Fears mount for Dolores as Gardai Search continues
A tent sits starkly in the centre of a field marking the spot where skeletal human remains were discovered by Gardai investigating the disappearance of Dolores McCrea
A Garda forensic team continued to examine the scene near Ballintra, Co. Donegal, where skeletal human remains were discovered during a search for a missing mother of four.
Dolores McCrea, 35, whose children range in age from 18 to four, was last seen on Tuesday night close to the scene of a fire at Ballybolgan, outside the village of Ballintra. Her car is still at the scene.
Gardai have indicated that it could take weeks before they can identify the remains.
While the disappearance of Dolores McCrea is still officially being treated as a missing person’s investigation, fears for her safe return are growing in the communities of Ballintra and Laghey where she has lived all her life.
“People here are praying for the best, but fearing the worst” said one local man.
Another friend of the missing woman said: “She was a devoted mother and definitely not the sort of person to go away without telling anyone. I really don’t think that we will see her alive again”.
A member of the local ladies’ darts team, Dolores had left home last Tuesday evening to meet up with her team in Ballintra and then travel to Donegal Town to play in a tournament, but she never turned up.
Gardai were called in the next day and a major search of the area was launched.
By Thursday, that search had been concentrated on the farmhouse and outbuildings in the townland of Ballybolgan, near the village of Ballintra where there was evidence of a recent substantial fire.
Skeletal remains were found which were later confirmed as human. The area around the house and land was taped off by Gardai. State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, and a forensic team were called in on Thursday night.
By yesterday, the forensic team had moved their focus to the farmhouse, while Gardai continued to conduct door to door inquiries within a five mile radius.
They are attempting to confirm exact movements of Dolores McCrea on the day she disappeared, including reported sightings of her getting into a silver or grey car at Ballybolgan on Tuesday night.
“We believe that there may be people out there who have vital information which would be key to this investigation and we would appeal to them to come forward” a Senior Garda source said at a press conference at 4pm Friday.
The disappearance of the popular young mother has shattered the whole community.
Dolores, who worked part-time in The Seven Arches bar in Laghey, five miles from Ballintra, was known to everyone. “She had a lovely, bubbly personality and was very open” said one customer.
The skeletal remains have been sent to London for forensic examination and it is likely to be five to six weeks before a definite identification is possible.
Reportedly sold is the old Hamilton property over near the Bosco, originally the Gas Works that lit the town. Owned by Jim Donagher, Hugo to his friends, head of the BOSS empire, the buyer is allegedly Liam Clancy, already a major shareholder in the Abbey & Central Hotels in town. Tenants on site include Ray Corrigan’s Gas distributors and Veterinary Practitioner, John Barry. A sum of of €800,000 is being mentioned as the consideration paid for the building which covers a site of half an acre approx.
NowDoc big success says GP
By our Medical Correspondent
Speaking to a doctor in town the other day, he declared the recently commenced NowDoc scheme a huge success in providing out-of-hours medical care to South and West Donegal. The service is headquartered in Mountcharles, a fact that was causing some disquiet to the good people of Killybegs, who felt that their town was best located for NowDoc’s doctors, drivers and receptionists. However according to my source, this has all now been resolved with the Parish Council of the fishing port now satisfied that Mountcharles is a suitable centre for the service that stretches from Ballyshannon to Glen.
All GP’s in the county are now members of the scheme, except for four local practitioners, Dr. John McHardy, Dr Austin O’Kennedy, Dr. Barry Breen and Dr. Marie Drumgole.
Mountcharles Committee apologise for failure of Christmas illuminations
Mountcharles Community Centre Committee would like to apologise to the residents and business people of the village for failure to light the Christmas trees that were erected for the festive season. An electrician was employed, but after a lot of research as to why the lights weren’t working, it was discovered that a cable had been accidentally cut, and in spite of efforts, it could not be repaired in time for Christmas.
Town Mayor to run for Council
Ernan declares Independent candidacy
Well known town butcher, Ernan Mc Gettigan (46), has put his name forward as an Independent candidate in the forthcoming council elections. Ernan, presently Mayor of Donegal Town, vice chairperson of the Bosco Centre and founder chairperson of Donegal Town Community Chamber, is very much aware of the problems and needs of Donegal Town and the surrounding areas.
“From the encouragement and support that I have received since my announcement, I feel confident” said Ernan. “It may have sounded from my interview with NWR that I would be concentrating on the Donegal Town area, but I want to emphasise that I will be working for the entire constituency. From personally dealing with customers from as far away as Glencolmkille and Pettigo, I am aware of their problems and needs. I have received a lot of support from the people of my ancestral town, Dunkineely, where my grandfather lived and was the local doctor for many years. His former surgery is now our second butcher shop which is operated by my brother Diarmuid. I have also received a lot of support from as far away as Killybegs since my announcement.
Peter Kennedy has always done his best for this area but I feel we need more representation and my campaign will be run on compromise rather than conflict - more results can be achieved through working together than fighting. I have, for over 25 years, been involved with the youth of this area and surroundings, especially as a swimming instructor and I would very much be talking to them. I intend to work closely with the Youth Council, which I think is a fantastic initiative by Donegal County Council, where the youth of today have a voice at council level. Whereas politics are not important to the youth - action and results are.
I realise there are other strong candidates in the field, but let the voters decide who can and will do most for them. I would wish all the other runners the best of luck and hope that whoever succeeds will do their best for this constituency. I will be launching a very strong campaign and have a good team of workers behind me.
Ernan is married to Mary with two children Ava (19) and Aaron (17).
The Bush years will be remembered for arrogance, greed, deception and injustice
By the end of 2004, at least 2,000 coalition troops will have died in Iraq. And for what reason? A totally unnecessary war, driven by arrogance and greed, has created a Middle-East region riven by ethnic strife and tribal hatred, bogged in a mire of internecine warfare, the only bond uniting each feuding faction - a common hatred of the invader.
What Donegal Times had been asserting since long before the invasion of Iraq began, has now been confirmed. Last week, David Kay, head of the U.S. weapons inspection team, said that no WMD exist in that country.
A great injustice has been perpetrated by a bullying superpower on a mainly defenceless country. And the U.S. is now paying the price. Many more American soldiers will be brought home in coffins before this debacle is sorted out. And the only people to blame - George W. Bush and his right wing cronies on Capitol Hill.
At present the Democratic party in the States is holding primaries to choose its candidates for November’s Presidential election. It looks at this early stage that John Kerry will emerge victorious from the other side of this cumbersome process. Let us hope so - and that he goes on to defeat Bush, who has proved himself probably the most dangerous and duplicitous president ever to hold power in the United States.
 Jerome joins Sky
Congratulations to Jerome Hughes, late of North West and Highland Radio, who has achieved a major fillip to his broadcasting career. Having left Highland for TV3, he has now been recruited for the soon to be launched Sky News, Irish style. The Laghey man has come a long way since he took a communications course at LYIT and applied for work release with NWR. Now, fourteen months after joining the national TV3, Jerome goes international with Sky, covering, editing, dubbing - and presenting to a potential audience of 80 million.
Donegal Tourism Projects in line for major funding
Up to €40 million could be invested in the North West by the end of 2004 with new innovative tourist attractions being backed by the National Development Plan. Of this amount a total of €12million could come to County Donegal in which a total of 17 major tourist projects have made it through to the second round of applications. “All those through to the second round have been asked to hand in a significant business plan for their proposal. The applicants can expect a final decision on their proposals in the first half of 2004. It would be anticipated that the ground work would then commence by the end of the year”. Commented Mr. Paul Mc Loone, Chief executive of North West Tourism.
Among projects included in round two are The Equestrian Centre at Dunkineely; a walking development in the Drimarone Area; and a new tourist office and interpretative centre on the pier area of Donegal Town.
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