Family and friends of Daisy Smyth from Ballyloskey, Carndonagh, will gather in her home for a quiet celebration to mark the milestone, which Daisy informed the Inish Times she has reached due to “hard work, independence and lots of tea.”

Daisy was born on 31^st August 1908 in Cartruse, Newtowncunningham, the youngest of Richard and Mary Ann Cresswell’s seven children.

Tragically, her parents passed away when she was just seven years old “from the bad flu” and she and her siblings were separated, going to different members of the family.  Daisy was cared for by her aunt and uncle Liza and John McLaughlin on a farm in Carndonagh, known as The Parks.

She wasn’t reunited with any of her siblings until she was 61 years old, after her brother John came over from California and a small family reunion was held, much to everyone’s delight.

As a young girl, she attended Craigtown National School, Wesley School and Carn Tech and married her husband David on April 23, 1935 after meeting him while attending Donagh Church, from which they used to walk home together. The couple went on to have five children, James, Greta, Ray, David and Maureen.

Daisy’s husband David died in 1975 and, sadly, her eldest son James also passed away a few years ago, both of whom she misses very much.

Daisy finds great delight in her 13 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren and recently, she was over the moon to become a great-great grandmother for the first time, to little Jacob Bond.

Daisy’s daughter Maureen said her mother had always been a hard worker.

“She had her own little home industry as you could call it. She sold eggs, milk and butter on the farm and worked very, very hard. She would tell you hard work is one of the reasons why she has reached over 100 years of age!

“She was also always a very independent and a very active lady.”

Daisy was also very active in the community, helping out at Donagh Church and getting involved in the Mother’s Union. In her later years she enjoyed travelling and has had numerous trips to England and Scotland to visit her children. In 1976, she made her first long-haul flight when she visited Maureen in Texas and this was followed by trips to France and Spain.

Up until recently, Daisy frequently attended the Day Centre in Carndonagh. She enjoys drinking tea and watching TV, especially the soaps, gardening and cooking programmes.

Daisy was keen to pay tribute to the great work of her “wonderful” home-help Helen Kelly, who has been with her for many years.

Throughout Daisy’s life, she has seen many world changing events, including two World Wars, the sinking of the Titanic, the Easter Rising, the discovery of penicillin, women winning the right to vote, the first man on the moon, the invention of television, the assassination of John F Kennedy and the discovery of the Internet.

On her 100^th and 101^st birthdays, Daisy received a “Happy Birthday “letter from President Mary McAleese. She  is now looking forward to receiving yet another, on the landmark occasion of her 102^nd..

Fr. Michael Porter has become PP of Leckpatrick  succeeding Fr. John Doherty (a previous curate of Burt, Inch and Fahan) who has retired.

Fr. Porter, a native of Buncrana, became CC of Burt, Inch and Fahan in 1997 and has overseen a number of parish projects, including the renovation of Inch church, the refurbishment of St. Mary’s Hall in Burt and the repair of Aegnus Church in Burt in which he recently celebrated his 25^th anniversary to the priesthood.

He was also instrumental in getting legendary Donegal singer Daniel O’Donnell to perform in a fundraising concert in the church.

Fr. Porter is succeeded as curate by Fr. Gerard Sweeney who has been transferred from the Glendermott parish in the Waterside area of Derry.

Derry-born Fr. Sweeney was ordained to the priesthood in in June 1993. After his ordination, he was curate in Melmount in Strabane until 1995 when he was appointed CC to Holy Family parish in Ballymagroarty, Derry where he remained until 1997 when he moved to St. Patrick’s parish (Pennyburn, Derry). In 2006, he was transferred to the parish of Killyclogher where he remained until September last year when he was appointed curate of Glendermott.

The change, the only one in Inishowen, is one of a number of clerical appointments announced by the Bishop of Derry, Most Rev. Dr. Seamus Hegarty.

The full list of changes is –

Right Rev Mgr Bryan McCanny VG, PP, Three Patrons, Derry, to become PP, Limavady;

Rev Michael McCaughey, CC, Glendermott (Waterside) to become PP, Three Patrons, Derry;

Rev Patrick Baker, CC, Maghera to become PP Lavey;

Rev Michael Porter, CC, Burt, Inch, Fahan to become PP, Leckpatrick;

Rev Michael Canny, currently Administrator, St Eugene’s Cathedral to become Administrator Templemore (St. Eugene’s Cathedral and St Columba’s, Long Tower);

Rev Kevin McElhennon, CC, Cappagh to become Administrator, Pro Tem, Cappagh;

Rev Joseph Gormley, CC, Dungiven to become CC, Cappagh;

Rev Francis Lynch, OP, CC, Holy Family, to become CC, Dungiven;

Rev Brian O’Donnell, Administrator, Lavey, to become CC, Maghera;

Rev Roland Colhoun, Administrator, Templemore (St Columba’s, Long Tower) to become CC, Glendermott (Waterside);

Rev Gerard Sweeney, CC, Glendermott (Waterside) to become CC, Burt, Inch, Fahan;

Rev Paul Farren, Priest in Residence, Leckpatrick (and Director of Diocesan Catechetical Centre) to become Priest in Residence, Glendermott (Waterside), while also remaining Director of Diocesan Catechetical Centre;

Deacon James Devine to become Deacon, Templemore;

Rev John Doherty, PP, Leckpatrick, to retire;

Rev Michael Collins, PP, Limavady to retire;

Rev Patrick McLaughlin, CC, Lavey to retire.

A report published last week by Al Hutchinson, the Police Ombudsman in the North, revealed Fr. Chesney was transferred to  Donegal after RUC investigations fingered him as a main suspect in the triple bombing which claimed the lives of four men and two women, aged from 38 to 65, and three children, the youngest of which was eight years old. Over 30 people were injured in the August 9 attack.

Mr. Hutchinson’s findings, which took eight years to compile, revealed Fr. Chesney was never questioned by police about the killings after the then Cardinal, William Conway, Northern Ireland Secetary of State William Whitelaw and senior RUC officers came to an agreement to have him transferred to Donegal in 1973. Fr. Chesney died in 1980 at the age of 46 after being diagnosed with cancer.

Following the publication of the report, two former RUC detectives told of how they sought to pursue inquiries that Fr. Chesney was one of the bombers but were instructed by senior officers not to proceed. One of them claimed he was within 15 minutes of searching the cleric’s home in Co. Derry but was told by superiors that “things were under control and not to go” to the priest’s house.

The findings of the report have led to calls for an apology from the Catholic Church and outraged relatives demanding a fresh investigation.

However, retired Bishop of Derry, Most Rev. Dr. Edward Daly, who questioned Fr. Chesney about his links with republicanism, said he had “serious doubts” about the allegations.

Bishop Daly said while Fr. Chesney “made no bones” about his sympathies with republicans, he “denied absolutely” any activity in the movement.

Welcoming the fact Mr. Hutchinson’s report found “no evidence of any criminal intent” on the part of any Church official, Bishop Daly said to his knowledge there was no evidence against Fr. Chesney, just intelligence.

Following his move from Co. Derry, Fr. Chesney served in the Malin Head. Six years later he moved to Sligo before returning to Inishowen to serve chaplin in the Nazareth House in Fahan.

Those who knew him said they were surprised at the allegations. In Malin Head, John McLaughlin said he did not believe Fr. Chesney was “capable of this.”

He added: He was a lovely man and never once discussed politics during his sermons.”

In the parish of Fahan, a plaque was erected in 1984 in Aileach Youth and Community Centre in recognition the role Fr. Chesney in the setting up of the local Youth and Social Club.

Willie McLaughlin said he, too, was surprised by the allegations.

He said: “He was very committed, especially to the youth, and helped us get the Youth Club up and running. He was our priest.”

Seamus Devine, of Bloomfield Park, Galliagh was granted bail and ordered not to contact the Bishop or go near his home. Devine denies entering the Bishop’s house on Buncrana Road on Friday last as a trespasser and stealing a number of items.

The court heard how the Bishop believed the intruder in his home was carrying a weapon after he was awakened and confronted by him in his bedroom doorway in the early hours of the morning.

The intruder then asked the Bishop how to get out of the house to which he replied: “through the back door.”

After he left, the Bishop discovered a number of items were missing, including his ring, his wallet and watch, some antique coins, two bottles of alcohol and a set of rosary beads.

The court was told the Bishop’s credit card was later recovered from a fire near his home and found some of the stolen items in Devine’s home.

Sports Editor

Glengad welterweight Michael McLaughlin has been handed an exciting debut bout by top Irish promoter Brian Peters.

The 26 year-old Carn ABC member will fight in front of his home fans on the undercard of Paul McCloskey’s second European Title defense at the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny October 2^nd.

The show, which will be televised live by RTE, is sure to attract a sell-out crowd to the 2000 capacity arena and speaking to the Inish Times at a press conference to announce the bill last Wednesday, McLaughlin admitted that he can’t wait to make his first appearance as a professional with Dublin’s Gavin Prunty his likely opponent.

“I’m delighted to be making my pro debut and especially in my home

county of Donegal,” he said. “I’ve had over 100 amateur fights and I feel I’m ready to make the step up so I’m excited about the challenge.

“There’s been talk of fighting Gavin Prunty who would be a tough opponent. He has 4 wins from 5 fights and I know he’s a bit of a

show boater but if he starts that with me then I think I can knock him

out.”

“I’ll be a bit nervous on the day but he doesn’t have the experience I

have from the amateur scene and I’ll be going in there to take his

head off.”

Michael has been training full time in Belfast’s legendary Breen’s Gym and head coach John Breen will be in his corner for the bout.

“I’m travelling up and down four days a week with my Dad Niall for training in Breen’s gym and the training has been brilliant. I’ve been

there for two or three months and we’ll be stepping it up now in the

build up to October 2nd.

“I’ve started sparring last week and I’ve been in with Michael Kelly

who will fight Frankie Gavin for the Irish Title in Birmingham in

September. There’s six weeks to go now and I’ll be doing plenty of

sparring so that I’m super fit for the fight.

“The training in Carn was always intensive but this is a step up in

Breen’s Gym and theirs a higher standard of sparring partners although

I was lucky in Inishowen that I could go to the Illies to spar with

William McLaughlin. There’s a very high caliber of pro in Breen’s Gym

with Paul McCloskey who’s a European Champion and EU Champion Andy Murray and so I’m learning all the time.”

McLaughlin’s first bout in the paid ranks is sure to attract huge support from the sporting public of the peninsula and he admits he is looking forward to putting on a show for them.

“There are a lot of people in Inishowen looking for tickets already and

hopefully I can get the local crowd behind me and give them something

to cheer about,” he concluded.

Tickets for the Hunky Dorys Fight Night priced from €40 go on sale from 9am on Wednesday, September 1st from Ticketmaster.ie / 0818 719300, The Aura, Letterkenny: 074 9106422, The Radisson Blu, Letterkenny: 074 9194444, Eurospar, Dungiven: 028 77741245 or Julie, Dungiven: 07745 698372.

Digitalfone 02, the Telecom communications company based  in Buncrana who operate the 02 stores in the North and West, have announced they are to expand again with plans to open a new 02 store in Roscommon Town in October.

Francis Callagan, dealer principal for the group, said he was “delighted” to make the announcement pointing out the opening of the new store created further employment at its head office in Buncrana .

 He said: “For every new store the group opens in other parts of the country this has a knock on affect in increasing employment levels at the groups head office based in Buncrana.”

And with plans to open more stores,  includind anotrher one towards in the of this year, in other parts of the country, more jobs are in the pipeline for Buncrana.

Mr Callaghan added because of the expansion plans the group were welcoming CVs from interested persons with the suitable qualifications for placement at their two inishowen stores in Carndonagh and Buncrana .

The news comes less than a year after Digitalfone 02 created new jobs with the creation of new stores in  Ballina  Co Mayo and the complete re-fitting of its Inishowen outlets. New jobs were created in Buncrana, and Carndonagh as part of this expansion in both Retail and Sme sales while a further  positions were announced for its store in Ballina,  increasing the job numbers of people employed by the company.

Fr. Quigley, who died the previous Wednesday, had become well-known and popular in the Buncrana area where he had lived for the past 10 years after falling ill.

Born in Durham in England, he became a close friend of Joe Logue, from Glasgow (whose father John was from Inch) while studying for the priesthood at Millhill College. Through their friendship, Fr. Logue became a regular visitor to Inishowen, staying with Elizabeth Doherty in Fahan and later with Josie McLaughlin and her family in Trillick, with whom he was staying at the time of his death.

 Following his ordination in 1925 as a missionary of St. Joseph’s Society, he taught at a college in Freshford in Kilkenny for  six years before carrying out missionary work in Africa.

However, after 14 years he developed chronic malaria and came back to Ireland to be treated at the tropical disease hospital in Drogheda.

Following his recovery, he returned to England to help with the  recruitment to the priesthood and minister as rector in Burnhall, Sheffield as well as spending a number of years in Doncaster.

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2000, he returned to Trillick in Buncrana to be cared for by his close friend, Josie McLaughlin.

Despite his illness, he helped out in the Buncrana parish on numerous occasions, visiting the local schools on regular occasions and for a number of years celebrating Mass in the Convent of Mercy (Scoil Mhuire). He also celebrated Mass in Buncrana Nursing Unit every Saturday.

Speaking to the Inish Times, Josie described Fr. Quigley as “a saint.”

She added: “He was the most gentle and holiness man I have ever known. I just could not say enough about him. He was so nice. Just ask anyone in the town. He was very kind, a saint. He helped out in the parish whenever he could and had a great rapport with the young people, regularly visiting the schools.”

St. Mary’s Oratory in Buncrana was packed for his Requiem Mass on Saturday. A total of 24 priests where in attendance. Concelebrants included Bishop of Hallam (Doncaster), Most Rev. Dr. John Rothsorne and the Vicar General of Millhill College, Rev. Bernard Fox.

Following Requiem Mass, Fr. Quigley, who would have been 85 on September 4 next, was laid to rest in Cockhill cemetery.

Sports Editor

Malin Ladies are bidding to win remarkable successive county titles this Sunday when they face Ballyshannon side Aodh Ruadh in the Intermediate County Final at Convoy (Throw in 4pm).

The girls in black and amber have successfully made the transition to Intermediate football this year, following their Junior League and Championship wins last season.

Indeed, such has been their success so far in the League this year that they have genuine aspirations of playing alongside Moville in the top tier in 2011. 

Despite losing many of their key players to injury and emmigration this season, they have won four of their six league games this year, and remain in the hunt for promotion.

The Connolly Park girls booked their place in Sunday’s showpiece by beating a highly fancied Ardara side in a play-off in Ballyshannon after they won a game a piece in their two legged semi-final.

But coach Eamon Ryan, who jointly manages the side with Susan Byrne, believes his side will have to be at their best to win Sunday’s decider.

“We will be going into this game as underdogs,” he told the Inish Times.

“We are familiar with Aodh Ruadh having played them twice in the League. We lost in Ballyshannon and won in Malin although they were missing some players when we won.

“I felt we were playing at an Intermediate level last year and although we’ve lost some players the young girls who have come in have done well.”

Malin won last year’s Junior Final with Robert Emmets at a canter but Ryan believes his side’s experience in the subsequent Ulster Club Championship will be of benefit on Sunday.

“We travelled to Mayobridge last year and won before losing to the Tyrone champions, those were tough games and they will stand to us.

“The Malin people are great at coming out for these games, we received great travelling support in our away championship games last year and I know they will come out in numbers again in Convoy.

“With Moville getting knocked out of the senior championship to Termon this is Inishowen’s last chance for a ladies county title this year so hopefully people from other clubs will come along too.”

Ryan is sweating on the fitness of forward Emma Donaghey for the game but other than that he has a clean bill of health.

“We’ve lost four of our front six from last year this year so Emma would be a big loss but the girls who have come in have done well so it certainly isn’t all doom and gloom.”

Killybegs 0-03    Malin  0-14 

Malin sit proudly at the top of the All County League Division Two following an emphatic win over the Fisherman of Killybegs on Saturday evening.

Glenfin’s draw with MacCumhaill’s on Sunday means the Inishowen side are now in the healthy position of leaders by a point with a game in hand.

But Killybegs’  preparation for their senior county championship clash with Four Masters continues to splutter, following their second defeat in as many weeks.  

After their previous loss away to Glenfin, the Fishermen were hoping to get back to winning ways at the Eamon Byrne Memorial Park on Saturday evening, but the visitors completely blew them out of the water.  

Killybegs, without the services of Anthony O’Hara, Conal Molloy, Jason Noctor and both Ciaran and Charles Tully, were hoping to get their promotion chase back on track.  However, Louis Walsh’s men let their intentions be known from the off, as they cantered into an early 0-4 to 0-1 advantage.  

Daniel Breslin had opened the scoring for the hosts, but scores from Declan Walsh, Terrance Doherty and a brace of frees from the impressive Anthony Kelly soon had Malin on their way.  

Louis McNern steadied the tide momentarily, but Killybegs continued to lead a charmed life in front of their own posts. Malin should really have been home and dry before the break after Damien Ward had fed Paddy McColgan inside but the forward’s effort was well beaten away by Michael Mullin in the Killybegs goal.  

Malin did manage to tag on two more scores before the break as the lively Gary Farren and Anthony Kelly (free) both raised white flags.  

That left the home side 0-6 to 0-2 in arrears going in at the break, but there was still belief during the half time tea and sandwiches that Killybegs could turn things around during the second period.  

They didn’t make life any easier for themselves following the restart as John McColgan and Kelly both lofted over early scores to leave Killybegs chasing a six point lead. Paddy McColgan then passed up another goal chance for his team when he ghosted in on the wrong side of David Conwell only to find the outside of the post.  

Kelly and Kevin Martin traded scores immediately after with Martin’s free bridging a gap of thirty minutes between the home side’s last score of the contest – way back in the fifteenth minute of the first half.  

Killybegs then gifted the opposition another easy point after Ronan Boyle surrendered possession with a stray pass, allowing Paddy McColgan in to point.

From that kick out immediately after, Kelly fielded possession and fired over his sixth of the day to leave his side 0-11 to 0-3 to the good. A fine free from the hands wide on the left added again to Kelly’s personal tally as Killybegs more or less threw in the towel. 

Malin closed out the contest with two more scores through Declan Walsh and Kelly; probably their two most influential performers on the day.  

Killybegs: Michael Mullin: David Conwell: Kevin fallon: Kieran Conaghan; Shan e Molloy: Shane Boyle: Kevin Martin (0-1); Christopher Murrin: Pauric Conaghan; Pauric Gallagher: Paul McGinley: Louis McNern (0-1); Mark Boyle: Daniel Breslin (0-1): Ryan McNelis 

Subs: Ronan Boyle for Fallon and Manus Boyle for Pauric Conaghan.  

Malin: Declan Lafferty: Darren Doherty: Pauric Lafferty: Kevin McColgan; Daniel Greene: Charlie Byrne: John McLaughlin (0-1); Paddy Kelly: Declan Walsh (0-2); Damien Ward: Anthony Kelly (0-7): John G McLaughlin; Gary Farren (0-1): Terrance Doherty (0-1): Paddy McColgan (0-2). 

Subs: Mathew Boyle for Terrance Doherty and Daniel McDaid for Paddy Kelly.  

Referee: Pat Walsh (Bundoran

Coco the Gorilla normally takes pride of place in O’Flaherty’s Bar in the town and famously changes his look for many special occasions, not least at the weekend when he was all spruced up to congratulate a local couple on their wedding day.

If the life size cuddly primate – who celebrates his 21^st birthday in October – isn’t propped up at the bar inside, he can be found outside on the Main Street, to the delight of many locals and tourists who have stopped to get their picture taken with him on numerous occasions over the years.

However, at 7.00pm on Sunday evening, a group of unidentified passersby weren’t so friendly and snatched the much-loved mascot from outside the premises before driving off in their Northern registered car.

However, luckily enough, a quick-thinking passerby noted down the registration number of the vehicle and promptly handed it in to Siabhra O’Flaherty at the bar. CCTV footage also showed the thieves snatching Coco.

Miss O’Flaherty then reported the theft to the Gardai and the PSNI, who promptly set to work to find him.

Speaking to the Inish Times, she said her family were very upset when they realised Coco was gone and revealed the unusual story of how he made his way to Ireland in the first place, after her late father Pauric found him in Las Vegas.

She said: “Coco has a lot of sentimental value for us and has been part of the bar for 21 years now. So many people recognise him and we dress him up for all these different occasions like Christmas and Valentine’s Day – we recently dressed him up for the Donegal Rally.

“Coco first came to O’Flaherty’s 21 years ago this October after daddy got him in Las Vegas. But, when he was travelling back home with him, he didn’t want him to go into cargo so he actually bought another seat for Coco and sat in the seat next to him for the whole flight!

“We were very upset when he was taken and thought we wouldn’t get him back.”

However, Coco’s kidnap ordeal thankfully didn’t last too long and three hours after he was taken, the PSNI in Derry’s Strand Road contacted Siabhra to inform her he had been found. He was then safely delivered back home to the O’Flaherty’s and his fellow monkey Pepsi – to everyone’s delight..

“The whole bar cheered when we brought him back in,” said Siabhra.

“The PSNI were fantastic, really helpful and quick to respond. As those who had taken it were in a Northern registered car, the Gardai had to contact them and the lady who I spoke to couldn’t have done enough. We were delighted to get Coco back so quickly.”

They are hoping Coco will now be left and peace and never kidnapped again.

“We were considering offering a ransom but we don’t want to encourage anyone else to take him!” quipped Siabhra.