The father of missing Lifford man David Colhoun has again appealed for anyone who may have information about the last movements of his son to come forward.

22 year-old David hasn’t been since he escaped police custody in Strabane in the early hours of Sunday the 22nd of May – His family believe he may have entered the river in an effort to return to Lifford.

Despite an extensive search, which is ongoing, not trace of David has been found.

His father Joseph spoke earlier on the Shaun Doherty Show:

A BBC production team has begun an operation to excavate a Spitfire fighter plane which crashed into an Inishowen bog almost 70 years ago.

A large crowd has gathered at Moneydarragh for the excavation, which is being carried out as part of a BBC programme “Dig WW2″. The programme  is due to be broadcast later this year.

An army bomb disposal team is on standby to deal with any live ammuinition which may be dug up.

The show’s presenter  Dan Snow told today’s Shaun Doherty Show they expect the plane to be in a reasonable condition:

Donegal County Council is meeting with the National Roads Authority this week to discuss salt stocks for the coming winter.

Responding to Cllr Martin Farren who raised the issue in the chamber this week, Roads Service Director John Mc Laughlin confirmed that the NRA has brought in extra salt stocks this year, and discussions on where to deploy that salt are now under way.

He indicated the council is increasing its storage capacity, particularly in Carndonagh and Stranorlar.

Cllr Faerren is welcoming the indications, saying he never again wants to be called to a meeting in mid December to be told some roads cannot be treated properly………..

Two sisters from Derry are in foster care and awaiting adoption proceedings after their parents were jailed yesterday for child cruelty by neglect.

Derry Crown Court was told that in August 2009, police entered the home on a seperate matter and found the girls, both aged under three, naked, covered in faeces, and locked in a room. Harrowing evidence was given about the squalor in which the girls were living.

Thje court was told the childrens’ father had developed alcohol problems and their mother became severely depressed when pregnant with thweir third child.

Councillor Noel McBride was this evening elected the new Mayor of Donegal.

In a vote he defeated Fianna Fail’s Liam Blaney  by 18 votes to 10.

Councillor McBride was first voted on to Donegal County Council in 2004 and replaces Sinn Fein’s Cora Harvey.

Councillor Barry O’Neill was elected Deputy Mayor and replaces Marie Therese Gallagher.

Donegal County Council has backed a motion calling for the abandonment of plans to impose domestic water charges. The issue was raised by Cllr Jack Murray, who moved a lengthy motion condemning the lack of investment in water infrastructure, and stating that the central taxation system is the only equitable way to get people to pay for water.

Anything else, he argued, is putting further pressure on people who are already struggling as a result of the recession and cuts in wages and benefits.

Cllr Murray says a similar motion is being brought to every local council in the country, and he’s hopeful a clear demand from local councils will prompt Environment Minister Phil Hogan to change his mind……………

Donegal County Council has indicated that it is likely to nominate businessman Sean Gallagher to contest the presidential election, but that is not a legal decsion and is subject to change.

The decision followed a lengthy procedural discussion, after Mayor Cora Harvey told members that three potential candidates had written to the council seeking a nomination, and two have sought an indication of intent.

County Secretary Eunan Sweeney cautioned members that no nomination can be made until after the order for the presidential election is signed, probably in September.

On the proposal of Cllr Ciaran Brogan, a majority of members decided to vote on the three, Mary Davis, Sean Gallagher and Senator David Norris. When a vote was taken, Fiana Fail and Labour supported Mr Gallagher, Sinn Fein abstained, as did Fine Gael, with the exception of Cllr John Boyle, who backed Ms Davis.

In a vote 13 supported Sean Gallagher and 12 abstained. A formal vote will be taken in September.

Sean Gallagher was in County House when the vote was taken. He says he understands this is a statement of intent with no legal force, but says he’s humbled by the decision……..

Donegal County Councillors meet this evening to discuss whether or not they will back Sean Gallagher’s  presidential run

The business man and “Dragon” requires the support of four county councils if he is to run for the Aras.

A decision was taken today that presidential hopefuls will no longer be able to address the council, however Mr Gallagher will meet with councillors later with a vote likely to be held.

Sean Gallagher, whose father is from Killygordan, is hopeful of securing the support he needs:

A District Judge in Derry has said that if the prosecution is not ready to proceed with a preliminary enquiry in September against a man charged with murder then he will release him.

Thaddeus McAllister (19) with an address in London but originally from Cable Street in Derry is charged with the murder of piazza delivery man Emmet Shields in June 2008.

Today the prosecution said they wanted to set a date for a PE in ten weeks time.

Defence solicitor Mr. Kevin Casey said he was not a gambling man but if he was he would bet the PE would not go ahead on that date.

District Judge McElholm said all he could do was to set a date for September 5 and if the PE did not go ahead on that date he would refuse to return him for trial and release him.

Farmer Patsy Brogan will be denying an accusation that he operated a “shebeen” in a shed called the Bog Hotel attached to his home, Donegal District Court was told today.

Defence solicitor Paudge Dorrian said the 73-year-old man will be “contesting” a charge that he sold beer and spirits at the premises outside Inver, Co. Donegal, last September 25.

The summons was brought on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions by Inspector Denis Joyce.

The trial date was fixed for September 7th.

Brogan was cleared by a court last year of running an illegal bar in his converted shed when Donegal County Council sued him for a breach of planning laws. He told that court that he doesn’t charge for drink and the judge found the converted shed was not unlike private bars in homes across the country where families shared drinks with friends.