All drivers involved in serious crashes will face automatic breath-testing from January.
The new law was due to come into force in July – but was delayed until next September to coincide with new, lower drink driving limits.
However Transport Minister Noel Dempsey decided to push through the special legislation next month.
Mary Clinton from ACART, has welcomed todays annoucement:
The grieving parents of a 25-year-old charity worker killed by a drunken hit-and-run driver in Derry last year have appealed for an increase in the sentences available to judges for such offences.
Martin and Elizabeth Gallagher made the appeal outside the Crown Court in Derry minutes after a 23-year-old man was jailed for three years without remission for causing the death of their son, Martin jnr, by dangerous driving on November 1 of last year.
Martin Gallagher jnr, who’d raised thousands of pounds for local charities by taking part in marathons, was killed instantly when a Volkswagen car driven by Jonathan Francis McGonagle, from Moyola Drive in Shantallow, Derry, struck him as he walked across Racecourse Road, less than a mile from his Sandale Park home.
The impact of the collision threw Mr Gallagher’s body 33 metres along the road.
Mr Gallaghers father, Martin snr, said outside the Court yesterday that it’s not revenge him and his wife are looking for, they just want the legislators to re-examine the powers they’ve made available to judges.
Letterkenny and Buncrana Town Councils both hold their budget meetings this evening, with members in Letterkenny seeking at least a 3% reduction in the commercial rate. It’s expected the status quo will be proposed in Buncrana, but members may seek a slight reduction.
After Donegal County Council passed its budget with a 3.5% rates decrease this week, councillors in both Letterkenny and Buncrana will be hoping for reductions locally.
Letterkenny Town Council has already passed a motion calling for a 3% reduction. That proposal from Cllr Dessie Larkin was opposed by the majority grouping on council, but passed on the casting vote of Fianna Fail Mayor Tadhg Culbert in October.
The fact that a 15% reduction had been expected in funding from central government, whereas the actual reduction to the county council was 6% turned out to be hugely significant, and that may prove to be the case again.
Members in Buncrana have been expecting a proposal from management to freeze commercial rates, and are likely to seek a slight reduction this evening. However, one senior member told Highland Radio News they are conscious of the fact that Buncrana has one of the lowest rates in the country, and members will not do anything to jeapordise what are signs of growth in the town at present. A balancing act will have top be performed, he predicted. Both councils are hopingg to adopt their budgets at the first time of asking, whether that will be achieved remains to be seen.
Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Ken Good has called on people to perform “random acts of kindness” in a time of great economic hardship.
The bishop said a spirit of generosity was becoming increasingly evident during the current period of financial woes.
In his Christmas address, Bishop Good said that he was convinced the best of human nature was shining through during a difficult time of financial pressures and plunging temperatures.
The Church of Ireland Bishope said a stranger in a 4×4 came had come to his aid when his car became stranded in the snow recently:
NATIONAL SCHOOLS
Ayrhill N.S. Ramelton reopening Monday 10th January
Convoy Joint N.S reopening Monday 10th January
Cranford N.S. reopening Monday 10th January
Derryconnor N.S. Gortahork closed until January.
Donoughmore N.S Liscooley will remain closed until January
Drumkeen N.S closed until Tuesday 11th January
Drumoghill N.S reopening Monday 10th January
Edeninfagh N.S Glenties closed until New year
Glassan N.S. Creeslough will remain closed until the New Year
Glenswilly National school closed till 10th Jan
Gortahork NS reopening Monday January 10th
L’kenny Educate together closed till Jan 10th
Mageroarty N.S closed until Monday 10th January
Magherabeg N.S Manorcunningham reopening Monday 10th January
Murlog N.S Lifford reopening Monday 10th January
Portlean N.S. Kilmacrennan reopening Monday 10th January
Raphoe Central School reopening Monday 10th January
Ray National School Manorcunningham closed till after Christmas
Scoil Colmcille Devlinreagh Carrigart closed until January
Scoil Colmcille Drumman Ballyare reopening Monday 10th January
Scoil Colmcille Fintown reopening Monday 10th January
Scoil Colmcille Greencastle closed till 10th Jan
Scoil Colmcille Greencastle closed Wednesday
Scoil Colmcille Letterkenny reopening on Monday 10th January
Scoil Eoghain Moville reopening Monday 10th January
Scoil Eoin Baiste Carrigart reopening Monday 10th January
Scoil Mhuire Cashel Fanad closed until January
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal Letterkenny reopening on Monday 10th January
Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Illistrin reopening Monday 10th January
Socil Mhuire Ramelton closed till 10th Jan & the play today is cancelled
St Bernadette’s Special School on Monday 10th January
St Bodan’s National School Culdaff closed till January
St Bridgets N.S. Convoy reopening 10th January
St Eunan’s N.S Raphoe reopening Monday 10th January
St Marys National School closed till 10th Jan
Whelshtown National School closed till jan
Woodlands N.S will remain closed until the New Year
CLOSED WED
Castletown N.S closed Wednesday
Dooish National School B’bofey
Scoil Bridoyagh Porthall Lifford
Secondary Schools
Coilste Ailigh Letterkenny will be open on Wednesday for 3rd & 6th years at 11am
Deele College Raphoe closed until after Christmas
Gairmscoil Chu Uladh. Ballinamore, Fintown will remain closed until January 2011
Loreto Community School Milford reopening on Monday 10th January
Mulroy College closed until January
PCC in Falcarragh will reopen on Monday 10th January
Phobail Scoil Gweedore closed until Monday 10th January
Rosses Community School closed until the new year
Royal & Prior Raphoe closed until Thursday 6th January. Exams scheduled last week will take place on Thurs 6th & Fri 7th Jan Reopen 10th jan
St Eunan’s College Letterkenny reopening on Monday 10th January
Playschools & Other Cancellations
Letterkenny Community Childcare will reopen on Tuesday 4th January.
PCC Falcarragh whist drive has been cancelled
Scoil Mhuire Ramelton Natavity Play cancelled tomorrow
Glebe Childcare closed until Tuesday 4th January.
TT Childcare Stranorlar closed till 4th Jan
Cashel Na Cor Day Centre Buncrana
Clever Kids Playschool Kerrykeel closed till Jan & todays Christmas party cancelled
Naoionra Station Roundabout L’kenny closed till Jan & Christmas draw postponed till Jan
Buncrana parent and toddler group, st mary’s hall, Buncrana will be closed until wed 12 january
The following schools have confirmed their intentions for tomorrow to Highland Radio. Any school principal not on the list is asked to note that the lines are now closed, and they should ring after 7 o’clock tomorrow (Weds) morning. Texts and messages left overnight will not be included in the list tomorrow morning.
National Schools closed until January
Ayrhill N.S. Ramelton reopening Monday 10th January
Convoy Joint N.S reopening Monday 10th January
Cranford N.S. reopening Monday 10th January
Derryconnor N.S. Gortahork closed until January.
Donoughmore N.S Liscooley will remain closed until January
Drumkeen N.S closed until Tuesday 11th January
Drumoghill N.S reopening Monday 10th January
Edeninfagh N.S Glenties closed until New year
Glassan N.S. Creeslough will remain closed until the New Year
Gortahork NS reopening Monday January 10th
Magherabeg N.S Manorcunningham reopening Monday 10th January
Murlog N.S Lifford reopening Monday 10th January
Portlean N.S. Kilmacrennan reopening Monday 10th January
Raphoe Central School reopening Monday 10th January
Scoil Colmcille Devlinreagh Carrigart closed until January
Scoil Colmcille Drumman Ballyare reopening Monday 10th January
Scoil Colmcille Fintown reopening Monday 10th January
St Eunan’s N.S Raphoe reopening Monday 10th January
Scoil Colmcille Letterkenny reopening on Monday 10th January
Scoil Eoghain Moville reopening Monday 10th January
Scoil Eoin Baiste Carrigart reopening Monday 10th January
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal Letterkenny reopening on Monday 10th January
Scoil Mhuire Cashel Fanad closed until January
Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Illistrin reopening Monday 10th January
St Bernadette’s Special School on Monday 10th January
St Bridgets N.S. Convoy reopening 10th January
Woodlands N.S will remain closed until the New Year
Mageroarty N.S closed until Monday 10th January
Castletown N.S closed Wednesday
Scoil Colmcille Greencastle closed Wednesday
Scoil Mhuire Ramelton closed Wednesday
Secondary Schools
Coilste Ailigh Letterkenny will be open on Wednesday for 3rd & 6th years at 11am
Deele College Raphoe closed until after Christmas
Loreto Community School Milford reopening on Monday 10th January
PCC in Falcarragh will reopen on Monday 10th January
Rosses Community School closed until the new year
Royal & Prior Raphoe closed until Thursday 6th January. Exams scheduled last week will take place on Thursday 6th & Friday 7th January. Classes as normal on Monday 10th January
St Eunan’s College Letterkenny reopening on Monday 10th January
Mulroy College closed until January
Phobail Scoil Gweedore closed until Monday 10th January
Playschools & Other Cancellations
Letterkenny Community Childcare will reopen on Tuesday 4th January.
PCC Falcarragh whist drive has been cancelled
Scoil Mhuire Ramelton Natavity Play cancelled tomorrow
Glebe Childcare closed until Tuesday 4th January.
Donegal County Council is expressing concern about icicles snapping off roofs and eaves, with a Senior Engineer Vincent Lynn saying there have been reports of people narrowly avouiding serious injury.
Meanwhile, once a thaw sets in over the weekend, concern is being espressed about snow coming off roofs.
Mr Lynn says while the thaw will make roads safer it will bring its own dangers, and as well as being careful while driving, people also need to be careful while walking……..
The Donegal Mountain Resue Team has reported a busy period due to the cold snap with a number of rescue and humanitarian call outs.
The team earlier assisted an older lady who is isolated in her Glenties home while there has been a number of similar call outs.
Catriona Strain is a spokesperson for the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team, which is supported soley by public donations.
Ms Strain says they expect the volume of call-out to increase in the coming days:
If you wish to contribute to the team you can via their website HERE
Donegal County Council has adopted its budget for next year, with members accepting a 3.5% cut in the commercial rate.
Towards the end of the meeting, a late push was made to have the cut widened to 5%, but in the end, that wasn’t achieved.
However, a new fund has been agreed to promote community initiative and provide money for transport initiatives such as the Foyle and Swilly ferries.
Yesterday marked the first time in recent memory that the budget was passed unanimously, a stark contrast to the controversey that surrounded last year’s meeting.
As political discussions continued into the evening, there was a late surge to have the rates decrease widened from 3.5 to 5%. However, in the end, that was not possible, and the budget was adopted as outlined. The adoption was proposed by Fianna Fail Cllr Ciaran Brogan, who says he wasn’t convinced that 5% was achievable.
The proposal was seconded by Fine Gael Whip Terence Slowey, who says the council’s loan requirement and the promise of a new community fund to be discussed next month persuaded them to accept the original proposal.
For Seamus Neely, it was his first budget as county manager – He says the new fund has the potential to substantially benefit the business community.
Fianna Fáil looks set to lose 36 seats in next year’s general election – according to a prediction survey by the country’s independent radio stations.
The survey by Highland Radio and other stations around the country predicts Fine Gael will be the largest party, but that Fianna Fáil may keep Labour in third place.
This national survey predicts the make-up of the 31st Dail in a constituency by constituency basis, using national and local data, including opinion polls.
It predicts 63 seats for Fine Gael, up 12 on their 2007 result.
Fianna Fail would lose 36 seats, down to 43 TD’s.
Labour would narrowly miss becoming the second biggest party, winning twenty extra seats, a doubling of their last General Election result.
The Greens will still be around, but just two of their current six will get re-elected.
Sinn Fein, despite their recent surge in the polls, would only go up 2 seats to six, but Dr Adrian Kavanagh, electoral geographer with NUI Maynooth, says they will make gains in the border regions:
Gerry Adams and Donegal County Councillor Padraig McLaughlin are predicted to be new faces in the Dail, taking seats in the Louth and Donegal North-East constituencys.
But Donegals Deputy Mayor, Councillor McLaughlin, says he won’t be getting carried away with todays poll:
