The head of Retail Ireland says he’s confident that Xtravision has a future.

Today the company said it would continue to operate as normal after the High Court appointed an interim examiner yesterday.

Xtravision employs 1,300 people here and has more than 180 stores both sides of the border, includiong a major outlet at Letterkenny Shopping Centre

The Head of Retail Ireland, Torlach Denihan, says the examinership at the company shows how badly Irish businesses are suffering under the burden of excessive rents………..

Donegal tourism from Scotland is set for a major boost, with 50 representatives of the tourism industry participating in the Donegal Live Glasgow event tomorrow.

The organisers says with sterling so strong against the euro, it is also a good time to target the Scottish market and help bring more visitors to our county,” he adds.

The Glasgow event is a follow-on from the Donegal Live day in Dublin last year. There will be another Dublin initiative in Mid May.

The Mayor, Cllr Colum Eastwood has hit out at those responsible for a vandalism attack which saw £50,000 worth of damage to musical equipment in a van that was set on fire outside of a city centre hotel in the early hours of this morning.

Describing the attack as “ a disgraceful act of wanton violence and destruction”, the Mayor said those responsible were mindless thugs who were intent on causing disruption to the city.

The van, which belonged to a band performing as part of the  City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival, was set on fire at Magazine Street. Residents at a nearby hotel had to be evacuated from the hotel during the incident.

A security alert in Derry this morning has been declared an elaborate hoax.

The PSNI removed a suspicious object from Racecourse Road in Shantallow earlier this morning.

A number of families had been evacuated from their homes while army bomb disposal teams investigated the device.

Police say the investigation is now over.

The Irish Postmaster’s Union is holding its Annual Conference in Letterkenny today, with members to debate a proposal that post offices be allowed deliver additional public services, like Motor Tax Renewal, in an effort to cut State costs.

The IPU says it can also be part of the reform of the Irish Banking Sector.

The IPU says the government should allow it deliver additional public services – such as motor tax renewal in an effort to save on government department’s staff and infrastructure costs.

The union says it can help deliver on the savings set out in the Croke Park agreement by offering more services like this.

It also says it can be part of the reform in the Irish Banking Sector.

Its asking the government to consider making greater use of the Post Office Network in the planned re-organisation – by expanding on the existing banking transactions it provides for AIB and NIB.

Another proposal to be put forward at its annual conference is to allow post offices accept deposits and withdrawals for Credit Union customers when their local branches are not open for business.

There’s another security alert in Derry this morning, this time in the vicinity  of the Racecourse Road. Police and army  personnel are at the scene. There are diversions in place in the area.

Meanwhile, police say a device found close to a van in Maghera in County Derry yesterday morning had partially exploded.

The owner of the van spotted the object in the Willow Glynn area shortly after 8 o’clock.

A suspected explosive device has been discovered in County Derry.

It was spotted under a van in the Willow Glynn area of Maghera this morning.

The PSNI says an initial assessment of the object has indicated it is a viable device.

Local residents have been moved from their homes and a security operation is continuing.

Fianna Fail Cllr Seamus O Domnhaill has called on the Council to lobby the relevant departments to ensure that a proper package of money is allocated to repairing bridges in Donegal.

A recent survey of bridges in the county by the council showed that the counties bridges are in need of repairs at the minute.

The NRA have indicated they intend to do a survey of non-national road bridges, and bridges in most need will be repaied.

Cllr O Domnhaill, said especially country road bridges are in serious need of widening work and repairs…….

Up to fifty firemen are currently fight a large gorse fire in the Drumfires area of Inishowen.

It’s believed the fire started after a spark came off a steam powered tractor which is doing a charity drive from Mizen to Malin Head.

There is heavy smoke along the Mountain Road area between Buncrana and Crandonagh.

One local farmer described the scene….

Gareth McGlynn and Ruaidhri Higgins return to Dalymount Park on Friday to face their former club after both caught the train to Derry following Bohemians’ financial fallout during the close season. The Candystripes currently sit third in the league, ahead of Bohs on goal difference, however with this clash ahead of another game on Monday – when Bohs face Bray Wanderers and Derry head to Sligo Rovers – the table could be much changed very soon. Derry have injury concerns over both James McClean and Patrick McEleney for Friday night. McClean is struggling with a shin complaint and McEleney sustained a dead leg in Monday’s EA Sports Cup win over Mervue United. “I’m hopeful that James will be ok – he’s a crucial player for us and gives us great width and balance,” said Candystripes boss Stephen Kenny. “Bohemians are a formidable team who don’t concede many goals,” warned Kenny. “They have players with a lot of experience, seasoned professionals and they keep it tight while offering a major threat at set-pieces. If we believe in ourselves we have nothing to fear – we must show the pace and quality which we have shown in recent weeks and try to get a victory,” added Kenny.Bohemians will have to manage without Glenn Cronin and Christy Fagan on Friday night while Mark Rossiter is also a doubt.