Shay Given has been ruled out of the Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia on 26 March. The Lifford native suffered a shoulder injury in the warm-up ahead of Manchester City’s Europa League tie with Aris Salonika last Tuesday. City manager Roberto Mancini confirmed last weekend that Shay had a problem and was due to see a doctor in London. Republic of Ireland  manager Giovanni Trapattoni expressed his disappointment that the Donegal man will miss the upcoming qualifier but is hopeful the 34 year-old will be back for the away match with the Macedonians in June.

After Sunday’s win over Tyrone, Donegal ladies continue to share top spot with Monaghan in Division One of the National Football League. Eamon O Boyle’s side had to come from behind at half time to take victory against last years all Ireland finalists 6-6 to 2-12. Termon’s Geraldine Mc Laughlin scored 3-2 while all star Yvonne Mc Monagle bagged 2-2. With three wins from their opening three matches the Donegal ladies are away to Cork in their next game at the start of March.

Donegal Ladies Manager Eamon O’Boyle speaking with Myles Gallagher on Sunday Sport.
 

A new report has shown an increase of 5.4% in violent crime recorded in Strabane.

The information was contained in the PSNI’s 9 monthly performance report on policing in Strabane presented to the Strabane District Policing Partnership

It showed that despite the overall increase in violent crime, there was a significant reduction in most offences.

Sexual offences were down 36%, Burglary down 37%, robbery down 37% and offences against the state were down 57%.

There were however increases in offences against the person and  fraud and robbery

Fianna Fail’s Donegal North East candidate Charlie McConalogue has called on Labour to come clean about it’s plans for Letterkenny General Hospital.

Councillor McConalogue claims there have been suggestions within the Labour Party that patients in Donegal could travel to Sligo for breast cancer treatment.

Last week Labour leader Eamon Gilmore told an audience in Sligo that he would designate Sligo General Hospital as a centre of excellence for breast cancer services.

Charlie McConalogue says Labour needs to be clear on its plans:
 

Labour Donegal North East candidate Jimmy Harte has hit back claiming Fianna Fail has done nothing for health in Donegal in 14 years.

He says developing Sligo General Hospital as a centre of excellence has been on the agenda before, but that he and the Labour Party are committed to the Altnagelvin radiotherapy Centre:

The Tanaiste has rejected claims by Sinn Fein that she is failing the school children of Donegal by not introducing a major school building programme.

That claim was made by Donegal North East candidate Padraig MacLaoghlanin says Sinn Fein.

A spokesperson for the Tanaiste says Padraig MacLoughlainn ‘couldn’t haven’t have got it more wrong.’

It was pointed out that €77million has been spent on primary school buildings in Donegal since 2000 and €91million on secondary schools.

Fianna Fail claims the network of schools in Donegal has been completely transformed with new builds, extensions pointing out that  almost 60 Donegal schools allocated over €3million in last year’s Summer Works Programme

In a final swipe at Sinn Fein, the Tanaiste described Cllr McLoughlainn’s claims as ‘ a bit rich’ stating the north’s Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane, have reigned over an 80% cut in the school building programme.

281 people in Donegal contacted the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Information Service in 2010 according to figures released by the society today.

88 nights of care were provided in Donegal last year, at a cost of €30,800, while over €24,300 in financial aid was provided to people in the county in 2010.

The figures were released to coincide with the launch of Daffodil Day, which takes place on the 25th of next month.

Justin Mc Dermott is the Head of Fundraising in the North West – He’s appealing to people to volunteer for the day:

The JML diesel protest, which saw hundreds turnout in Letterkenny on Saturday, are set to take their demonstartion to Leinster House on Wednesday.

A convoy of 45 trucks left Letterkenny at half past four this afternoon to make their way to Dublin.

More and more people are expected to join the convoy on their travels, as they stop in a number of towns over the next two days.

John McLaughlin, who organised the protest, says he wants a huge turnout in Dublin on Wednesday:

Sinn Féin has accused Tanaiste Mary Coughlan of failing the schoolchildren of Co Donegal by not introducing a major school building programme.

And Donegal North East candidate Padraig MacLochlainn says Sinn Fein in Government would promise a dedicated list of schools each year to revitalise the county’s dilapidated school buildings or prefabs.

He says rather than renting properties from developers, the state should be building schools and health centres:

A report into Ilex, Derry’s urban regeneration company, has said that stakeholders consider it’s performance “disappointing”.

The report, by independent consultants BDO, highlights a number of concerns including a lack of delivery on two sites at Ebrington and Fort George.

It also flags up delays in a regeneration plan for Derry.

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has said he is disappointed that more has not been achieved sooner by the Derry Urban Regeneration Company:

Shay Given will discover this week if he needs to undergo surgery after the Manchester City goalkeeper suffered a shoulder injury. Given, who has played second fiddle to Joe Hart all season, was not on the bench for Sunday afternoon’s 5-0 FA Cup victory over Notts County. City manager Roberto Mancini said “’He has a shoulder problem and  he will go to the doctor in London to see if he needs surgery”. Given has made only four appearances for City this season and could now be doubtful for the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 Group B qualifier against Macedonia on 26 March.