Róise Collins delves into the archives to bring you the news and images from yesteryear.
November 8, 1975
75 PER CENT OF STAFF LAID OFF AFTER WORKERS JOINED UNION
AT A PUBLIC MEETING in Glenties called by the Irish Transport and General Workers Union, the Secretary of the Donegal District Branch, Mr George Hunter told the large attendance present that the meeting had been called to make the people of the Glenties area aware of the difficult circumstances that workers employed by Irish Picture Mouldings Ltd, find themselves in.
Mr Hunter said it was a matter of public importance insofar as taxpayers’ money is being provided to an employer who undertook to provide a specific number of jobs at a reasonable level of wages and who, within six weeks of union organisation, reduced the staff by 75 per cent from 44 to 13.
Mr Hunter added that his union did not care who owned or ran the factory so long as they accepted the right of the workers to organise, be paid a fair wage and were honest in all their consultations and negotiations.
Letterkenny Blaze girls basketball team who were defeated by Donegal Town in the final of the NW Blitz in 2009.
99 PER CENT OF POTENTIAL STUDENTS “NEEDY”
A NEW survey discovered that in County Donegal almost 99 per cent of potential students attending their college did so with much sacrifice to themselves, and more particularly to their parents.
This was stated Mr Peter Gallagher, Principal of the Regional Technical College , Letterkenny , who was guest speaker at the first business luncheon of the current winter series of the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce recently held in McCarry’s Hotel.
Mr Gallagher was seeking the support of Chambers for the R.T.C. Travel Scholarship Fund.
Mr Donal MacLochlainn, President of the Chamber, introduced Mr Gallagher and recalled that the Chamber had been first in the field in providing Travel Scholarships when the college opened. He recommended support for the scheme and highlighted tremendous potential of the College in the community.
Mr Gallagher said that some people might question the value of an institution such as theirs to the business community and see it only as a means of delaying the entry of young people into the working situation.
BOOM FOR POTATO GROWERS
ANOTHER major new industry is to begin operations soon on the Gaoth Dobhair Industrial Estate. It will be devoted to the manufacture of a variety of snack foods and will include a sizable operation in manufacture and packaging of potato crisps.
The industry, in addition to the direct number of jobs it will offer at the factory, will also provide immense opportunities for potato producers with a guaranteed outlet for almost all they will be able to produce.
The company behind the new enterprise, The Snack Food Co. Ltd, are understood to have already negotiated valuable contracts for the sale of their products abroad.
After the initial manufacturing scheme gets under way it seems probable that there will be sizable expansion should things go according to expectations.
The Perfect Mix, winners of Today FM’s Beat The Original competition in 2009. They are pictured receiving their prize of €5,000 from Ursula Byrne (Cara Agency, Nokia). Back row (l-r): Conor Smith (flute), Brian Garvin (drums) and Ian Dempsey (Today FM); Front row: Ronan Brennan (guitar, vocals), Ursula Byrne, Gary O’Mearra (banjo) and Conal Early (guitar).
10 November, 2000
COUNTY MANAGER TO SEEK FIVE PER CENT RATES HIKE
MEMBERS of Donegal County Council will be asked to support a five per cent increase in commercial rates when they meet for their Annual Estimates next week.
The local authority is also considering raising landfill charges to refuse collectors by £15 to £20 per tonne.
If adopted this will mean householders are facing an increase of at least £40 in refuse collection charges next year.
Members of the council will meet next Friday, they will be asked to approve an increase in expenditure of between £10 to £12 million from last year.
The figures are not due to be released until today (Friday) but it is known to the Council’s financial requirement for its range of programmes for 2001 will be in the order of £67 million to £70 million. This will leave the council with a turnover of well over £100 million; more than double that of six years ago.
2009: Termon pictured before their meeting with Glenfin.
BLANEY ATTACKS FIANNA FÁIL ON EVE OF CRUCIAL TALKS
DONEGAL North East TD Harry Blaney’s ongoing support for the Government could hinge on the outcome of a crucial meeting between members of his organisation, the Taoiseach and other key government figures in Dublin.
A high level Independent Fianna Fáil delegation travelled to Dublin for the showdown talks and to review their pact agreement with the government.
The meeting was due to take place in the Taoiseach’s office after a meeting between Mr Ahern and the four Independent TDs including Deputy Blaney on whose support the government relies in the Dáil.
It comes just days after Deputy Blaney launched a scathing attack on Fianna Fáil.
He said the party was engaged in a strategy to deny IFF credit for securing funding for a wide range of projects in Donegal.
He said there was a clear strategy from within Fianna Fáil locally to put his party down despite the fact he is one of the four independents the Government has relied on for support.
CRECHE FOR TRAVELLERS GETS £140,000
THE provision of childcare services for travellers in Donegal received £140,627 this week as part of a £2.6 million allocation to 31 childcare organisations nationwide. The Letterkenny based crèche facilities at the Mountain Top was the only project in the county from this latest round of funding under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme.
Ms Sally Mooney, Crèche coordinator at the Donegal Travellers Project welcomed the funding which will now allow them to increase the number of children being catered for by nine.
