Letterkenny Post

Clampdown on farm thefts

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:00:58 +0000

Thousands of euros worth of farm machinery in the north-west is being stolen every year – but now a novel new system of marking farming machinery could have a major effect on deterring criminals.
The IFA is embarking on a campaign to encourage farmers to avail of a system of marking farm machinery with special clearly visible markings.
IFA members can contact the local IFA office in Raphoe to get their own unique identification mark that is based on the county, their branch, and the numbers within the branch.
The number is then sprayed in big writing using a special stencil.
The system has already proved to be very successful in the North where the PSNI have noted that there has been no theft of farm machinery with the markings.
For criminals, stealing such items means they run the risk of being caught or recognised while bringing the items away.
Last September top police chiefs from An Garda Siochana and the PSNI joined forces to launch the clamp down on farm-related thefts.
In recent years there has been a significant increase in rural crimes with farmyards becoming a real target.
And the rising price of scrap metal has also led to a surge in “metal crimes” with the theft of farm machinery and farm gates now a major issue.
The two police forces have worked closely on the production of a farm based crime prevention booklet which gives advice on how to protect farm property.
The booklet gives tips on how to take secure farmyards and how to put secret identification marks on everything from quads to tractors, trailers and farm machinery.
Leading IFA member Michael Chance is one of the key figures driving the scheme. Addressing the annual general meeting of the Co. Donegal Executive of the IFA in Letterkenny, he explained how the numbering works. Stencils are available from Signal Signs in Letterkenny for a small charge and a special paint is used to leave the visible identification numbers.

Woman’s rape case horror

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:57:02 +0000

A woman has told the Central Criminal Court she was sexually assaulted and raped by her guardian’s foster child over a ten year period.
The accused man has pleaded not (NOT) guilty to 46 counts of sexual assault and rape of the woman, who is eight years younger than him.
The alleged abuse took place between January 1965 and June 1975.
The woman claimed the alleged offences occurred in two different Donegal houses and a shed behind one of the houses when she moved in with her guardian.
She claimed the alleged offences started before her First Holy
Communion when she was seven and continued until she completed her Intermediate Certificate in 1975.
The woman told prosecuting counsel, Caroline Biggs SC, she was “beaten, punched, intimidated and put in fear” by the man after he made her perform various acts of indecent assault.
“I remember one occasion he took me to a bedroom and showed me what he called his ‘friend’ which was his penis. He said he wanted me to see his ‘friend’ grow and made me lick it,” the woman said.
“He was always dominant and on other occasions he would make me rub his penis and suck it,” she explained.
“If some semen escaped he would say his ‘friend’ was crying because I wasn’t doing it right. He always told me not to say anything and because my mam was ill he said I would lose her if I told her what was going on.”
She said the man “never had any respect” for her and would punch her in the head and face when he walked past her in the home.
She said she would lie to her aunt about how she got the bruises and marks, claiming she had fallen down the stairs.
She said he drank a lot and on two separate occasions held a knife to her throat and threatened to slit it if she told anyone what was happening.
“He called me a whore and a bastard and on one occasion locked me in a coal shed when I told him I was going to tell someone what he was doing to me,” the woman said.
She said on one occasion she came home from school early to collect her PE gear and he followed her upstairs to her bedroom.
“He made me take my pants off and then he had oral sex with me and then penetrative sex with me. I had to return to school then. This happened at least three or four times a month,” she said.
“I didn’t consent at any point to any of these acts,” she said.
The trial continues before Justice Paul Carney and a jury of nine women and three men.

Residents living in fear

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:35:59 +0000

RESIDENTS in parts of Letterkenny are “terrified to report” incidents of anti-social behaviour by young people, it was claimed at a Joint Policing Committee public meeting in Letterkenny last night.
Windows have been broken and stones and eggs thrown at homes in parts of the Oldtown area where some residents feel threatened.
Oldtown resident Margaret Doherty complained about anti-social behaviour from children and claimed that three people had to pay €200 each to replace windows. Property has also been damaged.
And she added, “I had my house painted and it was not even dry when eggs were thrown at it. I have had to go to the expense of putting up cameras myself.”
She said that the children – from other council estates – were giving a lot of abuse and had threatened to come back and break windows if the gardaí were called.
She added that there some “people are terrified to even report it and it has got to that stage”.
Inspector Kevin Gately said that no person should feel under such a threat. “If there are any issues ring the local gardai and we will deal with issues,” he said. “We would ask public to tell us about things as they happen. Do not leave it to others, that makes a difference.”
Responding to queries about what could be done, Eugene Devenney, Housing Officer with Donegal Co. Council, pointed out that contracts are signed with all council tenants that covers areas such as the conduct of tenants.
“We would be very interested in finding out about anti-social behaviour, establishing the facts and liaising with other agencies and the gardai. The main thing is to have information and to speak to tenants if need be and to talk about a resolution; there is parental responsibility for young kids,” he stated.
(continued on page three)
Meanwhile, Insp. Gately gave an assurance that gardai would be available to meet with any neighbourhood watch schemes and residents’ associations who feel they need assistance.
He also pointed out that there will be more community policing on mountain bikes again in the coming months and favoured setting up a forum to meet with residents’ associations and community groups.
Insp. Gately told Cllr. Pascal Blake that there could be an increase in patrols in an area, with gardai out on the beat, on mountain bikes or on mobile patrol.
On the issue of drugs, Insp. Gately denied that there has been a reduction in the size of the drugs unit. “There is a sizeable number in the drugs unit, commensurate with levels of drugs activity in the area at the moment,” he said.

Linking with the world

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:48:48 +0000

Thousands of people from all over the world logged onto the internet on Wednesday for a live webcast from Letterkenny.
It’s all part of an initiative being led by Donegal County Council in conjunction with Donegal County Development Board aimed at raising the profile of the county.
The idea is to encourage Donegal emigrants and Donegal descendants to return home on a holiday later this year.
The Donegal Gathering 2012 tourism initiative was officially launched by Mayor of Donegal, Cllr. Noel McBride, through a live webcast in the Radisson Blu Hotel.
“Donegal has a jam-packed calendar of events in 2012 for every visitor,” he declared.
The event, attended by over 200 people, showcased the huge range of cultural festivals and events that are held annually throughout the county, and also featured some of Donegal’s top musicians.
The Donegal Diaspora Project is also being supported by business and tourist chiefs.
“There was a terrific atmosphere at the event and it should really energise the Donegal diaspora. We had people logging on from Hong Kong to Australia, and from Iran to the United States,” a spokesman for the organisers said.
The broadcast was still available to view on-line until 10.30 pm (on Thursday) at www.livetrad.com

CONCERN OVER “BROTHEL” FLATS

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:22:21 +0000

Some landlords in Letterkenny could be earning up to €700 a week a year by renting out apartments – for use in the prostitution business.
Pimps can pay up to €100 a day for getting the use of an apartment which can subsequently be used by a number of prostitutes.
However, although An Garda Siochana is aware of certain activities, raiding and getting convictions for the running of a brothel can be difficult.
In effect, a loop-hole in the law means that if there are just two people engaged in sex they cannot be prosecuted.
It is understood that there are a number of apartments in Letterkenny which are used regularly by prostitutes, many of whom could be victims of sex trafficking and who are effectively controlled by pimps.
One resident who lives in an apartment block that is apparently used by prostitutes contacted the Letterkenny Post to express their concern about what is going on.
“I’m tired of seeing a lot of visitors (who) are male coming and going near my building,” the resident said, adding that the “girls say they are from Italy and Germany but are from Romania. Maybe these girls are suffering at the hands of bad men.”
High-ranking garda officers in the National Bureau of Investigation acknowledge that the prostitution business has become “very challenging”.
It is now increasingly run by organised crime gangs, subversives and eastern European crime gangs, and is reaching into towns and villages in every county.
The bulk of the prostitutes claim to be “escorts” and use professionally designed websites to advertise their “services”.
It is understood that at least 11 “escorts” were “on tour” in Letterkenny this week alone.
They typically charge €60 – 100 for half an hour of their “companionship” in a business that is now worth hundreds of thousands of euro in Letterkenny alone.
It’s a hugely lucrative business for those controlling the “escorts” who are moved around the country.
Aside from the criminal side of the prostitution business, there are increasing efforts to dispel the myth of the “happy hooker.”
Support groups like Ruhama, which works with women affected by prostitution, point out that most of the women involved are victims, and are often afraid to speak out, are living in fear and isolation and have varying mental and health issues.

Animal cruelty shock

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:09:41 +0000

By Anna Devine
A donkey called Bobby, who suffered one of the worst cases of animal cruelty ever seen in Donegal, has inspired a petition to highlight the need for better animal cruelty laws in Ireland.
Volunteers from DDS found Bobby last Friday, severely malnourished in the old coast guard station building near the Fanad Lighthouse following a tip-off from the public. He passed away at around 7am on Saturday morning.
Mr Danny Curran, manager of Donegal Donkey Sanctuary, told the Post, “there is a lot of cruelty to donkeys and we are here to help stamp it out.”
And he added: “He was found in an old derelict building lying in 18 inches of slurry with nothing for him to eat.”
Now the ‘Justice for Bobby’ campaign is underway to challenge outdated animal cruelty laws. The DDS hopes to change the fact that there is no requirement for ear tagging of equine animals (horses and donkeys) in Ireland and therefore no traceability. It is also very hard to get a conviction for animal cruelty.
Mr Curran said he would be bringing the petition to the Minister for Agriculture at Leinster House by donkey and cart.
Mr. Curran believes that the donkey was trampled on by cattle as it lay on the floor of the building. The vet confirmed the donkey had early onset of pneumonia also as a result of exposure.
DDS received a tip-off about two donkeys in the building but only found one. Mr Curran said, “we are still trying to find out what happened to the other donkey.” According to the tip off, the donkeys had been there through the summer months.
When asked why the donkey would have died the day after being rescued Mr Curran says they were just contacted far too late. “A lot of people are scared to contact us until things get really bad. Then we have the other extreme of getting called too early.”
The DDS promotes education about donkeys. If you are thinking of getting a donkey, you should get in contact with them for advice on how to look after them.
Mr Curran said that, “People sometimes don’t realise the cost associated with getting a donkey. They sometimes need a vet and they have to be housed and fed and people start to cut corners. For example if they have overgrown hooves – it affects their overall body health.”
Gardaí are investigating the death of Bobby and members of the public who have any information are urged to contact the Gardaí.
To sign the petition click here: http://www.petitiononline.ie/petition/the-donegal-donkey-sanctuary-wish-to-announce-their-justice-for-bobby-campaign/1411

Soviet Rockall fears!

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:08:18 +0000

Documents released in the State Papers from 1981 have shown that the Irish Intelligence Service, G2, feared that the USSR would seize Rockall and turn it into a underwater ballistic missile bunker.
During the early 1980′s, nuclear attacks was greatly feared across Europe as the Cold War between the American/European Allies and the former USSR intensified. Many intelligence agencies believed that the USSR was looking to set-up a base somewhere in the Atlantic and both the Irish and British believed that Rockall was a possible site.
Rockall is an inhospitable and inhabitable rocky outcrop located 250 miles of the north west Donegal coast. It has long been disputed between the four nations of Ireland, the UK, Denmark and Iceland.
The continental shelf around the rock is rich in fishing grounds and in recent years research has also found that it it rich in oil and gas buried underneath the shelf itself. Whoever would control the rock would also have the rights to the oil and gas, and also the fishing rights.
It is believed that during the Cold War, British, American and Soviet submarines were constantly patrolling the area around Rockall in case any of the three nations would try to take control of the rock.
Rockall has been a constant source of territorial disputes with the Republic of Ireland, Britain, Iceland and the Faroe Islands all making claims in the past.

Letterkenny gives back to SVP

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:06:12 +0000

By Anna Devine
The St Vincent de Paul in Letterkenny has said that the generosity shown by the community in Letterkenny over Christmas was “just amazing.”
Speaking to the Letterkenny Post, Rose Glacken, Letterkenny area president said that, “people came from everywhere to give us donations.”
At the beginning of December, they were very worried they would be inundated with requests and that they might not be able to meet demand but the community was more than generous.
Ms Glacken said they had a “very successful church gate collection” followed by donations of cash, vouchers, gifts and food from business groups, community groups, schools and individuals. “We were overwhelmed at the generosity shown by people and we are very grateful.”
She continued: “I think people are thinking a lot more about community now. We’d like to see more support for neighbours that may be living alone though.”
Ms Glacken confirmed that they had more people contacting them than previous years although exact figures are not available at present. The general consensus from volunteers countrywide was that “everybody was extremely busy and much busier than other years.” In 2010, the amount of people seeking help from SVP increased by 40%.
Ms Glacken says that they were worried that people who hadn’t come to them before would be unable to take that first step.
“People find it difficult to make that first call,” she said. “We’re very anxious to reach out to people who maybe experiencing financial difficulties.
“January is a very difficult time, with a lot of worry, new charges and VAT increases that affect prices across the board.”
The SVP are here to help people from all walks of life – families with youngsters or children at college, older people, students and individuals that just want a listening ear.
“We try to do it in a sensitive way. It is a core principal of the SVP that all services are highly confidential,” she said.
You can contact the SVP at Lower Main Street (074 9129503) or Aughininshin (074 9122366).

Traffic numbers down at Donegal Airport

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:02:51 +0000

By Chris Ashmore
The number of passengers taking flights from Donegal Airport fell by 14.3% in 2011 – down to 40,102 from 46,825 in the previous year.
The downturn in the economy is being cited as the major contributing factor with fewer leisure trips, in particular, being made.
“This is due to recessionary times really,” commented Marketing Manager, Pauline Sweeney. “Tourism in the North West Region has been hardest hit and also less people are making leisure trips to Dublin now than before.”
Earlier this year management welcomed the awarding of a three year contract by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport to Flybe/Loganair on the Donegal/Dublin route while the services were cut at other regional airports.
“The reduced traffic would have been a factor in the carrier appointment with lesser capacity aircraft while leaving the number of rotations of two flights per day to and from Dublin to service and develop new markets,” she said.
Despite problems with high winds, the airline had an excellent operational record with over 90% on time performance since they started in early November.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Leo Varadkar announced funding for regional airports in 2011 with Donegal Airport being awarded €42,630.
Major runway works approved by the Department were also carried out in 2010/11 with all contracts coming in on time and under budget.
The airport has endured a checkered history. Originally developed as a grass strip – and partly to service businesses on the Gweedore Industrial Estate – the throughput of passengers was just 2,784 in 1985.
Over the years a variety of airlines operated services with mixed success. Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Loganair, Malinair, Brightair, and Ireland Airways were among the carriers.
However, the introduction of the Public Service Obligation contract – which subsidises provincial air services – was a huge boost to regional airports like Donegal.

Wind hit 168kph

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:10:35 +0000

High speed winds in Donegal earlier this week could have been caused by a rare meteorological event called a “sting jet”, according to Met Éireann forecasters, writes Anna Devine.
The strongest gust in Ireland (168km per hour) was recorded at Malin Head early on Tuesday morning.
Several thousand people in Donegal had their electricity supply cut off on Monday night and Tuesday morning due to one of the worst storms in recent years to hit the county.
Hundreds of telephone lines were also down but by Wednesday most homes had power and telephone services operational again.
Met Éireann forecasters say they are almost certain a “sting jet” caused winds to reach up to 172km per hour.
Forecaster Siobhán Ryan described the hurricane force wind speed recorded at Malin Head as being “exceptional” and ranked it among the highest winds in Ireland that she could remember.
A “sting jet” is a rarely occurring surge of high-momentum, high energy air which appears like a curling scorpion’s tail on weather maps. This is caused by rapidly descending cool dry air in contact with warm moist air. The depression that brought the winds later moved on to Scotland and Scandinavia.
Malin Head Coast Guard reported gusts reaching violent storm force 11 levels – hurricane like gales.
Wave heights of 10 metres were recorded where normally winter seas reach heights of 3 to 4 metres only.
Structural damage in various parts of the county was largely confined to roof tiles and slates coming off roofs. Signage in some areas was also badly affected while fallen trees caused some minor problems.
Meanwhile, 56 members of ESB staff have travelled to Scotland to help with the storm clean-up operation there.