Floods rise in Glenwood.

UPDATE 10am: THERE is widespread damage to buildings, flooding on many roads and in houses with more than 10,000 homes now without power as hurricane-force Storm Rachel wreaks havoc across the county this morning.

Dozens of schools are – quite rightly – closed after a terrifying night which saw winds gust to 160km/hr.

There are more than 6,000 home sin Glenties without power, a further 2,300 in Derrybeg, 1,800 in Creeslough and further outages in Stranorlar, Buncrana and other areas.

An ESB spokesman said: “We are continuously monitoring the situation and updates will be issued.

“Met Eireann has forecast that the storm is due to increase in severity to 9.00am this morning and we can expect further damage and loss of electricity supply.

“Conditions on the ground are challenging with strong winds and rain hampering restoration and making conditions unsafe for our technicians. From early this morning, when it is safe to do so, ESB Networks crews will be out making the electricity network safe and assessing the damage, so that crews can be deployed to restore power as quickly and effectively as possible.

“All available staff in the affected areas are being deployed and crews from other locations, not as badly affected by the storm, will also be travelling to assist in the restoration process. ESB Networks sincerely apologise to all customers who are without power.”

Cresslough and Derrybeg are worst hit in the power cuts with more than 4,000 of the faults in those areas – with a restore time of 5pm today.

The ESB delayed sending out repair crews until after 9am because of the high winds.

Roads are flooded right across Donegal, with homes in Letterkenny taking the brunt of flood waters.

Roads in Lifford, Ballybofey/Stranorlar, Castlefin and Ramelton are particularly bad.

We have reports of damage to buildings all along the west coast, Inishowen and in town centres – debris sent across roads and damaging cars.

Dozens of trees have blocked roads across the county.

Gardai say motorists should NOT drive if at all possible.

THESE are further school closures added in the past hour.

Scoil Mhuire Milford

Dunfanaghy Community Playhouse

St. Columba’s College Stranorlar

Crana College, Buncrana (will open at 12.30pm)

Creevy NS, Ballyshannon
Scoil Chaitriona, Ballyshannon
Rockfield NS, Ballyshannon

WORK crews spent the night in the grounds of Letterkenny General Hospital after flood waters wiped away the banks of a burn responsible for causing €30M worth of damage there 18 months ago.

Cllr Michael McBride was there during the night the monitor the situation.

Thankfully workers were able to prevent flood waters pouring into the hospital this time around.

Cllr Michael Mc Bride, Mayor of Letterkenny municipal electoral area spent last night helping stranded motorists in and around Letterkenny.

Severe flooding occurred at the dry arch roundabout and the inward bound lane of the dual carriageway was particularly badly flooded with two cars stalling in the flood.

He would like to thank local resident Francie Marley for his help and to thank the Donegal County Council for their prompt response after the mayor called director of services Mr John Mc Laughlin who had council workers and Glenard plant on site within a short period of time.

The workers at the scene soon cleared the majority of the flood waters and left the roads passable again.

The melting snow also caused sever flooding in other areas of Letterkenny especially around the Clanree hotel, Glencar as well as high water levels at Letterkenny hospital where five staff were called in to keep the culverts free as debris and gravel were forced downstream by the powerful flow of water Mayor Mc Bride said everyone must be vigilant over the next number of days as stormy weather and snow storms are again forecasted.

Rory Kavanagh in action for St Eunan’s. He will continue to captain his club

ONE of our longest-serving county players won’t don the Donegal colours again.

Rory Kavanagh announced today that family and work commitments has forced him to leave the Donegal squad.

The school teacher and St Eunan’s Club captain will still play for his club this year.

The 32-year-old represented Donegal through thick and thin for 14 years, making 132 appearances for his county – 49 of them in the Championship.

The crowning glory of his year was in 2012 when he picked up both an All-Ireland medal and a county championship medal with St Eunan’s.

The boats in Burtonport Pier are taking a battering as Storm Rachel moves in across Donegal.

DONEGAL is taking the full force of Storm Rachel with 10,000 homes without power – and ESB warning the storm will get worse.

One large 38kv fault in Donegal is affecting 10,000 customers in Glenties and Derrybeg.

Currently 17,000 customers remain without power with over 280 individual faults.

In the remainder of the country, Galway and the South West have 2,500 customers without power with other smaller pockets of faults across the country.

ESB crews are working to restore supply to customers affected. However the forecast is for increasing gale force winds to come ashore in the North West and West which may cause further damage to the electricity network and we expect the numbers of customers without supply to rise during the day.

You can report a power outage by calling 1850 372 999.

An Important Public Safety Message: If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1850 372 999.

Customers without power can check for updates on when their fault is expected to be repaired at: www.esbpowercheck.ie, via Twitter at @ESBNetworks or telephone 1850 372 999. Customers should have their MPRN available to access recorded information specific to their location. Updates will also be communicated via local radio.

ESB Networks is reminding customers of the precautionary measures to take in the event of a power cut:

never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away – report damage to ESB Networks at 1850 372 999 and listen to recorded messages carefully

turn off electric cookers, ovens, irons, etc. if electricity supply is lost

leave a light switched on so you know when power has been restored

take extra care if using candles, oil lamps or other naked flames

test smoke alarms with fresh batteries

ensure adequate ventilation if using gas heaters.

Real time information on power outages and restoration times will be available at: www.esbpowercheck.ie Further information will be available at: http://updatesfromesb.com/

There has been a three-vehicle collision on the Melmount Road between Strabane and Sion Mills in County Tyrone.

The PSNI are advising drivers to expect delays.

The former FÁS/SOLAS training centres in Letterkenny and Gweedore which are now part of the Donegal Education and Training Board will be offering a range of ‘evening classes’ in both centres and outlying areas in early February and March 2014. 

A wide range of courses will be available from Book-keeping and Accounts, Payroll, Information Technology ranging from Introductory Computer Classes to higher level including Web Design and Digital Imaging.

Beauty including Hairdressing, Make-up and Manicure and Pedicure, Business Enterprise, Training and Development, Supervisory Management, First Aid and Security Guarding Skills.

All of the evening programmes are certified and aligned on the national framework of qualifications at levels 3-6. Typically each course or programme will be 10-15 nights in duration between the hours of 6-10pm or 7-10pm from Monday to Thursday evenings.

Why not think about investing in your future in 2015 by learning a new skill and gaining a qualification that will enhance your prospects in the jobs market or help you progress within your current career path.

For further information on these courses please contact the centre in Ballyraine, Letterkenny at 0749120556 and leave a message or visit the former FÁS website at www.fas.ie and search under training for evening courses in Donegal.

For further information on the Donegal Education and Training Board why not visit www.donegaletb.ie and find out about the range of services which the ETB has on offer for education and training in the county.

Tributes have poured in for retired Donegal player Rory Kavanagh.

The GAA fraternity in Donegal have taken to social media accounts to express both their disappointment and gratitude to Rory Kavanagh who has decided to retire from inter-county football after fourteen years.

Kavanagh has been a wonderful servant to Donegal over the years and was an exceptional player.

Kavanagh was a pivotal figure during Jim McGuinness’s trophy laden era and played a crucial role in Donegal winning their first All-Ireland title in twenty years when they defeated Mayo in 2012.

He also helped Donegal win three Ulster SFC titles, the last of which came in July last summer when Donegal defeated Monaghan.

He could have retired a double All-Ireland winner but Donegal were narrowly defeated to Kerry in the final.

It was to be Kavanagh last appearance in a Donegal jersey.

GAA commentators, players and politicians have taken to Facebook or Twitter to pay tribute to St Eunan’s clubman.

Charlie Collins posted, “Sorry to hear of Rory Kavanagh’s decision to retire from inter county football.

“He has given our County great service for many years and is still one of the best midfielders in the Country. ‪#‎willbemissed‬

Eamon McGee tweeted a picture of Kavanagh on Twitter with the following tagline.

“Without doubt one of the best players I’ve ever played with.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Ciaran Brogan posted, “Sad to hear Rory stepping down from Donegal team, a great leader on and off the pitch and playing the football of his life.

“Maybe we could get Joe Brolly to have a go again and Rory will return. What do you think of that Joe?

Former teammate Ciaran Greene posted, “Best of luck to the main man Rory Kavanagh. #Skipper.

Former MEP Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher also described Kavanagh as a wonderful servant and a great player to Donegal and thanked him for his years of service.

Donegal supporter Mairead Browne posted, “Big loss for Donegal, enjoy your retirement
and thanks for your commitment over the years.

Ronan Mc Alevey simply posted, “Thank you for the memories Rory.

While one Donegal supporter thinks Kavanagh will be coaxed out of retirement in a few weeks.

Roseann Ellis posted, ”Well done Rory, great team player, but I think he’ll come out of retirement in a few weeks time.

His departure leaves a big void for new Donegal manager Rory Gallagher who’ll find it very difficult to replace the St Eunan’s clubman.

With Anthony Thompson based in the UK, and Leo McLoone unlikely to return for Donegal this year, his retirement is another blow for the new manager.

Donegal’s Dr McKenna Cup game against Fermanagh which was postponed last night will now take place on Sunday in Ballyshannon. (2pm throw-in)

Castlefinn Community News:

Whist: 17/12/2014

Ladies. 1st Collette Carlin, Castlefinn 2nd Brigid Edwards, Castlefinn.

Gents. 1st David O Donnell, Letterkenny 2nd Joe Corry, Castlederg

Snowball:

Snowball next week is 50 euro for 188 or more.

Everyone Welcome on Wednesday@ 8.30pm to st marys hall Castlefinn.

Big Whist Drive in Castlederg on Friday the 30th of January at 8pm, score cards 10 euro including supper. All Donations gratefully accepted8

Parent and Toddler Group

The Parent and toddler group returns on Tuesday the 20th of January. New members are always welcome.

Slim R Us

Slim R Us fitness classes are on at the CPI on Monday evenings from 6.30 to 7.30 pm. Contact Tilly on 086 2490095 for more information on how to join

Castlefinn Running:

Castefinn running has now started a new walking/running group for absolute beginners. This group will be walking, light running and light circuits + core, it will run at the CPI Centre on Mondays and Wednesdays @6.30pm. all levels of fitness catered for. Males and females over 16 years welcome.

Castlefinn Walking:

The walking group returns this wednesday the 14th of January at 10.30 a.m. with a new walking programme, and will run every Wednesday.

The programme has been developed and will be delivered by a fully qualified FitWalk Ireland tutor, and will incorporate different challenges and a different route each week. The programme is suitable for all fitness levels and abilities; regardless of whether you walk regularly or not. Come along and join a walking group that will provide the enthusiasm and motivation to help you achieve your personal goals, and ensure your walking workout is enjoyable and worth while!

ASIST

An Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshop will be held in the CPI Castlefinn. This is a two day skills building workshop in suicide prevention. The course will run on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th January 2015 from 9.30 am to 4.30pm each day. If interested contact the CPI on 074-9143976

The Older Persons Service and the Home Care Services are working closely with the Discharge Liaison in Letterkenny General Hospital to properly identify people who are ready to be discharged today and in the coming days.

Letterkenny General Hospital

Both services work in close proximity every day with a minimum of three contacts daily at 08:30, 2pm and 4pm in order to tackle and resolve everyday challenges.

Through a shared network Community Hospitals throughout the County and Letterkenny General Hospital are working closely to identify those requiring a Community Hospital step down service.

Home Care services are also currently being put in place for 8 discharges throughout the county in order to free up beds in community hospitals and acute services.

Management in Letterkenny have contacted GP’s asking them to avoid any unnecessary Emergency Department admissions in order to free up as many bed spaces as possible.

There are 8 people currently in transitional care beds in Nursing Homes to facilitate step down from acute services with another individual possibly transferring today.

As of 2pm yesterday there were 4 people on trollies in Letterkenny, while this is still 4 people too many, the Department says it will endeavour to utilise every available resource and measure to reduce these figures further.

Open Night in Coláiste Chineál Eoghain, Irish medium secondary school in Buncrana, is cancelled tonight, Thursday 15th January due to weather.

Open Night will now take place on Thursday January 29th from 7-9 pm in the school.

DDTV: Simply click play on the video above to watch the incredible footage of the lightning storm that lit up the Donegal skyline.

We’ve already shared some amazing images of the lightning storm across our social media platforms over the last number of days.

The lightning storm effected the entire county and many homes were left without electricity following the freak storm which lasted on and off for hours.

This incredible video was made by Noel Keating and captures the lightning storm in all its glory in Ballintra just outside Donegal Town.

Simply click to play to watch the video.

The ESB has admitted that it could be tomorrow before all customers across Donegal get their power supply back.

At its height, more than 12,000 customers were without power across the county this morning with Glenties the worst-hit area with 7,000 customers affected.

The ESB says their technicians are all out in the field and that they hope to have the majority of supplies back up by this afternoon.

However, they admitted that some areas may have to wait until tomorrow because of the sheer volume of faults on the system.

Councillor Seamus Ó Domhnaill has called on the Government to intervene and put in place emergency legislation to address damage that rates demands are having on Bussiness’s accross Donegal especially in the Hotel Industry.

Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill

Explaining his motives Cllr Ó Domhnaill said the current commercial rates system is crippling bussiness’s which require a large floor space for their business.

“These places such as large goods stores, car sales rooms & Hotels may not be garnering the same profits as bussiness that are operating in smaller units, this system is archaic in the extreme and one that requires the Government to make changes to the system to urgently address this problem.”

“We have seen in the last number of weeks where businesses have been forced to close down due to higher costs associated with running a business including commercial rates with less people coming through the doors due to the Economic downturn. The Government are duping the people into believing that the Country’s economic situation is improving yet bussiness are telling me on a daily basis of the difficulties which they are experiencing. It is time that this Government put in place the reforms which they promised instead of paying lip service to these important issues”

The Council are not in a position to reduce the rate which these bussines’s pay as it is a matter for the National Government, Ó Domhnaill argues.

“Business rates must be tied into the amount of profits which are made in a bussiness rather than the space needed to run a business” he further explains that ” Rates were to be reviewed with the introduction of the Household Property tax but again this has not taken place, like so many promises which this Government have let the people down on ”

In the run up to recent budgets within Donegal the rates issue has proven to be one of the biggest factors which is affecting the business people accross Donegal.

He adds that it is unfair to ask businesses in Donegal to pay the equivilent amount as the high street bussiness’s in our Countries Cities when there is a much larger population and effectively a larger footfall and profit margin in Cities than there is in Counties such as Donegal.

In Conclusion Cllr. Ó Domhnaill comented ” It is time that the TD’s who represent our County table these issues in the Daíl to bring about positive change for the people that they represent and to allow these businesses such as Jackson’s Hotel and the Seaview Hotel to remain open, assist other business in opening in our County and essentially in assisting in creating employment for the youth of our County and give them opportunities to work and live at home instead of having to emigrate to gain employment. These bussiness that have created employment for the people of our County deserve protection and assistance, something that unfortunately is not being afforded to them by the Current administration”

DDTV: Simply click play on the video above to watch the footage of Storm Rachel in West Donegal this morning.

The storm has absolutely battered Donegal over the last twelve hours and is expected to do so for the rest of the evening.

The footage above filmed by Iain Miller shows the storm taking effect in different parts of the Rosses.

The severe guts have caused chaotic seas and that has resulted in all Ferry services to Arranmore suspended as a result.

To watch the 0.38 second clip simply click play on the video above.

There are currently 6,500 customers without electricity supply.

The majority of these – 5,000 are in Ulster: 3,000 in Donegal, 2,000 in Monaghan.

The Glenties fault affecting more than 6,000 homes has been repaired.

Other areas affected are Galway with 400 customers without supply and approximately 300 out in Wexford.  ESB Networks crews will continue to work on repairing faults and further updates will issue later this afternoon.

The hugely popular Caisleain Oir Hotel in Annagry has come to the rescue of locals in the area following Storm Rachel. 

Homes in the area have been left without electricity since 2am following the ferocious storm which hit late last night.

Storm Rachel is still raging in many parts but forecasters are predicting we’re over the worst of the storm.

ESB employees are working around the clock to restore power to thousands of homeowners affected by the storm in Donegal.

However, until that’s resolved management at Caisleain Oir Hotel are allowing locals in Annagry and further afield to come to the hotel to charge phones, laptops, ipads etc.

They’re still in business thanks to a generator and are open for food all day.

The kind hearted gesture has been warmly received by locals who have taken them up on their offer and have headed to the hotel to get their mobiles charged.

Management at Caisleain Oir Hotel posted the following message to their followers on Facebook, “Rough day, we have a generator and are open for food all day. If anyone wants to charge phones or laptops or ipads call in.

Voodoo Venue has been nominated for a prestigious award by IMRO and reiterates its status and standing as a leader in the entertainment industry in the North-West.

Voodoo Venue is without doubt the most popular clubbing venue in the North-West with revellers descending on the premises every week.

Dedicated to providing seven days of live music entertainment it’s no surprise Voodoo Venue has been recognized for its effort.

It’s a testament to the hard-work and dedication of their management and staff who constantly strive to make Voodoo Venue the No.1 venue for Live Music.

The Greenroom area of Voodoo is a hugely popular and has provided platforms for local bands and artists to showcase their talents.

Neighbours McGinleys Bar and McGrory’s in Culdaff have also been nominated for awards.

If you’d like to vote for Voodoo Venue then simply click on the link below and cast your vote.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/imrovenueawards

A black and white collie sheep dog named Meg has been missing in the Milford area since Tuesday evening.

Meg is missing

She is very frightened of thunder and could possibly be in a shed.

Her owners are missing her terribly and would love a phonecall to let them know that Meg is safe and well.

If anyone has any information on her whereabouts, please contact 0868778083.

Stephen O’Donnell (right) with his son Gavin at their dark supermarket in Crolly yesterday.

A supermarket owner went back to the ‘dark ages’ to make sure his business remained open during Storm Rachel yesterday.

Stephen O’Donnell, who owns the Mace Supermarket in Crolly, arrived at his business at 6.30am to find it in darkness.

The business had been struck by lightning which left phonelines and power out.

The busy Go garage owned by the O’Donnell family in Crolly.

But rather than disappointing his customers, Stephen decided the shop would open.

He dug out some paraffin oil lanterns which he purchased thinking they were antique a number of years ago.

And those, combined with head-lights and candles, kept the shop open throughout the day.

Those who only had credit cards and didn’t have cash were trusted and were allowed to pay another day.

Stephen described it as one of the busiest days in recent times.

Staff even used old fashioned calculators to take a note of how much items cost.

“We decided that we owed it to our customers to stay open because we knew there would be a lot of people looking for coal and foodstuff.

“I just thought of the lanterns and they worked really well. I thought they were antiques and although I don’t think they are, they certainly did the job,” he said.

Stephen, who also runs the adjoining Go Service Station, paid tribute to his staff.

“They were trying conditions but everyone got stuck in. We’re open around 27 years and a lot of the staff are with us for up to 24 years.

“They’re very loyal and I would like to thank them for going above and beyond the call of duty today.

‘Hopefully we’ll be back to normal tonight. I would also like to pay tribute to the ESB workers who worked so hard to get everyone back their power,” he said.