Friends in the US celebrate

Celebrations were getting into full swing in Bundoran yesterday while 4,000 miles away in Birmingham, Alabama, Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon's former colleagues at the Eternal Word Television Network were also rejoicing at her victory.

Mr Bill Steltemeier, president of the religious television, radio and publishing organisation, said he was delighted to hear the news.

"EWTN is pleased to learn of the election of Dana to the European Community," he said. "We know she will be faithful in her duties."

Another colleague was "really pleased" she had found a role in Ireland. He said he knew she had wanted to bring her family home. Dana had presented and sung on a bi-weekly chat-show, Say Yes, at EWTN, since 1992. Her husband, Damien, had been working there since 1990. EWTN is funded by the conservative Catholic nun Sister Angelica.

While working with the station Dana continued to sing at rallies and concerts. She sang for the Pope on many of his visits to the US.

Damien resigned from EWTN in 1996 to concentrate on managing his wife's career and he founded the Heartbeat Records label. The company released a number of albums and videos by Dana. Heartbeat describes itself as "an independent international record and video company concentrating on quality releases for and from the Catholic market".

Commenting from the EWTN newsroom, a former station colleague said he had no doubt that Dana would prove a "quality" release and "star performer" for the European political market.