© news in Strabane

- Wed, Aug 6, 2008

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Gay pride in town

By Conor Sharkey

FOYLE Pride, one of the biggest dates in the gay community calendar, will stage one of its events in Strabane for the first time in its 15 year history, thanks to the efforts of the Strabane Chronicle. For several months now, event organisers had included the town's only gay bar, The Central Bar, in its Foyle Pride 2008 plans. However, these were spectacularly scrapped earlier this week amid rumours the bar was...>>> more

Relatives left distraught as tractor is driven over graves

By John McCusker

THE callous actions of two youths who went on a rampage in a graveyard causing mass dstruction has left families affected traumatised. The spree has been described as desecration on a large scale. Up to a dozen graves were wrecked after a tractor was driven through a cemetery at St Patrick's Church in Cranagh in the early hours of Monday morning. And as police launched a hunt for those who carried out the...>>> more

Warning over bogus euro millions letters

By Mickey Ferry

A local woman has urged the public to be on the look out for a bogus letter in the mail, which is claiming that the recipient has won one million Euros in the Spanish Lottery. The woman, who did not wished to be named, and her husband, became aware of the mail scam last week when a friend of theirs received such a letter. "Our friend knew it was a scam, having not even taken part in the Spanish Lotto" she said....>>> more

Plight of Strabane's street drinkers will not be 'shoved down a 'back alley' - Chairman

By Michele Canning Smith

THE plight of Strabane's street drinkers will not be shoved down a side alley, the Chairman of Strabane Council has warned. Jarlath McNulty was speaking after comments were made on a radio station this week regarding the town's street drinkers and plans to open a drop-in centre. A scoping document has been completed. The Council together with other agencies have identified a location and have spoken...>>> more

Man approached to be informer is in fear of his life

By Michele Canning Smith

A Strabane man says he is living in fear of his life after being approached to become an informer for the PSNI. Martin McColgan, who just returned to live in the town eighteen months ago, spoke to the Strabane Chronicle this week to make public his case. The 46 year old said the first approach was made soon after he returned to live in his hometown and there have been 12 such contacts made since...>>> more

Cannabis pipe found in Drumrallagh estate causes concern for residents

By Mickey Ferry

A Strabane man has expressed his concern after finding a piece of handmade 'smoking' apparatus in a field this week. Thomas Brennan, a resident of Drumrallagh, was walking his dog in the field behind the estate when he came across the device, which appeared to be designed for the smoking of an illegal substance. Mr Brennan's discovery follows a series of late night camp-out gatherings by young people in the...>>> more

New Sion Mills

By Conor Sharkey

A VILLAGE within a village will be created at Sion Mills if multi-million pound redevelopment plans for Herdman's Mill get the go-ahead, the Strabane Chronicle has learned. Blueprints for a hotel, private housing and shops were presented to local politicians and community representatives during two closed meetings last Thursday. A timeframe for the massively ambitious regeneration programme is as yet unclear,...>>> more

Not a penny spent on Sion Stables in two decades

By Conor Sharkey
THE Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has admitted not spending a single penny on the preservation of the Sion Mills Stables over the past 20 years. The news came to light following a Freedom of Information request to the NIEA, formerly the Environment and Heritage Service, by this newspaper. The Freedom of Information enquiry was made after it emerged that under Article 80 of the Planning Order, the...>>> more

CAWT walking on water charges

By Conor Sharkey

LOCAL lobbying group Communities Against Water Tax (CAWT) has challenged all political parties to sit down in public and clarify their position on water charges. A 'No Water Charges' campaign by CAWT has gathered speed in recent weeks, following a recent admission by Sinn Fein that charges would be phased in over the next three years. But the lobbying group's arguement is that the people of the North have...>>> more

Holy Cross pupils look forward to new lady at the helm

By Conor Sharkey
IT won't just be a new school the pupils of Holy Cross College have to look forward to over the coming months, but also a new principal. Current vice-principal Maria Doherty will take over as head of the school from Sean Bradley, who retires in January. And with the countdown to the opening of what is hoped will become one of Northern Ireland's foremost educational facilities reaching the final stages, Mrs Doherty...>>> more