Archive for February 2011

Coalition talks underway – 1st meeting has ended

February 28, 2011 Irish News & Sport No comments

Taoiseach elect Enda Kenny

A meeting between the leaders of the two main politiocal parties in Ireland – Fine Gael and Labour – on the formation of a Coalition Government has ended at Leinster House, the national Irish TV broadcaster RTE has confirmed.

They say that Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore are now in talks with senior members and officials from their parties.

Subsequent meetings will see the negotiating teams from Fine Gael and Labour sit down across the table.

The Fine Gael negotiating team is Phil Hogan, Michael Noonan and Alan Shatter.

The Labour Party team is Joan Burton, Pat Rabbitte and Brendan Howlin.

A deal is expected in time for a special Labour Party conference next weekend.

The Labour Party Whip, Emmet Stagg, said he had no doubt the two parties would be able to come up with a programme for government in a short time.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has wished the leaders of Fine Gael and Labour well in their talks on forming a coalition government.

Northern Ireland Peter Robinson telephoned Mr Kenny this morning to congratulate him on his suscess in the election.

Letterkenny boxers claim Ulster titles

February 28, 2011 Donegal News & Sport No comments

Five Letterkenny boxers were in action at the Ulster Boys & Girls finals in Guildford, County Down on Saturday last with three of them claiming Ulster Titles.  First in the ring was Patrick Ward fighting for his first Ulster title and was unlucky to lose a close decision to Conor Campbell from Guilford ABC, Co Down. 

Next was Conal O’Boyle who claimed the first title for the Club at 57kgs on the day  by way of a walk-over as his opponent, Caolan Boyle, Amyvale ABC, did not make the weigh-in.  Next up, Ryan Brogan, who was fighting for his second Ulster Title, lost out to Nine-County Champion, Rory Laverty, St Bronagh’s ABC, Co Down.  Read more

New Donegal Sinn Fein TDs celebrate

February 28, 2011 Donegal News & Sport No comments

Newly elected TDs Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East) and Pearse Doherty (Donegal Sourth West) at Free Derry corner. The pair were welcomed by hundreds of supporters as they stopped by after making a detour during a cavalcade tour of the Donegal.

They were the big winners in Donegal after one of the worst showings ever for the Fianna Fail party in both Donegal and the Irish general election.  

Donegal now has two Sinn Fein TD’s, two Fine Gael TDs, one Indepedent TD (Thomas Pringle) and one Fianna Fail TD.

Labour leader Gilmore announces negotiating team

February 28, 2011 Irish News & Sport No comments

The Leader of the Labour Party, Eamon Gilmore TD, has appointed the following team to conduct any negotiations regarding a possible Programme for Government.
 
Deputy Joan Burton,  Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Spokesperson on Finance.  Joan Burton is a TD for Dublin West and has previously been Minister of State for Social Welfare; Minister of State for Justice and Minister for Overseas Development. Read more

Donegal TD successes in Dublin

February 28, 2011 Donegal News & Sport No comments

Donegal native Michael Conaghan has been elected a TD in Dublin South Central

While Mary Coughlan was feeling the full wrath of the political game on Friday, a close neighbour, originally from Calhame in Bruckless was one of the rising stars for Labour in the capital.

Former Lord Mayor of Dublin Michael Conaghan picked up a seat in the Dublin south central constituency where Labour took a 35.4% share of the first preferences in a crowded field of 18 candidates.

And in Dublin South West, Letterkenny native Eamonn Maloney, brother of former Donegal Senator Sean Maloney also brought home the bacon for Labour. Read more

Sligo Leitrim & D.S.L. – King Keane

February 27, 2011 Leitrim News & Sport, Sligo News & Sport No comments

Coolera Rovers thanks to a killer goal after twenty minutes of play from the lethal booth of John Keane at home to visitors Carrick Town take over as league leaders In the Sligo Pallets Premier League their cause was greatly enhanced by the stunning demolition job that the West Coast sea siders Kilglass Inishscrone United inflicted on high flying Merville United on their visit to Sligo.

Paul Sweeney struck twice with further goals from Stephen Conway Shane Hargadon and Kevin Cawley knocking Merville of their perch despite a lone strike from Keith Gilmartin Merville will need to recover fast from this defeat or face a first season without league silverware. Read more

Cavan road death

February 27, 2011 Irish News & Sport No comments

Robbery under investigation

Gardaí in Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan are investigating a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred between 1.30am and 9.30am on Sunday 27th February 2011, at Corascashel, Dowra, Co Cavan (the location is approx. 2.5miles outside Dowra on the Dowra to Glangevlin Rd.)

The male (22yrs) driver was pronounced dead at the scene, he was the only occupant of the car; he was removed to Navan Hospital where a post mortem is expected to take place tomorrow the 28th Feb 2011.

The scene of the collision is closed at present to facilitate a forensic collision investigation.  The road is likely to be opened later this evening.
Diversions are in place.  Any witnesses to this collision are asked to contact Gardaí at Ballyconnel on 049 9525580 or any Garda Staion.

Sinn Fein take seats in Sligo/North Leitrim & both Donegal constituencies

February 27, 2011 Donegal News & Sport, Leitrim News & Sport, Sligo News & Sport No comments

Cllr Michael Colreavy - SF member of Leitrim County Council has won a Dail seat.

Sinn Fein were the big winners in the north west yesterday when they won seats in all three of the north west constituencies.

The decision to run Michael Colreavy from Leitrim in the constituency of Sligo/North Leitrim was a master stroke, where Fianna Fail were wiped out.  John Perry of Fine Gael topped the poll and will be joined in the 31st Dail by party colleague Tony McLoughlin.

In nearby Donegal south west, Pearse Doherty repeated his bye-election success of last November by topping the poll and the icing on the cake was in Donegal  North East, where Cllr Padraig MacLochlainn also topped the poll for Sinn Fein, making  it a famous day in modern political history for a party that have travelled a long distance over the past decade.

Donegal’s Tanaiste is North West’s biggest election casualty

February 27, 2011 Donegal News & Sport, Irish News & Sport No comments

Mary Coughlan was probably the biggest casualty in Friday's General election heave against Fianna Fail

Tanaiste Mary Coughlan was the biggest casualty of the mass heave against Fianna Fail in Friday’s General election.

She lost her seat to Independent Thomas Pringle, in one of the many upsets that have occurred throughout Ireland in the last 48 hours.

In her home constituency of Donegal south west, Pearse Doherty of Sinn Fein topped the poll with a massive 33% of first preferences, while veteran Fine Gael TD, Dinny McGinley took the second seat.

In the end, even Fianna Fail running mate Brian O’Domhnaill passed her in terms of votes, in what was a dramatic day at the count centre, in the St John Bosco count centre in Donegal Town.

She spoke briefly to reporters as she left the centre in teh late evening and while she was not conceding defeat, the writing was already on the wall and the amazing performance of Cllr Thomas Pringle was still been analysed.

Pringle benefitted with transfers from all quarters, including Doherty’s surplus of some 3,000 votes and when another Independent Stephen McCahill was eliminated. While their star was rising elsewhere, Labour’s Frank McBrearty Jnr, had a disappointing day for the likely coalition partners of Fine Gael in the weeks ahead.

Emigrants let their voices be heard through virtual poll

February 26, 2011 Irish News & Sport No comments

Fine Gael is on course to lead the next Government, according to the first count of a poll conducted among Irish emigrants. The poll was carried out over ten days on www.ballotbox.ie. 

5,580 Irish emigrants in 124 different countries voted in the poll. IP technology was used to block voters in Ireland, and passport information was used to discourage non-Irish people from voting. This is the first time such a poll has been attempted. Read more

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