The Donegal Chamber Orchestra
PICTURE: With the kind permission of John Soffe (www.johnsoffe.com) Check his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/JohnSoffePhotography),

The Donegal Chamber Orchestra is in Inishowen for the first time as part of the Colgan Heritage Week this Saturday at 7.30pm in the Colgan Hall, Carndonagh. 

The ensemble was founded in June 2006 and successfully performed across the County, Northern Ireland, Dublin and as far as Tuscany. In its 8 years of history this will be the first time the group is performing in Inishowen! 

For this special occasion, the string orchestra will be joined by local musician Ciara Fagan, who will be playing John Baston’s Recorder Concerto No. 2 as soloist with the ensemble.

Also to mark the first visit to the peninsula, the orchestra will perform ‘The Inishowen Set’ a new work especially composed for the string ensemble by Redcastle based composer John McLachlan.

During February the composer worked with the Orchestra in this new work for a Letterkenny premiere and it will be performed for the second time this Saturday in Inishowen.

John McLachlan is an internationally esteemed Dublin born composer who lives in Co. Donegal. See www.johnmclachlan.info for more.

The Donegal Chamber Orchestra features classical string players from across county Donegal and is dedicated to helping students and amateur musicians achieve the highest level of excellence in performance.

The Donegal Chamber Orchestra gives regular performances throughout the county during the year and previous seasons have included trips to Spain and Italy. Since its establishment the orchestra worked with guest artists such as violinist Darragh Morgan, Belgium soprano Tine Verbeke, renowned Romanian/Irish cellist Mihai Dancila, the Spanish chamber orchestra Concerto Málaga and the Italian Maestro Massimo Paris. The Orchestra was founded in 2006 by Hungarian violinist Orsolya Szabó-Yélamo (Violin resource tutor with Donegal Music Education Partnership) and Spanish cellist Víctor Yélamo (Artistic Director of the ensemble).www.dmep.ie

For their concert in Cardongagh, they will perform John McLachlan’s ‘The Inishowen Set’ conducted by the composer himself who also will introduce his piece to the audience. The program will also include Karl Jenkin’s Palladio, John Baston’s Recorder Concerto No. 2 (soloist: Ciara Fagan), Hindemith’s Op. 44, Britten’s Simple Symphony Op. 4, Tchaikovsky’s Elegy for string orchestra and Bartok’s Ten Folk Hungarian Pieces.

This concert starts at 7.30pm. Admissions € 10/5. Tickets will be available at the door. For further information contact The Colgan Hall 074 93 29377 or colganhall1914@eircom.net

Adam’s picture at sunset this evening

DONEGAL photographer Adam Rory Porter has done it again.

The man whose pictures of the Northern Lights over the county went global has captured another incredible phenomenon in our skies – a 22 Degree Halo.

His picture this evening in Buncrana captures it beautifully

“We always get stunning sunsets on the shores of Lough Swilly and every now and then we get the odd rare phenomenon too,” he laughed.

A halo is a ring of light surrounding the sun or moon. Most halos appear as bright white rings but in some instances, the dispersion of light as it passes through ice crystals found in upper level cirrus clouds can cause a halo to have colour.

A 22 degree halo is a ring of light 22 degrees from the sun (or moon) and is the most common type of halo observed and is formed by hexagonal ice crystals with diameters less than 20.5 micrometers!

And they’re off.. competitors on Friday night in the Carrigart 5k in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association. Photos Brian McDaid

IT was a gorgeous evening in Carrigart for the town’s 5k – run to raise money for the Irish Wheelchair Association.

Here’s all the results!

(Pictures Brian McDaid/Cristeph Gallery Letterkenny)

Irish Wheelchair Carrigart 5k Results

Doreen and Tim Norton take part in the 5k in Carrigart on Friday night. Photo Brian McDaid

Competitors in the Carrigart 5k on Friday night.

Manus Peoples finishing in fine form in the Carrigart 5k. Photo Brian McDaid

Ivan Tonner 1st home on the Carrigart 5k. Photo Brian McDaid

Shaun O Donnell on his way to the finish at the 5k in Carrigart. Photo Brian McDaid

PJ Boyce on his way to the finish of the Carrigart 5k. Photo Brian McDaid

Grace Friel first lady home in Carrigart on Friday evening.

A DONEGAL potato farmer is offering an internship on the JobBridge Scheme – an extra €50 a week on top of someone’s social welfare to help gather and pack spuds!

The successful candidate (that’s the description on the website) will have to work a 30-hour week.

And the internship will last right through the winter – nine months beginning in the next few weeks.

The job was advertised by Doherty Potatoes Limited which is based 3kms outside Bridgend.

“The intern will gain practical experience in grading and packing potatoes, taking orders and deliveries, driving a forklift,” reads the advert.

“The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following Health and Safety, quality control of products, operating forklift and other machinery. On completion the intern will have attained skills in proper grading of potatoes, driving a forklift and operating other machinery and the general knowledge of the day to day running of our business.”

A warning was issued that the job may involve heavy lifting!

The position has been heavily criticised, with Sinn Fein saying it didn’t offer “a proper pathway to a career.”

It is one of four farm labourer jobs advertised on JobBridge.

It has already been heavily criticised online and on Facebook.

DONEGAL International Rally Champions Declan and Brian Boyle got a wonderful welcome home to Lettermacaward tonight.

The cousins led throughout last weekend to bring their Subaru Impreza into Letterkenny the worthy winners of the three-day event, the first all local crew to take victory since 1983.

Vicky and Jenny have rejoined Patrick’s team.

Patrick Gildea Hairdressers is not only a great place to get your hair styled –  it is a obviously a great place to be stylist! Beautiful surroundings, world class training and a proactive and positive team of people to work with.

And if you need proof of that – just ask Vicky Harris and Jenny Smyth.

Vicky and Jenny, who worked with Patrick Gildea Hairdressing previously, have rejoined the team since the opening of the company’s “Centre Of Excellence.”

Vicky said hairdressing is a passion she has had since she was in school.

“I’ve always had a natural flow with art. It’s my 20th year in hairdressing and love it more than ever. I love the challenge of being creative in cutting and colouring. I love the satisfaction I get when the customer is happy with the finished result. I am very excited to be back working with Patrick and the team in the new salon as its taking hairdressing to the next level”

And Jenny revealed “I’ve been working in hairdressing for 20 years, 10 of these spent with Patrick. I have returned to the salon as I missed the buzz of working with the Patrick Gildea Hairdressing Team. The staff are great. I also love the level of training provided and professionalism and high stand that Patrick works too. I’m excited to be part of the team again”

It isn’t hard to see why staff love working with the Patrick Gildea Hairdressing team.

Apart from the new luxurious salon they work in everyday, they continuously receive training which means they are always ahead of the pack.

Last weekend, the team completed an amazing day course on customer service in the new salon with the world famous Julie Eldrett who flew in from the UK. Julie is a customer care consultant with over 35 years experience.

Now the North West’s leading Salon is also benefiting. This will in turn benefit every customer that walks through the doors of the new Patrick Gildea Hairdressing Salon.

Patrick Gilead Hairdressers employees 30 staff at the moment. The way the salon is expanding and innovating this could rise. Great news for Donegal!

Check out Patrick Gildea and the team on their new website here www.patrickgildea.ie

Chop chop!! Have you ever seen a more happy looking bunch of employees?!

There are 12 races on tonight’s card at Lifford.

Runners are (first race 8.00pm):

Race 1 (350 yards): 1, Forward Daniel; 2, Over the Line; 3, Glencroft Belle; 4, Deerpark Jenny; 5, Mullrook Danaher; 6, Tarmac Ace.

Race 2 (350 yards): 1, Deerpark Youngun; 2, Lotus Lee; 3, Blue Rhymer; 4, Monacetta; 5, Joshuas Princess; 6, Moonveen Mustang.

Race 3 (350 yards): 1, Loyal Lamp; 2, Ballyougry Bound; 3, Tober Scolari; 4, Topless Bliss; 5, Augustine Hotdog; 6, Coolcholly Kate.

Race 4 (525 yards): 1, Take Cover; 2, Mongys Flyer; 3, Colarhouse Bound; 4, Killacolla Babe; 5, Coonough River; 6, Thats Macktaz.

Race 5 (525 yards); 1, Some Effort; 2, Hather If; 3, Drumsna Royal; 4, Seagrave Bolt; 5, Elons Persi; 6, Ballybun Glen.

Race 6 (350 yards): 1, Fridays Berlin; 2, Thrill a Minute; 3, Uncle Lez; 4, Cromlech Carlin; 5, Sarahs Return; 6, Supersonic.

Race 7 (350 yard): 1, Golden Pearl; 2, So So; 3, Alien Eyes; 4, Inside Lane; 5, Skerries Harp; 6, Frosty Face.

Race 8 (525 yards): 1, Crashball; 2, Altmore Gem; 3, Battle Born; 4, Collins; 5, Holborn Oscar; 6, Drumsna Lilly.

Race 9 (350 yards): 1, Lotus Gypsey; 2, Junior Phil; 3, Fridays Prague; 4, Ross Jac; 5, Drumsna Prince; 6, Ardnasool Rio.

Race 10 (525 yards); 1, Sunrise Belle; 2, Manalishi; 3, Fridays Brett; 4, Imperial Eagle; 5, Drumsna Castle; 6, Holborn Power.

Race 11 (525 yards): 1, Tullna Island; 2, Mullrook Dabhoyo; 3, Townsend Panter; 4, Shanmoyle Legend; 5, Imperial Swan; 6, Smurfing Oddball.

Race 12 (525 yards): 1, Gregville; 2, Farloe Lulu; 3, Loughgur Black; 4, Harebell; 5, Ballinclare May; 6, Psycho Bob.

The young au pair forced to flee the home of a Co Donegal-based family has been inundated with offers of help from local people.

Au pair Myriam Sbaouni

Myriam Sbaouni, 17, from France, was forced to climb out of the window of a Letterkenny house after just two days of arriving at her host family after claiming she was not being treated fairly.

Donegal Daily advertised Myriam’s position as an au pair and we have received numerous kind offers from families across the county inviting her to stay with them over the summer months.

The young law student from France was the THIRD au pair who has been forced to flee the house in recent months.

Another young Australian woman and also an Italian woman were also forced to leave their positions.

All the young women claimed they were given very little to eat and were forced to work for more than 70 hours for just €65 a week plus bed and boarding.

Myriam Sbaouni fled the house after claims the family were not standing by an agreement set up between them and the au pair agency.

“I was told I would be working six days instead of five and I got very little to eat. They also had cameras in the house.

“Also I was told I would only have to do light housework but I got a list of all I had to do.

“This is not what I thought I was going to be doing,” said the law student.

Miriam revealed how she was given a video to watch when she arrived in the house explaining how to clean carpets and make beds.

After just two days she realised she was being exploited for just €65 per week but expected to work up to 70 hours.

She was given little to eat and given a roster which explained all the duties expected of her including cleaning bathrooms.

She decided to leave but was forced to escape the house through a window when she found the front door of the family’s home locked and without a key.

She fled to a nearby hostel run by a local family.

Businesswoman Karen McGlinchey, whose family run the establishment, knew straight away that the same host family were involved.

“My sister Adrienne, who runs the hostel, knew it was the same family as both the Italian and Australian girl who fled the same house had stayed here.

“This poor girl came to us and told us the exact same story as the previous two girls of how she had been mistreated.

“It is just not on in this day and age. People have rights and this kind of practice has to be exposed,” she said.

Myriam turned to a local businessman whom she met when he had been collecting his own au pair from a bus station in Letterkenny this week.

He waited with her and telephoned Myriam’s host family when they had not turned up.

The businessman gave Myriam his email and two days later she contacted him to tell him of her plight.

He has now come to her aid and he seeking to place her with another local family until the end of August when she plans to return to France and to continue her studies.

“A man collected her and he appeared nice enough even though I thought it was a little strange that it turned up late and we had to telephone him to collect Myriam.

“I’m very disappointed that this has happened but we will get her sorted.

“I was shocked to hear that this was the third such au pair who had left the family.

“The matter needs to be looked into by whoever the relevant authorities are in this matter,” said the businessman.

Local Gardai are aware of the situation but insist the family are not breaking the law.

On a previous occasion, they accompanied one of the au pairs to collect her personal belongings after she fled the house.

An Italian au pair who fled the house recently also revealed that her toilet tissue had been rationed by the couple.

She was also reprimanded by the woman for eating some crusts from some sandwiches she had made for the couple’s child.

Aoife Smith, a spokeswoman for the Migrants Rights Centre of Ireland, said young women need to realise they do have rights.

But she appealed to any young au pair who feels they are being exploited to come forward in confidence to speak to them.

“We need to continue to highlight these cases and raise them at a national level so the Irish Government sits up and takes notice that these young women are being exploited.

“We would appeal to this young woman and women like her to come forward in confidence and we will assist them in any way we can.”

Gardai quiz the two suspects close to the Polestar Roundabout this afternoon. Pic copy Donegal Daily.

BREAKING NEWS: Gardai have smashed a gang suspected of being behind the theft of copper cylinders.

Members of the gang were caught red-handed with the cylinders in Letterkenny just before 1pm.

The two members of the gang fled but were apprehended by Gardai close to the Polestar Roundabout.

Thieves are making cash by selling on the copper cylinders.

In a follow-up search detectives have come across a number of cylinders in waste ground on the Canal Road between the ALDI store and the local Letterkenny Town Council offices.

They are continuing to search the area.

Two of the cylinders, one of which was partially cut up, were found close to the edge of the road.

It is understood the men were moving the items when they were caught.

Dozens of the copper cylinders have been taken from vacant houses and sold for cash to scrap dealers.

The body of a fisherman has been recovered off the coast of Inishowen.

At 10.46 am the Malin Head coastguard unit was contacted when debris was found floating in the water close to Kinnego Bay.

There was also signs of diesel spillage close to where the debris was found.

Ten minutes after the alarm was raised, a body was recovered from the water.

Rescuers were unsure if the man was fishing on his own, so an extensive search was launched to see if there were others in the water.

The Portrush and Lough Swilly lifeboat units were dispatched to the scene along with the Greencastle Coastguard and the rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo.

They carried out an extensive search of the area, but were satisfied that there was nobody else aboard the stricken vessel.

The fisherman recovered from the water was in his 50′s and is from the Glengad area in Inishowen.

SJP and family spotted leaving Baskin’s Fish and Chip Shop in Dunkineely yesterday.

Exclusive: Sarah Jessica Parker and her family have jetted back into Donegal and have even become GAA fans.

The Sex in the City star and hubby Matthew Broderick own a holiday house in Kilcar.

And the Hollywood stars have arrived back to enjoy a few days of relaxation there.

The couple’s son James was even spotted wearing a brand new Donegal jersey in Dunkineely.

The family enjoyed a bite to eat in the famous Baskin’s Fish and Chip Shop yesterday.

And the mystery of the Donegal jersey was solved when Gareth Britton of All Sports in Donegal Town told Donegal Daily the family had been to his shop.

“They called in yesterday and didn’t create any fuss at all. They have been in to us before.

“They bought three or four Donegal jerseys but they didn’t get any payers names on them.

“We didn’t ask them to pose for photos or anything like that. I think they just prefer to be left alone – I think that’s why they enjoy coming to Donegal and relaxing,” he said.

The couple are understood to be staying in Donegal for a couple of weeks before jetting back to America.

GARDAÍ are investigating the sudden death of a man in Bundoran, where this weekend’s Sea Sessions festival is taking place.

The man – originally from Belfast but living in the seaside town for several years – was found dead in an apartment close to the Marine Bar.

He had been out last night at the festival and was said to be in good form at the Phoenix Tavern in the town.

Gardaí in Ballyshannon are investigating the man’s death.

It happened has hundreds of people flocked to the seaside town for a music festival which continues tonight.

BREAKING NEWS: Gardai have launched an investigation to find a missing man after his yacht was found moored off Lough Swilly.

The yacht is anchored off Ards Friary

The yacht has been anchored off Ards Friary for up to the past ten days.

However, the alarm was only raised last night when the man’s family contacted Gardai.

They boarded the yacht and found no trace of the man who is understood to be from the Inishowen Peninsula.

A smaller vessel which was attached to the yacht was found turned upside down in the water.

An immediate search was launched around the lough as far as Downings and Dunfanaghy by the rescue services including the Rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo.

However, no sign of the skipper of the yacht has yet been found.

He was believed to be the only person on board the boat.

It is understood that further searches will be launched at first light this morning.

Results of last night’s greyhound racing at Lifford were:

Race 1 (350 yards): 1, Deerpark Jenny 4/6 fav; 2, Mullrook Danaher 9/4. Time: 19.02. Distance: 3.75 lengths.

Race 2 (350 yards): 1, Deerpark Youngin 5/4 fav; 2, Monacetta 5/1. Time: 19.19. Distance: 2.5 lengths.

Race 3 (350 yards): 1, Topless Bus 4/1; 2, Loyal Lamp 6/1. Favourite: Tober Scolari 4/6. Time: 19.33. Distance: half a length.

Race 4 (525 yards): 1, Mongys Flyer 4/6 fav; 2, Take Cover 4/1. Time: 28.77. Distance: 4.5 lengths.

Race 5 (525 yards); 1, Hather If 3/1; 2, Ballybun Glen 3/1. Favourite: Seagrave Bolt 6/4. Time: 29.36. Distance: a neck.

Race 6 (350 yards): 1, Uncle Lez 4/1; 2 Fridays Berlin. Time: 19.05. Distance: 2.25 lengths.

Race 7 (350 yard): 1, Golden Pearl 5/2 fav; 2, So So 6/1. Time: 18.97. Distance: 5 lengths.

Race 8 (525 yards): 1, Crashball 3/1; 2, Drumsna Lilly 7/2. Favourite: Collins 5/4. Time: 29.37. Distance: a short head.

Race 9 (350 yards): 1, Fridays Prague 6/4 fav; 2, Ross Jack 3/1. Time: 19.11. Distance: 1.5 lengths.

Race 10 (525 yards); 1, Sunrise Belle 7/2; 2, Drumsna Castle 3/1. Favourite: Fridays Brett 5/4. Time: 29.34. Distance: 2.75 lengths.

Race 11 (525 yards): —- —- —-

Race 12 (525 yards): 1, Psycho Bob 6/4 fav; 2, Ballinclare May 4/1. Time: 29.53. Distance: a length.

A special night of greyhound racing will be held in Lifford tonight in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The evening promises a night of top class racing, featuring 11 open races over 350, 525, 550 and 750 yards.

The first race is at 6.00pm and the runners are:

Race 1 East Donegal CC Novice Open (350 yards): 1, Fridays Hondo; 2, Peads Tango; 3, Amys Apple; 4, Hather Eve; 5, Corrakelly Bang; 6, Headware Sal.

Race 2 Droopys Stud & Whitehouse Veterinary 350 (350 yards): 1, Gizmo’s Bluebell; 2, Tyrgal Charlie; 3, Imperial Falcon; 4, Kilnacloy Prince; 5, Fridays Mike; 6, Moyola Yahoo.

Race 3 Doire Construction 600 (600 yards): 1, Headman Chris; 2, Fifo; 3, Westward Bound; 4, Barnish Panther; 5, Gizmo Classic; 6, Burnpark Lee.

Race 4 Dandelion Bar & Club 525 (525 yards): 1, Colarhouse Lady; 2, Paradise Madrid; 3, Shale Bob; 4, Budders Luck; 5, Blenheim Tricks; 6, Farloe Pixie.

Race 5 Paul’s Butchers 525 (525 yards): 1, Nalps Crash; 2, Tahina Kadyn; 3, Farloe Nutter; 4, Farloe Quest; 5, Daylens Diamond; 6, Work Me Lord.

Race 6 Hather Kennels & Sandy Close 575 (575 yards): 1, Lazy Jess; 2, Paddock Paula; 3, Mongys Girl; 4, Kingsmill Aguero; 5, Lotus Paddy; 6, Do It Kim.

Race 7 MacMillan & Marie Curie 550 (550 yards): 1, Shes a Terror; 2, Atitboy; 3, Tanhina Kyle; 4, Ulster Idea; 5, Mind the Net; 6, Skywalker Farloe.

Race 8 Frightful Flash Stud 525 (525 yards): 1, Trinity Forest; 2, Titanic Bound; 3, Barnish Lane; 4, Free Faling; 5, Fridays Maybe; 6, Castleroggy Rust.

Race 9 Malone Lodge Hotel 350 (350 yards): 1, Crown Champ; 2, My Head; 3, Darfin Dancer; 4, Mucky Zebo; 5, Drumsna Major; 6, Dragoon Doon.

Race 10 Fridays Kennel & Messan Kennel 525 (525 yards): 1, Smurfing Manx; 2, Culture Bob; 3, Tahina Sonya; 4, Drusna Canyon; 5, Total Motion; 6, Curley Luke.

Race 11 Hamilton Architects 550 (550 yards): 1, Wayseeit; 2, Graysfield Dell; 3, Budders Reward; 4, Dynamo Millar; 5, Hather Ma Man; 6, Storm Warrior.

EXPERTS from the Marine Casualty Investigation Board are probing the mysterious death of a Co Donegal fisherman who died off the coast on Saturday morning.

Danny McDaid, who was 56 and the father of two daughters, was recovered from the waters off Kinnego Bay.

Pieces of the boat were found floating nearby.

However the main wreckage lies at the bottom of the sea and was found by divers.

Attempts will be made to raise it later today.

Cllr Martin McDermott said the people of Glengad, where Danny was from, were in a state of shock.

The village has suffered several previous fishing related tragedies.

“There is a very sombre mood. It’s an awful tragedy for his family and the entire community,” he said.

Greencastle Coast Guard, the RNLI crews from both Lough Swilly and Portrush and the Sligo 118 helicopter all responded to the emergency.

But Danny was found in the water.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board is now investigating the tragedy which took place in relatively calm waters.

Experts will try to piece together what happened by gathering remnants of the fishing boat from the surface – and by attempting to raise the vessel today.

DRUMKEEN NOTES

Summer Camp

Drumkeen Community Childcare will be holding a Summer Camp for ages 3 years to 6 years, from Monday 14th July until Friday 18th July from 9.30-12.30. Please contact the service for more details on 074 91 34844. Places are limited on this fun filled week with only a few places remaining.

Pony Ride & Drive Fundraiser

This fundraiser is in aid of the Galway Cancer bus and will leave Drumkeen hall on Sun 06th July at 1.30 pm. All welcome.

St. Patricks Marching Band Reunion

There will be a meeting in St. Patricks Hall on Monday 14th July at 8pm, a lot of help is needed, and so if anybody can help no matter how small come along on the night, everyone welcome, we hope to see as many faces as possible.

Drumkeen Community Childcare Centre

Drumkeen Community Childcare staff arrived at their place of work on Monday 23rd June and noticed a lot of damage done to the property outside, example of damage; children’s playhouse was broken into and lock busted open (with cigarette butts in the playhouse), flowers and plants completely destroyed (which the children and staff had planted), and pots destroyed.

The service appeals to neighbours and members of the public to please report to the Garda if they see anyone in around the service after hours. This behaviour has happened on a number of occasions in the past and it cannot continue.

Michaela Foundation Girls Summer Camp

Loreto Convent, Letterkenny 14th-18th July. Give your awesome girl a week of confidence building; trained leaders will deliver 5 days of totally tremendous activities in fun, faith, fashion, Irish and wellbeing. For more information and to book visit: www.the michaelafoundaion.com

AB Fitness

Boot Camp is proving to be a huge success with new faces turning up each day, it’s never too late to start just give Benny a call on 086 4562271 for details.

Spinning classes also continue mornings and evenings, also Circuit Training and Boxercise? There is something to suit everyone, check out our Facebook page AB Fitness.

Charlie Daly & H-Block Martyrs Sinn Féin Cumann Drumkeen

Lotto Results 26th June .08, 16, 18, 19. No jackpot winner. Harry Deasley, Drumkeen and Peter Mullan, Redcastle win €50 each. Next week’s jackpot €2,525. Go raibh maith agat.

Parish Hall

Anyone wishing to book the hall should contact Charlie Quinn on 91/34010 or 087 7728608

Drumkeen Notes

Anyone wishing to have material included for next week

Please Email: drumkeennotes@gmail.com or text 086 4083625 (Deadline Fri @ 8pm)

Naomh Ultan: 1-11

Letterkenny Gaels 1-11

The Dunkineely men had to dig deep in the closing minutes of this game to score three points and earn a draw in this pulsating encounter.

It was the Letterkenny lads who started the brighter as Ciaran Cannon tore through the Naomh Ultan defence only to miscue his goal chance. The same player opened the scoring moments later after excellent approach work from Aaron Stewart.

Conor McBrearty hit two quick points before Cian Kennedy opened the Naomh Ultan account with a free on 5 minutes. McBrearty then pointed off the left foot for a quality score.

The visitors were on the attack again but a good turnover from the home team resulted in a goal for full forward Alan Lyons to level matters on 8 minutes. Lyons then pointed a 45 and McBrearty responded for the visitors.

Lyons and Dermot Galier gave the home team a two point advantage as the visitors became wasteful with a succession of wides. Aaron Stewart reduced the deficit in 26minutes before Cian Kennedy and Colm O Breslin exchanged points to leave the half time score N. Ultan 1-05 Gaels 0-7.

In the second period Gaels were the more energetic as Sean McDonagh opened his account on 35minutes. However they were wasteful with their shots as the home team defended in numbers.

Lyons pointed for the home team on 43minutes and Gaels full back Conor Browne made an excellent run to respond for the visitors. Cian Kennedy then pointed a free for Naomh Ultan before Gaels full forward McBrearty found the net. McDonagh added to the Gaels tally to put three points between them.

Kennedy and McBrearty exchanged scores on the 55th and 58th minutes and as the home team came in search of a result they hit three late points from Aaron Byrne 58, Dermot Galier 59 and the equaliser on 61minutes before Referee Seamus McGonagle blew the final whistle.

Both teams will now look forward to the championship and are in good shape on the evidence of this display.

Letterkenny Gaels: S Graham, S Crossan, C Browne(0.1), K Kilkenny, O McElhinney, D Hunter, C Lynch, B O Brien, C Cannon(0.1), C O Breslin(0.1),, L DohertyA Stewart, J McGlynn, C McBrearty1.5), S McDonagh(0.2). Subs. R Quinn for D Hunter N McGarrigle for K Kilkenny, C Skinnader for O McElhinney.

Naomh Ultan, D McGlynn M McGlynn D Shovlin Paul Gallier Joe Alvey, A Kyles, C Shovlin, S Blain, D Murrin, P Alvey, A Duddy, C Kennedy(0.4) D Gallier(0.3,) A Lyons(1.3), A Byrne(0.1). Sub: D Quigley

Tomorrow is D-Day for wind farm planning in Co Donegal.

Tomorrow is d-day for windfarm planning across Donegal.

Donegal County Council will convene a special council meeting of elected members at to consider and vote on Variation No.2 to the County Development Plan.

The variation proposes a ten times turbine height set back distance from homes.

At present there is no distance specified in the county development plan.

The variation also proposes that Donegal County Council afford greater protection to the Fresh Water Pearl Mussel by de-zoning the river catchments

A third part of the variation proposes changes that will lessen the protection afforded to Glenveagh National Park.

As part of this process an unprecedented 3,326 submissions were received in response to the public consultation on the variations.

The Glenties Windfarm Information Group (GWiG) has asked councillors should bear in mind certain points when voting.

Firstly, out of the submissions received by Donegal County Council as a result of the Public Consultation on this variation, 98.3% of respondents stated that they approved of:

1. The proposed 10 times turbine height set back distance and

2. The de-zoning of the six river sub basin catchment areas

They disapproved of the proposed change to protections afforded to Glenveagh National Park.

From reading the remaining submissions, 1.7%, the GWiG claim this small percentage is made up of people with vested interests in wind farming.

“The Chief Executive Officer’s Report on the variation that was distributed to councillors discounts the vast majority of submissions – greater than 98% of the 3,326 – who support the proposals to grant greater protection to residential amenity by the establishment of a ten times turbine height setback from homes and centres of human habitation. His report also fails to accept that the Fresh Water Pearl Mussel (FWPM) sub-basin catchment areas protected in Irish and EU law should be designated as not favoured for wind farm development. Again this proposal has the support of more than 98% of submissions received.

“It should be noted that what is being proposed in the variation is not a ban on windfarm development as is described in CEO’s report. The intention of the zoning in the six identified river catchments as ‘not favoured’ is intended to be interpreted as requiring a higher level of scrutiny for applications which may be made in these areas. It does not exclude development but it sets the onus of proof on the developer at a higher level, to prove there will be no negative impact.

“As regards the setbacks, the CEO’s report indicates that the current status quo should be retained. It should be understood by the Councillor’s that there is currently no setback distance from homes, places of habitation etc, identified or provided for in the current Plan.

It is also noteworthy that Donegal County Council themselves in their submission to the Department’s National Review of the Wind Energy Guidelines in January recommended that ten times the turbine tip height should be provided as a separation distance.

“The CEO’s report and his recommendation are in conflict with the wishes of the elected members of Donegal County Council as this (ten times separation distance) is exactly what is proposed in the Variation that councillors will be asked to vote on. The need for this is brought sharply into focus by several major turbine accidents in the County in recent years, e.g. in Loughderryduff outside Ardara, Corkermore outside Ardara and in the Blue Stacks near Drimarone.

“The people of Donegal have spoken like they have never spoken before during a public consultation process. They want protection for their families, their homes and their communities.

“The ten times tip height and the six river basin parts of the variation provide some of that protection. These two parts will merely put a brake on the wind farm speculators who are currently creating another property type bubble/burst for their private gain.”

GWIG states that these are important points that all councillors should bear in mind when voting on the three separate parts of the variation.

* The submissions received during the Public Consultation reflect the wishes of the people of this County.

* The County Development Plan is commonly referred to as, ‘The People’s Plan’.

* Councillors are the people’s elected representatives.

“Will their vote reflect the people’s wishes?” asked a spokesman.

COMMUNITY Alert: Farmers are being warned today that thieves are operating in the county this weekend  - stealing farm equipment and vehicles.

It follows the theft of a tractor worth €35,000 in Ramelton overnight.

It is a Blue Fiat Newholland 110-90 limited edition.

The tractor has stickers so will be easily noticed.

The registration number is 04 DL 678.

Gardai are currently viewing CCTV in a bid to find the valuable tractor.

Call Gardaí immediately if you see it or contact the owner directly on 086 7396059 with any information.