A CONVICTED Castlefin rapist has been jailed for nine months after pleading guilty to stalking a Tyrone mother. Desmond Leitch (36), of Skelpy, Castlefin, was sentenced at Strabane Magistrates Court for committing the offence on dates between May 21 and May 23. In her sentencing remarks, District Judge Alana McSorley observed that it had been a ‘calculated and sinister’ offence […]
Author found peace in Donegal
by Kate Heaney EDNA O’Brien, internationally acclaimed author, found the peace of West Donegal an escape from the frenetic world of London society and writing. She owned a house near Carrickfin for almost 20 years, and according to her friend and poet Anne Enright when the builders left the site every evening, “the cement blocks they […]
PARENTING COLUMN: Disappointment is a fact of life
‘Where there are winners, there are of course losers.’
Multi agency plea for bank holiday safety
A number of agencies are jointly calling on people to continue to exercise care this Bank Holiday weekend.
Cancer patient (74) dies at home without promised palliative care
By Dionne Meehan THE daughter of a Newtowcunningham woman, who died days after she was told no in-home weekend palliative care was available for her after being discharged from hospital, is calling for change. Having previously beat breast cancer, Bernadette Doran (74) was given the devastating news in March that her cancer had returned and was […]
Two firearms and ammunition seized in Burnfoot
ENQUIRIES are ongoing after gardaí seized two firearms and a quantity of ammunition in Burnfoot at the weekend. This comes after gardaí conducted a planned search of a vacant property in the area on Saturday, July 27. A garda spokesperson said: “In the course of the search two firearms were recovered along with a quantity […]
Event Review: Literary festival tells the greatest story ever told
by Evelyn Cullen Last weekend the seaside village of Rathmullan was the setting for a fantastic literary fleadh which hosted some of Ireland’s best writing talent. Part of the Earagail Arts Festival, Journal’s Fleadh was like a festival within a festival and took place over two days in the beautiful and historic Rathmullan House, nestled […]
Roma film aims to foster inclusivity in Donegal
A SHORT film highlighting the diverse culture, challenges and resilience of the Roma community in Ireland has been launched by the Donegal Travellers Project in Donegal. ‘Sam Rom’ meaning ‘We Are Roma’ shines a unique and intimate spotlight on Roma people from different countries who are making new lives on Arranmore Island, the east Donegal village […]
Council outlines housing plans for next two years
by Kate Heaney SOME 1,153 houses are scheduled to be built in Donegal between now and 2026. County councillors have been advised of the number of social houses planned for the county up to 2026, be it by acquisition of existing houses or through turn key purchases. Advertisement Land (s) to be purchased or already […]