The Justice Minister says it may well be the case that best policing can be provided by closing some Garda stations, or cutting their opening hours.

Alan Shatter’s waiting on proposals from the Garda Commissioner on how to make savings – and it’s expected to see dozens of rural stations hit.

The Minister’s told the Dáil there may be no choice but to close stations:

An attempt by two brothers to have one sit the driving theory test in place of the other has resulted in them both being jailed at Derry Crown Court.

24-year-old Terence Stokes, from Glenvale Gardens in Derry was jailed for nine months while his  28-year-old brother, Michael Stokes, from Chapel Road, received a six-month sentence.

It is believed that this is the first prosecution of its kind in the North.

Terence Stokes admitted conspiring with his brother to sit the theory test on his behalf and Michael Stokes pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting his brother to impersonate him at the theory test. The offences happened between August 3 and 26, 2009.

The court was told that Michael Stoke’s had literacy problems and a defence barrister Neil Rafferty said that the irony of the situation was that the test actually catered for people with literacy difficulties.

He pointed out that Michael Stokes actually sat the test and passed it six months later.

The court was told that Terence Stokes, didn’t get to sit the test on his brother’s behalf as he walked out of the test centre minutes after applying to sit it.

Defence Counsel Eoghan Devlin, Defence Counsel for Michael Stokes, described it as a “hair-brained” scheme hatched by two brothers in a bid to gain a licence by a short-cut.

Judge Piers Grant said the offences were so serious they merited custodial sentences and added that the brother’s actions were premeditated and pre-planned and, if they had succeeded, it would have seriously undermined public confidence in the licensing system.

A number of major tourism events are due to take place in Donegal next year as part of the “Donegal Gathering”.

The initiative is the brainchild of Donegal’s Mayor Cllr Noel Mc Bride, who wants to see a number of events geared towards promote the County and encouraging members of the Donegal diaspora the return.

Cllr Mc Bride says while no events have been confirmed, he and the executive are at an advanced stage of planning and discussion.

Cllr Noel McBride says as Mayor, his number one priority is creating employment through tourism…..

A Donegal councillor says while there was some serious flooding in the county last night, the situation could have been much worse were it not for council staff and local communities.

Cllr Frank Mc Brearty says there were serious flooding problems in the Stranorlar Electoral Area, particularly in Ballindrait and Lifford, with a number of houses evacuated. Serious problems have also been reported in Falcarragh.

There were no serious problems in Raphoe, which Cllr Mc Brearty says is largely due to work which his father did in building flood defences around his premises.

Speaking on today’s Shaun Doherty Show, he said the failure of government to invest in other areas has contributed to serious flooding there………..

In Tyrone, fire service personnel rescued 18 people from serious flooding in Beragh, Sion Mills and Strabane, and there were several road closures.

West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne says a major problem is that flood defences are not in place because no body will take responsibility, and there is a lack of coordination……….

Gardai have confirmed that the body found in Greencastle yesterday morning is that of 37 year old Gregory Burns from Eglinton in County Derry.

Mr Burns, known locally as Bolt, was reported missing a week ago, having last been seen in the Carnmoney Road area on Tuesday last.

His family had been increasingly concerned about his safety, gardai are confirming they are not treating his death as suspicious.

The Donegal Mountain Rescue Team is appealing to Donegal County Council to provide some funding for next year. Donegal Mountain Rescue, is a completely voluntary organisation.

Last year, over 320 people, many of them visitors, were helped or rescued by the team, which is completely self financing. Training, climbing gear, transport and fuel costs are all paid for by DMRT, which gets no external funding.

After receiving a presentation from the group, Donegal County Council will reach a decision at its budget meeting on the 21st of December.

Donegal Mountain Rescue Team leader Joe Pond, says with more people visiting the county, the team is coming under more and more pressure……

http://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pond1pm.mp3

The Mayor of Letterkenny is urging local nightclub owners to put an end to cheap drinks promotions in the town.

A number of nightclubs in the town have recently been selling drinks for under a euro during the week recently.

Last Wednesday night, the HSE says 26 young people presented themselves to Letterkenny General Hospital with alcohol related conditions.

Mayor Cllr Gerry McMonagle says it’s not a coincidence………

A number of houses in Donegal had to be evacuated last night as a result of flooding, with evacuations in Lifford, Ballindrait and Falcarragh.

With one exception, there are no major problems reported on Donegal’s roads this morning after the rain  caused the Lifford Road to be closed at Manor Roundabout for a time because of flooding. There was also flooding on the dual carriageway at the Dry Arch and on the Derry Road close to Manorcunningham. All roads are passable, but there are ongoing problems in the vicinity of Ballindrait.

While driving conditions have improved this morning,  People are being warned to be aware of debris and surface water, and to take care on the roads.

John Mc Laughlin is Donegal County Council’s Director of Roads Services.  He says the worst seems to be over after intensive rain last night, but continued care is needed……

Gardai and Donegal County Council are warning of serious flooding tonight, particularly on the outskirts of Letterkenny.

The Lifford Road is closed at Manor Roundabout, with traffic being diverted towards Newtowncunningham. There is also serious flooding on the dual carriageway at the Dry Arch, and also on the Derry Road close to Manorcunningham.

A 29-year-old Derryman today walked free from the Crown Court after he was found not guilty by direction of the court.

Kevin Patrick McGill of 75, Rossdale in Derry had faced two charges one of indecent assault on a female child and one of rape on the same child on dates unknown between January 1 and May 1 2008.

This morning a jury was sworn in but before the trial could start a prosecution barrister said that they were offering no evidence.

Judge Piers Grant then directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict against McGill.