Sensation!!!
Teacher Physically Restrains kid from Entering Classroom
on First day of School
Menacing Billy Goat Apprehended by Hero Teacher - No kiddin’ !
There was panic and pandemonium in the grounds of Scoil an Leanbh Iosa, Killymard last Thursday as frightened staff and pupils ran for cover. It wasn’t a surprise visit from the Cigire or even the popular Minister for Education that put the fear of God into everyone but the presence of a menacing bearded Billie Goat. Locals believe the goat might have belonged to businessman Patsy Kelly as he had earlier been seen tethered and grazing in the vicinity of Fr. Mick’s Well (the goat, not Patsy!). The goat had earlier in the day been spotted out the Killymard road with one woman allegedly chased into her own house by the pursuing animal. The Gardaí were informed and the Wildlife division was sent out to investigate.
The Billy Goat had previously been seen doing reconnaissance at the school during the morning break but went away again only to return during at dinner time. It was then that mayhem broke out. On N.W.R.’s News at One , Sean Perry had an exclusive interview with the schools Principal - and as it turned out hero, Enda Nolan. As luck would have it Enda happened to be on playground duty at the time. As the children lined up to go back into school, it became apparent that the agitated Billy Goat was about to charge. There’s no doubt but the incident could have been serious but for the quick action of the teachers who bundled the “kids” into the safety of the school and locked all doors.
Unaware of the drama unfolding, a squad car guided by G.P.S. navigation was homing in on the school area. Meanwhile, with everyone secure, Enda decided to disregard personal safety and face down the bearded menace himself. He made a drive at the goat and caught him by one of the horns. Having made a successful apprehension, the goat was headed for detention but coming around the corner who did they meet only the garda on hot pursuit. Before he could read Billy his Miranda rights, he intuitively grabbed the other horn (the goat’s). To the claps and cheers of the children watching the unfolding drama from the safety of the school the goat was lead unceremoniously to a nearby shed where he was duly despatched to graze in the yonder pastures in the sky.
Broadband rollout in Donegal Town
IBEC North West welcomes the recent announcement by Eircom that broadband services are to be rolled out in Donegal Town. According to Lynn McLaughlin, Business Development Officer, IBEC North West: “The provision of a fast, always-on Internet service, is essential to future investment and survival of businesses. It will help attract and safeguard jobs in peripheral areas like Donegal Town.”
McLaughlin added : “The availability of competitively priced broadband services is key to successful business operations, encouraging inward investment and securing jobs. It is the speed and capacity of broadband that will allow businesses compete competitively in local, European and global markets. The service will allow businesses meet customer demands for high quality products and service at competitive prices.”
The broadband service being rolled out in Donegal Town is called ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). It is a technology that allows very high speed data transmission over existing telephone lines while still allowing telephone calls over the line. Broadband service is always on so no dial up is required. A flat monthly fee is charged by the service provider. What businesses used to do within hours can now be achieved within minutes. Broadband easily copes with large graphic and text files as well as the latest technologies such as video conferencing.
IBEC North West and IBEC’s Telecommunications User Group (TUG) has lobbied for the rollout of broadband services in the North West region for a number of years. The employers representative body views the development as a step in the right direction towards addressing the “Digital Divide” that exists between companies in Dublin and those in peripheral locations such as Donegal. The difference in service, such as higher costs, poor quality, inferior service and lack of infrastructure, contribute to a “Digital Divide”.
McLaughlin concluded that: “Businesses must now embrace this service which will play a key role in addressing part of the infrastructural and competitive imbalance between companies located in peripheral areas and those on the East coast.”
This is excellent news for Donegal Town and bodes well for future development if the business community utilise the opportunity that presents.
For further information contact Lynn McLaughlin, Business Development officer, IBEC North West. Phone: 073 24280
Waterbus Outing for Tourist Trade
By Jason Mc Garrigle
Patsy Kelly delivers some grub to island castaway Tommy Brogan on Donegal Bay to raise money for The Irish Cancer Society
On Saturday the 30th August, the now legendary Waterbus annual complimentary Booze Cruise set sail. This event, hosted by Captain Billy Bustard, is for members of the local hospitality trade who help out the Waterbus every summer. Hotels, Restaurants and Tourist Offices were well represented - with staff of the Mill Park Hotel, Central Hotel, Leterkenny’s Holiday Inn and Killybegs Tourist Office in attendance.
The large group of party-goers piled onboard at 7 o’clock to be greeted by Lynn Kelly and an amazing spread of food - tasty chicken drumsticks, cocktail sausages, smoked salmon and prawn vol-au-vents - all on the extensive menu. Beside this array of culinary delights lay more booze than a small brewery - Billy was obviously going to take no prisoners!
A suitably dressed Patsy Kelly, sporting a red dicky-bow, ushered guests to their seats and started distribution of the vino. On his retiring to open the oysters, the task of keeping the wine free-flowing was undertaken by Cora, Erin and Lynn. Everyone was starting to get into a party mood - and the boat was still docked at the pier!
Soon we departed on the cruise around the bay, accompanied by a Daniel O’Donnell CD in the background. Our DJ for the evening was Seamus McGroary who soon gave Daniel the shove - replacing him with dance music and turning up the volume .... real loud!!!
Lynn promptly served up the food, with Patsy following in close pursuit with a tray of oysters. On sharing these delicacies out Billy warned everyone about these potent treats - he once had six of them and ended up with two sets of twins; however they don’t always work - Lynn said she once gave her boyfriend half a dozen - and only two of them worked!
DJ Seamus cranked up both tempo and volume and had this motley crew sitting on the floor of the boat swaying to ‘Rock the Boat’ ably led by Disco Diva, Lynn.
Reaching Belle’s Isle, Patsy pointed out Tommy Brogan who was staying on a raft to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society. Deciding that we had more food than we needed - Patsy made up a ‘Tommy bag’ of food for the castaway. Filled with sandwiches and sausages, this parcel was carefully delivered to the raft as Billy expertly manoeuvred the Waterbus in the shallow waters.
Patsy was overheard to remark that Tommy must have a woman on the boat for company and that’s why he was staying out there for so long!
A short two hours later the Waterbus was rocking as she pulled up back at the pier - the merry passengers disembarking up the street to continue an evening to be remembered down Donegal Bay.
The following is the text of a letter sent by
Alex Reid to the Irish Times
Dear Editor,
Your feature by Frank Mc Donald on September 2nd (see page 12) brings to national notice the controversial decision by An Bord Pleanala to refuse permission to the multifaceted development at Revlin, Donegal Town. As a resident of the town for over 25 years, I find this refusal most retrograde. The town has no Cinema/Theatre/Arts Centre, Swimming Pool, Leisure facilities (other than in Hotels), amenities, or residence for the elderly, town parks etc.
The first reason given for refusal is that the development would take from the life and commerce of the town centre. Your article states that the site is almost a mile from the centre. It is less than 1/3 mile from the town boundary as your accompanying map shows. Already it is joined to the centre by continuous housing and the GAA grounds - and housing extends beyond the site to a commercial complex already in place on the Killybegs Road. There is no other suitable site closer to the Town.
Similar fears in the case of Letterkenny have proved groundless. The shopping/business park developments at both perimeters of Main Street have brought new life and commerce to the centre and are the nucleus of that town’s new prosperity and growth.
The second reason, that it would endanger public safety by creating traffic hazards on the Killybegs road, is hard to credit. Firstly, what we want in Donegal is extra traffic! We want an influx of shoppers and visitors to boost commerce and much-needed employment. If traffic problems arise let’s solve them and progress. The Inspector’s report amazingly complains that the development would interfere with the 60 mph limit at this place on the Killybegs Road. Any local can tell you that any reduction in speed along this stretch is welcome. The petition by local residents for speed limits was, disgracefully, turned down.
The developer in question is Mr. Danny Keeney. He is a local person who, following similar successful ventures in the UK and Ireland, now wishes to invest heavily in his own town. His company was exemplary in widely publishing its plans, inviting public examination and comment, which is in stark contrast to the manner in which the Board’s decisions was made. True, the public may submit observations, but this is widely accepted only as a vehicle for objections.
The objectors are An Taisce, which I understand has no members in Donegal Town, and RGDATA, which masks inter-supermarket rivalry rather than reveals concern of local traders.
The final decision was made by a Dublin-based Inspector who claims the development would be a magnet for the relocation of facilities and functions currently in the Town Centre. The fact is, there are no facilities, expecially for young and elderly people. He goes on to mention the Courthouse and Garda Station as examples - not what people mormally consider facilities. The Keeney Project does make proposals to have these at Revlin - more a suggestion - because the decision would not, of course, be in their control. The present Courthouse is old, dilapidated and ugly and hides the excellently restored Donegal Castle. The Garda Station is extremely unsuitable and inadequate for the officers forced to work there.
So Donegal Town is to be deprived for the foreseeable future of much needed inward investment, short and long term employment, facilities and amenities that are essential to modern living, on foot of a decision which is, in my opinion, most undemocratic, bureaucratic and damaging to local life.
Alex Reid,
Rosslongan,
Donegal Town.
Hi there,
I believe this is worthy of a news
report/public service announcement:
Last Monday night at 8.30pm my grandmother (in Ballyshannon) received a call from a man called Hugh Sullivan claiming to be from the Central Statistics Office. He stated that he was researching labour market info on people working outside the home, and, in this instance, he wanted to know about the men of the household and their work habits.
My grandmother smelled and rat and decided she didn’t want to speak to him. Her instincts were reinforced by the fact that her number is ex-directory.
I spoke with Deirdre O’Leary (01 4984000) of the Central Statistics Office who stated they had no employee called Hugh Sullivan, that no such phone survey took place and, in general, phone surveys never take place. All CSO work is done face to face.
It therefore appears that this phonecall may have been a scam seeking information on where households are vacant, or at least ‘unguarded’ by a male presence.
I would appreciate it if you could ask your listeners/readers to be aware of such scams as they have the potential for massive harm.
Thank you
Ruairi McKiernan
Dear Sir,
Although I am pleased to see a new two bay fire station being built in Donegal Town, I have a few questions I would like to ask.
The building itself is a lot bigger than the old one, with better facilities for the firemen - but is it value for money? It is basically a hayshed with a tin roof! There is less brickwork than a small bungalow and little or no extra services other than water, electricity and phone. How can all this cost €800,000? Correct me if I am wrong, but the council already owned the site and anyway the tender price for any job never includes the site. So where is the €800,000 being spent? Let’s see the breakdown of the figures.
I see a new 3 bay station sanctioned for Killybegs. Does one extra bay cost €200.000? Maybe the builder is going to throw in a new fire engine to the deal.
Yours sincerely,
Perplexed,
Laghey
Dear Editor,
The front of the new Market House restaurant has been destroyed by silly paintings and drawings !!!! It looked so impressive before someone went crazy with a paint brush....why Jim...why??
No Michelangelo,
Donegal Town
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