Police in Derry are appealing for information following an assault in the city in the early hours of Christmas morning.

The PSNI say that shortly after 12.30 on Sunday morning,  a window of a house in Lapwing Way  was smashed, and a 31 year old man assaulted in the street by 2 unknown men.

The man sustained a suspected broken nose and cuts to his head in the incident. He was treated in hospital for the injuries. His attackers are described as being 19-20 years old, approximately 5’9″ tall. One was wearing a black top and blue jeans and the other a white top and blue jeans.

Detectives at Strand Road are investigating, and are appealing for information.

Meanwhile, two people have been arrested following an altercation in the “Cow Market” area of Claudy in the early hours of yesterday.

Three men aged 23, 24 and 40 were injured during the assault, two were hospitalised with injuries, which are not believed to be life threatening. Two men in their 20s were arrested and subsequently released on Police bail pending further enquiries.

The Taoiseach has paid tribute to members of the Defence Forces serving abroad over the festive season.

In his Christmas message, Enda Kenny also vowed that the government will make the unemployment crisis its main priority over the coming year.

Mr Kenny urged people across the country to look after the elderly and vunerable over the festive season.

And, the Taoiseach singled out the Defence Forces – and praised the work they do on behalf of their country:

Gardaí say there will be extra checkpoints in operation around the country over the Christmas period.

Officers are targeting drink driving, speeding and the non wearing of seatbelts.

Ireland’s road safety record has improved dramatically in recent years.

Assistant Commissioner John Twomey says whilst one road death is one too many – he is congratulating all involved in making our roads safer:

There’s been a traffic collision at Cashel na Gor, about three miles outside Buncrana on the main Carndonagh Road.

Gardai say the nature of the collision is still being assessed, and the extent of injuries, if any, is not known.

The road will be closed for as period, with diversions in place between Cockhill Bridge and Kinnego.

Police in Derry are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision in the early hours of Wednesday 21 December.

In a statement, police say at approximately 2.15am, a 23 year old man was involved in a collision with a vehicle close to a nightclub on the Strand Road. The man needed hospital treatment but his injuries are not life threatening.

Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact Strand Road Police Station on 0845 600 8000.

A decision on the future of Lifford Community Hospital and other facilities in Donegal could be known early in the new year. The Irish Times is reporting today that a draft service plan to be given to Health Minister Dr James Reilly by the HSE next week will include provision for the closure of 10 facilities and 900 community hospiotal and nursing home beds next year.

A recently leaked document shows that at present, Lifford is the only facility which is being considered for closure in Donegal, but a comment from MInister Reilly recently that units with less thn 50 beds are at risk has led to considerable concern across Donegal.

As expected, Derry City’s manager Stephen Kenny has confirmed he’s leaving the club.

Stephen Kenny will become manager of Shamrock Rovers. He’ll replace Michael O’Neill, who is set to named new Northern Ireland manager.

Kenny, in his second spell at Derry, had been contracted to Derry City for another season, and had been offered a contract extension.

It is believed that Rovers will play Derry City compensation for Kenny’s services.

The govenrment has announced a suite of regulations and bye-laws that will govern the wild salmon fishery in 2012.

Under the new arrangements, the Bungosteen River in the Ballyshannon fishery district will reopen on a catch and release basis in 2012 after being closed this year.

However, two other rivers in Donegal will close next year, having being open for catch and release in 2011. They are the Glenna and Glenagannon, both in the Letterkenny fishery district.

A total of 81 rivers nationwide will be open for salmon angling throughout the country in 2012.

The Mayor of Letterkenny says he believes the council has done the right thing by maintaining commercial rates as they are, but setting aside almost €100,000 for marketting and tourism support.

Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle says while all members would like to see the rate decreased, there is a belief that a rate reduction would do relatively little for small businesses, while this increased marketting and development fund can be targetted into initiatives which should bring significant business into the town.

Cllr Mc Monagle says it’s part of a clear strategy which the authority has been following for some time…….

Donegal Airport will share in a fund of almost  €5.4 million to cover operating costs.

It’s a 12.5 per cent increase on the subsidy provided last year for the airports in Donegal, Sligo, Knock, Galway, Kerry and Waterford.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has stressed that regional airports were expected to work towards achieving viability over the coming years.