Donegal 1-23 v 0-18 Louth

By Charlie Collins at Croke Park

The big prize of a semi-final spot in the race for Sam Maguire was on offer for these two teams at Croke Park despite the fact that many people wouldn’t have included either in the conversation of who might be the last eight teams in this year’s quest for All Ireland Senior Championship.

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness during Sunday’s quarter final. Photo Evan Logan

Croke Park Communications had issued an email regarding the semi-final line-up and Donegal knew that victory over Louth would lead them to a semi-final clash against Galway in two weeks time. However after reaching the Leinster Championship Final before losing to Dublin, Louth followed that up with an excellent second place finish in their All Ireland series group and followed that up with a hard earned victory over Cork in their Preliminary Quarter-Final last weekend.

After winning the Ulster Championship for the first time in five years and despite losing to Cork in the All Ireland series Donegal topped their Group to earn a week off to prepare for this clash quarter-final. Donegal were many people’s favorites to advance, but taking anything for granted here would be very dangerous. Jason Mc Gee returned to the match-day squad and Conor O Donnell who played a half against Clare started for the first time this year.

Ryan McHugh got Donegal underway with a fine point in thr first minute and Paddy McBrearty made two from a mark in the fifth. Tommy Durnin replied a minute later to get Louth underway but Conor O Donnell finished a good Donegal move to make it 0-03 to 0-01. Oisín Gallen and Peadar Mogan finished off two excellent moves to put Donegal four in front but Sam Mulroy replied immediately for Louth, twelve minutes in Donegal 0-05 to 0-02 ahead.

Donegal’s Oisín Gallen breaks for goal during Sunday’s quarter final. Photo Evan Logan

The game was held up for several minutes when two Louth players clashed heads , Conall McKeever and Sam Mulroy , both were OK after treatment. After a quiet time without a score Louth keeper Niall O Donnell denied Peadar Mogan with a fine save and in a quick counter attack Ryan Burns added Louth’s third point. Micheal Langan and Ciaran Moore replied quickly and the lead was four again but not for long as Louth hit three in a row from Conor Early, Sam Mulroy and Craig Lennon to leave just a point, 0-07 to 0-06.

That soon became 0-09 to 0-08 as Moore and Gallen for Donegal and Durnin and Mulroy for Louth exchanged points. Five minutes of injury-time were played during which Mogan and Gallen kicked over two fine points and at half-time Donegal led by 0-11 to 0-08 but very much in a tough battle against an excellent Louth team.

Donegal’s Michael Langan gets his pass away as Louth’s Dan Corcoran closes in during Sunday’s quarter final. Photo Evan Logan

Conor O Donnell after great work by Ryan McHugh and Ryan Burns exchanged early second-half points and a cracker from Micheal Langan made it a four point game and when half-time sub Aaron Doherty scored with his first touch Donegal led by five 0-14 to 0-09.

We then had a period of quick fire points, Conor Early for Louth, Peadar Mogan with the score of the game, Tommy Durnin replied but Donegal hit three in a row, Oisín Gallen, Ciaran Thompson and Micheal Langan and Donegal led by seven, 0-18 to 0-11.

Donegal’s Patrick McBrearty lines up a free during Sunday’s quarter final. Photo Evan Logan

Sam Mulroy replied with two and Tom Jackson another as Louth refused to go away. But then a deciding moment as Donegal scored a goal, Aaron Doherty and Paddy McBrearty involved before Eoghan Ban Gallagher tapped the ball to the net, 1-18 to 0-14 and a semi-final spot secured.

Ryan McHugh, Peadar Mogan with two and Ciaran Thompson and Jimmy Brennan all added points as Donegal ran out winners by 1-23 to 0-18.

Donegal’s Niall O’Donnell on a strong run past Louth’s Leonard Grey during Sunday’s quarter final. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal: Shaun Patton, Eoghan Ban Gallagher (1-00), Brendan McCole, Conor O Donnell (0-02), Ryan McHugh (0-02), Caolan McGonagle, Peader Mogan (0-05), Michael Langan (0-03), Ciaran Moore (0-02), Shane O Donnell, Ciaran Thompson (0-02), Daire O Baoill, Patrick McBrearty (0-01), Oisin Gallen (0-04), Niall O Donnell. Subs: Aaron Doherty 0-01, for Niall O Donnell (h/t), Caolan McColgan for O Baoill (45mins), Jeaic MacCeallbhui for Conor O Donnell (49mins), Jimmy Brennan for McBrearty (59mins), Hugh McFadden for Shane O Donnell (65mins).

Louth: Niall O Donnell, Donal McKenny, Dermot Campbell, Dan Corcoran, Conall McKeever, Anthony Williams, Craig Lennon (0-01), Tommy Durnin (0-04), Bevan Duffy (0-01), Ciaran Murphy, Ciaran Keenan, Conor Grimes, Ryan Burns (0-01), Sam Mulroy (0-06), Leonard Gray. Subs: Conor Early (0-02), for McKeever 25mins, Tom Jackson (0-01), and Paul Matthews for Grey and Byrne (42mins), Ciaran Byrne (0-01), for Williams (66mins).

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).

The post Donegal prevail over hard-battling Louth in All-Ireland Quarter Final appeared first on Donegal Daily.

There was no Sunday morning lie-in for the volunteers of the Arranmore RNLI today.

The crew was called out to assist with a medical evacuation from the island at 8am this morning, after receiving a request for assistance from the Malin Head Coast Guard Centre.

Volunteer members of the Arranmore ambulance service were also involved, bringing the patient to Leabgarrow pier so they could be transferred onto the lifeboat.

The lifeboat then transferred the patient to an awaiting ambulance at Burtonport, and the patient was taken for assessment at Letterkenny University Hospital.

Relief coxswain, Sean Curtin and crew members, Mechanic Philip Mc Cauley, Sharon O’Donnell, Sean O’Donnell, Finbar Gallagher, Mickey Mc Hugh and Seán Gallagher returned to anchor at Arranmore after the early-morning shout.

Stand-in Coxwain Sean Curtin is from Valentia Island, and works as a regional resilience coxswain and mechanic with the RNLI.

Sean is involved in travelling to various RNLI stations in Ireland and further afield to fill in for local crews who are on leave.

Sean said “I would like to wish the patient a speedy recovery and thank the volunteer crew for responding so quickly to the call. I would also like to commend them on their efficiency and knowledge of the area which made my job very easy. They are a credit to the RNLI, as are the fist responders of the ambulance. Obviously, the volunteer ethic is very strong on Arranmore Island and I’m delighted to work alongside them once again.”

The post Early morning callout as Arranmore RNLI help with medical evacuation appeared first on Donegal Daily.

The Donegal faithful were out in force at Croke Park this afternoon to cheer their side on to the Semi Finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.

It wasn’t a walk in the park for much of the game as Louth battled hard, but in the end Donegal pulled clear to set up a Semi Final clash against Galway.

You can read our full match report from Croke Park here.

A big thanks to Evan Logan, who was on hand to get these snaps of  some delighted Donegal supporters around Croke Park this afternoon.

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

Donegal supporters enjoying Sunday’s All Ireland quarter final in Croke Park. Photo Evan Logan

The post Donegal fans cheer their side to victory over Louth in Croke Park – Pic Special appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Finn Valley AC’s Mark English romped to victory in the 800m Final at today’s national athletics championships in Dublin.

The Olympics-bound runner strolled to the win in a time of 1:49.18.

He was almost two seconds ahead of second-placed Cillian Kirwan of Raheny Shamrock AC.

The win now marks an unbelivable ninth national 800m title for English.

He has bigger goals in mind though, as the 31-year-old will prepare for his third Olympic appearance next month in Paris.

The post Another 800m national title for brilliant Mark English appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Donegal Manager Jim McGuinness has praised his team for getting over the line against Louth this afternoon.

Louth kept themselves well in the game for its majority, before Donegal turned on the burners in the final 10 minutes of the game to cruise through to the Semi Final.

You can read our match report from Croke Park here.

Donegal will now play Galway in the Semis, after they defeated Dublin in fantastic fashion on Saturday.

Speaking with assembled members of the media after the match, McGuinness was full of praise for his Donegal side’s work ethic in getting the job done – and using lessons learned in Donegal’s win over Louth in their Division Two League game in March.

“(Today was) similar as we were able to keep on tagging scores in Ballyshannon, but we were never really able to shake them off until the last 10 minutes, and we were in a similar scenario today – which is great becuase we kinda knew it was gonna be coming.”

“We maybe would have been a bit tighter in the second half if we hadn’t had that experience in Ballyshannon but (Louth) are very much on an upward trajectory, they’ve got some brilliant players, some brilliant running power.”

“They’re certainly a team that’s coming and we’re delighted to get over the line.”

The post McGuinness praises resilient Donegal team after Louth win appeared first on Donegal Daily.

An elderly man has died following a quad bike accident in County Mayo.

Gardaí say the incident took place near Keel on Achill Island today.

The man, aged in his 80s, was pronounced dead at the scene after crashing his quad bike.

A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

Gardaí have appealed to anyone who may have seen the accident to come forward.

The post National: Pensioner dies after tragic quad bike accident appeared first on Donegal Daily.

It’s two weeks before Donegal and Galway do battle to see who takes a coveted place in the All Ireland Final at Croke Park on July 28th.

But thew mind games between Jim McGuinness and his old pal Padraic Joyce have already started.

The managers are good friends having played together at IT Tralee, winning a Sigerson Cup in 1998.

But, in the hunt for Sam Maguire, the Glenties man will have no friends or sentiment.

He admitted he may allow himself one very small indulgence.

Speaking after yesterday’s win over Louth in the quarter-final, he said “I am looking forward to that [semi-final] because I know one of us will progress to the final, that’s being honest,” he said.

“The radio silence will kick in for a wee while. I might send him a cheeky text tonight but apart from that, that’ll be it for a fortnight.”

McGuinness will have planed and planned and planned for a posisble date with Dessie Farrell and his Dublin team but they fell to Galway by a single point on Saturday.

But he insisted the surprise of Dublin being beaten “does not change anything” for his Donegal side.

“You can’t go down that road, but obviously Dublin have been amazing for so long so whenever they get beat it’s a big moment in the championship,” he said.

“It doesn’t change anything for the semi-final, we will double down on Galway because all these games are just individual battles that you have to try and understand and develop a plan around and execute.”

He was particularly happy with the spread of scorers with 11 different players on target against Ger Brennan’s brave charges.

But he is mostly happy with the result and giving Donegal fans another day out.

“We are extremely happy to be in the semi-final, if we were told that at the start of the year, we’d have taken your arm off, so we are thankful for that.

“We are delighted for the people of Donegal here and abroad who give us massive support all the time.”

“The most important thing in Championship football is to get into the next round and we must make the next fortnight count.

“Galway will present the next challenge for us and we have to try to solve those problems over the next two weeks.”

On his friendship with Joyce, McGuinness was sincere in his praise for the two-time All-Ireland winner as a player with Galway in 1998 and 2001.

“If we couldn’t win it I’d be delighted for Padraic and Galway,” he said.

“We had great times together, he is a great fella, a great football man and is very driven. We have great memories down in Tralee and have always stayed in contact.”

The post “I might send him a cheeky text” – McGuinness planning to wind up old friend Joyce appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Termon has gained another vital piece of lifesaving equipment with the installation of a new Defibrillator (AED) and a heated cabinet.

The device is available at Meenreagh Termon (F92YF54).

The heated cabinet ensures the AED is protected from harsh weather conditions, guaranteeing its functionality in any emergency.

The Kilmacrennan Termon Gartan Churchill Trentagh Community First Responders Group extended their gratitude to local councillors for their generous donation that funded the purchase of this essential equipment.

“Thank you Cllr Liam Blaney and Cllr Declan Meehan for donating the money to purchase them,” said the CFR volunteers.

The CFR Group also recognised the tireless efforts of local community members who made the initiative happen.

“Thank you to Hugh Flood and Benny Trearty for reaching out to the councillors, preparing the site and having it installed. This would not be possible without your help.”

The post New community defibrillator welcomed in Termon appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Tens of thousands of householders across the country will benefit from a further energy price cut.

SSE Airtricity will cut their gas and electricity by 10% today.

It is the supplier’s third price reduction in less than a year and comes amid falls in the cost of gas and electricity internationally.

Up to a quarter of a million electricity customers and 90,000 gas customers will benefit from the cut.

Energy prices are now nearly one third lower than they were at the peak of the energy crisis.

Bonkers.ie spokesperson Darragh Cassidy described it as good news for consumers.

“This latest cut is going to save the average electricity customer around €150 a year and the average gas customer around €150 a year,” he said.

“So, it’s good news [that] prices for energy are gradually beginning to move back towards more manageable levels.”

Mr Cassidy said SSE Airtricity is unlikely to be the only provider to cut their prices and suggested people consider switching their supplier.

“I still would expect other suppliers like Bord Gáis Energy, Energia and Electric Ireland to announce similar price decreases for their customers over the coming weeks,” he said.

“So, I would say that for people who are waiting for their prices to go down, I would really encourage anyone who is struggling with their energy bills to look for discounts of up to 30% or even higher.”

The post National: Another 10% electricity and gas price cut today appeared first on Donegal Daily.

The Free Contraception Scheme has been expanded from today to include women aged 32-35.

This means that all women aged 17 to 35 are now covered under the scheme.

The post Free contraception scheme expanded to include women aged 32-35 appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Dunfanaghy Youths  FC are hosting their annual 5K fun run and walk in Dunfanaghy on Saturday July 13th at 11am.

Registration is at the Ozanam centre in Dunfanaghy from 10am.

There will be winners and spot prizes on the day.

Come along and support Dunfanaghy Youths. All are welcome. There will be refreshments afterwards.

The post Don’t miss the Dunfanaghy Youths FC annual 5K fun run/walk! appeared first on Donegal Daily.

A beach house which recently hosted James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan had its asking price reduced by €100,000.

The Sandybanks Beach House, promoted as a ‘sanctuary for the stars’, lies in Mullaghderg near Kincasslagh and Donegal Airport.

The four bedroom property hit the market last July with an asking price of €795,000. A year later, the asking price has been dropped to €695,000.

“Donegal beaches are known for their wild, world-class beauty, and this dream home is a two-minute stroll to the grassy banks and dunes at Mullaghderg. The house has even lured James Bond!,” said the listing by Five Star, who let the home out as a self-catering property from €2,450 weekly.

Luxury Beach House, Mullaghderg, Kincasslagh, Co. Donegal. Credit: Five Star

“Pierce Brosnan, his mother, and his wife, Keely Shaye Smith, have enjoyed their time here quietly this Spring and fell in love with the area. Known to have a keen eye for property and regularly spotted at their seafront mansion in Malibu, they were charmed by the Mullaghderg banks, taking frequent strolls away from the paparazzi.”

As well as its own sauna, the house also has a stunning wooden walkway onto the beach just 350 yards away.

For full details of this stunning property see https://www.daft.ie/for-sale/detached-house-luxury-beach-house-mullaghderg-kincasslagh-co-donegal/5756629

The post Price drop on celebrity beach hideaway in Donegal appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Malin Head Community Centre are happy to announce that the Campa Cionn Mhalanna Foras Na Gaeilge Summer Camp will return to Malin Head this summer from the 22^nd to the 26^th of July.

Featured photo: Campa Cionn Mhalanna 2022

The camp is open to teenagers and secondary school pupils. The campa costs €40 per child with concessions for more than 1 per family. A deposit secures a place. The day starts from 10am to 3pm and a light lunch will be provided. The teachers are from the Gaeltacht.

It is a great opportunity to speak Irish through fun and games with a few lessons thrown in.

This is the 3^rd year that the summer camp has come to Malin Head and has proven very popular.

This workshop is part -funded by Foras Na Gaeilge. ‘Bringing The Gaeltacht’ to Malin Head.

Contact the Malin Head Community Centre by email – info@malinheadcommunity.ie

The post Ireland’s most northerly Irish-speaking summer camp returns to Malin Head appeared first on Donegal Daily.

During the weekend of the Donegal International Rally, Donegal County Council implemented a road closure on the Cullion Road to allow emergency vehicles to avoid gridlock traffic on the Four Lane road.

The measure facilitated the swift travel of ambulances, gardaí and fire services during one of the busiest weekends of the year in Donegal.

But as life returned to normal after the rally weekend, it begs the question of why a back road was needed to avoid the new multi-million Four Lane Safety Improvement Scheme.

Letterkenny man Pauric Shevlin, who has highlighted traffic concerns in Letterkenny before, wrote an open letter to Donegal County Council demanding urgent action to add an emergency lane to the Four Lane project.

He said: “Dear Donegal County Council,

During the Donegal International Rally emergency traffic was successfully diverted from the heavily congested N56 to a closed-off Cullion road, ensuring a timely emergency response for our communities.

“However, this raises a critical question: Why is such a diversion considered necessary only during rally weekend and not on normal days when the 2 incoming lanes are equally congested? This suggests that the N56 four-lane ‘SAFETY PROJECT’ is ‘not fit for purpose,’ and we must address this immediately.

“We need swift action to remove the concrete central reservation and replace it with a barrier-width reservation which will enable a traffic split for emergency vehicles.

“Over rally weekend, a 24-hour Facebook poll asked whether the concrete central reservation should be removed. The results were decisive: 84% voted Yes, and 16% voted No.

“Please act now to prevent potential loss of life due to emergency response delays caused by N56 traffic congestion. Our community’s safety must be prioritised.”

– Pauric Shevlin

Letterkenny area councillors have also raised their concerts with the concrete bollard dividing the four lane carriageway. Former Cllr Kevin Bradley, who was Mayor at the time, expressed concern ahead of the rally weekend and criticised the divider feature as serving no purpose.

The post Opinion: Why isn’t an emergency route available on Letterkeny’s Four Lane every day? appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Three members of the East Donegal Pony club, Éabha Brennan, Tara Brennan (pictured) and Ellie Simms were successful in qualifying for the Irish Pony Club Championships.

The trio had great success at the Area 6 (Counties Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon and Longford) qualifiers which were held in Sligo yesterday.

Éabha Brennan competing on Millfields Killnascully placed 1st in the Junior CT Showjumping and dressage competition when she had the highest scored dressage test and a clear round of showjumping.

In the 1m Team Showjumping competition, the 3-person team of Éabha Brennan & Millfields Killnascully, Tara Brennan & BSH Golden Boy, and Ellie Simms & Carnone Diamond Beach had the odds stacked against them when they were 1 rider short for the 4 person team, but that did not deter them and they finished in an undisputed 1st place when their combined results placed them top of the leaderboard.

In the Individual Open Showjumping competition, Ellie Simms finished in 3rd place, securing her a place in the Individual championship final.

The 3 riders will now compete at the Championship Finals in Wexford in 3 weeks time, representing their club and the six Area 6 counties.

The post East Donegal equestrians defy the odds to qualify for Irish Pony Club Championships appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Another lorry has been involved in an incident on the main Letterkenny to Lifford Road this afternoon.

The lorry left the N14 road close to Ballyholey.

It is not understood anybody has been injured in the single vehicle incident.

The road has been blocked and a crane is needed to recover the truck.

The road will be blocked for approximately two hours as a result at the Ballyholey-Drumoghill junction.

Diversions are in place at present.

The post Concern as another lorry comes off road on Letterkenny to Lifford Road appeared first on Donegal Daily.

The All-Ireland Football Championship semi-final schedule has been set.

Donegal will face Galway in the second game of the weekend of July 13th/14th.

Jim McGuinness’ team will line-out against his old friend Pauric Joyce on Sunday July 14th with a throw-in time of 4pm at Croke Park.

Donegal and Galway will know who they may face as Kerry line out against Armagh the previous day, July 13th.

The semi-finals will be broadcast on RTÉ television.

The post D-Day! Donegal to face Galway in semi-final showdown on Sunday, July 14th appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Sinn Féin councillor Gerry McMonagle has been elected to the prestigious position as Letterkenny-Milford’s first citizen.

Cllr McMonagle was elected Cathaoirleach at today’s AGM of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, where acknowledgements were made to outgoing Cathaoirleach Kevin Bradley, who lost his seat in the June local elections.

Cllr McMonagle brings 20 years of experience in local politics to his role, having been first elected to the Town Council in 2004.

He was elected Mayor of Letterkenny in 2011 and Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford in 2015. In 2017-18 he served as Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council.

Cllr Gerry McMonagle with his wife Zena and family. Back L-R: Ruby, Martin, Niamh, Isla and Laura

Commenting on the year ahead, Cllr McMonagle said his focus will be on one of the MD’s most pressing issues – housing and regeneration.

Cllr McMonagle said he looks forward to continuing the council’s work on rural and urban regeneration, social housing and work assisting those who find their homes affected by defective concrete blocks.

His first step as Mayor was to propose writing to the Minister for Housing demanding more urgency on the scheme to remediate social housing affected by defective concrete blocks.

Cllr McMonagle criticised the fact that Donegal County Council has been waiting 12 months for a new Social Housing Remediation Scheme to be implemented, while tenants live in terrible conditions and other houses lie uninhabitable. He said the correspondence should request a council delegation to meet with Minister Darragh O’Brien or invite the Minister to Donegal himself.

Cllr McMonagle praised the significant regeneration work undertaken by the previous council and expressed his excitement for building on those plans.

“Now we have done the planning, put in place the strategies, set about acquiring lands and it’s time now to start implementing that strategy right across the Letterkenny and Milford area,” he said.

“That will be one of the focuses I will have in the year ahead, helping and assisting the regeneration team we have in any way I can.

“The benefits that this will bring will be significant for the people of Letterkenny and Milford,” he said.

Cllr McMonagle said that a lot of effort needs to go into the provision and delivery of social housing and addressing the rising cost of private rents.

“It’s probably the single biggest problem we would have as a local authority, to compound all of that is defective concrete blocks, and the many homes and families that are affected. As more and more people are availing of the scheme we need to be looking at every alternative open to us to provide accommodation for the people that need it.”

He said: “While there are many good things, there is also issues and problems we need to keep focus on.

“We all deal with more and more people getting eviction notices through no fault of their own, the increased cost of renting privately is far beyond the incomes of many people who are seeking private rented houses.

“We need to speed up the building of social houses and we need to, if we can, arrest the rising cost of having to rent a private home. €1,300-€1,400 is not going to be met by the vast majority of people who need to rent privately because we haven’t got the ability to provide social housing for everyone at this moment in time.”

He added that more must be done to house workers in Letterkenny which he described as the “premier town of this county” for business and investment.

“We need to move quicker, we need to deliver more and we need to get help and support from the department to do that,” Cllr McMonagle said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Ciaran Brogan was appointed as the Leas Cathaoirleach this afternoon, taking over from Independent Cllr Pauric McGarvey.

Cathoirleach of Letterkenny-Milford MD Cllr Gerry McMonagle and Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr Ciaran Brogan

Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry McMonagle and former Leas Cathaoirleach Pauric McGarvey

The AGM welcomed new faces in the form of newly-elected councillors Declan Meehan (Independent) and Tomás Seán Devine from the 100% Redress Party.

Tributes were paid to outgoing councillors who were not elected this term – John O’Donnell of the Milford area who lost his seat after 10 years on the council, and Kevin Bradley who was first elected in the 2019 term.

Members and Executive Members of the 2024 Letterkenny-Milford MD

The post New Letterkenny Mayor Cllr Gerry McMonagle makes housing a priority appeared first on Donegal Daily.

A convicted sex offender from Co Donegal had to be identified from his DNA after he was found dead in a Dublin caravan park, his inquest has heard.

Donegal Daily revealed back in 2022 how the body of notorious Patrick Porter from Burnfoot was found in a van at Camac Valley Caravan and Camping Park in Clondalkin.

Paramedics suggested that Porter had been dead for a number of weeks.

The Dublin District Coroner’s Court was told that DNA was taken from the remains of a body found at a camper van at the park.

It was cross-referenced with Porter’s father in Co Donegal and it proved a match.

Porter’s body was found after French tourists passing by the camper van complained of a bad smell which they had thought was rubbish.

Porter was found dead in a van at Camac Valley Caravan and Camping Park in Clondalkin on July 27th.

He had checked into the park at the start of July using his own name before his remains were found in a van parked at the site.

When Gardai examined the van they found human remains in the van.

The remains were removed and a post-mortem was carried out on the badly decomposed body.

Porter, who is from Grange in Inch Island, has convictions for lewd behaviour and other sex offences going back as far as 2011.

He had served jail sentences from a number of incidents both here and in the North.

Porter was jailed for 14 months at Derry Magistrates Court in 2015 when pleaded guilty to committing an act outraging public decency.

On that occasion, he leaned over a seat on a sleeping woman on a bus travelling from Dublin to Derry and masturbated beside her while she slept.

In 2016 he was given a six month suspended jail sentence for exposing himself to two women from a flat on the Strand Road in Derry.

In February 2021, Porter was due to appear again at Letterkenny District Court charged with performing a lewd act on Aileach Road in Buncrana on May 11th, 2017.

For full story see https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/body-of-serial-sex-offender-found-in-caravan-park-had-to-be-identified-by-dna-inquest-hears/a1083590622.html

The post Donegal paedophile had to be identified by DNA after his death appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Lifford Credit Union is now inviting applications for the following position: CEO 

Lifford Credit Union is a progressive financial services provider with over 12,500 members and total assets of over €73 million.  Our main office is located in Lifford and we have sub offices in Raphoe and Newtowncunningham. Our core value is to promote the financial wellbeing of our members, while helping to develop healthy communities that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. This is a unique opportunity to join a highly successful financial institution and to shape the future success and strategy of Lifford Credit Union.

Principal responsibilities of the Role:

The CEO will report to the Board of Directors and will be primarily responsible for the management, operation and day-to-day administration of the Credit Union and its staff, ensuring it performs and operates to the highest standards whilst ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. He/she will act at all times within the policies as laid down by the Board, the Credit Union Act 1997 (as amended 2018), and within the ethos/philosophy of the Credit Union.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall direction and leadership in the management of the Credit Union
• Develop and implement the strategic and business objective in association with the Board
• Effective development and motivation of staff who continue to contribute to the growth and performance of the Credit Union 
• Full compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements including the areas of risk, data protection, money laundering, employment law and health and safety
• Ensure high quality internal controls to safeguard the assets of the members of Lifford Credit Union
• Oversee the performance of Lifford Credit Union to maximise financial return and service to members
• Ensure effective working relationships with the Credit Union’s regulatory stakeholders including; Central Bank, Data Protection Commissioner and Financial Services Ombudsman
• Accurate presentation & reporting of financial accounts to the Board
• Assist the Board in formulating and reviewing policies for all aspects of the business
• Lead the planning, implementation and creative development of all marketing and growth strategies
• Devise and manage targets and performance standards for all employees and key areas of the business plan
• Support the Board of Directors in all aspects of their Governance role

The successful candidate should have the following: 

• Experience in leading and managing a diverse workforce
• A strong financial services background with a forward-looking and growth mindset
• Demonstrable Strategic development, implementation and leadership capabilities 
• Exceptional people management and motivational skills
• Proven achievement in employee management, performance and organisation development
• Demonstrated capabilities in business improvements and change management
• Appropriate third level degree / QFA or equivalent experience
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• Highly member-focused with an emphasis on delivery and growth  
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience in technology development

Role is subject to Central Bank Fitness & Probity Regime Assessment

How to Apply:

Applications including CV and cover letter by email addressed to: jason.laverty@liffordcu.ie

Closing Date for receipt of applications is 20th July 2024

Short listing may apply, and assessment will be done on the basis of the information provided in the application

Lifford Credit Union is an Equal Opportunities Employer

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