Thanks, Rory. Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday. It's 9 o'clock. Time for a news update and it's over to Mikaela Clark. Thanks, Greg. Good morning. Guardies say it's never too late to do the right thing and assist in bringing the killer or killers of a Dunkelman to justice. Superintendent David Kelly of Milford Gardens Station has issued a fresh appeal for information over the killing of Sean Doffey at his home in Dunlowe over 17 years ago. It's been described as one of the county's most gruesome murders. Catherine Gaffney has more. On the morning of Saturday, the 29th of January 2005, 36-year-old Sean Doffey was murdered in his home at Meena Cross in Dunlowe. Mr Doffey returned home at around 2.30 that morning after a night out and was attacked and fatally injured in his home. Guardie, involved in the case at the time, said it was one of the most gruesome murder scenes they had ever encountered. Investigating Guardie continued to appeal for information in this case and believe that a number of people have yet to come forward who may now be in a position to assist in bringing those responsible to justice. They say that it's never too late to do the right thing and assist in bringing Sean's killer or killers to justice. Anyone with information is being urged to contact Milford Garda Station on 074-9153-114 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1-800-661-1. A government minister has admitted that making a decision on the format of this year's leaving cert is a difficult thing to get right. This year goes before Cabinet today with the Education Minister Norma Foley recommending a return to the written exam format, although there will be greater question choice on all papers. The children's ombudsman, sixth-year student groups and opposition parties had all called for a hybrid model like that used in the past two years. But Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney says the government wants to get it right for students and the credibility of the leaving cert. One of the big challenges here is that one in four doing the leaving cert this year don't have a junior cert that certainly would have been helpful in terms of shaping any alternatives to a traditional leaving cert. So I would like to hear what Norma Foley has to say this morning in Cabinet and I'm sure we'll discuss that and try to get this right for students and for the credibility of the leaving cert. Irish nurses and midwives organisation has warned that chronic hospital overcrowding cannot become the norm once again. By and the most general secretary Phil Neehay says last month saw the biggest levels of January overcrowding since his trolley watch began in 2006 at a number of hospitals including Letterkenny and Sligo University hospitals. Letterkenny University Hospital was the second most overcrowded in the country last month with 817 people waiting on a trolley there. And for whether or not today will be breezy and mostly cloudy with limited bright or sunny spells. There will be scattered outbreaks of light rain or drizzle with highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees. That's all from Highland Radio News for now. We'll be back with news again at 10 o'clock. Until then, good morning. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 it's important to self-isolate straight away. This helps stop the spread of the virus and protects other people. You should also get a COVID-19 test either an antigen or a PCR test. Find out which test you should get and book it at hsc.ie. And please don't attend work, school or social events if you have any symptoms. Stay at home and get a test from the HSC for us all. The Ninetill Noon Show with Bluebird Care providing home care services for all ages and done it all. Visit bluebirdcare.ie and bring care home. And now it's time for the talk of the Northwest. The Ninetown Noon Show with Greg Hughes on Highland Radio. A very good morning to you. Four minutes past nine on this Tuesday, the first of February. How are you doing? I hope you're very well. And hopefully we have your company now for the next three hours in this program. And throughout the course of the day on your number one local radio station, Highland Radio. It's a busy show today. Our usual feature, of course, on a Tuesday, the community garden slot. That's coming up a little later on. We're going to be having plenty of reaction, of course, to the news that Leaving Sir students will sit a traditional Leaving Sir exam. We'll have a chat about Boris's woes across the water and so much more besides you know how to get involved in the conversation. It's 08 660 25,000. That's your WhatsApps or texts or call 07 491 25,000. Right, let's look at the newspapers for this morning. We'll start with the Donegal People's Press and Guardi have issued a new appeal for information regarding the murder of Sean Doffey. The murder took place at his home in Minicross Dunlowe on January 29 2005. Superintendent David Kelly of Milford Guardi Station appeared on last night's episode of Crime Call and RTE 1. He renewed an appeal for anyone with information to contact Milford Guardi on 915 306. So the brutal nature of the killing of the well-known local man shocked the community and led to an extensive investigation to date. However, Mr. Doffey's killer remains at large. I imagine that appeal will also form part of that community garden information. Start a little later on today. The front of the Dairy Journal is dominated by a picture and three simple words, but important. We remember still this extensive coverage of the 50 years since Bloody Sunday on the inside of that paper. On to the nationals now and that controversial picture of former General Secretary Nal Burgess. It's a selfie of a champagne party that took place at the Department of Foreign Affairs in June 2020. It's contrary to everything we were being told to do at that time. And of course, it was investigated from within. They investigated themselves effectively. But that being said, it's a rather damning report though Simon Coveley wasn't even interviewed as part of it remarkably. But anyway, I think he believes he's responsible to the people to the Dall to committees, but not necessarily to his staff. Well, the former Secretary General at the Department of Foreign Affairs has agreed to make a 2,000 euro donation to charity as a review into the champagne party held at the Department during lockdown revealed fresh details on the controversy controversial gathering. Nal Burgess who has been left shouldering the blame for the controversial gathering in June 2020 when the country was still under strict COVID-19 rules. The review Fanti facilitated the breach of social distancing guidelines that occurred at Ivy House placed colleagues, particularly more junior ones in a difficult position and provided three bottles of sparkling wine which he had in his own office. The review also found that among the 21 people who gathered for the selfie taken by Mr Burgess were two women who were on maternity leave at the time they came to the office on their own initiative. One of the women brought a nursing infant. So you've seen the report. Have you? That's the thrust of it. He's donating two grand charity, I think another three or donating a thousand. Is that enough for you? Is that it? A line drawn under it?  Or do you believe that it needs to be dug further into? What are your views? 08 660 25,000. It's very possible that maybe you look at that and go well, it's a much to do about nothing. There's much more serious issues that need to be looked at. Or maybe you think that it needs an independent investigation that might actually maybe pursue more what Minister Coffey's role was or was not in, you know, he knew what happened at the time. Why didn't he sanction people then? Why wasn't it leaked to the press? Everything's leaked to the press. Why wasn't that leaked to the press then? Maybe you think things like that should be locked in too further. More parties, much many more parties across the water. Boris Johnson still managing to avoid having to resign from his position. Boris Johnson faced fresh calls for his resignation from conservative MPs last night after it emerged that police are investigating 12 parties 12 in Downing Street during lockdown, including one in his private flat. The Metropolitan Police said they were examining more than 300 photographs from the events, including a bring your own booze gathering in the Downing Street garden in the Prime Minister. Well, it was his garden and he attended the event. Cabinet Office official Sue Gray gave Mr. Johnson an update on her investigation into the parties, but said she could not publish her full report until after the police had done their work against the backdrop of the pandemic when the government was asking citizens to accept far reaching restrictions on their lives. Some of the behaviour surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify, he said, but Labour leader Keir Starmer, now I have no real interest in the politics of this, I find it more interesting to watch because it's like almost like a soap opera, to be honest with you, and that's in no way not understanding how important this is to some people, particularly those who lost loved ones or couldn't attend funerals or didn't see them during the pandemic. But Labour leader Keir Starmer, now I don't know much about him, but I was watching him try and pin Mr. Johnson down yesterday. And my word, he's not very good at it. I think if he was a stronger in that regard, I think Mr. Johnson would be under much more pressure, but Keir Starmer is just I don't think when he's speaking, he's just not convincing at all.  But anyway, as I say, I don't have any interest other than other than, you know, the almost soap opera feel to it. But anyway, Irish daily male, teenage girl attacked while out for a walk. This is another worrying story of a woman who is just out going about her business and attacked randomly. A teenage girl has been left traumatized after she was attacked by a male while out walking in a rural lane in Kentacill, Kenny yesterday afternoon, just 19 days after the murder of primary school teacher Ashlyn Murphy, the community of Johnstown is in opera that a 17 year old girl was set upon by a man who's now being pursued by Guardian. According to sources, the school girl who lives in the locality was grabbed by a male who is aged in his forties and was carrying a sharp implement. Guardi are investigating if the assailant who was wearing dark clothing and who spoke with an Irish accent may have attempted to abduct her. Now she's being treated for minor injuries. Now those are the physical aspects of that I would imagine. The emotional impact is much more than minor. Good morning to you as you join us to watch the program. By the way, on YouTube and Facebook, you can go on to our website, HighlandRadio.com and click through the links and watch us there in your browser. Good morning, Bernadette, Michael, Annie and also Kathleen who've joined us already amongst others. Now in the Daily Star we read that teachers experience the worst levels of workplace bullying in Ireland. Are you a teacher or former teacher? Does this surprise you? The bullied by standards and perpetrators in the workplace, the role of empathy in teachers and school leaders experienced report from the anti-bullying centre at Dublin City University found that high numbers of primary school teachers and secondary school teachers have been bullied at work. More than a third of teachers and senior management have been targets of bullying by other teachers and school staff members and almost half of teachers reported occasionally witnessing colleagues being bullied by other staff members. The most common bullying behaviour taking place in schools involves staff members being ignored, excluded or facing a hostile reaction when approaching colleagues at work. 6% of teachers reported enduring bullying at work on a weekly or daily basis. Other reported behaviours included withholding of information that affects people's performance, persistent criticism of people's work and the spreading of gossip and rumours. 1 in 3 teachers say they've experienced it. 6% say they experience it on an ongoing basis. We talked about the Joe Rogan podcast on Spotify yesterday and the controversy surrounding it. He released a statement on Instagram in the early hours of yesterday morning. It's reported in some of the papers today. And podcast host Joe Rogan has said he'll balance out opinions expressed on his show after controversy about COVID misinformation. He said he supports plans by Spotify, which hosts the Joe Rogan experience to add content advisories to episodes about the pandemic, responding to misinformation claims. He said he was not focused on only talking to people having one perspective. He said he would try to balance out controversial viewpoints with other people's perspective. And what was quite interesting is that he said his approach to the show, he's the one that decides it. It's very sort of, you know, casual. And whilst he might have someone controversial, say for instance, taking anti vaccine position, he said it's not because he's anti vaccine, or that's what he's trying to push. He says that, you know, from now on, maybe in the next episode, he'll get someone with a differing point of view. And I watched, I watched what he had to say. And, you know, for what he's doing, I thought it was a fair response. Superstar musicians Neil Young and Johnny Mitchell have withdrawn the music from Spotify citing Rogan's false information about vaccines for the coronavirus. Rogan, who's 54, has previously suggested the young and healthy should not get vaccinated. That's his opinion. And given the platform he has, he's able to express that. But as I say, he says that from now on, he'll put more information out there that's probably more in line with the general medical consensus. Now, if you are planning on going on holiday this year, or maybe you think you might, now's the time to check your passport, because there are delays. Now, some people are getting their passports in record time. I know people applied for a passport on a Monday and got it on a Wednesday. But look, there's going to be a rush. And the government's advising anyone who intends to travel abroad in 2022 to apply for their passport if it's due to expire as demand is set to hit an all time high. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said there is possible, it's possible that 1.7 million applications will be made this year. First time passport applications are experiencing lengthy delays. While Minister Coveney has said there are currently 100,000 online applications and 13,000 paper ones on hand with the passport service. Minister Coveney said in the case of people planning to travel this year, whose passports are already out of date, who have children who are first time applicants, I'd encourage them to apply now online. That was in the mirror. OK, that was a run through what's making the headlines inside and on the front of the papers today. We are going to begin making our own headlines after these. Bluebird Care, providing nurse led home care services in Donegal. Call Bluebird Care 9129562 and bring care home. Ormaculla jewellers in Lettercanny are synonymous with fine jewellery, quality watches and gift ware. With stores at Main Street Lettercanny and the Lettercanny Shopping Centre or online at ormaculla.com. You can choose from their quality product range and a relaxed atmosphere. And their sales staff will be happy to help you make the right choice whatever the occasion. Ormaculla jewellers making moments magical for generations. Louis Walsh Opticians, the longest established opticians in Lettercanny have now reopened for business and are welcoming new and existing customers alike. Offering the latest brands with glasses to suit all budgets and styles. Private medical card and PRSI patients. For your next eye test, contact Louis Walsh Opticians in the heart of Lettercanny at Mone Southwell Place. On Nain 1, 21,000. Nainara and Charmin are currently enrolling for 2022-2023 with child care available from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. Quality child care offered through the minimum of Irish in a fun, exciting, imaginative and safe environment. We're just 15 minutes from Lettercanny. Call Nainara and Charmin on<PHONE_NUMBER> for more details. Highland Radio Time Checks brought to you by Lettercanny Shopping Centre, the centre of shopping in Donegal, free parking and shopping all under one roof. Lettercanny Shopping Centre, bringing you the time at... 9.17. Good morning to Councillor Jimmy Kavanaugh. Can you hear lock off the Lettercanny Milford Municipal District? Thanks for joining us this morning. Good morning, Greg. How are you? Good, good, good. Before we get on to the graveyard, regrettable that soon to be Councillor John Amiguinness didn't get his day yesterday. Yeah, disappointed for Johnny, Greg. You know, it wasn't just the best of starts. He didn't get on to the field to play at all. So we have to wait an hour until next week. It was talking to Johnny after me. And obviously it was a disappointment for him and a disappointment for his family that it didn't work out yesterday. But on the plus side, I suppose, he wasn't actually in Lettercanny. He was online. So at least his family weren't all sitting in the hour for the full day, you know. So we'll go again next week, Greg. And hopefully we can start it out. I mean, you were involved in a very rare process yesterday in the suspension of a member of the Council for the period of a month. Councillor Frank McBrady, that decision was taken.  It's, you know, without getting into the ins and outs, we'll be speaking to Donald later on, I think. That's not really the work we want to see the Council do. We want to see us getting on with, you know, fixing stuff, doing stuff. Yeah, absolutely, Greg. And I think that's basically why maybe why people voted the way they did vote too, because, you know, there's been an ongoing problem with it's been hard to get council meetings finished for a number of months now. I have no personal interest and I don't know a bone to pick with anyone on the Council, Greg. I think it just, you know, we just want to get in there. And as you say, get the job done and get through the agenda. That's what we're elected to do. But for too, too often, we haven't been getting through the agenda and you get to a stage even for items that should have been discussed throughout the date by the time you get to them. So we have a responsibility and nobody wants to repeat that suggestion yesterday. And nobody wants to be just spending numbers or anything like that. Yeah, but Councilor Perotry obviously has very genuine concerns that he aired at council meetings in previous months. And once them teased out, do you believe there should be a forum be within a council meeting or some arm of the council to have that conversation that those concerns can be heard? Because as much as you want to represent people who voted yours views, I'm sure Councilor Perotry, you know, there are people who are concerned around his allegations and they would want them aired as well. Absolutely, Greg. And, you know, I fully appreciate that. But, you know, there's a format to meetings and they're there for a reason and, you know, try to get through the meeting on that format. It's an agreed format over a long period of time, the standing orders and so on. And we have to try and stick to that. A reason that totally that Councilor Perotry deserves to air his views. But maybe there is a need for another way of doing that. There's certainly not working within the format of that's there for county council meetings.  All right. Now, the issue of a municipal graveyard for Letra Kenney has come up again. There's been various calls along these lines. Also, you know, on a county-wide basis, we know there's a shortage of space. We know there's been applications for graveyards which have been turned down, not in Letra Kenney, but outside in other parts of the county effectively. So there is a problem that needs to be resolved here. It's been ongoing this conversation for a long, long time. And of course, you know, you have to bring it back on the agenda again to keep the conversation active. What is as far as you can determine the problem, the hold up here in terms of us having more space and I suppose space as well for people of all denominations or none? Yeah, that's one of the things very good is, you know that we have this multi-dominational society now it's very different, particularly in Letra Kenney than it used to be. And to care for all that and care for people of no religion as well, but as well as the established churches are now under pressure for space as well.  And this is a council responsibility. It's not an easy one in that, you know, you need a sizable bit of land to begin with, which isn't that easy to get. You need to look at environmental implications, traffic safety issues, you know, how it fits in, what's surrounding lands and so on and blends in with what's already. So it's not easy. It's not something you can do very easily. I think maybe that in Letra Kenney maybe we're going to have to start looking outside the actual plan area if we're going to get somewhere suitable. But it is an ongoing issue and it's one. You mentioned how long it's been going on, but yeah, I remember Pascal Blake when he was in the town council just to raise this on a regular basis. So it has gone on a long time, but we haven't really made progress on it. And it's just a matter, as you say, of keeping it an agenda. Are they actively seeking land like is it a case that we had a look around Letra Kenney? There's nothing within the town boundaries or within the planning area that suits. That's all we can do or are have you received a commitment that the executive or those who they instruct will actually start now seeking out land. Maybe it has to be outside town. I mean, I mean, obviously, in terms of the environmental element runoff and all that kind of stuff. But also, you know, there might be a resistance for people to have a graveyard built beside them. That's all understandable. But this is not a problem that can be beyond us. There has to be somewhere within a reasonable distance because as it is now, people are having to travel into dairy in some cases or further field. So I don't think people would be. I don't think we have to do we have a situation where, you know, the 40 odd 1000 people in Letra Kenney that will be here in the near future need to walk to a graveyard. That's not realistic. So we need to look outside the box and outside the area somewhere reasonably close. Yeah, I think so. I think so. Great. And answer your original question. Yeah, I mean, the council and fairness are being active on this as best they can. They have people assigned to to to try and identify a proper place. This comes up all the time breaks and more so at workshops and at dinner meetings. But that's raised regularly by by a number of countries, including myself, but many other countries as well, bring it up on a regular basis. So we are pursuing it as best we can as elected members and and the council have been working on it. But it just has not been an easy nut to crack. But it's something that we need to keep at and need to keep looking to resolve this issue, because it's a problem that's not going to go away. It's going to become more acute as as that are established churches start finding it difficult as well to to keep having enough space, you know, so I mean, there has to be a question to have equal access. Access is almost an obligation to provide something like this, I would imagine for so that everyone sort of, as I say, has equal access. So just finally, then, what has been committed to you following your latest raising of this issue? Well, what's been committed is that the company continued to to look and and there's talk about maybe trying to extend one of the existing grief yards. But but it's just really there's no the search goes on really great because there's a commitment to keep looking for a suitable site. All right, then listen, thank you very much indeed. Hopefully there's progress on it, you know, because it's grand talking about these stuff and its content and all that. But you know, people, there's more serious issues as in people needing the space and we just need to get it sorted now, don't we? Yeah, exactly. Great. Yeah. All right, thanks very much. Indeed, Finnegale councillor Jimmy Kavanaugh, he's Cahirlock of Lederkenny and Milford municipal district. Right, OK, some of your comments here are called as I find it very difficult to believe how a private company, namely PSA, has the ability to stop someone installing their own burger alarm or CCTV or even putting a lock on one's door. They openly say they'll prosecute anyone that does this. They say unless someone who does this kind of work has to be a member of their organisation, otherwise they'll be fined of putting jail. I think I did hear those adverts, all right? We're going to have to look into that. It's great to hear young people getting involved in ocean welfare. These are the students we were speaking to from the Abbey Vocational School yesterday, but they want to say it's every person of every generation has to work on it. The government's worldwide are failing big time in granting these licenses to factory ships scraping the ocean's floor. Again, recommend everyone watch Seaspiracy. It should be part of the school programme. OK, speaking of schools, we're going to be getting reaction and comment as it relates to the news that was leaked again, leaked again rather than the rather than the government discussing it. The and then having a press conference and announcing it or even emailing students were directly affected. Once again, it was leaked in the middle of the night bar the shouting on social media and we're now going to be discussing something that hasn't been formally agreed or formally announced. When are they going to have a bit of respect for the people and sort these leaks out? Be that as it may, we're going to discuss the latest developments as it relates to the leaving certain how it will be sat after these messages. Bluebird Care are hiring nurses and carers across Donegal. Call 9-1-295-62. Bluebird Care are sponsors of today's show. There are many reasons people are switching to Clear Mobile this January. Serious deal. Simple as. Customer service is A1. Great coverage. There you go. Unlimited calls, texts and data with 99% 4G population coverage from 12.99 a month this January. New year. View clear? Switch today at ClearMobile.ie 30-day contract, activation fee and fair use supplies, max data speed, 5 megabits per second, 12.99 subject to eligibility. Offer ends 31st January 2022. See ClearMobile.ie for terms. From our soils, our sustenance, from our farms, our food, from our farmers, our ingenuity, from our villages, our unique communities, our meats, our grains, our vegetables, our dairy, our eggs, our fruit. There is a little piece of Ireland in everything we produce. An Agriware and Irish Farmers Association initiative promoting environmental, economic and social sustainability. Learn more at sustainingarland.ie. This is the new Toyota Yaris Cross, a new kind of SUV, a new point of view, new compact style, new spacious feel, and exclusively self-charging hybrid. The right choice for today. Get a new perspective with the Yaris Cross self-charging hybrid, available now at Kelly's Toyota Port Road, Letter Kenny, or drum by Mount Charles. You'll never take a wrong turn with Toyota, built for a better world. There's more furniture than ever on display at McGinley's furniture in Letter Kenny. With extra floor space, there's more suites, beds, dining room, and occasional furniture. Also more rugs, mirrors, and lamps, all available for immediate delivery. If you'd like to make a beautiful addition to your home, there's more furniture than ever to choose from. At McGinley's furniture on the Joe Boner Link Road, Letter Kenny, and at McGinley's furniture.com. So students will sit a traditional leaving cert with some elements of choice this year under plans due to be approved by cabinet this morning. The government set to dismiss demands from students for a hybrid model and will press ahead with a largely traditional exam and a bid to address grade inflation. Now, we do know that two thirds of students want a hybrid option. We also know that one in four students did not sit a junior cert. And maybe you are of the view that this is the way forward, by the way, what the government is planning to do. If that is your view, please get in contact with us as well. Right, Clodagh joins us first. Good morning to you, Clodagh. Thanks for taking the call today. Good morning, Greg. How are you? I'm good, right?  But that's just the way things are done nowadays, it seems. But your reaction to the news that it is going to be a traditional leaving cert, albeit with some elements of choice. Yes, unfortunately, Greg, I did hear the news last night, which is extremely disappointing. Yet the coursework finished on students' mental health. Secondly, Grimes may be the only option. But unfortunately, in disadvantage trials, this is not an option, which will have a negative impact on the students and households across the country. And can I just interject, Clodagh? Sorry, because I know you're in your flow. But those very same people also probably didn't benefit greatly from remote learning because maybe the equipment wasn't there or the connection wasn't there. So that's going to be arguably potentially a double whammy for those who may not have the resources to pay for Grimes. They may already be disadvantaged by not being able to fully engage when we were doing a lot of this work remotely. Yes, exactly, Greg. It's like more lockdowns last year for the two months. Even some of my friends are learning on iPhone 6s, which is a very small screen. Some aren't even getting engaged in the online learning because it just couldn't. Like it's very unfair. Like the students are very disadvantaged. Some households cannot afford Grimes. Some cannot afford the technology, especially during the online learning. It is just very, very unfair. And we're having this conversation now as many sixth years are sitting not doing any work today and have done very little work or did very little work in January because of the amount of teachers out and subs not available or not able to continue the work. Like this is not like students have been learning flat out now since, you know, September or something. The whole month of January was completely, if not for the most part, disrupted in terms of learning a three or four months out from actually sitting the exams. Yes, exactly, Greg. Excuse me. And all we're hearing now is with mocks. With mocks start next week. We're not even ready for the mocks. The teachers are pushing us in classes, which is even stressing the students out even more. Like if you look in the classroom situation, Greg, there may be students who cannot learn as quick as others, but sit quietly, afraid to raise questions and are aware that the pressure the teachers are under to cover the course. And I have, even my old friends, they have told me that they sit there. They just don't know the work, but they're afraid to disrupt the class because of the students around them and the stress they're under. All right, stay with me because you talked about mocks next week. I think it's coming a bit quicker for Ben. Hi, Ben. How are you doing now, Greg? I'm all right. You're starting your mocks today or you've started them this week? Yeah, we're doing our lesson today and then we're doing lesson for Irish and then we are doing the mocks now on Monday, next Monday. OK, well, I won't delay you very, very long. No, I'm all right. Ben, what is your reaction to this news? To be honest with you, Greg, I think we've been completely overlooked as if we don't matter. Like the option of choice is supposedly going to be given because it was through a leak, like we don't actually know. But I honestly just believe it when I say it at this stage. Our government ministers have just generally completely overlooked us and our wishes to the student body, which was shown in two thirds of us, 68%, and the ASSU survey said that we urged for some sort of hybrid system. And it just shows that they obviously just don't care from the age group of 16 to 18-year-olds or 16 to 19-year-olds even, because it's just like we've been completely swept under the rug. It's like, oh, well, they know nothing about it. And the government are making decisions on what they believe to be the best for us without even thinking of your average students' opinions on board. I think that we have quickly just been swept under the rug. That's the only comment I have. I mean, I think any right-minded person would probably agree in terms of your views. There are different views out there, but the way it is, what we know is 75% of students could be accredited. And also two thirds, at least two thirds of students, that's a 41,000 students, I think, which is a massive sample, wanted the hybrid option. So it would be very difficult to conclude anything other than they knew what you thought, but have completely ignored it and said, look, we know what's right for you. That's exactly it. I just feel like the student's voice has been completely stripped away based on the agenda of what the government ministers think is going to be okay with us. It just doesn't make any sense. There's no fairness, there's no clarity. But now the only thing for the positive is clarity because the last couple of weeks, as Krugel was saying there, people have been completely distressed. They don't know what's going on. And the fact is to have some light on the situation kind of brings us out of the dark. But at the same time, it's like, we've been taken out of the dark and shot in the foot. It's really just that we don't know what's going on here. It was a leak last night and then I was getting texts from my granny. I was getting texts from my mum saying that, this is going to happen this year. And especially at that, the leak just shows how much we don't matter because if there was some sort of formal outburst of it just saying, we had this meeting and we're not going to give you the hybrid system, I would have been like, all right, fair enough. At least they did it in a mannerly way. But at the same time, the leak just shows completely disrespect to me. It just shows how much they don't care. And Claude, back to you too. I mean, obviously the certainty is going to be welcomed. We know one way or other what's going. But I would say there's an awful lot of students out there that have not been fit to focus that they're almost starting and I don't want to exaggerate it either. Though they're almost starting from the starting line right now because it'd be very hard to focus your mind through a pandemic because obviously young people very much affected by that as well. It'd be very hard to focus your mind on studying when you didn't really know what you were studying for or how you would be judged and maybe people were worrying about a poor junior cert unnecessarily because it's not going to be factored in. You know, I just wonder how many people feel like they're starting from scratch now, Claude. Yes, exactly, Greg. It's a very good point. Like last week, you have to finish it yourself. You don't go into school the next day. They just push on with the course. There's no time to ask with everything, okay. It's not the teacher's fault here. It is the government's fault. But it's just when you go back into school, they just don't even have time to go back on things you don't understand because it is going very, very quick. Now, this is very unfair on the student that cannot learn quick enough, quicker than other students. You know, and this is where grinds are coming back in here, like disadvantaged households that cannot afford grinds for the students that can understand. Then they go through obstacles in the course. Now it's just very unfair and then the students that can afford the grinds are suffering mental health. You know, it's just the stress and the pressure on the student. Yeah, and of course, that's not only pressure being felt within a house. That's going to be peer pressure as well because you're going to have friends maybe with different resources and if someone can't avail of grinds or wasn't able to engage because of technological reasons, say for instance, Paul Broadband or trying to do it on an iPhone 6, as you said. You know, they're going to feel lesser than maybe their best friend who was able to avail of all of that. Alan Griffin is Donegal Regional Officer with the Irish Second Level Students Union and Alan, it was your union that polled students. I think I'm right in saying it was, was it over 40,000? Two thirds of them wanted a hybrid system. I presume you were nodding in agreement as Ben said.  Exactly, Greg. Yeah, the students of Ireland, they weren't listening to whenever this decision had been made and whenever this decision had been leaked, the government aren't putting themselves into the shoes of the students they need to think like the students. These students have lost so much classroom time over the past two years and so many of them, as Koda was saying, did not have the technology at home to partake in the learning when we were learning from home and this really brought so many students to a disadvantage. But Alan, it's not, even if they had, you know, a gigabit broadband, you know, and a 25-inch laptop, some students do not do very well learning that way anyway. Do you know what I'm on about? So, you know, they are going to be instantly disadvantaged. Some students do far better in a face-to-face situation. That's why there was such a push to get students back into the school place because that is recognised. So that batch of students may well be left behind as well. Exactly, Greg. I completely agree with what you're saying. The students who even did have the technology, that may not have suited them to their best extent and face-to-face learning, while we have had this for quite a while, we cannot catch up on the time that we missed outside of school and this really has given every student across the nation a disadvantage because we were online for so long. Right. Well, Ben, Koda, Alan, either of the three of you, you know, if this is the way they're going to go forward with it, is there anything they need to be doing to ensure that it is as inclusive or as fair as possible? You know, other than obviously backtrack and get down the hybrid route, I don't think they're going to do that because they're getting the pressure from unions as well as other areas.  Do either of the three of you think that there's something should be done that would make it a little bit more tolerable this current situation? I think, to be honest, say, if they give us more choice, like, even since last year, like, we were looking through the paper, like, for example, I do economics, like, we were looking through the paper and the amount of choice they got, like, it was unbelievable, like, and the thing is, like, I genuinely really love economics, just for an example, like, but it's just the fact that it's hard to be able to put that much time and effort into all the subjects with the amount of time that we've lost. Last time I was on with you, Greg. 97 days was the amount of time that we've lost. There's teachers that are off and it's not the teacher's fault. No. Because the teachers are stretched too and we just need more choice and especially clarity at this time, how before the mocks, it's just that there's a lot of doors closed and we need them to be open. That's just the way it is. Claude, do you feel that you're the class that gets thrown under the bus to get everything back to normal and get everything back on an even keel? Yes, we are indeed, Greg. And I just think at this moment in time, it's basically just up to the student to try their best. And we are the most disadvantaged leading third by far. Like I did to the leading third papers myself and it's just utter disgraceful. Are any of the three you're comfortable talking about what kind of stress this puts students under? Not necessarily speaking personally.  Because we talk about words are thrown out like anxiety, OK? And the word stress and mental health problems. And I think sometimes those words are now being used, especially when it's relating to people in your age group, as if they don't have the importance that they should have. Now, I'm not saying that's a cross board, but Ellen, do you get the point that I'm trying to make? Like I'm I'm trying to understand, you know, how big an impact this is having on some students and how they feel, you know, and how they feel about life. Yeah, I do. I do agree with your point, definitely. If the students had more in class time and everyone was caught up to speed with the coursework, then their mental health definitely would be better. And I do also agree with you when you say the terms like anxiety are being, say, overused, but not the importance that they deserve are not being put on to them right now. And many people are overusing this word. Because, you know, you might say, well, a lot of students are anxious, like anxious about, you know, going on a first date. But it's not that it's anxious to the point where Mom or Dad has brought them to the GP and maybe they're being medicated or maybe they're trying to get access to some levels of support. You know, that is the actual impact this is having on some students. That's kind of the point I'm trying to make too, Ellen. Exactly. Yeah, definitely. A lot of students are suffering with it. And I feel that if the students had been their voices having heard, maybe this wouldn't be the case. However, we're obviously unsure of that because so many students across the nation do feel like their voices were unheard. All right. And we'll remember all of this again when the debate the next time comes up about giving the vote to 16 and 17 year olds because, you know, that often happens because it suits parties necessarily, maybe because they think the young people will vote with them. But let's not forget that during this conversation, the voices of 16 and 17 year olds didn't really matter seemingly. I'm not being controversial, but that's the only read I can take on it. Look, Ellen, thank you. Listen, the very best of luck with you're actually doing it even so this year as well, Ellen, are you? No, I'm actually doing my junior cert this year, but from peers that I have in leaving cert who are in the union with me, the other regional officer for Donegal, she is doing her leaving cert this year. And she's given me a lot of feedback so I know exactly how these people are... No, listen, I think that makes it even better that you're sticking together on this, regardless of what year you're in and have empathy and understanding for each other. I see that as an advantage, Ellen, not a disadvantage. So thank you very much for joining us. Thank you so much. All right, take care. And I hope everything goes well with your junior cert. Ben, you're going to have to knuckle down now, buddy. Mox, Aron, OK, so I'm not going to ring you anymore, OK? I want to ease across the board. Do you hear me? Once I get it, I'll get in contact with you. All right, good, man. Listen, thanks, Ben. And the best of the very best to look genuinely. We will speak again. Thank you. And same to you, Claude, again.  Brilliant speakers and making really, really clear points and I think the future is bright in your hands. We just need to be looking after you a bit more, I think, on things like this. Thank you, Claude. Thank you very much, Greg, for having me. Have a good one. All right, take care of yourselves. Right, if you've got views on this issue, 08, 660, 25000. Now, I also do genuinely want to say because I know I might be coming across sort of in favour of the hybrid model. I think my views have been sort of formed by the amount of conversations I've had with students that want the hybrid model, but that doesn't mean that the voice of those, the one-third at least, who want to sort of traditional leaving. So that voice is equally important and can give us a better understanding. So please feel free to get in touch with us and express that point of view. Because as I say, it's very important. It's very valid. And maybe there's other views out there, people out there that might go, actually, you know what? What you're saying is true too. We need to look after that point of view as well. So it's open to all views, okay? Well, wait, 60, 25000 or call 07491-25000. The Niantil Nun Show with Bluebird Care, providing home care services for all ages and done it all. Visit bluebirdcare.ie and bring care home. I'm Sam Shed. Paratill Protect, a garden angel. A mess on the inside, but I know what I saw outside. A cat, no, a man burglar, hop Sam's back edge and stow his bike. He couldn't believe it. What FBD did? With no excess to pay, they'll get them back in the saddle. After all, support is what FBD do. Visit FBD.ie today to save 25% on your new home insurance quote. 650 euro limit per theft claim for owner-occupier contents in the open cover. Specified all risks required for items over this value. Claim will affect no claims bonus. Terms and conditions apply. Underwritten by FBD Insurance PLC, FBD Insurance Group Limited Trading as FBD Insurance is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Don't sleep in and miss the very latest beds and mattress offers from DFIbeds.ie, Ireland's leading online bed and mattress retailer. You'll get a comfy Irish-made mattress, upholstered base and headboard from an amazing 229 euro. Check out the full range at DFIbeds.ie, delivery free and guaranteed to you within seven working days. DFIbeds, sleep well, live well. When it comes to searching for a holiday, Atlantic travel and other Kenny deal with all the major tour operators from Dublin and Belfast to find you the best deals available. A week in the sun, a cruise or maybe a short break. Whatever suits, you can book in confidence with Atlantic. Knowing your holiday is protected, shoot something go wrong. Take the hassle and worry out of your holiday booking with the award-winning Atlantic travel sent Oliver Plunkett Road letter Kenny. For a quote today, see Facebook, visit atlantictravel.ie or call 911-26193. Highland radio weather updates with Ireland West Airport. Thinking of a sun holiday this summer with a family? Flight to Alicante, Malaga, Faro, Mallorca and Milan with Ryanair. Ireland West Airport, you're flying. OK, so let's see what the weather forecast has for us today. It'll be breezy, mostly cloudy, with limited brights and sunny spells. There'll be scattered outbreaks of light rain or drizzle, turning more persistent in the evening, mild with afternoon temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees in a fresh and strong gusty wind. OK, now some of your comments. Right, Cawler has a daughter who's hoping to do medicine and feels her only hope is to sit a traditional leaving cert rather than a hybrid leaving cert. For the child that puts their heart and soul into their studies, there's no places for them in college, even if they get the highest of marks and points of skyrocketed as a result of changing the leaving cert system. Maybe the third level education system needs to be looked at also for these students. Cawler totally agrees that the last couple of years have been completely disrupted for these students and understands the anguish, but this is not the answer in order to progress the students onto third level education. And the points, and I've made that point myself and it's a very good point, the points have been skewed. You know, there's been a thousand percent increase in those getting scores for certain courses. You know, in the past, maybe eight or nine students could achieve a certain grade for a certain course and then, you know, 150 got these points.  The government just opened the country regardless of high COVID still circulating to try and make it disappear. Teachers are still off COVID with COVID as our pupils. Nothing has changed, they've missed so much, it's unacceptable. Greg, have you ever watched the GB News channel that's been going since last summer? I haven't watched it myself. They have several high profile presenters, including Nigel Farage, so I presume they have an agenda of some sort similar to some of the American news channels where it's not just about reporting what happens but also trying to influence opinion. Yes, and they make no bones about it. It has a certain leaning, and in fact, one of the presenters took a knee and was sacked for it. Some of those that were there at launch left and it's, you know, it ticks certain boxes for people with a certain view. I wouldn't enjoy watching a news channel that simply gave me the news as I wanted to hear it if you know what I mean, I wouldn't see anything. I'd just be sitting nodding at the TV. You know, I like things that sort of go against what my opinion might be and challenge me and make me think, but anyway, it seems to be doing okay. Just texting in in relation to the leaving started to joke once again, the government departments and ministers making decisions that have serious impact on young people without asking or taking their thoughts into consideration. Yes, it's great to get clarity, but still isn't as it is a leak. There's no excuse for not sorting this earlier or having young people more thought of in terms of these decisions got to feel for the young people. And maybe this is the story that, you know, it's the Department of Education. I'm sure other ministers were given a tip off. Why don't they launch an investigation to find out who's leaking this information into the public domain because it is just not fair on us to be learning things this way. If the student refused to sit the exams, what can the government do? The government can do absolutely nothing. Sure, you can leave school whenever you like after a certain age. If they'd refused them en masse, I think it would fix a lot of problems for the government. They'd have an awful lot of capacity in third level. I don't know. I think really, if it were the case that you could argue, okay? I'll say you could argue. I'm not saying it's opinion. If they cared what the students did, they would listen to the students. And the students wanted hybrid. They didn't give them that. So would they care if the students protested by not sitting the exam? I really doubt that to be completely honest with you, but sure look it. Right, okay. Let's talk to Gary now. And we were speaking about Terman yesterday. There's a gentleman living at the bottom of an estate in Terman. And there is a particular problem for him in that between, I think it was about seven and nine in the evening on occasion, but reasonably regularly. He's sitting watching TV, he's in the house on his own. His wife is away working. He's in his mid sixties, okay? But he's suffered with heart issues. So obviously his family are particularly concerned about that. And young people, he believes are coming up and wrapping the windows. Now not just tapping them, banging them so hard that he fears they might come through. And now he's living in fear of when the next evening this kind of behavior will occur. His daughter went to visit him yesterday and she saw that this, it had happened the night before. She saw that this had had an impact on him to the point whereby, he didn't look himself. So you can understand her concern was such that she wanted to speak publicly about it. Now, Gary is also in the Terman area. Is that correct, Gary? Yes, that's right, yes. All right, what's your experience, Gary? Well, my experience is the exact same as what that man has been going through. It's been about two to three months, well, it's near three months this has been happening to us also. And it's the same thing banging at the window, banging at the door all hours of the day. There was eggs, about six eggs throwing at the windows on the door, one of the nights. And, you know, as well as that, we were just watching a movie and I think you'd hear this really loud banging on a lift jar over, you know. Now, I'm 49 and I don't, you know, whatever age you're and I wasn't going to fall in or I wasn't going to talk but when I heard what's happening to that man, I think, you know, I was going to call up to the man yesterday called up twice, but he wasn't at home to talk and just let him know that I understand exactly why he's going through, you know. Yeah, because you would start thinking, is it, do they not like me? Is it something I've done? Do they want me out of the targeting me? But if it's happening to other people, do you have any idea of the motivation, Gary? Is it so that you chase after them or is it? Well, I did chase after them the first night.   The car had to slam on its brakes and I could see her and the car literally just stopped in front of her and it's just the snowball effect of a silly prank how dangerous it could turn into.  And it happens and that happens, Gary. And you've been subject to verbal abuse from these people as well. Yes, well, me and my partner, we're a couple, we're living up here in Donegal for over 20 years and we've never had anything like this before. I went down another night when my dog was barking and I just went out with the lamp and I could hear them on the way. They went up onto the main road and then they started shouting back, you know, home of probably sorrows and everything. So they're local people or at least some of them are local, that's the one thing. No, they're definitely local because they're on foot and they have to be local. And I actually seen five of them and they were from the ages 11 to 13 as that's what I thought the edges group is, you know? Right, so you don't know when it's gonna happen and obviously it's very disturbing. You can't just sit and pretend it's not happening either. Can you ring the guards every time? I mean, it's a multiple catch 22 kind of a situation feeling. All I can do is appeal to the parents to know where the children are. I mean, this was a half 11 at night time. You know, it's, you know, surely the parents must know their children are out at this time of the night, you know?  I mean, the kids can, they can be edged on by another. But I also have to say there was an older, there was an older, a couple of older lads one other night. So there were different, there was different edge groups. What are the older butters are doing is on the younger butters here than talking about it. They want to go and do it as well or whatever I don't know, you know? Right, okay. I went up to the top of the stair one night and the dog was barking again and there's just trees at the very end.  Now he's about the same height as myself nearly, you know?  And I said to him, like, what are you doing? And he was at the rap in the door over, you know, really hard. And I asked him, like, why was he doing this? And he just said, oh, really knock, knock, knock.   And he, he got out through the field and went up through the graveyard in Termin, you know? He was, they were hiding in the graveyard in Termin when I did follow them and they were hiding in the graveyard in Termin. Right, okay. You know, so I just don't know why a few of the other houses have got eggs thrown at them, but this is going back a number of months back. Like there was about three other houses got eggs thrown at the windows.  I mean, don't get me wrong, Termin has a lovely area and the community is great and people are friendly. We love living up here. But it's got, where's he down though? And it is going to make people start feeling paranoid. You know, it has, you know, one can be immune from that. Eventually, if not very soon, at some point, it's going to make you start thinking, this is just not the dream I thought it was. Do you know what I mean? No, no, I mean, we, it doesn't make you paranoid.  She was barking on, you know, I've decided I'm not going to be chasing after them or anything, but I'll just, I don't know, all I can do as a sort of appeal to the parents to know where their children are.  And, you know, there was one night I couldn't sleep. I was up to half-tree. I was up four. You know, you just think what's going to happen next. I said to the guards, like, now the guards said that all they can do is they're minors. They can't really do anything to them. All they can do is if they could find out who they were and talk to their parents, you know. Some of them don't sound that young.  You just don't know. Well, that's what they said to the guard, like, what's next? Are the stones going to come through the glass? Or, you know, if someone's going to get, you know what I mean? Even check the car, we go out in the mouth. We check the car before we get into it. You shouldn't have to live like that. Listen, Gary, thanks for your time this morning. I hope it gets resolved. We appreciate, and I appreciate you actually coming on because I presume the other gentleman, it'll show a bit of solidarity with him as well because he could feel very isolated and targeted. So, I think... That's why I came on because I just want to let him know. You know, I don't know if I'd around anyone else in the area is, you know, someone else in the area could be going through the same thing. But that's why I came on because I just want to let him know that, you know, you understand how that person can feel. And that man has to be well. I just thought, you know, it's not a fair thing to do.  And I heard his daughter there on the radio. Yeah. And I know she's concerned about him rightly so.  I agree. Gary, listen, thanks for that. Best wishes to you and your partner. And we appreciate you coming on. OK, we'll be back with more after the news and obituary notices. Live on AIR Online and on the Highland Radio app. This is Highland Radio News. Good morning, it's 10 o'clock. Donald Kavanaugh at the news desk. A government minister admitted this morning making a decision on the format of this year's leaving cert is a very difficult thing to get right. The Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister, Simon Coveney, was speaking as the issue comes before cabinet this morning. Education Minister Norma Foley is recommending a return to the written exam format, although there will be a greater question choice on all papers. The children's ombudsman, six-year student groups and opposition parties had all called for a hybrid model like that when used over the course of the past two years.  And in particular, she says, it's affecting people in disadvantaged households. We are going to start pushing to try and get the coursework finished as very unfair, which is having a very negative impact on students' mental health. Grounds may be the only option, but unfortunately in disadvantaged households, this is not an option. Some households cannot afford grinds, some cannot afford the technology, especially during the online learning. It is just very, very unfair. And it was slow to speaking to Greg on this morning's 9-2-noon show. The Irish Nurses and Milwau's organization has warned that chronic overcrowding cannot become the norm once again in the country's hospitals. Last month, the total of 8,636 patients were awaiting beds at hospitals across the country. 817 of those were awaiting beds at Latter County University Hospital. With more detail, here's Makeda Clark. Latter County was the second-most-overcrowded hospital in the Republic of Ireland last month with 817 patients on a trolley. Inamo General Secretary Phil Neehei says it's unacceptable that chronic hospital overcrowding is allowed to continue while COVID is still rampant in many hospitals. She says while it is only the first month of the year, overcrowding records have been broken with the highest levels of January overcrowding since the Inamo began trolley watch in 2006, seen in a number of hospitals, including Latter County and Slango University hospitals. The Inamo says members are embarrassed and tired of apologizing to patients for the per-standard of care environments. The Inamo is calling for the HSC to request a curtailment of elective surgeries until the end of February, as well as bespoke plans for hospitals where chronic overcrowding is a persistent feature of the hospital environment. The community in Johnstown in County, Kilkenny is said to be deeply shocked after a teenager was assaulted yesterday. The 17-year-old was out walking when she was attacked by a man believed to be in his 40s. He then fled the scene, guard the air examining CCTV of the area. They're repeating to anyone that was near the Cullinan's Lane area at around midday yesterday to come forward. The mayor of Kilkenny, Andrew McGuinness, says locals are nervous following the incidents. As a parent, myself, I'm worried for my children. Like every other parent is worried for their children and it's sad that we now have to be extra cautious and that we have people within our communities, no matter how big or small, that are capable of something like this. And we need to work together as a community to stop it and to fight it. Searches were carried out in Derry today following an anonymous report received by police in the early hours of the morning that a device had been left at a school. Police conducted searches and checks in the building in the Hawkins Street area and also in the surrounding area. Now police say nothing untoward has been found. At this point, they do believe it was a hoax. They're urging anyone living or traveling through the area to remain vigilant and to contact them immediately if they see anything suspicious. Work is underway to identify a site for municipal graveyard in Letterkenny. Calls for such a facility have been made by the care look of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District for some time. Councillor Jimmy Kavanaugh believes a multi-dominational burial ground is vital as the size of the town continues to grow as well as the need to meet the demand being placed on existing graveyards. He says to date, progress has been slow. I think maybe that in Letterkenny, maybe we're going to have to start looking outside the actual plan area if we're going to get somewhere suitable. But it is an ongoing issue and that's one. You mentioned how long it's been going on but yeah, I remember Pascal Blake when he was in the town council just to raise this on a regular basis. So it has gone on a long time but we haven't really made progress on it and it's just a matter, as you say, of keeping it an agenda. Whether forecast and MetAerion tell us today will be breezy and mostly cloudy with limited bright or sunny spells, scattered outbreaks of light rain or drizzle turning more persistent this evening. It'll be mild this afternoon temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees Celsius in a fresh to strong westerly wind. That's how many radio news were back with news headlines again at 11 o'clock. Good morning. The obituary notice says for this Tuesday morning of February the 1st the death has taken place of Teresa Boyce, St. Mary's Terrace, Remelton. Remains will repose at her home in St. Mary's Terrace, Remelton from three o'clock this afternoon. Hives private to family and close friends. Requiem mass on Thursday morning at 11 o'clock in St. Mary's Church, Remelton. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Rosary tonight and tomorrow night at nine o'clock. Funeral mass and rosary can be viewed on church services at TV. Family flowers only. The death has taken place of John Croson, Castle Gay, Cool Boy, Letter Kenny. Viewing in the eternal light chapel of rest at Mount and Top Letter Kenny this evening from five until seven o'clock. Requiem mass on Thursday morning at 11 o'clock in St. Columbus Church at Kilmach-Rennan. Burial afterwards in Tully Cemetery. Hives is strictly private to immediate family only at the request of the deceased. Family flowers only. Donations of desire to the Donegal Hospice. Care of any family member or Patrick Sweeney funeral directors. The death has occurred of Billy Daugherty, Carrick McGraw, Bali Buffet. Funeral leaving his late residence on Thursday morning at half past 10 for Requiem mass at 11 o'clock in St. Mary's Church, Sheshaw Nail. Interment afterwards in the adjoining church yard. The funeral mass will be streamed live via the parish webcam. The house and funeral will be private to family, neighbors, and close friends only please. The death has taken place of Charlie Ward, Sixth Sandringham Drive, Perhempark Derry. Funeral leaving his home tomorrow afternoon at 10 past one for two o'clock Requiem mass in St. Patrick's Church, Dunhamanna County, Taroan. Interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only. Please donations and leave flowers if wished to any chest, heart, and stroke. And the death has occurred of Rita Gallher, Laura Keji. Her remains are reposing at her late residence. House private to family, friends, and neighbors. Funeral mass this morning at 11 o'clock in St. Mary's Church, Kinkashla with interment afterwards in Belchurch Cemetery. House strictly private on the morning of the funeral. For more details, including any family health guidelines for wakes and funerals, please go to highlandradio.com. With all the stories that matter across the Northwest, it's Greg Hughes on the 9 to noon show on Highland Radio. Good morning and welcome back to the program. Okay, caller says every student is stressed out and there is no mental health support for them. I know two in my son's class have contacted services for support and there was a year's waiting list. What use is that to them? Another two in his class is sharing a laptop and taking an intern to use early and late. The person late using it doesn't get it till 11 p.m. and gets to bed at 1 a.m. It's unacceptable. That is the reality of what we're talking about here. My son is dyslexic and hates the thought of this form of leaving cert going ahead. Stressed in that house, I'm sure. Greg, my passport took less than a week and saved me 16 euro and now with stamps going up 15 cent next month. Do we really care as much as we used to about the cost of a stamp? I wonder how many of you send letters regularly? The cost of the stamp is going up. Not for SMEs or people who buy stamps in the larger packs but individual stamps on posts say, look, that's the cost of sending a letter now between fuel prices and huge increases in costs. Is anyone as bothered as there was? I think a stamp going up 10 years ago would have been a big deal. Is it as big a deal anymore? Okay, last October it took me about six weeks for someone else as the photo wasn't acceptable so sent it in another application. Twice, finally, it came one mid-November morning. That's a passport, of course. But just an hour before that, I got another email as I was either expecting the passport or that dreaded email of rejection. As that morning, I got both as I took a long walk as I was seething with rage. When I did get back, the poster at the long awaited passport in the mail. I don't know of prayer to Saint Anthony help but can anyone explain that? Okay, don't know what the story is. That comes in from Kevin. Thank you, Kevin, for that. Who voted Jimmy Kavanaugh? Don't remember the election. Who was elected? You mean as Kehirlock? Or was he elected onto the counter-cancelors? All, nearly all of the counselors were. Morning, Greg, in just two weeks. It's just two weeks since the tragic murder of Ashlyn Murphy. We have two more serious attacks on young women. Last week, the attack on two teenage girls in Sligo and then yesterday, the attack on a young girl in broad daylight. It's frightening to think the fear that this has installed in our young, as a mother of a young girl, I feel so sad for them as they say it's not always possible to have someone with you. Maybe you walked home from work or decided to go for a walk on your lunch break and now you're afraid. There has to be more serious sentencing, a warm cell, sky TV, three meals a day and three legal aid is much too good for these people. And it is something that we still need to talk about. The fact that women are randomly being attacked on nights out for a walk, out for a jog. Obviously, in Ashlyn Murphy's case, her tragic murder and for the other women and girls that you mentioned, long lasting scars for them to live with. Unfortunately, we tried to have the conversation the last time, but then it turns into, well, it's not all guys, men getting very defensive all of a sudden. Then there's this motivation as it relates to the race of those that are alleged to have done this. The same people are saying nothing about yesterday's attack because the person spoke with an Irish accent. No messages today, saying, making comments as to where people are from. That hasn't happened today. We can't seem to just have the conversation without people applying it to other scenarios or feeling very defensive. And that's really unfortunate, I think, because the women that are listening to us or our daughters or our sisters or our aunts or our mothers, these are the ones that are just getting randomly attacked on a night out or walking down the street or going for a jog. And we need to be able to have that conversation, I think, and sort that out without everyone trying to attribute it to a different situation or getting very defensive about it. Okay, it's an important issue. If you want to take a stand on that, you know the numbers. We'll be back with more on the program after we get the bingo numbers. Stay where you are. It's time for NCBI Bingo on Highland Radio. It's Tuesday, the 1st of February. You're playing on the brown sheet. The reference number is S2. It's game number five. The numbers are 80, 28, 40, 36, 82, 43, 68, 77, 37, and finally, 23. Phone your claim to 9104833 before 8 tonight. Leave in your name, contact number, and the name of the shop where you purchased your book and we'll call you back the next working day. Get all your NCBI Bingo information at highlandradio.com. Bluebird Care are hiring nurses and carers across Donegal. Call 911-29562. Bluebird Care are sponsors of today's show. Beat the cost of Brexit and no customs charges. Do you need a UK address for your limited company or personal use? Space Hub and Derry can provide you with your own virtual office or mailbox. Have your post and parcels delivered to Space Hub and collected your convenience. Also brand new 20-foot shipping containers now in stock. Ideal for all your storage needs at our Springtown and Comor depots. Find us on Facebook or spacehubderry.com or call 04871 878077 for details.  You know who you are, but we don't. Please get in touch and become an SVP volunteer today. Visit svp.ie. Thank you. I am making my Holy Queen this year. I went to McLean East in Balibu Bay. I got everything I needed. My dress, tiara, bag and cheese. I had an amazing time with so many beautiful dresses and mum was able to pay a deposit with a perfect union dress. For your union day, go to McLean East Balibu Bay. Righty. Oh! Now I need you to give me voice number one and if you have voice number one correct, I am giving you 570 euros. Who do you think it is? I think it might be Dennis Taylor. Dennis Taylor, the snooker player. Yes. Catherine, I can tell you, unfortunately, that voice number one is Dennis Taylor. Oh, my God. Oh, Catherine. Oh, my God, I can't believe it. Well done, 570 euros is yours for correctly guessing Dennis Taylor. Lovely. Thanks so much. Good on you. What's your favorite show on Highland Radio? Sunday's Eight Up, of course. That's the correct answer. That's well done. OK, you're very welcome back to the Ninetal Noon Show here in Highland Radio. It is Tuesday the 1st of February, 2022 and it is time for another edition of our Community Guard Information Slot and we're joined in the studio this week by Garda Nile McGuire. Thank you very much for joining us now. It's good to have you in. Thank you very much, Greg. Right, OK, we will start with a renewed appeal. It was the subject of a national appeal last night and that's as it relates to the awful murder of Sean Duffy. Yeah, this is going back 17 years anniversary on Saturday the 29th of January, 2005. So my colleagues in Milford are investigating the fatal attack on Sean Duffy who was murdered when he was 36 years old. Sean was out socializing in the Strandview Bar and Mahri on Friday the 28th of January, 2005. He then continued on to socialize at a house in Meenacross, Dunlow and returned to his own home at approximately 2.30 in the morning. His body was discovered in the home shortly before 2.30 p.m. that afternoon, so 12 hours later. The colleague, my colleagues in Milford continue to appeal for information in this case and believe that a number of people have yet to come forward and may now be in a position to assist in bringing those responsible to justice. You know, people's allegiances may have changed and with the passage of time, some person may now feel that they have something that they could bring to the table. Anyone with information, please contact my colleagues in Milford 07491-53060 or indeed the Guard of Confidential Line on 1-800-TREVEL-6-TREVEL-1. Now, presumably, obviously, you know, there is a sense that there are people that have information and they've been carrying that for a long time, you know, and no matter who you are, that's gonna weigh heavily on you. You're saying there is an opportunity now for them to choose this time to come forward to relieve themselves of that burden and to help get justice here, to help get answers for the investigation, of course, but primarily Mr. Duffy's family. Yeah, the Detective Branch firmly believe that there is people that are withholding information at the moment and, you know, with the passage of time, they may be able to come towards us now and help us out with this and help the family out. Okay, now, there was also an appeal last night as it relates to an aggravated the burglary. What's the story here? Yeah, this is a sinister one, Greg. My colleagues in Bunkrana are continuing to investigate an aggravated burglary, which is opposed to a regular burglary, and the difference being that, you know, force was used and people were in the house at the time. This occurred on Saturday the 11th of December between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. at Mina Harnish-Bali-Magan, Bunkrana, and it was gained by force to a house that was occupied by a lady and her granddaughter at that location by a couple of males, and these males remained in the house in question for quite a long period of time, which is very unusual, Greg. It's not something that we come across very often. No injuries were reported, but the two female occupants were very understandably shaken and traumatized as a result of their deal. A number of belongings were stolen from the house during the course of the burglary, namely a gold chain and locket, a silver-colored brooch with a red stone and a small sum of money. The first suspect is described as being in his mid-30s of average build and height. He wore a dark gray under-armour tracksuit bottoms, a dark hoodie with the hood up, dark gloves, no mask, and he had a northern accent. The second suspect is described as being in his early 20s of smaller build and height.  So we're appealing to anybody who is in the Bali-Magan area between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. on the 11th of December, and maybe who had dash cam to make the footage available to the guardie. We are particularly interested in any settings of dash cam footage of the following vehicle, a black Volkswagen Passat, possibly a 2005 to 2011 model, Northern Irish registration plates. We're appealing for sightings of this vehicle from the time period of 5.30 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. on the 11th of December on the road from Mina Harnish, Karen Bray, Quigley's Point, tour straight and on into Muff and along the Donegal Dairy border. So again, please contact, maybe, investigate team in Bunkrana, 074920540 or 1-800-666-1. I mean, there's a lot of good information in there as it relates to, you know, descriptions and vehicles. It should not be beyond, if this appeal reaches the right ears, it shouldn't be beyond us to get some good information in relation to that one. Yeah, it's a strange one. I'm not sure the motivation behind this, you know, you know yourself, Greg, from us coming in and making a page to Borgris, it is unusual. It's in and out normally, really, isn't it? It's in and out, yeah, or usually the house is unoccupied and there's very little danger to the occupants, you know. Okay, right. Now, we're going to focus on another burglary this time in Lerner Kenny. Yeah, a more traditional burglary, if I could say that, in the Green Valley McCool Lerner Kenny on Wednesday the 26th of January between half past midnight and 2.40 p.m. This whole, at the Green Valley McCool, the back door of the property was smashed and entry was gained, substantial sum of cash, unfortunately, and a HP laptop, and a high Chica 18-volt cordless drill were stolen during the course of the burglary. So any residents or anyone who may have observed anything suspicious on Wednesday the 26th of January between half past midnight and the following afternoon at the Green Valley McCool, please contact the Guardian at Lerner Kenny. All right, now it's over to Maville and criminal damage. Yeah, back to Boncran again. The guards are appealing for information in relation to a criminal damage incident at Ard Foyle, Maville, between Saturday the 22nd of January, 9 a.m. and Sunday the 23rd of January, 3 p.m. Damage was caused to occur at that location between those times, and a temp was made to set one of the car tires on fire and the one screen was cracked. So anybody that can help the guards, Moncran at 07-4-93-205-40. Okay, now we're talking about criminal damage in Lerner Kenny again this time. Yeah, Ardnery, a state on the Long Lane Lerner Kenny on Saturday the 29th of January between 7 p.m. and 7.15 p.m., so just a 15 minute window. The residents at this house heard a loud bang only to discover that the sitting room window had been smashed by a rock. So I was listening to your show earlier, Greg, and I heard that chap running in and from the terminal and you were mentioning about windows being smashed very traumatic for somebody having to sit and watch on TV or whatever in the evening time and then their window being broken in by a rock or whatever and somebody could have been badly injured. And this happens frequently, unfortunately. So my colleagues in Lerner Kenny can be reached on 9167-100. So anybody in the Ardnery or Long Lane area that can help us between 6.45 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. on 29th of January, please give us a shout. Now obviously, you heard the conversation earlier as it relates to what these people are going through in term and I don't think those responsible realise that it's so distressed for. I'm not asking to comment on that specifically, but I mean, you know, more generally, obviously, you know, parents don't want that knock on the door or guardians don't want knock on the door saying that your young person is involved in this type of activity. I mean, it's advisable from, you know, and this would be advice coming from Guardi for parents to find out have the children or younger people been involved in this and to discontinue because, you know, if you have a partner behaviour where you think this is OK, what do you do when you're 20 or 21 or 22 or 23?  This is not acceptable behaviour. Yeah, well, they see it.  You know, it appealed to the parents just like that gentleman said earlier, you know, know where your kids are at all times, please, especially like this happened, I think, on one occasion at a half-eleven at night. So, yeah, you know, kids of that age should be in bed, you know, at a half-eleven on a school night. So, yeah, OK. Right, slurry spreading season has begun. Yeah, this time of year, first of February, the slurry spreading starts and I suppose you just maybe like to make a few points on it. If I could, Greg, there's going to be a lot more tractors and trailers on the road.  Keep a lookout in relation to, you know, farm yards and stuff in excellent fields, you know, because, you know, the farmers are under pressure this time of year as well. And the farmers themselves, you know, just I want to remind them of a few things as well, you know, don't let the traffic build up behind you too much because people do get impatient. Try and pull in, please, if it's safe to do so. Don't use your mobile phone when you're driving a tractor. It's very important because, you know, you're driving a machine that could be 15, 20 tons or whatever and, you know, everything's changed then the dynamic of the vehicle's changed. So please don't, I'm opinion directly farmers, please don't use your mobile phone when you're on the public road. Wash down your vehicles and trailers and they keep the muck and the slurry off the roads. You're required to have the proper lights and clean lights as well so that they're visible at all times. You know, we have had fatal accidents in the country before where we had slurry tankers being crashed on the rear because at nighttime the lights were completely obscured by muck, brakes, very essential bit of a kit when they're towing that kind of weight as well, Greg. And it's tempting for farms maybe to let maybe younger, more unexperienced children of, you know, relatives drive vehicles so don't chance it or risk it, you know, make sure they're familiar with the equipment. And slurry itself, there's two particular risks.  But maybe, just as a reminder, maybe to remain visitors to the farm that wouldn't be familiar with slurry and tanks and stuff, never leave them unaccompanied when there's slurry and slurry tanks open. All right, some other interesting points actually because we were talking about an issue where people had branches come down on their vehicles regardless of whether it's a slurry tank or whatever or you're drawing hay, make sure that you're not overloaded and you're not clipping cables or branches. And an interesting one, large farm vehicles should consider using an escort. Yeah, well that would... Is that practical? No, no, that wouldn't be for slurry tanks now. That would be for, you know, combine harbours and things like that that are over certain width. I think that there's a legal requirement for having a permit on the road for width of vehicles and that is applied for through the county council but it wouldn't apply to 99% of the farmers in Donegal, that's for a huge machine. I think it's over two metres. Right, okay. And I'm sure that information will be republished on the Godashiyakana Donegal Facebook page. Right, every day should be safe for internet day. Yeah. Constant nuisance, isn't it? Yeah, well, the safe for internet day takes place next Tuesday at the February. And, you know, it's something that, you know, we can't as parents wing it anymore, because the kids are buying a site on this in relation to maybe hiding what they're at or what they're looking at online and what's been shared with them. So there is a website, webwise.ie, I've had a good look at it and it's in collaboration with the Department of Justice as well and it's a good resource for parents to look at so they can maybe update themselves on sort of the latest bits and pieces. Because you might think they're still on Facebook or Instagram but they might be nine times out of ten on TikTok. And you can't have a conversation if you don't understand that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Parents need to be aware maybe of the minimum ages for certain apps and things, you know, like Snapchat, I think it's 13, Facebook, I think it's 16.  The hashtag talk, listen, learn campaign, that's a part of this, isn't it? Yeah, that encourages parents to talk with their children about the benefits and risks associated with the internet but also to listen to what their child has to say and how they feel about the internet and, you know, there's a free online webinar for safer internet day that takes place beforehand on Monday the 7th of February at 11 a.m. This event will explore how to support parents and children online and there's a link to register for the event and that's accessed through WebWise Ireland Facebook page or on the website, webwise.ie. All right, great stuff and there's loads of tools on webwise.ie too that parents can employ. Listen, thank you very much as always and I'll appreciate it. Thank you, Greg. Okay, that was the Community God Information slot for this Tuesday the 1st of February. We'll be back with the item again after the 10 o'clock news next Tuesday and we'll be back on this program today after the break. Then, now until noon show with Bluebird Care providing home care services for all ages and done it all visit bluebirdcare.ie and bring care home. At Irish Life, we've been helping people make smart investments with their nest egg for over 80 years. For actual trusted advice, search Irish Life.ie or contact your financial broker or advisor. We know Irish Life. We are Irish Life. Irish Life Financial Services is tied to Irish Life Assurance for life and pension problems. Irish Life Assurance PLC is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. For all your pharmacy needs and health care advice at this time, McGee's Chemist are here to help. Things may be a bit different right now, but you can always rely on McGee's. Prescriptions can be ordered over the phone or online at McGee's.ie and you'll be contacted when it's ready for collection. McGee's Chemist Main Street, Lerikennie and at McGee's.ie here to help with your health and well-being. Woo-hoo! It's time to get started. With your health and well-being. Woo-hoo! It's back! The Holy in the Sun! September 26th to October 3rd. Contact Cassidy Travel Dublin or visit Declanairny.com. Years ago, I used to dread my motor insurance renewal. Then a friend told me about O'Malley's Scanlan Insurance in Balabuffet and Dunlowe. They do all the hard work. They contact all the major insurance underwriters and they get the very best possible quote for me. They have saved me a small fortune over the years and they could do the same for you. When your insurance comes up for renewal, contact O'Malley's Scanlan Insurance at their Balabuffet office on 911-310-20 or they're done low office on 95-320-6. O'Malley's Scanlan is regulated by the Central Bank. In harsh winter weather, Watson hire have all you need to stay safe and keep warm. There's great deals on coal, calor gas, firewood and heating oil with free local delivery. Also electric, fan, halogen and oil filled heaters. You can see in-store and the fuel store at watsonhire.ie. Great offers on winter clothing and boots. And for any hire items, there's still the weekend hire deal of three days for the price of one. All at Watson hire, kill toy letter Kenny with free parking at the door. It's the right price tiles on wood flooring half price sale. Get up to 50% off everything in store. All kitchen and bathroom tiles, all wood flooring, all bathware, all cladding, everything's reduced. It's our biggest ever sale. The right price tiles on wood flooring half price January sale. Stores nationwide sale extended until Sunday. Highland radio time checks brought to you by letter Kenny shopping center, the center of shopping in Dunny all, free parking and shopping all under one roof. Letter Kenny shopping center bringing you the time. The time is 10 32. You're welcome back to the program. Couple of requests here now for a popular guy this morning. It's Billy Con. How they could you wish my grander? Billy Con from Tandari Geek on Mania. Happy 70th birthday from Kiva and Corey and all the Doherty family. Another one for you, Billy. This time, the message is hope you're recovering from your big night at dancing on Saturday night. Lots of love. Your granddaughters, Shannon and Madison. Lovely name Madison. Okay, right. We'll be back with much more in the nine till noon show after we take this from Duran Duran. And this is Rio. All right, that is a Rio from Duran Duran. Okay, more on the program coming up after these. Bluebird Care are hiring nurses and carers across Dunnygall. Call 911-295-62. Bluebird Care are sponsors of today's show. Fuse box gone haywire. Water pressure too weak. Boiler finally gone kaput. The good news is there's a local hero for that. Boilers, plumbing, electrics, locks and drainage. Take the hassle out of home repairs with localheroes.ie. Our online service connects you with trusted trades people in your area and all work comes with a 12 month guarantee backed by board gosh energy. Get a quote in minutes at localheroes.ie Terms and conditions apply. Milford tiles, wood flooring and bath where Milford retail park now open. Large range of wall and floor tiles on display and in stock. Over 70 different laminate floors to suit every pocket. Tiler's and wood footers available. New bath where showroom now open. Milford tiles, wood flooring and bath where<PHONE_NUMBER>. Oh, your dad sent a holiday photo of them in Northern Ireland. If there's a few. How much did they get up to? They're still coming. Why aren't we on holidays? With so much on offer from helicopter tours soaring above the Causeway Coastal route and crossing the Fermanna Lakes on an groundwater taxi to gripping history tours of Krumlin Road Jail. Planning what you'll do next is easy at discovernorthernarland.com. Just try not to make the rest of the family too jealous.  When planning and visiting, please double check your bookings and always follow current COVID-19 travel restrictions available at nidirect.gov.uk. Storngoes, Springtown Derry, the north of Ireland's only temperature controlled smart access individually sized storage units. Storngoes offers storage for personal storage, house moves and renovations, business storage for excess stock or filing systems. Once signed up, you can access 24 hours a day through an app on your phone, gaining access through four levels of security to your most precious possessions. Call Storngoes, Springtown Derry on 02871 278 900 to discuss your needs and get bespoke advice or get a free quote at Storngoes.net. OK, you're very welcome back to the 9 till noon show. Now, as you may be aware, Donegal County Council's monthly meeting was adjourned for a week yesterday without even agreeing the minutes of a meeting in July. The meeting saw Councillor Frank McBrady suspended from all council, committee and municipal district meetings for a month. He also faces a 10% cut in his pay and expenses for 12 months. A cycle of disruptions and adjournments also meant the co-option of Jeremy Guinness to replace his late father, Bernard, did not go ahead as it turns out he was unable to make that meeting Monday. It reconvenes next Monday. And presumably, at that point, he'll be able to be co-opted in person. Right, obviously, Donal Kavanaugh was at that meeting yesterday. He joins us now. Hi, Donal. Hi, how are you? Right, so what is the background to this? Because, you know, Frank McBrady wanted matters discussed and this first emerged at a prior meeting. Yeah, Councillor McBrady obviously has taken a very keen interest in the issue of Micah and he has a number of questions that he's been raising with council for quite some time. Several of them relating to the purchase of a number of houses by the council and shown that subsequently turned out to be affected by Micah. And that issue has been in the public domain for several months. Now, Councillor McBrady has been consistently asking questions. When you say they subsequently turned out to have Micah, the question is... What did the council know and when did the council know? Yeah, and that essentially is what Councillor McBrady is asking. Now, at a meeting in July, there had been a series of questions raised by the councillor and in July, he was... Again, he raised those questions and during the course of a discussion, the phrase systemic corruption in Donegal County Council was mentioned in a public forum. Now, immediately the Cahirla councillor, Jack Murray and the chief executive asked him to provide evidence and there were some discussions and he was asked to provide evidence of what he was claiming by the end of January, which obviously was yesterday. The meeting opened and there were a number of minutes of previous meetings to be approved. First of all, the budget meeting and then the next was to approve the meeting that took place in July and what basically happened was councillors Gary Doherty and Nicholas Crossen both said, there was a mention of systemic corruption at a meeting in the past. A provision was made that any evidence will be produced by the end of January. What's the situation? Now, before we get onto that, okay. Councillor McBrady is an elected representative. He has concerns, he claims to have evidence. There are reports into these type of matters that have been gathering dust down the country for a long time. A lot of people would wonder where they are. So what I'm trying to get at is, is it the fact that the council process is set out in such a way that his concerns can't be explored at an average monthly meeting? What the council is saying and has been saying and members of the Executive House said is that the issue of the specific issue of the five houses is being investigated and reports will be presented in due course. Councillor McBrady has not been here for happy with the answers he's been given to those questions. He continues to press the matter. He's raising other matters as well in terms of Micah and in terms of the council's response and in terms of, you know, and he's raised several questions with the council about the Micah issue. As I said, he takes a very keen interest in it. He obviously has not been happy with the responses he's been getting and he's not been happy with the processes that are in place in the council at the moment. There was talk of evidence being presented by Councillor McBrady of this systemic corruption that he referred to in the past. So he was asked to do so by the end of January. Now this is where there, and I have to be honest, I cannot answer this question because the impression given, no one from the Executive spoke yesterday at all on this issue. The Coher look, Councillor Murray, said that these allegations were taken very seriously and he was speaking about the need for evidence. Now immediately, Councillor McBrady raised a folder, a very substantial folder, a box of files in the air and says, there's your evidence, there's your evidence, come and take a look at it. He also referenced that he had sent emails to the chief executive. Now whether those emails contain to documentary evidence or what those emails contained, we don't know. I mean, Councillor McBrady has sent emails to various members of the media over the months, but we don't know what was in these emails. They are to a great extent because I've went through quite a few of them and if it's the same information, they are responses to freedom of information requests which is for the most part, I imagine, cancel documentation and conversation. Yeah, so really then you present you present that same information back to the council. Yeah, and he's, now Councillor McBrady is claiming that some of the documentation he has and some of the things he has said to the chief executive, that that effectively to him, presumably, that as far as he is concerned, constitutes what he has described as systemic corruption. Councillor Meeho, Colin Glass, spoke also made similar claims, but he sort of rolled back on them slightly at the meeting in describing what he meant and he was more speaking of inaction and lack of impetus than necessarily corruption, but he rolled back slightly. Councillor McBrady hasn't, he's very much been pushing this. The Cahir look ruled from the chair that Councillor McBrady yesterday was being disruptive. Councillor McBrady took grave exception to that. He raised the question several times, are you a member of Ungard the Sheer Connor? What mandate do you have to investigate anything? Now, to which point the meeting adjourned and it was a clear... If that is the argument though, so then that maybe is not the right form to investigate such matters, because obviously if you're saying to the Cahir look, you're not a guard, you can't investigate this, presumably regular monthly meetings then to extend that. It would not be the place to investigate and inverted commas such serious allegations. And we know Councillor McBrady is seeking legal advice on a number of issues and I think he's made it quite clear in the past he believes there needs to be inquiries and I suspect he believes ultimately that there are issues he has of concern to him that he would want to see investigated by a third party, be that Ungard the Sheer Connor or be that a tribunal or whatever. I mean, that did not come up at the meeting, but it would appear on the face of it certainly that nothing the Cahir look said was going to be satisfactory to Councillor McBrady, that was quite clear. And there was no confidence in the chair expressed by Councillor McBrady. So we got into this sort of, as I described it in the script, I wrote a cycle of adjournments and disruptions where there was a clear conflict between Councillor McBrady and the chair. I've heard it threatened at previous council meetings but to suspend a member from all meetings for a month, the scope was there to go as far as three months. But the minimum was adopted and also a 10% cut in pain expenses for 12 months. I can't recall ever reading of this. I can't ask you with this on precedented, but you've been around a long time. I've been covering council meetings for 31 years. I certainly have not seen this ever crop up on Doney Gold County Council before. So what happens now next week because these are public meetings they're open to the public. If Councillor McBrady is suspended from attending as an elected representative, there is clearly, I would imagine, nothing to stop him attending as a member of the public in inverted commas and making his views known from the galleries. That it may well be that Councillor McBrady could enter the meeting as a member of the public. I, whether he would be satisfied to do that, whether he would intend to do that, I don't know. My impression that I get from him is that he does not accept the legality or the constitutionality of the bounds that have been made against him. From what he was saying, I think his intention would be to attend as a councillor and he believes he still has a legal right to attend as a councillor and he certainly made it quite clear that he did not accept the standing orders had any basis in law and he was challenging the legality and the appropriateness of the standing orders under which these decisions were taken. And certainly as far as he's concerned, I think Councillor McBrady certainly does not accept the sanctions that have been leveled against him by the council. So in relation to the accusations he's making, are they being investigated or are, you know, just to be clear as much as we can because obviously we don't know, we can't get in behind the closed doors of the council. But in terms of his allegations of the executives, ACS will investigate that or an investigation might happen pending the, you know, providing some evidence of your claims. Do we know clearly at all what the status is? Based on yesterday's meeting Greg, the unfortunate thing is at no point were the questions answered. At no point was that. So as I said, no one from the executive spoke. The only member of the executive to speak at all yesterday was Councillor Larrity, the county secretary who was basically given the results of three recorded votes. The vote to suspend it from the meeting. He faced questions from the floor as that was happening also. Questions were raised by Councillor McBrady. He did not answer them. There was nothing apart from the, these are the results of the recorded vote. Nothing was said by any member of the executive. It was the Cahirlook speaking and the Cahirlook attempted, I think, to, there was a response that Cahirlook was attempting to give, but he never got to the end of a sentence because of interjections from the floor. So in terms of, in terms of the vote itself, I watched a little bit of online as well. What way did councillors vote? I think a lot of people have expressed regret, Jimmy Kavana earlier on that he was faced with such a vote. It was done in, and I think in fairness, councillors acted with a heavy heart. No one was happy with what was happening at that meeting. Esther, I spoke to a number of councillors over the course of the day. The first vote which was to suspend Councillor McBrady from the meeting, that was voted 32 votes to one in favour of suspending. The one was councillor Micheal Cullum, McGill aspect. Is he supporting councillor McBrady or opposing the process? In fairness to opposing the process, in fairness to councillor Micheal Cullum, what he said and he was not present in the chamber, he was online as were a number of other councillors. He made it quite clear that whereas he did not agree with the disruption of the meeting, he did not believe that suspension was the appropriate response. Did he offer an alternative? He said we should be sitting down to discuss our differences. That's the council meeting. That was the alternative. He did not offer any specific alternative, but to say we should all sit down and discuss this like rational adults and try to come to some form of agreed solution. But he and the other two votes went to think 30 votes to one, councillor McBrady abstained. In fact, when councillor McBrady the first time went on the recorded vote to suspend him from the meeting, his name was called and his response was that he did not accept the vote and his response was quite flowery in terms of the language used. Right, okay. So it's really, we have to wait to see what happens next one day now. We do and at this point in time where we are, and we now have an entire agenda that has not been touched. We have a councillor, a new councillor, yet to be co-opted onto the meeting. And as I said, speaking to the guy here, look afterwards yesterday, among the issues we have and you know it from the programme, there is a very important piece of in the development plan regarding wind energy that wants to have gone out to public consultation yesterday. That has not now happened. The New Letter County plan wants to have gone out to public consultation yesterday. That's not now happened. So there's a new law. It's going to be a difficult one to resolve. I mean, the probably end up just do meetings online. It is utterly possible that what we may actually see is, again, could we have this once before last year? It was actually a meeting, I think it may well have been the July meeting where what happened was the meeting initially was in aura and it was stopped in aura and then reconvened online two or three hours later. And whether that happens again remains to be seen. It could yet be the case. Okay. Listen, thanks for that, Donald. I appreciate it greatly. Donald Kavanaugh, who was present and reporting on that meeting yesterday. A caller says, who give the councillors the right to suspend Frank McBrurty? He's got questions that should be answered. Well, the, what do you do? The standing orders. The standing orders give the right. The standing orders are very specific. Now, as I said, councillor McBrurty has challenged the legality and appropriateness of those standing orders. But the standing orders of councillors say, if a member is being disruptive, there are things you can do. The first thing you can suspend them from the meeting. The second thing, if they refuse to leave, you may then impose that 10% sanction. And of course, in terms of the word disruptive, there's going to be different interpretations of that. But listen, Donald. The standing order would see the interpretation of the, here look at the interpretation of the chair. It's what the standing order would want to do. Okay. Thanks, Donald. Another caller says, absolutely disgraceful, being punished for doing the right thing, which is what happened to Frank McBrurty in Donagall County Council, says another text or more on the way. www.bluebirdcare.ie and bring care home. It's available now at the hotel reception and online at eventbrite.ie. Tribb Baish 2022 at the Clanbury Hotel Letter Kenny, your ideal Valentine's weekend. Every year in the GAA, something unique happens. First-class rivals suddenly become first-class teammates. Fiercinter County foes turn into friends, and yesterday's opponents now have each other's backs. Grudges set aside all of the best club and county players from every corner of this country, line out in their college or university jerseys to play together, challenge together, and win together. It can only be the electric Ireland Sigerson, Fitzgibbon, and higher education championships. Does your home need a fresh coat for a fresh start? Foyham Company in Ballybuffet and out of Kenny stock all the leading paint brands and wallpapers, all available for nationwide delivery. Let the Foyham Company team help you create the perfect color scheme for your home and lifestyle, guiding you through the process of selecting the right paint for your indoor or outdoor space. Book your free online or in-store color consultation today at foys.ie. Foyham Company in Ballybuffet and out of Kenny. Highland Radio weather updates with Ireland West Airport, Ronaldo, De Bruyne, Cavani, you can now see both Manchester teams in action with Ryanair's twice-weekly service to Manchester. Ireland West Airport, you're flying. Okay, today we'll be breezy mostly cloudy with limited Brighter sunny spells, scattered outbreaks of light rain or drizzle, turning more persistent in the evening, mild with afternoon temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees and a fresh to strong. Westerly wind now somewhat more affected by the will it want it leaving Sir Tobacco. John, just last year it's India. Good morning to you and thanks for... We've lost India there. We'll get her back in a moment, okay? A caller says is it legal for tractors to have... Is it legal for tractors to have big lights on the back of the cab blinding cars coming from behind? I don't know if that's legal or not. So, okay, let's get back to India. Hi, India. Hi, Greg. How are you doing? I'm doing great. Right, now, so last year when we were talking to you, it was the same kind of situation. Will they want they by hook or by crook and all that kind of stuff? Eventually, they went ahead with a predicted grade system.  Once you found out what you were doing, how did it work for you? Well, as you mentioned, I was on last year and we were lucky enough that we were told that we would get the hybrid leaving cert. But it was not an easy road to get there. Like, we really had to fight for it. And it was weeks and weeks of uncertainty and stress that really didn't need to happen, to be honest. I mean, once we got the news, some of the teachers were concerned about the predicted grades and how they may affect us. But I was just glad that I knew what was happening. And I felt that at the time, it was the best option for everybody. Now, people that worked hard over the two years, they found out the best because they didn't really have to set the exam or they had more of kind of a leeway. I set four exams, I was supposed to set five, but I was sick for one of them. And the two I didn't set, I was actually downgraded in. But at least we knew what was happening. But I think- But predictive grades, really the system last year, although you're broadly welcome, it didn't, it did you a disservice. You lost points, really, didn't you? Yeah, I lost about 50 points, around about 50 points. Now, the first year, the predictive grade system was not perfect because it was kind of just thrown together last minute. The second year, fair enough, they were still finding tweaks in it. But the promise that was made was that the layman's third for this year would not have to go through what we went through. And it's ridiculous that they're going into their mocks, having to worry about whether or not their mocks will be used as they're leaving cert. The uncertainty is just not necessary. And as you rightly point out too, the predictive grade system, if you are the type of student that really bangs it out a few weeks or months in front of an exam, it's not going to work well for you if they reflect on exams over the course of the last year or two and you didn't do very well in them. Yeah, I mean, if you're the kind of, like I think the last three years have really shown how the layman's third is just not set for purpose. Not everybody can sit at a desk for five hours at a time and read about cover to cover. But I think that the predicted grade system allows that kind of fluidity for students that can sit at a desk for hours at a time or students that work better with tasks that are spread out. But that being said, India, you got your position, the course that you wanted, which is great. A lot of people missed out, though, because of inflated grades too, though, didn't they? Yeah, I mean, how the points jumped was scary. Like, I was so, so lucky that I was offered my course with the points that I got. But there was a lot of heartbreak the day that the results came out. And I think that was due to not enough college places and people that deferred in the first year. But I think that if this system, I mean, it's all well and good to say this, if they had a sat down in September and said, right, we need to do something about the leaving cert, I think that would have given the colleges more opportunities to allow for more places. But the promise was made last year that this wouldn't happen. And it really shouldn't be. It's not fair on the leaving certs. It's not fair in the teachers. It's not fair in anybody. But also too, you talked about deferring. And I've tried to make this point a couple of times on this program. I would wonder how leaving certs, the class of 2022 will fare with their exams that they sit. And of course, obviously the disruptive learning, they're going to be competing for college places against maybe one or two years of people that deferred with arguably inflated points. Yeah. I mean, the backlog I'd say is still insane. Like people that would have deferred last year didn't get their points. And I think that needed to be taken into consideration when the decision was made. And I think that key factor is not being brought up enough. And then you have the problems with housing. Even if you do get your place, the housing isn't there yet. Well, that's it. More college places, you need more rooms. And that ain't happening. Yeah. So let me ask you, with everything that you know now, and you can be a little bit selfish because you know, you've got one version and it's OK if you have a different view. With everything that you know, do you think they should still go with a hybrid this year or do we have to reset at one point and have traditional leaving certs again? And unfortunately, it has to be this year. I think that the last three years have shown that the leaving cert is not fit for perfect. But we can't overhaul it, India. Would you go with hybrid or traditional this year? I would go with hybrid. But I would ensure that every tweak that happened last year was ironed out. You know, the bell curve, our English teacher had the greatest saying. The bell curve will always hold. And that was about inflated points. And we thought she was mad, but she was right. And I think that needs to be looked into more. The algorithms need to be worked out more. But I think that this year needs, something needs to be looked at to change the course of the leaving cert completely so that in years to come, they're not battling through will we, will we? Yeah, that's not waste. The old saying, well, it's not all, but it's overused now.  You know, this is the chance now to, we see the problems, we see the stresses. We're hearing from students more than we ever did. The leaving cert as is, is not fit for purpose. No, definitely not. And it's not fair that students have to fight and fight and fight. Leaving cert year is stressful enough. And the mental health of students shouldn't be second to a traditional leaving cert, which is outdated and not fit for purpose. All right, Andy, listen, continue success with your course in Belfast, Studying Politics and International Studies. Great to chat to you again. Thanks for joining us. Thanks for having me. All right, take care of yourself. Bye-bye. Okay, a busy third hour of the show. Stay right where you are. You won't want to miss it. Plenty to keep you entertained. But at 11 o'clock, it's time for a news update. And we cross over now and say good morning once again to Michaela Clark. Thanks, Greg. Good morning. Garde have described the targeting of an elderly woman and her granddaughter in Bancrana as sinister. Investigations are continuing into the aggravated burglary on December 11th at Mina Harnish at Bali, Magan. Between 4 and 6 a.m., a number of men gained entry by force to the highs where they remained for some time. No injuries were reported, but the women were left shaken and traumatized. The Green Party leader says an exam only format for this year's leaving cert is the fairest option. The hybrid approach, giving six years a choice of calculated grades, isn't expected to be adopted. Instead, the Cabinet is considering proposals which will see students offered a greater choice of questions. A serious mistake that shouldn't have happened. That's the verdict of the Foreign Affairs Minister to the Champaign celebration by staff at his department during COVID restrictions. Four officials have agreed to pay 5,000 euro between them to charity following an internal investigation. Minister Simon Coveney believes that is sanctioned enough and says the spontaneous event is in no way comparable to the parties we've heard about at Dining Street. While the UK Labour leaders accuse the British Prime Minister of taking the public for mocks after reporting to alleged Dining Street parties find there was a failure of leadership. Boris Johnson seems to have calmed the anger of his own MPs with a meeting last night being described as positive. A substantial sum of money and a number of high-value items have been stolen during a burglary in Lettercanny. Between 12.30 a.m. and 2.40 p.m. on Wednesday last, the back door of a house in the area of the Green Valley-McCool was smashed and entry gained. Our dear appealing to other residents are anyone who may have observed any suspicious activity in the area at the time to contact Garde. Anyone investigations are ongoing into a number of criminal damage incidents in Donegal in recent weeks. In one instance, significant damage was caused to a car in Movil while in Lettercanny a window of a property was smashed by a rock. And work is underway to identify a site for a municipal graveyard in Lettercanny. Hulls for such a facility have been made by the Kehirlock of the Lettercanny Milford Municipal District for some time. And so Jimmy Kavanaugh believes a multi-denominational burial ground is vital as the size of the town continues to grow as well as to meet the demand being placed on existing graveyards. Those and the latest headlines will be back with an update again at 12.00. Okay, McKayla, thank you very much. Back after the break. on air and online every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during our prime time shows, we will broadcast the latest job opportunities across the Northwest and into County's Derry and Taroan. All job listings will be available online at highlandradio.com. For more information, contact the advertising team on 07491 253 222 or email advertising at highlandradio.com. Highland Radio, we're here for you. Beat the cost of Brexit and no customs charges. Do you need a UK address? For your limited company or personal use, Space Hub in Derry can provide you with your own virtual office or mailbox. Have your post and parcels delivered to Space Hub and collected your convenience. Also brand new 20-foot shipping containers now in stock. Ideal for all your storage needs at our Springtown and Comor depots. Find us on Facebook or spacehubderry.com or call 04871 878 077 for details. With the onset of different variants of coronavirus, it is vital that your business, office or school has the most up-to-date air purification device. McDade's bathroom plumbing tiles introduce the Diken air purifier. It eliminates 99.9% of coronaviruses in under three minutes. Ideal for residential settings, offices, classrooms and waiting rooms. Priced at €495 is a great investment. For more details contact McDade's bathroom plumbing tiles from Cranack or on your phone, call or email away. It's Derrick Ryan live at the Millennium Forum Derry on Saturday, the 26th of February. Derrick will be joined by special guests Olivia Douglas and Owen Mack. Last remaining tickets are available now from millenniumforum.co.uk. That's Derrick Ryan live at the Millennium Forum Saturday, the 26th of February. Okay, you're very welcome back to the 9 till noon show here on Highland Radio. And we welcome on to the programme now Vicki McGraw, who's CEO of Rare Diseases Ireland. Thank you very much for joining us Vicki. It's nice to speak to you. And you Greg, thank you. So how do we classify rare diseases?  So is there a particular group of diseases that sort of would qualify as being described as rare diseases? So rare diseases are defined as an EU or European level as being less than one in 2000 people. So a condition that might affect less than one in 2000 people. In Ireland, there are, you know, there are examples of many rare diseases. But you know, I guess that the most prominent or one of the most prominent ones that we would think of would be something like cystic fibrosis. And actually the incidence in Ireland is higher than one in 2000. But when we think across all of Europe, it goes down to one in 2000. So there are about 6,000 to 8,000 different rare diseases documented at this stage. Some of them would be ultra rare, less than one in a million or even less than that. There might only be a handful of people around the world with a particular condition. So yeah, so it goes from something like cystic fibrosis right down to you'll be very unlikely to ever meet somebody with one of those conditions. And in terms of, you know, there's problems in the health services seemingly in a lot of countries.  Sorry, that's not fair to say, but there's serious deficits that, you know, and we've really seen that now. And a lot of people with non rare diseases might say, you know, it's very hard to get treatment or it's hard to get access and complain of delays. But people with rare diseases would report much longer delays, presumably. Yeah. Well, I guess the challenge with rare diseases is because there are so many and because they are so unusual, it's actually very difficult to even just get that first step of a diagnosis. We conduct a survey at the end of last year. And in that survey, we found that about a third of people are waiting more than five years to even get that first step of a diagnosis. So over that five year period, they might visit a number of different consultants they might go through a battery of tests, they might even be treated for different rare conditions. And then subsequently it's discovered no, it's not that condition that you have, it must be something else. And so that's really the big challenge for people living with rare conditions. And what's interesting about that is, Vicki, and we've spoken to a number of people affected by these, they're seeing consultants, they're seeing medical professionals, but they're not getting the diagnoses or, as you say, they're being treated for something that turns out not to be what they're actually sick of. So is this is a resources issue? Is it a mindset issue? Because often consultants are excellent, but they might not see the woods for the trees on certain things as well. So what is the root cause? What do we need to be doing better? There's probably two things in terms of what we could do better. The first one would be genetics. So about 72%, I think it is, of rare conditions are genetic and are origin. So if we could speed up the access to genetic services and get people tested earlier to try and identify and narrow down what the root cause of a particular condition might be, that would be the very first thing that I would recommend. The second thing, then, actually goes right back into the education system that I guess our medical schools are looking more towards the big conditions. And the healthcare service is very broken down by a cardiologist looks at the heart or a hepatologist looks at the liver and it's trying to get that joined up thinking around actually this person has complications in five or six or 10 different areas and how do we all plug in our expertise to narrow down what it is? So there's a lot of integrated care and joined up thinking and things like that. But I think it goes right back into the med schools to actually say, you know what, you're going to be presented with a lot of people that are going to have something that you'll only ever see once in your life and how do we navigate that? It's interesting that the conversation about genetics because, you know, when we talk about rare diseases, say one in 2000, there are conditions that are more, you'll see more in Donegal, the rate would be much higher, for example, okay? Yes. So you look at it nationally and you say, well, it's relatively rare. And I've spoken to people involved in genetics and there are conditions in Donegal that the prevalence is way, way, way, way higher than the one in 2000. And we know that because of genetics and it's rooted in genetics. Should we be generally exploring that? I think you've pretty much called for that already. But exploring that, you know, and maybe looking at this with more finesse than we do. Definitely, definitely. So yeah, I think, you know, the typical example, I guess, from the Northwest, from the Donegal region would be amyloidosis. A lot of people coming from Donegal will have that. And so you'll find that there are people, I guess, all around the world that when they look back at their family trees or whatever, they'll discover actually there was Donegal roots in there at some stage. And so that's the root cause for their condition. So I think, yeah, there are lots of, I guess, when you're studying medicine in Dublin or Galway or wherever around the country or around the world, but you end up practicing in the Northwest of Ireland, you need to maybe tailor a little bit of the education around, right, you're here now, you need to update your skills on what happens locally as well with some of these conditions because there are geographical variations. So yeah, I guess there's lots that can be done and it's trying to get all of that joined up thinking, but yeah. And it can be a little bit frustrating because, you know, what we have seen is if there is a will, there is a way. And it must be incredibly frustrating for more common diseases as well as rare diseases to say, well, hall on you. Why did we not throw the kitchen sink at this particular issue? Oh, I don't know. I guess, you know, the first thing is that people get into their comfort zones, I'm guessing, and they're kind of like, well, we know how to treat this and so we're going to, you know, stick and this is my area of expertise. And, you know, as you say, throwing the kitchen sink at everything, you know, I guess it is the rare conditions and the need for research and innovation in those places. There is more kitchen sinks, I guess, being thrown at some of this. There is more hope for people living with rare conditions.  So, you know, I guess I would be optimistic that, you know, the researchers working together will find ways to deal with some of these conditions with more of them and that there will be more hope in the future. But, you know, it's a slow process, I guess.  And it's, you know, one of our big challenges in rare diseases Ireland is just creating awareness generally for rare conditions that actually, you know, one in 17 people, about 300,000 people in Ireland are estimated to live with rare conditions. And that's, you know, that's the Republic with another, I guess, 100,000 plus from Northern Ireland. And, you know, the person next door, too, could well have one of those conditions. It's not visible on the surface. It's not something that you can necessarily see. And if it isn't people generally... And if it isn't people generally tend not to talk about it. That's my experience of talking to people because what they get is, sure, you look grand. Everything's what he on about, at least you're not dead. You know, all that kind of stuff that might be well-intended, but I can imagine that's why people with a rare disease or chronic pain that's not visible keep their mouth shut. Yes. Yeah, absolutely. And ironically, actually, I just read something. I got a message from somebody in Donegal talking about just that, that's kind of like I'm between a rock and a hard place.  And it's like, come on guys. Probably try to keep a family together and run a brave face for people as well. That's the reality. So there's an awful lot in there, but I know the focus of a recent press release has been to urge the government, the HSE, whomever it is, to resource genetic services in Ireland more. There are positions that are vacant. I think a lot of your respondents to a recent survey, you know, got diagnoses successfully with, you know, when the genetics element of it was looked at. So we know it works. So what needs to be done? I know I've opened up multiple cans of worms, but specifically in the area what we invited you on to speak to, what do you think needs to be done? Well, the very first thing is that, you know, there was a report on seven years ago now around how we could establish a genetic service in the country, genetics and genomics network. And that needs to happen. You know, there are bits and pieces happening in all sorts of different areas around different specialisms. And we need to make sure that we have some joined up thinking and that, you know, hard cases are looked at by people that are super qualified in their particular areas, you know, and that we established that. And then we need, you know, that the actual consultants on the ground being able to provide the, you know, the consultations and genetic counselors, you know, that can provide you with family history or what might happen in different areas of the family, family planning and things like that. You know, if you have a child that suddenly diagnoses something, can I have more children? What should I do now? And they're waiting two, three, fo