The Environmental Protection Agency has blamed a Donegal County Council treatment for being a significant cause of the decline in the pearl mussel population.

In a report, the Environmental Protection Agency says an immediate upgrade of the Kilmacrennan wastewater plant is required as it is considered a significant cause of mussel decline in the lower reaches of the river.

The species is in serious decline throughout Ireland and Europe and is regarded as one of the world’s most endangered animals.

The Leannan catchment is one of the largest pearl mussel catchments in Ireland. The river flows from Lough Gartan through Lough Fern and through the town of Ramelton into Lough Swilly.

Donegal County Council said that, as a result of the report, Kilmacrennan treatment plant was prioritised for inclusion in the 2010–2012 Water Services Investment Programme.

Donegal’s All-Ireland Semi-Final against Dublin in Croke Park is a sell-out.

The Donegal County Board has confirmed that they have sold the 12,000 tickets they were allocated.

It’s the quickest sell-out of Croke Park in GAA history and it will be the first full house there this year.

The highest attendance of the season so far was 58,723 for the Leinster SFC semi-final double-header in June, when Dublin and Kildare were the headline act.

Secretary of the Donegal County Board, Aodh Martin O Fearraigh  confirmed that the game is now a sell-out:

A Donegal bike enthusiast priest will celebrate a special mass  for motorcyclists this Sunday.

Fr Gerard Sweeney decided to hold the mass having been urged to do so by his biker friends.

The mass is at 1pm at St Aengus Church, Burt.

Fr Gerard Sweeney is hoping for a good turnout:

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard today how a man assaulted a taxi driver after arguing over the fare with him.

San McCormich (26) of 8, Balbane Pass in Derry was charged with assaulting the taxi driver n May 21 this year.

The court was told that the taxi was parked in the city centre when McCormick approached and asked to be taken to Creggan. He asked what the fare would be and when he was told £3 he started arguing.

The taxi proceeded towards Creggan but McCormick persisted in arguing and eventually the driver stopped and asked McCormick to gt out.

At this stage McCormick became aggressive and swung out hitting the driver on the side of the head. The driver tried to get McCormick out of the car but he continued to behave aggressively.

The incident ended when another taxi stopped to offer assistance and McCormick walked away. The driver followed and was able to tell police what house he went into.

At interview McCormick admitted being asked to get out and swinging at the driver but denied injuring him.

Defence solicitor Mr. George Copeland said that his client had been at a stag do and had been drinking for several hours.

He said he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Deputy District Judge Mervyn Bates said that McCormick had a previous conviction for assaulting police.

He bound him over to keep the peace for 12 months on his own recognisance of £500. He also ordered him to pay the taxi driver £300 in compensation.

Organisers of National Heritage Week are expecting a record 370-thousand people to take part in more than 1,400 events around the country.

The nine-day programme – which kicks off today – aims at raising awareness about the value of our national heritage and its importance.

Most of the events are free and attractions include learning how the 1916 Proclamation was printed, exploring lightkeepers’ houses along the coast and a medieval weapons display in Co Donegal.

You can get a full list of events for Donegal HERE

Donegal NE Deputy Padriag Mac Lochlainn says the residents of Moville and Greencastle have much to be proud of after An Bord Pleanala this week gave the go ahead for the contravserial sewerage scheme in the area.

The permission is contrary to the recommendations of an inspector, and subject to a number of conditions, including the omission of a pumping station at Glenburnie.

There is still a possibility that the Campaign for a Clean Estuary may go to Europe, Deputy Mac Lochlainn  says if they do, they will have his full support.

He says from Donegal County Council’s point of view, there have been mistakes and problems since this first came on the agenda in 1990, and lessons will have to be learned……..

A member of Donegal VEC says there’s no question of the new Finn Valley College not opening in time for the new academic year, but that’s been questioned by a representitive the National Electrical Contractors of Ireland.

There have been concerns that a dispute between the main contractor and a sub contractor may compromise plans to open the new school in two weeks time, as electrical work may not be certified.

Cllr Patrick Mc Gowan, a member of Donegal VEC, says he’s been assured that a new electrical sub contractor is already in place, and all outstanding work will be completed in time………

However, NECI spokesperson Dennis Judge says having spoken to people involved, he does not believe that a Change of Contractor document has been signed, and worked cannot be certified until that happens.

He says the best way to ensure the school opens on time is for all sides to meet and resolve their difficulties………………..

The Mayor of Derry has called a special meeting to discuss the implications of delays in upgrading the Derry-Coleraine rail link, and the restrictions being put on the line.

The meeting, which takes place next Wednesday afternoon in the Guildhall, will include councillors, MLAs and MPs

Mayor Maurice Devenney says it’s essential that the Council provides an opportunity for an informed discussion on this important issue.

Meanwhile, the local Chamber of Commerce is calling on local political parties to refer this matter to the Executive for review. President Padraig Canavan says clarity is needed regarding the funding position on both the upgrade to the rail line, and also road improvements to the A6 at Dungiven and Castledawson.

The coordinators of an EU backed geological survey which is underway in Inishowen are stressing that it is not a commercial venture, and the information is not been gathered for potential fracking or mining.

A County Meath consultancy company recernt;y won contracts to deliver the soil, sediment and water sampling elements of the Tellus projet in the six border counties. Sampling has now begun in Inishowen, with teams expected to be in the area for around six weeks.

The Tellus Border Soil Sampling project is being funded by the EU, and follows from a similar survey north of the border.

Up 16 field staff in teams of two have now arrived in Donegal to begin the survey in the Inishowen Peninsula. The intention is that betweeen now and Christmas, the team will move southwards, samples from over 7,000 sites, covering over 12,000 square kilometres.

The Tellus projece says while the field teams do not have access to land registry information, they are making every effort to gain permission before entering land, and are also working closely with the Geological Survey of Ireland to ensure the programme runs as efficiently as possible, without disruption to landowners.

However, since the sampling programme began in recent days, some fears have been expressed that the sampling may be linked to fracking or some form of mining. The tellus project team is stressing today that’s not the case.

It’s feared that an alleged dispute between the main contractor and a sub contractor may compromise plans to open the new Finn valley College in two weeks time.

After a 30 year wait, the new school in Stranorlar is now substantially fnished, but the fear is that electrical work may not be certified, and the college cannot open until that happens.

The Chairperson of the Board of Management Cllr Martin Harley  says work was already under way to transfer equipment from the old school to the new building, but that has now stopped for insurance reasons.

He says he’s talking to both sides in a bid to have the situation resolved………….