an attack by Kelly and that he was hit with a bottle and as he fell to the ground he was kicked on the face. While Mr French was lying on the ground, Kelly jumped on his head,” said Ms McLaughlin.

She said Mr French, who is 52, was later admitted to Altnagelvin hospital where he was seen by a consultant at 4.40am in the early hours of Monday.

He had to receive five staples to treat a deep head wound and also suffered cuts and bruises to an eyelid, his jaw cheek and lips.

Pictures of the injuries were handed to Judge O’Hagan by Gda Peter Smith-Shankey who investigated the case.

In his statement to Gardai, said Ms McLaughlin, Kelly had denied using a bottle in the attack.

He said there had been a minor altercation in the smoking area of the bar with Mr French earlier in the evening.

Later in the night, he claimed, Mr French had approached him again about the disagreement and had thrown a punch at him. He claimed to have punched him back.

He did however plead guilty to assault causing harm.

Judge O’Hagan then spoke to Mr French who was in court for the hearing and asked him if he wanted to add to the Victim Impact Statement which he had read.

Mr French said he didn’t, however he told the judge that he still found it difficult to go out socialising, especially in the Carrigans and St Johnston areas.

Barrister Peter Nolan, for Kelly, said the whole event was “an unfortunate local row on what was supposed to be a happy family occasion.”

He said his client deeply regretted what had happened and was a man who was responsible when he did not drink.

Mr Nolan said Kelly was in a stable relationship.

Kelly then approached the bench, sat in the dock and apologised to Mr French for the attack.

Judge O’Hagan told the court: “Once again we are here dealing with an assault and I would say that 90% of the cases I deal with are Section 3 assaults and they all arise in a pub or a club or a takeway after a club or pub.

“The age difference here is stark. Mr French was 52 on the night of this incident. Mr Kelly was 25, less than half the age of his victim.

“I’m advised that Mr French was prosecuted in the district court and that he may have been acquitted there.

“It is clear that Mr French has lost his bottle as we would say; that his ability to go out has been severely hit.

“Mr Kelly has no previous convictions. We have heard that when he has booze on him he is not a very nice person to meet.

“I will remand him custody until Friday to give me time to decide what to do with him.”

A shop assistant thought she was going to be killed when two men robbed her shop.

Shauna Cooper was left terrified and fearing for her life when two men robbed Munchies confectionary shop in Buncrana.

One of two brothers appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court today charged with the robbery of the shop on February 15th, 2011.

Richard McDonagh, 31, had pleaded guilty to the charge.

His brother Francis has also pleaded guilty and will be sentenced at a later date.

Ms Cooper, who was then 23, was working in the shop when the two men arrived.

Francis McDonagh pushed her back when she tried to stop the men from coming behind the counter.

Ms Cooper told investigators “I was fearful for my life and that he was going to hit me. I had visions in my head that I was going to be killed and didn’t know if they were going to pull a gun or a knife.”

The men eventually grabbed the till drawer which contained €200 and fled the scene, pulling boxes down as they went to block Ms Cooper from following them.

The Gardai were alerted and the two men were caught a short time later as Ms Cooper identified them.

The court heard that Richard McDonagh, of Castle Avenue, Buncrana, was out on bail for other alleged offences and had 49 previous convictions.

Defence barrister Fiona Crawford said her client had battled with a drug and drink addiction but was now clean for seven months and was attending a programme in prison.

Judge John O’Hagan described the robbery as a shocking, scary and frightening experience for Ms Cooper.

“She didn’t know what was going to happen,” he said.

Judge O’Hagan sentenced McDonagh to two and a half years in prison and backdated it to November, 2012 when he was first put in custody.

SENIOR members of the Gardai in Co Donegal have attended the funeral today of murdered detective Adrian Donohoe.

The officer was shot dead in Co Louth on Friday night.

Among those attending the funeral is Supt Leo McGinn, who was stationed in Louth before his transfer to Ballyshannon last year.

“He was a great Garda and a committed member of the community, especially through the GAA,” said Supt McGinn today.

The Superintendent has opened a book of condolences at Ballyshannon Garda Station for anyone who wants to leave a message for the Donohoe family.

Dundalk came to a standstill today as the funeral cortege went through the town.

Thousands of people attended the state funeral, with the Taoiseach and the President in attendance.

Hundreds of Gardai – many from Donegal – lined the route and took part in the funeral.

They heard Father Michael Cusack call for the killers to be caught and a call for proper policing in the country.

“When it comes to reflecting to the garda presence throughout the whole country, I think it’s a good time for there to be serious reflection by all in this country around the need for further policing,” he said.

“I think we need to look into the eyes of Caroline, look into the eyes of Adrian’s parents and allow what is best within us – our humanity – to recognise what evil can do when it’s allowed to flourish in a community. My parents are now living in a rural community in Galway that has no police service.

“It only ever had one guard but that one guard brought great security. Since he moved, two men in their 80s have had their heads bashed in, one left without hearing or taste for the rest of his life.

“I see it in the eyes of so many in that village that they go to bed at night in fear. Is that the way we need to treat our brothers and sisters in our care?”

BLOSSOMS – APPEAL: We are appealing to the public to donate any unwanted quality items to the centre. We also require the help of volunteers in order to keep the shop up and running. If you have any time to spare, would like to give something back to the community or would like to gain or improve your skills or just meet new people for a few hours per week, please contact reception on 074 91 41773!

• WRITING GROUP: If you have an interest in staring stories or jokes, then you or someone you know may be interested in coming along to our classes. This is not an accredited course but participants come along to meet new people and just have a laugh. If you would like to find out more, please contact reception on 07491 41773.

• PHOTOGRAPHY: The Resource Centre will are hoping to run a class in photography in the near future. If you have an interest in the above, would like to take up a new hobby or just get out and meet new people then call reception on 07491 41773.

• BASIC/CONVERSATIONAL IRISH: We are hoping to run classes in the Irish Language. This may be of benefit to people wishing to refresh their memory of the language, help their children with schoolwork or someone who just wishes to find out more about our native language. Please contact reception on 074 91 41773 for further information.

• ART CLASSES: Beginning Monday 4th February from 10.30 – 12.30p.m. Anyone interested in attending please contact reception on 07491 41773.

• COMPUTERS: Classes in intermediate and beginners held weekly at the Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre. For further information please contact 074 91 41773.

•

Two men have pleaded guilty to stealing and handling 4.5 kms of ESB cabling.

Both men appeared yesterday at Letterkenny Circuit Court in Co Donegal.

Patrick Joseph Winston of 3 Hawthorn Heights, Letterkenny was charged with theft from ESB Networks Stores on date unknown between April 30 2007 and September 11 2011.

Anthony Downes, of The Bungalow, The Crescent, Buncrana was charged with handling stolen property at Carriag Craobh, Letterkenny on September 11, 2011.

Both men pleaded guilty to the charges on their arraignment.

The court heard the charge related to the theft of 4,500m of network cable, power tools and cable cutters.

Judge John O’Hagan ordered a probation report be carried out and adjourned sentencing to the July sitting of the Circuit Court.

Padraig MacLochlainn TD has been elected Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions.

Speaking after his election, Sinn Fein’s Deputy Mac Lochlainn thanked his colleagues on the Committee for electing him Chairman.

“I expect the Committee will continue working collaboratively and productively across party lines to hold our government departments and public bodies to account for the services they provide to the public. I hope to lead the Committee in becoming a robust champion on behalf of the citizens we serve.

“I wish to pay tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach Peadar Tóibín TD, whose careful stewardship and commitment led to the launch of a new petitions system in September. This is a significant innovation, in that for the first time in the 93 year history of the Oireachtas, citizens now have a direct route to influence the parliamentary agenda. We have since received a steady flow of petitions from individuals and groups around the country, on a wide variety of topics.

“An empowering feature of the petitions system is that it is open and accessible to every single citizen. And history proves it often takes the resolve of just one or two civic minded people to make a stand and effect substantial change.

The petitions system, working to its full potential, can make the parliamentary system more accessible and more participative,” he said.

“I would argue that, contrary to much public commentary, our parliamentary process is already relatively open. With Leinster House receiving over 100,000 visitors a year, Irish people know well how consequential to their lives the business of the Oireachtas is. We can watch every minute of Oireachtas business live and read the record of the parliament online. Our Committee will help channel the appetite of Irish people for public engagement in a structured and meaningful way.

“Another important feature of our work is the engagement with the various Ombudsmen. In December, our Committee heard a forceful and candid contribution from Emily O’Reilly which criticised the Department of Health for not implementing recommendations by her office.

“We as a committee will use the full extent of the power at our disposal to ensure that there is full compliance with the law and that citizens’ rights are vindicated. We look forward to engaging with the Minister for Health James Reilly TD at our next meeting on 6 February.”

A new investigation has been launched into allegations that police officers may have contributed to the death of republican informer Denis Donaldson.

The Police Ombudsman has overturned a previous decision by his office to close the investigation and declare there was no misconduct by officers.

The senior Sinn Fein official was shot dead in outside Glenties in April 2006.

He had gone into hiding after police told him the media were preparing to expose his secret life as an informer.

The Real IRA said it was responsible but his family alleged that police officers may have exposed him as an agent and contributed to his death.

Three years ago the Police Ombudsman at the time, Al Hutchinson, said there had been no police misconduct and declared the case closed.

But a BBC Spotlight investigation in October 2011 revealed investigators had not interviewed a special branch officer who Mr Donaldson’s family believe may hold vital information about what happened.

They were also unaware he had been writing a journal which his family believe could contain clues about who killed him and why.

The current ombudsman, Michael Maguire, confirmed on Wednesday that he has launched a new investigation.

It is understood investigators will seek access to the journal, which was removed by Garda officers investigating the killing, and to interview the special branch officer.

Mr Donaldson was shot at a remote cottage in Glenties in 2006.

He moved out of his Belfast home a few months before his death, and had been living in the run-down cottage which had neither electricity nor running water.

Four months earlier, he had been expelled from Sinn Fein after admitting being a paid British spy for 20 years