Apologies for the delay in announcing this week’s winner of the Film it Friday competition.

The winner of Friday’s Family Pass to Century Cinemas in Letterkenny is Joanne McGettigan, Woodtown, Ramelton.

Don’t worry if you didn’t win our Film It Friday FREE competition. There will be chances to win the free family pass every Friday morning. Good luck!

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GARDAI have begun a murder inquiry in Letterkenny today after the body of a man was found in a flat there.

Officers moved into the area around the Riverside apartments just before lunch after a Polish national was found stabbed to death.

A number of Garda vehicles are at the scene.

It’s understood the body of a man – believed to be a foreign national – has been found at the scene.

Initial inquiries are believed to have led Gardai to conclude the man was murdered.

The victim had suffered several serious injuries. It’s believed the Polish man had been stabbed.

Gardai later extended the cordon around the block of flats as the investigation quickly escalated.

It’s understood the dead man, who was in his 40s, has been living in Donegal for some time.

Local residents have expressed shock at the incident.

“Gardai arrived very quickly and they soon cordoned off the area,” said one resident.

“It’s just awful to learn that someone has lost their life here where we live.”

The State Pathologist’s office has been informed.

A Garda spokesman said: “Gardai in Letterkenny are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a man’s body at an apartment at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny at approximately 11am this morning 15th May 2013.

“The body of the man in his early 40s remains at the scene.

“The scene is currently preserved for a technical examination and the State Pathologist Office has been notified.”

Lifford Clonleigh Resource centre Local Notes

• Young parents Pathways programme Start date to be confirmed: 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 COURSE: Runs on Friday mornings 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. There are still a few places available for the course. If you are interested in joining please contact us on 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 new opening hours of the shop are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12-4pm. If you have any free time to spare and would like to help out please contact reception on 074 91 41773.

• CHILDREN’S ARTS AND CRAFTS: Every week 1 hour 30 minutes per session. To find out more please contact reception on 074 91 41773!

• A woman’s knitting class: Runs every Wednesday night from 8.00-9.30.

Still On-going. EVERYONE WELCOME!

Donegal GAA Supporters Club

With the much anticipated championship encounter between Donegal and Tyrone fast approaching, the Donegal GAA Supporters Club are delighted to announce that they will be holding a Discussion Forum in An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny on Wednesday 22nd May at 8pm.

All members of the community are invited to come along and join in on the sporting spirit rife throughout the county ahead of the much anticipated clash in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey on the 26th of May.

Aidan Cannon, Donegal GAA Supporters Club Vice Chairperson said

“GAA gives us a great sense of Community, a reason to come together to share, to shout and to support the sport we love”

“We would like to invite you all to come along to what will be a great evening in An Grianan Theatre, reflecting on Donegal’s exceptional 2012 All Ireland Journey, sharing the nail biting, edge of your seat moments along the way and to look forward to the sporting season ahead.”

Special guests will include Martin McHugh, Anthony Molloy, John Lynch, and Pat McAnneney, with Highland Radio’s Charlie Collins acting as compère for the night.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Pat Gallagher (Goats Don’t Shave), Eddie Gallagher and David Craig. Tickets are €10 with all proceeds raised on the night in aid of the Donegal GAA Training Fund.

To secure your tickets, please contact Aidan Cannon on 0871223177 or An Grianan Theatre on 074 9120777.

Schools 2013 Day 2 Results

Long Jump 2001 Girls

1. Sinead Gallagher St Mary’s, Stranorlar

2. Cassandra Liza St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Catherine McGlinchey St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Jasmine Tinney Raphoe Central

Long Jump 2001 Boys

1. Óisin McElhinney Gleneely N.S.

2. Joel Bradley St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Seam McDonagh Drumquin

4. Niall McBride St Mary’s, Castlefin

Long Jump Girls 2002

1. Lauren Callaghan Drumore

2. Kate Smyth Cloughfin

3. Aine Wilkinson Drumore

Long Jump Boys 2002

1. Wilson Craig Raphoe Central

2. Sean Kennedy St Mary’s, Castlefin

3. Thomas McMenamin St Mary’s, Stranorlar

4. Conor Healy St Mary’s, Castlefin

Long Jump Girls 2003

1. Amy McMenamin Dunaghmone

2. Julie Wilson Dunaghmone

3. Rioghonach Lynch St Patrick’s, Castlederg

4. Charlene Patton St Mary’s, Stranorlar

Long Jump Boys 2003

1. Jack Lafferty Dromore, Killygordon

2. Kyle Farrell St Mary’s, Castlefin

3. Conor Thompson St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Conor Bradley St Patrick’s, Castlederg

Long Jump Girls 2004

1. Cara Wilkinson Dromore

2. Naoimh Browne Gleneely

3. Cuisle McGrath St Patrick’s, Castlederg

Long Jump Boys 2004

1. Neil Mulcahy St Mary’s, Castlefin

2. Oran Sweeney Dromore, Killygordon

3. Ciaran Dalton St Mary’s, Castlefin

High Jump Girls 2001

1. Sinead Gallagher St Mary’s, Stranorlar

2. Jodie Lafferty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

High Jump Boys 2001

1. Oísin McElhinney Gleenely N.S.

2. Conor Doherty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Ryan Gallagher St Mary’s

4. Alan Goudie Raphoe Central

High Jump Girls 2004

1. Nicola Tarach St Mary’s

2. Cara McMenamin St Mary’s

High Jump Boys 2004

1. Darragh O’Connor St Mary’s

2. Eodhrán Sweeney Drumore

3. Ryan Calvin St Mary’s

4. Ruairi McLaughlin Dromore, Killygordon

High Jump Girls 2003

1. Amy McMenamin Dromore, Killygordon

2. Charlene Patton St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Andrea Browne St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. CJ Doherty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

High Jump Boys 2003

1. Jamie Murray St Mary’s, Stranorlar

2. Rory Wilson St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Renz Crdenas St Patrick’s, Castlederg

4. Conor Collins St Patrick’s, Castlederg

High Jump Girls 2002

1. Daniella Janson Dromore, Killygordon

2. Aine Wilkinson Dromore, Killygordon

3. Ciara McCafferty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

4. Jessica Quigley St Mary’s, Stranorlar

High Jump Boys 2002

1. Aaron Quinn St Mary’s, Stranorlar

2. Daniel Gordon St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Ronan Dalton St Patrick’s, Castlederg

4. Cealun Goan St Patrick’s, Castlederg

Turbo Javelin Girls 2001

1. Kim Laird Raphoe

2. Emily O’Reilly St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Amy Laverty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

Turbo Javelin Boys 2001

1. Joel Bradley Walsh St Mary’s, Stranorlar

2. Sean McDonagh St Joseph’s, Drumquin

3. Mark McElhinney St Mary’s, Castlefin

Turbo Javelin Girls 2002

1. Michaela Doherty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

2. Millie Gerroni St Patrick’s, Castlederg

3. Louise McSorley Aghyaran

Turbo Javelin Boys 2002

1. Lee McLaughlin St Mary’s, Castlefin

2. Dylan Harvey St Mary’s, Castlefin

3. Matthew Russell Raphoe Central

Shot Putt Boys 2000/2001

1. Ciarán Foy St Mary’s, Stranorlar

2. Josuha Bromely Raphoe Central

3. Mark McElhinney St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Jake Lafferty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

Shot Putt Girls 2000/2001

1. Leah Magee Raphoe Central

2. Ellen Russell Ballyraine N.S.

3. Shania Bradley St Mary’s, Stranorlar

4. Chloe Gallagher St Patrick’s, Castlederg

Shot Putt Boys 2002

1. Shay Doherty St Safan’s, Doneyloop

2. Krzygzhph Tarach St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Joseph Bradley St Mary’s, Stranorlar

4. Luke McLean Raphoe Central

Shot Putt Girls 2002

1. Michaela Doherty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

2. Louise McLaughlin St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Chloe Herrigher Raphoe Central

4. Reg No 664

Finals Girls 2006 60m

1. Sheila McElchar Gleneely

2. Sarah Wauchope Donaghmore

3. Eliawa Flynn Dromore, Killygordon

4. EllaRose McGlinchey St Mary’s, Castlefin

Finals Boys 2006 60m

1. Georgie Lynch Donaghmore

2. Joel Gibson Donaghmore

3. Joshua McGranaghan St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Emmet Browne

Finals Girls 2005 60m

1. Hannah Murray St Mary’s, Castlefin

2. Leah McMonagle St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Abbie McGranaghan St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Jodie Pearse Donaghmore

Finals Boys 2005 60m

1. Ronan Carlin Gleneely

2. Oisin Duffy Dromore, Killygordon

3. Brian Irwin Dromore, Killygordon

4. Dylan Gallagher Dromore, Killygordon

Finals Girls 2004 80m

1. Aine Irwin Dromore, Killygordon

2. Lauren Doherty Dromore, Killygordon

3. Sophie Duffy Dromore, Killygordon

4. Molly McGlinchey St Mary’s, Castlefin

Finals Boys 2004 80m

1. Neil Mulcahy St Mary’s, Castlefin

2. Odhran Sweeney Dromore, Killygordon

3. Ciaran Dalton St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Evan Gallagher St Mary’s, Castlefin

Finals Boys 2003 80m

1. Halin Egberongbe Ballyraine

2. Ryan Coyle Dromore, Killygordon

3. Adam Sweeney Gleneely

4. Colm O’Kane Drumquin

Finals Girls 2003 80m

1. Amy McMenamin Dromore, Killygordon

2. Chloe Coyle Dromore, Killygordon

3. Andrea Browne St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Julie Browne Donaghmore

Finals Girls 2002 100m

1. Lauren Callaghan Dromore, Killygordon

2. Jessica Rose Quigley St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Kate Smyth Cloughfin

4. Ciara McCafferty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

Finals Boys 2002 100m

1. Gary McCafferty Robertson Strand

2. Wilson Craig Raphoe Central

3. Conor Healy St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Sean Kennedy St Mary’s, Castlefin

Finals Boys 2001 100m

1. Oisin McGlinchey Gleneely

2. Jack Gillespie Gleneely

3. Ike Obijeanu Ballyraine

4. Rory Dalton St Mary’s, Castlefin

Finals Girls 2001 100m

1. Cassandra Liza St Mary’s, Stranorlar

2. Catherine McGlinchey St Mary’s, Castlefin

3. Kim Laird Raphoe Central

4. Chloe Carter Raphoe Central

Finals Girls 2000 100m

1. Alanna O’Donnell Gleneely

2. Hannah McElchar Gleneely

3. Sinead Browne St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Chania Healy St Mary’s, Castlefin

Finals Boys 2000 100m

1. Andrew Bladek St Mary’s, Stranorlar

2. Daire McCafferty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Oisin Fullen St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Reece Gallagher St Mary’s, Castlefin

Finals Girls 2005 100m

1. Hannah Murray St Mary’s, Castlefin

2. Abbie McGranaghan St Mary’s, Castlefin

3. Abigail Temple St Mary’s, Stranorlar

4. Bethany Wilson St Mary’s, Stranorlar

Finals Boys 2005 100m

1. Bryan Irwin Dromore, Killygordon

2. Oisin Duffy Dromore, Killygordon

3. Dylan Gallagher Dromore, Killygordon

4. Matthew Gibson Donaghmore

Finals Girls 2004 300m

1. Sophie Duffy Dromore, Killygordon

2. Kara Wilkinson Dromore, Killygordon

3. Laurel Doherty Dromore, Killygordon

4. Kellie McBrearty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

Finals Boys 2004 300m

1. Neil Mulcahy St Mary’s, Castlefin

2. Odhrán Sweeney Dromore, Killygordon

3. Ryan Galvin St Mary’s, Stranorlar

4. Ciaran Dalton St Mary’s, Castlefin

Finals Girls 2003 600m

1. Andrea Browne St Mary’s, Castlefin

2. Amy McMenamin Dromore, Killygordon

3. Chloe Coyle Dromore, Killygordon

4. Kara McConnell Dromore, Killygordon

Finals Boys 2003 600m

1. Conor Bradley St Patrick’s, Castlederg

2. Dean Quinn St Mary’s, Castlefin

3. Rory Dalton St Mary’s, Stranorlar

4. Patrick McColgan St Mary’s, Castlefin

Finals Girls 2002 600m

1. Daniella Jansen Dromore, Killygordon

2. Kelsey Doherty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Lorraine McElhinney Gleneely

4. Rebecca Wauchope Donaghmore

Finals Boys 2002 600m

1. Oisin Gallagher Gleneely

2. Wilson Craig Raphoe Central

3. Sean Kennedy St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Jamie Lee McBride/Baird Raphoe Central

Finals Girls 2001 800m

1. Amy Laverty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

2. Eileen Sweeney St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Cary Thorpe Dromore, Killygordon

4. Tori O’Hagan St Mary’s, Castlefin

Finals Boys 2001 800m

1. Jack Gillespie Gleneely

2. Dylan Crossan St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Ryan Gallagher St Mary’s, Stranorlar

4. Conor Doherty St Mary’s, Stranorlar

Finals Girls 2000 800m

1. Sinead Browne St Mary’s, Castlefin

2. Chloe Fruie St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Chloe Irwin Dromore, Killygordon

4. Cathy Callaghan Dromore, Killygordon

Finals Boys 2000 800m

1. Aidan McGranaghan St Mary’s, Castlefin

2. Andrew Bladek St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Oisin Fullen St Mary’s, Castlefin

4. Conor Murray Dromore, Killygordon

Relays Girls 2003/2004

1. Dromore, Killygordon

2. Gleneely N.S.

3. Dromore, Killygordon (B team)

Relays Boys 2003/2004

1. Gleneely N.S.

2. St Patrick’s, Castlederg

3. Dromore, Killygordon

Relays Girls 2001/2002

1. Dromore, Killygordon

2. St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. Gleneely N.S.

Relays Boys 2001/2002

1. Gleneely N.S.

2. St Mary’s, Stranorlar

3. St Mary’s, Castlefin

JOBS: Applications are invited from suitable persons for the position of Assistant at Matt’s traditional Fish and chip Takeaways in both Killea and Raphoe.  

Looking for staff that have experience working in the takeaway industry.

Applicants who are interested in the vacant positions should forward their CV on to matt_crossan@hotmail.com

An 89 year old woman told a court she didn’t want her daughter’s name mentioned during a court battle over a farm left in a contested will.

89 yr old Nora Gildea at Letterkenny courthouse yesterday.

Pensioner Nora Gildea became involved in heated exchanges with barrister Peter Nolan during the case which is being heard at Donegal Circuit Civil Court in Letterkenny.

At one stage Mrs Gildea was asked about her daughter whom he has not spoken to for a number of years.

Mrs Gildea replied “Don’t f****** talk to me about that woman. I don’t want to hear her f******* name.”

The case has divided the Gildea and Kelly families who have sat on opposite sides of the courtroom during the hearing.

Mrs Gildea is contesting land left to her daughter Nora Kelly by her brother William John Kennedy when he died in 2007.

In total there are four people claiming the 12 hectare farm located at Correnagh, just 5kms outside Letterkenny.

Mrs Kelly is seeking to establish ownership of the farm while Mrs Gildea is claiming some of the lands.

Mrs Gildea’s sons are also claiming some of the land – Christopher is claiming the entire farm while Daniel is claiming ownership to a shed and some land around it.

Nora Kelly

Mrs Gildea had to be helped into the witness box yesterday (WED) to give her evidence.

The mother of nine claimed she worked on the farm for her brother while also rearing her children and that is why she is claiming the land.

“That land never belonged to Willie John Kennedy, it was owned by John Kennedy. That was a forced will,” she said.

Barrister Peter Nolan put to Mrs Gildea she never worked the land but was only making claim to it after Willie John Kennedy died in 2007 and it was left to her daughter.

“Are you seriously telling me that you had nine children under ten years of age and you worked the land as well. I put it to you that it was impossible to do that.

“I suggest after Willie John died you got advise from some fireside lawyer that you had a right to this land and this is why you are here today,” said Mr Nolan.

Christopher Gildea, 65, a brother of Mrs Kelly and son of Mrs Gildea, claimed he was only seeking grazing for his sheep despite looking to claim ownership of the entire parcel of land.

He said he has been grazing his sheep on the land since 1971 and admitted he also owned and rented another 110 acres of land.

Barrister Peter Nolan said “So what – you were grazing it? Does that entitle you to own the land?

“You used the land for your now benefits and got free grazing and were very happy with that.

“When Nora Kelly came along and said she wanted the land after getting an injunction you wrongly claimed it,” he said.

James McMonagle, a son-in-law of Mrs Gildea, admitted he went onto lands where his mother-in-law had horses to feed the animals.

He then claimed he was approached by members of the Kelly family who hit him with a torch.

But barrister Peter Nolan replied “It was you who attacked Ms Fiona Kelly and scratched her in the face. It was you who threw her to the ground.

“I put it to you that you are telling a pack of lies. You were on land that you should not have been on because there was an injunction against you going onto the land.”

The case has been adjourned until today for summing up before Judge Mary Faherty when a decision is then expected.

DONEGAL footballer Barry McNamee has been called into the Ireland Under-21 squad to face Denmark away in a friendly on May 31.

Derry City player McNamee, who had a trial with Nottingham Forest last year, is the only uncapped player and the only home-based player in Noel King’s squad.

However five Airtricity League players have also been invited to train with the 16-man squad.

The team’s Uefa Euro 2015 qualifying campaign begins in August.

Ramelton man McNamee has just been named Airtricity League player of the month for April.

With a number of injuries and suspensions affecting King’s squad, McNamee may get a chance to impress in the Fredericia Stadium.

“This is our last preparation game before our first Euro 2015 qualifier against the Faroe Islands in August, so it’s obviously our final chance to see players before then,” King said.

“Some players are missing through injury and suspensions but this could be the case in August also, so we’ll prepare with that in mind.

“Denmark are terrific opposition for us for this game. They are a strong side, but we’d prefer to face a powerful team in order to prepare for the important qualifiers we have in August.”

Ireland Under-21 squad: Aaron McCarey (Wolves), Sean McDermott (Sandnes Ulf), Shane Duffy (Everton), Anthony O’Connor (Blackburn Rvs), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Joe Shaughnessy (Aberdeen), Derrick Williams (Aston Villa), Sean McGinty (Unattached), Carl McHugh (Bradford City), Samir Carruthers (Aston Villa), John O’Sullivan (Blackburn Rvrs), Frankie Sutherland (QPR), Barry McNamee (Derry City), Sean Murray (Watford), Anthony Forde (Wolves), Aiden O’Brien (Millwall).

Fionnuala Britton

The organisers of Saturday’s international track and field meeting in Letterkenny, being held to mark the official opening of the Danny McDaid Athletics Track at the Aura Leisure Centre, have confirmed that Fionnuala Britton will compete in the 3,000 metres.

Britton, who won a bronze medal in the event at the European indoor championships earlier this year in Gothenburg, is the golden girl of Irish athletics at present.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s spectacle, which gets underway with a juvenile programme from 3 pm to 4 pm, Letterkenny AC Chairman, Brendan McDaid, said a lot of time and effort has gone in to putting together a top class event which will hopefully see the fist sub four minute mile run in Donegal.

“Work first began on this event back in September and since then, we’ve been focusing on May 18th. We are extremely happy to have secured up to 120 high class athletes,” the chairman said.

“We see it as a unique opportunity for people of the area to come and watch the cream of athletics in action. We are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather and are hopeful that the first ever sub four minute mile will be recorded on Saturday evening,” he added.

The following is a break-down of all events on what promises to be an action-packed day.

Event by event

Men 100m

In the men’s 100m, England’s Richard Kilty will be coming to take on the best of the Irish. Kilty, a former European U-23 medallist, nicknamed “The Teeside Tornado” holds a personal best of 10.15 seconds and has been showing some good early season form on the American circuit. Dean Adams, and Chris Russell, along with up and coming athletes Zak Irwin and National Indoor champion Keith Pike will make sure that Kilty doesn’t have it all his own way to show who is the fastest man on the Letterkenny home straight.

Women 200m

Kelly Proper just last week broke the Irish record for the heptathlon in Italy. She will feature in the womens 200m, a distance in which she claimed the National Indoor title earlier in the year. Tir Chonaill’s Mary McLoone will look to challenge Proper on Donegal soil. Louise Holmes, Sarah Lavin & Laura Costello will add further class to the field. Lavin recently recorded a standard for the European Junior Championships in the 100m hurdles, and Costello recorded a standard for the European Youth Olympic Festival over 200m.

Men 400m

Brian Gregan, European finalist over 400m last year, and fastest European indoors this year, will be looking to set his stall out for the World Championships in Moscow in August. Gregan will be challenged over the one lap distance by England’s Luke Lennon Ford who has a PB of 45.23 seconds, which is world class running. This will be some battle and when the lanes even out coming off the final bend, it will be an epic battle to the finish line. However, it is far from a two horse race with four other Irish athletes with bests of 47 seconds, Curtis Woods, Dara Kervick, Jason Harvey and Eoin Mulhall, who will all be looking to steal the thunder.

Women 800m

Womens 800m running has shown a resurgence over the past 12 months with several Irish athletes making the breakthrough to international level. Laura Crowe will lead the field in this event, and with a PB of 2:05, will be looking to get down towards the 2 minute mark. Alanna Lally, who holds a qualification standard for the World Youths Championships for the 400m, will be looking to add the 800m standard, and along with Rachel O’Shea and Clare McSweeney, will further add to the improvement in Irish womens middle distance running, hoping to make it a fast 800m in Letterkenny.

Men 800m

Quoted by many as Ireland’s hottest athletic prospect, local boy Mark English will be looking to impress the home crowd in the 800m. English recently recorded a fine win over 400m in an impressive time of 47.56 seconds, winning the Irish Universities title last month. Having finished 5th in the World Junior Championships last Summer, Mark has already established himself as a world class athlete. Another young talent Shane Fitzsimons from Mullingar will be chasing qualification times for the European Junior Championships, and along with Mark Patterson and Darragh Greene will be looking to get under the 1:50 barrier for the 800m.

Men Mile

The feature event of the meeting will be the mens mile and the field is star studded with Irish and international athletes looking to join the illustrious sub 4 minute club. Showing Letterkenny’s talent at middle distance, local trio of Darren McBrearty, Danny Mooney and Ruairi Finnegan would love to have the honour of running the first sub 4 minute mile on Donegal soil. Derry’s Conor Bradley will also be looking to join his neighbours in this attempt. However, it is from well away from Donegal where the biggest threat will lie. Kenyan’s Jonathon Kiplimo and Hillary Kipkorir will pose a threat, as African distance runners do. Kiplimo recently won the mile race at the Penn Relays in a time of 3:57 so will bring good form in to the race. Belgium’s Jeroen D’Hoedt will also come with a personal best over 1500m of 3:36 and will be looking to go well under the 4 minute mile. Last weekend, D’Hoedt ran 2:22 for 1000m so he is also bringing good form to Letterkenny. There will also be a challenge from England with Anthony Whiteman and James Tartt. Whiteman, a two time Olympian, is the current world record holder for the masters mens mile, having ran 3:58 in Nashville last year. At 41 years old, he became the first man over 40 ever to run a sub 4 minute mile outdoors, with Ireland’s own Eamonn Coghlan having been the first man ever to record a sub 4 minute mile indoors. With such a star studded line up for the 1609m distance, we will hopefully see the first sub 4 minute mile ever recorded on Donegal soil.

Men 3000m

Another athlete with a bright future, John Travers, who had a superb indoor season with a 7:58 clocking to qualify for his first major track championship, will be looking to kick off his outdoor season. London Olympian over the marathon, Mark Kenneally will step down a distance, and will ensure Travers is not alone in the 3000m, also having broken 8 minutes before with a PB of 7:59. Former European Junior Champion over 1500m Colin Costello, double Paralympic champion Michael McKillop, Letterkenny’s own Ciaran Doherty, and recent North Pole marathon winner, Gary Thornton, should all ensure a fast 3000m will be on the cards.

Women 3000m

Double European Cross Country Champion Fionnuala Britton will be the star of the show in the womens 3000m. Britton has shown her promise on the track, having competed in the London Olympics last year over 5000m & 10000m, and also having won a bronze medal at the European Indoors earlier this year over 3000m. She will open her outdoor season in Letterkenny, having recently returned from a period of altitude training. Siobhra O’Flaherty, another athlete with a qualification mark for the European Youth Olympic Festival, will be joined by Eimear O Brien and Teresa McGloin, making it a competitive race.

Men 1 hour track race

This rarely run event will see athletes running against the stopwatch to see how much distance they can run in one hour. John Treacy’s Irish record of 19625m stands since 1987 from Monaco, and it will be interesting to see how close Barry Minnock and Greg Roberts can get to this record. Minnock has a marathon personal best of 2:17 and will tackle the demanding event, and will need to call on all his reserves to hold off the international challenge from Kenya’s Freddy Sittuk. Sittuk recently finished 3rd in the Belfast marathon, and boasts a marathon PB of 2:14. He is currently staying in the North West with training partner Derry’s Greg Roberts, who leads the local charge over the 1 hour race.

Women 1 hour track race

In the womens’ event 1 hour track race, the winner will be assured of an Irish record, as the race has never been run by an Irish woman before. Olympian Maria McCambridge will be looking to see how far she can push this record, having dominated the Irish road racing scene over the past number of years, and the home crowd will be urging her on over the unique distance.

Men 4 x 400m relay

The mens 4 x 400m relay event will provide a fitting finale to the evening of international athletics. The event will include athletes from many different clubs with international selections taking on the best of the Irish talent on display on the night. With two members of Ireland’s 5th placing world class performance at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia just a few weeks ago taking part in individual events, it may just serve up an exciting finish to the track and field programme.

Men Shot Putt

The mens shot putt is shaping up to be one of the events of the meeting and spectators are in for a treat of world class throwing. Denmark’s Kim Christensen and Sweden’s Daniel Stahl hold personal bests of 20.39m and 18.76m respectively. Christensen competed in last Summer’s London Olympics and is known for his crowd antics, and Stahl recently won the European Cup of Winter Throwing in Castellon, Spain. They will be challenged by two of Ireland’s best throwers, multiple Irish champion Sean Breathnach from Galway and Clonliffe’s Tomas Rauktys. In the Junior competition, Finn Valley’s John Kelly will be looking to record another qualification mark for the World Youth Championships.

Women Shot Putt

Niamh Murphy comes in to the womens shot putt with a personal best of 13.04m, and once again Kelly Proper will compete in her third event of the evening, and shows her versatility by working on every aspect of her multi-eventing. This will serve a great opportunity for this, and Fiona Tuite will also be chasing another qualification mark for the World Youth Championships. Local girl Lisa Gibson will be looking to steal a victory for the home crowd and will use her familiarity with the shot circle in Letterkenny to her advantage.

Men Javelin

There certainly will not be too many people keen to stand in the middle of the new Danny McDaid Athletics track when the javelin competition gets underway. It promises to be a hard fought battle between the best of Irish javelin throwers with several having thrown well over 60 metres. Matthew Martin and Aaron Crawford, will return from training in the UK for the competition, and they will face tough opposition from Adam Rice, Danny Mullan and Sean McBride. It will be interesting to see if Damian Crawford’s Strabane charges can take a victory from North Down, who also have decathlete Peter Glass competing. Crawford indeed will compete himself and holds a personal best of 70 metres, and may just show his young prospects how it can be done.

Men High Jump

Kourosh Foroughi leads the field in the mens high jump with a personal best of 2.20m and he will be looking to begin his outdoor season with a good series of jumps. Several other athletes will be looking to get over 2 metres early in the season, with Jaime Murtagh, Andrew Heney & Adam McMullen. McMullen is completing the challenging double of the high jump and 100m, which shows his versatility. Local lads Derek & Aidan Gillespie, and Kevin Grant are also set to feature.

Women Long Jump

Irish record holder Kelly Proper will be looking to set her stall out early in the season, and with her recent successful debut over the heptathlon, it will be interesting to see if this has enhanced her jumping ability. Just as in the 200m, she will be challenged by Tirchonaill’s Mary McLoone, and along with Linzi Herron & Heather Carson, it will make for an interesting competition into the sand pit.

Time Event Category Time Event Category

3.00pm 60M Hrlds B13 G13 3.00pm H.J U17 B/G

3.15pm 800M B14 G14 3.00pm Javelin U14 B/G

3.25pm 600m B12 G12 3.00pm Shot U16 B/G

3.35pm 80m B14 G14 3.30pm Turbo Javelin U12 B/G

3.50pm 60M B12 G12

4.15PM 1 Hour Run Mixed

5.30pm Opening Ceremony Speeches 5.30PM Field Events warm up

6.00pm 100m M 6.00pm L.J. W

6.10pm 3,000M Mixed 6.05pm H.J. M

6.25pm 800M W

6.35pm 400m M 6.10pm Shot M

6.45pm 1 Mile M

7.00pm 200m W 6.40pm Javelin M

7.10pm 800M M

7.20pm 3,000M M 7.05pm Shot W

7.35pm 4 X 400M M

The scene of the turbine crash. donegaldaily.com. Minister says she wants a report

DONEGAL politicians are backing a Bill which would put minimum setback distances from wind turbines to homes enshrined in law – with one Donegal Senator calling for a minimum 1km distance.

Senator Brian O Domhnaill, who spoke in the debate in the Seanad, was backing proposals put forward by Labour senator John Kelly.

“Setback distances deals predominantly with the noise issue and genuine health concerns,” said O Domhnaill.

“There is medical evidence to suggest there are genuine health concerns that must be addressed. Setback distances of at least 1 km from any occupied dwelling and, thereafter, further setback distances according to the height of the turbines must be set in legislation in order to alleviate concerns raised by genuine groups and members of the public.

“The Bill introduced by Senator Kelly was supported but it seems to be sitting in the Department of the Communications, Energy and Natural Resources gathering dust. Why is the Bill not being supported by the Government and brought forward before the House so that we can have an input into the debate?

“Since the original (500m) guidelines were drafted in 2006, much has changed. We know about the exploitation of the potential of wind energy by multinationals and the money they bring.

“Very often, local authorities, the Government and the Department listen to the large multinationals instead of the communities. That happened in the constituency in which I live and it is not right.

“The height of wind turbines has increased threefold. Other issues are the shadow flicker nuisance, the impact on the local economy in terms of tourism dependent enterprises, the noise and its effect on health and the reduction in the residential property values for properties in close proximity to the turbines.”

Senator Jimmy Harte also back new laws.

“This all comes down to local communities getting a say and ensuring that fears are allayed,” told the Seanad.

“I am a supporter of alternative energy and believe everybody has a positive view of it. However, this should not be to the detriment of the tourism industry and local community.”

He said wind farm companies need to engage with local communities – and referred to a proposed mobile phone mast in Ramelton three years ago which was moved by the company, even though they had all the medical evidence to show it was safe at their first preferred location.

Senator Kelly also raised the issue of the turbine that collapsed at Loughderryduff wind farm on 25th March last and he echoed concerns that the owners, manufacturers and others are not providing answers on how it happened. Minister Jan O Sullivan was present in the Seanad and said she will look into this.

Senator John Kelly told the hearing: “To learn the effects of wind turbines on people, all one needs to do is talk to Dorothy and Michael Keane in Roscommon who lived 750 m from wind turbines and had to leave their house. I passed by the turbines last week and on a close-by road.

“The turbines are 100 m high and it is scary to look at them. They are monstrous, yet they are only 100 m high. When the guidelines were introduced in 2006, they were based on turbines that were 54 m high, approximately half of 100 m.

“The turbines being erected at present all around the country are as high as 185 m, which is three and a half times the height of the original turbines, yet the specified set-back distance of 500 m is the same for all. This guideline is being breached right across the country.

“My Bill was endorsed by many county councils from around the country. When the Bill went as far as Donegal County Council, the county manager asked that the 500 m guideline already in place be lifted so turbines could be put at every crossroads in the county.

“Since the introduction of my Bill, it seems there has been a race to the finish line. Wind energy developers are trying to get planning permission applications in as quickly as possible in case there is any change with regard to the guidelines.

“The Minister of State, who was in the House last week when the findings of the European Court of Justice were raised, will know that all the planning permissions granted between 1999 and 2012 were deemed illegal because they did not comply with an EU directive. As a result of the court ruling, which I put on the record of the House last week, the Government, local authorities and wind energy sector will be open to being sued unless the issue is dealt with.”

Gardai seal off the apartment where the body was found at Lower Main Street.

The man found dead at an apartment in Letterkenny has been named locally as Bogdan Michalkiewicz.

The victim, who was in his early 40s, was found at River View apartments after suffering a number of injuries.

Donegal Daily understands the victim was stabbed.

Gardai are so far remaining tight-lipped abut the cause of death other than saying it is suspicious.

The dead man was found around 11am by his brother Tomasz, 31.

A full post mortem was due to be carried out last night to establish the cause of death.

Mr Michalkiewicz was part of a group of workers who found themselves stranded when they arrived in Ireland from Poland in 2005.

The men arrived here with the promise of three months’ work but found themselves stranded without jobs or money.

The 13 Polish and four Latvian men, ranging in age from 18 to 54, had travelled to Letterkenny after accepting an offer of work on a building site.

But after a week they were told that there was no more work.

The dead man’s brother, who found him yesterday, told of their plight at the time.

Tomasz Michalkiewicz, 31, said at the time “We came here to work for three months and now we are told there is no more work for us. We are very hungry. We do not have money even for board.”

The men, who spoke little or no English at the time, had yet to be paid for the work they had done and had no money for accommodation or food.

The men’s plight was raised by hostel owner, Karen McGlinchey who cancelled a week-long holiday in the Canary Islands so she could help at the time.

“They were left high and dry with no-one to turn to. These are people who came here on the understanding that they had work for three months. They are not looking for handouts,” she said.

The hostel was flooded with calls from all over the country with 100 job offers for the men, while a steady flow of people called with gifts of cash.

“The generosity of people has been absolutely amazing,” said Ms McGlinchey.

At the time Mayor of Letterkenny, Dessie Larkin called on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to introduce safeguards to protect the rights of foreign workers who find themselves unexpectedly without employment.

Last night Cllr Larkin, who is again Mayor of Letterkenny, said he remembered the situation well and was very sad for Mr Michaelkiewicz and his family.

“He came here and made his home here against the odds. I’m very sad to hear that he died in such tragic circumstances.

“I would appeal to the community in Letterkenny to tell the Gardai if they know what happened to him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” he said.

A Rathmullan youth was involved in the theft and arson of two cars in a crime spree which also saw him caught in possession of two knives.

Sean Deeney (18) of Clondallon, Rathmullan admitted the theft and theft of two vehicles in Rathmullan on September 19th, 2011 and the authorised carriage in a vehicle on September 16th and driving offence related to the incidents.

He also admitted possession of two knives at Kerr’s Bay, Rathmullan on August 5th 2012 and a burglary in Rathmullan on January 1st, 2011.

Letterkenny District Court heard that two of the cars stolen were found destroyed by fire. One of them contained a fiddle of sentimental value. He admitted breaking into the holiday cottage in Rathmullan and stealing items while in an intoxicated state.

Solicitor Frank Dorrian said there was no explanation for any of the offences and that Deeney had been “trouble free until 2011”. He said Deeney was a minor at the time and had been experimenting with alcohol but only alcohol at the time.

Judge Paul Kelly said the case involved very serious offences and he would have to give some serious thought as to how he was going to deal with it. Even though Deeny had no previous convictions, any one of the offences could justify a custodial sentence, he said.

The case was adjourned until June 17th for preparation of a probation report.

Two cousins have been jailed after they threatened and verbally abused gardaí who were escorting an ambulance on its way to aid a man.

Kevin McCahill (25) of 166 St. Mary’s Terrace, Rathmullan and Shane Patterson (23) of Aughnagaddy, Ramelton were sentenced to eight and nine months in prison respectively and after pleading guilty to public order incidents.

Judge Paul Kelly said he “absolutely could not tolerate such behaviour” after he heard how gardaí had to use incapacitating spray on both men during a public order incident in Ramelton.

Inspector David Kelly told the court that ambulance control had requested garda assistance after experience a large crowd when trying to come to the aid of an injured man in Ramelton on July 8th, 2012. Both defendants were aggressive to gardaí and shouted abuse and threatened them.

Garda McManus feared he was going to be assaulted and drew his incapacitating spray and used it on Patton. Patton told the garda that he would “burn your f**king house down”. McCahill then lounged at Garda McManus and swung a punch at him. Gardaí also had to use incapacitating spray on McCahill. McCahill was arrested and Patton was apprehended after he ran from the scene.

McCahill also pleaded guilty to drink driving at Meadowhill, Letterkenny in November, 2011 and public order offences outside the Golden grill nightclub in Letterkenny on March 18th last. His previous convictions included assault, criminal damage and dangerous driving.

The court heard that Patton had 20 previous convictions that included public order offences.

Solicitor Patsy Gallagher said the two men were very sorry for their behaviour and apologised. He said both have been out of work for some time and alcohol has become a major part of their lives.

Judge Kelly said both men had been before the court on a significant number of occasions for serious offences.

He said it was not acceptable that emergency services trying to attend to someone in need should be confronted with such thuggery.

He rejected an application from Mr. Gallagher to impose suspended sentences saying both men had enough chances.

McCahill was imprisoned for a total of nine months, fined 850 euro and disqualified from diving for three years.

Patterson, who had received four suspended sentences in the previous two years, was jailed for nine months and fined 200 euro.

THE funeral will take place in Killybegs on Saturday of a Donegal-born man who died in a car crash in Australia on May 4.

The remains of Shaun O’Neill will arrive at the family home at Louthead, Donegal Road, Killybegs this evening (Thursday).

Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Mary’s Church at 11am on Saturday.

Shaun emigrated with his family when he was ten to Boston.

However the family kept a home in Killybegs. His father Gerry passed away a year ago and his mother Veronica is a native of Ardara.

This month will see the number of Irish schools flying the internationally recognised Green Flag exceed 2,500 as over 1,050 schools attend Green-Schools Award ceremonies across the country.

214 schools will be awarded their first Green Flag in recognition of their hard work on the Litter and Waste theme while 874 schools will be successfully renewing their Green Flag under the themes of Energy, Water, Travel, Biodiversity, Global Citizenship and Climate Change.

The Green-Schools programme continues to grow at a remarkable rate with over 3,700 schools now registered with the programme, representing over 90 per cent of all schools in Ireland.

Schools from across Donegal will attend a ceremony in The Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny today. Five schools were awarded their first Green Flag while 51 schools renewed their Green Flag.

The programme is coordinated in Ireland by An Taisce, operated in partnership with Local Authorities and is supported by the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, National Transport Authority, NPWS and Trócaire. Green-Schools Ireland is sponsored by Repak and the Wrigley Company Limited.

Repak is the lead sponsor of Green-Schools in Ireland and Dr Andrew Hetherington, CEO, Repak commented: Repak has been the lead sponsors of the An Taisce Green-Schools programme for the last six years in Ireland.

In that time there has been a major attitudinal change to packaging recycling which is in no small part due to Repak’s involvement in the Green-Schools initiative. Ireland’s Green Schools divert 60 tonnes of waste from landfill every school day. Over the period of their sponsorship Repak has seen the numbers of schools participating in the programme grow from 1,809 to 3,746 and the number of new flags awarded increase by 1,681. Repak is delighted with the success and legacy this program creates for long term environmental change.”

Congratulating schools at the awards ceremony, Green-Schools Manager, Anthony Purcell commented that, “it is a great achievement that so many primary and secondary schools continue to implement the Green-Schools programme successfully and as a result students across Ireland are having a very positive impact on the environment both nationally and locally”.

Suzanne Tinney, Waste Awareness Officer with Donegal County Council commended the schools for their efforts.

“I am delighted with the large number of Donegal Schools being awarded with Green Flags today. I wish to congratulate all the schools that are being awarded with their first Green Flag. This is a fantastic achievement and a great reward for all the hard work that the schools have put in over the past few years.

“Today is also quite significant as we have a first for Donegal with the awarding of a Green Flag to a creche for the first time. It is great to see the green schools ethos starting at such a young age. To compliment this I would also like to congratulate all those schools who are today renewing their green flag on the Energy, Water, Travel and Biodiversity themes.

“These schools will be receiving their 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th green flags which shows their level of commitment to the programme and also highlights the sustainability of the programme. I must say a special word of thanks to all the pupils, teachers, parents and other school staff without whose commitment and dedication the Green-Schools programme would not be such as success in Donegal.”

The brilliant skills of the weavers of Ardara and Kilcar are to be featured in a new RTE television series.

Throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, David Shaw Smith and his wife Sally captured the intricacy and brilliance of Irish craft in the landmark RTE series, HANDS.

Now aged 70, and still filming, Shaw Smith, effectively the ‘godfather’ of Irish craft, revisits six of the businesses and artisans he filmed in the original series to see how they’ve weathered the last 30 years, focusing on this new generation of craft workers.

IN GOOD HANDS is a six part contemporary documentary series exploring the life and work of traditional Irish craft-workers and how they’ve adapted to the demands of the modern world: from elite saddler-makers, iron workers and cobblers, to bespoke tailors, potters and artisan weavers.

Some, like the Powers, a family of metalworkers from New Ross, are object lessons in entrepreneurial spirit, adapting in the face of competition and cheap imports from abroad. Others, like the Tuttys of Naas are third generation cobblers who have used technical ingenuity to re-invent themselves in the 21st century. And a lucky few, like Nicholas Moss Pottery and Berneys saddle-makers, have prevailed because they are simply the best in the world at what they do.

The world of Irish craft has changed a lot in 30 years but, despite the series’ important emphasis on continuity, IN GOOD HANDS is rooted firmly in the present, showing the craft industry as a reflection of Ireland’s changing social and cultural spectrum.

IN GOOD HANDS is entertaining, inspirational, feel-good television for viewers of all ages – bringing new relevance to the hugely popular Hands series.

PROGRAMME 1 – THE WEAVERS OF DONEGAL (1978) – RTE 1 May 31st at 8pm

David visits Ardara in Donegal to see how the once-thriving business of handmade tweed has weathered the onslaught of power looms and international competition.

The centuries old production of hand-made Irish tweed has its traditional heartland in the rural communities of Donegal, especially the small town of Ardara in the south west.

In 1978, when David came here to film the MacNeilis brothers, Conail, Jimmy and John, more than one hundred traditional hand weavers were still plying their trade, making quality jackets, coats, quilts and scarves for leading designers around the world.

The MacNeilis brothers, master weavers and prodigious workhorses, produced exquisite designs for Magees of Donegal from their humble workshop. David meets the last surviving brother Conail, a font of stories and lore from the old days, but now sadly deceased since this series was filmed.

David also visits Studio Donegal in nearby Kilcar, struggling to compete against the mass production giants and power looms of the tweed industry with just two remaining traditional handweavers – both employed on a part-time basis. Here David meets freelance master weavers John Hena and Eddie Doherty – John working freelance, and Eddie, weaving his own designs at his shop, exporting beautiful hand woven fabrics around the world.

A young Donegal girl is traveling hundreds of miles each week in her bid to become a top swimmer.

Dedicated swimmer Joyce Hudy

Dedicated Joyce Hudy travels from her home in Carrick three times a week to Letterkenny to train at the Aura Leisure Centre.

The sessions begin at 6.30am and the 12 year old must get out of the bed before 5am!

Some of that dedication paid off last week when she won three medals at the prestigious Antrim Open Championship in Larne.

She won two silver medals for 200 metres individual medley and 100 metres Breaststroke and also got bronze in 100 metres backstroke.

Conor Boyce of Joyce’s club Swilly Seals says the Carrick girl has a bright future in the sport.

A SURVEY has found that money not Christ is the spirit of Communion Day in Ireland.

The One4all Gift Card survey reveals our memories and thoughts of Communion Day in Ireland.

Communion season is in full swing around the country with boys and girls gracing the aisles in their white dresses and spiffy suits to receive the Eucharist.

However according to the survey conducted by leading gift card specialists One4all on more than 300 Irish adults aged between 18 and 65, our six and seven year olds selves were more excited about receiving money from family and friends (69%) than receiving the body of Christ for the first time (31%).

They Key findings released today show that children:

· Majority (68%) more excited about receiving money than the body of Christ on their Communion Day

· Wearing their special Communion outfit was considered the most special memory of the Day

· 62% wore their Communion outfit again after the big day – 43% more than once, 40% more than twice

· Half of respondents handed their outfit down to a sibling or relative

· One third still have their Communion outfit

· Majority (83%) agreed Communion Days have become more extravagant affairs over the past 10 years

· Cash and gift cards favour the Communion fund as people are more likely to dole out higher value awards in cash rather than gifts

The One4all survey also revealed that most people prefer to give the youngsters money (59%), followed by a gift (26%), followed by a gift card (12%) to congratulate them.

Interestingly, cash and gift cards favour the Communion fund as people are more likely to dole out higher value awards in cash rather than gifts.

Money:

43% give between €20 – €30

· 29% give between €10 – €20

· 24% give between €30 – €50

· 4% give €50 +

Gift Cards

· 53% give between €20 – €30

· 34% give between €30 – €50

· 3% give between €10 – €20

· 9% give €50 +

Gifts

· 36% spend between €10 – €20

· 35% spend between €20 – €30

· 28% spend between €30 – €50

· 1% spend €50 +

The Department of Education has granted an extension of time to allow a Buncrana school to remain open.

Coláiste Chineál Eoghain had been threatened with closure in recent weeks because of low numbers of pupils.

But CEO of the Donegal Vocational Education Committee Shaun Purcell has revealed the school will remain open.

“I am delighted to confirm that the Department of Education & Skills has granted an Extension of the provisional recognition to Coláiste Chineál Eoghain for the 2013/2014 School year.

“The Department has included a number of provisos including a yearly review.

“I would like to thank everybody for the hard work, support and assistance that was provided in making our Appeal to the Department,” he said.

The move has been welcomed by Senator Jimmy Harte.

” I am delighted to confirm that the Department of Education & Skills has granted an Extension of the provisional recognition to Coláiste Chineál Eoghain for the 2013/2014 School year.

“The parents and teachers together with the local public reps were united in their efforts and they have been vindicated in their efforts today .

“Cllr Martin Farren and myself spoke with Minister Quinn on the issue and it gives the school a chance to get established in Inishowen as it’s the only Colaiste in the peninsula.

“It’s a good news story and I must may tribute to VEC CEO Mr Shaun Purcell who made a great pitch to the Dept and they took on all the concerns and information and thankfully came to a sensible conclusion.

“I look forward to seeing Coláiste Chineál Eoghain expand and blossom into the future ”

Inishowen Sinn Féin representatives, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Jack Murray, Ciaran McLaughlin & Mary Kelly have welcomed confirmation.

In a joint statement, the Sinn Féin team said: “This is fantastic news for all those involved in the campaign for Colaiste Chineal Eoghain.

“We congratulate Shaun Purcell, the parents’ committee, the teachers and all those who put in a huge effort to ensure a future for Irish language education in Inishowen.

“All those involved now need to continue efforts to ensure that this becomes a permanent solution.

“Sinn Féin representatives will continue to do everything we can, in every forum, protect and grow Colaiste Chineal Eoghain.”