Counting in the Seanad elections gets underway today.

60 seats are up for grabs in the upper house, and they’re broken down into 3 groups.

11 are nominated by the Taoiseach, 43 are elected by a number of panels that represent vocational interests, and 6 are elected by graduates of NUI and Trinity College Dublin

The count is expected to continue until the weekend.

There are three Donegal candidates in the panel race, outgoing Senator Brian O’Domhnaill, a former Taoiseach’s nominee  is seeking to retain his seat on the Agriculture Panel, while Cllr Jimmy Harte is seeking election on the Commercial and Industrial Panel. Also on that panel is Danny Byrne, who lost his father and brother in the Skifjord tragedy in 1981 and made the initial complaint about the subsequent “Lost at Sea” scheme to the Ombudsman’s office.

He is a member of Fine Gael, but failed to secure a nomination from the party. However, he has received an outside nomination from the Certified Public Accountants of Ireland.

Derry Priest Fr Michael Canney is offering to meet with dissident republicans after yesterday’s Real IRA Derry statement, in which the dissident group threatened to kill more PSNI officers in the North.

They also declared the Queen’s first visit to Ireland as an “insult” and claimed she was guilty of war crimes.

Foyle MP Mark Durkan said the groups pretensions to legitimacy would impress nobody……….

A masked member of the Real IRA has warned that the Queen is wanted for ‘war crimes’ in Ireland and when she visits later this year they ‘will do our best to ensure she gets that message.’

The warning was delivered during an Easter commemoration march in Derry when a masked and uniformed colour party led several hundred people to the city cemetery.

A masked man then read the message from the Real IRA.

The masked member of the Real IRA said that young nationalists should ‘think again’ if they believe the PSNI was a reformed police force and said they were ‘serving the occupation and will be treated as such.’

Then in a ominous warning the masked man said the GAA, Catholic Church  and constitutional nationalism will be unable to protect those who turn traitor, and that they are as liable for execution as anyone else regardless of their religion, cultural background or motivation.

The masked man also claimed that the PSNI were tyring to put civilians at risk in order to ‘discredit republicans.’

The Real IRA spokesman also denied that his organisation was in an negotiations with either the British or Irish governments although he added that if the British were serious about ‘discussing the restoration of Irish sovereignity’ they would listen to their proposals.’

The gathering was also addressed b Marian Price of the 32 Count Sovereignty Movement who said that republicans ‘take no delight’ in the killing of a policeman in Tyrone.

She went on to say that the trauma suffered by the policeman’s family was the same as the trauma suffered by victims of ‘British occupation.’

She also challenged Sinn Fein to respond to what she described as ‘our analysis’ which she said was given to Sinn Fein in 2005.

Donegal held off a superb second half comeback from Laois to claim the Football League Division 2 title at Croke Park on Sunday. Leading at one stage in the second half by eight points, 2-7 to 0-5, after Michael Murphy (penalty) and Colm McFadden had scored their goals, Donegal went 20 minutes without a score in the second half and allowed Laois back into the game. Laois’ comeback was sparked when Donegal were reduced to 14 men when Adrian Hanlon was sent off in the 42nd minute.The O’Moore men then kicked seven points in a row to reduce the gap to a single point with ten minutes left, but Donegal, thanks to points from their experienced trio of McFadden, Rory Kavanagh and Kevin Cassidy had just about enough to hold off Laois at the death.

Donegal Manager Jim Mc Guinness spoke with Charlie Collins after the win.
 

Commemorations have been held across the island to mark the 95th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

In Donegal, the main county commemeration this afternoon was at Drumboe. It was addressed by Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn, who said the period between now and the 100th anniversary in five years time should be marked with a new push towards unity.

He says at present, the vision of the patriots of 1916 is not being realised……..

There were also commemerations and wreath laying ceremonies today at Aughnashinan Graveyard in Letterkenny, Cockhill in Buncrana, Drumoghill, Castlefinn, Gweedore, Donegal Town, Drumkeen, Carrigart, Pettigo, Fanad and Glencolmcille

National Football League Division 2 Final result
Donegal 2-11 Laois 0-16

Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden scored the goals for Donegal. Both players finished the game with a 1-3 tally. Donegal had Adrian Hanlon sent off early in the second half but held on to win by a point. It wasn’t a classic but a good result for Jim McGuinness’ side ahead of the championship opener with Antrim in three weeks time.

Derry City have dropped back to 3rd in the League of Ireland Premier Division following Friday’s 1-1 draw with St Patricks Athletic. Both goals in the game were scored in the final 20 minutes. James McClean scored for the second weekend in a row bagging Derry’s only goal last night. Mc Clean who scored two in last weekends 4-1 away to Galway put the Candystrips in front on 70 minutes firing home from eight yards. Ten minutes later St. Pats were level. Daniel North scored from the spot after Daryl Kavanagh had been fouled.  Derry share 3rd place in the table with Bohemians on 15pts, one behind Bray and two behind leaders Shamrock Rovers. Derry’s next two league games are against Bohs on the Friday night and the following Monday against Sligo Rovers.

Oisin Kelly spoke with Derry City Manager Stephen Kenny on Saturday Sport.
 

Finn Harps have sacked manager James Gallagher this morning.

A statement from the club issued at 10am said that Gallagher and his assistant Anthony Gorman have parted company “with immediate effect.”

The chairman and the board of directors thanked both men for their efforts and commitment to the club.

See Highland Sport for more.

A 9-year-old boy has been injured after a glass jar packed with nails struck him on the leg in Derry.

It is understood the device, which police say contained no explosives, was thrown into the Fountain area of the city from the Bishop Street interface on Friday evening .

Residents reported hearing a loud bang, with one eye-witness describing seeing the child in distress.

The boy was treated in hospital but has since been released.

A 16-year-old boy has been stabbed in Derry.

The teenager received four stab wounds to his upper body and was taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not life threatening.

Police said they believe the boy was injured in a fight in the Creggan Heights area with another youth just after 0130 GMT on Saturday.

A 20-year-old man has been arrested and is helping police with their inquiries.