A Derryman who was shot and stabbed in two different incidents was today given a suspended sentence for having a disposable camera modified into a stun gun.

42-year-old Kieran McCool of Ederowen Park in Derry admitted possessing a prohibited weapon on July 16 last year.

The court was told that McCool was stopped in a car and arrested and a search was carried out on his house.

In that search he camera was found and after examination it was found to be modified to act as a stun gun.

Defence solicitor Mr. Paddy MacDermott said that his client had been shot in 2003 and stabbed in 2004 and was fearful of other attacks.

He had the stun gun as a defensive weapon.

Th District Judge Mr. Barney McElholm said McCool was ‘very unlucky.’ He sentenced him to eight months in prison suspended for three years.

Donegal County Council is debating a lengthy report on the severe weather experienced between November and January, with the cost of damage to roads and other factors laid out. Members have been told that damage to roads across the county will cost just over €8 million euro to repair. However, no extra money will be made available by government, with the council being forced to redirect monies from existing budgets for the most urgent projects.

Of the damage to roads, €3 million was sustained in the Stranorlar Electoral Area, €2.5 million in the Letterkenny area, €1 million in Glenties, €900,000 in Inishowen and €650,000 in Donegal. The costs of the problems with water supplies and infrastructure are still being assessed.

The council has also been told that new salt barns are being built  in Carndonagh and Stranorlar. Meanwhile, issues of how to source and use salt are being discussed at a series of meetings which is getting underway.

An extra €2 million has been incurred in operational costs. A million of that was recouped from Government before Christmas and an application was made last week for the rest.

Donegal County Cllr Liam Blaney, will not be putting his name forward to run in the Donegal North-East constituency in the General Election.

In a statement released to Highland Radio News this afternoon, he said he wished to state that he didn’t intend to contest the forthcoming General Election. He says the decision was taken purely for personal reasons and unfortunately he was not in a position to commit at this time.

He asked his loyal supporters and constituents on this occasion to pledge their support to his party colleague Cllr. Dessie Larkin who had declared his intent to seek the party nomination.

And speaking from the County House in Lifford in the past hour, Cllr Dessie Larkin, says he will need the backing of former Deputy Dr James McDaids supporters if he is to take a seat:

Shay Given is set to stay with Manchester City until the summer. Manager Roberto Mancini has closed the door on a possible move away for the Donegal keeper as the transfer window enters it final hours. It was suggested this morning that Leicester City were interested in the Republic of Ireland international. It seems there’s no chance of him joining Leicester, or anyone else today. City got left short between the sticks by an injury to Given last season when they had loaned Joe Hart out to Birmingham, and they are not going to run the risk of the same happening again this campaign. Over the weekend  Given was also linked with a 4 million pound move to Spurs.

Donegal U21 Championship Final.
Noamh Conaill 0-8
St. Michael’s 1-4

On Sunday at the O’Donnell Park Letterkenny, Noamh Conaill won their fourth Donegal U21 Championship in five years after a narrow one point win over St. Michael’s. The games only goal was scored in the fifth minute by Raymond Mc Laughlin as St Michael’s lead 1-1 to 2pts at half time. The Dunfanaghy side were in front until four minutes from the end, when Noamh Conaill captain Leo McLoone slotted over to square up the game. The winning point for the boys in blue was hit by John OMalley  in stoppage time.

Noam Conaill Captain Leo Mc Loone.
 

Finn Harps have announced the signing of Conor O’Grady from Sligo Rovers and a new deal for striker Kevin Mc Hugh.
Midfielder O’Grady has now begun pre-season training with the rest of James Gallagher’s squad and could make his debut in next Sunday’s friendly against Derry City at Finn Park. Last season O’Grady was club captain for his hometown club Sligo Rovers, who enjoyed a highly successful 2010 bringing both the League and FAI cups back to the West. Harps Manager James Gallagher feels O’Grady’s signing could prove to a significant addition to his young squad.  “Conor has a reputation in the League as a formidable midfielder and I think he will definitely make us a better side.  Given that he is a relatively high profile player there was of course other clubs interested in getting his signature, so naturally we are delighted he has decided to come to Finn Harps.  Conor’s experience and ability to drive players around him was also an important factor as we have a young squad.”

Kevin McHugh has signed a new contract with the club, which will secure the strikers services for both the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Following discussions with Manager James Gallagher and Chairman Joey O Leary, the Killea native was happy to put pen to paper on a two year deal this weekend.  McHugh scored 15 times in League and Cup for Harps last season

Letterkenny’s Mark English set a new Irish Junior 800m record on Sunday in Cardiff, Wales at the Celtic Indoor Cup and Schools International. English who represented Ireland at the World Youth Olympics Games last summer ran a time of 1.48.6 which was also inside the standard for the European Junior Championships in Estonia. The old record of 1.49.21 was set in 1993 by David Matthew.  Also in Cardiff, English’s clubmate Darren Mc Brearty finished second in the 800m to qualifying for the European Under 23 Championships to be held in the Czech Republic. Darren who recently ran for Ireland at the European Cross Country Championships came home in 1.48.8 to take the silver medal. St Eunan’s college student Ruairi Finnegan come home second in the 1500m in Cardiff. His time of 3.54.93 was inside the qualifying time for the European Youth Olympic Festival in Turkey. The fourth Donegal athlete in action was Finn Valley’s John Kelly, who won the schools  shot putt competition with a throw of 13.78.

Letterkenny AC Coach Teresa Mc Daid.
 

In a shock move last evening, Fianna Fáil TD Niall Blaney become the latest Dail deputy to announce he will not run in the General Election.

He withdrew ahead of a selection convention in Letterkenny, citing ‘personal reasons’ for his decision.

Councillor Charlie McConolougue was selected to run for the party, a decision on if he will have a running mate will be made later.

This morning Councillor Ciaran Brogan confirmed he would NOT be interested in running with Councillor Liam Blaney, Niall’s brother and Councillor Dessie Larkin favourites.

The latter says he has always been a strong supporter of the Blaney’s and is now seeking their support:
 

Donegal Ladies Gaa forward Yvonne Mc Monagle was named Donegal Sports Star of the Year on Friday Night in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny. The Glenfin lady was presented with the award by special guest at the event, Michaél ó Muircheartaigh. In 2010 Yvonne scored 2-5 in helping the county win the All Ireland Ladies Intermediate title where the beat Waterford in the final. Yvonne was also named as an All Star winner last year.

Yvonne Mc Monagle speaking with Chris Mc Nulty.
 

Senator Cecilia Keaveney says she has not yet decided whether or not she will defend her Seanad seat when elections are called in early summer, but the probability is she will not.

Senator Keaveney withdrew from Fianna Fail’s General Election selection convention last night, saying she wants to concentrate on a European Council of Ministers project with which she is involved.

She says she remains  a member of Fianna Fail, and may seek to return to the Dail in the future, However, for now she says, a return to the Seanad is unlikely