Archive for November 2009

Fermanagh ‘aircraft’ search update (3pm)

November 12, 2009 Fermanagh News & Sport, Irish News & Sport No comments
PSNI Fermanagh search update

PSNI Fermanagh search update

Fermanagh search update, Thursday 14:36
Specialist mountain rescue teams have joined the search in Co Fermanagh for a light aircraft that was reportedly seen in difficulty west of Lough Erne this morning.
A police helicopter has been joined by a coastguard helicopter based in Sligo and searches on the ground and in local lakes have been continuing.
As well as a reported a sighting, several local people have said they heard a loud bang in the area at around 10am.
The search operation has been declared a major incident by police, who have brought in support units form outside the area to join local officers and local firefighters in the search.
So far, there have been no reports of any aircraft missing or overdue.  Police are appealing for anyone involved in flying activities to check among themselves to see that all are accounted for.
The search is over a wide area from Enniskillen northwards to Belleek and from Lower Lough Erne westwards to the border. 
Anyone with in formation that could assist the search is asked to contact the police control centre at Omagh, telephone 0845 600 8000

Letterkenny to host Ulster Dancing Championships

November 12, 2009 Donegal News & Sport 5 comments
Ulster Irish dancing championships in Letterkenny

Ulster Irish dancing championships in Letterkenny

Oireachtas Rince Uladh 2009 / Ulster Irish Dancing Championships 2009 takes place in Letterkenny from today, 12th – 16th November.

It is estimated that in excess of 8000 people will attend the championships from all over Ulster and its bordering counties during this four-day event from 12th to 16th November 2009. Irish dancing is becoming more popular than ever before and it is a mecca showcase for those young (3yrs – 21yrs)  performing and competing in the traditional art of dancing and for the impassioned audience it attracts from all over the global Celtic community.

It adds a new festival dimension to the gateway town as an out-of season event and  will benefit Letterkenny and its neighbouring towns economically, socially and culturally. The success of this event will determine the imminent return of Oireachtas Rincí Uladh in 2010.

The launch of Oireachtas Rince Uladh 2009 took place last night in the Mount Errigal Hotel.

Letterkenny Town Council and Donegal County Council are the main funding bodies for the Ulster Dancing Championships 2009 in Letterkenny and supported by Fáilte Ireland and Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce.

Pandemic (Swine flu) Vaccination Programme in the North West

November 12, 2009 Donegal News & Sport, Leitrim News & Sport, Sligo News & Sport No comments
Swine Flu vaccinations

Swine Flu vaccinations

Pandemic (Swine flu) Vaccination Programme in the North West
12 November 2009
 
The HSE in the North West has started to offer the Pandemic (H1N1) vaccine to children under 5 years of age. Over the next number of weeks the HSE will be sending letters to parents here with details of how they may book an appointment through the website www.swineflu.ie or by telephone. The first clinics are being held in Letterkenny and Sligo. The HSE plans to offer the vaccine to all children under 5 within the next 6 weeks.
 
The HSE will be inviting people aged over 65 years, and children aged 5 years to 18 years for the vaccine later this month.

Fermanagh “air crash” update

November 12, 2009 Donegal News & Sport, Fermanagh News & Sport, Irish News & Sport No comments
PSNI Fermanagh say they have received reports on an air crash

PSNI Fermanagh say they have received reports on an air crash

A search is continuing in Co Fermamagh following reports that a light aircraft was seen in difficulty there this morning.

Police and fire service personnel are involved in a ground search and are also checking local lakes.

The search is being hampered by poor weather and visibility conditions which for the present have ruled out aerial searches.

At this stage police have no reports of any aircraft being missing.

The search operation in Fermanagh is continuing.  So far nothing had been found.
Police are asking members of the aviation community to check among each other to ensure that no one is missing.
The appeal is going out to the owners of light aircraft and micro lights.

Any concerns about missing or overdue flights should be passed to the police command centre in Omagh, telephone 0845 600 8000.

Donegal uproar over Christmas bonus payment

November 12, 2009 Donegal News & Sport, Irish News & Sport No comments
Uproar over Christmas bonus payments

Uproar over Christmas bonus payments

Letterkenny Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry Mc Monagle has warned that a failure to restore the Christmas Social welfare payment would push those struggling to get by further into poverty and into the arms of ruthless moneylenders.

 Cllr Mc Monagle said the cut would take money out of the local economy adversely affecting local businesses who rely on Christmas trade. Cllr Mc Monagle was speaking at Letterkenny Town Council meeting on Monday night when he introduced a motion calling on the Minister of Finance Brian Lenihan TD and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanifin to restore the Christmas Social Welfare Payment.
Cllr Mc Monagle said
“This is one of the meanest cuts introduced in decades.  Families with children use this money to cover the costs of Christmas and there is a real danger that this year without it people will be pushed into the hands of ruthless money lenders.  Elderly people use this additional payment to help cover the costs of fuel over the winter and as a result of this cut will undoubtedly go without sufficient heating this year.
“Many of the people who will be affected by the removal of the Christmas Social Welfare payment (better known as the Christmas bonus) are yet not aware of the fact.  The people affected don’t have savings to cope with this unexpected reduction in their income – unlike the golden circle that this government panders to; the people affected by this cut don’t have nest eggs tucked away or overseas bank accounts that they can turn to.
“The scrooge like nature of the cut, introduced in April’s emergency budget, symbolizes the extent to which this government is willing to throw the least well off overboard while protecting wealthy elite.
“Not only has this cut dire consequences for those directly affected it is also bad for small businesses and retailers.  By taking money out of local towns it will depress local economies and put businesses and retailers who rely on the Christmas trade under further pressure.
“Sinn Féin is demanding that the government restore the Christmas Social Welfare payment.”

Northern Ireland Company Formations increase by 29% in Quarter 3 2009

November 12, 2009 Fermanagh News & Sport, Irish News & Sport No comments
New company formations good news for Northern Ireland

New company formations good news for Northern Ireland

New Irish figures released by ICC Formations show that the number of New Companies being formed in Northern Ireland has increased by 29% in Quarter 3 2009 in comparison to the same period in 2008. When compared to the corresponding comparative differences in Q1 at minus 8.2% and Q2 at minus 21%, this is encouraging, however a clearer picture will be seen at the end of Quarter 4. 
 
‘’This is the first quarter this year which has seen a positive growth in the number of Companies being formed in comparison to 2008. In addition to this, every month has shown positive growth with September seeing the biggest increase of 44%’’ explained Jon Rock, Head of professional services at ICC Formations.
 
 ‘’Antrim continues to be the most popular destination for new companies and 53% of companies formed are based there. There were also big increases recorded for Fermanagh (91.7%) and Tyrone (67.4%), albeit with relatively low numbers.
 
Year to date, we are still slightly behind 2008 with 91 less companies being formed than in the first 9 months of 2009. However, these latest statistics reveal that the economic downturn may be easing somewhat. ‘’There were 200 more companies formed in Quarter 3 2009 and as the number of new companies being incorporated is an important measure of economic performance this is a positive sign. Hopefully this trend will continue into the final quarter of 2009’’ added Rock

Fermanagh air crash reports

November 12, 2009 Fermanagh News & Sport No comments
PSNI Fermanagh say they have received reports on an air crash

PSNI Fermanagh say they have received reports on an air crash

Reports of air crash, Fermanagh Police and the fire service in Co Fermanagh are currently checking reports that a light aircraft was seen in difficulty in the townland of Crott, which is near Lough Erne. The first report was received at about 10am.