Donegal South West Deputy Thomas Pringle has said his position hasn’t changed over a letter penned by David Norris to Israeli authorities seeking clemency for his former lover, who was convicted of raping a 15-year-old Palestinian boy.

Senator Norris is expected to make further contact with TD’s and Senators today as part of his attempt to run for president.

With less than a week to go until the nomination deadline, he’s five signatures away from meeting the required level of support amongst members of the Oireachtas.

Deputy Pringle said he would be meeting with Norris this afternoon, but his position will not change:

The Canadian Ambassador to Ireland is in Buncrana today with the town’s Mayor Nicholas Crossan saying it is a great opportunity to increase ties between Canada and the north west.

This will be Loyola Hearn’s second visit to the area this year and he will meet with fish producers from the area, which do business in Canada, as well as representatives from the tourism industry.

Buncrana Mayor Nicholas Crossan says the Ambassador is keen to strengthen ties between his country and Ireland further – he believes the northwest could benefit significantly from this:

Those unemployed or in search of work opportunities are being encouraged to attend the “Working Together to Make the Future Happen” Event taking place today.

The free public drop-in event is aimed at showcasing to the unemployed the many opportunities within the county to re-enter the workforce.

The event is multi-agency and will be attended by groups such as the VEC, Donegal County Council and social welfare specialists.

The event is being facilitated by DLDC, its spokesperson is Louise Brogan:

The event takes place in Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey from 2pm.

Highland Radio News can reveal that Donegal County Council is to hold a special meeting to considering nominating Dana Rosemary Scallon as a candidate in next month’s presidential election.

At the request of Fianna Fail members, the Mayor Noel McBride has agreed to call the meeting for next Tuesday at 10am.

Providing that councillors receive notification in time and that at least nine attend the meeting, the local authority will have the option to nominate Dana.

Mayor Noel McBride outlines how today’s events unfolded:

The Garda press office has confirmed that a 42 year old man was arrested this morning following a planned search of a house at Meendernasloe , Annagry.

Gardai executed a warrant to search the premises and the man was subsequently arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

He was charged under the misuse of drugs act before being released and will appear in court on October 11th.

A Waterford tourist has been describing how he and his family were terrified by so called ‘boy racers’ during a recent visit to Donegal.

Eoin McMahon alongwith  his wife and children were visiting Inishowen on Friday and pulled in at Pollen Bay in their camper van to stay over night.

They claim they were then intimidated in to leaving by what they describe as boy racer types.

Lights were shone in through their windows, cars pulled up against their vehicle, they were shouted at and had eggs thrown at them.

Eoin McMahon says it was a frightening experience:

Captured by Dermot Donavan, Donegal Mountain Rescue, this is the moment Kelly Jones is winched aboard the Search and Rescue helicopter on her way to hospital.

Having been missing since 11am on Saturday morning, the 41 year-old from Georgia was found safe in an out house close to where she was staying.

It is understood that the building in which she was found had been searched on a number of occasions indicating she had made it, at least some of the way, back herself.

Ms Jones is said to have a number of cuts and grazes and to be be suffering from hypothermia.

The search has been lead by the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team – you can follow them on facebook by clicking this LINK

An American woman who had been missing in south Donegal since Saturday has been found.

Kelly Jones was located in an out building by local volunteers along with the gardaí.

She is being taken by helicopter to Letterkenny General Hospital.

The 41 year-old from Georgie has no injuries but is believed to be suffering from hypothermia.

The Donegal and Sligo/Leitrim Mountain Rescue teams, the Killybegs Coast Guard and the Sliabh League Walkers were involved in the search.

Brian Murray of the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team:

The Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte has said he expects the sale of a minority stake in ESB to take place next year.

Speaking in the Dail last night, Minister Rabbitte said an expert group would report back in November on how best to proceed with the transaction.

Sinn Fein hit back at the Minister, accusing the Labour Party of doing a U-turn and capitulating to demands from Fine Gael – backed by pressure from the EU and IMF.

The Party’s Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty described the part privatisation of ESB as bad energy and economic policy that would be detrimental to Irish consumers, taxpayers and workers:

Senator David Norris has this evening received the formal backing of Fingal County Council in Dublin for the Presidential ticket.

He does however still require the endorsement of three other councils – something his spokesperson says he’s confident will happen by next week’s deadline.

It is understood that he will seek the support of Donegal County Council which meets next Monay.

Meanwhile Senator Norris and Dana were both dealt a blow earlier today when Fianna Fail decided not to nominate or endorse any candidate in the race.