The top two in the First Division will battle it out at Fahy’s Field on Friday night with the winner poised to be top of the pile at the end of the game (kick-off 7.45pm).

Finn Harps boss Peter Hutton has watched his side come through all tests so far this season unbeaten, with the only dropped points coming in the opening day draw with Waterford United at the RSC – a venue where Friday night’s opponents won 4-0 last weekend.

Hutton knows that Mervue will be difficult opponents on Friday. “Mervue are a good team and possess quality players particularly in captain Tom King and Jason Molloy,” said Hutton.

“They have brought in some good additions like Gary Curran (formerly of Harps) but also lads such as Paul Sinnott, Joe Woods and Brendan Lavelle, who has helped fill the void left by Pat Hoban whilst young 16 year old Ryan Manning’s transition to senior level has left many putting him in the same bracket as Waterford’s now departed Seanie Maguire. So they will definitely provide a stiff test but it’s again one we are really looking forward to it will be a real test to our mentality also.”

Harps continued their fine start to the season last Saturday night when they ended Longford’s 100% start to the league campaign. Hutton certainly knows the value of the result for his side.

“Well it certainly wasn’t one for the footballing purist but it was a good three points against a good Longford team,” he said. “We were up against a stiff breeze in first half and struggled with the elements but Kevin (McHugh) took his goal really well and demonstrated what a top class finisher he is.

“Second half was again very much like the first – a battle. We created some good chances with Sean McCarron creating an excellent chance for himself but unfortunately lacked a little composure when shooting. Then soon after a superb cross from Marc Brolly should have been capitalised upon but unfortunately we failed to extend our lead.”

Hutton was also happy with how his team defended, and was delighted to keep a first clean sheet of the season. “The team as a whole defended extremely well as a unit against a strong and imposing Longford team and withstood their predicted set pieces fairly well,” he said. “I was delighted to keep a clean sheet. Ultimately clean sheets are the bedrock to a successful season. I think we defended resolutely although at times fortunate, but overall the back five did their jobs and held out against a team that had scored nine goals in their previous three games so it was important we gave nothing away cheaply.”

The Harps boss was full of praise for striker Kevin McHugh, who scored his third goal in two games. The front two of McHugh and Sean McCarron have now scored all six league goals for the club this season.

“Kevin took his goal extremely well and his hold up play was again an example to any young aspiring centre forward. Kevin has got himself in great physical condition and is leading by example in terms of what is required to play successfully at this level so his presence both on and off the field will undoubtedly help influence the younger players in a positive manner.”

Friday’s game will be Harps’ ninth against Mervue United since the Galway side were admitted into the League of Ireland in 2009 and their record at Fahy’s Field is poor to say the least. In eight previous games there, Harps have won only twice – the last victory coming in August 2010 – while last season’s 1-1 draw at the venue was the first time in five games that Harps came home with something from the games.

Tommy McBride is available for selection again having served a two match ban. Marc Brolly is a slight doubt as he attempts to shake off a flu bug. Ciaran Coll remains out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TEAM NEWS

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Marc Brolly (flu).

Injured: Ciaran Coll (cartilage tear).

Form Guide (last six league games)

Finn Harps: L-L-W-D-W-W (10 pts)

Mervue United: D-W-D-D-W-W (12 pts)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last six away games against Mervue United

07-Aug-10 – Finn Harps 3-1 Mervue United (First Division)

28-Mar-11 – Finn Harps 0-1 Mervue United (League Cup)

13-May-11 – Finn Harps 1-2 Mervue United (First Division)

29-Oct-11 – Finn Harps 0-1 Mervue United (First Division)

27-Apr-12 – Finn Harps 0-3 Mervue United (First Division)

31-Aug-12 – Finn Harps 1-1 Mervue United (First Division)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finn Harps Goalscorers 2013

Sean McCarron – 3

Kevin McHugh – 3

Thomas McBride – 1 (in League Cup)

Matt Harkin – 1 (in League Cup)

James Doherty – 1 (in League Cup)

Marc Brolly – 1 (in League Cup)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finn Harps Results 2013 (Harps goalscorers in brackets)

23-Mar-2013 – AL – Finn Harps 1-0 Longford Town (McHugh)

15-Mar-2013 – AL – Finn Harps 4-1 Cobh Ramblers (McCarron 2, McHugh 2)

08-Mar-2013 – AL – Waterford United 1-1 Finn Harps (McCarron)

03-Mar-2013 – LC – Mayo League 1-4 Finn Harps (Harkin, Doherty, Brolly, McBride)

Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue has said the Government’s incoherence over new personal insolvency rules is creating great distress among Donegal families who are crippled by debt.

The Fianna Fáil Deputy has also criticised the Taoiseach for washing his hands of the exorbitant cost of childcare – an issue that is putting thousands of families in an impossible position.

“There is still much confusion over just how far families will have to go to resolve their debt issues under new personal insolvency arrangements introduced by the Government,” said Deputy McConalogue.

“While the Taoiseach has said no-one will be forced to quit their job, he stopped short of stating that childcare costs will be taken off the table completely. Meanwhile his Cabinet colleague Minister Leo Varadkar could not have been clearer that childcare will be an issue under new insolvency rules,” he said.

He added that no family should find themselves in situation where they have to choose between a job and childcare.

“It is simply not good enough for the Taoiseach to wash his hands on this issue, when it’s causing so much stress for young families. The Taoiseach, Minister Burton and Minister Fitzgerald need to tackle exorbitant childcare costs instead of standing back and blaming everyone else.

“We need to know once and for all that there will be no anti-family, anti-women and anti-job rules under Fine Gael and Labour’s new personal insolvency arrangement. I have already expressed concerns that the plan gives far too much power to the banks instead of supporting and empowering people crippled by debt. And now we are hearing of unacceptable rules that could be imposed on the families affected.

“I am calling on all Fine Gael and Labour representatives across Donegal to stand up for the families they represent and ensure that their colleagues at the Cabinet table see sense on this issue, rule out such draconian measures and finally address the pressing issue of childcare.”

A very successful seminar on all aspects of community gardening, funded by the Donegal PEACE III Partnership, and organised by the HSE in conjunction with Groundwork N.I., was held on 21st March in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.   

Over 70 attendees gathered to hear presentations on a range of topics, such as composting, cooking, men’s sheds, social farming and growing your own.

The event was opened by Cllr. Dessie Larkin, Chair of the Donegal Peace Partnership and the Donegal County Development Board.

Cllr. Larkin welcomed all attendees and gave an overview of the benefits of community gardens in terms of safe food, well-being and peace building.

The keynote speaker, Sr. Majella Mc Carron, talked about how we need to care for the earth’s skin on which we all live and drew a link between caring for the environment, well-being, health, justice and peace.

This link was further developed in the workshop on eco-health which explored the effect that nature has on our own health and well-being.

Participants could choose between seven workshops and had the opportunity to attend two during the morning.   

One workshop which was particularly well attended was ‘Setting up and Sustaining a Community Garden’ facilitated by Hans Wieland of Organic Centre in Leitrim who has overseen the development of over 20 community gardens in the North West.

Projects displaying their programmes at stands included a model community garden in Strabane developed by Cairde, the North West Garden Show and the MEET project based in Glencar, Letterkenny.

Maire O’Leary, Social Inclusion Manager with the HSE, commented;

“Community gardens have multiple benefits – as well as being vehicles for peace building, social inclusion and community development, they also improve physical and mental health; produce healthy food and contribute to caring for the environment.”

When asked if community gardens is a good way of meeting and befriending people outside our own family and community, the overwhelming majority of attendees positively affirmed this.

One attendee summed up the day as follows;

“I found the event thoroughly useful and insightful. It was a fantastic opportunity to network with other areas and provided for great shared learning and relationship building.”

Les O’Donnell and Denis Ferry, today begin their fundraising expedition that starts at the top of Ireland – Malin head – and ends at the top of America – at a town called Deadhorse at Prudhoe bay in Alaska. Deadhorse is 350 miles north of the Arctic Circle.  

The team will leave Malin Head today in a Ford Ranger and travel to Dublin – the easiest part of the trip.

They will fly 8,000 miles to Fairbanks in Alaska where a specially adapted arctic Ford Escape equipped with studded snow tyres, CB radio, satellite phone, camping and survival equipment awaits them.

On Easter Saturday they start the trip up the Dalton Highway. The road has been made famous by the TV programme Ice Road Truckers screened on the Discovery Channel and currently aired on channel 5 on Friday nights.

The team will travel the same route as the ice road truckers from Fairbanks to Deadhorse at Prudhoe bay.    

The first leg of the journey is 240 miles to a town called Coldfoot, here they will refuel and stay the night.

On Easter Sunday an early start is needed, as the further north you go the lower the temperature, and they must make the next stop before night which is Deadhorse, some 260 miles away.

Les and Denis are undertaking the challenge in aid of three local charities – Donegal Hospice, Friends of Letterkenny General Hospital (the COPD unit) and Cairde la Cheilie (friends together supporting people with disability).   

All monies raised will be given to the charities. Denis, Les and Paul are paying for there own flights and accommodation while Hegarty’s Ford Letterkenny are sponsoring both jeeps and all fuel used is sponsored by Top Oil in Bonagee.

Other sponsors include PPG Auto paints Letterkenny, Carpet Interiors, Irwin electrical, LK bikes, Pinehill Warehousing and Media Box.

Denis and Les have chosen the charities for their own personal reasons. Fundraising will take place from a mix of selling tickets, one for each mile completed.

When you buy a ticket you will be entered into a draw with the winners drawn after an evening of sharing stories, photos and perhaps even video footage of the men’s trek.

The event will be held in the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny on 26 April 2013.

Good luck Lads.

BY PATSY McGONAGLE: The annual Ballyliffin Coastal Challenge, a 10 mile event round the scenic Isle of Doagh starting in the village of Ballyliffin and finishing on the stunning Pollan Beach, takes place this Saturday.

This is my invitation to you to join us at 2pm – and join hundreds of others who are ready to take the Challenge whether it’s to walk/jog or run.

Described by donegaldaily.com last year as the world’s most scenic run, it certainly is.

Once again joggers, walkers and runners are expected from throughout these islands – and all and more are welcome to join in.

An added aspect to the ocassion this year are races for primary school children simply turn up for a 2.30pm start on the beach and away you go. This addition will add to the family involvement of the entire day.

The 1K run on Pollan Beach will ensure a family occasion. This proved very popular in 2012.

Your school is invited to encourage children under your care to attend.

• No entry fee (simply turn up)

• Certificates for all

• Cream Eggs/ Easter Eggs to top 20

Races:

U-11 girls (from 2003/2004/2005)

U-11 boys (from 2003/2004/2005)

Over 11 girls (at primary school)

Over 11 boys (at primary school)

It’s a fun event with a slight competitive edge…

Registration is at the Ballyliffin Hotel from 11 am or better still pre enter by logging in to www.visitballyliffin.com which also outlines accommodation choices for the visitor or failing that send an email to ballyliffincoastalchallenge@gmail.com indicating your participation  to avoid the queue.

Post race refreshments for participants in coastal event in Ballyliffin Lodge. Check it out on facebook searching for Ballyliffin International 10 ml coastal challenge – and keep an eye here on donegaldaily.com.

Marty gets down on bended knee to propose to Linda at 1,776 ft!

DD Exclusive: A Donegal man has become the first person in the world to propose marriage on top of America’s new Freedom Tower.

Marty Curran made the epic 104 storey climb to get down on one knee to ask girlfriend Linda Cribben to marry him – but almost didn’t make it.

Marty, from Letterkenny arranged the trip with friends working in the Port Authority.

But the well-known DJ admits his love for Linda almost never soared to new heights.

“We had to walk up the last three floors and I was green. I just wasn’t taking the height very well at all.

Linda accepts Marty’s proposal

“Linda suggested I stay where I was but I couldn’t allow her to go on without me.

“In the end I got through it and I was so glad that I did. It’s had to put into words what an amazing experience it was,” he said.

Marty had arranged everything in advance and bought a ‘promise ring’ at a Letterkenny jewellery shop before traveling to New York with Linda.

On St.Patrick’s Day morning, Martin was told the trip to the tower was on but could change because of the weather.

Martin had hoped the best he could get was up to the 80th floor as the top of the tower at 1,776 ft was still under construction and closed to the public.

Work on the One World Trade Centre (1WTC), which replaces the infamous Twin Towers, began in 2006 and will be completed at the end of this year.

The couple had to wear special hi-visibility jackets, glasses and construction hard hats.

The view from the scene of Marty and Linda’s special occasion

The couple took a lift to floor 35, then changed over to a hoist to floor 80 and then another hoist to floor 104. They then had to take the stairs to floor 105 – the roof!

“I couldn’t believe it when Jim turned to me and said we were going to have a very good view – from the top.

“Very few people have been to the top of the tower nevermind allowed brought up to propose marriage,” said Marty.

Jim gave Marty his cue and Marty did the deed by going down on one knee – despite the freezing cold, horrific height and wind.

Jim even managed to capture Linda’s reaction on camera and video.

And thankfully Linda, who first met Marty when she was a cocktail waitress in Letterkenny nightclub Sister Sara’s ten years ago, said yes.

The couple were also invited to sign a special steel beam which will remain in the Freedom Tower forever.

The couple have yet to name a date for their wedding but Marty admits his love for Linda probably couldn’t reach greater heights.

“Now unless we get married in space….” laughed Marty!

LInda and Marty’s proposal will be forever enshrined on the Freedom Tower

Donegal TV will broadcast for the first time next month – with four special half-hour programmes – with a big emphasis on The Gathering.

Every Thursday during April, Donegal TV will be broadcast at 7.00 pm on the Sky Showcase Channel (191), Freesat Channel 400 and will be available online at www. donegaltv.ie.

The first programme will be aired next Thursday, April 4th and will include a welcome from Donegal Mayor, Cllr. Frank Mc Brearty and an exclusive interview with General Martin E. Dempsey, the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Combined Forces – the highest ranking military figure in the United States – who has strong connections with Ranafast, Co. Donegal.

Packie Bonner will bring viewers on a whirlwind tour of his home area while the recent Donegal County Enterprise awards will also be featured in the first programme.

Later programmes will include a special tribute to Donegal Person of the Year Jim Mc Guinness, actor Sean McGinley, and behind the scenes footage of the magnificent dedication of last year’s joint person of the year Anne Marie Ward. A series of features on the beautiful attractions and events in Donegal will also be included with many well known Donegal personalities taking part.

The concept of developing Donegal TV has been driven by Newtowncunningham man Shane Wallace of Wallace Media, and it is seen as a great platform to promote and tie in with The Gathering.

“I am delighted about this new initiative where a number of people based in the Business Development Centre at LYIT, namely Wallace Media & Grace Ann Consultancy have brought this innovation to our efforts here in Donegal,” said Paddy Harte, Chairman of the Donegal Gathering organising committee.

“The gathering is a year long celebration of all that is great about Donegal. Over 150 events will take place in the County this year which range from small community gatherings to large scale international events and the TV programmes are an ideal platform to encourage our diaspora to visit home this year,” he added.

Along with Sean Perry they will be reporting on numerous features with Wallace Media providing the production expertise and facilities.

The project comes under the able stewardship of Paul McLoone, former Chief Executive of North West Tourism.

“This is a pilot project to explore the possibility of developing TV programmes within the County. We have the technology, the expertise and the capacity to produce quality television programmes in Donegal and we know we will learn from this initiative and go on to produce shows on a more regular basis into the future,” stated Mr. McLoone.

“The programmes are about Donegal and are made and presented by Donegal people. We are the only county in Ireland producing programmes like this and I am asking the people of the county to spread the word to family and friends based either at home or abroad to tune in,” Mr. Harte continued.

The programmes will also be available on playback on the website so if you miss them first time around you can watch them again at your leisure.

“The programmes are aimed at the people of Donegal and our diaspora and hopefully in these difficult times will give people a bit of a lift and will show Donegal again leading the way in 2013,” he said, adding: “Let’s put Donegal TV on the map this 2013 Gathering.”

The ladies of Dungloe will gather in large numbers on Good Friday to participate in a 5k fun run and walk for Baby Lucy to help raise money and awareness on the rare condition that affects her. 

Little Lucy Gallagher from Maghery, who is just six months old, suffers from Harlequinn Ichthyosis.

The condition, which prevents Lucy’s skin from developing properly, affects just 100 children around the world.

Look to the centre of the picture for Robert’s Easter bunny!

When Robert McClean looked skywards he knew there was a real Easter feeling in the air.

Robert was out snapping away in the Co Donegal countryside as he regularly likes to do.

But little did he know a perfect picture was about to come ‘hopping’ across his screen as he snapped at Derryreel, Falcarragh.

When he looked at his camera there was a great cloud picture of an Easter bunny.

‘I’ve showed it to a few people and they all spotted the bunny in the picture. It’s just a great time of year to see such a picture,” he said.

A major pollution incident – and possibly worse – was narrowly averted in Killybegs harbour when a stricken vessel lost power in stormy conditions.

The Spanish freezer vessel, “Aldan”, with 400 tonnes of fuel on board and a crew of 18, started drifting when the main engine failed about 10 minutes after casting off from the Auction Hall pier.

Disaster was averted by the quick thinking and skill of staff of Sinbad Marine Services Ltd. who managed to bring the vessel under control using only the company pilot boat.

Killybegs has been without full-time tug boats for the past several weeks following the announcement by Sinbad Marine that it could no longer afford to provide the service which was costing the company more than €1,000 a day.

A call by the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation for the Department of the Marine and Donegal County Council to step in is said to be “under discussion” at present.

The assumption that a high-powered tug with fire fighting capability will be on hand in an incident is written into the emergency plans of both the Coast Guard and the Fire Brigade.

The engine failure on the “Aldan” has sen it remain tied up in Killybegs while a deep sea tug makes its way from Gijon in Northern Spain to tow her away for repairs.

The “Aldan” came into Killybegs under her own power last week and her engineers spent three days attempting to deal with a fault that had developed.

The vessel attempted to leave on Friday night but had not cleared the port when the main engine seized.

The crew of the pilot boat, “Sinbad”, responded quickly and succeeded in bringing the vessel back to her berthage. It is now expected that she will be towed out of Killybegs on Easter Monday.

Said Jim Parkinson, managing director of Sinbad Marine Services Ltd.: “This is precisely the type of situation we have been warning about. If the pilot boat and her experienced crew had not been on hand, there could have been a disaster. In a situation like this, the response needs to be in two minutes, not in two days.”

Martin Howley, chairman of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, said that the skill and quick response of the Sinbad crew had undoubtedly saved the day. “This was a case in point and shows that Killybegs cannot work without a tug service”, Mr Howley said.

Donegal County Council has appealed to land owners and members of the public to exercise caution during the current period of dry weather and to take all necessary measures to prevent gorse fires and similar fires.

Despite the current cold snap, very little rain is forecast in the coming days leaving shrubbery dry.

With the current period of dry weather, gorse, heather and other undergrowth is extremely dry. Fires are likely to spread rapidly and get out of control causing unnecessary damage and putting houses, property and possibly life at risk.

These fires also interfere with wildlife breeding and nesting and, in many cases, decimate the local wildlife population.

Donegal County Council would also like to remind landowners and members of the public that under the Wildlife Act 1976 and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.

It 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.

This appeal follows information received from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine which advised forest owners, managers and the public that high forest fire risk conditions now exist over parts of Ireland and that these conditions are expected to continue over the coming Easter holiday weekend.

Despite the severe weather being experienced in many parts of the country, the Fire Weather Index forecast produced by Met Eireann for the period 27th to 31st March predicts high fire risk conditions for fire in many parts of Ireland. Low rainfall and moderate South-East or East breezes are forecast to continue for the coming days and will contribute to high fire risk conditions particularly in the South West, West and North-West of the country.

Forest owners, farmers, rural dwellers and holiday makers are asked to be vigilant, to report any suspicious activity to the Gardai and to report any uncontrolled or unattended fires immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services.

The Department also recommends that forest owners, managers and investors should consider the fire mitigation measures that they can put in place to help prevent loss or damage to forest resources through fire.

The famous Ford of Fishers on Fanad Head in the hands of Kelvin Keys and Kevin Gallinagh at the Topaz Donegal Rally. Photo Brian Mc Daid

The Donegal International Rally has been dealt a huge blow after sponsor Topaz announced it will not be renewing its sponsorship after this year’s event, which takes place in June.

The news will be a huge blow to the famous rally which has enjoyed a great relationship with Topaz for the past six years.

Paul Candon, Marketing and Corporate Services Director at Topaz, said the Company’s sponsorship of the event had been of tremendous benefit to the Topaz brand and indeed the Rally.

“We have enjoyed a very fruitful relationship with the Rally and the Donegal Motor Club over the last six years. As an Irish owned and managed Company we were delighted to support an event which enjoys huge support from the people of Donegal and the rallying community all over Ireland.

“The Sponsorship of the Donegal International Rally played a huge part in assisting us with establishing our brand in the North West and Northern Ireland. I would like to thank the DMC, the drivers and their support teams, the thousands of volunteers who help out with the Rally every year and the people of Donegal for their tremendous support for the Rally and Topaz over the years. As well as seeing some fantastic rallying, we also made many friends and visited some beautiful parts of the country” Candon said.

Candon also pointed out that in order to facilitate the Donegal Motor Club in its search for a replacement sponsor it would not be insisting on branding of the event this year.

Damian Crawford, Chairman of the DMC thanked Topaz for their wholehearted support of the Rally over the last six years.

“Our experience with Topaz has been fantastic. Their involvement has led the Rally to a professional standard, and developed its standing internationally. It now stands as the pre-eminent event in the Irish Motorsport calendar, the only three-day International Rally in Ireland, and one of only two in the British Isles.”

“We’re happy that the Donegal International Rally has played its part in establishing the Topaz brand, and that Topaz chose the Rally as part of that process. We’ve learned a lot, in particular the commercial opportunities the Rally provides, and their flexibility on the branding of this year’s Rally is greatly appreciated.”

“We are now in contact with interested parties for the future, and everyone in Donegal Motor Club, and all who enjoy the Donegal Rally, will want to join me in thanking Topaz for their sponsorship and enthusiasm. They’ve been a joy to work with.” Crawford said.

EASTER SAFER DRIVING MESSAGE FROM AN GARDA SIOCHANA: As we head into the Easter Bank Holiday we must face the fact that tragically, 48 lives have already been lost on Irish roads in 2013. This represents 14 more than this time last year. In addition 107 people have suffered serious injuries as a result of a road traffic collision.

We have seen a reduction in road deaths every year since 2006, which has led to Ireland becoming one of the safest countries in Europe in terms of road safety.

Although 162 people tragically lost their lives in 2012, it was the lowest figure ever recorded since records began. The reality now is we may end up with more than 162 road deaths by the end of 2013 if this upsurge in fatalities continues unabated. This cannot be allowed to happen, and we are appealing to every road user to take maximum care on our roads to ensure we reverse this increase in fatalities.

Drivers in particular have accounted for 29 of the 47 people killed on our roads to date, and as such are over- represented compared to other road user categories. In addition:-

• Over half of these fatal collisions occurred between 8pm and 4am

• Over half were single vehicle collisions

• More than three quarters were on roads with a speed limit of 80kph or more.

Bearing in mind the cold weather predicted over the next couple of days we ask that all drivers recognise the necessity to slow down, always wear their seatbelt, never drive whilst tired and never, ever drink and drive.

Assistant Commissioner Gerard Phillips said today: ”We are up 14 road deaths today compared to this time last year. If we do not rectify this increase in road deaths immediately, we risk the very real possibility of having an increase in road deaths in Ireland for the first time in 7 years. It took a lot of hard work to make Ireland one of the safest countries in Europe in terms of road safety – we don’t want to lose that accolade. We now ask that every road user continues to help us to make our roads safer, and reverse the situation we find ourselves in today. We all need to examine our actions on the road and ensure that we take every precaution to protect ourselves and others.”

Commissioner Phillips continued: ”Many people will be travelling to many parts of the country by car this Easter weekend, and we know to date, drivers are over-represented in fatalities compared to other road users. Over half of the driver fatalities occurred between 8pm and 4am and were single vehicle collisions, whilst more than three quarters occurred on roads with a speed limit of 80kph or more. We therefore must appeal to drivers in particular to get the basics right:-slow down, never drink and drive, always use your seatbelt and never drive whilst tired.”

Mr. Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: ”Weekends are a high risk time on our roads. We want you to enjoy the break, but to do so responsibly. If you decide to drink, plan ahead – leave the keys at home and designate a driver or use public transport. Make sensible decisions and don’t put your family and others through the grief of losing a loved one. Vulnerable road users also need to take precautions over the bank holiday weekend. Pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists should wear something that will make them stand out to other road-users, particularly in conditions of poor weather and poor visibility. Fluorescent materials are most effective during the day and reflective materials at night. Pedestrians are advised in particular to take extra care and not to walk home if they are under the influence of alcohol.”

There were 48 people killed on the roads as of March 28.

29 of these were drivers.

9 of these were pedestrians.

5 of these were passengers.

3 of these were motorcyclists.

2 of these were pedal cyclists.

Out of 29 driver fatalities, 18 were as a result of a single vehicle collision.

12 drivers were killed on roads with an 80 km/h speed limit.

12 drivers were killed on roads with either 100 or 120 Km/h speed limit.

16 drivers were killed between the hours of 8pm and 4am.

Easter Holidays 2012 (Friday-Monday, April 6 – 9)

Fatalities 1

Serious Injuries 5

Minor injuries 75

The Late Mary Teresa Boyle:

After a long illness, the death took place in Sligo Hospital, on Tuesday 19th March 2013, of Mary Teresa Boyle, Glen Road, Glenties. Her Remains were brought to her home on Wednesday evening and to St. Connell’s Church, Glenties on Friday morning. Fr. Pat Prendergast celebrated Mass at 11a.m. Her brother Pat and his wife Jenifer did the Readings. Music and singing was by John F. O’Donnell, Anne Bonner and Christine Mc Cool. Burial took place in the New Graveyard. Mary Teresa, daughter of Mary and the late Eugene Boyle, Glen Road is survived by her mother Mary, sister, Kathleen, brother, Patrick and his wife Jenifer, niece, Roisin, nephew Owen, aunt, Bridie O’Shea, other relatives and friends to whom sincere sympathy is extended.

Sympathy:

Sincere sympathy is extended to the wife and family, parents, relatives and friends of Andy Chan, Main Street, Glenties, who died unexpectedly, on Thursday 21st March 2013.

St. Connell’s Church, Glenties – Holy Week:

Holy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper – 7.30 p.m. This Mass will end with a Eucharistic Procession to the Altar of Repose and there will be Adoration until12.00 midnight. Everyone is encouraged to spend some time before the Blessed Sacrament on this special evening. (Please Note: there will be no Adoration during the day on Holy Thursday).

Trócaire:

Please change small coins into € 2 or € 1 coins or bank notes, and bring your Trócaire donation in the special Trócaire Envelope provided in your Sunday Envelope Box, dated for Holy Thursday.

Good Friday:

The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion – 3.00 p.m. Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence. There will be a basket collection for the Holy Places in Jerusalem during this ceremony.

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil:

The Easter Vigil Mass – 9.00 p.m.

Candles will be provided for use during the Service of Light.

Church of the Holy Family, Edeninfagh – Holy Week:

Holy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper – 9.00 p.m. This Mass will end with a Eucharistic Procession to the Altar of Repose and there will be Adoration until10.30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to spend some time before the Blessed Sacrament on this special evening

Trócaire:

Please change small coins into € 2 or € 1 coins or bank notes, and bring your Trócaire donation in the special Trócaire Envelope provided in your Sunday Envelope Box, dated for Holy Thursday.

Good Friday:

The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion – 6.00 p.m. Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence. There will be a basket collection for the Holy Places in Jerusalem during this ceremony.

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil:

The Easter Vigil Mass – 10.00 p.m.

Candles will be provided for use during the Service of Light.

Easter Bingo:

Easter Bingo in the Glenties Community Centre on Tuesday 26th March. Every line € 50, every house € 100; Jackpot will be € 5700 on Tuesday 26th on 45 numbers or less. If not won € 300 will be paid out. In-house draws. Snooker room will be open from 12 noon to 10 p.m. every day during Easter holidays. Tuesday evening it will close at 8 p.m.

Bingo:

The winners at the Bingo in the Community Centre, Glenties on Tuesday 19th March were – € 50 winners – Liz Spence, Anne Kennedy, Michelle Mc Brearty, Marian McGuinness, Michelle Mc Brearty, Maura Kilbane, James Byrne, Marianne Ward, Renee Mulhern, Anne Quinn, Patsy Mc Dyre, Roisin Breslin; Letti Doherty; € 100 winners – Sinead Sweeney, Bernie Martin, Cathleen Connell, James Deane, Rosemarie Whelan, Maureen Gildea, Annmarie Cunningham, Patricia Whyte, Kathleen Griffin; € 60 winner – Sally Mc Hugh; € 150 winners – Mary Campbell, Fiona Gallagher

Collection:

The St.Vincent de Paul – Uganda Collection will take place next weekend.

All proceeds will fund Educational and Agricultural Projects. Please give as generously as you can.

Glenties Day Centre Cake Sale:

The Day Centre is holding a Cake Sale in the Market Hall on Good Friday, after the Service in St.Connell’s Church. All Homemade Cakes, Breads, etc. All profits towards the running costs of the Day Centre. Please support this worthy cause.

Charity Cycle:

Tír Chonaill Gap Cycling Club are holding a Charity Cycle (30k & 60k) and 5K Run for Aware and Breast Cancer Research on Easter Monday at 10 a.m. from Glenties Comprehensive School. Registration at 9 a.m. at the school. Adults €10; U-18 € 5. All are welcome.

Mass in Rossnowlagh:

A bus will leave Mc Guinness’ Café at 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday 2nd April and every first Tuesday for Mass in Rossnowlagh. The organisers wish to make an appeal for more people to join them.

Charity Walk:

Good Friday Charity Walk in aid of the Alzheimer’s Day Centre, Glenties. Please meet at the Day Centre, Dr. Mc Closkey Crescent, on Good Friday – 29th March. The Walk will begin at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome to take part.

A cattle mart is to return to Letterkenny for the first time in more than a decade.

The famous cattle mart at Sentry Hill in Letterkenny last operated 12 years ago and the old mart has since been bulldozed.

But well-known businessman Eddie Tinney will now hold a new Letterkenny Livestock Mart at Bonagee.

Mr Tinney said the first mart will be held on Tuesday week, April 9th and every Tuesday thereafter.

And online bidding will also be possible with bidders being able to buy livestock by logging onto www.auctionmarts.com

Malta: There are 200 jobs on offer to bus drivers on the sun-kissed island

THE DEPARTMENT of Social Protection says it is to continue to highlight jobs abroad to unemployed people in Co Donegal – saying it has been doing so for two decades.

The statement from the Department comes after a teacher was offered a post in Spain and a 60-year-old man was offered a position driving buses in Malta.

Both people contacted Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty to complain.

The Maltese offer included a description of the island’s all-year-round sunshine.

However the Department told Donegal Daily such job offers aren’t new – and they will continue to point out possible employment opportunities inside the European Union.

“The European Employment Service (Eures) is a Europe-wide initiative in existence since 1993 to assist jobseekers take up employment in other EU countries,” said a spokesman

“It is a network of all the public employment services in the European Union and the European Economic Area. It is a service we offer which is extremely popular with jobseekers throughout Europe.”

It said the department informs jobseekers in Ireland of such job opportunities in the European labour market which may be of interest to them.

“Any such employment opportunities which the Department of Social Protection brings to the attention of jobseekers are completely voluntary and people who do not avail of them will not lose their social welfare entitlements here,” the spokesman added.

Every week we will be giving away a FREE family pass (one adult and three children or two adults and two children) to Century Cinemas in Letterkenny.   

All readers have to do is to email the answer to a simple movie-related question.

This week’s question is ‘What is the name of the Belfast record store owner at the centre of the new film Good Vibrations? The answer could well be on the Century Cinemas website below!

Email your answer with your name, address and mobile phone number to admin@donegaldaily.com before 11pm this evening.

The winner will be announced tomorrow morning (SAT).

And don’t worry if you don’t win this week – we have lots of FREE family passes available in the coming weeks.

DDTV: A visit to the summit of Muckish Mountain in outstanding winter sunshine on Holy Thursday.

With an ascent of Miners Gully up the north face of the mountain. This route is a classic Grade I winter climb. (though with today’s lean conditions it was a top end grade II)

Footage by Iain Miller 28/03/13

http://www.uniqueascent.ie/

Press Play to watch

She already looks like a natural.

Little Saidbh Harte got to interview Ryan Tubridy when she visited the RTE studios.

The Letterkenny girl, 9, chatted to Tubridy about his love of The Beatles and her love of One Direction!

Saidbh’s cousin Conor Deeney will appear on tonight’s Late Late Show along with mum Bernie on a special segment which focuses on autism.

DONEGAL fans are popping up everywhere!

The latest is this fan – Sean O’Donnell from the Rosses – who appeared in his county’s colours on Sky Sports TV coverage of the Premier League Darts in Glasgow on Thursday night.

He certainly seemed to enjoy his six seconds of fame!

And got a rousing round of applause from darts fans sitting around him in Glasgow where Sean now lives.