A Donegal man has been convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old girl two years ago.

The 23-year-old accused, who can not be identified for legal reasons, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to two counts of rape, and defilement of the girl on a date in February 2008.

Last evening, the jury of seven men and five women returned a verdict of guilty on the charge of defilement following six hours of deliberation. It was day seven of the trial.

The jury will resume its deliberations on the remaining two charges this morning.

Tomorrow is the last day for nominations for this year’s Enterprising Donegal Business Awards, with businesses in the county being urged to submit entries.

The award ceremony on March 12th will mark the culmination of the County Enterprise Boards Enterprising Donegal Week, with spiokesperson Ursula Donnelly saying that a lot of Donegal businesses are punching above their weight, in today’s economic climate.

She says that’s something that should be highlighted

After six months of discussions, the EU and Norway have reached agreement on mackerel fishing arrangements which are being welcomed by the Donegal fleet.

Speaking after the conclusion of the talks, Fisheries Minister Tony Killeen expressed relief that a ten year deal has been reached which will put the mackerel fishey on a more stable footing.

Mr Killeen praised KFO Chief Executive Sean O’Donaghue, who he said all the negotiations and was available at all times to advise on the impact any proposal would have on the irish fleet.

Speaking to Highland Radio News as he returned home from the discussions, Mr O’Donaghue said the stability offered by the deal is crucial.

There’s been condemnation of the shooting of a Derry businessman at his city centre shop.

52 year old Raymond Coyle was shot in Red Star in Waterloo Street, which sells substances referred to as “legal highs”. His family believe that is the reason he was targetted, but deny that he had been warned against selling such items.

Foyle MP and SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the whole community rejects what he termed this act of barbarism.

New rules which give cross border recognition to driving disqualifications come into force today, on foot of an agreement between ministers in the Republic, the North and Britian.

Under the new rules, Northern or British drivers disqualified for serious motoring offences in the Republic will no longer escape punishment when they cross the border, and likewise, disqualifications earned by drivers from the republic in the North and Britian will be enforced here.

The new law is the first practical step to recognise driving disqualifications in Europe under the terms of a 1998 European Convention.

There was double success for the county on Wednesday at the All Ireland Senior Basketball Schools Finals at the National Stadium in Dublin. Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town girls won the U19C  title beating Alexandra College Dublin 74 – 30 to win the  All Ireland for the first time. St Eunan’s College also won the U19B Boys title against Chanel College Dublin. The Letterkenny school had  nine points to spare in a dramatic game winning 67 – 58.

Two minor earthquakes have been measured in Donegal, one just before 9 o’clock last night, and the other just before 8 o’clock this morning. The slight tremors, which measured 1.5 and 1.7 on the richter scale were felt in Fanad and Inishowen.

They follow another minor quake in the county on January 7th, which measured 1.6.

Tom Blake of DIAS, the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, says the events last night and this morning are typical of what would be expected in Donegal, and do not in any way suggest more significant tremors in the future.

A meeting will take place at Donegal County Council’s headquarters next week between council officials and engineers from the OPW to identify how best to prevent future flooding in Raphoe.

The issue was raised in the Seanad last night by Senator Brian O’Domhnaill, who called for commitments to be given on funding a flood prevention programme. He said such a programme is now possible following the preparation last year of a preliminary report outlining a number of options.

Responsing on behalf of OPW Minister Martin Manseragh, Junior Minister John Curran told the Seanad the meeting on Friday week will fully discuss those options a final choice is made.

Bad news this week  for both Donegal and Naomh Conaill. Dara Gallgher has been ruled out for three months after sustaining a chest injury in his clubs Ulster U21 Championship win last Sunday. Doctors diagnosed the injury as a cracked bone in the chest and have told him to take total rest for twelve weeks. Gallagher has been ruled out of the entire National League campaign.

Despite a date having yet been set for a by-election in Donegal South West to replace MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher the list of candidates continues to grow.

Senator Pearse Doherty is expected to contest for Sinn Fein, Frank McBrearty for Labour, Fine Gael select their candidate next month while Fianna Fail have yet to announce who will run for them.

Now Indendent Councillor Thomas Pringle has thrown his hat in to the ring.

Councillor Thomas Pringle says a firm date would level the playing field: