Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal has recorded a 91% increase in the number of residential building projects getting underway, compared to last year. There was mixed news for the county as the number of new planning applications lodged in the first six months fell by -16% when compared to the same period in 2013. Danny O’ Shea is the

It was an extremely busy weekend for the coastguard in Donegal with no less than three callouts. On Saturday three surfers where rescued, a man had to be airlifted to hospital in Dungloe and yesterday a trawler had to be towed to shore. On Saturday evening three surfers got into difficulty at Tullan Strand in

The Bishop of Raphoe, Dr Philip Boyce, has made a number of clerical changes across the diocese. A total of twelve different changes which include retirements, new appointments and study leaves were announced by Bishop Boyce’s Diocesan Secretary, Fr Michael McKeever. Bishop Philip Boyce has announced that the Very Rev Canon John Gallagher will be

Police say the annual Apprentice Boys Parades in Derry passed off, for the most part, without incident. There were just two arrests made in the city connected to the events. G District Commander, Chief Superintendent Stephen Cargin said, “Yesterday’s Apprentice Boys of Derry parade in the city passed off extremely well, the parade itself was

A man in his sixties was airlifted from Dungloe on Saturday after suffering a heart attack. It is understood the man was in the Main Street area when he suffered the seizure. He was attended to by ambulance personnel who requested assistance from Malin Head Coast Guard to task the Rescue 118 chopper. The patient was

Surfers got into difficulty on Saturday  at Tullan Strand in Bundoran and were being swept out to sea when a member of the public spotted the situation and quickly called the emergency services whilst two other surfers went to his aid. The pagers of the volunteer crew of the Bundoran Lifeboat were set off at

A man has been arrested in Derry after being found with £8,000 worth of cocaine. The 22 year-old man was arrested after the drugs were found in a house at Foyle Springs. The PSNI also carried out a follow-up operation at a property in Creggan yesterday. A 42 year-old man arrested during the Creggan operation

Tickets for MTV Crashes in Derry next month have been snapped up in a matter of minutes this morning. The concerts are taking place at Ebrington Square on September 19 and 20. No acts have yet been announced for the concerts, but they are expected to feature some of the biggest names in world music.

A Donegal County Councillor claims the local authority has served notices to a number of caravan owners at Port Arthur beach asking them to vacate the area. Locals has expressed concerns last month that holiday makers in caravans and tents were dumping rubbish and human waste at (and close to) the beach. However Councillor Micheál

Letterkenny General Hospital management has admitted that more anti-flood measures are now needed at the site after this weeks flooding. In a statement the HSE West said the clean up from Tuesday is now complete. The hospital says at the moment it is not known how much Tuesdays nights flood damage will cost, but management

The annual Apprentice Boys of Derry parade is taking place in Derry today with motorists being advised to expect delays and diversions. It’s the largest loyal order parade in Northern Ireland, with 140 bands and Apprentice Boys’ Clubs expected. PARADE ROUTES There will be smaller parades in the morning prior to the main parade, which

 Despite it being the peak of the tourist season, one of the county’s biggest attractions is to close next week. Donegal County Council says that in the interests of public safety access onto the walking trail on Sliabh Liag will be closed during the week commencing Monday. The council says the closure is allow the

One man had been removed to Letterkenny General following the collision between a lorry and car outside Dungloe earlier today. It is understood he was the driver and sole occupant of the car. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening. The crash happened on a bend just outside Dungloe that has been the

The Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation says Killybegs will be severely hit by new restrictions being imposed by Russia. The one-year ban will affect all meat, milk and dairy imports from the EU, US, Australia and some other countries. It’s a response to sanctions imposed by Europe over events in the Ukraine – and the move

A protest is taking place outside the entrance to Magee College in Derry this lunchtime after Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry ruled out an expansion of the college. Sinn Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin, one of the organisers of the protest says the expansion of Magee college must go ahead. Speaking to Highland Radio News

Donegal County Council has described the deaths of thousands of fish washed up on Tramore Beach in Downings as a “natural occurrence”. The dead fish were photographed yesterday. In a statement, the council says “It was discovered that dead sprat had washed up at one particular point of the beach. This is believed to have

Around 45 thousand rural broadband customers are about to be hit with a price hike of 180 euro. The Irish Independent says a government subsidy paid to Three is about to expire – meaning rural broadband customers will be hit with a 75 percent price incease – as well as a slowdown in service. The

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is calling for funding to be released to alleviate hospital overcrowding. Figures released this morning show an 8% increase in overcrowding last month, compared to July 2013. At Letterkenny General Hospital, the increase was 63%, rising from 79 in July 2013 to 129 last month. The highest percentage increase

Concern is being expressed this morning that cancer patients using the Oncology Department at Letterkenny General Hospital may be referred to other hospitals because of medical staff shortages. Donegal North East Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has written to hospital manager Sean Murphy seeking clarification on the issue, following discussions with what he has termed ‘informed’

A prosecution solicitor has informed a judge that fingerprint evidence in relation to a police investigation of a murder in Derry last year, was still outstanding. The disclosure was made during a video-link remand hearing in the case of Kieran McLaughlin from Elaghmore Park in Derry. 59-year-old Kieran McLaughlin is charged with the murder of

Loyal orders have issued a consultative document setting out guidelines for lodge members and bandsman taking part in parades in Derry. The Maiden City Accord has the support of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, the Orange Order and the Black Preceptory. It comes ahead of this weekend’s Apprentice Boys Parade in Derry, one of the

A Donegal Cllr has blasted the Council after the Dungloe Library was closed yesterday. The library currently only has one staff member, which means whenever she is ill or on holiday, the facility has to close. It currently only opens on certain days a week which is advertised by the Council and it is also

Donegal County Council are reassuring the public that they are working around the clock to repair damage caused by flash flooding this week. The council says it received 40 emergency calls from the public as roads, buildings and drains were damaged throughout the county: Many areas throughout Donegal were damaged by flash flooding earlier this

Plans have been announced for a food bank in Letterkenny, with a new committee hoping to liaise with St Vincent de Paul and other organisations to identify people in need and distribute food which would otherwise go to waste. The initiative is being spearheaded by the group “We Care”, which is currently looking for a

The Aranmore Lifeboat was involved in the rescue of two people who were cut off by the tide at Maghera Beach near Ardara last night. The lifeboat was launched at 10.20 after the copastguard was alerted to the situation. Spokesperson Nora Flanagan says it was another successful launch during what has proven to be a

Gardai have renewed their appeal for information about a fatal road collision on the road between Donegal Town and Ballybofey last evening. A man in his early 80s died in the two car collision, a woman in her 60s was injured. The road reopened last night after an examination by Garda technical experts, and on

A former Junior Minister for Planning has said that the Emergency Department of Letterkenny General Hospital should not have been allowed to be located where it is. The carpark of the A & E Department was flooded on Tuesday night after 40 centimetres of rain fell in 40 minutes. It was the second time the