The club’s senior and reserve teams will be hoping to build on their impressive opening week results in the Division 2 league as both play host to Dungloe in Pairc Naomh Columba this coming Sunday. The reserves get things underway at 1.30pm while the seniors take on the team who are joined top with them in the league after two games at 3.00pm.

The minors suffered mixed results last week in Division 2 of the minor league. The boys fought their way to victory over Glenfin with a 1-5 to 1-2 victory in a sun kissed Pairc Taobhoige on Tuesday 2nd before being defeated away to a strong Fanad Gaels team just three days later, on a scorline of 1-11 to 1-5. Another busy week follows for them, this time with two crunch home ties. They will face up to table-topping St.Michaels on Friday 12th at 6.30pm before hosting local rivals Termon on Monday night at 7.00pm.

Our u14′s lost out to Milford in their first league outing on a scorline of 3-3 to 2-2 on Monday evening.

Winning lotto Numbers were 4, 10, 13, 23. Match 3 winner is J.Cullen. Next weeks sellers are George Simmons and Lee Gildea. The jackpot stands at €2180.

Finally, a massive good luck to Leon Kelly who will play in the u21 Ulster Final on Wednesday 10th. Donegal will play Cavan in the decider at Brewster Park, Enniskillen at 8pm.

DOWNINGS singer Shane McLaughlin has thanked the people of Donegal for helping him get to the last ten on RTE’s The Voice of Ireland at the weekend.

Now he’s hoping to go even further.

In this article for Donegal Daily, Shane writes:

There was a big build up going into Sunday night. I was really unwell and fighting laryngitis. I was asking myself a lot of questions. Was my voice going to hold out? Was I going to make it to the last 10? It was all very intense! It was make or break for me and I was not going to let my County and my fans down. Then I got in my zone, drank some water with honey and lemon, and just went for it. I thought my voice was going to go during the song but thank God it held out. Then came the comments from the coaches. Bressie was fair but harsh in the fact that he claims that I have no chance of winning it (Donegal proved the pundits wrong in recent memory too if I’m not mistaken). As for Sharon and Jamelia, they are very tactical. Sharon said I had improved and then awarded the same score as before. Jamelia said I posed too much. Was she even watching the performance? And is the show not about the ‘voice’?

The group performance was amazing. We had so much fun. It was great performing with Kian and the others. Kian kept telling me to “rock it man” so I did. He really got behind me, which was a great confidence boost after a tough week. I pushed for that particular song, and it was great that we got to perform it together. I was nervous waiting for the results, I knew before the show that Kelly would take it. She has a massive national following and had a great performance. When her name was called out and we had to come back out on stage for the wildcard I whispered to Kian: “you can help me pack for Donegal”. When my name came out I was over the moon and bursting with emotion. I wanted to dive off the stage!

I can’t thank enough all those who have supported me this far. It is overwhelming. I feel so proud to be a part of this, proud to be a Donegal man and proud to be the only one to keep the flag north of Dublin flying. Thank you my supporters from the bottom of my heart, as the voting by the coaches has become more tactical. I’d like at this opportunity to thank our amazing Donegal Media, from print, to internet, to the radio. All we are missing is Donegal TV now. A huge thank you also goes to my sponsors who have helped me get this far. I would also like to wish Grainne Gavigan all the best on Glor Tire. I honestly know how your feeling so go out enjoy it and bring the house down.

If anyone is interested in helping out with my campaign, it would mean so much to me. To help, leave your details on my music page “Shane Mc Laughlin music” on facebook or alternatively by calling Dessie on 0877920724. Let me say again. Thank you all. Let’s keep the momentum going. Many of you have been asking the following questions: [Am I on next Sunday? Yes!] [What is the format of next week’s show? All judges can vote, so watch out for tactics. All of you can vote!] [What window of time have we for voting next week? 15m!] [How often can you vote? As often as you like in those few minutes!] [Can you make it through to the final 6? NO!!! But WE can.]

INLAND Fisheries Ireland has confirmed it is investigating a pollution incident earlier today on the River Eany.

Local anglers say hundreds of small fish have been killed.

“We have identified the source of a pollution incident at a pipe on the river. The water has been badly discoloured as a result,” said a spokesman for IFI.

An initial brief inspection hasn’t located dead fish as yet, “but this could change when the water clears and that may take some time.”

Further inspections will take place this evening and again tomorrow.

One local angler who discovered dead salmon and trout told Donegal Daily however: “We have seen dozens of dead fish and we believe hundreds have been killed.

“The river is still very murky from the pollution and when that water clears the full devastation will become clear. It’s looking really bad.”

Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue has said there is an onus on political leaders on both sides of the border to ensure that the crucial A5 upgrade goes ahead.

The Fianna Fáil Deputy has said the project must not be jeopardised by yesterday’s High Court ruling.

The court quashed permission to proceed with construction at this time, because of the potential impact on the River Foyle and River Finn special areas of conservation.

“This project has taken years of preparation, cross-border cooperation and investment. It is central to the recovery and development of this region, and it would be devastating if it did not go ahead,” said Deputy McConalogue.

“In light of the High Court ruling yesterday, I am calling on the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to urgently engage with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to ensure that the A5 project can proceed. We cannot allow this to bring the entire project to a halt after everything that has already gone into it.

“The A5 project has already been plagued with unacceptable delays over the past two years and has lost funding as a result of work not commencing last year. There is a real danger that further funding will now be lost, unless political leaders on both sides of the border sit down and agree a way forward.

“Far too much has gone into this project, and it is far too important for the future of this entire region, for it to fall by the wayside now. I am urging the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Transport Minister to show some leadership here and start discussions with Stormont immediately on a way forward.

“Transport links to Donegal are significantly under-developed and the A5 dual-carriageway has the potential to open up this entire region. It will encourage investment, boost tourism, strengthen business links, and make a huge difference to people and businesses in Donegal. It is a once in a generation opportunity to invest in the infrastructure of Donegal and the North West region. The Government cannot afford to let it pass.”

THE brother of Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has gone on trial in Belfast for allegedly raping and sexually abusing his daughter.

The jury for the trial was sworn in at Belfast Crown Court on Tuesday.

They heared that Gerry Adams had confronted his brother about allegations he raped and abused his own daughter Aine Adams from the age of four.

Belfast Crown Court heard on Tuesday that after Aine Adams told her mother about what had allegedly happened to her when she was a child, the mother and daughter – along with Gerry Adams – went to confront Liam Adams at a house in Buncrana, Co Donegal in 1986.

Liam Adams, of Bernagh Drive, west Belfast, however, has denied the allegations.

He went on trial facing ten counts of rape, indecent assault and gross indecency allegedly committed against his daughter – between the ages of around four and ten – from 23 March 1977 to 24 March 1984.

Crown lawyer Ciaran Murphy QC warned the jury of six men and six women that their role was to assess the evidence, “decide who is telling the truth” and set aside any feelings of sympathy or prejudice they may have.

He declared that ultimately, once they have heard all of the evidence in the trial, “we respectfully say that you will be firmly convinced of the guilt of Mr Liam Adams.”

Taking the jury through the ten count indictment, Mr Murphy said that in essence Aine Adams, 40, will allege that when she was a child, her father “engaged in indecent touching of her body,” forced her to perform sex acts and touch him and also “engaged in sexual intercourse with her from about the age of five.”

Describing how her parents’ marriage was not a happy one, the lawyer said there were many occasions when Aine’s mother left the home and it was then, “when the defendant was left alone with Aine Adams, she alleges she was abused”.

He said the first incident the alleged victim could recollect was when she was around four-years-old and living in Westrock Drive in west Belfast when her father allegedly came into her room and “started touching her”, adding that in combination with the further sexual allegations “it can be inferred that the touching was indecent.”

The next set of three charges of indecent assault, gross indecency and rape, came when Aine was around five-years-old said the lawyer.

Aine Adams claims her dad Liam sexually abused her from the age of four

While her mother was in hospital giving birth to her brother Connor, Liam Adams allegedly went into his daughter’s room, touched her inappropriately, forced her to touch him and then raped her.

After the family had moved to a property in the Lenadoon area when Aine was still around five-years-old, Mr Murphy recounted how Aine would give evidence of having her own bedroom but that her father came into her room wearing a sheepskin coat.

“He had just come into the house,” explained the lawyer, “and she alleges that he touched the area where her breasts would have been…and kissed her in a vulgar way” before there was more inappropriate touching and rape.

Another alleged incident occurred in a bungalow the family had moved to in the New Barnsley area in the summer of 1981 when again, having gone into his young daughter’s bedroom, Adams abused her and forced her to perform a sex act.

The last count, Mr Murphy told the jury, related to an allegation that Adams raped his daughter when she was around ten-years-old in a flat he moved into on the Antrim Road in the north of the city after the marriage broke up.

He said Aine first told her mother Sarah about the allegations in 1986, a short time before the mother and daughter, along with Sinn Féin president, her uncle Gerry Adams, went to Co Donegal to confront him about his alleged behaviour.

The jury heard that while she also told police about the alleged abuse in 1987 and gave a statement, she told police she did wish the matter to go any further and moved to Scotland.

By 2006, however, Aine Adams had come back to Belfast and again raised her complaint with the police who arrested her father and interviewed him three times.

Liam Adams denied all the allegations put to him and also denied that his brother, ex-wife and daughter ever confronted him about the claims.

The trial continues.

GIGS – SPONSORED BY O2: THEY wowed thousands with their comeback performance at Donington Park last year as part of the 2012 Download Festival.

Now, with the release of new album “13″ on the horizon, the mighty Black Sabbath have announced a set of shows for the end of 2013.

And the heavy metal group have confirmed they will play the Odyssey Area in Belfast on December 12.

The tour will comprise six shows across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, kicking off at The O2 in Greenwich, London on the 10th of December and finishing up with a homecoming show at the LG Arena in Birmingham on the 20th.

There are also shows planned to take place on the European mainland at the end of November.

Black Sabbath December 2013 UK Arena Tour Dates:

Tuesday 10th – London – The O2

Thursday 12th – Belfast – Odyssey Arena

Saturday 14th – Sheffield – Motorpoint Arena

Monday 16th – Glasgow – Hydro

Wednesday 18th – Manchester – Arena

Friday 20th – Birmingham – LG Arena

Tickets for the tour will go on general sale this coming Friday (12th of April).

Pre-sale tickets may be available through O2 as early as Wednesday for O2 customers and keep an eye out for any venue pre-sales too.

Prices for this huge tour will range between £45 and £55 plus the usual booking fees.

Fine Gael TD for Donegal North East, Joe McHugh, has today (Tuesday) said that the Irish Government’s commitment to investing 50m in the A5 road carriageway in 2015 and 2016 remains firmly in place.

“I have received assurances from the Department of Transport that the Irish Government’s commitment to invest €25 million in the A5 road carriageway in 2015 and an additional €25 million again in 2016 remains firmly in place, despite the decision by Mr. Justice Stephens in Belfast yesterday to quash orders which prevent the project from going ahead at the moment,” Deputy McHugh told Donegal Daily.

“This decision is disappointing and will be a setback to the project, but I would like to assure everyone involved that the Irish Government is committed to seeing this project through.

“The Minister for Regional Development in the north, Danny Kennedy, should now be afforded the space needed to decide on the best way to proceed with this project to keep the overall objective of providing adequate road access to the north west.

“Transport connectivity is enormously important for developing the North West’s potential and I will continue to work closely with both the Department of Transport and my northern counterparts on this matter to ensure that people north and south of the border can freely travel to and from the North West.”

BREAKING NEWS…..THE UK’s Food Standards Agency says that Asda Smart Price Corned Beef 340g tins have been found to contain low levels of phenylbutazone, known as ‘bute’.

As a result, Asda has been forced to recall its “Smart Price” corned beef.

Consumers in Donegal who may have bought the contaminated product from Omagh or Strabane ASDA stores are urged not to eat it.

All batch codes of product affected – 340g tins of ‘Smart Price’ Corned Beef – have been removed from shelves.

Customers who have bought the 340g tins, with any date code, have been urged not to eat the corned beef but to return it to the supermarket.

It comes just over a month after Asda withdrew the same product after equine DNA was detected.

Further sampling and testing has revealed the presence of low levels of phenylbutazone – used in veterinary medicine as a pain-killer or anti-inflammatory.

A statement from Asda said: “In March 2013 we withdrew tinned Smart Price Corned Beef (340g) after receiving a positive test for horse DNA above the 1% trace level set by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

“Today, 9th April 2013, tests on further batches have shown a positive result for very low levels of horse medication called phenylbutazone, also known as bute, at four parts per billion.

“The FSA has reassured us that the quantities we’ve found pose a low risk to human health.”

Knockalla Caravans Cup Result

Fanad Utd. 2

Bonagee Utd. 1

You can send reports, results and pictures from any sport to info@donegaldaily.com

Despite a forecast for rain, firefighters were again called out this evening as dry weather brought further blazes in West Donegal for the FIFTH night in succession.

Fire crews from Gaoth Dobhair and Dungloe were called to a gorse fire in the Carrickataskin area of Derrybeg tonight.

The fire was burning close to some houses in the area and the Gaoth Dobhair crew, the first responders, summoned the Dungloe service to assist them.

The blaze has now been brought under control (11.10pm) but fire officers are still at the scene to ensure all burning matter is completely extinguished.

There was a less serious gorse fire in the Maghery area outside Dungloe earlier in the evening.

Today’s fires brings the number of fires across Donegal since April 1st to more than one hundred.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Joe McTaggart has said he doe snot believe all the recent fires were started by accident.

He has appealed to the public to play their part and to let Gardai know if anyone has started fires deliberately.

TAKE a bow Donal Kearney.

Your incredible picture of Lough Swilly in the fine spring sunshine was the feature pic on the 3e forecast this evening.

And it was so good forecaster Deric Ó h’Artagáin made sure it was seen by his viewers.

So here’s a pic of Deric with your pic Donal!

The fire rages in Annagry this morning. Pic courtesy of Paddy Barry.

Several fire crews are this morning fighting what’s has been described as “a massive” gorse fire in the Culacrick area of Annagry.

The fire has been burning for several hours and is nearing several houses.

There have been further fires overnight including a fire in Killygordan.

Glenties and Dungloe fire crews tackle a blaze at 4am in Doochary

DDTV: THIS  was the Meenderrynasloe gorse fire in the early hours of this morning.

Paddy Barry’s short footage is nothing sensational.

But it shows the horror our fire service personnel are facing on a nightly basis.

Click play to watch

March was another good month for Donegal sport with an array of achievements at county, provincial and national level. Donegal Sports Star Awards PRO Declan Kerr takes a look at the March highlights some of which are sure to figure at the end of the year when the committee meets to decider the 2013 winners.     

The county’s sporting public was rightly proud of the month’s top sporting triumph in which was the historic Rugby Grand Slam and Six Nations medals won with Ireland by Larissa Muldoon and Nora Stapleton.

In the middle of the month Jason Quigley added to his growing international reputation in the ring by winning gold at a Grand Prix in the Czech Republic while at the end of March, Donegal was saluting the seven boys who won national youth boxing titles.

Lettekenny man Anthony Bonnar won a European Team Masters Snooker title in Serbia while a young cyclist from the town Conor McElwaine (U-23 Irish Development Team) had a third place finish on the third stage of Ras Mumhan race on Easter Sunday in Waterville, Co Kerry.      

The 19-year-old finished 17^th overall in an event that attracted the very best young Irish talent as well as quality professional and amateur cyclists from abroad. 

There was a triple team success for the Royal & Prior School at the national badminton finals and staying in Raphoe the men’s hockey side did the double by winning the Ulster league title.

On the soccer front a number of Donegal players were capped again at international level during March.

Letterkenny’s Ciara Grant made three appearances for the Irish women’s senior side; Amber Barrett (Milford) played twice for her country at U-17 level. Leitirmacaward’s Karl McHugh was capped again at U-21 level while Ryan Rainey (Bonagee), Harry Doherty (Buncrana), and Peter Burke (Moville) all featured for the Republic of Ireland U-17 side.

There was a great weekend for county juvenile athletes at the national finals in Athlone with gold medals for the St. Johnston Kelly brothers; gold and silver for the Black brothers, Kilmacrennan; gold and silver for Blaithnaid Patton.  

There were also firsts for Kelly McGrory, Arlene Crossan and Tara Carr. Nominations for the Donegal Sports Star Awards can be made on-line at info@donegalsportsstarawards.ie. For further information visit us on Facebook Donegalsports Starawards or at donegalsportsstarawards.ie

Juveniles star in Athlone

In Athlone one of the undoubted highlights was the double gold for the Kelly brothers from St. Johnston who are members of Finn Valley AC. Both broke Shot Putt records as John, the current Donegal Sports Star Award athletic holder won the U-18 while younger brother James took first place in the U-14 age category.

Another remarkable achievement was the Gold and Silver in the Long Jump for Stephen and Conor Black the twin brothers from Kilmacrennan who are members of Cranford AC. It was gold to for Kelly McGrory (Tirconaill AC) who won U-18 60m while there was Silver for Janine Boyle (FV) in U-15 60m.

In the U-17 Girls Shot Putt there was silver and bronze respectively for Anna Sweeney and Nicole Boyle. And there was U-18 Girls Triple Jump Gold and Silver for Blaithnaid Patton and Simone Crawford both from the Finn Valley Club. Patton also took a Silver in the U-18 Long Jump.

Arlene Crossan of Letterkenny AC and Jamine Boyle (Finn Valley) took the U-15 Girls Long Jump Gold and Silver medals while Meave Rafferty secured the Bronze in the U-15 Girls 1000m Walk. 

Tara Carr (Letterkenny AC) was the Gold Medalist in the U-17 Girls High Jump while her club colleague Lisa Gibson had the Bronze in the U-18 Girls Shot Putt with new PB.

Three Donegal Sportshall teams won Ulster titles to qualify for the UK Finals in Birmingham (U-13 Girls, U-13 Boys, U-15 Girls).

At the end of the month the good form of Ann Marie Glynn (Lifford AC) continued as she won the Women’s Omagh Half-Marathon in a time of 1.20.03.

Gold for Quigley in Czech Republic

In the middle of the month the reigning Donegal Star Boxing Award holder Jason Quigley added to his growing medal haul with gold at the Grand Prix in the Czech Republic.

Twin Towns boxer Stephen O’Reilly won 81kg Irish Third level Boxing title while after winning Ulster Finals 13 Donegal juvenile boxers qualified for national finals including Brett McGinty, St. Johnston (Oakleaf ABC, Derry), Michael Doherty, Illies; Martin Doherty Twin Towns; Stephen Burns, Buncrana; Liam Callaghan, Carndonagh, Conor Bianconi, Twin Towns; Patrick Sweeney, Buncrana; Terry Ward, John Bosco; Darryl Moran, Illies; Thomas Mongan Illies; Mark McCole, Dungloe; Michael Gallagher, Finn Valley; Michael McConigley, Letterkenny.

Also in early March nine young Donegal fighters were winners at the North West Schoolboys event in Dungiven including Pierce Rodden, Dunree; Keelan Shields, Carrigart; Oisin Grant, Illies; Eamonn Sweeney, Illies; brother James and Oisin Devlin, St Bridget’s, Clonmany; Charlie McDonagh, Raphoe and Shane Gillespie, Bundoran

Five more young boxers won Ulster Finals – Ryan Harkin (Illies BC), Boy 12yrs 46kg; Jack Doherty (Buncrana) Boy 12yrs 48kg title; Conor Bianconi (Twin Towns BC) into Youth 1: Eoin Garrell and Leon Gallagher both Finn Valley BC Ulster Boy.  

At the end of March seven youth boxing titles came back to Donegal after finals at the National Stadium.

The champions included Michael Gallagher Youth Two 80kg (Finn Valley); Mark McCole Youth 3 (Dungloe) 63kg; Thomas Mongan Youth Two 50kg (Illies); Liam Callaghan Youth 1 46kg (Carndonagh); Stephen Bonner (Buncrana) Boy Four 91kg; Brett McGinty, St. Johnston (Oakleaf, Derry) Boy 4 63kg and Ryan Greene Bridgend (Oakleaf) Youth 1 52kg 

Meanwhile at the beginning and end of last month Joe Duffy won two professional boxing bouts in London.

Brought up in Wales Joe has strong family ties in the county with his parents from Inisfree and Meenbanad respectively. 

Another Donegal fighter Michael Owen McLaughlin (Glengad) won his sixth professional bout in Boston in the middleweight division.

Royal & Prior win three Irish badminton titles

The big badminton success in the month of March came from the Royal & Prior in Raphoe who won three schools All-Ireland Badminton titles.

The winning teams were the Junior Girls of Rachael Darragh, Rachel McNulty, Ellen Patterson and Rachel Woods; the Junior Boys Ryan McBeth, Aaron McCauley, Josh McMullen, Mark Laird and the Minor Boys Jamie McKinney, Jack McBeth, Aaron Magee, Ben Wallace.

Meanwhile after great run there was disappointment for the Letterkenny IT team who lost the Irish Division 3 Basketball College’s Final in Dublin. 

But there was success for the Letterkenny Blaze U-18s who won a Northern Ireland Final in Belfast.

It was a very busy month in boxing with a number of provincial and national successes for fighters from the county

In terms of triumphs it was a quiet month on the GAA front with no joy for two secondary schools as Abbey VS lost an Ulster U-14 GAA Final while Carrick VS was beaten in a provincial U-l6 decider.

In hurling the Donegal senior hurlers reached the Division 3A League Final. Like January, March was also good for the Raphoe Hockey Club as the men’s firsts claimed the Ulster Senior League title to do the double after winning the Linden Cup at the New Year. However hopes of doing the treble were dashed with the team exiting the national cup.

In horse riding Conor Orr was named champion jockey by the North West Horse and Pony Club while in martial arts John Wilkie marked 35years as a Shotokan Karate instructor.

Carrigart native Neil Doherty continued his navigator success taking victory with Derek McGarrity, in the Bishopscourt Stages Rally.

Also in motorsport Declan and Brian Boyle won the Mayo Rally. In the middle of the monthGreencastle mechanic John Carey was part of the team that helped Kimi Raikonnen win a Formula I race in Australia

Stapleton and Muldoon make history

March was a truly historic month for Donegal rugby players Nora Stapleton and Larissa Muldoon first helping Ireland to win the Six Nations for the first time and the Fahan and Twin Town natives followed that up with the Grand Slam in Milan against Italy. 

Muldoon is the reigning Donegal Sports Star Rugby Award holder while Stapleton was previously honoured in the same category by an organization that is now in its 38^th year.

In snooker

Lettekenny man Anthony Bonnar won a European Team Masters title in Serbia.

On the first day of March, Moville CS won Ulster Girls Senior Soccer final and went onto book their place in the national decider while a day later Letterkenny Rovers Youths retained the Donegal League title. Karl McHugh makes his second appearance on the Irish U-21 team against Portugal at Oriel Park.

Ryan Rainey (Bonagee & Wolves), Harry Doherty (Buncrana & Charlton), Peter Burke (Moville & Sunderland) all feature for the Republic of Ireland U-17 side who fail to qualify for the UEFA finals in the summer after three group matches in Austria.

Letterkenny woman Ciara Grant wins more Irish senior caps at the Cyprus Cup. In the middle of March both Scoil Mhuire Bunrana and St. Eunan’s Coll win Ulster titles at Junior and U-15 respectively. 

Scoil Mhuire into FAI Schools Jun Boys A-I Final (U-17). Milford’s Amber Barrett (Lagan Harps) plays for the Irish U-17s at the European Elite Qualifiers in Austria but two defeats means elimination and no place in the finals in the summer.

There was swimming success for St. Eunan’s College who came third a the Ulster Intermediate Age in Ballymena.

The school’s Leon Vaughan takes gold in the 50m back stroke. The relay team of Leon and Caolan Vaughan, Matthew Curran and Oliver take bronze in both the Medley and Freestyles.

Emma Vaughan, Loreto Convent won silver (50m breast-stroke) and bronze in 100m Medley also in Ballymena. Former Donegal Person of the Year Anne Marie Ward (Portnablagh) took Silver and Bronze at an international winter competition in Russia.

For further information on the Donegal Sports Star Awards visit donegalsportsstarawards.ie

Letterkenny Town Council has agreed to spend €25,000 on speed ramps and other measures on a notorious accident blackspot in the town.

A recent crash at Glencar

There have been more than 20 crashes at Glencar near Black’s Bridge with residents up-in-arms over the lack of road safety measures in the area.

The concerns were raised at a recent meeting of the council which resulted in Town Engineer John McCarron carrying out a safety audit in the area.

The measures include ramps at the Town side of Blacks Bridge. This flat topped ramp will also act an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing.

Also to be implemented will be a temporary construction of a chicane for traffic heading into town which will manoeuvre and consequently reduce the speed of motorist.

If this measure operates well a permanent chicane will be implemented.

There will also be the provision of two kerbed central islands on raised mounds with flexible keep left bollards to ensure good lane positioning in addition there will also be two islands on the Trentagh side of the bends. The works will be finished off with additional signage along the accident prone road.

Letterkenny Sinn Fein councillor Gerry McMonagle has welcomed the improvements to the road.

“I have been lobbying the council for added safety measures to be included along this particular stretch of road for some time now”.

“There have been over twenty accidents on this stretch of road over this last couple of years.

“So it is welcoming news that the council’s Road Safety Audit has identified that speed was a real problem on this road and that they are now going to introduce measures to reduce the speed of motorist using the road and in doing so increase the safety of pedestrians”.

The stunning Fort Royal Hotel is to go under the hammer

One of Donegal’s most historic hotel is to be put up for auction on May 11th.

The Fort Royal Country House Hotel in Rathmullan is a 15 bedroom hotel which also includes three self-contained cottages set on more than six acres of stunning grounds.

The hotel was build in 1805 by British Naval Officer Charles Rae and is located next to Rathmullan House Hotel.

The auction of the hotel is being handled by Franklin Estate Agents in Letterkenny and the sale will be held at the property at 2.30pm.

Although it is a hotel, the property can also be used as a stunning residence.

From Lettermacaward to Brisbane (with a few stops in between!) for Mick Breslin, home is where the heart is – and his heart is in football.

Mick, a former player for Na Rossa and The Shamrocks is the current manager of the West Brisbane club.  

Like so many other Irish Citizens, Mick and his partner Sile arrived in Australia in 2011, and like many Irish folk do when abroad, he got involved with the local GAA club.

Mick’s appointment as manager has come at a challenging time for the club as many team members have moved outside of Brisbane seeking work in the mines.

Although this leaves a gap, there is a continued influx of emigrants eager to play football and he is confident the team can regroup and have a successful season.

“We have a lot of new faces and some work to do, but I am confident these lads can gel and be successful. It is still early days”

The Shamrocks played their first game of the season last Sunday and although they suffered defeat to the”Souths GFC” they are certainly a team to watch out for this season.

Next week end marks a special occasion for the club as they celebrate their 30th Anniversary.

Sally Carpenter (wife of the late Nicholas Carpenter, founding member) is originally from Downings and had these words to say:

“As a proud Donegal woman (married to a special Meath man until he was taken from this world three years ago this month) – I love Gaelic football and will continue to support the club for the remainder of my days.”

“The lads have worked hard to organise this event so please support your clubs history and celebrate the achievements of the last thirty years on the 13th at Gaelic Park. Make it a night to remember!!”

The Shamrocks currently train two nights a week in Carina.

For further information on the club or if you would like to join us you can find us on Facebook @shamrocks Gfc.

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A Donegal community has kicked sand in the face of its rivals by breaking a unique world record.

The scene of the record attempt!

Last summer the people of Dunfanaghy attempted to break the world record for the most number of sandcastles built in one hour.

And the group have now received confirmation that they will be in the Guinness Book Of Records after managing a staggering 1939 castles thanks to the work of a number of groups.

The previous record of 683 was held by Yorkshire Water in the UK.

Co-organiser Sian McCann said they were delighted to have broken the record but didn’t think they would literally blow it out of the water.

Credit must also go to one Cliffy Kelly (banished from Letterkenny and now living in Dunfanaghy!) who did commentary on the day of the record attempt.

EXCLUSIVE: THE DONEGAL County Board is refusing to be drawn into a war of words with their Dublin counterparts over the Paddy McBrearty ‘biting’ incident.

Dublin officials have been widely quoted in the Dublin press today, some of them appearing to cast doubt on the incident.

But while Paddy is refusing to comment, sources insist he was bitten during the match between Donegal and Dublin in Ballybofey on Sunday.

The Donegal County Board, in a statement to Donegal Daily, says the issue is a matter for the GAA HQ investigations committee.

“The Donegal County Board’s position remains unchanged and we will be fully co-operating with the CCCC investigation into the alleged incident,” said a Donegal GAA County Board spokesman.

However Dublin GAA chairman Andy Kettle has given a number of interviews today.

“Our medic was taken in to see an injury but it was a bruise, not a laceration, a bruise,” said Kettle in one interview.

We understand however that the bite on McBrearty’s shoulder broke the skin. He was later treated at Letterkenny hospital.

Kettle had said: “I don’t accept that something did happen.

“Until I am asked officially to investigate by the Donegal County Board I won’t be doing anything.”

Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre

Local notes

• Young parents Pathways programme is due to start end of March and is free: This programme is open to Young parents that would like to learn: Parenting Advice, Personal Development, Health Awareness, Paediatric First Aid and IT Qualification. Also enjoy Fun days out for parents & children, Visits to health spas. All expenses are covered by this programme at no cost to the individual. There is also childcare supplements and free travel available. For further information or to receive an application form Contact 04882 250 962 /0749141773.

• KITCHEN GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS: Beginning 19th April 2013 from 10.30-12.30 in Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre. Course content: How to Sow Seeds, When & What to Sow Now, How to Plan & Layout a Kitchen Garden, Growing Herbs & Salads in pots, Growing Tasty Fruit. Contact 074 91 41773 to book a place.

• WRITER’S GROUP: Have you stories, poems or memoir pieces waiting to be written? Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre holds a creative writing session on Wednesdays from 2.30 – 4.30. Explore your creativity within a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The sessions are led by an experienced facilitator. The group is open to anyone with an interest in writing. The nominal fee of €2 is charged for each afternoon. For further information contact 074 91 41773 or just pop in on Wednesday.

• Art Classes: Art classes runs on Monday mornings from 10.30-12.30 in Lifford Clonleigh resource centre. For more information contact reception on 074 91 41773! Everyone Welcome

• Clothes Appeal: Are you doing a spring clean? Blossoms charity shop is appealing for donations. We are looking for clothes, shoes, belts, bags, bric-a-brac, toys and books (in good condition). Items can be dropped into the Resource Centre when the shop is closed. “Many thanks”

• “Blossoms” Charity Shop: We are currently looking for volunteers for our local charity shop “Blossoms”. This shop generates much needed income to help the running costs of the Lifford Clonleigh resource centre. Without the help of volunteers we would not be able to open the shop. The current opening hours of the shop are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am-4pm. Each Volunteer is only required to work 3 hours out of these shifts. If you have any free time to spare and would like to help out please contact reception on 074 91 41773.