There is no good time to battle serious illness.

No good time to be told you have breast cancer and must face into the relevant treatment.

But when Jennifer McCosker was given the devastating news, the spectre of Covid had arrived menacingly into the world to add to the uncertainty and worry she and countless others were experiencing – truly the worst of times for those coping with disease, coming to terms with it, and the implications of the coronavirus.

“After I got the news of my breast cancer, a friend came up to see me and we couldn’t even hug. It was such a lonely time for so many,” reflects Jennifer who is a native of Buncrana but has been living in Letterkenny since 1984.

The first hint that anything was wrong emerged when she was experiencing a pain in her breast. “I had it for about two months and never had it looked at.

“But eventually I went to have the pain investigated and it was then that they found the cancer.”

Ironically, despite having been given the all clear, she still has that pain.

Her initial scheduled appointment at the clinic had to be cancelled as she had been a close contact at work at a time when Covid restricted so much movement.

Eventually she was given an appointment date on New Year’s Eve. “I wasn’t told then but I had a fair idea.

“I mind coming home from the hospital that day and sitting in the house and I thought, is this what life is all about?”

It was at the beginning of February that she was called for an appointment and this time was told to bring someone with her.

“I knew then that the news wasn’t going to be good.”

But on that day, as her doctor spoke to her and her sister sat in the room, a strange occurrence. “My sister was behind him and as he was talking, I wasn’t actually in the room. I was up above him and I could see him and her and I could see myself. And I remember saying to someone about it afterwards and they said I had gone through an out of body experience.

“I could hear the doctor talking and I could hear myself talking – it was a weird sensation.”

It was February before Jennifer had her operation and in May of that year underwent radium treatment in Derry. “I had just a week of it but you hear people who have to endure it for much longer sessions.”

She found it a very tiring experience. “I drove in for the first couple of days but then it became too much.”
At the time, Jennifer had not been aware of the organisation, Cancer Care West. “There I was living in Letterkenny but I didn’t know about it. Had I known, it would have made a big difference.”

Following the radium treatment, she was put on medication, some of which didn’t agree with her. “There was a lot of chopping and changing with the medication but it’s been fine since.”

She has undergone a stomach operation and had a hysterectomy, neither of which was cancer related. “I suppose that’s a bonus,” she reflects.

She attends for a mammogram and a check-up every year for five years since her diagnosis. “But next year I won’t have to have the check up.”

When you talk with Jennifer McCosker – she works as a Special Needs Assistant and lives with her son, Sean, who is Down Syndrome – you find much laughter peppering the conversation.

But invariably at the back of her mind there is that shadow that loomed into her life four years ago.

‘Sometimes, I ask, what if, but you can’t live your life like that. There are always people worse off and people getting that news every day of the week.”

People who, for instance, participate in the annual Relay for Life event.

She recalls attending the first ever Relay for Life in Donegal back in 2012. “I went along to it just out of curiosity and then after my diagnosis, it was very much on my bucket list.

“And then I was standing at the closing of last year’s Relay, and said to those with me that I was going to do it this year.”

And will, she maintains, wear the purple tee-shirt that represents the mark of the survivors.
Jennifer has organised a team for the event with the catchy name of Happy Feet. “I called it that because I’m never off them!.

“Of course, I’ve been wondering since, what have I let myself in for!,” laughs the affable mother of three.

“I suppose my biggest concern is where am I going to get a gazebo.”

The team has organised a number of fund-raisers including selling tickets for a hamper at Simpsons Supermarket on Good Friday “We’re also thinking of having a coffee morning and have a few other ideas floating around.”

Jennifer is looking forward to the Relay for Life experience even if she is coming at it from a much different perspective than when she first attended it.

“Apart from everything else, it’s a great social event.”

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Shoplifting in Co Donegal has more than doubled in recent years, according to latest figures.

Recorded shoplifting offences in 2003 in the county were at 161 but rose to 384 by 2024, an increase of 138.5%.

The figures were obtained by Irish MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú.

The figures form the CSO show that shoplifting has dramatically increased across most counties in Ireland over the past 20 years.

Ms Ní Mhurchú has called for tough action against the minority of people who feel it is acceptable to steal from hard working small family retail businesses.

Ní Mhurchú welcomed the fact that shoplifting in Donegal fell between 2023 and 2024 by 10% from 427 to 384 but raised concerns that the long-term trajectory for shoplifting in Donegal has gone upwards.

Amongst the measures Ní Mhurchú is calling for to immediately address shoplifting is for Government to introduce the Retail Crime Strategy which was promised in the Programme for Government.

She also called for other measures included in the Programme for Government to be introduced immediately.

Ní Mhurchú is calling for:

* Mandatory prison sentences for anyone caught shoplifting on more than one occasion

* Update the Public Order Acts to allow a prolific offender of retail crime to be excluded from a premises for a certain period of time.

* Support targeted garda operations to tackle retail crime and remove assets from those suspected of organised retail theft.

* Introduce a specific offence of assaulting a retail worker.

* End the practice of ‘retail defamation’ where someone can sue a retailer for defamation if they are stopped with the bona fide belief that they have stolen something from the shop.

The post Donegal Shoplifters giving two fingers to the state – claim appeared first on Donegal Daily.

St Columba’s Comprehensive School in Glenties hosted the inaugural County Donegal Chess Tournament yesterday, with fifteen schools taking part.

Bright young minds competed in a day of strategic battles and intellectual competition.

Arthur Thorpe from Mulroy College claimed the title of Junior Champion. In the senior category, Adam Fullerton of Crana College earned the Senior Champion title.

After a day of impressive displays across all levels, St Columba’s College in Stranorlar emerged as the Overall School Champion.

The participating schools were: Crana College, St Columba’s Comprehensive, St Columba’s College, Deele College, Royal and Prior, St Catherine’s Vocational School, Scoil Mhuire Buncrana, Errigal College, Carndonagh Community School, Abbey Vocational School, Mulroy College, Loreto Community School, Finn Valley College, Colaiste na Carriage, Rosses Community School.

Arthur Thorpe from Mulroy College

Adam Fullerton of Crana College

St Columba’s College in Stranorlar

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A Donegal driver has ben caught speeding at 105kph in an 80kph zone on National Slowdown Day.

The slowdown day ran yesterday from midnight until 11.59pm last night.

Throughout this day, members of An Garda Síochána, along with GoSafe Mobile and Static Safety Cameras, detected a total of 1,286 vehicles travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit.

Of those detections, 600 drivers were intercepted by Gardaí.

One of these involved a Donegal driving caught doing 105km/h in a 80km/h Zone on the R265 at St Johnston.

A Garda spokesperson said “This is disappointing evidence that some drivers continue to ignore speed limits despite widespread public commentary and coverage regarding safety on our roads.

“An Garda Síochána is reiterating to motorists that road safety is a shared responsibility and everyone has a personal responsibility to slow down and exercise caution when travelling on our road network.

“An Garda Síochána conducts a number of high profile National #SlowDown Days every year. The aim of National #SlowDown Days is to remind motorists of the dangers of speeding, encourage a national conversation on the impact of speeding, to increase overall compliance with speed limits in place nationwide and to deter and detect those that are intent on driving at excessive or inappropriate speed.”

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Bridget McClafferty started as she meant to go on to win the Letterkenny Hospitals Golf Society opening outing of the year in glorious conditions at Dunfanaghy Golf Club on Monday. 

A par at the first hole followed by an excellent birdie at the second got Bridget off to a brilliant start and she never looked back as she returned a super score of 42 Stableford points.

2025 Society President Dessie Ferry contributed his recent return to form to finish runner-up on 40 points with Eunan McGlynn third on 39 points. 

Section One was won by 2025 Society Captain Joe Blake , Ciaran Williamson took Section Two with Barry Ramsay winning Section Three. 

RESULTS

Winner; Bridget McClafferty 42 points, 

Runner-Up ; Dessie Ferry 40 pts. 

Third: Eunan McGlynn 39 pts. 

Section One; Joe Blake 39pts, John James McBride 36pts. 

Section Two; Ciaran Williamson 36pts, Cynthia Furey 34pts. 

Section Three ; Barry Ramsay 38pts , John McCloskey 36pts. 

1st Nine; Padraic McHugh 21pts. 

2nd Nine; J J Evesson 29pts. 

The next outing will be Mr.Dessie Ferry’s President’s Day on Friday 9th May at Barnhill Golf Club in Letterkenny. 

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Sean Curtin, from Valentia Island Co. Kerry, a relief coxswain with the RNLI in Arranmore has decided to take a turn away from the helm. 

Sean has been providing relief service with Arranmore Lifeboat Station since 2019 and took charge of the lifeboat for the final time on Monday evening taking the volunteer crew out on training exercise in the all weather Severn class Lifeboat. 

Sean joined his local lifeboat crew at the age of 17 in line with the family tradition. 

Sean’s father and uncle both served as relief mechanics on the RNLI fleet in Britain and Ireland and in keeping with the sea faring tradition of islands, Sean then joined the Irish Navy where he trained as a mechanic and continued to answer the call with the lifeboat on his days off. He also continued to train with the RNLI and successfully completed his mechanic and relief coxswain training. 

Sean will still be in the business of saving lives at sea as he joins the Coast Guard. 

Prior to his departure, he said “I have really enjoyed my time with the RNLI, it involved a lot of travelling and being away from home quite a lot, I have a 12 year old daughter Saidhbh Rose and it was difficult not seeing her in the various stages of growing up so when the opportunity arose to work with the Coast Guard, especially as it still involves saving lives at sea coordinating search and rescue services, I felt it was the right move for me. I will be undergoing training with the Coast Guard at their various stations and I’m really looking forward to the new challenge. I have really enjoyed my time working with the Arranmore crew and didn’t really want it to be my last run as I loved the area from day one. Sean continued’ I would like to thank all the crew and the people of Arranmore for making me feel welcome and wish them well in the future.”

Trainee coxswain Kieran O’Donnell said, “It was a pleasure working with Sean who is a really experienced coxswain and I learned a lot from him during his time on Arranmore. I would like to thank him for sharing his expertise and patience with myself and the crew and wish him every success in his role with the Coast Guard.”

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A Donegal horse-racing jockey is “in hiding” over a drug debt, a court has heard.

Oran Brown was convicted in court after being caught with over €11,000 at his home.

In 2023, the Lifford sportsman was ordered to do 240 hours of community service after Gardai raided his home and found drugs and cash.

However, an updated mention of the case at Donegal Circuit Court heard that he has been unable to undertake that part of his sentence.

Brown’s barrister, Mr Peter Nolan explained that his client has been in hiding over a drug debt.

“Oran Brown has an individual looking for him to pay a drug debt.

“He is in hiding. He can’t comply with the community service order as he is in fear of third parties,” he said.

The case was brought back before the court by the Probation Service due to Brown’s non-compliance with the order.

Judge John Aylmer adjourned the case until a future session of the court.

Previously, Brown was sentenced to a three-and-half-year term in prison, which was suspended for three and a half years, for the possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling or supplying to others.

He was also ordered to complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of 16 months in prison on a charge of the unlawful possession of cocaine.

Gardai, armed with a search warrant, swooped on Brown’s home at Collate, Lifford on June 25, 2020.

Detectives seized €8,668 worth of cannabis and cocaine with a street value of €2,504.81.

Some of the cannabis was found in deal bags. A Zopiclone tablet, valued at €2, was also located in the raid.

A grinder, weighing scales and a quantity of Ziploc bags were also found. Quantities of Diazepam and Xanax were found in a Tommy Hilfiger bag in the property while gardai observed a line of suspected cocaine on top of a dresser.

A quantity of cocaine was found inside a safe, which also contained €7,225 and £2,480 sterling in cash. Brown was searched and a cylinder containing cannabis and a grinder was located on his person.

Almost £9,000 in cash was found inside a safe and, after being arrested, Brown told Gardai he ‘smoked a lot of weed and sniffed cocaine’.

He added: “I won’t lie, I sold a few bags of weed too.”

Brown said the cash was given to him by his parents and grandparents for his birthday the month before.

He refused to give gardai the PIN for his mobile phone as he said there was ‘stuff on the phone’ that he didn’t want them to see.

Detective Garda Michelle Kelly said gardai were unable to access data from the phone as the PIN was not provided.

In court in 2023, Mr Nolan said his client, who he said was a “conditional apprentice” at the time, began taking cocaine “to keep the weight stabilised”.

“Stupidity led him to these circumstances,” Mr Nolan said.

“It was clear from all the paraphernalia found on the premises that there was a significant amount of dealing going on,” Judge Aylmer said in sentencing Brown.

“This is an unusual case where he deserves a second chance. It is with some hesitation, but it is a case that it may be dealt with better on a non-custodial basis given all of the features.

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A community gathering is taking place in Gortahork this week to support those dealing with the recent road tragedy at Baltoney.

Young local men Jamie Diver (20s) and Shaun Martin McClafferty (17) both lost their lives in the tragic single-vehicle collision on 28th February.

As the community continues to come to terms with the loss, a ‘Stronger Together’ gathering invites everyone to learn about coping mechanisms, healing and moving forward.

The free, public event takes place in Óstán Loch Altan, Gortahork on Friday 11th April at 7pm.

The event is held in collaboration with Road Victim Support Northern Ireland – Donegal, Jigsaw, and the HSE.

Members of Road Victim Support Northern Ireland-Donegal will be in attendance to share their lived experiences and offer advice on navigating grief. They will also provide information on support services available to help.

“Grief doesn’t come with a rulebook, and it can affect us in different ways, sometimes in ways we don’t even realise until later,” organisers said. 

“Stronger Together is a space for anyone impacted by this tragedy to come together, support one another, and talk about the effects of grief—both in the immediate aftermath and in the long run. Whether you want to share your experiences, listen, or simply be surrounded by others who understand, you are welcome.”

This gathering is for anyone impacted by the recent tragedy—family, friends, and members of the wider community who feel the weight of this loss.

Topics of discussion (Whether you want to talk or just listen, there’s no pressure)

• The different ways grief can manifest in both young people and adults
• How loss can affect behavior, mental health, and relationships
• Strategies to support ourselves and each other through difficult times
• The importance of community in healing and moving forward

Road Victim Support Northern Ireland-Donegal helpline : 07748570558

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Donegal’s Raphoe Central National School is one of four primary schools to have qualified for the live ‘Ulster final’ of this year’s competition to find Ireland’s Fittest School 2025.

Supported by Irish fruit importer Fyffes and tracked online, the purpose of the competition is to promote the importance of exercise, fitness and healthy eating amongst young people.

The Ulster final will take place at Dungannon Leisure Centre, Co Tyrone in early May, after which the top school from each of the Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster provincial finals will then progress to the grand final in Athlone on May 19^th.

Hosted by one of Ireland’s best-known Olympians – sprinter David Gillick – the prize package will include €8,000 worth of sports equipment and the title of ‘Ireland’s Fittest School 2025’.

The three other schools taking part in the Ulster final will be Scoil Mhuire Lacken, Cavan; St. John’s Primary School, Gilford and Crosserlough National School, Cavan.

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Firefighters from the Donegal Fire Service have brought a wildfire under control this afternoon in the Corraffrin area near Ballybofey.

The incident is one of a number of recent fires in Donegal during this dry spell, with Barnesmore and the Knockalla area of Fanad both affected by fire outbreaks on Sunday.

Landowners are being urged to be vigilant during an extended fire danger notice, which is in place until at least Monday, April 14th.

Conditions are optimal for wildfires due to a consistent period of dry weather and dead vegetation after the winter.

Donegal County Council is appealing to everyone to take all necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of further emergencies.

Is an offence to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated between 1st day of March and 31st day of August in any year.

Landowners and members of the public are urged to be vigilant and to report any uncontrolled or unattended fires immediately to the fire service by dialling 999 or 112.

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The Minister for Education has said that children denied places at the Little Angels Special School in Letterkenny will be facilitated in September.

Minister Helen McEntee was speaking in the Dáil today when she said that she is working with Minister of State for Special Education, Micheal Moynihan, to address the issue faced by the families of nine children in Donegal.

The Minister said they are working with the National Council for Special Education and the Department, to ensure that they will have school places in September.

“We will do everything possible to make sure that those places, insofar as possible, are within their communities, that they have the right resources and supports when they are in school,” said Minister McEntee.

The comments came as Donegal Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty spoke of desperate parents camping out overnight outside the gates of Leinster House to protest for their children’s rights to education.

Deputy Doherty told Minister McEntee: “The new Little Angels school was built with less classrooms than the existing one. It’s a scandal. And this is despite the growing need for places.

“But the old school is now going to be left empty. So that needs to be sanctioned, Minister, to allow these extra ten pupils to receive their education there.

“So I ask you, Minister, can you give any comfort to these families, because it is absolutely cruel that these mothers had to come here last week, were given commitments that they would know early this week and are still in limbo?

“There is specialised equipment that needs to be ordered for these children. They can’t just walk into school in September.”

Deputy Doherty added: “This needs to be sorted because this is a school that could be lying empty in the hands of the state.”

Members of the ‘Don’t Forget Our Little Angels’ campaign are planning a local protest this Sunday over their frustration awaiting a response from the Department of Education.

The post Education Minister pledges to secure places for children left out of Little Angels appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Jobs: The award-winning Costcutter supermarket in Ballybofey is inviting applications for the role of full-time Store Manager.

See below for more information about this exciting opportunity and how to apply: 

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Cancer care campaigner Roseena Doherty Toner has said she wants double the number of protestors for her third demonstration at Letterkenny Unversity Hospital.

Roseena, a leukaemia survivor, is campaigning for a standalone cancer care unit at the hospital, which she said will benefit both patients and staff.

She has vowed to continue protesting until change is delivered, with her third protest scheduled for Saturday 26th April.

The Clonmany mother of five has been in remission for two years and receives ongoing care in Letterkenny.

In an update on her campaign, she said an email has been sent seeking a meeting with Sean Murphy, the manager of Letterkenny University Hospital. The email is co-signed by Sinn Féin Deputies Pearse Doherty and Padraig Mac Lochlainn and 100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward.

While she said the reply indicated that the hospital was looking into the Manager’s schedule, Roseena has vowed to continue her demonstrations.

March 31st Protest at Letterkenny University Hospital. Photo: Donegal Daily

“I would like double the number that was there last week,” Roseena said.

“If you haven’t been a cancer patient, if you haven’t lost someone to cancer, you don’t know how harrowing it is, how scary and how absolutely brutal…and you don’t realise how bad the services are in Letterkenny.”

Roseena, who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid leukaemia (AML) two years ago, underwent a life-saving bone marrow transplant in early 2022.

She says that nobody knows when cancer may come to their door, and that Donegal patients should not be forced to travel for treatment.

“Cancer was the last thing on my mind, I was loving life and next thing, bang, you’ve got leukaemia,” she said.

“It’s not something we plan for, it happens. When it happens, you want the best care. You don’t want to be tramping 4-5 hours for treatment. Take it from somebody who knows.”

A main feature of her campaign is seeking an end to cancer patients with low immune systems having to wait in A&E.

“It’s of no disrespect to any staff member, but it’s like puting a maternity nurse in A&E, it doesn’t happen. We need a specialised unit. We need cancer patients to be looked after by specialised doctors, nurses and consultants.”

“26th April, let’s do it again because I am not stopping,” she added in a social media video.

Recent figures show that three in 10 cancer patients start treatment within the target timelines at LUH.

In a statement released last month, the HSE said that several challenges face all cancer care units. The rising incidence of cancer and more complex treatments have placed extra demand on services. Patient survival rates have also improved, which increases demand for cancer services in general and cancer treatments, particularly the Day Wards.
The statement said: “In order to address these challenges as effectively and as timely as possible LUH have established a working group comprised of the members of the Cancer MCAN management team and hospital clinical and management teams and have commenced measures to improve chemotherapy start times with the objective of returning performance to KPI targets within the shortest possible timeline.
“This includes the high risk cancer patients who are commencing the SACT (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy) therapy on an inpatient basis.
“LUH has an area within the inpatient ward which has been designated as a Day Unit extension where patients can have their SACT treatment and will provide some immediate improvement in SACT start times.”

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Sponsored Post

If you’re looking for somewhere fun to take the kids this Easter, why not hop over to Lurgybrack Open Farm, Letterkenny?

The farm is back open this Saturday, 12th April just in time for the Easter holidays. They’ll be open every day from 10am to 5pm until Sunday 27th April, so there’s plenty of time for farmyard fun!

On Easter Sunday and Easter Monday from 2pm-4pm, the one and only Easter Bunny and friends will be there to meet and greet everyone.

Pay at entrance, or you can secure tickets online at https://lurgybrackopenfarm.town.ie/ 

After the Easter eggcitement dies down, Lurgybrack will be open on weekends only until the end of May.

From June onwards, they’ll be open for general admission, school tours, and farmyard fun for everyone!

Indoor play for rainy days at Lurgybrack Open Farm

Lurgybrack Open Farm is a hidden treasure on the outskirts of Letterkenny, on the Cullion Road. It has become a destination for families all over Donegal and beyond to visit and learn about animals while having fun in the fresh outdoors.

With lots to do and fantastic value for money, the farm is a brilliant day out for all ages. The centuries-old farm building is home to a range of friendly farm animals that children can come face to face with.

There is a large play area for kids and visitors can take a run on a tractor, enjoy the bouncy castles, zip wire, sand pit, waterslide, jumping pillow, indoor bouncy castles or take a leisurely stroll around the dusty trail walk.

There is ample space to play safely, wander by the riverside, or just sit back and unwind with a tasty snack from our tearoom or have your own family picnic.

Farmyard fun at Lurgybrack Open Farm

Family fun at Lurgybrack Open Farm

Easter fun at Lurgybrack Open Farm

To plan your visit, book online: https://lurgybrackopenfarm.town.ie/ 

Lurgybrack Open Farm, Cullion Road, Lurgybrack, Letterkenny, Co.Donegal
Phone: 074-9122683
Mobile: 086-8212012
Email: lurgybrackopenfarm55@gmail.com

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A fundraiser is underway to support a Trentagh man who lost everything in a house fire, including his beloved dog.

Eddie McDaid’s home in Carrick, Trentagh was gutted by a fire on Tuesday night.

Eddie managed to escape the fire but the flames claimed his beloved dog, Glen.

The local community has been rallying around Eddie in his hour of need, and an online fundraiser is underway to help get him back on his feet.

Harley’s Bar has also changed the beneficiary of the 4th May Trentagh Tractor Run to help Eddie rebuild a home. The pub confirmed that another event will take place for the event’s original beneficiary, The Friends of Letterkenny University Hospital.

After the fire, Eddie was left with nothing but the clothes on his back.

Neighbour Lucinda Neely, who set up the GoFundMe fundraiser, said: “Eddie has always been a kind and supportive member of our community and now it’s our turn to support him. He’s lost not only his home, but years of memories and the comforting companionship of Glen.

“We are raising funds to help Eddie get back on his feet, whether it’s finding a new place to stay, replacing essential items or simply giving him the space to breathe and begin rebuilding.”

Click here to visit the GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-eddie-after-tragic-fire-loss-of-dog-glen

The post Community rallies to support pensioner who lost home and dog in fire appeared first on Donegal Daily.

A Letterkenny councillor has called for a problematic ramp to be reduced in height, describing it as “cruel”.

Councillor Tomás Seán Devine put forward a motion this week on the raised table on the Glencar road approaching the Glencar Roundabout.

Cllr Devine told the Letterkenny-Milford MD meeting that he’s received complaints of the ramp being “sore on cars” and that he was sure other representatives have heard similar complaints.

Cllr Devine also asked the council to examine a ramp in Ballymacool where similar issues are reported.

Seconding the motion, Councillor Michael McBride commented on the Glencar ramp, saying: “Since the day it went in, it was always too high.”

Cllr McBride urged the council to find a less ‘ignorant” solution, telling the council that he sees young people taking the ramp at an angle to try and save the front of their cars, while the “big scrapes and chunks” out of the ramp show it’s too high.

Mr David McIIwaine, Senior Executive Engineer of the Roads Section said that the speed table will be examined.

Councillors were also told that the raised tables and speed cushions on the Glencar road and College road approaches have been constructed in accordance with specifications.

The ramps will soon be reviewed as part of the detailed design of the NTA Active travel schemes for both the Circular Road and the College Road, which propose to replace the Glencar  Roundabout with a signalised junction.

The post ‘Cruel’ Letterkenny ramp too high since day one, council hears appeared first on Donegal Daily.

A Burnfoot man who was sentenced to one year in prison after what a Judge described as “a horrendous incident of dangerous driving” has had his sentence reduced to a fine of €6,000 on appeal.

Gavin Kelly, 24, was sentenced to two six month consecutive terms following a high-speed pursuit in Inishowen on May 22, 2021.

Kelly was driving a VW Caddy van when he was spotted by Gardai around 8pm between Bridgend and Burnfoot traveling at estimated speeds of up to 140kph.

Evidence was given how the van failed to yield at a junction and was driving at speed on the wrong side of the road while Gardai were i pursuit.

Gardai eventually lost sight of the vehicle and other Gardai were called to search for the speeding car as part of what was described as an extensive search.

Members of the public then told searching Gardai that a van had crashed and that four men had exited from the vehicle.

They were told the driver was wearing a pink shirt and jeans.

Officers eventually found the car which had no seats in the back.

A further search found two men hiding in a local cemetery, one of the men wearing a pink shirt and jeans.

Gardai spoked to the man who gave his name as Gavin Kelly, of Garvery, Burnfoot and he identified himself as the driver of the van.

Having previously heard the evidence in the case in July, 2024, Judge Ciaran Liddy, said the case involved “a horrendous incident of dangerous driving” through a large number of townlands.

Kelly had returned to answer the case from Australia where he was working, appearing first at Buncrana District Court and then Glenties District Court.

The court heard the accused failed to stop despite the numerous attempts of Garda Michael Rafferty to halt the “reckless driving”.

Judge Liddy said the sentence had to reflect the seriousness of the driving. On two of the dangerous driving charges, Judge Liddy sentenced Kelly to six months in prison. He ordered the sentences are to run consecutively, giving Kelly a total sentence of one year in prison.

He was also disqualified from driving for four years – two years each on two of the charges.

Kelly appealed the sentence which was heard at Donegal Circuit Court this week.

His solicitor, Mr Frank Dorrian, said his client had no previous convictions and has not had any convictions since.

He said he now held a responsible position where he supervised up to 60 employees at a company in Australia where he was also in a relationship with a young lady.

A reference for Kelly was also handed into court on behalf of Buncrana GAA Club.

Mr Dorrian said that his client made a full apology for his behaviour on the day.

He said that when approached by Gardai he acknowledged that it was he who was driving the car.

“One bad decision tended to follow another. The panic which sets in became accentuated,” said Mr Dorrian.

The court had been told there was a smell of drink in the van and that some of the passengers may have been drinking but that Kelly had proven negative for driving under the influence.

Mr Dorrian added that his client had become quite upset when he found himself in the situation as he had no similar experiences of such situations.

He said his client planned to return to Australia and to full-time employment.

Judge John Aylmer asked the court if Kelly had met any other motorists during the pursuit or if any other motorists had to take evasive action.

Garda Sergeant Oliver Devenney replied that there was no evidence of this.

Judge Aylmer said it was clear that Kelly made a grievous mistake in circumstances where he had been out drinking with his “buddies” and then he took a chase where he feared he might have been drinking and was over the limit.

He said that the driving was “appalling” and had it been the case that members of the public had been put at risk and that vehicles had to swerve away then he would have had no hesitation in confirming and imposing the custodial sentence.

However, he said he had asked this question and there was no evidence of any kind that this was the case.

Judge Aylmer said he was also impressed not only by the fact that this was a singular occasion of criminal behaviour but that he was making a very positive contribution to life in Australia.

He also referenced the positive references from his employer and the local GAA Club.

“I take the view that to impose a custodial sentence in circumstances in relation to his new life abroad would be disproportionate,” he added.

Instead, he replaced each prison sentence with a fine of €3,000 (total €6,000) and imposed a mandatory driving disqualification of two years.

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The LOVE installation, which is currently visiting Letterkenny, is on the move again next week.

The visually striking exhibit, currently on display at the Letterkenny Public Services Centre, will move to An Grianán Theatre for 18th April to coincide with the Cathaoirleach’s Concert for Donegal Domestic Violence Services.

A night of music and community spirit of huge power is to be had at An Grianán Theatre on April 18th, as the Cathaoirleach’s Concert presents An Evening with Moya Brennan, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Friends. Two of Ireland’s most iconic voices — Brennan of the iconic group Clannad and Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan — are to headline an emotional night of traditional music, camaraderie, and solidarity, all in aid of Donegal Domestic Violence Services.

The LOVE sign adds poignancy to the event as it is made with thousands of handwoven eight-point stars — each one representing light, hope, and solidarity against domestic violence.

Coordinated by Donegal Volunteer Centre with support from Donegal County Council and ATU Donegal, the project has already seen over 14,000 stars woven across Donegal. It stands as both a symbol of community strength and a reminder that collective action can help build a safer future.

Tickets for the Cathaoirleach’s concert are €25 and can be bought now at www.angrianan.com. All proceeds will go towards supporting vital resources for domestic abuse victims across Donegal.

The night will also feature the Friel Sisters, spoken word artists Maura Logue and Valerie Bryce, singer-songwriters George Houston, Larabel and Eoin Ferry, Dr Marie Hainsworth and a guest appearance by the award-winning Danú Young Womens Choir.

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Two Donegal locations are to receive €350,000 under Historic Towns Initiative.

Deputy Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher has welcomed the funding of €300,000 for Glenties and €50,000 for Raphoe.

The Glenties award will build upon progress in 2024 at the Laurels house (main pic) which is associated with the writer Brian Friel. The 2025 project involves working with the Brian Friel Trust to bring The Laurels (Brian Friel’s mother’s home in Glenties) back into use as a residence for a caretaker and/or artist, and as a visitor attraction to convey Friel’s literary works and his family’s history and connection with this Protected Structure.

The Raphoe allocation will go towards a heritage-led regeneration plan. It is hoped that such plans will inform future applications for conservation funding.

The Heritage Council, along with Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan and Minister James Browne, announced that 14 historic towns will share €2m in funding under the 2025 Historic Towns Initiative (HTI). The HTI is a joint initiative between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council. The €2m funding will promote heritage-led regeneration and support traditional building skills. 

This year’s scheme follows on from highly successful programmes from 2018 to 2024. The HTI welcomes proposals to conserve and reuse historic buildings, and this year’s awards will support residential, business, and community uses in towns across Ireland. 

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