Raphoe Notes

Family Resource Centre  

SPRINGBOARD BOOK A PLACE ON OUR FORTHCOMINGSPRING PROGRAMME

PARENTS PLUS PROGRAMME 6-12YR OLDS

SPRINGBOARD FAMILY SUPPORT PROJECT ARE RUNNING AN EIGHT WEEK

PARENTS PLUS PROGRAMME –

A PRACTICAL & POSITIVE GUIDE TO PARENTING CHILDREN

TOPICS INCLUDE

BEING A RESPONSIVE PARENT.

ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING CHILDREN.

PROMOTING CHILDREN’S LANGUAGE AND DEVELOPMENT.

HELPING CHILDREN CONCENTRATE AND LEARN

BUILDING CO- OPERATION IN YOUNG CHILDREN

MANAGING TANTRUMS, MISBEHAVIOUR AND PROBLEMS

This programme will commence March 2014

(Date to be confirmed)

Wednesday Mornings from 10am – 12noon programme is free of charge

(Childcare & Travel can also be provided)

To book a place on our programme contact Springboard office on 074 9173918

A.S.I.S.T.

Raphoe Family Resource Centre is hosting the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (A.S.IS.T.) on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th July 2014 from 9.00am-4.30pm both days and we are now taking names of anyone interested in this informative training.

A.S.I.S. T. is a training course developed for both members of the public and professionals, and aims to enhance people’s skills to intervene until either the immediate risk of suicide is reduced or additional support or resources can be found.

The emphasis of the two-day workshop, which is free, is on suicide first aid, on helping a person at risk to stay safe and seek further help.

To book a place please contact us on 074 9145796/087 3641503 or email raphoefrc@eircom.net

2 in 2 u Campaign

Does your boyfriend get jealous when you spend time with your friends?

Does he always phone or text when you’re out without him?

Do you avoid disagreeing with him in case he loses his temper?

If you have answered yes to any of the above, please think about taking a Relationship Health check at 2in2u.ie

BECAUSE IF SOMETHING FEELS WRONG, IT PROBABLY IS.

And remember, if anything about your relationship ever makes you feel anxious or worried, please call the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900, 10am-10pm, 7 days a week.

Something Special Group Tractor Run

A tractor run will be held on Saturday the 19th April in aid of the “Raphoe Something Special Group which supports the needs of parent Guardians of children with delayed communications/Autism spectrum disorders & physical disabilities.

Forming up in the Royal School car park across from the mart in Raphoe, moving off around 11am, registration in the car park on the morning, route will be local area, all are welcome.

RAPHOE 5K

Raphoe 5k in association with Lifford Athletic Club will take place on Tuesday evening 15th July so don’t forget to pencil in the date!

The race, which is now into its 4th year, and which is part of Donegal Co. Athletics Board’s Grand Prix Series has been incredibly successful thanks to the large number of entrants not only from the Raphoe area but from the surrounding towns of Lifford, Convoy, Castlefin, St.Johnston, Aghyaran as well as runners from Ballybofey, Letterkenny, Strabane and Derry.

Brendan O’Donnell, Lifford Athletic Club has been of tremendous support to the Family Resource Centre in the organising and running of this fundraising event and we would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Brendan for that support.

LAGAN PRIMARY CARE TEAM

Youth Conference on Young People’s Health & Well-being

Would you like the opportunity to take part in an exciting programme aimed at 16-22 year olds?

Be part of a local initiative to help identify the issues that have an impact on mental health in young people aged between 16-22.

The programme will consist of workshops followed by a half day conference, meal and night of music in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel Buncrana on Friday 23rd may 2014.

For further information contact Deborah at St Johnston & Carrigans Family Resource Centre 074 9148551 or Melanie at Raphoe Family Resource Centre on 074 9145796.

LITTLE SMILES WITH BIG DREAMS

Little Smiles with Big Dreams is a parent and toddler group that meets every Wednesday morning at 10.30am –12 noon in the Family Resource Centre.

Anyone who is in care of a child where it is an aunt / uncle/ childminder or grandparent is welcome.

The kiddies can get involved in Messy play, free play, story time and music time where the adult can enjoy a cuppa tea and meet other adults.

Parent and Toddler are a great way to enhance your little one confidence and meet others their age. A light lunch is provided and a small cost of 50 cent per family.

HEALTHY WALKS

If you are in and around Raphoe and would like to keep fit, join us on our Healthy walk every Thursday morning at 10.30 a.m.

The group meets in Raphoe Family Resource Centre. Everyone Welcome.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Do you know that Raphoe Family Resource Centre is available for children’s birthday parties and special occasions? To find out more please contact the Centre on 074 9145796.

WEEKLY EMPLOYMENT LIST

Raphoe Family Resource Centre receives an updated weekly employment list and if you are interested in receiving this list through e-mail or print-out please contact 074 9145796 or call into the Centre for more details.

Raphoe Tidy Towns Community Appeal 2014

Raphoe will be entered in this years National Tidy Towns Competition therefore the Tidy Towns wish to request your help again please for this year.

You can help our town by improvements with the following please before the end of May 2014.

Painting your Property

Cleaning up and painting derelict buildings

Tidying up your Gardens

Cleaning of boundary walls/cutting hedges

Removal of Weeds

Removal of Graffiti

Putting out window boxes or hanging baskets in May/early June

Keeping your property litter free.

Recycling

If out walking your dog/s please clean up your dogs dirt and dispose of in the proper manner.

Last year the Town got very good comments and won a second Silver Medal which was a great result for all concerned.

If you can help us this year again we will be delighted. We wish to take this opportunity on behalf of all in Raphoe Tidy Towns Ltd, to thank you for all your help kindness and support over past years.

Judging this year will be as usual sometime in June, July or early August. Further information from the Tidy Towns office on 9145692. Thank You.

COUNSELLING SERVICE:

The service which is free and confidential is by appointment only by telephoning 086 3601718.

Little Explorers Parent & Toddler Group

Parent and Toddler Group is an activity which allows Parents / guardians to attend a session which looks at different activities to promote learning and fun for children aged 0-4 years.

Children will avail of a variety of activities which support their physical, social and emotional development as well as promoting their language development.

Parent and Toddler also give parent / guardians the opportunity to socialize and meet up in a warm caring stimulating environment.

The activities on offer at Little Explorers are: Arts & Crafts, Physical Play, Circle and Rhyme Time & Information sessions for parents. Parents are provided with a healthy snack!!!!

The Parent and toddler session runs every Tuesday morning from 11.00am – 12.30pm. Why not come along and have some fun!!!

Raphoe Reconciliation Project

A Choral Evening of local choirs at the St Eunan’s Cathedral Raphoe on Thursday 22nd March at 8pm .

Thiepval Memorial Pipe Band

Annual Variety Concert in Cathedral Hall Raphoe

on Friday 21st March 2014 at 8pm

Various Artists. Compere: Joey Lynch

Admission inc draw €10/£8

Tickets from any band member or pay at door

Everyone very welcome.

Umbra Clothing Collections

Saturday 22nd March at 10.30 to 3.30pm in the Diamond Raphoe Umbra is collecting used clothing, household textiles and footwear in aid of Cancer cure-control-care, if you need bags picking up from your house ring or text 0863821979.

Raphoe Boxing Club

On Saturday next the clubs livewire light weight boxer Denis Lafferty from Ballindrait will box in the finals of the National College Championships at the boxing Stadium Dublin.

Denis who represents the N.W. Regional College will come up against Stephen Benson from the I.T Tralee and everyone at the Raphoe club extend best wishes for every success to the popular Raphoe boxer.

Everything is now in place for the Raphoe clubs forth coming major boxing tournament to be staged in the C.P.I. Centre Castlefin on Saturday 22nd march at 8pm.

Club coach and matchmaker Gary McCullagh will have 16 star studded contests down for decision featuring the cream of boxers from all over Ulster.

A sincere thanks goes to our main sponsor Mike Kelly, Scaffolding and Building Contractor.

A very sincere thanks goes to Councillor Frank McBrearty for all the fantastic work he is doing for the boxing club behind the scenes as it is greatly appreciated by everyone at the club.

Please note that all notes should be placed in the box provided in Raphoe Post Office by a Thursday before 4.00 p.m. or alternatively can be dropped into Raphoe Family Resource Centre or e-mailed to raphoefrc@eircom.net every Thursday to meet the print deadline.

BRUCKLESS/DUNKINEELY NOTES

INDOOR CARBOOT SALE BRUCKLESS

Dunkineely Community Ltd will be having an Indoor Car-boot Sale in Bruckless Community Centre on SATURDAY 29TH MARCH, 10AM – 2PM, so if you are interested in holding a stall, cost €10, why not come along on the day or contact the DCL for more info 074 9737052. And for all those bargain hunters out there why not come along and see what you can find!!!!!

DUNKINEELY IN BLOOM 2014

Dunkineely Community Ltd are hoping to run a Dunkineely in Bloom competition in 2014, to brighten up the town and surrounding areas. We are looking for volunteers!!!!

Would you like to be involved, or be part of the organising, any help would be great.

Please get in touch with DCL office 0749737052.

KNIT AND NATTER

A knitting/ crochet/ stitching group will continue Thursday 20th March 10.30am in Dunkineely Stables, where absolute beginners can learn from experienced old hands as everyone brings their own projects or chooses to knit a scarf or crochet a hat or stitch a bag for Team Hope Shoebox Appeal or some other charity. Please contact Vanessa Purdy in the DCL Office for more details on 074 9737052.

DUNKINEELY J-CLUB

Meets Saturday 22nd March 6.30pm-8pm, in Dunkineely Methodist Hall for all of National School age. Games, videos, Bible stories, craft and fun – all in National School are welcome – Cost €2 per session

STABLES YOUTH

Meets Saturday 22nd March at 8.00pm. Come play Basketball/Soccer/X-Box or just chill with your friends. All in secondary school are welcome. Cost €2. Dunkineely Methodist Hall & Stables.

DCL WALKING GROUP

DCL walking group meets Tuesday morning, 25th March at 10am from the DCL office. Whether you would like to wander or speed walk for around an hour, it’s up to you and there will be a cup of tea afterwards…. Contact DCL office for more info on: 074 9737052

DCL OFFICE

Come into the office weekday mornings and use the internet (20c per half hour) or print documents (20c per page) or borrow books from DCL Library 20c per book. Contact dunkineelycommunity@gmail.com or call 074 9737052.

BREAKING NEWS: Largo Foods, which employs 140 people in Co Donegal, is to close its local operation.

Local TD Dinny McGinley after government funding was announce for the Largo plant some years back.

Shell-shocked workers at the Gaoth Dobhair plant, have just been told of the announcement.

The company plans to move all its operations to its main plant in Ashbourne, Co Meath.

It is understood that 70 employees will be given the chance to move to work in the Co Meath plant.

Údarás na Gaeltachta said it is very disappointed at the announcement.

Largo Foods currently employs 110 people on a full-time basis and 30 people on the part-time basis at the company’s manufacturing facility in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park, Co. Donegal.

Largo say they have made this decision based on a strategic review by the company of its manufacturing sites in Ireland and in the UK which focused on the need to consolidate its operations, reduces its overall costs, and to allow it to operate sustainably in a very competitive snack-food market.

Currently, 85% of the products produced in Gaoth Dobhair is exported to the UK and further afield.

Competition in the snack-based market has intensified in the last decade, and in past five years the company has been continuously attempting to develop and introduce new high value-added products to Gaoth Dobhair to sustain its operations there, but to limited success.

Údarás na Gaeltachta has supported and worked closely with Largo Foods group companies in the last 18 years since they were established in Gaoth Dobhair.

“We very much regret the implications that this proposal will have for Largo Foods’ employees in Gaoth Dobhair. An tÚdarás will prioritise its efforts and put in place a strategic marketing drive in a bid to attract new investment and employment opportunities to the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park,” said a spokesman.

Deputy Pearse Doherty outside the Largo Foods plant today. Pic by Donegal Daily.

Public representatives have come together to condemn the closure of the Largo Foods plant in Gaoth Dobhair.

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty has described the closure as a ‘Black Friday’ for its 140 workers.

The Dail Deputy, who lives locally, was reacting to the news released by the company just a short time ago.

The company is to now move its Donegal base to its main plant in Co Meath with 70 workers from Donegal being offered the chance to move there.

Deputy Doherty said “Firstly, I am absolutely devastated for the workers at the plant and their families. Today their worlds have been turned upside down with this news. I know many of the workers personally as friends and neighbours and I am truly saddened by today’s developments.

“This is a black Friday for Gweedore – the scale of this announcement in a small rural area such as ours is massive. This news is not just devastating for the workers in the plant but for the whole community.

“There will be a knock on effect in the local economy with hauliers, suppliers and service providers all being impacted by this announcement.

“In my view, the announcement here today calls for an immediate intervention from the Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton. He needs to come to west Donegal to see the scale of unemployment and the effect it is having on this community. His immediate priority must be to see if any of the current jobs can be retained in the area or to secure another suitable industry at these premises as soon as possible.”

Senator Ó Domhnaill has called on Minister Dinny McGinley to intervene immediately.

“This is the loss of 110 full time jobs and 30 part time jobs in Gaoth Dobhair in a matter of months. It’s a devastating blow for the workers and their families. Many staff have worked there since the company first opened 18 years ago and many have other family members who also work there. They are now wondering what they will do after the summer,” said Senator Ó Domhnaill.

“I am calling on the Minister for the Gaeltacht Dinny McGinley and Údarás na Gaeltachta to intervene immediately. Largo Foods has received millions of euro in State support through Údarás over the years. As a major employer in the Donegal Gaeltacht, it has been well backed with grant aid through Údarás. It’s simply not good enough that it would now shut down with little notice.

“This is no way to treat workers who have been extremely loyal to the company over the years. It’s also a major snub to the State agencies that have supported the company and allowed it to develop and create jobs in North West Donegal. The Minister must meet with company management immediately to establish if the Donegal operation can be salvaged.

“My thoughts are with the workers today as they come to terms with this extremely difficult news. Everything must be done to see if their jobs can be saved,” Senator Ó Domhnaill said.

A special Charity concert for baby Lucy Gallagher has been organized for this St.Patrick’s Day at the RCS Sports Hall.

Baby Lucy was born in August 2012 with one of the rarest and potentially life threatening genetic skin disorders “Harlequin Ichthyosis”.

Music will be performed by The Goats Don’t Shave and they will ably supported by The Original Mutley Crew.

You can purchase tickets for this fantastic event at the following outlets.

The Cope, Supervalu, Credit Union, Top Station, Butterrock, Bonner’s Bar, Strand Bar.

COMMUNITY ALERT Gardai have appealed to the public to be on the look-out for a gang after a burglary in the Glen area outside Carrigart last night.

The gang, who are believed to reside in Donegal, are driving a small, black hatchback car with a registration beginning with the letters XIW.

Anybody who may have seen this car or noticed anybody acting suspiciously are asked to contact Gardai immediately.

Donegal Sportshall teams travelled to Magherfelt yesterday to Ulster finals looking to win the team events in each of four categories U13 Girls U13 Boys U15 Girls U15 Boys to go onto Manchester in April to represent Ulster at The UK Sportshall Finals.  

It is in its 25th year and 3 Teams were successful U13 Boys & Girls & U15 Girls unfortunately U15 Boys missed out to Co Derry where they placed 2nd.  

Ailbhe ODonnell U15 Girls from the Rosses Ac won the All-Rounder award in U15 Girls sending her automatically through.

Great competition from clubs & schools all over Ulster and it was not an easy task to win 3/4 teams.

The teams made up of athletes from all over Donegal athletic Clubs Rosses Ac, Lifford Ac Finn Valley Ac Inishowen Ac Tír Chonaill Ac Sliabh Liag Letterkenny Ac.

Team Managers were Gerry Davenport Shaun McGinley Seamus McGranaghan Brendan O’Donnell Sharon Bradley Ita Boyle Louise Gillsepie & Neill Cullen who travelled as official timekeeper.

The winner of the Family pass to see any movie at Eclipse Cinemas Lifford/Strabane is Noreen Scanlon. 

Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher

Public information meetings will be held on March 24 in Dungloe and Glenties on the new sewerage scheme for the towns.

Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher has welcomed this confirmation and has asked that as many locals as possible attend the meetings to familiarise themselves with the plans for the sewage schemes.

“It is almost a year ago I got an agreement at Donegal county Council to have these information events. Both these schemes have been in the pipeline for a long number of years and to see them progress to construction is great for both towns. I would encourage as many locals as possible to attend these events.”

The Dungloe meeting will be at 10am and Glenties meeting will be at 2pm.

Larissa in action

FRANCE 19, IRELAND, 15: DONEGAL duo Nora Stapleton and Larissa Muldoon put in a stunning second half performance to almost deny France the grand slam tonight.

Tries from Marion Lievre, Elodie Portaries and Shanon Izar had France seemingly home and dry before a superb second-half rally from defending champions Ireland.

Gillian Bourke went over for two tries off rolling mauls, the first of which was the first try France have conceded all tourmament, and the boot of Niamh Briggs brought the women in green right back into it.

But it was not to be in the end and to the delight of the crowd in the south of France Les Bleus held on to complete the cleansweep.

The hosts got off to an ideal start when Lievre went over in only the fourth minute, good hands down the right putting the winger over in the corner, although fly-half Sandrine Agricole missed the conversion.

reland managed to hold out in the face of incessant French attacks in the first period, No.8 Safi N’Diaye leading the charge but unable to make a breakthrough and it was 5-0 at the break.

But their hard work was undone straight after the interval when prop Portaries crashed over from close range and with Agricole’s conversion France led 12-0.

A Briggs penalty reduced the gap to nine points but no sooner had Ireland established a foothold than they were punished, Izar picking a great line to go in under the posts after a fine pass from Agricole, who also added the extras.

Ireland refused to buckle though and when Bourke burrowed over at the back of a rolling maul on the hour mark the tide appeared to be turning – despite Briggs missing with the extras.

And the driving maul proved too much for France with Bourke again emerging with the ball to grab her second but it proved to be just too little too late.

Realtra Rasaíochta Team, (from left) Maitiú o Maoláin, Éanna Mc Laughlinn, Cáit Ní Cheallaigh, Lucy Herron, Orla Nic Reachtain, Pierce Harrigan & Sophie Ní Dhochartaigh Roe.

Realtra Rasaíochta from Coláiste Chineál Eoghain, Buncrana have qualified for the national final of the prestigious F1 in Schools National Championships.

In this unique competition, students have to plan, design, analyse, test and then race their newly created Formula 1 Model Car. The models are created to a scale of 1:20 and when complete are capable of travelling at speeds of over 110 km/hr.

The regional final were held on the 11th March in the GMIT Castlebar. 22 teams battled it out for the regional final. Two teams progressed in the junior cycle category, Realtra Rasaíochta from Coláiste Chineál Eoghain and Tekkit from St Louis CS, Co. Mayo.

This was a fantastic achievement for the team who have put so much work into the competition. They also managed to pick up the award on the day for “Best Engineered Car” competing against teams in both the junior and senior category.

The team are delighted to have progressed, particularly as the majority of the team are first year pupils. They are already working hard preparing for the National Finals which will be held in Dublin Castle on the 2nd of May. The winners of which will progress to represent Ireland in the World Final, to be held in Abu Dhabi.

The team would like to take this opportunity to thank their sponsors for their support throughout the competition. Without which this would not have been possible.

Brennans Pharmacy, Supervalu Buncrana, The Harbour Inn, Mc Laughlins Motor Factors, Inishowen Engineering, Inish Pharmacy & Pixcam, Gala Burnfoot, Coyle’s Hardware, The Tullyarvan Mill, Mc Daids Superstore, Gasta Takeaway Newton, Duffys Pharmacy, Gills Off-licence & Four Lanterns.

The North West Area board of Basketball Ireland would like to invite you to attend a meeting in The Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town on Thursday 27th March 2014 at 8pm.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the possibility of setting up a Basketball Academy aimed at underage players in the North West. This is the only item on the agenda and the meeting should last no more than 2 hours.

It will be an open forum where we can all bounce our ideas off each other with the overall aim to improve basketball in the North West both at a club and school level.

“We have all travelled to various parts of Ireland for different competitions and we have seen that, while now and again we produce a team that can compete in a national competition, we don’t do it on a consistent basis.

“We have to try to change this and an Academy would seem to be an ideal starting point for the development of underage basketball in our area.

“An Academy involving players from all schools and clubs would surely further the development of basketball in the North West.

“We would like as many coaches/clubs/schools to attend as possible with no limit on the number of representatives from clubs or schools.”

All are invited on 27th March.

A total of four Donegal businesses feature on the latest tax defaulters’ list.

The 100-strong list, published by the Revenue Commissioners, made settlements totalling €13.77 million.

Top of the Donegal list with a settlement of €106820 was Mac Machinery of Newtowncunningham which specialises in construction and civil engineering supplies.

Steven Cole, an agricultural contractor from Trentaboy, Drumkeen paid out a total of €36395 while builder Seamus Gallagher of Portnoo Road, Ardara settled with Revenue for a sum of €43176.

Joseph Brennan, a filling station and shop proprietor of 53 Orchard Drive handed over €25,299.

Exclusive: A CRAZED gang of notorious burglars tried to knock down a Garda during a crime spree across County Donegal.

The officer was one of a number of dedicated Gardaí involved in a sustained late night operation over several hours to catch the gang.

Details of the operation can be revealed for the first time today by Donegal Daily.

It follows a burglary late on Thursday night near Glen as a gang in a northern-registered black hatchback.

This vehicle was the subject of a community alert on Donegal Daily yesterday. The start of the registration is XIW.

Although the car is a County Derry registration, the gang resides here in Donegal and is suspected of involvement in dozens of raids on homes and business premises over the past few months.

A lone Garda managed to locate the latest car being used by the gang but as he approached on foot the driver – who had been hidden from view – suddenly accelerated towards him.

The officer managed to get out of the way of the oncoming car and raise the alarm with colleagues.

“He could have been killed,” said one source.

What followed was a three hour search across north Donegal, involving high speed chases across a wide area, starting in Glen and going through Kilmacrennan and Churchill areas.

The vehicle disappeared. At one stage Gardaí thought the gang may have crashed into a field.

If you know anything about this gang, or know the whereabouts of the car which was used, then call Gardaí immediately.

You can call the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

If you see suspicious activity, call 999.

Jason Black with Mr. Michael McGroarty , Charlee Mc Clafferty and Mr. Noel Scott

The students, parents and staff of Loreto Community School Milford have once again shown their great ability to support good causes.

Their latest innovation was providing the school community with a Defibrillator and to raise some much needed funds for Temple Street Hospital.

Mr Andrew Kelly Congratulates Ellie Trosi

The appeal was spearheaded by Mr. Noel Scott and Mr. Michael McGroarty ably helped by their class groups of N.Brendan and N. Bernadette.

The school community collected an impressive 565 phones for a Zoll Aed Plus defibrillator and an Ipad 2.

The ipad was won by Charlee McClafferty , with the runners up prize of 50 euro won by Ellie Trosi.

A Special mention must go to three students who earned prizes by making huge individual efforts in the fundraiser, They are Paul Sheridan, Eoin Roulston and Liam Loughrey who collected 100 phones between them.

“We would like to thank our special guest Mr. Jason Black for taking the time to come along to present the Defibrillator to the principal Mr. Andrew Kelly, and share his experiences with the students of the school,” said a school spokesman.

Jason Black and Deputy Principal Anthony Harkin

Timothy puts the final touches to his design.

A Donegal fashion student has shown he has the cloth to cut it in the fashion business.

Timothy Mullin from Killybegs, who studies at the Centre for Creative Arts and Media GMIT, has made it through to the semi final of the student designer section of the Vodafone DIT Fashion Show 2014 which is taking place at Smock Alley Dublin on Tuesday 25th March.

Timothy is pictured here with DIT student model Caolshionn McCarthy from Wicklow.

Timothy’s concept for his design is “Efflorescent Utopia” which he developed under the overall fashion show theme of “Enchanted Forest, Hidden Nature”.

He said “I combined my love for illustration with the art of embroidery to create a Utopian concept”.

Timothy is one of the 16 shortlisted student designers for the semi-final, and may go on to the Vodafone DIT Fashion Show 2014 in Vicar Street Dublin on Thursday 3rd of April.

The competition is intense for this annual fashion show, now in its 11th year, and the overall winner of the student design competition will receive a cash prize of €2,500, while the 50 student models involved go head to head to win a prestigious modeling contract with top agency First Option.

The judging panel consists of Ireland’s top stylist Maria Fusco, broadcaster Brendan Courtney, fashion editor at the Weekend Magazine Bairbre Power, former DIT student and creator of the event Lou Conlon and designer/previous winner of the Vodafone student designer competition Umit Kutluk.

Tickets for the show, which repeatedly gets a full house of 1,000 people, cost €20 (€15 for students) and are available from ditfashionshow.ie. The chosen charity for the show this year is the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.

Local TD Dinny McGinley after government funding was announce for the Largo plant two years ago

LARGO Foods, the company which closed its crisp factory in Gaoth Dobhair with the loss of 142 jobs, has promised to re-pay grant money to Údarás na Gaeltachta.

The company was given €600,000 by the organisation two years ago.

Maurice Hickey, the chief executive of Largo, said any monies due back to the semi-state organisation would be paid.

The money was used to buy new machinery which will now be transferred to Ashbourne in Co Meath where the makers of Tayto and Hunky Dorys has 360 other employees.

Seventy Donegal workers – of the 142 facing redundancy – are being offered positions in Meath.

It’s thought that up to 15 of them will decide to move.

But for employees with young families and mortgaged homes in west Donegal, such a move may prove impossible.

St Patrick at last year’s Carrigart parade

The Carrigart St Patrick’s Day Parade (1pm) on Monday is being filmed by RTE – and you can be part of it!

Floats: any businesses, organisations, sports clubs, voluntary groups interested in providing a float for the parade please contact Maggie Doherty of Carrigart Hotel on 087 7965339.

This is an opportunity to promote your business, the work of your organisation and the culture and heritage of the area. When you book your float with Maggie please be prepared to provide a brief description of your float/display and the nature of your business/organisation /heritage display so that John Bosco can provide commentary on the Parade. The Parade will progress up Main Street and after a brief pause will return down Main Street.

Floats and vintage/rally cars: please assemble at St John the Baptist’s car park no later than 12.45.

Walking groups for the Parade: please assemble by 12.40 outside Logues.

Spectators: please try to wear some green, white and gold if possible. Remember, you’re going to be on the telly!

Road closures and diversions: Main street will close from 12.30 to 2pm approximately.

Diversions will be in place.

Car parking: available Carrigart Hotel Car Parks, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church, Strand Car Park.

Well-known Donegal community activist Siobhán McLaughlin vowed to be an inclusive and effective representative for the Letterkenny/Milford electoral area as she officially joined the list of candidates seeking to serve on Donegal County Council.

She becomes the seventh woman to enter the race for a seat on the Council, which currently consists of 3 women and 26 men.

McLaughlin, who first ran for the Council as a Labour Party candidate in 2009, was last week selected by the party to contest the upcoming election, as was former Garda Sergeant Christy Galligan.

“I have the skills, the capacity, and the expertise to represent and work for communities, families, women, children, and all those affected by poverty and inequality,” McLaughlin, 51, told the Labour Party Selection Convention in Letterkenny. “I will work hard, I will honour my promises, and I will do what I set out to do with honour, transparency, openness, and honesty.”

McLaughlin, who has lived in Letterkenny for the past 13 years and previously in Ramelton for 8 years, went to school in Milford. Her mum Mary (Fries) is from Kilmacrennan.

McLaughlin has been a respected and effective member of numerous local bodies and committees, including the Social Inclusion Measures Group, the Donegal County Development Board, East Donegal Forum, the County Community Forum, Donegal Local Development Company, and the Intercultural Platform. She has also served on a range of national forums and advisory committees, and for the past two years has been an active voluntary member of the board of Pobal.

“Serving on national bodies has given me considerable skills to represent everyone in this area,” said McLaughlin, who is mother to 18-year-old Katie and 30-year-old Fela. “Pobal manages various funding programmes, such as childcare, after-school, and local community development. Everybody who knows me on that board knows that I am never silent! I argue passionately on the issues affecting Donegal.”

McLaughlin, who graduated from NUI Galway with a degee in Sociology and two years ago went on to earn a Master’s in Applied Social Studies from NUI Maynooth, said the stakes are extremely high in the upcoming election due to the recent passage of the Local Government Reform Act 2014.

“Local authorities in every county in Ireland are now going to have much more responsibility for the allocation and administration of resources,” she said. “The County Development Board has been replaced by a Local Community Development Committee which will have a huge role in allocating local resources. My skills, experience, and academic background mean that I have the expertise needed to make sure this committee and other new structures will work effectively for you, the people of Donegal. I will work tirelessly to make sure everyone, and I mean everyone, is included. We in the Labour Party are committed to making sure that communities have the opportunity to be represented on these new structures and that their needs are articulated. Democracy is not just about elected representatives but about local community participation, as well.”

McLaughlin said cornerstones of her campaign would include the importance of ensuring that the Letterkenny/Milford area receives its fair share of resources and sustainable employment as the country emerges from recession. The importance of protecting the interests of individuals and communities experiencing social exclusion is another top priority. “I am passionate about the principles of freedom, rights, community, democracy, and equality,” she said. “I am committed to working for the economic, political, social, and cultural development of every person in the Letterkenny/Milford area.”

In conclusion McLaughlin addressed the young people in the audience, saying: “You are not just our future but our present, and I commit my work on the Council to including your voice, your issues, and your interests.” Her speech was received with rousing applause.

Police in the UK are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a 15-year-old girl who has been missing since Wednesday 12th March 2014 and who may be in Donegal.

Netradica Anghel, known as Neta, was last seen by her family at approximately 10am, 12th March 2014, at their address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

The teenager is understood to be in the company of a 29-year-old male, Pitulan Angel and they are believed to be travelling in his silver E-class Mercedes.

Enquiries have led officers to believe they are in Southern Ireland after the car was seen boarding a ferry at Cairn Ryan port in Scotland.

Neta is originally from Romania and speaks both English and Roma. She has dark brown hair and brown eyes. Pitulan is also from Romania and speaks the same languages. He is about 5ft 4ins tall with dark hair and dark eyes.

Officers are keen locate them to ensure she is safe and well.

Anyone who has seen Neta or Pitulan, or knows their whereabouts, is urged to contact South Yorkshire Police on 0044 114 252 3848 (Mon.- Fri. 7.30am – 5pm)