Donegal County Council says the work is now underway today, and will take six months to complete.

Olivia Gallon is a project manager with the council’s Urban & Village Renewal Section – She’s been outlining what’s involved…….

The 22 year-old festival is estimated to have an annual worth to the Donegal economy of 3 million euro.

In accepting the award last night the festival its organisers said it recognises the economic return that arts and culture bring to the local economy.

The EAF Artistic Director is Paul Brown.

The regeneration plans are being aimed at these areas as they are seen as somewhere with a need for social housing.

But, Sinn Fein Councillor for the Shantallow area, Tony Hassan, says residents have raised concerns with him about the green areas in Carnhill and Galliagh being destroyed.

The boning hall was due to close at the end of April, with the company transferring its operations to one of its plants in Derry or Tyrone.

SIPTU made a proposal to the company which they accepted, which saved the 91 jobs.

Donegal representative for SIPTU, Martin O Rourke says its great news.

Sarah Jane Mullan was in a cot in her parents’ bedroom in Dungiven when their 15 year old electric blanket caught fire last June.

She suffered extensive burns and died in hospital the following day.

Caroline Orr has this report.

58,000 x-rays at the hospital were never examined by a consultant radiologist between 2005 and September last year.

One person’s already died, while another’s seriously ill as a result of a delayed diagnosis.

The Chief Executive of the Hospital says he brought the matter to the attention of the Health Minister on December 15th.

But Junior Minister Barry Andrews has told the Dáil Mary Harney only became aware of the extent of the issue yesterday:

Meanwhile, Donegal North East TD Jim McDaid says he believes this is “media overkill” and the clinicians who read the x-rays should be given great credit for only missing two cases.

Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins says the voters will use the opportunity to show their frustration with the Fianna Fail-Green coalition.

The three vacancies follow the departure of George Lee, the election of Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher to the European Parliament and the resignation of Martin Cullen.

Jim Higgins says the Government will shy away from holding any by-election at the moment.

Donegal lost their first Division 2 league game of the season in Newbridge on Sunday. It was a poor performance from Donegal who failed to match a rampant Kildare side. John Joe Doherty’s men trailed in the first half 1-5 to 0-1. Six points was the difference at half time 1-8 to 1-2 with  Stephen Mc Dermott scoring the Donegal goal. With no improvement in the second half  Donegal struggled and went down by eight points.
John Joe Doherty gave his reaction after the game to Charlie Collins.

In Division 1 Tyrone are bottom of the table and still without a win. Mickey Harte’s side lost by a point to  Monaghan in Inniskeen and now find themselves in a tough relegation battle. Derry also suffered defeat in Tralee losing to the All Ireland Champions Kerry. Eoin Bradley’s goal put Derry in front at half time but with just four scores in the second half Kerry took the win by three points.

Finn Harps lost their opening game of the 2010 season on Saturday night at Flancare Park away to Longford Town. The Ballybofey club scored first early in the opening half with a goal from Johnny Lafferty. By the 57th minute Harps found themselves 3-1 down. Davitt Walsh pulled a goal back in the 77th minute but it was the home side which took the full points on a 3 -2 final scoreline.
Harps Manager James Gallagher speaking with Myles Gallagher.

On Friday night at the Brandywell Derry City began life in the First Division with a 1-1 draw against the newly formed Cork City Foras Co Op. The away side went one up three minutes into the second half. In front of a crowd of 3500 Derry  scored the equaliser just passed the hour mark through new signing Emmett Friars. Apart from the goals there were few chances for either side.

The meeting was for the Carrigart and Downings area but drew guests from a much wider area

Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh says a positive way forward was agreed: