By Laura Glenn

laura.glenn@inishtimes.com

A tiny Inishowen road has caused a furious political storm.

The road at Carroughill, Drumfries has “dropped off” a list of projects earmarked for improvement over the next three years.

Instead, the funding for it – and for part-repairs on the Brae Road in Burnfoot – was switched to the Letterkenny electoral area.

This now means that the Carroughill Road, which is uneven, littered with potholes and covered in grass, will not be fixed this year.

The situation caused a blazing row at the reconvened Donegal County Council meeting on Monday.

Inishowens county councillors were furious at the switch.

They demanded to know why they were not informed.

The issue arose after Councillor Francis Conaghan put forward a motion asking for the council to discuss the prioritising of the countywide list of non-national roads.

He revealed that he received three different answers from John G McLaughlin of the roads department.

These all attempted to explain the funding switch.

However, he said although this “worried” him, he did not blame Mr McLaughlin, who “found it difficult” to get answers himself.

Councillor Conaghan said he was “fed up” taking decisions at electoral area only to discover they had been “changed in Lifford”.

Irate councillor Bernard McGuinness said the situation was “council administration versus elected members” and said he “would normally” call for the suspension of the official who made the decision.

He said: “The situation is very serious for Inishowen where we have very few national roads. All our money comes from non-national roads. “The money which comes to us [Donegal] is mostly generated because of the mileage of county roads and the majority of these are in Inishowen.

“It is galling that the money has been switched.”

Councillor Rena Donaghey – who fought to get the Drumfries road on the list – said Inishowen did not receive any reduction in funding this year.

She said: “In September last year, the Inishowen Electoral Area agreed a three-year road plan.We spent a lot of time finalising that plan.

“Now, we discover that two roads have disappeared off that list.

“If the money was cut I’d certainly accept that. But, I checked with the department [transport] in Dublin two months ago and I was assured that the money for 2008 was the same as the money for 2007 [3, 838,620 euro]. 

“Inishowen has a much larger network of roads than any electoral area in the county.

“It is important to note that no community assist work was done and no money was spent from that budget in Inishowen on health and safety grounds.

“I have asked and was successful in getting Carroughill on the list – to be done this year.

“We also agreed that the Brae Road was to be done this year.

“This is a very busy road with approximately 150 houses on it.

 “Money has gone into Letterkenny which has shifted from Inishowen and I am not prepared to accept this.”

Councillor Pádraig MacLochlainn said the situation occurred because of “mismanagement”.

He said: “There has been serious miscommunication between the roads department, councillors and enginneers.

“Councillors are working patiently with road engineers. You meet someone, they show you a road, you put it on the roads programme and it takes three or four years.

“In that time you’re trying to get some maintenance done. For a councillor to come around and say the works going to be done then to discover, quite frankly, mismanagement, it’s not going to work.

“It causes embarrassment and maybe whoever’s involved needs to be reprimanded.”

However, Letterkenny councillor Ciarán Brogan said the Inishowen councillors needed to stop playing “parish politics”.

He said: “You are getting lost in the whole initiative. Letterkenny, under government policy has been designated as a gateway town.

“Anyone who would sit in this chamber and not see Letterkenny as the employment and retail hub of Donegal, well, it’s about high time you invested in the town.

Reacting to protests and guffaws from Inishowen councillors he said he was “being serious”.

He said: “The council are only adopting government policy by putting extra money into Letterkenny. It’s high time parish politics stopped. Letterkenny is predicted to be a city and we need you to play your part.”

Johh G McLaughlin explained that Letterkenny was prioritised because of a new initiative called Small Area Population Solution (Saps).

This aims to direct money towards roads which have a higher volume of traffic.

He said: “The department asked for a three year list of roads. They didn’t ask by electoral area.

“Each area prioritises a list and then there is a master list.

“We took a look at the Saps next year and Letterkenny appeared to be the biggest benefactor. Most people would know that was going to happen from statistics.

“There were slight adjustments made  in compling the group and there was a reduction of about 1% for Inishowen, Glenties and Milford.

“This happened to be 0.98 per cent for Inishowen.

“Communication was poor when the decision was made to drop roads – they were not dropped but brought over to 2009. Burnfoot was at the bottom of the list and was presumed to be less of a priority, however apparently that’s not the case.

“There are two solutions, one is to reverse the decision but this makes it difficult to back out of a job for Letterkenny.

“The other is for more community assistance, to see of there is extra money there and make some local adjustments.

“The Brae Road will have two allocations for 2009. I wouldn’t agree with the suspension of staff or the comments made about mismanagement.

“It was down to communication, word should have went back to the councillors.”

However, Councillor Conaghan said he did not accept the explanation.

He said: “Who removed these roads and on what authority. What is our function here if the roads are going to be dropped and changed without communication.

“I fully endorse the Letterkenny area  but I would like to know what roads have been and will be  done. I drive over there every day and I don’t know.

“450,000 [euro] was robbed out of other areas, who took the decision and what was the protocol?

“There has been no clarification. John, I know you’ve had difficulty getting answers but it needs to be brought to attention some of the carry-on going on in roads.”

By John Grant

john@inishtimes.com

An Inishowen childcare facility has lost the funding for a new 1.2m euro state-of-the-art childcare centre due to the funding deadline expiring.

The company behind Greencastle Community Childcare Centre Ltd has been unable to satisfy all the criteria imposed by the funding body and, principally, the security of the lease of the proposed site. 

The company’s efforts to meet with the landowner in order to resolve the remaining difficulties proved fruitless.

The new centre, which was to be funded by the government, would have had the capacity to accommodate more than 70 children and 20 staff and would have brought 1.2 million euro to the area.

A management committee spokesman said they were “devastated with the realisation of the potential loss of the funding for the centre as it has taken eight years of hard work and dedication as many obstacles had to be faced and overcome”.  

He said: “The new investment would have yielded a number of new jobs for the area when the centre was up and running. It is outrageous for all the staff, the volunteers, the management committee, past and present, and the wider community in general.

“This has been a long and arduous process which causes various stresses to all involved and we appreciate the patience and consideration of the members of all parties involved. The project is an exciting and exceptionally beneficial project for the community and to lose this opportunity completely, would be a tragedy for all involved.”

Donegal senator Cecilia Keaveney said: “It is with great regret that I watch this specific project hit a brick wall.

“I realise the hard work put in by many to achieve the wonderful day when the money was granted. I do not think that anyone could have predicted that it was going to face as tough a challenge as it did, so far on in the process.

“I do hope that this is not the end of the project for the Greencastle area. It will take courage to get up and start again but there are strong people involved and the community is not lacking in community spirit and I can only commit that I will help in every way possible should a new site be identified.”

The committee is on the look-out for another potential site. 

They said that, while the current grant may be de-committed, they were determined to re-apply for another grant.

By Louise Doyle

louise@inishtimes.com    

THE Malin Head coastguard campaign has received another cross-border boost.   

Northern deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, is set to raise the issue of the future of the threatened Malin Head marine rescue co-ordination centre with Taoiseach designate Brian Cowen.

The meeting will also include Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson.

Donegal Sinn Féin councillor Pádraig MacLochlainn welcomed the news.

He said: “I welcome the intervention by Martina Anderson and now Martin McGuinness on behalf of the Malin Head station and it clearly shows that this is a matter of huge importance for all the people of the northwest.  

“As this campaign gathers momentum, it is clear that north-south political co-operation is the most effective avenue and as the only all-Ireland party Sinn Féin will continue to pursue this issue with all our energy on behalf of the people of the northwest.” 

Martina Anderson said there are “deep concerns” for the future of the coastguard centres at Malin Head and Valentia in county Kerry.

She said: “I believe the decision to close these centres is flawed and should be overturned.

“It also flies in the face of the government’s stated policy of decentralisation.

“Instead of moving jobs to an area of high unemployment like Donegal, they are intent on removing much-needed employment from the area.”

Ms Anderson said she was “looking forward” to the intervention and added that she hopes Brian Cowen “listens to the pleas of people right across the northwest and overturns the decision as one of his first actions as taoiseach”. 

Moville Celtic FC 

Moville Celtic FC management and players would like to thank the supporters who turned out to the Greencastle pitch in such great numbers last Sunday for the Final of the League Cup. Moville Celtic were the victors with a well-deserved win over Redcastle.

Nigel McMonagle scored the winning goal to the delight of the manager John Canning. A special word of thanks to Greencastle FC for being generous hosts of the Final.

Numbers Draw

April 20 Winning Nos  9 .11 .23 24

No Jackpot Winner.

20-euro draw winners

1. Michael Noone c/o Eunan

2. Paddy Boyce Moville

3 Tony Duggan St Finian’s Park Moville 

Next Weeks Jackpot 3,580 euro

Numbers Draw April 27

Winning No’s 1 .6 .19 20.

No Jackpot Winner

20-euro Draw Winners

1. Declan McGuinness, Glencrow

2. Elizabeth Hunter, Mill Glen

3. Daniel Bradshaw Rosebank

Next week’s jackpot 3,645 euro. Draw will take place in Susie’s Bar on Sunday, May 4

Training for the Under 10s will be moved to the Bayfield from Monday, May 1. All new people welcome (help also would be most welcome )

Moville Youth Club

The Moville Youth Club has closed for the summer months.

Inishowen Camera Club

 A meeting of Inishowen Camera Club will take place tomorrow (May 1) in Serenity House, Moville .at 7.30pm. All welcome to join or just visit us.

Culdaff 5K One-Mile Road Race

Inishowen Athletic Club will stage the 5K and I mile Race on Friday 9th May. Juvenile 1 mile begins at 7.30pm, walkers start at 7.30pm and runners start at 7.45pm. All races start and finish at Culdaff Post Office. Prizes in Senior Male/Female  and Master Categories. Age groups for 1 mile are Under  13, Under 15 and Under 17. Prize fro the first three boys and girls in all age groups. Goody bag for all finishers. Contact 086 342 6698 for more details. Entry Fee is 8Euro fro the 5K and 5Euro for the 1 mile.

The Book Club

The Book Club will meet in Serenity House on Tuesday, May 13 at 7.30pm. The book for this month is ” This Distant Land of My Father ” by Bo Caldwell. All are welcome

Six-day trip to Wexford

Due to cancellations there are a few seats remaining fro the Serenity House Active Retirement Association 6 Day trip to Wexford on May 25. For further information contact Serenity House on 074 9382945.

Moville Bridge Club.

April 18 results. 1^st, Mai Mooney and Annie McBride: 2^nd, Mary B McLaughlin and Teresa McLaughlin: 3^rd, Ted McQuilken and Colette McCool: 4^th, Nellie McMahon and John F Lafferty: 5^th, Tony McDermott and Jackie McLaughlin: 6^th, Ann Vekins and Liam Doherty

Shanty Whist

April 17 Raffle : Kevin Cavangh,Shanty Bar : Michael McLaughlin Balleighan Greencastle : Danny Sweeney Drumaweir Greencastle : Frances Lake St Peter’s Park Greencastle : Molly Harvey St Peter’s Park Greencastle .

Whist John McGowan Ballynally Moville: Harry McCormick Drumaweir , Greencastle : Athol Stewart Balleigfhan Greencastle :Bridie McLaughlin St Paul’s Park Greencastle :Eugene O Sullivan Carrowhugh Greencastle :Sheila McGonagle Ballybrack Moville: Kathleen McDonald Drumaweir Greencastle :Mary McGroarty St Finian’s Park Moville:Mrs Wilson Quay Street Moville

Preparatory Studies

Do you feel you missed out on education when you were younger? Are you interested in returning to education? This is your chance. The Certificate in Preparatory Studies will be commencing at Serenity House. This is a one-year full-time course specially designed for mature students returning to education who would ultimately continue to third level. This is a nationally accredited Foundation Certificate which will open the doors to Higher Education anywhere in Ireland. Contact Serenity House at 074 93 82945 or by e mail at serenityhouse@eircom.net for further information

By Laura Glenn

laura.glenn@inishtimes.com

Inishowen gardaí have announced a massive crime crackdown.

It is hoped the initiative will drastically cut crime by making the public aware of crime prevention tactics.

Gardaí will also liase closely with the public and the media to increase co-operation between all parties with a view to cutting crime.

Buncrana district superintendent, Jimmy Coen, will focus on the criminal activities directly affecting the peninsula.

He will then give guidelines on the best way to prevent them.

In the first of a number of proposed press conferences, he focused on the distressing issue of theft.

He revealed that since January 1, 2008 there have been 34 incidences of burglary from homes in the Buncrana district. 

Again, he stressed that a number of suspects had been arrested and charged in relation to the incidents.

However, he explained a lot of these crimes were “opportunistic” and “very distressing” and outlined a number of measures Inishowen residents can adopt to ensure they don’t become victims.

In their investigation of burglaries, gardai found that the majority of injured parties do not live locally and are away from the area for a period of time.

However, Superintendent Coen said if the trend continues “it will have a very detrimental effect on the area’s very positive tourism sector”.

He encouraged residents to ensure their premises are secure and if you have a holiday home, “serious consideration” should be given to an alarm system.

According to the superintendent, there has been “a spate” of arsony of trailers in the first three months of the year.

He said: “There are groups operating on both sides of the border who are on the lookout for unsecured trailers.”

He called on those who own a trailer to prevent it from becoming an easy target.

He suggested storing it in a shed at the back of your home or positioning it between two vehicles.

A large number of tools have also been stolen from building sites recently.

Superintendent Coen urged contractors to “be aware” to not leave valuables unsecure and vunerable.

He said people “could become victims when they least expect it”.

He said: “If you’re in a crowded area, take personal care of your wallet, keys, mobile phones, Ipods and MP3 players.These are very popular.

“Lock any valuable property in the car but never leave it visible or easy accessible to thieves.

“If possible, use cash machines during the day, put away your cash and cards immediately.

“Never write down your pin number where it can be accessed and never store it on your mobile phone.”

Thefts from parked cars have also become a major problem.

Superintendent Coen said most of these crimes are “opportunistic”.

He said: “It takes just 30 seconds to break a window, reach in, open the lock and steal valuables.

“Give serious consideration to where you park, park in a well-lit and open place. Never leave mobiles, cheque books or cash cards in the car.

There has been “a worrying number” of these thefts in the Buncrana district in March alone.

Thefts of satnav systems are especially common at the minute. A number of these occurred because the cars were unlocked.

Superintendent Coen said although the thefts were “minor” they were still very disturbing for those affected.

He suggested securing the ID number of valuable equipment as this can help gardaí in their investigation if it is stolen.

Graveyards and places of worship have also been targeted in recent months.

However, these have been reduced due to detection and strategy. However, there will “always be a risk”.

Superintendent Coen outlined a number of other measures the public can adopt to ensure the safety of themselves and those they care about.

He said: “Always be a good neighbour, keep an eye out for the elderly, vunerable and those on their own.

“I would encourage everyone to report any suspicious activity to gardai.

“For more information on how to keep safe, the public can access www.garda.ie and they will find details of local crime prevention officers and other useful links.”

By Laura Glenn

laura.glenn@inishtimes.com

A Buncrana councillor has hit out at a controversial new plan by the education minister.

Councillor Daren Lalor is furious that Mary Hanafin is going ahead with a directive that will force all-Irish language primary schools to teach English from the start of the second term of junior infants.

Most schools do not introduce the language until senior infants or first class.

The minister said she believed the decision will not have a detrimental effect on the Irish language.

There are a number of Irish-language schools in Inishowen.

The peninsula’s first Irish-language secondary school opened its doors to great acclaim last year.

Councillor Lalor is a member of the parent’s committee of Gaelscoil, Buncrana and was also a founder member of the Gaelcholáiste.

He said the minister is “wrong”.

He was reacting to comments made by his party colleague, Donegal senator Pearse Doherty who said the minister was “paying lip service to consultation”.

He asked for clarification after it was revealed that a letter was sent to schools, parents organisations and teachers unions seeking consultation and proposals on the issue.

These were to be submitted by April 30.

However, Senator Doherty said the regulations “come into effect on May 1” and “there would not be enough time to take into account submissions made”.

Councillor Lalor is furious.

He said Inishowen is going through a “revival” in the language.

He said: “It really beggars belief that the minister intends to end the Irish language immersion, when here in Inishowen we are witnessing a fantastic revival of our language.

“The revival of our language here in the peninsula is down to the hard work and dedication of parents and teachers alike.

“So, if these groups are reluctant to comply with Mary Hanafin’s new regulations then surely that must send a signal to her that she may be wrong?”

The directive was prompted by a controversy at a Gaelscoil in Tralee.

Parents objected to the withdrawal of English language tuition for junior and senior infants at the school.

A subsequent report from a Department of Education inspector said the lack of tuition had a strong impact on the pupils’ English skills.

This has been greatly disputed.

By Laura Glenn

laura.glenn@inishtimes.com

An irate Inishowen councillor has accused Donegal County Council of “dragging their heels” over a proposed civic-amenity site.

Councillor Pádraig MacLochlainn recently posed a question to the council asking what plans they had to ensure the delivery of a site to Buncrana.

He was informed by Chris Lyons of the Water, Environment and Emergency Services that, due to a lack of funding, it will not happen this year.

He said: “The council’s waste-management plan 2006 – 2010 made reference to the possibility of a civic amenity site being provided in Buncrana.

“The council remains committed to this, pending grant funding being obtained towards construction costs.

“As no funding has been identified, this project will not proceed in 2008.

“The council remains committed to commissioning the new civic amenity sites currently being developed in Milford, Dungloe and Letterkenny by the end of 2008.”

However, Councillor MacLochlainn hit out at the “frustrating” response and said it was “nothing new”.

He said: “The response from the council management that they are committed to delivering a civic amenity site to Buncrana in the future is nothing new.

“Indeed, they have no choice than to give this commitment because it is down in black and white in the Donegal Waste Management Plan 2006-2012 – at my insistence in the workshops leading up to its completion.

“This has been a frustrating battle against bureaucracy for me and the people of Buncrana. “The last waste management plan [2000- 2006] remarkably failed to deliver a civic amenity site to Buncrana, the second largest town in the county.

“I was not a councillor when that plan was drawn up.

“I was elected in 2004 and every time I raised the matter, I was advised that there were other locations ahead of Buncrana and they had to stick to what was agreed in the existing plan.

“I then ensured that the 2006- 2012 plan had a commitment to Buncrana – in the face of resistance from some officials –  and two years on, the council are still dragging their heels.

“The problem is that, incredibly, the original plan committed to one civic amenity site per county council electoral area.

“Inishowen is twice the size of two of these – Stranorlar and Milford – yet we were given the same service. It’s crazy.

“Then, because the roll out of these Civic Amenity Sites has been so slow, Buncrana has had to wait.”

Councillor MacLochalinnn said he is determined to fight for a site in the town.

He said: “I am determined to pursue this matter vigorously as I believe that Buncrana, and indeed Inishowen,  were failed by the last plan.

“I am not going to stand by and see us failed again.”

Inishowen are moving on up!

Inishowen have gained promotion to Division three after a heroic display against a tough Coleraine side.

Sadly, the league title goes to Grosvenor, who soundly thrashed Cooke 52-0 on Saturday.

But a superb second place finish ensures the club’s fortunes continue to be on the rise.

From the outset it was evident that Inishowen were in for a hard day at the office.

A very classy Coleraine backline showed willingness and ability to run the ball from anywhere on the pitch, often attacking from deep and sending the ball fast to the pacy wingers.

Slightly shell-shocked, Inishowen were lucky to concede only one try early doors.

Once the first wave of pressure had subsided, Inishowen were able to assert some degree of control on proceedings, sticking to patterns of play that had stood them in good stead over the season.

Whilst red hot in attack, the Coleraine defence seemed somewhat shaky at times, and the strong running of Shaun Craig and the elusive angles of Conor Mulkerns soon saw their own scoring account open with two tries in quick succession.

A penalty from Finn McCormick gave the visitors a 17-5 lead. 

With the second half underway, it was evident that Coleraine were not willing to lie down at any stage, forcing Inishowen to defend time and again.

And with Inishowen’s defence found wanting at times, Coleraine ran in some good tries. 

With the gap now eroded, Inishowen were forced to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and started to impose themselves on it once more.

Showing good controlling techniques, they frustrated Coleraine for long periods of the game forcing them into defensive errors.

These errors were punished by Paul Cassidy, who crossed over for his inaugural first team try to relieve the pressure on Inishowen to some degree. 

The delight of this score was soon forgotten however as shortly after Inishowen lost the services of captain Shaun Craig through injury.

This was a pivotal point of the game as now Inishowen had to try and retain procession at all costs in order to prevent Coleraine from capitalising on their numerical advantage.

This proved a hard task and Coleraine found the gap to put themselves just three points behind. 

The final ten minutes proved to be a nerve-wracking experience, but with a certain promotion at stake, Inishowen dug deep into their reserves and produced technically and tactically, their best performance of the season to date.

Grit, determination and iron will were in abundance as time after time, the team lay their bodies on the line to protect the ball from the ravenous home side and to deny them any quality possession and hold out for victory.

Inishowen’s final league match against Academy won’t go ahead as the result will not affect the league standings.

But they will meet the Belfast side  this coming Saturday in the Forster Cup final in Ravenhill.

Inishowen now have all the tools they require in order to bring the cup home, all they have to do, in this reporters opinion, is to make best use of these tools. 

There will be a supporters bus leaving Carndonagh on Saturday morning, details and tickets can be obtained at Kellys Service station, come along for what promises to be an excellent day out and cheer on your team - Inishowen RFC needs YOU!!!  
 

By Louise Doyle

louise@inishtimes.com

THE man facing charges in connection with the horrific Quigley’s Point crash which killed five Inishowen people will stand trial next month.

Brendan Henderson (49) of Sevenoaks, Waterside in Derry appeared yesterday in Carndonagh district court amid heavy Garda and media presence for the date hearing.

He will stand trial for five separate counts of dangerous driving causing death on May 20 at Buncrana district court.

The fatal crash on October 8, 2005 claimed the lives of Darren Quinn (21), Gavin Duffy (21), Charlene O’Connor (21) and Rochelle Peoples (22) – who were all from Buncrana – and David Steele (23) from Muff.

Mr Henderson has been left wheelchair-bound as a result of the smash.

In court, Mr Henderson – who will plead not guilty to the charge. 

He was supported in court by his family and friends.

The families of the five victims killed in the smash were also present in court for the date hearing.

Presiding Judge Desmond Zaidan quizzed the in-court superintendent on the lengthy delay in bringing the trial to court.

Superintendent Jimmy Coen told the court the delay was due to the “very sensitive nature of the accident”.

He said: ”Mr Henderson was hospitalised for nine months following the crash. 

“He also lives outside the jurdistiction – but has made himself very amenable to the gardai.”

However, Judge Zaidan advised the court that Mr Henderson will face five separate charges.

He said: ”It will be more apparent if five separate charges are brought before the court to reflect the nature of each life lost. Therefore each offence will be tried seaprately.”

Mr Henderson – who has been in receipt of Disability Living Allowance since the accident –  will be represented by defence solicitor Maolissa Barr.

A woman who stole charity boxes from businesses across Inishowen has been given a six-month prison sentence.

Liliana Tinichigui, a Romanian mother of four living in Buncrana, was told her act was “as low as it gets” by presiding Judge Desmand Zaidan.

He said: “This is serious – she has to pay the price. Stealing from very deprived people is as low as it gets.”

Buncrana District Court heard Tinichigui (28) of Mulberry Avenue lifted boxes from shop counters at Callaghan’s filling station and the post office in Burt and McLaughlin’s filling staion in Clonmany on three separate occasions between October and November 2006.

She hid the boxes – meant for Downs Syndrome, African Missionary and Palestinan charities – under her clothes while family members distracted the shopkeepers.

The total estimated cost was 240 euro, which Tinichigui has since paid back.

Her defence solicitor Ciarán MacLochlainn told the court his client was pregnant at the time and had stolen the boxes to provide for her family while they waited for their social-welfare request to come through.

But noting she had three previous convictions for theft-related offences, Judge Zaidan imposed a 12-month custodial sentence, suspending the last six months.

He said: “She may as well have robbed a bank of 100,000 as robbing starving people of money, because the bank could do without the money – these people can’t.”

A notoriously strict Donegal judge sent out a clear message to law breakers at Buncrana District Court last Thursday – cross the line and you WILL go to jail.

Judge Desmond Zaidan slapped the maximum two-year prison sentence on a man who callously mugged a Buncrana pensioner as she walked home alone in January 2007.

He was was eventually persuaded to suspend six months of the two consecutive 12-month sentences – but only after solicitor Ciarán MacLochlainn urged him FIVE times to show leniency because it was the man’s first offence and he had pleaded guilty.

Judge Zaidan had initially spared Christian Wozny a prison spell for the two theft-related charges when he appeared in Buncrana District Court in March last year – provided he paid his 79-year-old victim 2,000 euro in compensation and did 240 hours of community service.

But the Polish national skipped town without paying a penny or meeting with the probation services and had the misfortune of being hauled before the same judge last week after being apprehended in Dublin for a different offence.

Judge Zaidan didn’t mince his words with defence solicitor Ciarán MacLochalinn when justifying the severity of the sentence.

He said: “This was the type of case from day one that should have seen this man behind bars.

“But I gave him a chance against my better judgment because you pressed me.

“I took a gamble and a risk – but your client spurned the opportunity you worked so hard to get for him.

“I have to get the message across. Mugging an 80-year-old woman in Main Street, Buncrana – or anywhere else in Ireland – is completely unacceptable.”