Latest news with #CountyDonegal


BBC News
16 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Donegal: Three people rescued from sinking fishing vessel
Three people have been rescued after their fishing vessel began taking on water off the coast of County Donegal in the Republic of before 8:00 local time on Wednesday, a mayday call was received by Malin Head coastguard, the Department of Transport has said.A nearby fishing vessel responded to the distress call near Glengad and successfully rescued all three individuals from the stricken coastguard, the Sligo-based coastguard helicopter rescue 118 and the Lough Swilly RNLI were all dispatched to the scene. In a post on social media, Lough Swilly RNLI said the vessel had already sunk its three crew had been recovered from a life raft by a nearby fishing were then transferred to the Greencastle coastguard boat and brought to Bunagee Pier, where they were assessed by an ambulance crew.


BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Four Letters of Love: Helena Bonham Carter and Pierce Brosnan's film shows off NI scenery
Four Letters of Love may have a star-studded cast but the scenery in Northern Ireland proved to be one of the film's main characters, its director has movie was adapted for the big screen by Dublin-born author Niall Williams from his internationally-acclaimed 1997 debut novel of the same last weekend, Pierce Brosnan, Gabriel Byrne and Helena Bonham Carter feature in the romantic drama set in the early 1970s."In Northern Ireland, the landscapes speak for themselves - they are a massive character in the film," filmmaker Polly Steele told BBC News NI. Four Letters of Love was filmed in locations including the Ulster Folk Museum in County Down, Murlough Bay in County Antrim and Dunfanaghy in County Donegal, in the Republic of in the west of Ireland, it is a story of love, faith and destiny centred around two troubled young people, Nicholas Coughlan and Isabel Gore, and their families. For Williams, it is the first of his books to be turned into a film, and his first screenplay."I think the geography of it was important," he said."I was very protective of that and happy that we could shoot it in Ireland and Northern Ireland." For Steele, it was the north coast of County Antrim which stood out."I think the one that is most dear to my heart is Murlough Bay," she said."I remember coming down through this magical valley and arriving at this cottage right on the ocean edge and just going, 'wow, this is it'."There was something classical about it. It felt like it held the magic." Williams was most impressed by a beach in Dunfanaghy."It's an extraordinary, just empty, vast, beautiful place - magnificent on screen," he said."And when Pierce (Brosnan) is painting in the dunes, I could watch that forever."A movie star, there's something beyond just performance, some kind of mesmerism, which is tremendous." Brosnan stars as an William Coughlan who, following an epiphany, abandons his family and civil service job to become an told BBC News NI that "Pierce was so supportive and extremely loyal to us"."I think he understood the artistic journey that his character was going on," she said."He was a silent strength in this film coming together." Bonham Carter plays Margaret Gore, the wife of poet and schoolteacher Muiris, played by Gabriel well as adopting the accent for the role, she also speaks Irish in one said it brought back memories of Queen Elizabeth II's historic state visit to Ireland in 2011."Helena speaks Irish at the end of the film, that sort of felt to me like when the Queen came to Dublin and spoke her two lines of Irish, it was extraordinary," he said. 'Filmmaking is a difficult pursuit' As well as the beauty of its scenery, the filmmakers had praise for those that worked on the production."The crew are extremely professional, lovely and kind and skilled at what they do," said Steele."And Northern Ireland Screen were very supportive early on, backing us financially."But adapting a literary novel to the big screen was never going to be production was seven years in the making."Filmmaking is a difficult pursuit," added Steele."You must land many balls all in one go for a film to get off the ground - and sometimes it takes a long time."However the lengthy development process became strangely poetic for its writer."It would have been impossible to make this film quickly," said Williams."The novel itself is about artistic struggle and our faith was tested many times."


BBC News
02-07-2025
- BBC News
Donegal: Young child dies in road collision
A young female child has died in a road crash in County incident occurred on the R240 at Carrowmore, Glentogher, Carndonagh, on Wednesday evening.A spokesperson for the Gardaí said the emergency services were alerted to a collision involving a car and a other people – including a man and woman, and another female child - were taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry where they all remain in a serious condition. No other injuries have been reported.A spokesperson for the Gardaí said: "The road is currently closed for a technical examination by forensic collision investigators and local diversions in place. The road will remain closed overnight."Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.


BBC News
23-06-2025
- BBC News
Henry Cunningham: Teenager's family settles alleged collusion case
The family of a teenager murdered by loyalist paramilitaries more than 50 years ago is to receive undisclosed damages in a settlement reached over alleged security force collusion with the Cunningham, 16, from Carndonagh, County Donegal, was killed on 9 August 1973 when Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) gunmen ambushed the van he was brothers, Robert and Herbert, who were also in the vehicle, sued the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after it emerged that a weapon used in the killing had been stolen from an Army barracks the previous the High Court in Belfast on Monday it was announced the action had been settled on confidential terms. Speaking outside court, Robert Cunningham said the family's case had never been about money."This was never about the money, it was about achieving closure. I started this so long ago, but I can sit back now that I have finally seen it through," he resolution includes an agreement to pay an undisclosed sum in damages without any admission of liability, the family's solicitor said. Henry had been travelling home from labouring work in Belfast when UVF gunmen opened fire on the van from a motorway bridge, near Randalstown, County older brother Herbert, who was driving, was injured, while brother Robert, was has ever been prosecuted for his 2008, an Historical Enquiries Team (HET) report said one of the guns used was stolen from a Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) base. 'Long overdue closure' Herbert, who died last year, and Robert Cunningham sued the MoD for alleged misfeasance in public office and negligence, both as survivors of the attack and on behalf of his claimed military chiefs were aware that guns under their control were being lost or stolen but failed to take any lodged in the case further allege the MoD knew or suspected UDR personnel were involved in taking the weapons which could be used by loyalist terror Justice McLaughlin, who previously represented the MoD before his judicial appointment, told the family he was pleased that they had been able to achieve a resolution. Robert Cunningham's solicitor Kevin Winters said it was "disappointing" the MoD had not apologised for the killing."I am immensely pleased for him that he's got some long overdue closure now," he added.


Irish Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Creeslough: Planning permission refused for petrol station site of explosion in which 10 people died
An Coimisiún Pleanála has overturned a grant of planning permission for a new filling station on the site of the explosion in Creeslough , Co Donegal, in which 10 people died. Donegal County Council granted permission in February to Vivo Shell Limited to redevelop a service station and shop at the site. The decision was appealed by a number of family members of those killed in the October 2022 blast. An Coimisiún Pleanála on Friday turned down the application. READ MORE The planning authority said the proposed plan was 'out of character' with its surroundings in the village. The body said 'Having regard to the existing character and the prevailing pattern of development in Creeslough, it is considered that the proposed development (as amended), by reason of its overall architectural treatment, scale and design, would be out of character with its surroundings, would seriously detract from the architectural character and setting of Creeslough and the streetscape and approach from Letterkenny generally.' The authority said the proposed development would be contrary to the County Development Plan. 'To permit the proposed scheme (as amended) at this prominent location could have such a negative effect on the visual amenity and local character of Creeslough as to negatively impact on the wider, long-term regeneration and renewal of the village. [ 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 proposed development would, therefore, seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.' The proposed rebuild had allowed for the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new structure that includes a shop, post office, deli, off-licence, and fuel forecourt. A memorial garden and light-based sculpture with 10 metal poles commemorating those who perished in the tragedy was also planned for the site. Many of the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy, however, said this was an insult to their memory considering they died in the metal and rubble of the blast. One bereaved family member said: 'This is terrific news. When we got the news yesterday that there would not be an oral hearing we were so disappointed and feared the worst. 'We simply do not want a new service station on the site in which our loved ones died.'