Senator Pearse Doherty says a date of Spring next year is still too late for the Donegal South-West by-election to be held.

The Government says voters in Donegal South-West, Dublin South and Waterford will go to the polls early next year.

This after Fine Gael failed in it’s efforts yesterday evening to have the by-election writs moved losing each vote by 81 to 77.

Donegal Senator Pearse Doherty, says next Spring would still be too little too late:

Some lucky person from Finn Valley is in for a bumper Christmas this year!

A punter at Alexanders in Ballybofey scooped €350,000 in last nights Lotto Plus draw.

Joe Alexander, the shop owner, said that no one had yet come forward to claim their winnings:

The 22-year-old man who survived a horror smash that claimed eight lives has been interviewed by gardai for the first time.

Gardai investigating the horrific collision in Co Donegal last July are now awaiting the results of forensic tests from the scene.

Seven of eight young men in one car died instantly in the collision on the R238 between Clonmany and Buncrana on July 11.

21-year-old Mark McLaughlin, from Fahan; 19-year-old Paul Doherty, from Ballyliffin; 19-year-old Ciaran Sweeney, of Ballyliffin; 21-year-old PJ McLaughlin, of Burnfoot; 23-year-old James McEleney, of Clonmany; 22-year-old Eamon McDaid, from Buncrana, and 21-year-old Damien McLaughlin, from Buncrana, all died at the scene.

The driver of the second car, 66-year-old Hughie Friel from Urris in Clonmany, was also killed as he returned home from bingo.

Sole survivor 22-year-old Shaun Kelly, from Buncrana, who was driving the car in which the young men perished, sustained serious injuries to his face and upper body.

It emerged yesterday that gardai had interviewed him at his family home in Ballymagan.

Most of the mink set loose from a mink farm four days ago have now been recaptured.

The deliberate attack on the farm, near Ardara has been blamed by the owners of the mink on “animal liberation terrorists”.

Yesterday, wildlife conservation rangers who are monitoring the recovery operation, confirmed that many of the 6,000 that were released from their cages had since been returned to the farm.

Dave Duggan, Deputy Regional Manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, says that most of the minks didn’t get out past the perimeter fence surrounding the farm:

The Public is being urged to attend an open discussion in Letterkenny this evening focusing on the issues facing Donegal.

The Rural Ireland Road Show is being held in the Mount Errigal hotel and will feature a panel of guests debating issues facing the county such as ghost estates, tourism, broadband, and supports for businesses.

The road show will be chaired by Journalist and Author Ken Murray, he says the debate is apolitical and its outcomes will presented to representatives of Dail Eireann:

The Governments voting strength in the Dail will be tested this evening with Fine Gael planning to move the writs for the three outstanding by-elections.

The last time an attempt was made to move the writs the Ceann Comhairle was forced to use his casting vote in favour of the Government.

Fine Gael’s candidate for the Donegal by-election Barry O’ Neill says this is a chance for those outside the whip, especially Dr James McDaid, to take a stand for the people:

The debate began at 5.50pm on Wednesday evening – you can watch it live HERE

Bill Clinton has described his involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process as one of the greatest honours of his life.

The former US President has met with the North’s political and business leaders in Derry today as part of a visit aimed at promoting US investment in the region.

He’ll travel on to Dublin this evening to officially open the Clinton Institute for American studies at UCD.

He told an audience in Derry that the North is held up as an example in other areas in conflict:
 

Meanwhile speaking after his meeting with Bill Clinton -  Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he was delighted that Mr. Clinton has such an interest in the North:
 

A Dublin woman charged in connection with one of the largest heroin seizures in Northern Ireland has walked free from court after the prosecution offered no evidence in her case.

Sarah Greene, (25) of Eaton Green, Rathcoole, had denied being concerned in the supply of the class A drug on July 11, last year.

She was one of three people arrested after the drugs, with an estimated street value of £2million pound, were found in a lorry stopped on the Foyle Bridge.

Her two co-accused 42-year-old Derry man Sean Doherty and 29-year-old Dubliner Anthony Morgan applied to be re-arraigned last month and admitted charges in relation to the drugs.

Doherty, of Cornshell Fields, pleaded guilty to possessing the heroin with intent to supply and Morgan, also of Eaton Green, Rathcoole, admitted being concerned in the supply of the class A drug.

They are due to be sentenced in October.

At Derry Crown Court today, a judge directed a jury of seven men and five women to find Green not guilty of the charges.

Judge Desmond Marrinan told the jury that the PPS would have a “very good reason” not to offer any evidence.

He then told the 25-year-old: “The jury have found you not guilty of the charges and you are free to go.”