Donegal Daily

Moville artist Rikki van den Berg says she is profoundly honoured to showcase her works in the US for the ffirst time.

Rikki travels to Boston soon to exhibit her work at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) on March 25th.

Thepaintings are already on their way across the Atlantic for the exhibition, which will run until April 24^th with an official opening reception on April 4^th.

Rikki says she’s excited to be making this US trip to share her work with new audiences there. “Being invited to exhibit my work at the Lotvin Family Gallery at the HCA is a profound honour and feels almost surreal. It has been a dream of mine for years to go to the US with my work. And thanks to Lorelei Lotvin, founder of the Lotvin Family Gallery, my dream has come true.”

Rikki says Lorelei walked into her studio-gallery in Moville town one afternoon last summer. “She really liked my work, and we got on very well. She is an artist herself and kept in touch with me after she went back home. A few months later, I got the invitation to exhibit in Boston.”

“Since word got out that I’m exhibiting in Boston, I’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible support from both the local community here and the Irish community in Boston. People at home have been wishing me the best for this trip, and spreading the word to the US, which has been really lovely. So, I hope to meet lots of Donegal people while I am out there!”

Rikki says it’s truly inspiring to see the deep connection between Inishowen and Boston. She’s been amazed by the excitement among the Boston Irish and Donegal diaspora there that paintings from their homeland are making their way across the Atlantic. “The HCA team has been incredibly supportive and generous in making this exhibition happen. The Lotvin Family Gallery are fully funding the transportation to Boston of 37 of my paintings for the exhibition and ensuring everything runs smoothly. I’m truly grateful for their dedication and belief in my art.”

Rikki’s work is inspired by the wild and breathtaking landscapes and seascapes of Inishowen. As a landscape painter and expressionist, she is drawn to what she describes as the ‘raw beauty’ of this region.

Rikki’s work was featured in Irish Wave 3 in Beijing in 2012 and she returned to China in 2023 for the St Brigid’s Well Exhibition. She received the Tyrone Guthrie Residency Award twice (2016) and the McKenna Arts Award (2022) for her collaboration with Echo Echo Dance Theatre. Selected for the Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Show (2017), she gained recognition as a landscape artist. In 2024, she was nominated for the Richardson French Residency Award for the third time.

Sarah Alexander, Director of the Lotvin Family Gallery at the HCA says they are honoured “to host the ethereal and beautiful paintings of Rikki Van Den Berg in our gallery. We’re excited to see her work displayed alongside American artist Marcia Wise. The two artists have a formed truly remarkable connection as they’ve worked on the creation of this exhibit.”

Entry to view the exhibition is free. For more details, call +1 508-435-9222, visit the HCA website at www.hopartscenter.org or contact Rikki at info@rikkivandenberg.com .

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A young male in his late teens has been arrested following a serious collision in Letterkenny last night.

Two male pedestrians were seriously injured when they were struck by a car at Lower Main Street this morning at around 3am.

The vehicle involved was a local taxi.

Gardaí have now confirmed that the driver, a male aged in his late teens, was arrested at the scene, and remains in Garda custody.

The injured pedestrians are receiving treatment at Letterkenny University Hospital.

The scene is currently preserved for technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, with local diversions in place.

The incident has also been referred to GSOC due to an earlier interaction between An Garda Síochána and the driver of this vehicle.

Gardaí have issued an appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage.

“Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 2.30am and 3.30am this morning, Monday 17th March 2025, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí,” a spokesperson said.

“In particular, Gardaí are appealing to anybody who was in the area between Dry Arch Roundabout and Oldtown Road at the time.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on (074) 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

Diversions: Traffic coming into the town from Conwal is being diverted up Convent Road. Traffic travelling down Main Street is being diverted at Larkins Lane.

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Advertisement

Tickets are now on sale for the Easter Express at Oakfield Park this April. An egg-citing Easter adventure awaits with new activities added to the experience of a magical train ride through the woodlands.

Spring into action from April 19th – 21st, 12noon to 6pm and join the fun as Oakfield Park hosts a magical journey.

Passengers will be given a Bunny Bingo card, setting them on a quest to spot hidden clues along the train route. The challenge? To find them all before arriving at The Carrot Queen’s Cottage.

Playful characters await, some offering helpful hints, others perhaps a playful detour. Participants must use their wits to crack the clues and stay on the right path to earn a delicious chocolate treat from the Easter Bunny himself.

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The Easter Express at Oakfield Park

Oakfield Park has unveiled a host of new activities to enhance the Easter experience for 2025. The “Carrot Toss Challenge” invites guests to test their aim, while the “Bunny Hop Races” promise friendly competition on the lawn. Inside The Green Room, “Craft, Create & Celebrate Easter!” offers hands-on creativity, from egg painting to bunny ear design, all included in the ticket price. For those seeking a different kind of challenge, “The Spring Putt” in the “Mad Hatter’s Den” provides an egg-citing crazy golf adventure.

The Easter Express promises to be the ultimate family springtime day out. Tickets can be booked now at www.oakfieldpark.com.

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Delicious Treats

Buffers Restaurant will be open throughout The Easter Express, offering a tempting selection of hot and cold dishes, speciality coffees, teas, and your favourite drinks.

Indulge in a variety of mouth-watering treats and make this Easter one to remember!

No table booking required – just drop in and enjoy.

Have a cracking family day out this Easter at Donegal’s Biggest Easter Hunt!

Note: The Easter Express is Ticketed and no tickets will be available on the gate – must be pre-purchased online at oakfieldpark.com/the-easter-express

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An American man who was showing off his Irish roots in South Carolina last weekend got a great surprise when he bumped into a Donegal native!

Steve Hyland from South Carolina has been researching his Glackin heritage in the Dungloe area since 2022.

He’s travelled to Donegal twice and through DNA and genealogical studies, he’s managed to meet some long-lost relatives.

Last Sunday, Steve had another chance meeting with a Donegal man in Charleston.

“The Irish are everywhere – even South Carolina!,” Steve told Donegal Daily.

“This past Sunday, my wife and I attended a St. Patrick’s Day event at the Cathedral Of St. John The Baptist here in Charleston. To show off my Irish roots, I wore my Co. Donegal football jersey.

“Well, a young lad came up to me and introduced himself and told me that he, too, was from Donegal. His name is Patrick McBride and he is from Crolly, Gweedore and he has family in Rosses and Buncrana.”

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Steve Hyland and Patrick McBride in South Carolina

Steve’s Donegal connections are growing by the minute, and he’s now in the process of applying for Irish citizenship.

“I am an American citizen and always will be but I do feel very, very Irish,” he said.

Steve began looking into his family history in 2022. He wasn’t having much luck online but after numerous emails, he finally got a lead from a cousin in New Zealand who led him to another cousin in Scotland.

“From my cousin in Scotland we found that one of my aunts had married a Glackin – still no Hyland,” he said.

A DNA study on familytreedna.com confirmed he was indeed a Glackin. Steve was floored by the match and reached out to Donegal Daily to put out a notice.

“Within 30 minutes or so, I got six replies from members of clan Glackin; most of them centered around Dungloe,” Steve said.

Steve and his son, Steven Jr., planned a trip to Dungloe along with Steve’s granddaughters.

They met Irish and Australian relatives in Dublin, then a cousin in Enniskillen, Joe Glackin, who dubbed them “the Lost Tribe”.

Steve said: “He had information on the other Glackin brother who emigrated to San Francisco but had virtually no information on my grandfather, John Glackin, or his descendants. His comment was “we were looking for you and you found us”.

Steve and his family established their base at the Midway Bar B&B in Dungloe, where they were met with an exceptionally warm welcome from cousins who had travelled from Scotland, Donegal, South Africa, and England.

A significant moment for Steve was visiting the stone house where his father had lived before coming to America in 1901 as a four year old.

“I can’t imagine the courage it took to leave all that is familiar to you and going to places unknown,” Steve said. “Meeting my, now 90 year old, cousin Brigeen Hudson was special, too.”

Since his trips to Donegal, Steve has become a member of the Genealogical Society of Ireland, eager to further his family’s ties with Ireland.

“This would not have been possible without the kind assistance of the Donegal Daily, to whom I am deeply indebted.”

Happy St Patrick’s Day Steve!

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Milford and District Resource Centre is proud to support Social Prescribing Day on Wednesday, 19th March at The Gallowglass Community Centre Milford from 2-4pm with a drop in information session.

Social Prescribing Day is an annual celebration recognising the people, organisations, and communities that make social prescribing possible. This day raises awareness about the service, how it works, and its impact on individual lives.

What is Social Prescribing?

Social Prescribing is a free service for adults over 18 years old, offered by the HSE and its partners, which enhances well-being by connecting individuals with local non-medical support. It is particularly beneficial for those experiencing social isolation, loneliness, or chronic and long-term health conditions.

A Social Prescribing Link Worker helps individuals access a range of activities and services tailored to their needs, including but not limited to, exercise groups, arts and creative programmes, gardening projects, and community support networks. This approach empowers people to take control of their health by focusing on what matters to them rather than what is the matter with them.

Referrals to local Social Prescribing Link worker, Lesley Newberry, can come from a variety of sources, including: GP, Nurses, other Health and Social care professionals, Community Mental Health team, older people’s services, community and voluntary sector organisations, or by self-referral.

To make a referral or to self–refer, contact Lesley directly on 0892157232 or by email at lesley@mdrc.ie

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Donegal County Council is set to repair and replace lights at Rathmullan’s beach car park after safety concerns were raised.

Councillor Pauric McGarvey pointed out the dangers to the council at the March meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford MD.

He said that, while the design of the lights fit in well with the area following pier upgrade, there are some defective lights and missing lights that require attention.

Cllr McGarvey called on the council to repair them as soon as possible.

In response, the council said that the faults have been logged on the Public Lighting Fault reporting site. The necessary repairs are now included in the contractor’s works programme.

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Today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Letterkenny has been cancelled following a serious overnight collision in the town.

The Letterkenny Chamber has said the decision was made in the interest of public safety.

Lower Main Street remains closed this morning as gardaí continue to investigate the collision, in which two men were seriously injured after being struck by a car at around 3am. The driver, a male teenager, was arrested at the scene.

A statement from the Chamber said: “It is with deep regret that we announce the cancellation of today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade following a serious traffic incident that occurred in the town early this morning.

“Following consultation with An Garda Síochána and in the interest of public safety, we have made the difficult decision not to proceed with the event. While we cannot comment on the specifics of the incident, we must prioritise the safety and well-being of our community and those attending. The parade route is directly affected, making it impossible to proceed as planned.

“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly in preparing for today’s event—our volunteers, participants, local businesses, and supporters. Your dedication and effort do not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate your commitment to bringing this celebration to life.

“We understand this will be disappointing news for many, but we appreciate your understanding and support during this time.”

The post Breaking: Letterkenny St Patrick’s Day Parade cancelled appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Police in Derry are searching for a driver who deliberately rammed a police vehicle before fleeing across the border into Donegal.

Two police officers were injured in the incident in the Clon Elagh area of Derry yesterday evening.

At approximately 6.15pm, officers attempted to stop what was believed to be a stolen car.

Following a short pursuit, the driver of the grey-coloured Ford Focus stopped suddenly before reversing into the police vehicle, injuring two officers.

The suspect vehicle then made off towards the border.

Superintendent Brannigan said: “This vehicle was, in effect, used as a weapon against our officers. It is unacceptable that those working to keep their community safe should be targeted in this way.

“The police vehicle sustained damage and will now be off the road for repairs, which impacts on the local community. Those responsible should expect to be brought before the courts to face the consequences of their actions.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time, or who may have information on the whereabouts of the vehicle, which is likely to be bearing significant damage, to contact us on 101 quoting reference 1232 of 16/03/25.”

You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport

Or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

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One of the pedestrians who was injured in this morning’s collision in Letterkenny has died in hospital.

The man, aged in his 60s, passed away from his injuries at Letterkenny University Hospital earlier today.

A second man, who was also seriously injured, was airlifted to Galway University Hospital. He is also aged in his 60s.

The two men were struck by a vehicle at Lower Main Street this morning at around 3am.

The vehicle, a taxi car, was driven by a young male in his late teens who was arrested at the scene, and remains in Garda custody.

As a mark of respect, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Letterkenny has been cancelled.

Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling in the area between 2.30am and 3.30am this morning, Monday 17th March 2025, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

In particular, Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the area between Dry Arch Roundabout and Oldtown Road at the time.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on (074) 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

The post Breaking: Victim of Letterkenny collision dies in hospital appeared first on Donegal Daily.

A major water mains burst has left 1,500 customers across north west Inishowen without water this St Patrick’s Day.

Properties could be without supply overnight, Uisce Eireann has warned, as repair work continues on the trunkmain.

Areas affected include those supplied by Uisce Éireann’s Inishowen West Meendoran Water Treatment Plant, including Dunaff, Urris, Gortfad, Clonmany, and Ballyliffin.

Damien O’Sullivan, Water Operations Manager, Uisce Éireann said: “We understand the inconvenience unplanned outages can have on customers and we appreciate your patience while we return the water supply to customers as quickly as possible.”

The necessary repairs are expected to be completed by midday Tuesday, 18 March.

For customers who are at the end of the line or on higher ground, it typically takes 2-3 hours for their supply to return.

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Buncrana Golf Club Notes:

James Bradley Filling Station Fahan – OPEN Singles STROKE

The first official competition of the 2025 calendar year took place at the weekend and there was a great turnout for our annual James Bradley Circle K Filling Station Fahan, sponsored Open Singles STROKE.

With the course and greens in pristine condition for the opener and set up to test the competitors to the full, it was going to take a special round to claim the top prize.

Ballybofey & Stranorlar Member Daniel Doherty (16) produced that round on Saturday morning and scored a fantastic 62 nett to claim the overall top prize. Well done Daniel.

Club Captain Jonathan Doherty (3) was just 1 shot off the lead, with a superb level par gross round of 66 (63 Nett) which won Jonny the Gross prize. The Category 1 prize was won by Mark Cocks (11) with a fine score of 66 nett and the Category 3 prize was won by Shaun Duffy after his great round of 64 nett.

The full results of the James Bradley Filling Station Fahan Open Singles STROKE are as follows:

1st / Cat 2 – Daniel Doherty (B&S) (16) 62 Nett

Gross – Jonathon Doherty (3) 66

Cat 1 – Mark Cocks (11) 66 Nett

Cat 3 – Shaun Duffy (31) 64 Nett

Best Day – Gavin Smith (Sunday) (18) 68 Nett BOT

Visitor – Con McAlister (FV) (20) 73 Nett

Back 9 – Jim Fletcher (25) 32 Nett

Membership Renewal

With the official competition calendar to commence weekend 15th & 16th March, members are reminded that their Annual Membership Fess are now due. The membership will have to be paid in full on or before the Monday 31st March and this includes members paying by instalments, without any exceptions. The payment by instalments is meant for members who wish to start paying months before the membership deadline and not the week before. The committee will be strict this year, as Golf Ireland will be charging their 2026 fees based on any members still on the clubs database after May 2025. If a member has no money paid before Saturday 16th they will not be permitted to play in competitions and after 31st March their handicap will be removed from the clubs data base.

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd March 2025 – Pat Doherty Aghilly Truck Repair -18 Hole Singles Open Stableford.

Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th March 2025 – Supervalu Buncrana -18 Hole Singles Open Stableford.

Winter League Non-Qualifiers Final

Patrick Fletcher (17) & Alan Fletcher (17) v Gearóid Doherty (2) & Jamie Friel (15)

Membership Deals

Male €394.0.00, Lady €276.00, Male Country €250.00 and Lady Country €190.00. Contact the clubhouse on 0749362279 for further details.

The post Golf: Ballybofey & Stranorlar visitor Daniel Doherty wins Open Singles Stroke in Buncrana appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Organisers of the Poor Farmers Auction in Ardara have proudly presented €49,500 to their chosen charities after another successful event.

Three cheques for €16,500 were handed to Resource Centre Ardara (funding for a sensory room), Cancer Care West and the Irish Cancer Society Palliative Care Nurses.

The presentation took place in Teague’s Bar, the centre of the action on auction night each December.

“Many thanks again to all who support the Poor Farmers Auction,” they said.

To date, the P.F.A has raised an astonishing €572,649.

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Photo: Teagues Bar

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Photo: Teagues Bar

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An Endometriosis awareness event will take place in Ballybofey this Thursday 20th March to mark Endometriosis Awareness Month.

The Sinn Féin-led event will feature Senator Maria McCormack from Laois and Donegal Councillor Dakota Nic Mheanman (pictured) as speakers.

Senator McCormack, who has personal experience with Endometriosis, will share insights into the condition’s impact and the urgent need for improved awareness, healthcare, and support.

The session aims to create a safe space for women to learn about Endometriosis, share their personal experiences, and discuss next steps in advocating for change.

“This event is part of a nationwide movement to push for change. Together, we will shape a future where women with Endometriosis get the recognition and care they deserve on our island,” said Senator McCormack.

All are welcome to the meeting on March 20th at 5pm in the Villa Rose Hotel Ballybofey.

For more information or to inquire about attending, please contact Senator Maria McCormack at maria.mccormack@oireachtas.ie or Councillor Dakota Nic Mheanman at dakotanicmheanman@donegalcoco.ie.

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Inishowen social enterprise, Spraoi agus Spórt, have announced that their swap or buy fashion pop-up shop for young people will run again this Saturday 22^nd March.

The ‘Shopping Spraoi’ sustainable clothing project is aimed at 16 to 25-year-olds and will be held at the Aras Carndonagh Community School on Saturday 22^nd March from 12pm-4pm

The Shopping Spraoi project was launched last year and project co-ordinator Aoibhín Nolan says it was a great success. “We were blown away by the response to Shopping Spraoi! On the day, over 500 people attended, with 30 young people hosting their own clothing rails and more than 1,000 preloved items available for swap or sale. It was amazing to see so many people getting involved in sustainable fashion and embracing the circular economy.”

“We plan to run more Shopping Spraoi events over the course of the project,” says Aoibhín. The pop-up shop this Saturday is open to anyone to come along to swap, buy or just learn more about sustainability. If you want to sell or swap, you can apply to have your own clothes rail here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx… Or if you just want to shop, you can get tickets to attend here: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/shopping-spraoi-pre-loved…

Aoibhín says Shopping Spraoi aims to encourage young people to reduce fashion waste and make eco-friendly choices. “While they are doing this, they can have a great time with friends and the local community.”

The Shopping Spraoi project is funded by the Irish Youth Foundation and the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund 2024.

The sustainable fashion pop-up project is part of Spraoi agus Spórt’s circular economy hub, Síoraí. The hub aims primarily to reduce waste and dumping, by extending the lifetime and use of materials and products. It involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling as much as possible, for as long as possible.

The developing hub is already home to Síoraí Clothing and Accessories and Síoraí Home, which sells revamped preloved furniture. There are also plans to launch a Síoraí Tech for restored technology and devices, and Síoraí Bicycles for repaired bikes and scooters.

The post Take a ‘Shopping Spraoi’ this Saturday! appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Two men who were hit by a runaway car in Co Donegal in the early hours of St Patrick’s Day were brothers who lived less than 100 yards from the scene of the tragedy.

Anthony and Martin Gallagher, who were both in their 60s, were walking home from a night out in Letterkenny.

The men were critically injured after being struck by a taxi being driven by a teenager at the town’s Lower Main Street just before 3am.

The car crossed a roundabout before hitting the men and then striking the front of a local house causing some damage to the building.

The men were rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital to receive emergency treatment.

However, one of the men subsequently passed away from his injuries.

Anthony Gallagher was a well-known figure in the town where he was employed ‘lollilop’ man helping schoolchildren to cross the road – less than 50 yards from where he was fatally injured.

His brother Martin has been transferred to Galway University Hospital where he is being treated for serious injuries sustained in the incident.

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North West Newspix

Both men lived together at the family home at Charlie Daly Terrace.

A young man suspected of driving the vehicle involved in the incident was arrested at the scene and is being questioned at Letterkenny Garda Station.

The area was immediately sealed off and a Garda forensic team later arrived at the scene of the tragedy.

A decision was later made to cancel the local St Patrick’s Day parade in the town as a mark of respect.

Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny and Milford Municipal District, Councillor Gerry McMonagle, said a day of planned celebrations for St Patrick’s Day had changed so suddenly.

He said “This was going to be a great day, a great day for Letterkenny and Donegal to celebrate our heritage and all there is to appreciate what it is to be Irish.

“Instead, we are trying to comes to terms with this tragedy and this loss. These two men are very well-known in our community and it’s still hard to take in that something like this has happened in our town.”

Mayor McGonagle said he supported the decision to cancel the local St Patrick’s Day parade and that the thoughts and prayers of the entire community were with the victims and their family.

“I do appreciate that a lot of work and preparation went into organising the parade but I think it was the right decision to cancel it.

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North West Newspix

“These two men were very much part of the local community and the right decision was taken in my opinion,” he added.

Gardai are still investigating the exact circumstances of the moments leading up to the tragedy.

The vehicle involved in the incident is a Skoda Octavia estate car which is owned by a local taxi-driver.

How a teenager came to be driving the vehicle is one of the main questions being asked by Garda investigators.

Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

They have also confirmed the matter has been referred to GSOC due to an earlier interaction between An Garda Síochána and the driver of this vehicle.

In particular, Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the area between Dry Arch Roundabout and Oldtown Road at the time.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on (074) 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Meanwhile, the local community has planned to come together for a candle-lit vigil at the scene this evening at 8 o’clock.

The post Huge sadness as ‘lollipop’ man Anthony Gallagher named as Letterkenny road tragedy victim appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Carndonagh firefighter Liam Shiels had a podium finish at the World’s Strongest Firefighter Competition in the US this month.

Liam, who serves with the DL13 brigade, secured second place in his weight category at the prestigious event in Columbus Ohio.

Liam’s achievement earned him congratulations from the event’s organizer, legendary action star and former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This is the sixth edition of the World’s Strongest Firefighter competition, which invites active-duty firefighters from different countries around the world to compete in events that are the ultimate test of strength and endurance. Events include the Ambulance Tire Axle Press, Silver Dollar Deadlift and Fire Hydrant Load.

Liam, who owns Pure Fit Gym in Carndonagh, has competed in the event three times in total and was the sole Irish participant this year.

His colleagues in the Donegal Firefighters Association have wished him a huge congratulations.

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A crowd of up to 200 people have gathered this evening for a candlelit vigil for the two Letterkenny brothers who were mowed down by a runaway car in the early hours of this morning.

Anthony Gallagher died and his brother Martin is fighting for his life following the tragedy which occurred a Lower Main Street just before 3am.

Local man Colm McDaid organised a vigil to pray for the men who were known to so many.

Among those who gathered at the sombre vigil was Monsignor Kevin Gillespie as well as local county councillors and members of the public.

Mr McDaid thanked all those who came to the men’s aid in the early hours of this morning.

“It’s good to see the way their community comes together at times like this. The two boys lived a simple life, kept to themselves and bothered nobody. They were out for a few drinks and tragedy struck and Anthony lost his life.

“We are here tonight to stand with the Gallagher family,” he said.

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He also said that the men’s family had sent a message thanking the local public for all their support in the wake of this morning’s tragedy.

He said despite rumours, Martin continued to fight for his life and pleaded with people to keep him in their prayers.

A minute’s silence was held in memory of Anthony, who was a local lollipop man who died just yards from where he helped so many children and families cross the road safely.

Local lad Davin McDonagh played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes in tribute to the brothers.

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The late Anthony Gallagher. Picture: Declan Doherty.

Gardaí had closed off the Lower Main Street this morning to investigate the circumstances of the tragedy. The annual St Patrick’s Day parade was cancelled as a mark of respect.

All that remains at the scene this evening is a small cordon, blocking rubble from the area where the car mounted the footpath and struck a house.

Daffodils and a Sister Clare Crockett candle were placed there this afternoon by local man Colm McDaid, who organised the vigil.

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Daffodils and a Sister Clare Crockett candle placed at the scene of this morning’s fatal collision on Letterkenny Lower Main Street. Photo: Donegal Daily

A young man suspected of driving the vehicle involved in the incident was arrested at the scene and is being questioned at Letterkenny Garda Station.

Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

They have also confirmed the matter has been referred to GSOC due to an earlier interaction between An Garda Síochána and the driver of this vehicle.

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Friends and neighbours turned out for a candle light vigil in memory accident victim Anthony Gallagher. (North West Newspix)

In particular, Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the area between Dry Arch Roundabout and Oldtown Road at the time.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on (074) 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

The post Hundreds gather at poignant candlelit vigil to pray for Letterkenny brothers appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Donegal County Council has been urged to ensure that enough social homes are being built with disabled bathrooms and facilities.

Councillor Tomás Seán Devine raised the issue with the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District this month, stressing the need for spacious downstairs bathrooms and bedrooms.

Cllr Devine said it is vital that the county’s new social housing developments have enough houses to suit those with special needs.

“In a lot of houses, you could hardly walk into a downstairs toilet never mind get a wheelchair into it, and a lot of bedrooms are upstairs,” he said.

“It’s important we are aware of the applicants and the requirements.”

Cllr Devine said that many people in wheelchairs cannot visit friends and family because there are no facilities for them to get in the front door.

Cllr Devine, who is a member of the 100% Redress Party, also pointed out that people in defective concrete homes who are seeking temporarily accommodation face an extra barrier if they have a disability, due to the lack of supply of accessible homes.

In response, Seamus Canning, Area Manager, Housing & Corporate Services told Cllr Devine that a certain number of units in new developments are constructed according to universal design.

He said: “The design of social housing developments takes cognisance of the existing social housing need including particular requirements associated with disability, on a case-by-case basis. Funding applications are made to the department with the associated HSE documentation in the regard. All social housing units are designed in accordance with the current building regulation.”

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There was a terrific turnout for yesterday’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Buncrana.

Crowds lined the street as all the hard work preparing floats and making costumes paid off.

Photographer Donal Dunn and Northwest Newspix were on hand to capture all the excitement and pride of the day.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

The post Terrific turnout for Buncrana’s St Patrick’s Day Parade – Pic Special appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Sheephaven divers got to dive a new site in Mulroy Bay for most of the divers present on Saturday morning.

The dive objective was a 27m wooden trawler sunk in 20m of water, and it was an absolute thrill to be there.
We had a 35 min dive in 7O degrees Celsius, with horizontal visibility of well over 10 metres.

The wreck timbers are starting to break up, and this has left cavities for opportunistic marine life to exploit.
Some of these marine species are huge, such as lobsters and Spider Crabs, while others are tiny little Nudibrachs.

Thanks to Ryan Ward and Adam Cassidy for providing dry coxswain duties and an especial thanks to Dave Mc Gloin for his piloting skills, which put us right on top of the wreck.

It was a perfect Spring morning on the water.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Sunday was another beautiful day and was taken full advantage by Sheepaven SAC with 11 snorkelers and 2 divers enjoying the good visibility and relatively mild conditions of Portnablagh.

Nature’s thermostat must be back on as a 2° increase from last week was recorded in the harbour with the sea reaching 9°, hopefully the water temperature hit soon double digits, all going well.

Thanks to John Joe Rowland for shore marshalling and Máire for Dive Officer of the day duty.

The post Diving: Sheephaven divers explore new site in Mulroy Bay appeared first on Donegal Daily.