The funeral takes place today of Sean McBride from Rosheen, Burtonport, who died in a construction site accident in Western Australia a fortnight ago.

Mr Mc Bride was working in the town of Dampier, taking down scaffolding on a jetty owned by a mining company when part of the scaffolding collapsed, pulling him into the sea.

Divers recovered his body from the water a short time later.

He’ll be buried in Belcruit Cemetery after 12 noon requiem mass in Burtonport.

Employers in the North West say the government must redouble its efforts to support job creation.

Padraig O’Grady, North West Regional Director of IBEC says figures now show 27,500 people unemployed in the Border region, that’s just over 13% of the workforce, a level that’s remained more or less unchanged for six months.

Mr O’Grady told Highland Radio News that while the situation is stabilising, a massive task remains to get those that are unemployed back to work, and business wants to see a relentless focus from Government…..

Pressure is mounting on Junior Minister John Perry this morning before today’s press conference regarding the restoration of breast cancer services to Sligo General Hospital.

Many people are eagerly waiting to see if the Minister of State for small business will uphold his pre-election promise.

He vowed to restore breast cancer services within his first 100 days in government.

The conference will take place in the Sligo Park Hotel at 2pm today.

Mayor of Bundoran Town Council – Sinn Fein councillor Michael McMahon – says that Minister Perry should be forced to step down if he doesn’t follow through on his promise.

Meanwhile, Cllr McMahon says that Deputy Perry was not the only person who campaigned to restore cancer services to Sligo General Hospital.

He says that Cllr Frank McBreatrty, the Labour candidate in the Donegal South-West by-election and general election, and Cllr Barry O’Neill, the Fine Gael candidate in the by-election, both campaigned to restore cancer services at Sligo General Hospital.

Cllr McMahon says since the elections, both have been very quiet on the issue……….

An investment company in which a number of Donegal co-ops have significant shareholdings has confirmed new Banking Facilities totaling €200 million with a group of its banks.

One51 employs over 1,000 people in Ireland and the UK, and says the new banking facilities will support further growth and development of its exports base.

The investment company One51 was established in 2005 as part of the break up of the IAWS group. It holds investment portfolios in infrastructure, renewable energy and food and distribution.

One51 manages investments for a number of Donegal cooperatives, including Templecrone Co-op, Inishowen Co-op Society Ltd, Inishkeel Co-op, Glenveagh Agricultural Co-operative Society Ltd and Clonleagh Co-op.

The company says the agreement of these new  banking facilities comes well before exoasting arrangements expire, and reflects the strength of the company. Borrowing costs are up slightly on the rates agreed in 2006, but remain highly competitive in the current financial era.

Meanwhile, in a tangential move, it’s been confirmed that results for the year ended December 31st last will be sent to shareholders shortly.

The 40^TH Donegal International Rally gets underway Friday  morning with the crews tackling some of the classic Donegal stages. Over 150 cars will leave the start ramp on the port road in Letterkenny for three days of fantastic rallying in the North West.

With a preview here’s Oisin Kelly.
 

Finn Harps have confirmed this week that they have released two more players from the club.  Manager Peter Hutton has  reached an agreement with  Conor O’Grady. The former Sligo Rovers captain  needs an operation next month and will be out for the season. Garbhan Friel is also leaving Finn Park. The striker who has played  recently played for the side is expected to re sign for Ulster Senior League side Cockhill Celtic.

Michael Murphy’s appeal against his sending off in last weekend’s Ulster Championship quarter final  will be heard tonight Thursday at Croke Park. The Donegal captain was controversially sent to the line in Sunday’s win over Cavan for a strong shouldering incident.  The Donegal County board who viewed Marty Duffy’s referee’s report requested the personal hearing on Monday night. As things stand Murphy would miss the semi final with Tyrone on Sunday 26th June at Clones. The County Board will call for the red card to be rescinded.

Junior Health Minister Roisin Shorthall has told the Dail the government cannot intervene in the delay in completing the new extension at Letterkenny General Hospital, but a meeting last week may see progress shortly.

The project has been stalled since last year when Mc Namara Construction went into receivership.

The delay was raised in the Dail last night by Donegal North East Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn, who said cancelled clinics and intolerable delays in A&E are becoming commonplace, and staff morale is at an all time low. He also raised the plight of sub contractors who have not been paid.

Minister Shorthall said the project can only recommence when the insurers approve a new contract. She said this may happen shortly, but it will still take a minimum of 20 weeks to complete and furnish the new facility.

On the issue of the sub-contractors, she said the HSE will do what they can, but can make no promises:

Senator Jimmy Harte says his calls for the Seanad to meet in a number of locations outside Dublin have been recieved very positively.

Last week, Senator Harte said he believed the Seanad should come to Donegal and other counties, particularly those on the Western Seaboard.

He argues that with a major debate on the future of the Seanad in the offing, it makes sense to have public sessions so that people can reconnect with politics and make an informed contribution to the reform debate.

Senator Harte says that’s particularly important in the West and North West:

The HSE is playing down fears that difficulties in recruiting Junior Doctors will compromise A&E Services from the 11th of next month.

The Irish Association of Emergency Medicine this week claimed there won’t be enough Non-consultant doctors to fill all the vacancies conming up in July.

Letterkenny General Hospital is one of the hospitals facing potential problems, with the executive promising
measures will be taken to protect services

In a statement to Highland Radio News this morning, the HSE says all hospitals across the country face significant challenges, and patient safety is of paramount concern to the HSE across the hospital system.

The executive says it is putting in place a number of processes to address the issues contributing to this difficulty on a short, medium and long-term basis. A recruitment drive for a new intake of Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors is underway and a number of other initiatives are being considered to ensure that Emergency Departments continue to offer a high level of care to all patients.

Given that this recruitment process is still ongoing and its outcome as yet unknown, the executive says it is too early to say which hospitals and what parts of the country might be affected and to what degree.

The statement concludes that hospital management at Letterkenny General Hospital is working to devise contingency arrangements, which can be implemented in the hospital if and as required from July when the change over of NCHDs takes place.