The future of Senator David Norris’ bid for the presidency is in doubt, but as it stands, he still has the support of Donegal Independent Deputy Thomas Prinhle.

A number of the politicians who already supported his nomination to run as a candidate say they will continue to do so – despite revealation’s about a letter he wrote to an Israeli court seeking leniency for his former partner who was convicted of statutory rape.

But a number of key members of his team have stepped down over the controversy – and questions are being raised about his future.

The Chief Executive of children’s charity Barnardos – and former Presidential hopeful – Fergus Finlay says he should withdraw from the race:

Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister is planning a summit to tackle crime against the north’s built heritage.

Alex Attwood was speaking after promising help to save the listed Herdman’s Mill building in Sion Mills in County Tyrone which was badly damaged by a blaze yesterday.

He says the Stormont government, along with the community, the emergency services and private owners, want to reduce the risk of arson attacks and vandalism:

The opposition are calling on the Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald to outline how the new legislation on reporting child sex abuse allegations will impact on resources.

It comes after the HSE’s Head of Child and Family Services, Gordon Jeyes  likened the accountability structures of the HSE to those of the Catholic Church.

Speaking at a lecture at UCD last month, Mr. Jeyes said he found it hard to find practices in the HSE which were “on the side of the public” and “on the side of children”

He also described the  moratorium in the HSE as daft and an obstacle in this process of protecting children.

Last month the Government announced it’s to bring in new legislation, making it a criminal offence for any adult not to pass on information of child abuse to the gardaí.

But Fianna Fail’s Spokesperson on Children Charlie McConalogue says more resources will need to be put in place to deal with the possible surge in reports of allegations of child abuse:

The Dungloe fire crew had to withdraw from their participation in the Mary from Dungloe carnival parade just before it started due to a fire at the rear of a house in the town today Sunday.

The fire in an outhouse at the rear of a private house at Carnmore Road (just off main street) had spread quickly under an oil tank.

Fire crews had to use both water and foam to bring the blaze under control.

The town was just filling up with people arriving to attend the parade and most were using Carnmore Road to access the main street.

The fire was brought under control and no damage to the house was reported.

For the first time since 2003 Donegal are looking forward to an All Ireland semi final after their dramatic one point win over Kildare last night. Highland Radio Sport got reaction from a number of the Donegal players after the victory.

Michael Murphy
 

Kevin Cassidy
 

Karl Lacey
 

Eamon Mc Gee
 

Christy Toye
 

Michael Hegarty
 

Following Donegal’s dramatic one point win over Kildare in this evenings All Ireland Quarter Final, Charlie Collins spoke with Jim Mc Guinness’ assistant Rory Gallagher.
 

All Ireland SFC Quarter Final Result
Donegal 1-12 v 0-14 Kildare

Kevin Cassidy kicked the winning point of a marathon game two minutes into added time in extra time of a memorable encounter at Croke Park on Saturday night.  Donegal scored the final three points of the game, including two in added time, to qualify for the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Championship. Kildare’s Eoghan O’Flaherty had scored an equalising point in the 73rd minute to send the game to extra-time, after the returning Christy Toye looked to have given the Ulster Champions the edge with a goal in the 58th minute. In extra-time, Kildare built up a three-point lead in the first 10 minutes, before Toye leveled the game a minute into added time and then Cassidy inscribed his name in Donegal folklore with the winner. Donegal will play the winners of Tyrone and Dublin in the semi final.

Highland Sport will have reaction from Donegal’s quarter final win on Sunday Sport from 2-6pm

All Ireland SFC Qualifier Rd4
Tyrone 3-19 v 1-14 Roscommon

Tyrone set up an All-Ireland quarter-final rematch with Dublin following an 11-point defeat of Roscommon at Croke Park on Saturday evening. Mickey Harte’s side were lucky to lead by 1-9 to 1-8 at half-time, Seán Cavanagh’s goal on the half hour mark sparking them into life eventually after Roscommon had dominated early on only to be undone by a series of wides. Five points in as many minutes at the start of the second half gave Tyrone a comfortable cushion for most of the remainder of the game, but it was not until Seán Cavanagh scored his second goal in the 67th minute that they were assured of their place in the last eight. Tyrone scored a third goal  from Mark Donnelly deep into added time to take victory in the last of the round four qualifiers.

One of the politicians supporting Senator David Norris’ presidential campaign says he would like further information about the latest controversy to hit the Senator’s bid for the Aras.

It’s reported two key figures in the campaign have stepped down – Director of Communications Jane Cregan and Director of Elections Derek Murphy.

The resignations are understood to come following concerns raised about the 1992 conviction of Mr Norris’s former partner – Ezra Yizhak Nawi – for having sex with an underage Palestinian youth.

Deputy Thomas Pringle – who is one of 15 Oireachtas members to pledge their support for Mr Norris – says he needs more information on the subject before making a decision:

The organisers of the MacGill Summer School in Glenties have expressed there disappointment that Senator David Norris was a no-show at the first public forum for declared presidential candidates last night.

However, since it was confirmed that Senator Norris would not be attending, details have emerged of two high profile resignations from his campaign team which its thought may throw his bid to be president in to chaos.

While it has not be confirmed, it is thought that the resiginations yesterday, may have contributed to Senator Norris’s decision not to take part in the MacGill Summer School event.

His Director of Communications Jane Cregan and Director of Elections Derek Murphy have stepped down.

It’s reportedly over claims about a court case in Israel involving Mr Norris’ former partner, an Israeli born political activist – who works on behalf of Palestinians.

Ezra Yizhak Nawi was convicted of having sex with an underage Palestinian youth in 1992. In more recent years Mr Nawi has clashed with the Israeli authorities for his political activities on behalf of Palestinians.

Four of the five declared contestants Gay Mitchell, Michael D Higgins, Mary Davis and Sean Gallagher did take part in the debate on ‘The role of Uachtaran na hEireann’

All four participants stressed the need to repair Ireland’s damaged reputation internationally.