New figures out today show that 31 secondary schools across the country send 100 per cent of their students on to third level education, 20 of them fee-paying schools.

Only one school in Donegal acheived 100%, St Columba’s Comprehensive in Glenties. Next comes St Catherine’s in Killybegs on 84%, Colaiste Colmcille, Ballyshannon on 80%, Carrick Vocational School on 76% and Loreto, Letterkenny on 75%.

The tables include students who go on to college in the Republic and Queens and the University of Ulster. However, it doesn’t include other facilities in Northern Ireland. Neither are colleges in England, Scotland and Wales included.

Donegal North East Deputy Joe Mc Hugh has responded to Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue’s claim that his suggestion that Europe may provide some funding for the  A5 is “loose talk”.

Deputy Mc Hugh says while Deputy Mc Conalogue has a responsibility to hold the government to account in opposition, it’s also important that local politicians work together for the benefit of Donegal and the North West.

He says both administrations have appointed senior officials to identify funding sources, and it would be irresponsible not to look at every possible angle………….

Ryanair’s CEO says Donegal will benefit from an expansion of its service at Ireland West Airport Knock in Co Mayo.

Four new routes have been announced today, linking Knock with airports near Barcelona, Frankfurt, Milan and Paris.

Ryanair says its 14 routes from the airport will deliver over 500,000 passengers a year – sustaining over 500 local jobs in the Mayo region.

Michael O Leary of Ryanair told iRadio that it will open up the west to European visitors, and the whole West and North West will benefit…………

There’s been widespread condemnation of a paramilitary style shooting in Derry last night in which a man in his early twenties was shot in both ankles.

The man is recovering in hospital after the shooting which happened just before 7.30 last evening at a house in Creggan Hill.

A young mother and a group of children playing in the area at the time were threatened by the masked gunmen, before they made their getaway through a nearby alleyway to a waiting car.

Speaking this morning, local MLA Pat Ramsey said there is absolutely no place in Derry for guns or kangaroo courts……………

Deputy Charlie McConalogue has accused Fine Gael’s Joe McHugh of ‘loose talk’ on the issue of the A5 and expressed his concern that the project may never go ahead.

On Friday it was confirmed at the North South Ministerial Council that the A5 upgrade would not be axed- instead the Irish government has set in stone a 50 million pounds sterling investment in the project between now and 2016.

Deputy McHugh also suggested that other means of funding the project should also be explored – Deputy McConalogue says that’s not realistic:

The Mayor of Buncrana says the town has been devastated by the news that over forty jobs are under threat at Flanagan’s Furniture.

The company closed its doors on Friday.

Buncrana Mayor Nicolas Crosson said the news came as a great shock but the owner of the company, Brian Flanagan is making every effort to keep the business operating.

Councillor Nicholas Crossan says every effort will be made to retain the jobs:

Publicans fear more jobs could be lost within the sector – if the Government approves the Finance Minister’s proposal to increase VAT by 2 per cent in next month’s budget.

The move to push the VAT rate up to 23 per cent would add an extra eight cents to a four euro pint of beer.

In order to prevent cross-border shopping, the Vintners Federation of Ireland is now calling on the Government to reduce excise duty in the upcoming budget.

President of the group is Padraig Cribbin:

A man in his mid twenties was taken to hospital after being shot in a punishment style shooting in Derry on Sunday.

The shooting occurred after 6 p.m. in a house in Creggan Hill.

The young man is believed to have been shot in both ankles,  a young mother who was with her young children in the area at the time was told to go home by the masked men or she would be shot.

It is believed the gunmen made their getaway through a nearby alleyway and then in a car.

This is the second shooting in the city within the past week.

A teenage girl has been raped in Derry.

The girl was raped at about 315am this morning in the Temple Grove area of the city.

Police have released details of the man responsible for the attack. He is believed to have been wearing a dark trench coat and lace-up boots.

It’s the second such attack in the city since Halloween, a young woman was allegedly raped in Edenmore Street, near the Northland Road area of the city in the early hours of the 1st November.

Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has appealed to anyone with any information to contact the PSNI..

Over 200 people have attended a public meeting on the proposed Septic Tank charges in Donegal Town.

The meeting, which was organised by Senator Brian O’Domnhaill, heard from members of the public who are opposed to the proposed legislation.

The meeting was Chaired by Cllr Sean Mc Eniff and a detailed presentation was made by Cllr Paul Canning, an experienced architect and Site assessor.

Senator Brian O Domnhaill said those who attended the meeting voiced their concerns….