MET EIREANN has issued a weather advisory for Donegal overnight for snow, ice and hail.

There have already been some hill snow in the county this evening.

But Met Eireann says temperatures are going to drop to -3C overnight making roads hazardous.

Donegal County Council gritters have been out since 8pm treating 17 major routes across the county.

However secondary roads are NOT being gritted, prompting gardai to warn motorists to take extra care overnight.

People travelling to the North tonight or tomorrow are also being warned of snow falls there; with snow reported across parts of counties Derry, Tyrone and Antrim.

Our picture was taken in Belfast earlier this evening.

But it's the freezing of our wet roads overnight - and over the next few hours - which is causing most concern.

A Garda spokesman told Donegal Daily: "Some roads tonight and into Friday will be treacherous due to wet roads becoming icy from sub-zero temperatures.

"We would urge all motorists to slow down, take their time and allow extra time for journeys.

It's going to be the same on Friday night with icy stretches on roads into Saturday with heavy rain due over Donegal by Saturday afternoon.

Applications are now being sought for the vacant post of senior manager at Naomh Padraig Muff.

Anyone wishing to apply for the post should contact the club secretary on secretrary.muff.donegal@gaa.ie no later than 6pm on Friday 18th of December.

DONEGAL scientist Professor William C Campbell has been presented with this year's Nobel Prize for Medicine at a ceremony in Stockholm.

It's a proud day for Donegal - and his native Ramelton.

The 85-year-old - known as Bill - was jointly awarded the accolade for his discovery of the drug ivermectin.

Members of his family joined him at the awards ceremony.

Professor Campbell became the second Irish person to win a Nobel Prize for Science after Earnest Walton collected the physics award in 1951 for his work on splitting the atom.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Michael D Higgins have both sent their congratulations.

Locally Donegal TD Joe McHugh said: “I wish to congratulate William Campbell, who was one of three scientists awarded the 2015 Nobel prize in October for Physiology and Medicine, as he prepares for tonight’s award ceremony in Sweden.

“Prof Campbell, born in Ramelton, and currently a Research Fellow Emeritus at Madison, New Jersey, was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for his research on therapies against infections caused by roundworm parasites, which has proved remarkably successful at treating diseases like river blindness. His work is already bringing benefits to people across the world.

“William is only the second Irish scientist to win a Nobel Prize, which is a massive achievement for him and his colleagues, and his success can be viewed as a great time in Irish Science. I hope this will also encourage young people to believe that they can achieve whatever they want, no matter where they are from or what their passions are.

“I wish to again congratulate Professor Campbell on his huge success in receiving the Nobel Prize, and I want to relay every best wish to him for the celebratory ceremony in Stockholm tonight , and wish him all the best for the future.”

Jimmy Scanlon

Gardai are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 79 year old Jimmy Scanlon who is missing from his home in Magherboy, Sligo.

Jimmy was last seen on Tuesday morning the 8th December at around 7am on Jinx’s Avenue, Sligo Town. He is described as being 5’ 5’’ in height with white hair and a white beard. He has blue eyes, wears glasses and walks with difficulty.

He was wearing a green jacket, a blue cardigan, a blue woollen hat and black shoes, carrying a green plastic bag.

Family and friends are concerned for Jimmy’s welfare and ask that anyone with information contact Sligo Garda Station on 071 9157000 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.

Chef Martin Anderson

It's all about the stuffing!

One of the most important parts of the annual Christmas food fest is of course the stuffing.

Many a debate has been held about whose mother , granny or aunty makes the best stuffing. Well my grandmother made the best !!

Seriously though it's hard to beat making your own stuffing. Forget about those boxes of dried breadcrumbs that you just add water to. Forget about the bags on the shelves, though they may be used as a base for a good stuffing, sometimes they are made with added fats and Oils and not even real butter, butter , butter , butter .... it's a key ingredient and must be used in real stuffing , if you like sausage meat then use that as part of the recipe I have for you below .

Many recipes tell you not to stuff the centre of the turkey as the stuffing may not get to the correct temperature and may be raw and cause food poisoning.

The traditional way to stuff a turkey is in the neck cavity pulling the extra skin over and sewing it with a needle and twine , many Turkeys now do not have enough skin to do this so

I do suggest making the stuffing separate and roasting it in a loaf tin, this may be done Christmas Eve and then simply sliced and reheated .

For the potatoes I use rooster potatoes the larger for the mash and the smaller for roasties , you can buy frozen roast potatoes if you wish and they are available ready basted in goose fat but it's always nice to cook your own , it's good fun making sure they are cooked at the same time as the turkey !!

Next week I'll cover the mashed potatoes , vegetables and give you a simple baked Alaska recipe

Remember print out this article and keep it safe, I'll only post these recipes once more before Christmas on my Facebook page .

Herb and apple stuffing.

This is suitable for, chicken, turkey, pork and also as a side dish.
You will need .
2 lb of breadcrumbs ( you may use gluten free bread to make the crumbs if you are coeliac .
If using sausage meat use 1/4 lb for this recipe and less breadcrumbs .
1 medium onion chopped.
1 egg , beaten
¼ pint of chicken stock, use 1 stock cube for the ¼ pint of water !!!
Chopped herbs of your choice, sage, tarragon, chervil, parsley or coriander.
2 sticks of celery, finely chopped.
1 apple grated.
200g of real butter .
Method.
In a large pot heat the butter add the onions, celery and herbs, cook until softened, remove from the heat, and add the bread crumbs ( add the sausage meat at this stage too if using it )
Allow to cool slightly and get your washed hands into the pot and mix well .
Add the stock, egg, apple and seasoning and mix well again .
Place into an oven proof dish or well buttered loaf tin , make sure it's big enough , cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for a further 15minutes to Crispin up.
Allow to cool and refrigerate .
image1.JPG

Baby roast potatoes

You will need.
Peeled potatoes rooster potatoes ( make sure they are all the same size , I don't like potatoes that are cut in half try and get them evenly rounded.
rapeseed oil or duck fat for cooking .
Sea salt & coarse black pepper
Ground Paprika .
Method.
Well your oven temperature will be at least 170c sure the turkey or joint of meat is in there !!
Season your potatoes and toss in the paprika .
Heat a little oil or duck fat in a wok or pan, add the potatoes , colour slightly, place in a roasting tray and roast until the potatoes are cooked.
Serve straight away and never cover them with tinfoil they will sweat and lose their crispness .

Cranberry sauce .

Ok there are loads of jars of cranberry sauce available but for me homemade is the best. Cranberries need sugar , a dash of wine or even leftover mulled wine . You can make cranberry sauce at least 2 weeks in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge , so tasty on turkey & hams sandwiches

You will need

Fresh or frozen cranberries
Sugar
Cinnamon , stick or ground cinnamon but if using the stick be careful they tend to break up.
Dash of Red wine or mulled wine .
Water , just enough to wet the pot .
Method
Wash and pick through the cranberries checking for any foreign objects , if using frozen this will be done already .
Place into a deep pot and add a dash of water , heat and simmer until the cranberries begin to pop open , add the sugar , wine and cinnamon , allow to cook until all the berries have burst open at this stage the sauce will have changed colour .
Taste and if it's too bitter add a wee bit more sugar .
Allow to cool in the pot and then transfer into an airtight container and keep in the fridge .

Donegal Daily is five years old this week!

And to celebrate we're giving you, our loyal readers, a brand new Android App and iPhone friendly version of our news website - completely FREE.

A staggering 50,000 people from Donegal and around the globe log on to the site each day to check out the latest news and views from the North-West.

But we believe in not just giving readers all the latest news and gossip, we believe in giving it to them at the touch of a button.

We have spend a number of months asking our readers what they wanted from a new APP.

And the answer was a simple-to-navigate APP, with wall-to-wall news.

Today we think we have delivered just that.

Getting your new Donegal Daily APP is simple.

For iPhone users who currently have the DD icon on their phone, your device will already have converted to our new version.

But for Android phone users, installing the APP could not be easier. Simply go to the Playstore on our phone and key in a search for Donegal Daily. You will be given an option to install and an icon will be downloaded onto your phone.

Click here to see more : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.donegaldaily.app

There is NO charge and you can now get your wall-to-wall feed of Donegal news at any time of the day or night.

But we at Donegal Daily don't think we know it all. In fact, we welcome any suggestions on ways you think we can improve our APP and iPhone versions. Simply email us to info@donegaldaily.com

In the meantime, we'd like to thank you for the support you, our advertisers and readers, have shown us over the past five years.

Here's to the next five years and making Donegal a better place to live and work.

A man was killed in an overnight fire in Dungloe.

BREAKING NEWS: A man in his 80s has been found dead after a house fire in Dungloe.

The fire at the house in Dungloe was reported at around 2.30am this morning and broke out at the house at Pole Road, Meenmore.

Emergency services performed CPR on arrival, but the man - who was the only occupant in the house - was pronounced dead at the scene.

The body of the victim, a widower who lived alone, has been taken to Letterkenny General Hospital.

The scene has been preserved for a technical examination but the death is not being treated as suspicious.

The man who died is very well-known in the area and was described as a real gentleman by neighbours and friends.

His name has not yet been officially released until all relatives have been informed of his tragic death.

Former Donegal star Martin McHugh has been appointed as the new Kilcar GAA Senior team manager for the forthcoming campaign.

McHugh was appointed following the club's AGM last night.

It's been 22 years since Kilcar won a Donegal SFC - and McHugh is the man being tasked with the responsibility to end that drought.

Kilcar have some wonderful talent within their ranks, and McHugh will feel he has a squad capable of mounting a challenge for the Donegal SFC.

With current Donegal players like Mark McHugh, Ryan McHugh, Eoin McHugh, Patrick McBrearty, Stephen McBrearty in their squad - it's to see why many feel it's only a matter of time before they win a Donegal SFC title.

McHugh enjoyed a stellar career as a player, but also showed his prowess as a manager by leading Cavan to an Ulster title in 1997.

He has managed the Sligo IT Sigerson Cup in recent years - and is also part of the backroom team at UUJ.

DDTV: Today, Donegal Daily has launched its new Android APP and iPhone friendly version.

Click on the video above to see how we've grown from just 48 readers on our first day - to an average of 50,000 readers each day.

Donegal Daily burst onto the local media landscape in Donegal five years ago.
At the time social media was beginning to take a foothold on daily life.

Donegal TV spent a few hours with the Team at Donegal Daily to find out how they started and hear plans for Donegal Daily's future.

Since then it has become an everyday part of our daily lives - as has
Donegal Daily for many people.

From humble beginnings with just a few readers, the site soon caught
the attention of the public.

Today Donegal Daily has an average of 50,000 readers each and every
day with an astonishing 3.8 million page views being read throughout
the site each month.

From an appeal from a heartbroken family who have lost their pet dog
to a major accident scene, Donegal Daily has now built up the name of
the 'go to' location for breaking news across the county.

From local voluntary organisations to local Government authorities,
Donegal Daily is used on a daily basis to get their message out to the
public.

With the success of Donegal Daily, local businesses are now taking
opportunity to reach this huge market.

Like social media, Donegal Daily realises that they must evolve and
reinvest to keep up with the demand of readers and advertisers.

Donegal Daily will not sit still but continue to invest in ensuring
they are first with the news for our ever growing community of
readers.

Pearse Doherty TD

Deputy Pearse Doherty has criticised the Government over their inaction to tackle the societal problem of food poverty.

Deputy Doherty, who has called on the Government to introduce legislation which would prevent large retailers from disposing of and destroying unsold edible produce without having first offered it to charities and food banks, says the Minister is dragging his heals on the issue despite the rise in the number of people struggling to feed themselves and their families.

Deputy Doherty said he decided to raise the growing problem of food poverty with the Minister as it is recognised by many to be one of the worst by-products of the economic recession and years of harsh austerity.

“In fact, a report published last year by the OECD which examined the issue of food insecurity revealed that, when surveyed, the number of respondents in the state who reported being unable to afford food more than doubled in the five years from the time the same survey was conducted in 2006/7.”

“To highlight this issue, last week I tabled a Dáil Question asking if consideration has been given by the Government to the potential benefit which the introduction of legislation in this area could potentially yield for the thousands of people who find themselves unable to feed, not only themselves, but also their families due to financial constraints.”

“To my disappointment the Minister responded to my question to state that the redistribution of surplus food stuffs was currently being carried out by retailers on a basis of ‘voluntary engagement’ within the industry and that this was being promoted before any legislative measures would be considered by Government.”

“Of course, while businesses are involved in the donation of food to charities throughout the island and their actions must be commended, it is simply not responsible for any Government to neglect its duty as legislators when we have a situation whereby the number of people who cannot afford to feed themselves has more than doubled in recent years.”

“The worst part is that the Government has known of the extent of this problem ever since having taken office. A social inclusion technical paper published by the Department of Social Protection in 2012 revealed that ten per cent of the population was considered to be living in food poverty and yet here we are at the end of 2015 and what progress has been made?”

““Figures from the Environmental Protection Agency reveal that over 300,000 tonnes of organic waste is generated each year by commercial businesses here and yet this scourge is allowed to continue.”

“I am under no illusion that legislation is not going to completely solve this issue, but its role in possibly alleviating it cannot be overlooked either.”

There is a huge outpouring of sadness and grief in West Donegal following the tragic death of local man Connie Boyle.

Mr Boyle, who was in his 80s, died following a fire at his home at Pole Road, Meenmore, Dungloe in the early hours of this morning.

The fire services rushed to the scene of the blaze at around 2.30am.

A full investigation has been launched into the cause of the blaze at the single story dwelling.

Mr Boyle, who was a widowed father of four, was taken from the house and CPR was performed but he was later pronounced dead.

A post mortem examination is being carried out on the late Mr Boyle this afternoon.

The scene has been preserved for a technical examination which is due to be carried out later today.

However, Gardai say his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Boyle was a hugely respected figure in the local community as are his extended family to which we express our condolences.

Raphoe

RAPHOE NOTES: 

Raphoe Family Resource Centre:

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Raphoe Family Resource Centre took place on Wednesday 18th November 2015 in The Volt House. The following were elected to the Voluntary Board of Management:
Melissa Laird (Chairperson), Patricia Tinney (Secretary), Aidan Kelly (Vice-Chairperson), Diane Gibson & Jacqueline Gallagher (Joint Treasurers), Michael Devenney, Lorraine Gallagher, Betty Mc Clintock, and Charlie O’Kane.
Chairperson Melissa Laird extended sincere thanks to all those organisations and agencies that supported the work of the Family Resource Centre in 2015-
Tusla-Child and Family Agency, Donegal ETB’s School Completion and Learning for Living Programmes,  HSE West Primary and Continuing Care, Lagan Community Health Forum, North West Regional Forum of Family Resource Centres, Raphoe Tidy Towns Ltd Committee and Staff, Donegal Youth Service, Donegal Local Development Company Ltd,  Springboard Family Support Project, LEAF Project, Raphoe Central N.S., St Eunan’s N.S., Deele College, Royal and Prior Comprehensive School, St. Eunan’s Terrace Resident’s Association, Raphoe Parent &Toddler Group, Lifford Athletic Club, Donegal Citizen’s Information Service, Donegal Mind Wellness, Respond! Housing Association, Dementia Aware Donegal, Raphoe St. Vincent de Paul, Lifford Credit Union and the Community Foundation for Ireland.
We would also like to thank Cllr. Gerry Crawford for his kind contribution from Donegal Co. Council Members Development Fund Allocation.
The Family Resource Centre is now working towards developing its Annual Action Plan 2016.
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy and condolences to our esteemed Secretary Patricia Tinney and former Committee Member Elizabeth Conaghan on the recent sad passing of their sister Mary and to Mary’s husband Conor, a good friend of the Family Resource Centre over many years and to the extended Porter and Conaghan families.
Farewell to Olive
At the Family Resource Centre’s recent Annual General Meeting our Outgoing Secretary, Olive Strain announced that she would be stepping down from the Management Committee. Olive is or was the longest serving member of the Committee and her association with the Family Resource Centre goes back to the days of Raphoe Youth & Community Project when the Project was housed in Moffatt’s. During her long spell with us Olive served as Chairperson, as Secretary, as Treasurer and as Committee Member. Her contribution to the Project over that time in a voluntary capacity has been immense. She witnessed the coming and going of many Committee Members and Staff-from the days of a Project Coordinator and Youth Worker to what the Project is today-a Project Coordinator, a Community Development Worker, 2 Part-time Administrators, 4 Part-time Youth Workers, 2 General Workers, a Caretaker, 2 Sessional Counsellors, 2 Sessional Tutors as well as a number of Volunteers.
As a member of the Management Committee she presided over the move from Moffatt’s to the Volt House in 2001; the relocation from the Volt House at the end of 2006 to William Street; and of course in the latter part of 2015 the move back to the Volt House.
Olive was a great supporter of the Family Resource Centre Staff and always found time to drop in for a chat (and cup of tea!) to make sure we were all okay and happy in our work. This, despite the fact that Olive had many family commitments with her own children when they were much younger and now with her grandchildren.
Olive will be sorely missed but we are confident that she won’t be too far away and never too busy to drop in for a chat!

Farewell to Shane (well kind of!)

On Friday 27th November Shane Curran, our Youth Development Worker completed 9 months with us on the Job Bridge Programme, and we thank him sincerely for his commitment to his role during that time.
Although his term has come to an end Shane will remain with us for up to 15 hours each week through placement from the University of Ulster (Magee Campus) where he is undertaking the BSc Hons. Community Youth Work Course. We wish him well in his studies.
Shane established the Young Boys and Young Girls Groups with a regular attendance of around 40 young people and developed the Youth Café to a maximum number of 38 young people.
Shane will continue supporting the Young Boy’s Group, the Young Girl’s Group and the Youth Café and we look forward to continuing to work with him over the next few months.

Little Smiles with Big Dreams
Little Smiles with Big Dreams is a parent and toddler group that meets every Wednesday morning at 10:30am – 12 noon in the Family Resource Centre.  Anyone who is in care of a child whether an aunt / uncle/ child-minder or grandparent is welcome.  The kiddies can get involved in messy play, free play, story time and music time where the adult can enjoy a cuppa tea and meet other adults.  Parent and Toddler Groups are a great way to enhance your little one’s confidence and meet others of their age.

Raphoe Walking Group

The Walking Group meets every Thursday morning at 10.30am.  All abilities are catered for. And an important element of the group is coming in afterwards to have a chat and a cuppa! New members are always welcome so please feel free to join us on Thursday mornings!
BTEI Care in the Community
Donegal Education and Training Board will be delivering Care in the Community QQI (FETAC) Level 5 in Raphoe in the New Year. Elements include Care Skills, Occupational First Aid, Patient Handling and Manual Handling. The module will be run through the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) that provides part-time further education programmes for young people and adults. The aim is to give people an opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities.
Anyone who has left full-time education can take part. However, priority will be given to those with less than upper second level education. Certification is offered to all participants.
Objectives of the module include: to assist the participants to recognise the different types of clients needing care, different types of care needs and the differing care needs of clients; to enable participants to develop the necessary knowledge to respond effectively to clients’ individual needs with their involvement and their use of choice; to assist participants to acquire practical skills in the area of client personal care; to enable participants to develop the knowledge and skills required for the maintenance of a safe, healthy and hygienic environment for clients.
For further information please contact Siobhan Coughlan, BTEI Learner Support Worker on 074-9725520 or email siobhancoughlan@donegaletb.ie

Raphoe Bridge Club

Raphoe Bridge Club Thursday 10th December 2015 No 12
Directed by Mervyn Carlisle. Scored by Maeve Costello. 
Players. P & J O Sullivan, D Walsh & A Stewart, Maeve Costello & Declan Gallagher, Wm & G Fulton, J Clear & MJ O Sullivan, Mary Brogan & L Coyne, N Murphy & MP O Flanagan, M Carlisle & J Patterson, E Kee & P Carr, M Nairn & Paul Maguire.
“Raphoe Shop Local 2015”
“Raphoe Shop Local 2015” A special thank you to all our local businesses & business people here in Raphoe who have provided services and goods to our community over many years. Over these years the local businesses have never let us down when it came to donations or sponsorship for our various community groups and fundraising activities. This year in particular please remember all our local businesses and give them our support. We are fortunate in Raphoe to still have excellent goods on sale and local services in the various outlets and plenty of bargains especially on the run up to Christmas. So please don’t forget our own town and our own people this year.

Christmas Wishes from Raphoe Tidy Towns Volt House Raphoe

The Tidy Towns Community Employment staff will be on Holidays from Thursday 24th December Christmas Eve until Tuesday 5th January 2016. There will be a town litter cleaning service over the holiday period. A sincere thank you to all the various residential areas, Schools, Churches, RCIA Ltd Volt House, the County Council, local County Council workers, all local people, community groups and businesses who have supported our work for the town during the year. Everyone in Raphoe Tidy Towns Ltd, extend a very Happy Christmas and New Year to everyone in Raphoe and district and especially all those from the town and surrounding areas who are abroad this year. As always you will be remembered in a very special way this Christmas and New Year here in Raphoe. We also welcome those who are home for Christmas this year with their families and send best wishes to anyone who is sick or in hospital at this time. The following Christmas poem is dedicated to all Raphoe people wherever you may be this Christmas.

A Raphoe Christmas Eve.

The leaves they are all gone now
The air is cold and still
The burn runs through the valley
From Braehead wood and past the mill

The townlands and streets are quiet
The moon shines down below
The stars are shining brightly
In the hearths the fires glow.

The animals are resting
In the stables and the barns
Just like this night so long ago
The night that Christ was born

The children are all dreaming
Of reindeer flying through the snow
With Santa, toys and presents
On his visit to Raphoe

O Silent night, O Starry night
Of Miracles from Heaven above
Please send your new born Son to us
With His gifts of peace and love

The Town Clock in the Diamond
Keeps time for all to know
As the people wait on Christmas
In our City of Raphoe.

By: Martin Laird Raphoe Local History Volt House.

St Vincent de Paul Raphoe

A sincere thank you to everyone who has supported our work, helped, or made donations of any kind. Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas & New Year.
Christmas Message from Santa Claus to all in Raphoe
Santa Claus has sent a special message to all children of Raphoe and district to be extra good and be in bed early this Christmas Eve. Santa expects to visit Ireland & Donegal sometime after midnight this year again on his way from Canada and America so be sure to be fast asleep and don’t forget something for him to eat and a treat for the reindeers also. Leaving Donegal and the rest of Ireland Santa hopes then to fly to the Isle Of Man, then on to England, Scotland and Wales before making his way all around the world visiting all good children on his special Christmas Eve journey. Santa and his team wish all Raphoe people at home and all around the world a very Happy Christmas 2015 and a prosperous New Year 2016.

Santa Letters

Calling all boys and girls. Have you been good this year? There is now a special Letter Box in the Volt House for all your special letters for Santa. If you would like a reply please enclose a stamped address envelope. Latest date for posting will be Friday 18th Dec’2015.

Christmas Gift Appeal

The Christmas Gift Appeal is now open. Please help this year if possible. Further information is available from Martin on 0879473527. Gifts or donations may be left in Volt House. Your kindness will make a difference to a family, child or children this year for the better. Thank you to everyone for your kindness in past years.

Slimming World Raphoe

Raphoe Slimming World has moved to a new venue. We will now meet every Tuesday night in the Cathedral Hall, Raphoe at 7.30pm. Now is your chance for a fresh start. How would you like to be a half stone or a stone lighter by Christmas? Come along and join our warm friendly group. For further information contact Geraldine on 086-3348048.
Please note that items for the Raphoe Notes should be placed in the box provided in the Post Office on or before 12 noon on Fridays. Items can also be emailed to raphoefrc@eircom.net or handed in to the Family Resource Centre, The Volt House. Items should be submitted at least one week in advance of publication of local press.

DDTV: This brilliant video shows the unique diversity of the Voodoo Venue brand - and why it's considered as the No.1 entertainment outlet in Donegal and the North-West.

Voodoo Venue continues to evolve and grow in line with market demands and caters for all ages every weekend.

This Sunday, December  13th is National Christmas Jumper Day, so dig deep into your closet and bring out that colourful Jumper that you were totally embarrassed to wear in public.

This holiday season Voodoo Venue are hosting their first Christmas Jumper Party Night, 5:30 p.m. Sunday Dec. 13, Voodoo Lounge Lower Main Street, Letterkenny.

Whether you love them or hate, wear your festive knittie come along and join us to raise funds for Donegal Down Syndrome Association.

The fundraiser will feature live entertainment Martin Orr & The Hunky Tonk Hero’s, followed by Justin Black.

Festive Christmas Cocktails  will be available, a fabulous prize for “Best Christmas Jumper” and raffle!!

A DONEGAL man who works as a journalist with the BBC in the North has been charged with rape.

Sean O'Halloran, who is originally from Greencastle, works at Radio Foyle in Derry as a broadcast journalist.

Now living at Northland Road in the city, the 29-year-old faced Derry Magistrates' Court today accused of raping a woman in May 2014.

The journalist faces two additional charges of sexual assault on the same date.

A prosecution lawyer told the district judge that she believed the defendant had a case to answer.

When asked if he had anything to say to the charges, Mr O'Halloran replied "no".

Released on continuing bail, the defendant must reside at Northland Road until the start of his trial.

He must not also contact the complainant or any other prosecution witnesses in the case.

The defendant will appear at Derry Crown Court on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 to be arraigned on all three charges.

JOB VACANCY: Muckish Sand and Gravel are looking to add a Full-time Office Manager and Accounts Administrator to their dynamic, innovative and hardworking team.

Job Title: Full-time Office/Accounts Administrator

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills.
•  Have a working knowledge of Sage Line 50 and Sage Micro-pay.
•  Possess the ability to work on their own initiative.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintenance of debtors and creditors ledgers
• Preparation of bank reconciliations
• Completion of VAT, PAYE, RCT and VIES returns
• General office administration
• Accepting telephone orders and scheduling deliveries
• Experience in a similar role is an advantage.
• Salary commensurate with experience
• References will be required.

If interested in the position then send your CV’s now via e-mail to mcfaddenmcginley@eircom.net

Or alternatively by post to our office at:Umerafad, Creeslough, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Telephone: 074 9138040

Cleaners at Leterkenny University Hospital are set to take strike action against their employers, after they outsourced some of the cleaning contracts at the hospital.

The workers voted overwhelmingly in favour of Strike action after they learned that the cleaning of the Out-Patients Department.

The decision infuriated the employees and after consultations with SPITU - the workers voted in favour of strike action.

It is believed that over SIXTY employers voted in favour to strike - and SIPTU organiser Declan Ferry said the step to outsource cleaning in the Out-Patients department was a step to far.

He said workers have had enough and the decision by their employers to outsource work was the final straw.

Ferry said, "It was a unilateral decision by management to displace two members of our  Out-Patients Department at Letterkenny University Hospital - and replace them with contracted cleaners.

"And to us that was just a bridge to far, down through the years we've told Letterkenny University Hospital we needed additionally staff - due to the issues with several reports conducted on the facility.

"Over sixty workers voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial/strike action.

"We'll sit down as a committee and decide what kind of industrial action we'll take and when it will take place.

Today, we celebrated our FIFTH birthday by announcing the official launch of our NEW Android and iPhone friendly APP.

The new APP improves our service and product immensely, which will enable us further to give you the news as it happens, when it happens every single day!

We would like to thank all our friends and advertisers who came out in huge numbers today to help us celebrate the launch of our new APP.

Special thanks to Joe Boland (North-West Newspix) for taking the above images from today.

Councillor John O'Donnell on RTE Investigates programme.

 A special meeting of Donegal County Council has passed a motion calling for the resignation of embattled fellow Councillor John O'Donnell.

The Independent politician has found himself fighting to save his political career after an RTE Investigates Programme earlier this week.

The programme alleged that the Kilmacrennan councillor asked for payment in return for helping out a fictitious wind farm company set up in Donegal.

Despite being filmed asking for a payment to be made to a third party, the 34 year old politician claims he was 'entrapped' by the national broadcaster.

He said his only ever interest in meeting the bogus wind farm company was to secure investment and jobs for Donegal.

A large group of protesters with posters calling for Cllr O'Donnell's resignation gathered within the council chamber for the meeting which lasted almost three hours.

Councillors voted for a motion from Cllr John Campbell for O'Donnell to resign just after 7.20pm. However Cllr Michael McBride abstained, calling instead for O'Donnell to be removed from committees while an investigation continues.

They also backed a motion from Cllr Mick Quinn for a voluntary ethics registration.

One fellow councillor, Independent Frank McBrearty, has already initiated legal proceedings against Cllr O'Donnell ordering him to come out and say that he was not one of a number of between 25 and 30 councillors whom he could count on their support.

There were stormy scenes at times during the meeting.

Former chairman of Donegal County Council and Independent Councillor John Campbell had proposed that Cllr O'Donnell resigns from the council until procedures under Part 15 of the Local Government Act of 2001 are exhausted.

The Fine Gael members of the council supported this motion as did some Independents, as well as Labour and Sinn Fein.

Fianna Fáil said that they are against all corruption and that Cllr O'Donnell's position is untenable.

There were hated scenes at times as some councillors said it was simply impossible for them to work with Cllr O'Donnell going forward.

One councillor, who asked not to be named, said councillors did not have the power to force Councillor O'Donnell to resign.

He said that was a matter for the Ethics Registrar.

A statement issued earlier by Donegal County Council said the matters raised in the programme are being examined as an issue of urgency and priority.

"This examination is being conducted in the first instance by the Ethics Registrar in the Council.

"The examination will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Local Government Act, 2001 – Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service, and the Code of Conduct for Councillors, and any matters arising from this examination will be processed in line with the provisions as set down.

"Pending the conclusion of this examination, the Council will not be making any further statements at this time."

SOCCER: Finn Harps have suffered a body blow following the news that assistant manager James Gallagher will not be returning to the club next season.

Gallagher, a former player at Celtic FC and St Patrick's Athletic played for Finn Harps over 100 times, before severe knee problems forced him to retire at the age of 30.

He was one of the finest goalkeepers in the League of Ireland, prior to his decision to retire.

He was appointed assistant manager in 2009 under Paul Hegarty -  but after Hegarty resigned Gallagher was given the job on a permanent basis.

Gallagher done well initially on a shoestring budget and was rather hastily sacked by the Finn Harps board who decided to sack him after just SIX league game.

He returned to the club in 2014, when Ollie Horgan was appointed manager.

Over the last two seasons the pair have done fantastic work which culminated in Harps gaining promotion back to the top-flight in November.

However, Gallagher has been forced to step down from his role as assistant due to work and family commitments.

A Donegal parish priest facing trial on drink-driving charges is entitled to declarations that a failure to provide him with certain official documents in Irish breached the State’s constitutional obligations, the High Court has ruled.

Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon said her decision does not prevent the trial of Donnchadh Ó Cuinn proceeding next month at the District Court and also does not affect the work of the District Court “in aon chor” (in any way).

Fr Ó Cuinn, parish priest of Falcarragh, is charged with driving in excess of the legal limit for alcohol on March 29th, 2014, at Main Street, Letterkenny. He denies the charge.

In judicial review proceedings, he argued, as a native Irish speaker, he is entitled to conduct official business through Irish, his native language, the national language and the first official language of the State.

He claimed the State defendants breached those rights in failing to make available in Irish some official documents, including the relevant District Court rules and Statutory Instrument.

The documents at issue were not available in Irish, only in English, at the time of the alleged offence in March 2014, the Irish Times reports.

Fr Ó Cuinn secured leave in November 2014 to bring the judicial review and a stay on any further step in his prosecution was granted pending the outcome of that.

In her judgment, Ms Justice O’Hanlon said Fr Ó Cuinn was entitled to certain declarations. She also noted his counsel Séamus Ó Tuathail had said, because of how the case proceeded, he was not seeking certain additional reliefs, which had included an order staying any further step in the prosecution until the relevant documents were available in Irish.

The judge said the two declarations granted did not prevent his trial proceeding in the District Court in Letterkenny next January and also do not affect the work of the District Court in any way.

She granted a declaration the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the DPP breached their constitutional obligations in not providing an official translation in the national language, the first official language, of the District Court rules as soon as possible following their publication in English.

She granted a second declaration the statement on which the charge against the applicant depends is not a statement in the form as determined on foot of Statutory Instrument No. 541/2011, or Section 13 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, insofar as it does not answer to the schedule of that instrument especially in its being in English only.