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Arrangements announced for Donegal homecoming after All Ireland Final
Arrangements announced for Donegal homecoming after All Ireland Final

Irish Independent

time5 days ago

  • Sport
  • Irish Independent

Arrangements announced for Donegal homecoming after All Ireland Final

Donegal County Council in conjunction with the Four Masters GAA and the Donegal County Board have announced that a homecoming event has been arranged for the Donegal Senior Football Team after the All - Ireland Senior Football final. The homecoming event will take place at the Pier Carpark in Donegal Town on Monday, July 28, 2025. The Pier car park will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 6pm on Sunday from July 27, 2025 to 1am on Tuesday July 29, 2025. On-street parking on Quay Street will not be permitted from 8am on Monday, July 28, 2025 to 1am on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The areas outlined in red on the map above detail the extent areas that will be closed to traffic to facilitate the event. Local access for deliveries to the back of the hotels and emergency services will be facilitated.

Cork County Council is only local authority without language policy for Gaeltacht housing
Cork County Council is only local authority without language policy for Gaeltacht housing

Irish Examiner

time16-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Irish Examiner

Cork County Council is only local authority without language policy for Gaeltacht housing

Calls have been made to amend the County Development Plan to ensure Irish speakers are allocated a guaranteed percentage of new council and private houses that are built in the region's Gaeltacht areas. Cork County Council is currently the only local authority in the country which to date has not adopted such a policy in its planning conditions, despite the fact that an act was passed 25 years ago which allows councils with Gaeltacht areas to do this. The issue was raised at a meeting in County Hall by Fianna Fáil councillor Gobnait Moynihan, a fluent Irish speaker who lives in the Mhuscraí Gaeltacht. That area encompasses a number of small villages in the Mid-Cork region such as Cùil Aodha, Baile Mhuirne, Cill na Martra, Réidh na nDoirì and Béal Àtha nGhaothaidh. The other Gaeltacht area in the county is Oileàn Cléire off the West Cork coast. Ms Moynihan said the council is planning to build some houses in Baile Mhuirne and it should reserve a percentage of these for those who speak Irish on a daily basis. Ms Moynihan said the Planning and Development Act 2000 gave councils the green light to place language conditions on housing developments in Gaeltacht areas. 'All other councils with a Gaeltacht area are tackling this issue, except for Cork County Council. Take Donegal County Council, for example, where any housing development must have a minimum of 85% of the units allocated to Irish speakers,' she said. A Gaeltacht only exists because a percentage of people in the particular area speak Irish daily. The Gaeltacht status could be lost quickly if the level of daily Irish language speakers falls. "We know from the last census that there was a 2.4% drop of daily Irish speakers in the (Mhuscraí Gaeltacht) location already. For this reason the language conditions on such a housing development is paramount in preserving the Gaeltacht and for the growth of the language. At least other councils are tackling the issue, but to date Cork County Council is not,' Ms Moynihan said. Fianna Fáil councillor Gearóid Murphy said it was unfortunate that Cork County Council appeared to be the only local authority which hadn't adopted the terms of the 2000 Act, while fluent Irish speaker Fianna Fáil councillor Gillian Coughlan also voiced her support. Mid-Cork based Fine Gael councillor Michael Creed also said there has to be a commitment from the council to provide houses for Irish speakers in Gaeltacht areas. Council chief executive Moira Murrell said that a review is to take place shortly of the current County Development Plan and officials will give consideration to what the councillors had asked for when this happens.

Coal merchant who threatened council official over smokey coal ordered to pay him €1k
Coal merchant who threatened council official over smokey coal ordered to pay him €1k

Sunday World

time02-07-2025

  • Sunday World

Coal merchant who threatened council official over smokey coal ordered to pay him €1k

Patrick Doherty pleaded guilty to the incident which occurred on March 7th, 2023. A Co Donegal coal merchant who made a threat to a Donegal County Council official has agreed to pay his victim €1,000 in compensation. Patrick Doherty pleaded guilty to the incident which occurred on March 7th, 2023. Letterkenny District Court heard how the 32-year-old was confronted by a staff member from Donegal County Council after being spotted with bags of smokey coal on his vehicle. Doherty of Crana View, Buncrana, Doherty was charged with intimidation of a witness at Letterkenny Shopping Centre Car Park, Letterkenny. The man's solicitor, Mr Ciaran Mac Lochlainn, previously told the court that his client was charged with threatening behaviour. A close-up of coal. Photo:Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 2nd Doherty was stopped by the Donegal County Council inspector and prosecuted for having bags of smokey coal on the back of the lorry. Mr Mac Lochlainn said his client engaged in 'inappropriate banter' and the witness felt threatened. Mr Mac Lochlainn outlined: 'He was asked: 'Are you threatening me?'. And my client said: 'No, but I know a man who will. Wait 'til my solicitor, Ciaran Mac Lochlainn, gets his hands on you'. A victim impact statement was handed into the court on behalf of the Donegal County Council employee. Mr Mac Lochlainn told Judge Éiteáin Cunningham that the prosecution in relation to the smoky coal was dismissed by another Judge. 'The witness obviously did not appreciate what was going on,' Mr Mac Lochlainn said. 'It was inappropriate. It was an encounter that should have been avoided.' Judge Cunningham said she would adjourn the matter for a couple of months so the issue of compensation could be canvassed. Mr Mac Lochlainn asked if €500 would be an appropriate amount and Judge Cunningham said she believed that, given the contents of the victim impact statement, at least €1,000 should be offered. The court was adjourned until today to hear from the accused and from the injured party. Garda Sergeant Jim Collins said the victim was happy to accept the compensation. Solicitor Mr Mac Lochlainn said his client would pay the €1,000 but was already on a pre-booked holiday. The case was adjourned to July 10th to allow the money to be paid into court to be passed onto the victim.

Organisers of Donegal International Rally proud to deliver one of Ireland's biggest racing events
Organisers of Donegal International Rally proud to deliver one of Ireland's biggest racing events

Irish Independent

time20-06-2025

  • Automotive
  • Irish Independent

Organisers of Donegal International Rally proud to deliver one of Ireland's biggest racing events

The Donegal International Rally is now underway, starting on Friday morning until Sunday afternoon, when the winner will be crowned at the renowned ramp in Letterkenny. The Donegal Motor Club, along with Donegal County Council and An Garda Síochána have been working hard to make sure it's a weekend to remember for competitors and fans. Over the years, the Rally has become one of the biggest events in the country. Brian Brogan, Chairman of Donegal Club, said there is over 200 entries to this year's rally with another 40 plus in reserves. 'There is probably nowhere with as big a number of entries as we have here in Donegal. "This has happened historically and it is a very important thing for us. "It happens on the third week in June and it takes place in various parts of the county so it is beneficial for the entire county,' said Mr Brogan. The race travels around Donegal covering 270km with different routes incorporated each year. "We work with the Council to determine the routes,' said Mr Brogan. "There might be different tarring programmes in place so we don't always get to use the same stages all the time. "It is important to work with the council and the local residents too. "We have a good working relationship with a lot of people and understandably, there can be a lot of movements to different places,' said Mr Brogan. With the large crowds coming to the county for the weekend, Mr Brogan has urged everyone attending to act responsibly on and off the roads. "Donegal Motor Club promotes motor sport in a safe environment on closed roads. "Everything we do is done very professionally and every plan is in place to benefit the competitor who is competing in the event. "In regards spectators, all we can do is ask them to abide by the rules of the road and keep the race in its place so everyone gets home safe after the weekend,' said Mr Brogan. An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland have launched a Cross-Border Traffic Management Plan for the event while additional resources will be in place to ensure the safety of people attending the rally and visiting Donegal over the weekend. This includes increased checkpoints, high-visibility patrols and additional marked and unmarked vehicles, Garda motorcyclists and the Garda Air Support Unit. Mr Brogan said Donegal Motor Club is extremely grateful for the support of the gardaí, PSNI, Donegal County Council and other agencies who assist in the safe running of the rally. "We are meeting with these agencies for the past four months and we get around the table every year and we all share measures that need to be shared. Follow Independent Donegal on Facebook "We work very well together in relation to road closures and correspondence over the weekend on how we can help each other,' said Mr Brogan.

Planning permission refused for new filling station on site of Creeslough explosion
Planning permission refused for new filling station on site of Creeslough explosion

The Journal

time20-06-2025

  • Business
  • The Journal

Planning permission refused for new filling station on site of Creeslough explosion

PLANNING PERMISSION FOR a new filling station on the site of the explosion in Creeslough, Co Donegal in which ten people were killed has been refused by An Coimisiún Pleanála. Donegal County Council granted permission to Vivo Shell Limited to redevelop a service station and shop at the site in February. The decision was appealed by a number of family members of those killed in the blast in October 2022. Today, An Coimisiún Pleanála – which has replaced An Bord Pleanála – revealed that they are turning down the application. The planning authority said the proposed plan was 'out of character' with its surroundings in the village. The body said: 'Having regard to the existing character and the prevailing pattern of development in Creeslough, it is considered that the proposed development (as amended), by reason of its overall architectural treatment, scale and design, would be out of character with its surroundings, would seriously detract from the architectural character and setting of Creeslough and the streetscape and approach from Letterkenny generally. 'It is considered therefore, that the proposed development would be contrary to Policy ED-P-9, of the County Development Plan, 2024 2023 being of inappropriate layout and building design in the context of the existing landscape. 'To permit the proposed scheme (as amended) at this prominent location could have such a negative effect on the visual amenity and local character of Creeslough as to negatively impact on the wider , long-term regeneration and renewal of the village. 'The proposed development would, therefore, seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.' Advertisement The proposed rebuild had allowed for the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new structure that includes a shop, post office, deli, off-license, and fuel forecourt. A memorial garden and light-based sculpture with ten metal poles commemorating those who perished in the tragedy was also planned for the site. However, many of the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy said this was an insult to their memory considering they died in the metal and rubble of the blast. The families are still digesting the news which was relayed to them by their legal team and was also delivered by Donegal County Council. In a statement on behalf of the families affected by the tragedy, Phoenix Law said they have welcomed the decision. 'Phoenix Law made detailed submissions to the planning panel on behalf of the families, which were accepted by the panel, granting the appeal,' they said in a statement. 'Proposing development on this site while a criminal investigation is still ongoing was deeply inappropriate. The families believe the ground should be treated with dignity and respect, given the scale of loss and trauma suffered. The initial decision to grant planning permission rubbed salt in the wounds of the families. Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law said: 'Today's decision has restored faith in the rule of law, where victims are treated with dignity and respect. 'We continue to call for a full public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The families remain committed to seeking truth, accountability and justice.' One of the family members who lost a loved one in the tragedy said 'This is terrific news. When we got the news yesterday that there would not be an oral hearing we were so disappointed and feared the worst. 'This is tremendous news. We simply do not want a new service station on the site in which our loved ones died.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

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