Ballybofey man James McGee was given a hero’s welcome back to the Twin Towns yesterday evening.

On Sunday, James and his prized dog ‘Becca’ became the first Donegal team to win the World Sheepdog Trial, when they topped the pile at the event held in Cumbria.

James and ‘Becca’ came through an entry list of some 240 dogs and handlers from 23 competing nations to take the title back to Donegal.

They scored 613 out of a possible aggregate score of 680 from four judges.

James McGee said he was shocked at the large turnout to greet him and Becca…….

Former MEP Dana Rosemary Scallon has formally entered the presidential race, asking TDs and Senators to nominate her.

At a press conference in Dublin she said the contest should not become
known as the “what if” election.

She wants Oireachtas members to nominate her has as an independent, and says she’s asked Independent TDs and Senators, as well as those from Fianna Fail to sign her nomination papers.

She’s also asking the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin to allow his parliamentary party to have a free vote to support an external candidate.

Dana says everybody – regardless of their stance – has a right to enter the race:

Four people were towed to safety yesterday after their fishing boat got into difficulity just off the coast of Killybegs.

The vessel had broken down in rough conditions after setting off on a fishing trip from Killybegs.

After recieving a call the Bundoran RNLI lauched and towed the boat to safety, the rescue helicopter, coastguard and other marine vessels were involved in the search.

Colm Hamrogue from the Bundoran RNLI says it was lucky no-one was injured……

The Chairman of the Irish Farmers Association is calling on all farmers in the county to be vigilant after seven Charolais heifers were stolen a Letterkenny farm.

The Charolais heifers were to be sold at market on Thursday, were first discovered missing on Friday afternoon from a shed on a farm at Drumardagh.

The farmer, Billy McDaid from Glenswilly, last seen the cattle on Thursday evening when he fed.

Chairman of the IFA, PJ McMonagle, said these type of thefts are becoming more common:

Hundreds of jobs are to be created in Co Tyrone as part of the Opportunity Omagh development, which is set to include a Tesco superstore.

Planning permission at a 37-acre site on the Derry Road was granted last summer and is to include leisure, offices, business start up units, primary healthcare, petrol filling station, hotel and sports facilities.

The land is being developed by Emerald Holdings, part of the Orana Group which is also behind a number of retail parks across the UK, including the Sainsburys store at Crescent Link in Derry.

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty said this development is massive for Omagh……

The manager of Derry City Football Club has been found guilty of speeding.

Stephen Kenny was fined £250 and has had six penalty points imposed on his driving licence.

Mr Kenny pleaded guilty at Derry Magistrates Court to driving with excess speed while on his way to a football match earlier this year.

The 39-year-old admitted driving at 57 miles per hour in a 30 miles per hour zone at Culmore Road on 29 May.

Defence solicitor John Hasson said Mr Kenny was detected speeding close to Kingsfort Park in a four lane suburban area.

Mr Hasson said that Mr Kenny, who drives 20,000 miles per year as part of his work, was unaware he was in a 30 miles per hour zone, and he described the offence as totally out of character.

Mr Hasson said that in his role as Derry City manager, Mr Kenny has made an outstanding contribution to the community, and his team currently lead the League of Ireland premier division.

Mr Kenny, who was not in court for the hearing, was granted six weeks to pay his £250 fine by Deputy District Judge Paul Conway.

A search is continuing this morning for an American woman who has gone missing in the Glen Head area.

The 41-year-old tourist had been staying at a hostel in Glencolmcille, she hasn’t been seen since she went for a walk on Saturday evening.

A search was carried out in and around Sliabh League yesterday, but the woman’s exact location isn’t known.

The search was carried out by Donegal Mountain Rescue and a number of locals on quad bikes, a request as also be made for the Sligo Coastguard to assist with the search.

The PRO of Donegal Mountain Rescue is Brian Murray……

24 Garda stations in Donegal have been earmarked for possible closure as part of upcoming budget cuts.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has asked Chief Superintendents around the country to draw up a list of Garda stations that could be closed as they prepare for a cut to their funding.

More than 200 small stations could be closed across all counties nationwide.

Donegal North-East TD Padriag McLaughlin says Donegal cant afford to lose any Garda stations, never-mind twenty-four…..

Dana Rosemary Scallon is poised to make a late entry into the Presidential race.

The former MEP and past Presidential candidate has said the announcement of her candidacy is imminent.

Mrs Scallon is planning to make a press conference today or tomorrow at which she will make clear her intentions.

It’s also understood that Mrs Scallon has been in touch with Fianna Fail party chiefs to seek support for her candidacy.

Donegal Mountain Rescue Team is involved in a search for  missing woman in her forties on Slibh League A bulletin issued by the tem earlier this evening read

“The team are still searching in the Slieve League area for a missing American female, aged 41 years, last seen yesterday (Saturday) evening in the Glencolumbkille area. She is 5ft 6in in height with red hair and possibly wearing a red cap. If you have seen this person or have any information no matter how irrelevant you think it is, then please contact the Gardaí or Donegal Mountain Rescue Team. Thank you very much”.