There are more calls on the  HSE to clarify its plans for the future of the NoWDOC service in Donegal, and clearly state whether or not the service is to be cut.

Concerns were raised on Friday that the NoWDOC service could be cut completely after midnight, and concerns were also raised that the four NOWDOC centres covering all of Donegal could be reduced to one centre based in Letterkenny.

That would mean one car to cover all areas of Donegal.

Cllr John Campbell says the HSE should stop using their usual jargon, and make a clear statement. In the meantime, he’s urging people to contact their GPs and find out where they stand on the issue………

The Mayor of Donegal will lead a delegation from the county on a trip to Boston next month that will cost the council up to €10,000.

Mayor Noel McBride, County Manager Seamus Neely, County Enterprise Board Chairperson Dessie Larkin and the Councils Director of Community, Culture and Planning, Michael Heany are due to attend event between November 8th and November 15th.

Flights for the trip cost €500 per person, while accommodation will cost approximatley €1100.

The delegations food and travel costs while in the US will also be covered by expenses.

Speaking to Barry Whyte in Lifford this morning, Michael Heany, said it’s been proven that such trips can benefit County Donegal……..

Meanwhile, Mayor Noel McBride has defended the trip to Boston.

The Mayor said that the event will showcase Derry and Donegal as hubs of creativity and culture.

Cllr McBride, said although the event is costing thousands of euro, he believes if the delegation didn’t go, it would be a huge opportunity missed…

Gardai have confirmed a body has been found washed up at Greencastle. The body was found on the shore just after 9 o’clock this morning.

Arrangements are being made for a post mortem examination, but gardai are not treating the man’s death as suspicious.

Gardai say the man has not been formally identified, but they are currently liaising with the PSNI in Derry.

Gardaí are renewing their appeal for information about two break-ins in the early hours of Saturday morning, both of which involved Kernans owned service stations being entered and money stolen from ATM machines. Gardai are particularly trying to locate a silver car, possibly an Audi they believe was used.

The incidents involved a number of men entering Moorefield Service Station service  in Ramelton at around 12.20 on Saturday morning, and the Kernans Service Stastion at Newtowncunningham at around 1am.

Speaking on today’s Shaun Doherty Show, Inspector Pat O’Donnell said the gang of at least three men was well organised, and it appears they had the shops under surveillance……..

The banking crisis and the economy will top the agenda at the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly meeting in England over the next two days.

In a joint statement, co-chairs – Lord Cope and Donegal North East TD Joe McHugh – said issues of justice and human rights will also be discussed at the meeting which takes place at the Grand Hotel in Brighton.

Deputy Mc Hugh says a major priority must be to make it as easy as possible for Irish firms to trade in the UK……..

Voting in the presidential election takes place today on Donegal’s islands, with 761 people eligible to vote on five islands.

Voters living on islands off the coast of Mayo will go to the polls tomorrow, while those living on islands off Galway will vote on Wednesday.

A search of Lough Swilly conducted by Lough Swilly RNLI Tyne and Atlantic Class lifeboats resulted in a missing kayaker being recovered having spent over 2 hours in the water. 

The initial alarm was raised at 2pm on Saturday afternoon when shore marshals of a kayaking competition reported a kayaker overdue.  Malin Head Coastguard launched Lough Swilly RNLI’s inshore and all weather lifeboats as well as tasking the Coastguard Helicopter from Sligo.  Three yachts from Fahan Yacht Club and a Dive Rib from Inishowen Sub Aqua Club also assisted in the search.

After searching the mid section of the lough for approximately 30 minutes the casualty was spotted by one of the yachts and Lough Swilly ILB proceeded directly to the area.  On arrival on scene the crew of the lifeboat found the young man holding on tightly to his upturned kayak and relieved to see help.

The lifeboat crew recovered him from the water and then transferred him to the All Weather Lifeboat when it subsequently arrived on scene.  Showing signs of hypothermia the casualty was treated aboard the lifeboat prior to paramedics boarding the boat that had by then made its way to Rathmullan Pier.  After an examination by the paramedics and some follow up precautions the young kayaker returned to Buncrana Pier aboard the lifeboat where he was meet by his relieved friends.

Commenting on the recovery operation, Helmsman Eamonn Mahon said that as they approached the casualty in the water his first words to the crew were “I thought no one was going to come for me!”. 

Gardaí at Milford are investigating 2 separate burglaries that occurred between midnight and 1am this morning.

In the first incident a number of men entered Moorefield Service Station service  in Ramelton and accessed money in an ATM on the premises.

A short time later a number of men entered a Kernans Spar service station in Newtowncunningham and accessed money in the ATM there also.

In both instances the stations were closed for business and the culprits got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Ramelton occurred at approximately 12.20am and Newtowncunningham occurred at approximately 1am.

It is believed the same gang were involved and comprised of 3 men wearing balaclavas entering each premises and a man waiting in a silver coloured Audi type car outside.

No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing

The HSE is being urged to make a clear statement on the future of the NOW DOC out of hours service.

Oireachtas members have been told at a briefing that it is planned to centralise receptionists in Ballybofey, a proposal which is currently before the Labour Relations Commission.

However, Donegal North East Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn says the main concern is a suggestion that some services will be suspended between Midnight and 8am on week nights.

He says removing the receptionists from the outreach centres means that if there’s a call out, the centre cannot operate during that period

Deputy Mac Lochlainn says any other diminution of service would be unthinkable, and the HSE must draw a line in the sand:

A conference is being told that the chance to create up to 2,000 jobs in coastal communities from Donegal to Cork is being lost.

Representatives of the aquaculture industry in Donegal are in Kinsale for the annual conference of the Irish Shellfish Association, with delays in issuing new licences topping the agenda.

Outgoing Chairperson Flor Harrington says the government has failed to introduce new legislation in light of recent designations under the habitat directive, and as a result, there’s a backlog of licence applications.

That point’s been echoed by Irish Shellfish Association Executive Secretary Richie Flynn: