An investigation is continuing into a car fire in Manorcunningham in the early hours of this morning.
The incident happened in the Abbey park area at around 4.30am.
It’s understood that the car was subsequently removed for further examination.
No injuries have been reported.
Joe Morgan and Ann Owens – members of the mica redress team from Donegal, supported by the Left Group and Luke ‘Ming’ Flanaghan MEP, this week presented the mica/pyrite defective blocks issue to the EU Petitions Committee (PETI).
The issue was also discussed by wider redress team members (Eileen Doherty, Eamonn Jackson, Mary O’ Regan – Donegal mica family representatives and Loren Devers – Mayo pyrite family representative) with MEP’s and an EU Commissioner in Brussels.
Joe Morgan, affected homeowner and campaigner, who oversaw the submission of multiple petitions from affected mica families to PETI earlier this year, spoke on the issue:
“We were delighted to be afforded the opportunity to shine a light on the mica scandal at a European level and to demonstrate the failure by the Irish Government in adhering to existing Irish and EU regulations. We highlighted the lack of effective governance and oversight of concrete products in an EU member state by the Irish Government, which resulted in the defective blocks crisis.
“We were delighted that the EU Committee members, after hearing our submission voted unanimously to keep the petition ‘open’. This was the best outcome we could have hoped for. PETI will now decide which other mechanisms or committees at EU level will be asked to examine this issue to help support affected families in Ireland. Further, there was agreement that PETI would write to the Irish Government and seek clarify on the issue and how it is being addressed.
Ann Owens, mica redress campaigner and affected homeowner also spoke at the PETI committee:
“It was incredible that a grassroots lobby group from Donegal has succeeded in bringing a campaign from a kitchen table to the EU parliament. It is unfortunate however, that this issue has not been effectively addressed at a national level and that it has become necessary to involve the EU.
Ann went on to say:
Following the PETI Committee presentation, Joe and I, alongside our fellow Mica redress campaigners; Eileen Doherty, Eamonn Jackson, Mary O’ Regan and Loren Devers, met with Left Group MEP members (including Luke ‘Ming’ Flanaghan (Independent), Mick Wallace (Independents 4 Change), Manon Aubrey (La France Insoumise), Martin Schirdewan (Die Linke/The Left), Claire Daly (Independents 4 Change), Chris McManus (SF), other Irish MEP’s; Sean Kelly (FG), Colm Markey (FG), Barry Andrews (FF), Frances Fitzgerald (FG), Maria Walsh (FG), Billy Kelleher (FF), Spanish MEP Pernando Barrena Arza (Sortu) and EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness (FG), to further highlight the mica and pyrite issue, and to ask for their continued support in applying pressure on the Irish Government to effectively and expediently address this issue on behalf of all affected families.
“Key areas of discussion centred around the deficiencies in the newly released defective blocks scheme (in particular the inadequate sq foot rate/sliding scale) and the potential for an International forum to be established to better understand the impact of mica, pyrite, pyrrhotite etc. on construction products.
“Importantly, a key item under discussion was the possibility of the EU sending a delegation on a ‘fact finding’ mission to Ireland to better understand the defective blocks issue, how it happened and how it is being addressed at both a local and a national level. The MEPs have agreed to report back on this over the next few months”.
Members of Swilly Seals ASC recently participated in the National Finals of the Community Games held in the University of Limerick Sport’s Campus. Thirteen members of the club were selected following success in the county finals to represent Donegal and the communities of Letterkenny, Milford, Glenswilly-Churchill and Gaoth Dobhair. The finals in Limerick were a great opportunity for athletes to compete at national level against competitors from all across the country.
There was great excitement despite the necessary restrictions put in place to keep everyone safe due to Covid-19 concerns. The athletes demonstrated terrific skill and speed to the delight of the spectators and all those at home waiting patiently for updates.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly when the athletes had a moment to pose with Brendan Hyland, who competed in the Tokyo Olympics, for photos and medal presentations. Hyland spoke to the competitors before each session and spoke of his fondness for the Community games. He also produced his own medal from the 2006 Community Games Finals to strike a common chord with all present.
Swilly Seals ASC is immensely proud of all of their swimmers and is particularly pleased at how ably represented the County was with the members who travelled to Limerick last weekend. Given how the age categories were structured, some athletes were competing against older athletes on the day and did so with incredible grit and determination.
Among the medal holders for the County and their communities were;
· Cian Anderson from Milford who secured 3rd place in the u12s 50m Backstroke.
· Cara Murphy from Letterkenny who placed 4th in the u12s 20m Freestyle.
· Sophie Temple from Letterkenny who secured 3rd place in the u12s 50m Breaststroke.
· Anya Duffy from Letterkenny who placed 4th in the u12s 50m Backstroke.
and Gaoth Dobhair twins
· Caoimhe nic Aoidh who secured 3rd place in the u14s 50m Butterfly.
· Éabha Nic Aoidh who placed 3rd in the u14s 50m Breastroke.
Top 10 national places in highly contested events were achieved by Bláithín Cunningham, Patryk Zachwieja, Ita Mc Gee, Cillian Murphy and Ava Doherty.
The club is extraordinarily grateful to the local and national Community Games organisers, the parents for all of their support, the volunteers for all of their assistance with club activities and a very special word of mention for all of the coaches. The club is in a very fortunate position to have such diligent, committed and highly skilled coaches who generously provide their time and expertise in nurturing our athletes to perform at Regional and National levels. This was no more apparent than during the community games finals with the multitude of messages back and forth to receive updates and celebrate successes.
With Molly Nulty now having progressed to the National Short Course Championships which are being live-streamed on YouTube and held in Dublin in two weeks’ time, the sky is the limit for this talented group of young athletes.
The Letterkenny Vaccination Centre has been relocated to Letterkenny Business Park.
The move to the bigger centre is said to be to support the rollout of the booster programme in Donegal.
Vaccination clinics are to commence at the new clinic in Letterkenny Business Park tomorrow.
The vaccination clinic previously located on Kilmacrennan Road will now be housed in Building 1b, Letterkenny Business Park, Ballyraine.
The new centre is on the N56 link road (beside the Post Office Depot) and will have signage from the approach roads.
First and second dose vaccines, along with the rollout of the booster vaccine programme to eligible cohorts will continue to be provided from tomorrow.
People who received their first dose vaccine in the centre on the Kilmacrennan Road and are due a second dose, or a booster dose will be requested to now go to the new centre.
Walk-in Clinics for Booster Vaccines for the 60 to 69 group will be held tomorrow between 9am and 12:30pm for people who had their second dose on or before July 7th and on Sunday from 9am to 5.30pm for those who received their second dose on or before July 8th.
Anyone who has had COVID-19 since their vaccination are advised to wait 6 months after the positive result to get the booster.
The Cabinet will meet this afternoon to consider increased restrictions ahead of Christmas.
NPHET has recommended limits on how many people can meet in a home, and a return to last year’s rules on hospitality.
That would mean no booking multiple tables, earlier closing times and everyone would need to be seated – marking the effective closure of nightclubs.
While caps on attendance at concerts, matches and cultural events are being considered.
CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins met the Taoiseach this morning – and said supports were promised to the hospitality sector:
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/cumminsweb.mp3
It’s expected the Taoiseach will address the nation this evening to announce the changes.
A number of social enterprise projects in Donegal are to receive almost for €40,000 in funding.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys has announced €680,000 in funding is being made available for 50 organisations under a new initiative designed to raise awareness of the positive role played by Social Enterprises.
Bundoran Community Development CLG will receive €5,112, €3,740 has been sanctioned for Coiste Forbartha an Fhál Carraigh while €10,000 has been announced for Lifford Association Tourism Commerce Heritage CLG, Liquid Therapy and Spraoi agus Sport.
A number of events have been planned across the North West to mark the 1500th anniversary of Colmcille’s birth on December 7th.
Marking the historic year, Donegal County Council and Derry City & Strabane District Council, are coordinating a full line-up for ‘Colmcille 1500,’ to celebrate the anniversary of the patron saints.
Celebrations for Colmcille kick off in earnest on December 6th, with an online event; ‘Colmcille 1500: A Journey Through Ireland & Scotland.’
On Tuesday December 7th, celebrations will be held at a cross-border event in Colmcille’s birthplace in Gartan, Co. Donegal.
The celebration will include the premiere of animations created through the Schools Digital Folklore Project – showcasing how St. Colmcille’s legacy has been kept alive by a new generation, using digital animation to capture his life and legacy. This Donegal Library Service project has been delivered in partnership with schools and libraries in Donegal, Derry, Meath, and Sligo. The children’s animations are also being developed into a beautifully illustrated comic, and a Colmcille colouring book will also be launched at the event.
December 7th will also see the unveiling of a new Colmcille sculpture near Kilmacrennan, reflecting its strong connection with the Saint, funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland as part of the N56 Coolboy to Kilmacrennan Road Scheme.
In partnership with Foras na Gaeilge, there will also be a series of images projected onto important sites linked to Colmcille across Ireland and Scotland.
The images will be seen in many locations from Colmcille’s birthplace in Gartan to his final resting place in Iona in Scotland – locally people will be able to see them in Guildhall Square in Derry as well as at the Colmcille Heritage Centre and Colmcille’s Abbey in Gartan.
As part of ‘Coinneal Cholmcille’ (Columba’s Candle) – the public have been invited to light a candle at 5.21pm to reflect the year of his birth in 521. The projections will also be switched on at 5.21pm and will be in place until 9 p.m.
Whilst between 6.30 p.m and 8.30 p.m ‘Light of the Dove’ will see the grounds of the Long Tower in Derry come to life with light installations, dance, poetry, and music to create a walk-through experience themed around hope. The adjacent Aras Cholmcille will also be open.
Throughout December 7th, there will also be various church services held to honour the saint.
Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown will celebrate Mass in St Columba’s Church Long Tower at 10.00am.
Mass will be broadcast on RTÉ News Now at 10:30 a.m. from St Colmcille’s Chapel, Glendowan in Gartan, and there will also be mass held at 7 p.m. at St Columba’s Church Massmount, Fanad, Donegal, that includes an unveiling of a new statue of St. Colmcille.
At 7.30pm, there will be a special service of Choral Evensong in St Eunan’s Cathedral, Raphoe with the primate, the Most Reverend John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh, and music by the Choir of St Columb’s Cathedral, Derry.
In addition, there will also be Colmcille related events happening throughout the day on Tory Island in Donegal. These include a history and folklore tour with Antóin Ó Míonáin, a talk on Colmcille with Dr. Brian Lacey and exhibition of an art piece in honour of the saint by Sarah Lewtas.
Closing out the saint’s birthday on December 7, there will be a drama documentary broadcast on BBC Alba and TG4 at 8.30 p.m. entitled: ‘Colmcille the Bold Saint/ Colmcille An Naomh Dána’.
Other cultural events will also take place further into the week. For example, on Thursday December 9, there will be an evening of music, film and song exploring Colmcille’s influence on the North West by the Atlantic Orchestra Project at the Colmcille Heritage Centre in Gartan. Friday December 10 will see a book launch and cultural night in Loch Altan Gortahork, Co. Donegal.
Much debate continues to surround the controversial sliding scale element of the enhanced Mica Redress Scheme.
Yesterday in the Dail, in response to Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar confirmed that Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is considering the sliding scale.
The current cap of €145 per square foot for the first 1,000 foot will mean still have to dip into their pockets to fix their home.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue reiterated this morning on the Nine til Noon Show that upon a review of that rate by the CSI next year, the rate will be revised upwards to reflect market trends.
He stands over his belief that 100% redress will be delivered:
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/charleinew1pm.mp3
The Republic of Ireland Men’s U15s drew their opening game of the Federations Cup Tournament 0-0 with Mexico at the Camps de Futbol Oliva Nova in Spain on Thursday.
Ireland struck the woodwork three times during the encounter in an impressive display by Jason Donohue’s side.
Donegal’s Luke O’Donnell started and played 68 minutes of the tie while Caoimhin Crossan was in the panel.
The number of people awaiting a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital has dropped further today.
According to the latest Trolley Watch report from the INMO, 39 people are waiting on a bed at the hospital. 7 people are on a trolley in the Emergency Department while a further 32 are waiting on wards.
Nationally, 351 patients are waiting on beds at hospitals today.
