Category: Old Donegal

There was a heated discussion at Donegal County Council’s budget meeting this afternoon on foot of comments made by Cllr Michael Colm Mac GiollaEasbuig.

In his submission to the meeting, which was delivered in Irish, Cllr MacGiollaEasbuig called for an investigation into what he characterised as the relationship between some staff and members. He said some staff and councillors were acting in their own interests, and in his view, this is not acceptable.

A number of members challenged that, and asked for a verbatim translation of the comments.

Cllr Mac GiollaEasbuig said he was not making a blanket accusation, but while most people are hard working, some are not, and he stands by his comments.

At this point, one of the council translators interjected in the meeting’s chat facility that in a live setting, written translations from the spoken word are only a broad summary, and cannot be taken as a verbatim translation.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Jack Murray said the meeting was being recorded, and he would proceed with the meeting, and return to the issue of the comments when a full translation is available.

The European Medicines Agency has approved a Covid vaccine for 5 to 11 year olds.

It’s given the green light for children that age to get a reduced dose of the Pfizer jab.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee here will now decide whether to adopt the EMA’s advice.

That news comes as NPHET are today discussing extending the wearing of masks to primary school children.

Marco Cavaleri from the European Medicines Agency says there has been a specific vaccine dose designed for children…

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ema3pm.wav

 

 

A Donegal Deputy has accused the Government over what he terms the lack of forward planning for the health system as we head into another winter in the midst of a fourth surge of Covid-19.

It comes as issues with booking a PCR test continues in some parts of the country.

Speaking in the Dail, Deputy Pearse Doherty says the root of the problem isn’t about the winter of flu period; it’s about a lack of planning for increased capacity in hospitals across the country:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/pearseantigen1pm.mp3

The Tánaiste says that no country could cope with the demand that is being experienced for PCR testing at present:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/leoantigen1pm.mp3

Donegal County Council has passed its Draft Budget for 2022 by 33 votes to two. Independent councillors Frank Mc Brearty Junior and Michael Colm MacGiolla Easbuig were the only two to vote against.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive John McLaughlin has said claims made by Cllr Mac GiollaEasbuig in the course of his submission to the meeting will be investigated.

He said a transcription of the comments, made in irish, will be obtained and fully translated, and Cllr |Masc GiollaEasbuig will then be asked to submit his evidence.

Cllr McBrearty said he too has evidence which he will submit.

A Donegal based father of two found guilty of murdering his wife during a boating holiday in County Fermanagh will serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.

44 year old Stephen McKinney, a native of Strabane who had been living in Convoy with his family killed Lu Na McKinney in April 2017.

Her body was recovered from Lough Erne beside a jetty on Devenish Island.

Speaking outside Belfast Crown Court today, Detective Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan said on Wednesday April 12th, 2017, Stephen McKinney took his family on a boating trip on Lough Erne – Lu Na would never return alive. Her children would return without their mother.

Following a ‘999’ call from Stephen McKinney stating his wife had fallen into the water and he could not find her, a thorough police investigation ensued.

Now, he concluded, through the testimonies of expert witnesses who used ground breaking techniques, McKinney has been sentenced today.

He urged anyone who feels trapped in an abusive relationship to come forward, promising that police will robustly investigate all allegations of abuse and fully support people through the criminal justice process.

 

PSNI Statement in full –

Sentencing of Stephen McKinney for the murder of Lu Na McKinney

Today, Thursday, 25 November, at Belfast Crown Court 45 year old Stephen McKinney was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years imprisonment for the murder of his wife Lu Na McKinney.

Detective Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan from Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team said: “Today my thoughts are very much with Lu Na’s children and her family whose suffering and loss will live with them for the rest of their lives.

Detective Superintendent Corrigan continued: “On Wednesday, 12th April 2017 Stephen McKinney took his family on a boating trip on Lough Erne – Lu Na would never return alive.  Her children would return without their mother.

“Following a ‘999’ call from Stephen McKinney stating his wife had fallen into the water and he could not find her, a thorough police investigation ensued.

“Through the dedication and tenacity of the investigating officers, along with the testimonies of expert witnesses who used ground breaking techniques, and working closely with our partners in the Public Prosecution Service, Stephen McKinney was found guilty of the murder of his wife and sentenced today.

“I know today’s sentencing will never bring Lu Na back, however I hope this outcome brings some sort of comfort to her family. 

“Stephen McKinney thought he had silenced Lu Na, he hadn’t – police spoke for her and found justice.” 

Detective Superintendent Corrigan went on to make a specific appeal to anyone who feels trapped in an abusive relationship: “Domestic abuse is a terrifying and impactful crime and very often people who are being abused feel isolated, vulnerable and frightened and don’t know where to turn.  Please know that help is available. You can contact us on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

“We are here to help you and we will robustly investigate all allegations of abuse and fully support you through the criminal justice process.  Please be assured that you can come forward in confidence and speak to detectives who will treat you with sensitivity and respect.

“A 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline is also available to anyone who has concerns about domestic or sexual abuse, now or in the past, the number for which is 0808 802 1414.”

“And we are not the only organisation that can help. Women’s Aid; Rainbow Project, Men’s Advisory Project, Men’s Alliance and other support services also offer a wide range of help and advice –  You can find more information online at; https://www.psni.police.uk/crime/domestic-abuse/who-can-help-me/

Statement issued on behalf of Lu Na’s family.

We would sincerely like to express our thanks to the judge, the jury, the PSNI major investigation team, the prosecution team and all those who assisted the police investigation and the subsequent court trial.

We appreciate the huge effort and hard work that has been undertaken by many, many people which has contributed to the successful conviction of Stephen McKinney for the murder of our much-loved Lu Na.

As a family, we have endured four very difficult years, made more difficult living so far away from the investigation and trial.  We are thankful that Lu Na had so many people fighting for her. We appreciate the dedication that was shown by the investigation team who worked on this case and provided our family with detailed updates as the case progressed.

The outcome of this court process has brought us some justice, it does not change the fact that Lu Na was so cruelly taken from us and we will never be able to see her, talk to her or for Lu Na to be part of our family celebrations. We will never get over our loss.   We all love Lu Na and will miss her forever.

Thank you.   

 

Derry City and Strabane District Council is being urged to back calls for a new inquiry into the disappearance of Arlene Arkinson.

The 15 year old schoolgirl went missing after a disco in Bundoran in 1994 – her body has never been found.

An inquest into Arlene’s disappearance recently concluded that she was abducted and murdered by notorious child serial sex offender and convicted murderer Robert Howard.

This has led to Arlene’s family calling for the establishment of a full public inquiry into the RUCs investigation into her disappearance.

A motion is to be brought forward to Council tomorrow on the issue by Cllr Ruairi McHugh:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mchugh1pm-2.mp3

Cathaoirleach Jack Murray has proposed that Donegal County Council’s draft budget for 2022 be accepted, and that’s been seconded by Fianna Fail Whip Cllr Ciaran Brogan.

The council’s Chief Executive and Finance Director both gave an overview on the figures, before each Director of Service gave specific presentations on their own areas.

Members are currently discussing the provisions of the budget book, before it is put to a vote.

 

 

 

Donegal County Council’s budget meeting is underway, with Cathaoirleach Cllr Jack Murray saying it’s the biggest day of the council’s calendar.

He said with projected expenditure of over €162 million, the budget includes over a thousand euro for every man, woman and child in the county.

Finance Officer Richard Gibson presented members with a detailed outline of how the money will be spent.

He also outlined how the money will be raised, with over €46 million coming from grants, €37 million from commercial rates and almost €27 million from the Local Government Fund through Local Property Tax.

The council’s Capital Budget will be considered on Monday, with Mica one of the issues on that agenda.

Members were told the council has identified 1,000 social houses with defective concrete blocks, and is seeking €280 million over four years from the government to deal with that issue.

The budget meeting is being streamed on council’s Facebook page, and can be viewed live HERE

 

 

The Social Protection Minister says there are no plans to re-open the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Heather Humphreys says the number of people on the live register has actually fallen in the last week.

That’s despite the hospitality sector reporting a big drop off in business since the midnight curfew was introduced.

Minister Heather Humphreys says that isn’t translating to job losses at the moment:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/humphreys10am.mp3

 

 

Letterkenny University Hospital is once again the most overcrowded hospital in Ireland today with 58 people awaiting admission there this morning.

22 were on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 38 people were on wards.

Nationally, 274 admitted patients were waiting for beds this morning, according to today’s INMO Trolley Watch.
203 patients were waiting in the emergency department, while 71 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital.