Donegal County Council sacks 71 Workers

71 people who are currently working for Donegal County Council have been told that their contracts will not be renewed.

The people concerned work in a range of areas within the Council, and a shortage of funds is apparently the issue which has led to the decision not to renew their contracts.

Sinn Féin Councillor Pádraig McLochlainn (photo) is blaming severe budget cuts by the government for the situation and says that the news of further job losses is "a devastating blow to the workers, especially in a rural area like Co. Donegal".

Donegal County Council had promised an official statement on this matter, but so far this has not been issued. The Council is controlled by Fianna Fáil, which has 16 of the 29 Councillors.