More than 300 workers at Stream International in Derry are out of work after the company failed to secure any new contracts.
Stream , which provides support services for technology companies has struggled to find new business during the economic downturn.
In August, the 300 workers at the Derry facility were put on 90-day notice.
Delegates attending a weekend conference on Arranmore Island have signed a decleration calling on the EU and government to lift restriction to allow them to fish.
The international conference took place on Saturday and was attended the European Small Islands Network, International fishing organisations and local fishing and political representatives.
Local fishermen want laws changed or modified to allow them fish for salmon. 20 fishermen based on the island declined the government buy-out scheme when salmon fishing was banned in 2006.
Spokesperson Hugh Rodgers says the message from the conference was clear – islanders want the right to make a living from the sea :
Key talks between with EU Fisheries Ministers and Irish fishing representatives get under way today on a number of proposed measured which could severely impact fishing industry off the northwest coast.
There are proposed cuts in key fish quotas and strict new technical measures which is claimed will effectively mean the closure of the mixed whitefish fisheries off the North West coast.
The Federation of Irish Fishermen is attending the talks and is chaired by the head of the KFO Sean O’Donoghue – He says planned cuts to mackerel will hit the ports of Greencastle and Killybegs.
Politicians on both sides of the border have been urged to support the peace process.
The plea from the Taoiseach Brian Cowen, comes as his government meets his Northern counterparts for a series of cross-border talks.
Brian Cowen is expected to confirm that, despite the difficult economic climate, the Government will continue funding a number of cross-border initiatives, including the construction of a new road linking Monaghan to Letterkenny.
A 24 year old Garda has died in hospital after he was injured in a crash close if Lisfannon while on duty in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Gary McLoughlin, who was stationed in Buncrana, was hurt when a car he and a colleague were pursuing turned around and drove straight at their patrol car
He lost his fight for life overnight.
The pair had been called to assist colleagues who were following a Northern registered car which was heading towards the border at high speed.
Three people, including two Gardai, have been injured in a road crash in Donegal.
The two-car collision happened on the Letterkenny to Bridgend Road at Lisfannon at around half past one this morning.
The two Gardai were taken to Letterkenny General Hospital where one of them is said to be in a serious condition.
The driver and lone occupant of the second car is also being treated in hospital.
The Garda Ombudsman Commission has been contacted and Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the crash to come forward.
Division 1 League FinalArdara who finished top of the table by four points to make the final ended St Eunan’s hopes of taking a third double in a row with a 6 point win over the Letterkenny club in Ballybofey. Francis Diver and Peter Mc Hugh scored the goals in the first half for Ardara.
Ardara’s Damien Diver speaking with Charlie Collins.
Four men have been assaulted in separate attacks in Derry.
A man was dragged from his van by three men in the Fountain area shortly after 9pm on Friday and his hand broken in the door of the van.
In the early hourd of Saturday , a 20-year-old man was attacked outside a shop on Lone Moor Road by two men armed with hammers.
In the third incident, two men were attacked in the car park at the rear of Clooney Terrace.
None of the victims are believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries.
There has been strong condemnation of two punishment shootings in Derry overnight.
Shortly after six o’clock last evening two men were taken into an alleyway at Central Drive in Derry’s Creggan area and shot in the legs.
When police attempting to help the men they were attacked by groups of youths throwing missiles and fireworks. One petrol bomb was also thrown.
The two shooting victims were taken to hospital and both are in stable conditions, there were no reports of any injuries during the subsequent trouble.
SDLP representative Pat Ramsey says the shootings and the attacks on police cannot be tolerated:
Donegal’s Island fishermen have accused the government, EU and fishing representative groups of not doing enough to protect what they see as their right to make a living from fishing.
In 2006 the government banned salmon fishing for boats of a certain size, most fishermen took up a buy out scheme to exit the industry but 20 off Donegal’s coast have resisted.
They argue that it is a way of Island life and one of the few ways of making an income if based off the mainland.
Today fishing representatives as well as local and national political figures will meet in the Resource Centre on Aranmore at 3.30pm on the issue.
Campaign spokesperson Hugh Rodgers says they are want a fish quota derogation for islands:
