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Vol.2 No.5 July - August 2000 (This page is archived as it initially appeared online - any broken links are subsequent to publication) Speak No Evil Two Donegal Dáil Deputies, Tom Gildea and Harry Blaney, both Independents, never spoke in the Dáil throughout the last year. It is Deputy Gildea's second year to stay silent in spite of numerous petitions to have him speak on controversial environmental issues in Donegal. Gildea, who was elected on an environmental platform, is not expected to stand in the next election, having already secured a seat in the County Council. An Duchas worker assaulted in Gweedore Illegal sand mining in Gweedore has resulted in irreparable damage to the sand dunes which are protected under EU legislation. Coastal Watch Ireland has called for prosecutions of those responsible. When an employee of An Dúchas, the State heritage council, visited the dunes while excavation was in progress he was assaulted and a file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. It is thought that the sand is being stored locally for sale to building contractors. 145 Jobs for Dungloe The former Fruit of the Loom factory in Dungloe is to become home to a Malysian pharmaceutical company, Hovid, and 145 jobs are expected to be created by early next year with funding in the region of IEP1 million from Udarás na Gaeltachta. John Gallagher flees to England John Gallagher who was found guilty but insane of the double murder of Donegal women, Annie Gillespie (56) and her daughter, Anne (18), in the grounds of Sligo General Hospital in 1988, went AWOL from the Central Mental Hospital in Dublin for a week before being located in Oxford, England. However he cannot be compelled to return to the hospital in Ireland as his insanity plea makes him technically not guily under Irish law and there is no provision in the extradition laws for cases such as his. Gallagher has given interviews to the media in which he has stated he is going to stay in England. Gardai Corruption Inquiry For over a year an investigation into police corruption and harrassment in Donegal has been lead by Assistant Garda Commissioner Kevin Carty. The investigation, which is said to be the largest of its kind ever in the State, is reviewing a number of prosecutions in the County following allegations that five members of the police force in the Donegal Division mishandled a number of cases going back over two decades. In late June the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped 160 charges against a Raphoe businessman, his family and staff following the inquiry in police conduct in the County. The Report of the investigation has yet to be published. ATP march in Gorahork Three hundred people partook in an Anti-Pylon Group walk in Gortahork in early July to highlight their opposition to the proposed 110Kv pylons through West Donegal. Poet Cathal O'Searcaigh led the marchers on one of the wettest days of the year. Dr James McDaid, Minister for Tourism, sent a statement endorsing the proposed pylons, much to the disgust of the participants who cannot believe how a Minister for Tourism and a medical doctor can agree to these cancer inducing and unsightly poles and pylons in his native County. All we hear in the media is the success of the Celtic Tiger and an economy awash with money yet the Government won't fork out the money to put this electricity scheme underground. Of the local media only the Derry People & Donegal News and The Tirconaill Tribune have supported the people on this one. Liam Murphy, writing in the Tribune, echoed the feelings of those at the march. 'The desecretion that the electricity pylons will visit on us is quite simply, mind blowing. Probably one of the last genuine areas of wilderness on this island - on this island - is going to have a high-voltage stanley knife taken across her familiar old face by those who can only think of themselves.' Email your objections to the overground 110Kv pylons through 100 miles of Donegal to: Planning Controversy Euro MEP Dana Rosemary Scallon is supporting 400 Burt residents who fear a new development near the award winning St. Aengus' Church (see County Donegal on the Net News June, 2000) will detract from the Church's visual appeal. The development is currently with the planning authorities in Donegal. The Bridies have it There must be something in a name! Bridie Gallagher, Donegal's first international singing star, was honoured in her native Creeslough when a plaque was unveiled by 2 of her biggest fans, Daniel O'Donnell and Margo in early July. A week later it was announced Bridie Lynch, Donegal's outstanding woman athlete, is to represent Ireland in the Sydney Paralympics in October. New Exhibitions The TravArt Gallery, Letterkenny, which opened in July, will exhibit art and craft work by the Donegal travelling community. 142 traveller families reside for all or part of the year in Donegal. The Gallery is situated at Mountain Top, Letterkenny and is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Email . The Workhouse, Dunfanaghy is showing Teresa Kennedy, Deirdre Brennan and Wolfram Strumph until August 11th. The Killaghtee Gallery, Dunkineely has gone online. McLaughlin Reunion The Clan McLaughlin are hosting a reunion in Buncrana from 18th to 20th of September when there will be seminars on the history of the family and visits to places of interest to the McLaughlins throughout Inishowen. For more information telephone (+353) 87 680 8182 Lough Foyle Ferry A car ferry linking Greencastle and Magilligan in County Derry is to be established under the auspices of the North West Region Cross Border Group with funding from the International Fund for Ireland and the EU as well as Donegal County Council and Limavady Council. The total cost of the project is IEP4.2 million. Stranolar's Legal Eagle Brenda Hannigan has been appointed to the Chair of Corporate Law at the University of Southhampton. Educated at TCD and Harvard Law School Prof. Hannigan has published extensively on Insider Dealing and English Corporate Law. Joey Murrin retires from KFO Donegal Person of the Year 1999, Joey Murrin, has retired from the Killybegs Fisherman's Organisation which he founded after 22 years as CEO and over 30 years representing Irish fishermen at local, national and international level. August Festivals For a full round-up of Festivals taking place in Donegal in August - see Festivals 2000 Advertisement  Donegal's Internet Solutions Provider!
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