Slurry Spill pollutes river and bay

Liquid on the River Eany released from the pool above

Locals in the Inver area are seething with anger and frustration after liquid was released into the river Eany last week from a pool that is allegedly filled with slurry. The site is owned by a local landowner who uses it to graze cattle. It has been a cause of concern to residents for several years.

Speaking on North West Radio, Mickey Mullin, Chairman of Inver Enterprise Group, said the spillage should have been avoided and questioned if the machinery present on the site was carrying on an authorised development. Mr. Mullin said locals had been campaigning for 15 years for a clean-up of the area. He questioned the legitimacy of fencing off areas of dunes and beach that had been a public amenity since living memory. He also said the dunes were not suitable for grazing cattle.

In a statement on behalf of the Labour Party, Seamus Rodgers declares: ‘The alleged pollution of Inver Bay as a result of cattle slurry entering the waters should be investigated as a matter of urgency and the source of the pollution identified. The pollution could pose a serious threat to marine life and sea birds and damage the nearby beaches with the Eany river and estuary. This is a challenge to the Co. Council and the Fishery Board to move immediately and they must send out a clear signal that people who abuse the environment for their own financial gain will be prosecuted and pay a heavy penalty.

Pollution arising out of the reported slurry escape could have a considerable impact on the fishing industry, tourism, the environment and even ordinary households.

There has been damage to the sand dunes and beach at this local location over the past number of years. The beaches here should be a prized national asset - there is more scope for working with nature than against it and there is no better natural defence than a sandy beach.’

Donegal Woman for Top Garda Job?

Under the title ‘A Woman for top Garda Job’, the Phoenix magazine speculated as to who might take over from P.R. Byrne as Commissioner when he retires in June. Part of the article runs ‘Horrified whispering in the Puzzle Palace that the appointment of the first ever woman as head of the Garda Siochana could be imminent. Chief Superintendent Ms Catherine Clancy would be the shock choice..........

Clancy, the first woman in the history of the state to become a chief super was sent into the Donegal division last year to sort out the mess there. Since her arrival, she has put some manners on the chaotic situation which characterised policing in the far north-west for five years or more.

The fact that Clancy is a woman, something that in earlier lines would have militated against her promotion, may turn out to be a bonus.’

Chief Superintendent Clancy is, of course, from Glenties and was stationed for a period in Donegal Town. She is a sister of Liam Clancy who also has an abode in town and is a major shareholder in the Abbey and Central Hotels.

Buntús Play and Buntús Multi Sport

Buntús Play and Buntús Multi Sport are two new exciting programmes developed to support teachers and other adults in introducing young people to sport.

Buntús Play and Buntús Multi Sport will initially be delivered by teachers in schools in support of the Physical Education curriculum. Scoil an Leinbh Íosa, Killymard is the first school in Co. Donegal to commit to and take delivery of the equipment bags. The Buntús programme is co-ordinated nationally by the Irish Sports Council and the Deptartment of Education and Science and, in the case of Co. Donegal, delivered by Donegal Sports Partnership tutors. The programme seeks to raise the profile of physical education and sport, improve in-service training opportunities for teachers, assist Governing Bodies of Sport to develop and deliver appropriate support for teachers, provide enjoyable and meaningful activity for children and support delivery of the primary curriculum.

The Irish Sports Council recognises the major role that sport can play in the lives of young people. It is important that an enjoyable multi-sport and non-competitive model is used to introduce our children to sport that will complement and enhance both our school and community sport programmes.

Most children are introduced to sport in their homes or surrounding community. It is essential that there are locally driven initiatives available to them through school and within their local environment if they are to see sport as central to their overall development and as a lifelong physical and social tool.

The planning for the delivery of the Buntús programme must reflect opportunities for young people to take part, regardless of their ability, gender, ethnicity or background. The Irish Sports Council’s responsibility is to ensure that opportunities are accessible, that publicity / promotion reflects open access and that teachers are supported to implement this.

School staffs must undergo a programme of Buntús training in order to access equipment and resource cards. The training is a critical part of the programme. The staff of Scoil an Leinbh Íosa had their training on Friday 6th December 2002 with tutors Nicola Harris and Declan Mc Intyre under the direction of Michael McGeehin, Donegal Sports Partnership.