St Columba’s Church, Drung is currently undergoing a considerable overhaul in which it will receive a new roof and floor among other repairs.
St. Columba’s was built in 1871 close to the site of an earlier church. The Most Rev. Dr Kelly, Bishop of Derry dedicated the church on Sunday, October 5, 1871 The Parish Priest at the time was the Rev. Michael Farnan. The contractors, Messrs Gallagher & Sons from Strand Road, Derry were reputed to have been paid £1100, £430 of which was collected on the day the church was dedicated. Contractors, James Doherty, Buncrana are carrying out the current extensive renovations, however, the bill for the current building work won’t be quite as low as last century’s!Parish secretary, Anne Clarke said: “We badly need the new roof and floor but there is other work being carried out too.“The sacristy will be re-shaped and the whole of the inside of the church will be refurbished.”Ms Clarke said that the church was closed at present while the work is being carried out, but hoped it would reopen on March 29 in time for Easter next, which falls on Sunday April 12. Weekend Masses are currently being celebrated in the Quigley’s Point Community Centre.Renovations are also being carried out at St Mary’s Church, Cockhill, Buncrana. However, Parish Priest, Fr John Walsh said the work taking place there was on a much smaller scale. “We’re just bringing it up to standard. Just a general fixing up really. Nothing too huge at all!” he said.The current revamps follow the completion of renovation work at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Inch.

Councillor Marian McDonald is backing calls for the  brakes to be put on the sale of vehicles on roadsides.Pointing out the practice of selling vehicles in such a way was illegal, Cllr. McDonald said dangerous traffic situations could arise as a result of passing motorists slowing down or stopping to view what was on sale. In the west of the country, Mayo Council has already come down hard on roadside sales and removing vehicles being offered for sale. The owner is given six weeks to claim the vehicle back, if not it is crushed. Those wishing to reclaim their vehicles have to pay for the costs incurred for their removal and storage. It is understood the costs are substantial in order deter vehicle  owners from re-offending.Councillor McDonald said Donegal County Council must emulate their Mayo counterparts as the practice was causing a distraction to drivers.Pointing out the practice seemed to be concentrated on main roads close to border crossings, she said the brakes needed to put on immediately.She said: “The problem was brought up at a recent meeting and I agree that this should be stopped. Cars along the road, sometimes two or three together, are usually positioned at access roads. It is a disgrace as they can block the view of drivers.“I am sure that there are plenty of garages around that would be happy to sell these cars.” Cllr McDonald concluded: “It is all about road safety and it should be maintained at all times.”

GAA Fooball Div 1B Malin  1-16  St Nauls 1-08 
Malin came out the victors in this division 1B clash on saturday evening, and it was a victory that was fully deserved by the Inishowen side.St Nauls found it hard to get into this game and found themselves trailing by 0-7 to 0-1 in the first half before they scored three unanswered points to reduce the defecit to three points going into the break.Malin were obviously aware of the threat of St Nauls star man Stephen Griffin, and the defence did an excellent job keeping the striker at bay.In fact Griffin had a rare off day in front of goal, and despite clocking up five points for his side he also recorded a total of five wides in the first half alone.Paddy and Anthony Kelly dominated the midfield for Malin and did well to supply the forwards.A goal came for St Nauls four minutes from the end of the game when Cathal Lowther was quickest to react to Griffin’s saved attempt and was easily able to score.However Malin responded straight away with an excellent Anthony Kelly point before Paddy McColgan wrapped up the game, finding the back of the net on the stroke of full time.Malin hit 14 scores from play with all six forwards getting on the scoresheet.Malin: Declan Lafferty, Michael Doherty (0-1), Damian Harkin, John McLaughlin, Kevin McColgan, Charlie Byrne, Declan Walshe, Paddy Kelly, Anthony Kelly (0-4), Paul McGonagle (0-1), Paddy McColgan (1-02), Conor Farren (0-01)St Nauls: John Leonard, Conor McBrearty, Daniel Friel, Brian McGonagle, Danny McDyer, Mark Ward, Benny Quinn, John Meehan, Conal McGinley, Stuart Johnston (0-1), Brian McCabe, Cathal Lowther (1-01), Steven Griffin (0-5), Paul McGroarty, Barry Rose, Andrew Gallagher (0-01) 

Buncrana 4-20  St Eunans 3-08 
Buncrana were never in doubt in this Hurling league clash which saw them grab two points from the Letterkenny visitors.And with a few players unavailable due to county action, St Eunan’s were certainly not at full strength and barely managed to field 15 men, a fact which Buncrana were able to capitalize on.After the game, Buncrana hurling manager Tom Clare was confident of the year ahead after watching his side record a superb 15 point victory over St Eunans on Sunday.And while he lamented the fact that Buncrana allowed the visitors to play too much hurling, he remained optimistic that the Scarvey men can make their presence knowen in the league.He said: “I was happy enough with the performance, but I think our lads stood back a bit and allowed Eunans to play a bit of hurling, which is something we will have to work on.“We gave away a few soft scores, but for the first game in the league I was quite happy with the way some of the lads played.“Obviously St Eunan’s weren’t at full strength, but we were suffering a few injuries as well.“I have high hopes of winning the junior championship this year. There is no reason why we shouldn’t.“As for the league, we might have a bit to go if we want to win games against the likes of Setanta, but I think we have the ability to finish in mid table.“We should be able to give MacCumhaills a run for their money and we beat Na Magha in a challenge game recently, so we definitely have the ability to make a bid for the middle of the table at the very least.” Buncrana: Donal Nash, Frank O’Donnell, Declan Doherty, Philip Harkin, Tom Mitchell, PJ Doherty, Anthony Boyle, Fergal Doherty, Gerry Boyle, Dee Duffy, Ryan Walshe, Steven Boyle, Alan Furlong, David Clare, Declan WalsheSubs – Eamon McMenamin, Mark Cuffe, Darren Robinson, Rory Doherty, Eunan Walshe, David GudfoyleSt Eunans: Lee Scanlon, Michael McGrath, Colm Branach, Paddy O’Dwyer, Chris Gallagher, David McHale, Darragh Crane, Eunan O’Donnell, Gavin Craig, Paddy Coulter, Mark Timmony, Chris O’Malley, Paddy Flood, Michael Gallagher, Cormick Harnet 

Derry City 0     Buncrana Hearts 1 Despite having the majority of the play the young Derry side found themselves losing by a solitary goal to a strong Buncrana team.The only goal of the game came two minutes into the second half when Gerard McLaughlin intercepted a bad pass back from Steven Wallace to round the keeper and score easily.Midway through the second half a brilliant pass from Conor Heraghty put Lee Roddy clear only for a superb last ditch tackle by  Gary Duffy to stop the 17 year old scoring.With ten minutes left both Roddy and Karl O’Hagan missed sitters as Derry strove for an equaliser but the Buncrana defence stood firm with Gary Duffy and Tony O’Loughlin defending well. 

A Muff cyclist is preparing to represent Ireland in the European cycling championships in Medjugorje, Italy, next month.Ronan McLaughlin, who now lives in Belgium, is one of four Irishmen selected to represent their country in the road race event, but is the only one selected for the timetrial. And as part of the An Post Sean Kelly cycling team, based in Belgium, Mr McLaughlin is eagerly anticipating taking part in such a huge European event.He said: “I have been showing good form all year and I am really looking forward to getting the experience from this event.“Every European country will be sending a team to take part in it, so it will be fantastic to be in that atmosphere.“Obviously as this is my first time taking part in such a large scale race I would be happy to be in the top 50 out of around 200 cyclists.“But next year, with more experience under my belt, I would be hoping to be in the top 15.“For the next two years I will be in the under 23 category and working under the guidance of Daniel Martyn, my trainer.“But after that I would like to be going out on my own and be a team leader myself.”Ronan was chosen from a group of 10 to 15 cyclists to represent Ireland. He will take part in the time trial on Thursday 3 July and the road race on Saturday 5 July.

Buncrana Mayor Dermot McLaughlin is to seek a meeting with Garda chiefs to discuss the rising problem of underage drinking in the town.Mayor McLaughlin was speaking after being contacted by the Inish Times following a “vox pop” of local people.Residents were asked about their thoughts on improving the town’s Main Street, however, many of those questioned said they were more concerned about the high level of under-age drinking taking place in the town.One woman claimed large crowds of young people gathered at the Shore Front to drink at the weekends.She said: “The noise level is terrible, then there is all the rubbish left behind, there are broken bottles and glass – everything you could imagine. I worry when I bring my children there in case they step in something and get hurt.” “I know some people will have the impression there’s nothing else for them to do and obviously there are a lot of young people who don’t engage in this activity at all. “But, some of those who are down there are really young and someone older is obviously buying the alcohol for them”.Mayor McLaughlin said under-age drinking was “a very serious problem” and “one which had to be looked into.”He added:  “I hope to have a meeting in the near future with the Superintendent to discuss the matter. It is a very crucial time at the moment coming into the summer and I want the Gardai take on it, I also think Social Services should be getting involved.”Several weeks ago, a report revealed children under the age of 12 were drinking alcohol in Moville and Cllr McLaughlin said a more recent statement showed children as young as 11 were drinking across Northern Ireland.He added: “It is a very worrying time. One of the largest problems is that the children can access the alcohol despite the age ban. It is up to everybody to look into it as it can cause serious problems down the line for the children and the parents,” he added.Buncrana councillor Padraig MacLochlainn said tackling the issue should be a community effort and there was a responsibility on parents to ensure the whereabouts of their children.He said: “I strongly feel that first and foremost there is a challenge and responsibility for parents to establish the whereabouts and behaviour of their teenage children at all times. “While, of course, the Gardaí have a responsibility to enforce our council’s public drinking ban, it really has to be a combined, partnership approach between parents, Gardaí and the wider community.”Cllr MacLochlainn said it was recognised that more amenities were needed for young people in the town and a number of community representatives recently met to discuss the issue.He said: “Recently, I and other public representatives attended a forum organised by the two secondary schools in the town, Scoil Mhuire and Crana College, on the need for additional youth facilities like drop in centres. “All present pointed out that community leaders in Buncrana and Cockhill Youth Club, the GAA and others were already providing amenities but a survey of students in the schools identified the need for a drop-in centre open at later hours and on the weekends.“However, whatever is provided, ultimately, it all comes down to the responsibilities of parents of the small minority of our young people engaging in these practices.”

A Culdaff builder has taken the bull by the horns and is preparing to put his life at risk for charity  - in Spain!
For many years, fundraisers have taken part in weird and wonderful adventures in aid of good causes - but none are as hair-raising as the one to be undertaken by Inishowen’s very own matador. David “The Mill” McLaughlin will compete in   Pamplona Bull Run, recognised as one of the most dangerous events of its kind in the world.  At least 13 people have been killed taking part  in the event through the years with many more seriously injured.A manager on a building site in Belfast, David is confident he will be able to bulldoze his way through the narrow streets and bring home cash for the Alan Doherty Fund.David (46), has the full support of his wife, Mary, and sons, Conor (17) and Darragh (13), who are also travelling to the Spanish town to cheer him on.Speaking to the “Inish Times,” David revealed taking part in the run was something he always wanted to do.He explained: “You could compare me to the two characters played by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in the film, ‘The Bucket List,’ I have a list of things I want to do, and this is one of them. We will be holidaying in the area at the time so I am taking the opportunity to take part.”David has already fulfilled a number of hair-raising adventures on his “list,” including white-water rafting and bunjee jumping. A former rugby player and now a keen golfer, he said he was confident of out-running the bulls over the 850 metre course. However, he did admit he was putting in some extra training.He said: “I used to live in England and played rugby there and considered myself to be pretty fast. That was a few years ago now. I have a treadmill in the house and I am doing a bit of running a cycling when I am home at the weekends. Somehow, I think I will be able to run very fast with a bull behind me.”David has already raised funds in aid of Alan McLaughlin Relief Fund but said he was hoping for much more.He explained: “When I decided I would do the run a friend suggested I should do it for charity. I have never met young Alan but saw him on television and was very moved. I think it is a very worthy cause and I am hoping my effort will go towards his surgery. I have circulated sponsorship firms and I would appeal for support.“I have talked to Alan’s aunt on the phone and she gave me her permission when I told her I was going to do a run – although I did not tell her what kind of run.”The Pamplona Running of the Bulls is a part of the San Fermin Festival, which runs in Pamplona from July 6-14 each year with a bull run taking place at 8.00am each morning.David hopes to be taking part on July 10.He said: “Our holiday starts of July 8. I have been on the festival’s official website and all you have to do is turn up at least half an hour before the bulls are released. I  hope to be taking part on July 10.”

District Court Judge Desmond Zaidan received an “overwhelming” farewell on his last day presiding in Inishowen yesterday.Before proceedings began at Buncrana District Court a number of representatives of charities and local groups surprised the judge – who is transferring to Kildare –  with thank you speeches and presentations.The groups and charities all  benefited from Judge Zaidan’s ‘charitable’ approach in his time in office.In a number of cases, instead of imposing a custodial sentence on first-time offenders, the judge ordered them to donate different monetary amounts to local charities.Father Neil Carlin, speaking on behalf of Whiteoaks Rehabilitation Centre, said it was an approach that benefited both the community and the offender.He said: “Firstly, it brings a sense of restoration to society and the community and helps the charity.“Secondly, it gives the client the sense they have offended against the community and are then paying it back which is good psychologically also.”Solicitor Paíd Dorrian said he had to “disagree” with reports that Judge Zaidan had a zero-tolerance policy.He said: “I found during your tenure here you had far from a zero-tolerance approach. You exhibited a very fair and understanding approach  and used your judicial discretion to benefit local charities. With persistent offenders you dealt with them as you were entitled and with first offenders you used your discretion, gave them an opportunity and the benefit of the doubt.“This was your first posting and you were put in a very, very difficult district. The burden of cases you were presented with was enormous and still is enormous which is no fault of your own but you certainly cleared a lot of it for your successor.”Inspector Donal Sweenety said Judge Zaidan’s approach made a huge difference to law and order in Inishowen.He said: “As you may have read in the papers public order in Inishowen has been drastically reduced since you came to Inishowen. Our loss is going to be Kildare’s gain.”Judge Zaidan described presiding over Inishowen and Donegal as “an honour”.He said: “I came up to Donegal not knowing what to expect and I am leaving with fond memories and invaluable experience.“I didn’t come to the bench to get acknowledgement or praise, I came to Donegal with an open mind and presided, and will continue to preside with – for want of a better phrase – an open mind.“I have been so moved by this whole experience today. The praise from Paíd Dorrian, the father of the bar and probably the most experienced solicitor not just in the county but the country, are very generous and kind.“You have all made it very difficult for me to depart. I will remember this for the rest of my life.”Judge Zaidan is taking up a post in Kildare and will be replaced by newly-appointed District Judge Kevin Kilraine, from Leitrim.See next week’s Inish Times for further tributes and pictorial coverage.

Lough Swilly lifeboat crews have teamed up with members of Inishowen Sub Aqua Club in an effort to improve diver safety in the waters around Donegal. The move comes in the wake of a diving fatality and the rescue of four divers along county’s coastline.A SAC spokesman said the training session was an outstanding success and revealed further sessions would be staged in “more adverse conditions.”The spokesman said: “Of late, scuba diving has become the fastest growing sport on the island of Ireland. With its clear waters, abundant fish life and an unsurpassed proliferation of wrecks off the county’s rugged coastline, it’s hardly surprising Donegal is the premier county for divers to visit.“Despite the fact tthe diving season has only kicked off, there has already been one diver fatality and a major search operation, involving four missing submariners. “To the uninitiated this makes the sport look particularly dangerous, but it should be appreciated that on any weekend this fair county is host to several hundred divers. Many of these individuals are visiting the area and as such are unfamiliar with our waters. Despite this the number of diver related callouts experienced by lifeboat crews are quite small.”The spokesman stressed that in a diver related emergency, time was of the essence.He added: “Most divers are trained to cope with any situation that may arise, but there are times when outside assistance is necessary.  To someone totally unfamiliar with a diver’s kit the prospect of removing same can be quite daunting, worse still, the odds of getting that diver aboard a lifeboat with all his gear is nigh on impossible. A diver’s kit can often equal their own weight, sometimes, depending on the nature of the dive the gear may well outweigh the diver. “So it was that over a friendly cup of coffee it was decided that divers and lifeboat crews would get together and pool their collective intelligence. On this first training session in a flat calm Lough Swilly, not alone did the lifeboat personnel familiarise themselves with diving equipment, they also perfected the task of bringing divers aboard the high sided Tyne class craft. The spokesman concluded: “Initially assisting a traumatised diver aboard, they then worked up to plucking a simulated comatose diver from the sea. The training session went so well that it was agreed the sessions would continue in more adverse conditions, incorporating the other vessels in the lifeboat fleet.”

The Greencastle Community Resource Centre Committee is launching a major fund raising drive over the summer months to enable them to complete the new sports hall facility before the end of the year. The fund raising will take the form of a ‘Time Capsule’ into which families and organisations from the surrounding townlands will be able to place specially designed envelopes containing family trees and the history of local organisations and groups. These envelopes will be supplied by the committee and anything from photographs, letters, notes, newspaper cuttings, poems, CDs, DVDs, drawings, certificates etc. can be enclosed. The sealed envelopes will then be placed in a ‘Time Capsule’ built into the wall of the centre, not to be opened for 50 years. The committee are requesting a donation of €50 per envelope returned, or if people wish to donate more then that would be greatly appreciated. The development of the Resource Centre and Sports Hall have reached this point by sourcing numerous grants over the years and this is the first time the local community have been asked to support the project financially. A spokesperson for the organisers said: “The benefit of this facility to the local area and Inishowen will be invaluable for both the present and future generations. At the moment, the Centre has a number of staff employed both in the office and building. The centre is used at the present time by the local playgroups during the day and can facilitate meetings, IT courses and evening classes. The spokesperson added when the sports hall was complete it would be able to offer indoor football, basketball, badminton and a host of other sports activities. In addition, a sports rehabilitation facility or fitness suite will be available in the near future. The closing date for the return of the envelopes for the Capsule is 31 August.