Pupils with the helicopter at Illistrin

A Donegal school still has its head in the clouds after a surprise visit by the Irish Coastguard – complete with helicopter! 

Scoil Naomh Fiachra in Illistrin are still recounting yesterday’s amazing events.

Irish Coast Guard winchman and paramedic Mr Conal Mc Carron was delivering a talk to Ms Mc Claffertys and Mrs Ferrys first classes at the time.

Irish coastguard member Conal McCarron gives one lucky pupil a lift!

He gave the class advice about how to stay safe in the water and also told them what to do in the case of an emergency. The pupils were captivated by his knowledge and experience in both sea and cliff rescues. One child Fintan Hassan even had a chance to try out the harness.

Mr Mc Carron had just finished a wonderful powerpoint presentation on their work when he received a call on his walkie talkie.

Then out of nowhere they heard a helicopter hovering loudly above the school. The pupils could not believe their ears. There was much excitement.

All 480 pupils rushed out to welcome the helicopter land at the school football pitch. The anticipation and excitement was compared to the visit of the Donegal football team players in 2012.

The pilot and co-pilot for this rare visit were Mr Brendan Jackman and Mr Pauric Slattery.The winchman operator was Mr Michael Treacy and the winchman was Mr Darren Torpey.

The crew invited all pupils on board the Sikorsky S92. All children had the opportunity to view the cockpit and look at the emergency equipment on board. They even got to jump out of the helicopter at the end! The crew were brilliant with the pupils and Mr Mc Carron along with the pilots and winchmen answered many questions.

Dont look now but I think a helicopter has landed at out school!

There are four Coast Guard helicopter bases in Ireland. These are located in Dublin, Waterford, Shannon and Sligo.The Coast Guard helicopters carry a crew of four, two pilots and two winchmen. The helicopter can go 200 miles off the coast at a speed of over 100mph. The crew were from the Sligo base. Mr Mc Carron organised this special surprise visit through the Irish Aviation Authority.

Mr Conal Mc Carron has two sons in the school Óran and Alan. They were very proud to see their daddy become the school hero for the day. This is the Irish Coast Guards first Donegal school visit in a number of years. So Scoil Naomh Fiachra feels very privileged.

Mr Feeney and the staff and pupils at Illistrin wish to thank the Irish Coast Guard for a great visit and for the fantastic work that they do in saving lives.

This visit will be followed by a visit from the Fire Service, Ambulance Service and Gardaí as part of The Emergency Services Awareness month in first class.

Irish Coastguard member and Letterkenny man Conal McCarron tells pupis about his exciting job.

PCC Falcarragh are celebrating after winning the Ulster Bank Arthurs Cup in the Ulster final clash in Omagh today.

The Donegal boys played some classy football to see off St Mark’s of Warrenpoint…by a single nerve-wrecking point!

The final score was 2-09 to 0-14.

Falcarragh had led by four points at the break 1-06 to 0-05.

And the Donegal school side held on into injury time to take the title.

Sinn Fein County Councillor, Mick Quinn, has today announced that he has commenced a National campaign against the controversial Gateway Initiative.

Cllr Quinn has written to David Begg, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions asking him to instruct Unions nationally not to co-operate with the Scheme.

“I believe that Trade Unions have a major role to play in fighting abuse of the most marginalised in Society.”

Quinn continued “This scheme is a blatant discrimination of the un-employed, who, through no fault of their own are unable to find employment.

“It is totally wrong that they are being forced to work for 20 euros per week yet this Government has failed to tackle the offensive salaries of senior bankers, senior public servants and politicians. The Govt. continues to protect the rich and powerful whilst attacking the poor.

Last week Cllr Quinn’s motion calling on Donegal County Council not to co-operate with this scheme received cross-party support.

“I have since spoken with other Sinn Fein Councillors across the country who will be bringing a similar motion to their Council meetings.”

Quinn concluded “I believe that if enough pressure is brought to bear on the Councils by Politicians and Trade Unions we can consign this shameful scheme to the scrapheap.”

Dunfanaghy Golf Club Notes:

It is great to see a stretch of dry weather and the course will benefit from this. There were competitions on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday this week, well done to everyone who turned out and congratulations to everyone who scored well.  

Results

Wed 26/2/2014

1st Willie Wilkin 40 pts

2nd Des Kelly 39 pts CSS : NQ

Sun 2/3/2014

1st Tony McGilloway 43 pts

2nd John Chambers 39 pts

Gross Daniel Gallagher 36 pts

3rd Gerard Harkin 38 pts

Category Peter Johnston 34 pts

9s Willie Wilkin 20 pts and Andy Murray 20 pts BOT

CSS NQ

It is six nations weekend again and all the matches will be live in the clubhouse over the weekend.

There was a great atmosphere in the clubhouse last Friday night and hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

Remember there are free bites and everyone is welcome. Bring your friends or family along.

There will be entertainment in place for St. Patrick’s weekend and we will let everyone know of the details in the next few days.

Also the draw for the Mixed Foursomes will take place in the Clubhouse on Friday Evening from 7.30pm.

Well done to John and Cheryl in getting this off the ground and I have no doubt it will be a great success.

Competitions this week:

From the 1st of February all balls landing on the fairway will have to be lift, clean and drop in the semi-rough until further notice. This is to ensure the fairways are in excellent conditions for the summer months. I can also confirm that there is a free lift and drop if your ball lands in the rough and is plugged. This rule is in place for the month of March.

Wednesday 5th March: Open Single’s Stableford (Soup & Sandwiches)

Saturday 8th March: Gents 4BBB

Sunday 9th March: Gents Club Stableford Competition

Don’t forget there are prizes for nines and a prize for over 19 handicap in all singles competitions at the club.

We are into a new month in the Four Person Ryder Cup Team event. Make sure to give it a go as everyone will want to qualify for the final and we are running out of months, classic format 2 scores to count at every hole, one team to qualify each month for grand final on 22nd June. Winners receive €2000 package including tickets to Ryder Cup.

The Gaeltacht team are away to Portnoo on the 8th of March. Gerald or Andy will be in touch with all the players during the week. Let’s hope we can get a result from this match as the league is finely balanced at the moment.

Juvenile notes

A new name joined the role of honour of winners of Juvenile competitions last Saturday when Andy Ward claimed the Cadet Prize thanks to some great golf including a wonderful tee shot to the 17th.

In the main section Edward O Reilly got the better in a tight finish with James Sweeney and Conor Cheevers.

Photo 1 caption: The rediscovered rock art panel at Maghernaul, Isle of Doagh with Trawbreaga Bay in the background.

If rock is your thing then the Donegal County Museum is the place to be on March 18th.

An illustrated presentation on the prehistoric rock art provenance will be given by Carol Dempsey, Heritage Research Assistant, County Donegal Heritage Office, at 7 p.m. The presentation is free and open to the public.

“Rock art is one of the earliest forms of artistic expression and a global phenomenon that has fascinated both scholars and the public alike for centuries” said Carol.

In Ireland, rock art sites are considered to be rare monument types found widely dispersed throughout the country.

Major concentrations are known in County Kerry, in both the Dingle and Iveragh peninsulas, across County Louth and into County Monaghan, and in northern Donegal (especially the Inishowen peninsula). Surveys conducted by Brain Lacey (1983), Maarten van Hoek (1987-88), Mabel Colhoun (1995) and Blaze O’Connor (2006) have recorded approximately 160 rock art panels in County Donegal with only a small number of scattered panels located outside the Inishowen Peninsula.

The rock art, which is between 5,000 and 4,000 years old, is mostly found on schist outcrops and the decoration is usually defined by cup-like features or complex patterns of cups, rings and grooves commonly known as ‘Cup and Ring’ rock art or ‘Atlantic Rock Art’.

The illustrated presentation will consider the distribution of rock art panels in Donegal and the classification of the various rock art motifs.

The possible meaning behind the Donegal rock art panels and how they relate to the natural landscape will also be discussed as well as their preservation and how best to manage these fascinating carved stones.

“The recent rediscovery of rock art at Maghernaul on the Isle of Doagh has reignited people’s interest in the subject” explained Ms. Dempsey who recently graduated from University College Cork with an M.Phil. in Archaeology.

“It is important that people know these rock carvings exist and although the rocks are permanent, the rock art itself will not last forever. It is vital the people know how best to care and conserve these rare sites.”

Rock art sites are typically found on private land and are protected under the National Monuments Acts (1930 – 2004). Permission from the National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht must be obtained before works are carried out on or near these particular sites. More information relating to the location and protection of our archaeological monuments can be found at www.archaeology.ie.

Photo 1 caption: The rediscovered rock art panel at Maghernaul, Isle of Doagh with Trawbreaga Bay in the background.

This Sunday, Drumkeen United will welcome Jones County Junior College American Ladies Soccer team to St.Patrick’s park.  

Jones County Junior College are based in Ellisville Mississippi USA.

The team are nicknamed the ‘BOBCATS’ are all on two year scholarships at the college where they begin their degrees.

They will then move on to a University for a further two more years before finishing their degrees.

They will spend ten days in Ireland taking in Belfast, Letterkenny, Drumkeen, Galway and Drumkeen is the only place where they will play any football.

Leading the group will be Drumkeen native Dolores Deasley who is the head soccer coach at the college.

A position which she has held since 2007, Dolores began her underage soccer career playing with Drumkeen in the Lifford and District league as it was then known. 

There were very few if indeed any other girls playing in the league at that time but she was more than capable of competing with the boys at underage level.

She represented the Ireland ladies team at various underage levels all the way up to the senior team.

Through her involvement with Ireland she was offered a scholarship to HOFSTRA University in New York in 2000.

She was there for four years and completed her degree in physical education in 2004.

She then moved to the University of Southern Mississippi where she completed her masters in sports administration in 2005.

She arrived at Jones County College in 2006 as assistant coach and was made head coach a year later.

This will be the second time she has brought a team from the college to Ireland and Drumkeen.  

The last time was 2012, that team have all moved on to university now so this is a totally different team.

Dolores said, “We are all really looking forward to the trip and did a lot of fundraising to finance it.

“We are the current Mississippi state champions and Region 23 champions.

Region 23 covers most of the southern part of the USA.

On Sunday they will play in the The Drumkeen Invitational Tournament, also taking part are Lagan Harps, Fanad United and Sion Swifts.

The club would like to thank these teams for taking part and are are pleased to welcome Dolores home with her team and are glad her career is going so well.

The action kicks off at 1pm on Sunday and let’s hope the weather improves.

Cloughaneely GAA Notes

Fuar foirne an Club ar aghaidh go maith ag babhta Ceannais Scór Dhún Na nGall oíche De Sathairn.  

Bhí an bua ag Chloich Cheann Fhaola sa damhsa seite, Rince Foirne & sa grúpa Ceol úrlisí.

Comhghairdeas do na foirne uilig agus beidh siad ag glacfadh pairt ins na leath babtaí Uladh an deiradh Seachtain seo, Adh mór do na foirne uilig.

The monthly Club meeting takes place in the Clubhouse this Monday night at 8pm.

All members are welcome to attend.

The Senior and Reserve teams will play their first league game against Gaeil Fhanada on Sunday the 23rd of March in Fanad.

Our Minor Team played their first game of the 2014 season last weekend and suffered defeat the Mulroy Gaels.

It showed beyond doubt the need for all players to be at organised training.

Club Registrations are now due and must be paid before the 14th of March. This registration money can be paid in the Clubhouse any week night between 6pm – 10 pm or by contacting Marie Mc Clafferty directly on 086 120 3713.

The Club wish to extend congratulations and best wishes to the PCC U-16 team who played in the Ulster Final during the week, this is a fabulous achievement for the School team and Management.

The quiz in the Club Quiz was a great success last weeknd and the club wishes to express it’s gratitude to Kevin Scanlon who organisd the event and to Denis Doohan for acting as quiz master.

Courses at the Niall Mór Centre

Beginners Spanish Class – 8 Weeks

Beginners Digital Photography – 8 Weeks

If interested please contact: 07497 41863

Citizen Advice Every Monday 10.00am – 1.00pm

Councelling Outreach Service for Women every Tuesday & Thursday

For appointment please contact Breid on: 07491 24985

Smart Moves Treatment & Rehabiliation every Thursday at the Centre

Couch to 5K go from walking to running 5K in 9 weeks contact Helen Mc Cready.

If you would like to make appointment on: 087 6046260

Comhgairdeas do Darrach O’Connor. Bhí sé ag imirt don fhoireann chontae i gcoinne Mhuineacháin. Darrach came off the bench early in the second half and had an excellent game. Well Done!

Comhgairdeas agus ádh mór crua ag an am ceanna do Claire Doherty who won the Ulster Ladies Gaelic Football Club Person of the Year but couldn’t add the All Ireland title to that impressive award. Claire, supported by her family and club members travelled to the awards ceremony in Croke Park on Thursday. It was a tremendous achievement for her and the club to win the Ulster title and we’re sure it’s only a matter of time until she clinches the national title too!

Scor na nOg All Ireland fever hit the Club for the 2nd time this week when we were represented at the Scor na nOg National finals in Castlebar on Saturday by 8 of our extremely talented young people, Liam Coyle, Dylan Cuffe, Shannon Doherty, Emer Grant, Aoife Lennon, Naomi McLaughlin, Annie Powell & Adrian McMyler.

They were competing in the Léiriú section with their piece called Iona. They performed it brilliantly to the delight of their lively supporters of family, friends and club folk. They also got great support from the Ulster contingent in the hall.

As with all Scor competitions the standards are high but as this was the first year for the Léiriú section the standards were exceptionally high! Sadly it was not to be our day and our County and Ulster Champions had to settle for the second place. The children are a credit to their families, their school, their Club and their Parish. No doubt they have very bright futures ahead of them!

Mi-ádh don fhoireann peile sinsearach as they lost on Saturday to Galbally Pearses in the Quinns Corner Ulster Club Intermediate Football League.

RTE’s Nationwide programme broadcast highlights from the annual Better Together awards last Monday night and featured the Clubs shortlisted entry. This was a great promotional opportunity for the Club and showed the important role that GAA clubs play in their local communities. The video was produced free for the Club by Crana Communications and The Memory Factory. You can view the programme here http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/10256346/

Eamon McMenamin Fundraisers The Club held a massively successful Coffee Morning in O’Flaherty’s in memory of our sadly missed Clubman Eamon McMenamin. The event raised €2,140, an unbelievable amount in these hard times. This amount far exceeds anything raised before and we’ve organised a fair few Coffee Mornings over the years! All the proceeds are going to the Oncology Unit in Letterkenny.

The Club would really like to thank everyone who turned up today and donated, who baked and organised, who doled out the food and coffee, who cleaned up…in fact everyone who helped make it such a special day. Big thanks too to Jean and Pauric who gave us the run of the place for the day and did everything they could to make it such a success.

A great night’s craic followed in the Malin Hotel at the fundraising table quiz in memory of Eamon McMenamin. Over €2,000 was raised there so well over €4,000 was raised on Friday.

Go raibh mile maith agaibh uilig agus beidh Eamon lan sasta leis an la speisialta seo.

Thosaigh Seachtain na Gaeilge ar an chéad lá mí Márta agus leanfaidh sé ar aghaidh go dtí Lá Fhéile Pádraig. The Club will be hosting various activities to promote the Irish language duing this time and asks you to support these efforts. We have started a daily Irish phrases and sayings section on Facebook so check that out. We will have details on our events later this week so again check Facebook for updates.

Ba chóir duine ar bith atá ag iarraidh cabhrú ar bhealach ar bith teagmháil le Deirdre nó mé féin. Go raibh maith agat…agus bain usaid as do chuid Gaeilge!

Seniors, Minors, Under 21’s and Reserves Hurling & Football training this week, Wednesday 7.30pm and Friday 7.30pm. All players are urged to make every effort to attend.

Senior Ladies training every Wednesday at 7.30 in Buncrana Youth Club. New members always welcome.

Under Age Training

U6 Football 6.30-7.30pm Friday Crana College

U8 Football 4-5pm Saturday Buncrana Youth Club

U8 Hurling 5-6pm Saturday Buncrana Youth Club

U10 Football 6-7pm Friday Buncrana Youth Club

U10/U12 Hurling 7-8pm Wednesday Crana College

U12 Football 7-8pm Monday & Friday Scarvey

U14 Football 7-8.30pm Tuesday & Friday Scarvey

U14 Hurling 7-8.30pm Tuesday & Thursday Scarvey

U12/U14/U16 Girls Football 7-8pm Mondays Scarvey

Level 1 Coaching Course Scarvey 7-10.30pm Friday 7th March

U14 Football Muff vs Buncrana B & Buncrana A vs LK Gaels (11.30am) Saturday 8th March

Level 2 Coaching Course Glenswilly 9-4.30pm Saturday 8th March

Level 1 Coaching Course Scarvey 9-4.30pm Saturday 8th March

U18 LK Gaels Vs Buncrana (12pm) Sunday 9th March

Allianz NFL – Rd 4 (Donegal vs Meath)

Parish Leagues

U8/U10 Parish Shield matches begin this Tuesday after school in the Scarvey to 4.30

U12/U13 Parish Cup begins this Thursday after school to 4.30

Congratulations to Crana College on their semi-final win last Thursday in Castlederg and good luck in the final (date to be agreed) especially the Buncrana contingent.

Membership registration Important information for parents and children intending to play for the Club. If you or your child is a player/coach it is of upmost importance that you are registered for insurance purposes.

If you are not a playing member but wish to be considered for Donegal tickets throughout the season you must be registered by early March.

NB:- Membership does not guarantee match tickets and only adult members can be considered for ticket allocation. Please see our Facebook page, Website and notices in The Clubhouse for membership fees, or contact secretary.buncrana.donegal@gaa.ie if you have any further queries or contact Claire (0863340965) or Grainne (0864650200).

Branded Gloves Elizabeth Anne has ordered Buncrana branded gloves. She wants to remind all managers to inform their player’s parents of this fact and that she is taking orders for them now. They should be available in 2 weeks, various sizes.

Please contact Elizabeth Anne on 0860604075 to place orders or ask any questions.

Buncrana GAA Lotto There was no jackpot winner last week. The draw takes place each Tuesday night in O’Flaherty’s Bar.

Winners of a National draw Ticket plus €10:

Carmel McCarron, Tullydish

Brian Stokes, Aghilly

Caroline Duffy, Leophin

Cathal McLaughlin, Aghilly

Cathal Wilson, Droim Ard

All patrons are asked to support the Lotto each Saturday night. Thanks for your continued support; the funds raised go a long way to keeping the Club going.

Club Notes: Anyone who would like to receive a copy of the weekly club notes should email Jim at buncrana.pro@gmail.com to be included on the mailing list. If you have any items which you think should be included in the club’s weekly notes, please email Jim at buncrana.pro@gmail.com by 6pm on each Sunday for consideration. To keep up to date with all the latest goings-on, please join us on www.facebook.com/buncranagaa or www.twitter.com/buncranagaa @buncranagaa, or visit our website www.buncranagaa.com.

Workshop for parents: Parent stop, a free and confidential parent support service in Donegal are holding a free workshop on Tuesday 18th March at 11am in the Rosses CDP Dungloe on how to deal with children who are fussy eaters and on how to develop your child’s social skills.

Tea Party in aid of the Rosses CDP: We are holding the Tea party on Friday the 21st March at 8 pm in the CDP building chapel Road Dungloe.

Music by Conor O’Donnell. Tickets €10 and are on sale in the office of the CDP. Tickets to be bought before March the 14th . Please support.

Ceili: A Ceili will be held Sunday 16th March in Rosses CDP at 8pm Adm: €8. Music by Michael Coyle. All welcome

Alzheimer Support Meeting: A meeting will be held on Wednesday the 26th March at 8pm in the Rosses CDP Dungloe with the view of setting up a support group for carers living with people with Alzheimers.

Mr Alastair McKinney. ASI Branch Chairperson will be in attendance.

All welcome.

Dungloe girl Rachel Doherty manages to get a ‘selfie’ with former president Bill Clinton.

Dungloe girl Rachel Doherty was delighted when former American president Bill Clinton happily posed for a ‘selfie’ with her earlier this afternoon in Derry. 

Rachel is a 3rd year hairdressing student at The North West Regional college in Derry.

Rachel attended the former American president’s address to the crowd in the Guildhall square in Derry earlier this afternoon.

Clinton urged the crowd to ‘finish the job’ and urged young people to complete the peace process.

Rachel grabs another quick one with the president before he left Guildhall square.

However, Rachel a huge fan of the president, citing his influence in the peace process during his tenure as president as crucial plucked up the courage to ask Clinton for a ‘selfie’.

The former president duly obliged and happily posed with Rachel for a few personal ‘selfies’.

Clinton posed with several other adoring admirers before leaving to join John Hume as they walked over Derry’s ‘Peace Bridge.

Speculation that the former president has agreed to return to Rachel’s hometown of Dungloe to officially open the International Mary from Dungloe festival are unconfirmed at present.

PJ Gallagher, Burtonport, was the winner of the Noel Wallace Cup and a weekend in Dublin with flights from Donegal Airport. 

Gallagher has been in sensational for recently and added another title to his growing list of titles with a truly impressive performance in Maghery.

Runner up was Andrew Steele, Greenbank and semi-finalists were Jimmy O’Donnell, Burtonport, and Mark Beattie, Strabane CC.

Quarter-finalists were Fred Aicken, Dunfanaghy, Bill McKinley, Dunfanaghy, David Bonner, Burtonport, and Richard Soames, Dunkineely.

Other competitors on the night were Kyle Lynch, Strabane CC, Owenie Ferry, Burtonport, Jamie Melly, Maghery, Peter Day, Gortahork, Neil Brogan, Dunfanaghy, David Crawford, Ballylennon, Peter McGee, Burtonport and Michael Gallagher, Burtonport.

The club appreciate the support of Donegal International Airport, Supervalue Dungloe, Bayview Restaurant, Butter Rock Restaurant, McDevitts Garage and Golden Palace Chinese Restaurant

Emergency personnel at the scene of this evening’s crash in Letterkenny.

UPDATED 8.15PM – Gardai have identified a man involved in a hit-and-run in Letterkenny – after he arrived in a local petrol station wearing just one shoe!

The man was driving an unidentified car which smashed into an Audi A4 on De Valera Road close to the local fire station after 4.20pm.

At least two other cars were involved in the incident.

The car failed to remain at the scene and sped off.

However Donegal Daily has learned the driver subsequently abandoned the car.

The man, wearing only one shoe, then called into Tobin’s Garage on the Port Road asking for someone to phone him a taxi.

The man then fled the shop and jumped over a fence and rans towards the LYIT.

Gardai have called to Tobins and have downloaded CCTV footage of the man.

The accident led to serious traffic delays around the town.

The emergency services were on the scene of the incident within minutes.

It is not known yet if anyone has ben serious injured.

Gardai have appealed to anybody who was in the vicinity of the crash to contact them if they witnessed what happened.

A former Derry GAA star is recovering after being viciously attacked in Buncrana.

Eamonn Burns

Schoolteacher Eamonn Burns, a member of the All Ireland winning team of 1993, received serious facial injuries in the attack.

A Garda spokesman confirmed a 42 year old male was assaulted at West End, Main Street in Buncrana on February 23rd.

He was rushed to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry where he underwent surgery.

It is understood he suffered several fractures to his face and is currently recovering at his home in Draperstown.

Burns is a hugely respected member of the GAA and is teaching at St Columbs in Derry.

Principal Máire Ni Ghairbhí with Sean and Ruairi

ENDURANCE racer Sean McFadden got a hero’s reception when he visited his son’s school today.

The Letterkenny man finished second in Ireland’s first ever 24-hour endurance event – The Race – which took place over a 260-km course in Donegal at the weekend.

Sean completed the 24-hour race – running, cycling and kayaking – in just over 15 hours and 22 minutes.

Donegal man Gerard Callaghan was sixth, Gavin Harris was in eighth and Brendan McBride was 14th.

Today son Ruairi was the proudest boy in the county when dad Sean called for a special reception at Gaelscoil Adhamnhain.

Sean gave a wonderful speech, crediting athletes Gary Crossan and Ciaran O’Donnell with inspiring him to success.

He answered questions on the race and how he had prepared for it.

The scene of the crash

BREAKING Exclusive: GARDAÍ have arrested a 20-year-old man after a 60km chase through Co Donegal on Wednesday.

The arrest came just hours after a man driving a Nissan Primera fled the scene of a crash in Letterkenny. The driver of the car he smashed in to had to be treated in hospital for several injuries.

That suspect had been tailed by Gardai from Ardara on Wednesday afternoon after he was spotted driving dangerously in the area.

But instead of pulling over the man – believed to be a resident of Derry – continued to drive at speed.

Attempts to stop the suspect using a Stinger device failed with Gardai fearing the driver could cause serious harm to other road users.

The subsequent chase lasted close to an hour and came to a sudden and dramatic end in Letterkenny.

He drove into an Audi A4 on De Valera Road – close to Letterkenny’s fire station – at 4.20pm, injuring the driver.

The suspect then drove off, but had to abandon his car and fled on foot, leaving one of his shoes behind.

He entered Tobin’s garage where he demanded staff call him a taxi, but when they refused he ran off towards LYIT.

The one-shoed suspect was apprehended close to the Polestar roundabout later.

He was taken to Letterkenny Garda Station where he is being held overnight.

A spokesman for Fianna Fail has moved to disregard rumours that a breakaway group has formed a new tea party cumann in Letterkenny.

FF leader Micheal Martin

This would be similar to the Republican Party’s extreme right wing rump in the USA.

According to media tycoon and political commentator John McAteer, the taypot gang from FF (allegedly) met in secret in Letterkenny last week amid speculation that they stopped just short of backing Linda Martin to clock Billy McGuinness.

The meeting is thought to have got sight of an unspeakably cool blueprint to save Fianna Fail from being eaten up by the Northern Lights with an innovative range of digitally enhanced sound bites.

These include banning Eamon O’Cuiv from annoying the IFA: to a considered position on same sex marriage, divorce, married priests, celibacy and free condoms for families in negative equity and 50% off for bona fide joyriders (over 15 years of age).

Tagging non-productive farmers (including the IFA) was also up for grabs along with preserving family values: the family farm and the corncrake, protecting post offices, garda stations schools, banks, disappearing sand dunes and postal votes for non-nationals.

The Blueprint also has a line (allegedly) on getting free eye tests for sheep (2 years and over) at Specsavers and transferring the Letterkenny Electoral Area to the Ukraine and forming branches of UKIP in Rathmullan, Ramelton, Kilmacrennan, Aghadachor and Glenswilly.

A motion of support for Panti Bliss was adjourned pending her appearance in Ramelton to allow them get a closer look when she takes jet ski lessons on the Lennon next week (allegedly).

Micheal Martin’s case for early canonisation is also to be forwarded to the Council as long as he promotes an agenda to fast track a new senator for Donegal NE.

The FF spokesman says they are well aware of this meeting: however they will not be making any comment since they understand the taypots are not paid up members of the organisation and as such they are free agents to pursue their own agenda… preferably outside of the party.

The Tea Party is an American political movement associated with the Republican Party. The name is derived from the Boston Tea Party of 1773, an iconic event in American history and is primarily known for advocating a reduction in the U.S. national debt. It is now seen as an ultra conservative rump that has outlived its uselessness.

Finn Harps will kick-off their 46th consecutive season in the League of Ireland when they host Waterford United at Finn Park tomorrow evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

Ollie Horgan is in his first season at Finn Park

2014 marks the club’s 60th season in football, having been formed in 1954. The club made the step up to the senior grade in 1969 and have remained a member of the League of Ireland since then.

Friday’s game against Waterford will be the first in charge for new boss Ollie Horgan, who was appointed Manager after the resignation of Peter Hutton at the end of last season.

Horgan has been busy over the winter months and in addition to resigning many of last year’s panel he has also brought in a number of new faces to the club.

These include former club captain Packie Mailey who returns to the club after two years away as well as Carel Tiofack from Limerick, goalkeeper Conor Winn from Dundalk and Ruairi Keating on loan from neighbours Sligo Rovers.

“Things have obviously been busy since I got the job,” said new boss Horgan as he looks forward to his first job in senior football. “I have spent a lot of time on the phone and meeting people but hopefully it is all worthwhile now that the season is about to get up and running.”

“We have been training for quite a while now and pre-season was decent but we still have a lot of work to do now that the new campaign is up and running,” continued Horgan.

“While we played quite a few games, it was disappointing that we didn’t get more games on grass but unfortunately the weather put a stop to some of them – with the winter we’ve had, there’s not much we can do about it.”

Horgan feels that this year’s First Division will be one of the strongest for some time.

“I haven’t set any goals really and will just be taking things a game at a time seeing where it will take us. It is certainly going to be a much more difficult division with Shelbourne and Galway FC added to the already strong teams in there.”

Even though Harps start the season with three of their first four games at home, Horgan doesn’t feel that this will be of any advantage to his side.

“It was nice to get a home game to start the season, but we still have to play twenty-eight games one way or other.

“On Friday we start the season with one of the favourites for promotion coming to Ballybofey. Waterford lost out on a promotion place on the last day of last season. Having watched them a number of times last year I felt they were the best footballing team in the Division and they have added well to their squad ahead of the new season.”

Waterford have proved a difficult side for Harps to overcome in recent seasons and go into the game with only two victories in their last eighteen against the Blues.

Waterford won on each of their two visits to Finn Park last season. The two clubs also met on the opening day of last season, with Sean McCarron’s last minute goal earning Harps a share of the spoils.

Horgan has doubts over a number of players with Tommy Bonner, Gareth Harkin, Josh Mailey, Carel Tiofack and Kevin McHugh sitting out last week’s friendly against Dundalk. All five will be assessed ahead of Friday’s league opener.

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TEAM NEWS

Suspended: None.

Doubtful: Tommy Bonner, Gareth Harkin, Josh Mailey, Carel Tiofack, Kevin McHugh

Injured: None.

Form Guide (last six league games)

Finn Harps: L-L-L-L-W-D (4 pts)

Waterford United: W-L-W-L-W-L (12 pts)

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Last six home games against Waterford United

16-Jul-10 – Finn Harps 1-1 Waterford United (First Division)

11-Jun-11 – Finn Harps 1-0 Waterford United (First Division)

18-May-12 – Finn Harps 0-1 Waterford United (First Division)

29-Sep-12 – Finn Harps 1-2 Waterford United (First Division)

26-Apr-13 – Finn Harps 0-1 Waterford United (First Division)

16-Aug-13 – Finn Harps 0-2 Waterford United (First Division)

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The scene of the crash

A 20-year-old man will appear in court today charged in connection with a series of driving offences in Co Donegal yesterday.

The man, who has an address in Derry, was arrested last night by Gardaí.

The arrest came just hours after a man driving a Nissan Primera fled the scene of a crash on foot – and wearing just one shoe –  in Letterkenny.

That man had been tailed by Gardai from Ardara on Wednesday afternoon after he was spotted driving dangerously in the area.

But instead of pulling over the man continued to drive at speed.

Attempts to stop the suspect using a Stinger device failed with Gardai fearing the driver could cause serious harm to other road users.

The subsequent chase lasted close to an hour and came to a sudden and dramatic end in Letterkenny.

He drove into an Audi A4 on De Valera Road – close to Letterkenny’s fire station – at 4.20pm.

The one-shoed suspect was apprehended close to the Polestar roundabout later.

He was last night charged at Letterkenny Garda Station with a number of alleged offences. He will appear at Sligo District Court later today.

ISS Facility Services, a leading global facility services provider are looking to recruit a Pest Control Technician for the Donegal/Sligo area.

The location of the job would be in both the Donegal and Sligo area.

The successful applicant would report to the General Manager  of the Pest Control Division and the salary has been described as competitive.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will be responsible for attending to the pest control needs of a large customer base ensuring all clients receive the best possible standard of service.

Job Dimensions:

- Serving Existing Customer for Pest Control Requirements

- Building new Customer Base

- Maintaining High Level customer Satisfaction

The Candidate must have: 

- Excellent Interpersonal & Communication Skills

- Experience in dealing with customers & developing good customer relations

- A FULL CLEAN Driving License

- Fluent English

- Legal entitlement to work full time in Ireland all year round

- Experience in Pest Control (Preferable but not necessary)

Benefits: 

- Company Van

- Paid Holidays

- Access to VHI – Group Scheme

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will use their initiative, be a self starter, highly motivated, excellent communicator, excellent people skills.

Other features of the job

It may also be necessary to work alternative hours at unsociable times and to work in excess of contracted hours. Business requirements will govern your pattern of work.

ISS Facility Services are an Equal Opportunities Employer

If you are interested in this position please forward a cover letter and your CV to Kate Connellan, HR Generalist, ISS Facility Services, Citywest Business Campus, 3007 Lake Drive, Dublin 24 or by e-mail to kate.connellan@ie.issworld.com

Closing date for applications are the 14th of March.