4 DEMOCRAT www.donegaldemocrat.com Th ursday,M a rc h 16,20 1 7 N EWS C h i ld re n being affected by fumes

Fumes coming from a sew- erage system in a Donegal town are forcing parents to take their children from their homes in the middle of the night. Householders are also being forced to deal doors shut with tape to keep the fumes from escaping at the housing estates Cllr Michael McBride tabled a motion at the Letter- kenny Municipal District calling on Donegal County Cllr Michael McBride (Left) Síofra O’Dwyer, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana, and Mark O’Donnell, St Columba's Comprehensive, , pictured at the NewsBrands Press Council to ask Irish Water to Pass awards, with Finian McGrath TD, minister of state; and Vincent Crowley, chairperson, NewsBrands Ireland. Photo Colm Mahady / Fennells compile a full report on sewage in Kilmacrennan. The areas of Hillhead and dren from their beds at night Lennon View are particularly to relative’s homes because of bad, the Independent coun- the fumes. We need Irish cillor said. Water to get to the root cause “A lot of fumes are making of the problem because it has Honours for young their way into homes,”he been going on for a number of s a id . yea r s .” “This is unacceptable. I Council officials said the have heard that in some cases matter will be referred to Donegal journalists parents are taking their chil- Irish Water for investigation.

fifth year, took place in on different levels. sands of people marched in STA F F RE PO RT E R e-mail: ed i to r i a l @ d o n eg a l d e m oc rat .c o m Dub l i n’s Convention Centre “The women seeking Dublin to repeal the eight Twitter: @ d g l d e m oc rat on March 10th. asylum in this country that amendment. No matter when The awards seek to im- cannot seek an abortion after this piece was written though Safety concerns on Two talented TY students prove literacy and critical she has been raped, the and despite your own per- from Buncrana and Glenties thinking while helping stu- woman who so desperately sonal opinion on this highly old rail bridge won awards for excellent dents develop a deeper un- wants a baby but finds out contentious issue, this is an derstanding of news media. there is a foetal abnormality opinion piece that strikes a Calls have been made to Cllr. Ian McGarvey said that writing and original journ- The competition seeks ori- which means her child will c h o rd .” consider whether an old the bridge was on the old alism at NewsBrands Ire- ginal journalism entries in not survive, the 3,451 women Mark received 2nd prize railway bridge should be re- Lough Swilly railway line land’s annual Press Pass features, opinion, news, sport who travelled from Ireland to in the features category for moved on safety grounds that ran to . He said that he had been told Awa rd s . and photojournalism. England and Wales to have an his fun and detailed write up The issue was raised by Cllr. Siofra was awarded first abortion in 2015. Her re- on a remarkable idea instig- Liam Blaney who expressed that the bridge was on Siofra O’Dwyer from Scoil prize in the opinion category search is factual but emotive, ated by Brian Carr of Glen- concern about the state of private land. He also felt Mhuire, Buncrana and Mark for her piece, “Girls Just her opinion piece is well ties. According to the judging the old bridge on the Upper that an option would be to O’Donnell from St Wanna Have Fun...damental structured and thought out, panel: “The simple yet genius Aughilard Road, Pluck, Man- remove the bridge. Columbas Comprehensive, R i g ht s”. her use of language is enga- idea was the ideal topic for o rc u n n i n g h a m . Cllr. Blaney has been in- Glenties were among 16 stu- Speaking about the piece, ging, repeating again and Mark to write about –but we He said that a number of formed by Letterkenny Mu- dents nationally to receive the judging panel said: ‘When again, ‘I am angry’, and of have to stress that the stones have come off the nicipal District Council that awards for their original it comes to an opinion piece, course, there is that fantastic runner-up spot was not bridge, while others are the road has been closed off journalism this year. many just draw on their own phrase that finishes up a great awarded to Mark just be- l o o s e. and diversions have been Overall this year, 8,000 experiences. What is inter- pie c e… ‘Get your rosaries off cause the subject manner put in place. Transition Year students took esting about the piece that is our ovaries, if you please.’ was fascinating. It was a pa rt . awarded first place in this cat- “It is purely coincidental clever, well-researched and Press Pass develops lit- egory is that the author brings that these awards are an- articulated piece of work eracy and critical thinking in a plethora of examples to nounced on a week where we which was an obvious con- Gimme shelters, skills and leads students to show how a highly political celebrated International tender and worthy winner of analyse their society. This topic affects different women Wo m e n’s Day where thou- our second place prize.” yea r ’s ceremony, now in its councillor says

Councillors in Letterkenny and how a lady had to take want shelters to be provided her two young children to go in the Bernard McGlinchey and stand in the toilet block Town Park and Ballymacool for shelter. She did not have Speeding concerns near Aura centre Town Park. a car and had no option A pedestrian crossing must kenny Municipal District, he in and out and we have to do favour of a ramp and would Raising the issue at a Letter- when trying to find shelter. be put in place at the said there have been com- everything we can to protect hope signage and road mark- kenny Municipal District Cllr. Gerry McMonaghle, c ou nty ’s busiest leisure plaints from members of the them. With Aura and St ings would reduce the speed Council meeting, Cllr. who seconded the motion, centre before there is a ser- public about speeding the Eu n a n’s there are a lot of in the area.He also called for a Dessie Shiels said it would said it did not need to be a ious accident, a county a rea . people walking in and out. proper pedestrian crossing at be particularly useful for large structure and you councillor has said. Cllr McDaid said there was “I would ask the council to the leisure centre. pedestrians and those with could just have poles up and Cllr James McDaid (FF) an accident a number of do everything it can to put on “We see young ones trying young children when it a roof. “I think it is a sens- has called for the crossing at months back although he did additional signage or road to cross that road and in par- ra i n s . ible thing to be looking at,” the Aura Leisure Centre in not know if speed was a markings to reduce speed on ticular in the winter, it is very He said that he had wit- he said. L ette rke n ny. f ac to r. the road.” dangerous crossing that nessed an incident of a The council said there are Speaking at the Letter- “There are people walking He said he would not be in road .” downpour at Ballymacool currently no plans for the installation of shelters.