The father of missing Lifford man David Colhoun says he believes a tracksuit bottom and shorts found in the river between Strabane and Lifford belonged to his son.

Speaking on the Shaun Doherty Show to mark six months since his son went missing in May, Joe Colhoun said he is convinced David’s body is between the two bridges.

David Colhoun went missing in the early hours of May 22nd after escaping fro PSNI custody in Strabane. He has never been found, but his family have always maintained that he entered the river in a bid to swim over to Lifford, but never made it.

The volunteer group “Search for the Missing” is returning to step up its search in the coming days, and police are testing the clothing that’s been found.

Joe Colhoun says this confirms what he’s always known…………

The court of appeal in Belfast has ruled that a judge who found a County Monaghan man liable for the Omagh bombing did not clarify what weight was put on his later conviction for Real IRA membership.

Senior judges have set out their reasons for directing a retrial in the case of Seamus Daly, one of the men sued over the atrocity.

They also identified an error in the handling of evidence against him.

40 year old Daly was one of four men found legally liable for the bombing in June 2009, following a landmark civil action taken by relatives of some victims.

One man has been brought to hospital and another arrested following what gardai are describing as an altercation on Letterkenny’s Lower Main Street this morning. It’s alleged that an iron bar was used during the incident which happened close to Oldtown Bridge just before 9.30.

Gardai say they are investigating the incident, with initial indications suggesting it was linked to a family dispute.

There were 15 patients on trollies at Letterkenny General Hospital this morning according to figures released by the INMO.

The overnight situation was so serious that three clinics were cancelled at the hospital’s Out Patients Department this morning.

Patients are being contacted to make alternative arrangements, and people are being asked to avoid A&E unless absolutely necessary.

The Donegal IFA Chairman is calling for a retro fit scheme to be added into new legislation governing the inspection and possible replacement of Septic Tanks.

New environmental rules are being introduced which it’s feared will leave thousands of rural dwellers having to replace non-compliant septic tanks, possibly at a cost of several thousand euro.

As the legislation goes to the Seanad today, the IFA’s PJ Mc Monagle says it’s important that money is ringfenced to ensure that grants and tax breaks are available……….

Two brothers have gone on trial in Derry charged with sexually abusing their sisters and niece for a 25-year period.

The men – who cannot be named – face 27 charges of rape, buggery, gross indecency with a child, and indecent assault.

The offences are alleged to have taken place when the sisters were between four and nine years old.

The men deny the charges. The case is expected to last three weeks.

The prosecuting barrister apologised to the city’s Crown court before outlining some of the detail in the case, describing it as “distressing and repulsive”.

She said that on occasions, the men had held down their niece and taken turns to abuse her.

She said that the two brothers went to the police voluntarily last year. When interviewed, they categorically denied having any inappropriate contact with their sisters or niece.

The barrister said the defendants described the allegations as lies.

Donegal North East TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn is welcoming today’s protest outside the Dail to highlight proposals to close rural Garda stations.

The government is believed to be considering the closure of up to 200 Garda stations, with speculation that anything between 14 and 23 of them may be in Donegal.

The Justice Minister is awaiting a report from the Garda Commissioner on how the force can be restructured in order to bring about greater efficiencies and savings.

However, community groups in rural areas are warning that the closure of Garda stations will leave many feeling vulnerable and isolated, and Deputy Mac Lochlainn says this may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back……..

IMPACT in Donegal is urging all Oireachtas members in the county to attend a special meeting on Friday, saying uncertainty over the future of the NoW DOC service needs urgent political intervention.

The HSE is currently planning on redeploying Receptionist and Call Handler staff in Carndonagh, Derrybeg, and Mountcharles.

The centres in these places will likely be closed to members of the public on a regular basis whilst the doctor and driver are out on calls.

More importantly, IMPACT say, there are concerns about the future of the ‘red eye’ shift from midnight to 8am, and that will be the focus of Friday’s special meeting.

IMPACT’s North West spokesperson, Richy Carrothers says it’ll be a crucial discussion…..

A number of Out Patient clinics have been cancelled at Letterkenny General Hospital after what’s been described as a particularly busy night in in the A&E Department.

The affected clinics are Dr Patel’s ENT clinic and Dr Steele and Dr Mohammed’s Medical Clinics. The fracture clinic will go ahead as usual.

Patients are being contacted individually, and anyone with queries can contact the department at 074
91 23555.

Meanwhile, people are being urged not to go to the Emergency Department unless absolutely necessary.

Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal in Letterkenny will reopen again tomorrow after it was forced to close today because of a fire.

The school was forced to close this morning because of a fire which started outside the building.

Materials being used in a the ongoing construction project at the school were set alight.

Meanwhile, Gaelscoil Adhamnan was also attacked over the weekend in Letterkenny.

On Saturday several items were stolen including a laptop and projector.

Mayor Cllr Gerry McMonagle has condemned both attacks……