Monday 7 November 2011
Thursday 18 August 2011
HEARTBROKEN WIDOW DISMISSES FINDINGS OF REPORT INTO HER FISHERMAN HUSBAND’S DEATH
The heartbroken widow of one of two fisherman who drowned off the Donegal coast has slammed the findings of a report into their deaths.
Edward Doherty, 65, and his nephew Robert McLaughlin, 41, died when their boat the Jennifer capsized off Glengad on the Inishowen Peninsula on November 1st last year.
The two men had been out checking on lobster pots when the tragedy occurred.
Mr Doherty’s body was found a few hours after the accident but his nephew John’s body was not found until 23 days later when it was washed up onto a beach.
A report issued yesterday by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCBI) said it was caused by winds or waves but the number of crab pots on board made it unsafe.
The report said “The total estimated weight of pots and ropes onboard the ‘Jennifer’ at the time of the incident can be considered to be in the region of between 915kgs and 1096kgs; the equivalent of carrying between 12 and 14 extra persons aboard the ‘Jennifer’.”
This would have required pots to be stacked at least three and four high on the deck of the vessel, reducing its ability to manoeuvre, the MCBI report added.
However Mr Doherty’s heartbroken wife Marian, of Ross Head, Malin Head, has disputed claims that the boat may have been weighed down and said her husband was an extremely safe fisherman.
She said he had all the relevant safety certificates.
“All equipment on Eddie’s boat was of the highest quality and was the most up to date available. Problems with any piece of equipment would result in Eddie either having it repaired or replaced immediately
“He would have definitely considered himself well prepared for any situation which would arise at sea,” she said.
And she added “Eddie and Robert had been fishing all their lives. Safety in the sea was always a priority.”
Reacting to investigator’s claims about too many crab pots on board the ‘Jennifer’ she said she had ‘serious issues’ with these findings.
“They (the sections of the report) give the impression that the boat was carrying too many pots. With Eddie’s experience and his regard for safety the load would have been spread evenly, ie pots and ropes over the deck of the boat and therefore this would not have had an affect on the stability of the boat,” she said.
Mrs Doherty also disputed the weather reports on the day of gales information in the report, claiming they were ‘good’ with a southerly Force 3 to 4 at the time. The weather only deteriorated after the accident, she said.
However the MCBI investigation said it stood by its findings in relation to the number of crab pots and the weather conditions.
It admitted the ‘Jennifer’ was in good condition and that ‘the most probable cause of capsize has to be wind or wave action.’
The MCBI recommended a review of the Code of Practice for Fishing Vessels under 15 metres ‘with a view to establishing revised appropriate stability criteria’.
The organisation also wants life-raft installation and the use of self-activating warning devices to be made mandatory.
Edward Doherty, 65, and his nephew Robert McLaughlin, 41, died when their boat the Jennifer capsized off Glengad on the Inishowen Peninsula on November 1st last year.
The two men had been out checking on lobster pots when the tragedy occurred.
Mr Doherty’s body was found a few hours after the accident but his nephew John’s body was not found until 23 days later when it was washed up onto a beach.
A report issued yesterday by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCBI) said it was caused by winds or waves but the number of crab pots on board made it unsafe.
The report said “The total estimated weight of pots and ropes onboard the ‘Jennifer’ at the time of the incident can be considered to be in the region of between 915kgs and 1096kgs; the equivalent of carrying between 12 and 14 extra persons aboard the ‘Jennifer’.”
This would have required pots to be stacked at least three and four high on the deck of the vessel, reducing its ability to manoeuvre, the MCBI report added.
However Mr Doherty’s heartbroken wife Marian, of Ross Head, Malin Head, has disputed claims that the boat may have been weighed down and said her husband was an extremely safe fisherman.
She said he had all the relevant safety certificates.
“All equipment on Eddie’s boat was of the highest quality and was the most up to date available. Problems with any piece of equipment would result in Eddie either having it repaired or replaced immediately
“He would have definitely considered himself well prepared for any situation which would arise at sea,” she said.
And she added “Eddie and Robert had been fishing all their lives. Safety in the sea was always a priority.”
Reacting to investigator’s claims about too many crab pots on board the ‘Jennifer’ she said she had ‘serious issues’ with these findings.
“They (the sections of the report) give the impression that the boat was carrying too many pots. With Eddie’s experience and his regard for safety the load would have been spread evenly, ie pots and ropes over the deck of the boat and therefore this would not have had an affect on the stability of the boat,” she said.
Mrs Doherty also disputed the weather reports on the day of gales information in the report, claiming they were ‘good’ with a southerly Force 3 to 4 at the time. The weather only deteriorated after the accident, she said.
However the MCBI investigation said it stood by its findings in relation to the number of crab pots and the weather conditions.
It admitted the ‘Jennifer’ was in good condition and that ‘the most probable cause of capsize has to be wind or wave action.’
The MCBI recommended a review of the Code of Practice for Fishing Vessels under 15 metres ‘with a view to establishing revised appropriate stability criteria’.
The organisation also wants life-raft installation and the use of self-activating warning devices to be made mandatory.
GARDA FEAR ARSONIST ON THE LOOSE IN INISHOWEN AFTER FIVE FIRES
Gardai fear an arsonist has started at least FIVE fires within the past week across the Inishowen Peninsula.
A school, two houses, a caravan and a barn have been set alight in the past week causing thousands of euro worth of damage.
Nobody has been hurt in the attacks but it is now suspected that the same person or group may have lit all the fires.
A Garda spokesman said their investigations are ongoing but there is no known motive for the attacks.
The buildings targeted include St Oran’s National School in Cockhill as well as two houses in Buncrana and a barn on Inch Island.
Local TD Padraig MacLochlainn said the culprits must be caught before somebody is injured.
And he says he has not ruled out the possibility that those behind the attacks were also responsible for the gorse fires across Inishowen earlier this summer.
“I have made a number of enquiries about this matter and there is the fear that the same person or persons may be behind it.
“I would ask the public to remain vigilant and to keep an eye open for anybody acting suspiciously.
“We cannot rule out the possibility that the same person or person was responsible for the gorse fires which wreaked havoc across Inishowen earlier in the year.
“If anybody thinks they know who is behind these attacks then they should contact the Gardai immediately,” he said.
A school, two houses, a caravan and a barn have been set alight in the past week causing thousands of euro worth of damage.
Nobody has been hurt in the attacks but it is now suspected that the same person or group may have lit all the fires.
A Garda spokesman said their investigations are ongoing but there is no known motive for the attacks.
The buildings targeted include St Oran’s National School in Cockhill as well as two houses in Buncrana and a barn on Inch Island.
Local TD Padraig MacLochlainn said the culprits must be caught before somebody is injured.
And he says he has not ruled out the possibility that those behind the attacks were also responsible for the gorse fires across Inishowen earlier this summer.
“I have made a number of enquiries about this matter and there is the fear that the same person or persons may be behind it.
“I would ask the public to remain vigilant and to keep an eye open for anybody acting suspiciously.
“We cannot rule out the possibility that the same person or person was responsible for the gorse fires which wreaked havoc across Inishowen earlier in the year.
“If anybody thinks they know who is behind these attacks then they should contact the Gardai immediately,” he said.
Wednesday 20 July 2011
DONEGAL SOLDIER TURNED MODEL IS LINKED WITH LOVE-RAT ASHLEY COLE
Former Donegal army officer Collette McBaron has been linked with love-rat Ashley Cole.
Miss McBarron - a personal fitness trainer, model and former Miss Ireland contestant - claimed she was dating the Chelsea and England defender.
And she heaped yet more heartbreak on Cheryl Cole by rubbishing reports that love rat Cole is yearning to get back with the Girls Aloud star.
Collette - once a second lieutenant in the Irish Army - said: "Without saying too much I could guarantee that he probably isn't, unless I'm hearing fibs."
Asked about her dates with Cole, she added: "I can't say I've never met him or that we've never been out together because clearly there are pictures of that on different occasions."
The 26-year-old was first snapped with Cole in May as they climbed into a car outside London's posh Maddox Club.
Brainy Collette, who has a history degree, also appeared on Sky Sports' Soccer AM show earlier this year as a sexy "Soccerette" dressed in a Chelsea strip.
Miss McBarron - a personal fitness trainer, model and former Miss Ireland contestant - claimed she was dating the Chelsea and England defender.
And she heaped yet more heartbreak on Cheryl Cole by rubbishing reports that love rat Cole is yearning to get back with the Girls Aloud star.
Collette - once a second lieutenant in the Irish Army - said: "Without saying too much I could guarantee that he probably isn't, unless I'm hearing fibs."
Asked about her dates with Cole, she added: "I can't say I've never met him or that we've never been out together because clearly there are pictures of that on different occasions."
The 26-year-old was first snapped with Cole in May as they climbed into a car outside London's posh Maddox Club.
Brainy Collette, who has a history degree, also appeared on Sky Sports' Soccer AM show earlier this year as a sexy "Soccerette" dressed in a Chelsea strip.
BREAKING NEWS: CHILD ABUSE SCANDAL – DONEGAL COLLEGE ASKED TO LEAVE UMBRELLA GROUP
Colaiste Cholmchille in Donegal, the school where child sex abuser Michael Ferry had worked as a caretaker, has been asked to withdraw from membership of Irish college umbrella group CONCOS.
The move comes as gardai began an investigation into an organised child sex ring amid claims dozens of young boys were abused for more than a decade by school caretaker Mr Ferry and other paedophiles.
The move comes as gardai began an investigation into an organised child sex ring amid claims dozens of young boys were abused for more than a decade by school caretaker Mr Ferry and other paedophiles.
Tuesday 19 July 2011
A List of some web sites with lots of Donegal information
Donegal Websites:
Ardara Town Webiste - only in its infancy, but showing great promise.
Arranmore Website (Seamus Bonner) - highly recommended. This website has received a 4 Shamrock rating by Doras.
Ballyshannon Website - highly recommended. Owned by Robert Gallinagh
Carrick Online Website (Ciaran Cunningham) - recommended. This is a comprehensive website produced by a native of Carrick.
Cloghan - photographs and information submitted by Maureen Gallagher.
Clonmany Website - highly recommended. As well as a description and general information, there are also online records of interest to genealogists under the Heritage link.
County Donegal on the Net - This Site is dedicated to the living character of County Donegal, its history, literature, genealogy and natural history.
Derryveagh, Evictions Then and Now - a new site by Robert Spiegelman
Donegal County Library - A comprehensive list of resources they hold, plus contact details.
Donegal Historical Society - They produce the Donegal Annual and maintain the Museum at the Franciscan Friary, Rossknowlagh.
Donegal Irish in Butler Co, Pennsylvannia - details of settlers from Donegal from 1790
Donegal Roman Catholic Records - this particular page within the Irish Ancestors website gives you a very good breakdown on the records, including where they are held, dates and film numbers (for LDS film numbers)
Donegal Town Home Page from the Chamber of Commerce.
Fanad Web Site (Jerry Carr) - highly recommended. This has been awarded a 4 Shamrock rating by Doras.
Finn Valley - very new and very recommended.
Gaoth Dobhair - A new website about Gweedore/North West Ireland by Annemiek.
Glenties Webiste - recommended
Inch - Dedicated to the Elders of Inch and Inch families by Tira
Inishowen Heritage (Michael Ó Nuadhain) - Here you will find information on tracing your family tree in Inishowen and Ireland in general, and all about the Inishowen Peninsula in North-East Co. Donegal.
Inishowen Website (Inishowen Tourism) - This is the Official Website of Inishowen Tourism Society Ltd.
Inver Census - Bob Nortons new website, containing complete 1901 census for townlands in the parish of Inver, Donegal
Kilcar Genealogy Home Page, produced by James W Dunn. Killybegs (Killybegs.net) - recommended.
Letterkenny RFC - home of the Letterkenny Rugby Football Club. See also the Dave Gallaher website - born in 1873 in Ramelton and was the Captain of the 1905 New Zealand All Blacks rugby team - one of the best because of their tour of the British Isles that year - they won!
Letterkenny Webiste at Donegal.net
The McLaughlin Web site (John D McLaughlin) - has some excellent resources for Donegal, including transcripts of documents dating between 1601 and 1790.
Mintiaghs (Barr of Inch) - (Dan King) - the complete 1901 and 1911 census for the parish
Moville, County Donegal Records (Ben Palmer) - very good site with a lot of online records
Pettigo Online Webiste (Nancy Monaghan) - a comprehensive site on Pettigo, Co Donegal.
Queenscastle Branches & Boughs - an excellent site with links to Donegal Information, Resources and Web Sites as well as Donegal Surname Researchers.
Raphoe Online Website - not updated since 1998, but has some information worth reading.
SW Donegal Genealogy and Heritage Homepage - listing helpful books, resources, videos, maps and other references available on Donegal Genealogy, History, and Culture
Donegal Thatched Cottages - 4 star self-catering cottage rentals, with a choice of 10 traditional thatched cottages located in Cruit, Kincasslagh
Letterkenny Self Catering - Self catering cottages, Holiday homes and apartments in Donegal and Letterkenny
Traditional Irish Cottage - The oldest inhabited house in Upper Killult, this beautifully renovated cottage is available for both weekly and weekend rentals
Books/Authors
Hazel McIntyre - Hazel McIntyre has used the wild and beautiful landscape of her native Culdaff in Inishowen, Co. Donegal, Ireland as the backdrop for her her books. More.
Clans and Families:
The Beattie & McNaugher Families Of Burt Parish (Maggie Verry)
Clan Cleary - the story of the Clan Cleary (site seems to be down)
Chlann Dálaigh - The Story of the O'Donnell Clan in Donegal, from contemporary and historical sources.
Dennison - Covering the years 1713 to 2005. Owned by Sean Dennison
Devlin Family of Clonmany - Dan Devlin
Doherty (Banker) - The Doherty family know as "Bankers", of Legland, Oughterlin, Rathmullan, Co. Donegal (Hugh Doherty)
Grant/Granny Family in Donegal - David's page on the possible relationship between the two surnames in Donegal
Hanlon Homepage - Dedicated to the history and genealogy of the (O') Hanlon surname and its variants, maintained by Annemarie Bruinsma Hanlon
Hepburns of Donegal - Based on research of the line of the Hepburn family which has its roots in 18th Century Donegal
McGeehan - Donna Gough's pages on a McGeehan family, from Donegal to Hazleton, PA, USA
McGlynn - The McGlynn Family History website, a new site by Dave McGlynn
McLaughlin of Dún na nGall - John D McLaughlin
Ó Domhnaill Abú - Homepage of the O'Donnell Clan
Sweeney Clan Chief Website - Providing definitive information about the Mac Sweeney lordships of Donegal
Donegal Communities In Other Countries:
Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland - Michael Reilly's project, with good Donegal connections
Maps:
Civil Parishes and Townlands of Donegal - Bob Hilchey's website, THE site to go for map and location information on Donegal
Newspapers/Newsletters:
Donegal Domain - a weekly newsletter with all the news from Donegal
Donegal News - circulated each week, and provides comprehensive coverage of all events throughout Donegal in Ireland.
Donegal Times - published on a monthly basis by the Hyland Central Hotel
Radio:
Highland Radio - You can listen to the live broadcast of Highland Radio, as it plays in Donegal. You can also leave messages and requests to be broadcast by that radio station.
Telephone Book:
Eircom Phonebook Online - If you want to find out if someone with the surname you're researching is living in the old townland, enter the surname and Donegal as the County.
Country Websites with good Donegal Content:
The Fianna Study Group for Irish Genealogy - tries to bring the finest values to you through this web site. Their Donegal pages are packed full of information and guides.
GENUKI - their aim is to serve as a "virtual reference library" of genealogical information that is of particular relevance to the UK & Ireland. It is a noncommercial service, provided by an ever-growing group of volunteers in cooperation with the Federation of Family History Societies and a number of its member societies.
Ireland Genealogy Projects (Don Kelly) - County projects, maps, photographs, links and Donegal too.
IrelandGenWeb - IrelandGenWeb is associated with The WorldGenWeb Project as the local Ireland resource index page for On-Line Irish Research, including one for Co Donegal.
Irish Ancestors - this particular page within the website gives you a very good breakdown on the Donegal Roman Catholic records, including where they are held, dates and film numbers (for LDS film numbers)
Local Ireland - an online initiative, creating a space on the Web for Irish people at home and abroad.
PRONI - The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland has some online searchable databases - Poll Book for Donegal 1761-75 (amongst others) & the 1912 Ulster Covenant
Ulster (Don Kelly) - Gateway to North Ireland.
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