Letterkenny Superintendent Vincent O’Brien says the awarding of a Civic Commemeration by Donegal County Council to the late Garda Robert Mc Callion was an emotional event for the family and for An Garda Siochana.

Commissioner Fachtna Murphy and Assistant Commissioner Kieran Kenny joined a large number of serving and retired gardai for the ceremony.

During his speech, Commissioner Murphy also remembered Garda Gary Mc Laughlin, who was killed in a road crash while on duty outside Buncrana last December.

Speaking after the event at County House in Lifford, Superintendent Vincent O’Brien said it was a day of mixed emotions.

Today, I tendered my resignation as Senior team manager. The original plan was a two year period, which was to be reviewed after the second year.

I feel it is the right time to step down. I would like to thank the players for all their hard work and commitment. Also my back room team of Tony Boyle, Tommy Ryan and Michael McGeehan for their work in the past two years.

I also want to thank members of the County Board for their co-operation and help during my tenure as senior team manager, and also to our supporters who have supported the county team during my period as manager.

While there may have been some disappointing days following the county team, I hope that some were also enjoyable and I wish the team all the best in the future.

Highland’s Oisin Kelly spoke with John Joe following the announcement.
 

The late Garda Robbie Mc Callion has been honoured by Donegal County Council at a special civic ceremony in Lifford this evening. Garda Mc Callion died after he was struck by a car while on duty at Tara Court outside Letterkenny in April last year. The posthumous honour was presented by Mayor Brendan Byrne on behalf of the people of Donegal.

The late Garda McCallion becomes the first recipient of a Civic Commeration in Donegal.

Speaking to reporters on his way into the ceremony this evening, Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said there had been questions about policing in Donegal in the past, but today’s event is a demonstration of the respect in which the people of the county hold An Garda Siochana.

He said today’s event is an important one for the whole force…..

Fire crews are continuing – some 7 hours later – to try and bring a serious gorse fire under control in the Bunbeg area.

The fire was initially extinguished last night but reignited this morning. Fire crews have been on the scene since 8am but are experiencing difficulties trying to control it.

Very dense smoke and difficult terrain is making the job difficult for the fire crews in the pier road area of Bunbeg.

It is understood a recent wind change is now resulting in the fire burning back towards Bunbeg despite initial hopes it would burn out to the sea shore.

There is no immediate danger to property but this situation could change with the recent change of direction of the fire.

There is huge cloud of dense smoke over the Bunbeg and Derrybeg area that can be seen for miles.

It was a happy weekend for Donegal as the weekend Lotto jackpot of €2,683,784 was won by a €4 Quick Pick ticket purchased in Mac’s Books and Newsagents, 50 Upper Main Street, Buncrana, Co. Donegal.

Ireland’s latest Lotto winners will be presented with their cheque in National Lottery offices by Dermot Griffin, Chief Executive, National Lottery, on Monday afternoon.

The rules which sees planning permission for houses on national secondary roads, such as the n56 in Donegal, automatically refused, may be about to change.

It has been confirmed that the Department of Transport and the NRA have finalised a review of the planning policy guidlines and relaxing of planning permission on national roads is included.

Up to now people seeking to build a house or any development which would access on the N56 have automatically been refused.

MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher hopes that will now change:

Donegal County Council is set to write to Junior Minister Dara Colleary, to clarify whether or not negotiations can take place locally on the implementation of changed work practices.

Minister Colleary has special responsibility for the implementation of the Croke Park Agreement.

During a sometimes heated meeting this morning, County Manager Michael Mc Loone outlined how he wants to have the “Whole System of Work” implemented for six months on a trial basis, and he has sought discussions with unions locally on how to achieve that in the context of the Croke Park Agreement.

However, IMPACT has circulated a letter to its members saying it believes agrement should be reached nationally, and while the outcome of national discussions is ongoing, there should be no discussions locally.

Mayor Brendan Byrne says it’s a very important issue:

Menwhile, County Manager Michael Mc Loone has said his belief is that the decentralised Public Services Centre model which has worked in Donegal for over 10 years should be implemented nationally, and he will be urging Minister Colleary to implement it.

Challenged by Labour Councillor Martin Farren to guarantee the future of the centres and specifically the Carndonagh centre, he said he wants the centres to be his legacy to Donegal.

He said he wants not only to preserve them, but to strengthen them.

John Joe Doherty this morning resigned as Donegal Senior Team Manager. His decision comes as no surprise following Saturday’s defeat to Armagh in the 1^st Round of the All Ireland Qualifiers. The nine point loss brought an end to summer football for the county. Doherty’s backroom team had indicated after the game that they had no desire to remain in the inter county scene. Doherty, who was appointed in November 2008, handed over a letter of resignation to the Donegal County Secretary on this morning

On Saturday in Crossmaglen, Donegal went down to Armagh 2-14 to 0-11. Two early goals from Jamie Clarke was the blow that handed Donegal an early exit from championship football.
This was John Joe Doherty’s reaction to that defeat on Saturday.
 

Donegal manager John Joe Doherty has tendered his resignation as Senior County manager.

His decision follows Saturdays dissapointing defeat to Armagh in Crossmaglen.

Donegals 9 point defeat in the All-Ireland qualifier has brought an end to Championship football for the county during the summer.

John Duddy’s hopes of a world title shot suffered a huge blow when he was out pointed by Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on Saturday Night. Unbeaten Chavez Jr took control from the early stages of the bout although Duddy did push the Mexican to 12 rounds for the first time in his career. The defeat was the Derry mans second lose in his 31 figh pro career.