Dionne Meehan delves into the archives to bring you the news and images from yesteryear.
January 11, 1975
SIX MEN LOST IN BURTONPORT TRAGEDY
IN one of the worst ever sea disasters along the Donegal coast six young fishermen lost their lives when their 65 foot modern trawler struck a submerged rock off the deserted Rathlin O’Beirne Island, on the seaward side, and sank with its entire crew in a matter of minutes. The boat was being skippered by 32 year old Paddy Bonner from Burtonport and his anguished voice was the last to be heard as the ill-fated trawler ‘Evelyn Marie’ began to go under. Not far away the ‘Summer Star’ which worked in partnership with the ill-fated trawler picked up a single distress signal. Tony Gallagher, the skipper, said he saw the broken trawler sinking immediately after picking up the message. “I heard Paddy Bonner’s voice coming over the radio. I knew immediately they were in serious trouble but I was about a mile and a half away.”
The Finn Valley gang at Jim White’s birthday celebrations back in 2008. Included are Ambose Given, Gareth Reid, John McMullan and Donna Griffin enjoying the night.
TV’S RIORDANS COMING TO DONEGAL
THE Riordans are coming to Donegal. The most famous rural family in Ireland are planning their holiday in late August or early September and have Donegal very much in mind this year. Enquiries have been carried out and it is probable that the famous Television family of immense R.T.É. popularity will travel north. The most likely centre of their activity is Ramelton. The Swillyside village has been inspected this week by an R.T.É. top producer Brian MacLochlainn with writer of the series Wesley Burrowes and Miss Noeline Coffey. It may well be that the first colour scenes of The Riordans will be shot in Donegal – and what an ideal choice that would be in August colour.
OVER 100 APPLICANTS FOR NEW LETTERKENNY HOUSES
THE 19 house scheme has now been completed for Letterkenny Urban Council, and the keys have been handed over by the contractor. The new houses at Iona Road are but a few of the many houses urgently needed in the town. Already there is a waiting list of over 120 applicants, eager to get Council houses. And with building costs rocketing it seems that many who might have undertaken private building of their homes, will turn to the Council to help provide accommodation for themselves and families. Considerable interest has been aroused among the many house hunters in the town with the prospect of a home being provided. But it is clear that the vast majority of them will be disappointed. Those in the direct need are the only ones likely to be lucky- and many have been waiting for years.
January 14, 2000
HEALTH BOARD BUDGET BREAKS £200 MILLION MARK
THE North Western Health Board has approved a budget of almost £202million for the provision of services this year, an increase of more than £25 million on 1999. Announcing details of the Services Plan at a special meeting of the NWHB in Bundoran yesterday afternoon (Thursday), Chief Executive, Mr Pat Harvey said that the Board must be aware of the challenging and evolving environment in the North West as it plans for the future while ensuring that the “existing house” is in the best possible order. Additional revenue funding of £925,000 is being made available in 2000 to meet the cost of approved service developments in both Sligo and Letterkenny general hospitals. As a result of particular difficulties experienced in the A&E Department at Letterkenny General Hospital Mr Harvey told members that the Board will establish an A&E Consultant post and seek Comhairle na nOspideal approval early in the new year. In tandem with the Consultant post support staff will also be appointed.
Letterkenny Panto’s production of Treasure Island took to the stage in 2008. Included are Kate McCafferty, ‘Pirate Jack’, Sean Bradley, ‘Jim The Lyncher’, Colly O’Donnell, ‘Pirate George’, Tommy Sweeney, ‘Long John Silver’, Ann Marie Ryan, ‘Pirate Joe’ and Gary Coll, ‘Blind Pugh’.
IT’S RAINING POTHOLES FOR COUNCIL
DONEGAL County Council is presently carrying out an assessment of damage to roads across the county in order to estimate the bill for the extraordinary remedial works required following a period of almost unprecedented rainfall. In the past six weeks rainfall levels in the county have been more than double the normal average for the time of year. This has caused major headaches for roadworks engineers and workers.
Mr Vincent Lynn, Senior Executive Engineer, said the rainfall had caused particular problems in the Lurgybrack, Meenaroy, Illistrin, Ballybofey, and the back of Errigal road where the local authority has been carrying out major strengthening works. “We have had two squads of workers on the back of Errigal road this week to carry out repairs. However, until the major widening and strengthening works are complete at certain locations this type of problem, if there is periods of heavy rainfall, will continue to occur,” he added.
MORE ASYLUM SEEKERS EXPECTED AS NIGERIANS ARRIVE
A FURTHER nine asylum seekers arrived in Donegal last weekend bringing to 19 the number currently in the county. The newest arrivals are from Nigeria and they are residing at the Brookvale House in Ballindrait, Bunbeg where they were met last Friday by a local priest, officers from the Department of Social Welfare and representatives from local charity organisations.
Donegal is one of the first counties, outside of Dublin, to welcome asylum seekers. In October two Nigerian families came to live in Falcarragh.
Donegal County Council has been involved in the last number of months in the vetting of suitable accommodation for asylum seekers in the county. Following requests across the country from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law-Reform, it has been established that Donegal has the capacity to cater for a further 100 asylum seekers.
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