Latest news with #CoDonegal
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Irish Times
Creeslough: Lawsuits filed by survivors and relatives
Further lawsuits have been filed by survivors and relatives of victims of the Creeslough tragedy in Co Donegal almost three years ago. The cases, which are understood to be mostly personal injury actions, have been brought against the operators of the Applegreen service station and a management company for neighbouring apartments. Donegal County Council, Vivo/Shell Limited, Applegreen Limited, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities and members of the Lafferty family are among the co-defendants in the recently filed cases. The families of victims Leona Harper (14) and Martina Martin (49) are the plaintiffs. READ MORE [ Creeslough: 'I can't get my head around how a site can be built on when there's a criminal investigation' Opens in new window ] The explosion at the Applegreen service station on October 7th, 2022 claimed the lives of 10 people. The victims of the incident also included James O'Flaherty (48), Jessica Gallagher (24), Martin McGill (49), Catherine O'Donnell (39) and her son James Monaghan (13), Hugh Kelly (59), Robert Garwe (50) and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5). A number of other personal injury actions have been initiated over recent months. Photos issued by An Garda Síochána of (top row, left to right): Leona Harper (14), Robert Garwe (50), Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5) Jessica Gallagher (24) and James O'Flaherty (48). Bottom row, left to right: Martina Martin (49), Hugh Kelly (59), Catherine O'Donnell (39) with her son James Monaghan (13), and Martin McGill (49). The 10 victims of explosion at Applegreen service station in Creeslough, Co Donegal, on Friday, October 7th, 2022. Several families who lost loved ones in the explosion have called on the Government to set up a public inquiry into the tragedy. Donegal County Council supported a motion last year seeking the establishment of one. A Garda investigation into the explosion is ongoing. A number of families also wrote to the former minister for justice Helen McEntee asking for an independent investigation to be established. Speaking last year, then tánaiste Micheál Martin said: 'The investigation is not yet complete, there is a Garda investigation outstanding. I think we should await the completion of that in the first instance, and the various health and safety reports and then assess where we need to go forward. It is a terrible tragedy and does need the fullest examination but I would like to see the outcomes of the investigation.'
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Letters to the Editor: Let's not pretend genocide doesn't exist
'Genocide.' A simple word, really. Why all the confusion? Article II of the United Nations Convention signed by the member states officially describes genocide as 'a crime committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in whole or part'. One of the defining criteria is 'causing serious bodily harm or mental harm to the members of a group'. Genocide. A simple word, really… with a simple definition that describes the simple concept of murdering or hurting members of a group for various specious and contrived reasons (like, maybe, 'self- defence'?). And yet as simple as the concept is, various governments such as Israel, the US, Britain, Myanmar, Russia, China conveniently engage in the game of double speak seeking to cloud the very real acts of killing and destruction of a people. The word clearly defines a criminal act against humanity. That definition was agreed upon in a compromise reached by the UN member states in 1948 signed by Israel, the US, Britain, China, Myanmar, Russia, among many others during the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Perhaps it is thought that by not speaking the word that this crime against humanity will not and doesn't exist. Yes, we can all sleep more easily if only we avoid that horrid word. And humanity can sleep dreams of denial rather than rightfully experiencing nightmares of our complicity as witnessed by the lack of protest and action. Rick Fichter, Ramelton, Co Donegal Fears over Eircode were not realised It's hard to believe, that 10 years ago, Ireland's postcode system was introduced. Gone are the days of searching for a rural house as Eircode has come to our rescue. I remember in 2015 , all the hullabaloo, the giving out and all the nonsense from critics apropos to this avant system. It's my contention that these objectors were spectacularly wrong. I especially remember some politicians giving out about this new system. The idea of rolling out a postal code across the country in 2015 was perceived by many people as being chimeric. Some cynics uttered: Who do we think we are? That was because we were coming out of austerity and these people started questioning how the State could be investing €16m on this system where the €16m would eventually cost €27m. Then we had the likes of the Fire and Emergency Services Association saying that the scheme would cause confusion for first responders. We now know that this was all unnecessary hysteria. Thankfully, the postcode system has been a resounding success. John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Planning and reality: A wide gap An Bórd Pleanála is now An Comisúin Pleanála. One of the first provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024 to be commenced. Unfortunately, the 'change' of title, and indeed the new act when it is fully commenced, will do little to prevent bizarre determinations like that to refuse the demolition of a set of redundant concrete car park ramps in Dublin Airport. In upholding the decision of Fingal County Council, ACP stated that, notwithstanding the fact that the spirals were not a protected structure, they are of technical and architectural merit by virtue of their brutalist design, associated concrete construction and their unique architectural form and shape which reflect a distinctive feature adjacent to the T1 building. They were built in 1972, 53 years ago to serve a facility that no longer exists. And yes, of concrete; a basic commonplace construction material. As acknowledged by ACP, they are not protected structures. But nevertheless, it found a planning rationale to refuse their demolition. I'm not inclined to go overboard with odious hypothetical comparisons but consider this: If the same view was taken of the 'brutalist' form of the Ballymun Towers and Hawkins House, we would be doubtless celebrating the retention of icons of 1960s brutalist architecture. Allied to the absurd flight cap conditioned in 2007 and that an entire Part (5) of the new Planning Act covers Dublin Airport, the gap between planning and land use theory and reality will remain as wide as ever. Larry Dunne, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford 'Longtermism' is an oxymoron One has to ardently admire and solemnly salute the authentic optimism of Coalition 2030, whose recent wide-spectrum forum conceived the idea of a 'commissioner for future generations' to be appointed in Ireland to act as 'a sustainability tsar'. This would be enacted to ensure 'longtermism' is planted firmly in government decision-making. More power to their collective elbow. Ultra-worthy and all as the idea is, it is bordering on thinking on a grand scale. 'Longtermism' in statutory governance parlance has an innate oxymoronic essence woven through its conceptual wish-list. Of course it's imperative that governance should be securely planning ahead with future climate initiatives, and how. It's a no brainer. But will they go there ? Absolutely and shamefully not. The perennial democratic 'greed-jousting', aka party-political electioneering, will never allow such lofty considerations take root. The recent demise of Green advocacy within parliamentary portals has put paid to any revolutionary shoots of biodiverse radicalism and climate urgency conversion. That said, at least the notion of a 'sustainability tsar' has now been formally mooted, so perhaps the notion of transmogrifying traditionally blinkered self-serving political traditions along the path towards 'longtermism' can begin to take wings. Green wings, that is, not a drop of fossil fuel in sight, but they will need a permanently robust breeze not a blast of hot air. Jim Cosgrove, Lismore, Co Waterford Greyhounds do not deserve this When is a dog not a dog'? When it is a greyhound. Under Irish Law Greyhounds are classified as 'livestock' the same as cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry. They are under the remit of the Department of Agriculture. Last year, the Veterinary Council of Ireland changed its code of practice to prohibit the barbaric procedure of surgical artificial insemination on all dogs apart from greyhounds — existing legislation allows for this. Surgical artificial insemination is worthy of inclusion in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, although even she may have found it a stretch. It necessitates removal of the uterus, injecting it with semen, reinserting it and stitching the animal up. Following this high-risk procedure, the unfortunate animal is likely to be pregnant with between eight and 10 pups, putting a huge strain on the recent wound. Yet one year after the public consultation on the matter we are still awaiting the outcome for greyhounds. Greyhounds are gentle creatures that do not deserve to be treated like this. No animal does. There should be no exceptions to this ban. Neither should taxpayers' money be used to fund this industry. If it is a viable industry as it claims to be, why does it need a handout of €20m a year? Joan Burgess, Annmount, Cork Voice notes take away any doubt Voice notes are the latest popular way to communicate. There are some who find the idea of listening to messages annoying. But, it could actually be a positive movement. With text messages, there can be misunderstandings. Even something as simple as 'okay' can mean different things depending on tonal variations. With voice notes, there is no doubt about the caller's intent. You can hear their mood, happy, sad or angry. There is no need for emojis or acronyms such as 'lol' to glean someone's mood. It is a step towards bringing back the art of small talk and conversation. It also has the added benefit of making those terrible emojis completely obsolete. John Jennings, Knocknacarra, Galway Read More Letters to the Editor: Shane Lowry displayed true dignity and honesty at The Open
RTÉ News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Teaser trailer for Stranger Things' fifth and final season is released
A teaser for the fifth and final season of Netflix's hit supernatural drama Stranger Things has been released, which counts Irish actress Amybeth McNulty among its cast members. The streaming service has also announced the release dates for the final instalment of the series, with Volume 1 launching on 26 November, Volume 2 landing on 25 December and the finale debuting on 31 December. A description of the season reads: "The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown." "Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will's disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread," the blurb continues. "The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they've faced before. To end this nightmare, they'll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time." Created by The Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery and Maya Hawke. Co Donegal star McNulty plays Vickie in the show, a student at Hawkins High School who plays the clarinet in the school band. She is described as "quirky, friendly, fast-talking, and clearly has a unique personality that stands out from the crowd".
Irish Times
11-07-2025
- Irish Times
Man (60) arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of Charles Dooher
A 60-year-old man was arrested in Co Derry on Friday afternoon on suspicion of the attempted murder of Lifford man Charles Dooher . The man was arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and remains in custody. A PSNI spokesperson confirmed: 'Detectives assisting colleagues from An Garda Síochána with the investigation into the attempted murder of a man in Lifford, Co Donegal, have made an arrest. 'A 60-year-old man was arrested in the Derry/Londonderry area this afternoon, Friday 11th July, on suspicion of the attempted murder of a man aged in his 20s on Monday, 20th January.' READ MORE It follows the arrest of a woman by gardaí earlier last Sunday. The woman in her 50s was released on Thursday after being questioned at a Garda station in west Donegal. A file on the arrest is to be compiled and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Dooher (26), suffered life-changing injuries when he was set upon by five masked men at his home on the Coneyburrow Road in Lifford, Co Donegal, on the night of January 20th last. The victim and his father, Charles snr, were repeatedly beaten. Mr Dooher snr, who is in his 60s, received treatment for less serious injuries at Letterkenny University Hospital. Charles Dooher jnr was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast and he was treated in intensive care for several weeks. His family, as well as his girlfriend Charlotte Gallen, kept a bedside vigil. The young farmer had a number of operations and a protective plate fitted to his head. Now in recovery, Charles recently visited his local GAA club, Naomh Padraig Leifear, to watch his teammates play. Gardaí continue to appeal to the public for any information or witnesses related to this incident. Those with camera footage, including dash-cam footage, from the Coneyburrow Road in Lifford between 10am and 11am on January 20, are urged to make this footage available to investigating gardaí. They are particularly anxious to speak to anyone with footage of a silver/grey Peugeot 3008 (2009-2013 model).
BreakingNews.ie
07-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Young Irishman (30s) killed in road accident in US
A young Irishman has been killed in the United States. The man, who was a native of Co Donegal, was struck by a car in the early hours of Sunday morning (local US time) in a suburb of California. Advertisement The man is in his mid-30s and has been living in the country for a number of years. He has a partner and is also a father of young children. His immediate family in Co Donegal have been informed of his death. However, his name has not been released publicly until all family members have been informed of his tragic passing. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been contacted for a comment on the tragic incident.
