Author name: oisinkelly

Up to 120 jobs are to created in Killybegs with plans to invest 35 million euro to develop the world’s largest bio-marine ingredients facility in the port. The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has joined forces with Norwegian partner Biomarine Science Technology to develop the facility. One of the key species to be used in the plant […]

Donegal County Council is to provide more support for rate payers, with the new Local Enterprise Offices in each electoral offering advice and help. During a lengthy discussion on the challenges facing small businesses this week, the council was told that when a new business starts up, very quickly Revenue and the council are in

There will be no driving tests this afternoon. Testers are going on strike from 2pm in a dispute over out-sourcing. The IMPACT union is accusing the Road Safety Authority (RSA) of planning to breach a Labour Court ruling which set out a process for the recruitment of reserve testers. Assistant General-Secretary Denis Rohan says provisional

The Transport Minister has warned that he cannot allow Aer Lingus and the DAA to take a major financial hit in their pensions dispute. Leo Varadkar says the government stake in the airports and Aer Lingus would be devalued, meaning a hit for the taxpayer, if they carry the burden of bringing a gap in

The head of the Health Service Executive (HSE) says he believes the HSE will face “challenging” cutbacks in the next Budget. Tony O’Brien says the departure of the Troika does not mean that ‘happy days’ have returned as the health service undergoes a major restructuring. He was speaking at a conference on the future of

The National Union of Journalists is to seek a meeting with the purchaser of the 14 Irish titles owned by UK group Johnston Press. Johnston Press media group has sold its fourteen regional newspaper titles, including the Donegal Democrat to Iconic Newspapers Limited, a company run by British advertising executive Malcolm Denmark. NUJ President Barry

The case against Shaun Kelly has been adjourned again. Mr Kelly is accused of causing the deaths of eight people in a car crash outside Clonmany in Inishowen in July 2012. Counsel for the state Ms Patricia McLaughlin told the court that they were still waiting for a psychological report to be prepared on the

Fears have been raised regarding the future of Dungloe library. Donegal County Council have confirmed that Dungloe library will no longer open late on Wednesday evenings or open on Saturdays. Currently there is only one member of staff working in the facility, and the council cannot hire anyone else because of the recruitment embargo. Local

A senior HSE orthodontist has admitted that the service is in crisis in Donegal. The comment is contained in a circular obtained by Cllr Dessie Larkin in which Sligo based Consultant Gerard Rahilly points out there are just seven assessment days a year in Letterkenny and one orthodontist in situ. The circular also notes that

There has been another security alert in Strabane this morning, the second in the past 24 hours in the town. A viable pipe bomb type device was recovered following an alert in the Townsend Street area. The object, which was discovered shortly after 1am in an area known locally as the Back Row, has now

It’s emerged that an inventory of tapes from Garda station recordings around the country shows the lowest number was found in Donegal. The Irish Times says the internal research was compiled in February, and is in two parts. The first relates to dictaphone recordings made before 2008, and lists the number of tapes stored from

The NowDoc service is to be scaled back, with doctors no longer travelling outside of their bases to respond to emergency calls from the public. Highland Radio News has learned that new operating procedures have been implemented which mean that from now on, in the case of an emergency call, it will be referred to

A European Parliament committee has asked the Irish Government to clarify why a Donegal family’s ‘Lost at Sea’ case was not treated with more equity and fairness. MEP Jim Higgins, who brought the Byrne family to Brussels confirmed this morning that in an official letter to the Minister Simon Coveney, the Committee on Petitions has formally

Another attempt is to be made to have the recruitment ban imposed on local authorities lifted. In what was his final motion to Donegal County Council, outgoing Cllr David Alcorn urged the council to seek the lifting of the embargo. It was agtain noted that there are now just over 803 people working for the

Derry Crown Court has heard how a car driven by a man from Fahan which struck a mother and her child was driven at such speed along Benone Beach that at one stage all four wheels left the ground. Paul John Doherty (31) of Ballyholm in Fahan County Donegal had admitted dangerous driving and other

The failure of Irish Water to meet with Donegal County Council has been highlighted by members, with Sinn Fein claiming that during the budget meeting, one of the mantras from management was if you pass the budget, you’ll meet with Irish Water by March. Now, the party says, we’re into April, and a meeting is

Army experts have made safe a viable explosive device in Strabane. The device was located on the local golf course this morning.  Chief Inspector Andy Lemon, the Strabane area commander, said the device had the capability of causing death or serious injury. “This device comprised nuts and bolts packed with explosives into a pipe.  While

Sinn Fein in Donegal say they will continue to monitor the controversial Gateway programme with a view to ensuring that it is not implemented in the county. The programme offers up to 80 people on the Live Register internships with local authorities for an extra 20 euro a week. However, opponents say it is replacing

Donegal County Council is discussing the make up of the new Donegal Local and Community Development Committee, which will replace the current County Development Board. Once set up, the new committee will establish a community plan, and oversee the new Social Inclusion Activation Programme which comes in to effect next year. During a lengthy discussion

Police in Strabane say that a suspect object discovered near Strabane Golf Course earlier was designed to kill officers. A device, described as being larger than a pipe bomb, was found at the gate adjacxent the third hole of Strabane golf course. Hundreds of school children passed the device on their way to school this

Ireland’s number one local radio station, Donegal Highland Radio Limited, will today present a new vision for local radio in North Donegal as the team make an oral presentation to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) as part of its licence application for another 10 years of local broadcasting. Led by station Managing Director Shaun

Revenue officials are lining-up a string of penalties for homeowners who fail to meet tonight’s property tax deadline. 6 million euro has been collected over the past 48 hours – bringing the total compliance rate to 88 per cent. Those who haven’t paid are being warned that they could be brought before the courts. A

Politicians from both sides of the Irish Sea will meet in Dublin today to discuss possible solutions to some of our most pressing social issues. It’s expected the 48th British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly will focus on youth unemployment and the economy. Enda Kenny will be the keynote speaker at the event, which will also hear from

Sinn Féin’s Justice Spokesperson Pádraig MacLochlainn has called on the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter to make a statement, clarifying his role in the Ian Bailey case over the last few years. It follows reports over the weekend that Gardai recorded phone conversations with 2 main witnesses during the investigation into the murder of Sophie

Both Government parties have seen their support fall in the latest opinion poll which also shows support for Sinn Féin increasing. Fine Gael fell three points to 26 per cent, while Labour fell by two points to bring the party back under 10 per cent yet again. Support for Sinn Féin increased by five points

It’s emerged a diocese in Minnesota is suing the diocese of Clogher, alleging it sent a priest to Minnesota knowing he was a child abuser. Irish Central reports the New Ulm diocese has filed a lawsuit against the diocese, which encompasses parts of Monaghan, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Donegal. The lawsuit alleges that Clogher sent a

A priest from Donegal who was acquitted in 2012 of sexual assault charges has resigned from ministry in the Diocese of Derry. Fr Eugene Boland, a parish priest in Cappagh, County Tyrone, stepped aside four years ago while allegations were investigated. He had resumed his duties just two weeks ago, after it was confirmed legal

The Health and Safety Authority has expressed serious concerns over new figures showing people in the fishing industry are 40 times more likely to be killed at work, compared to the overall economy. The figures mean that roughly 1 in every 1,000 fishermen are killed at work every year. The Health and Safety Authority has

A post-mortem is expected to be carried out tomorrow on the body of a woman who died in a house fire in Sligo this weekend. 34-year-old Caitriona Feely lost her life after a blaze broke out in a home on White Strand View in Aylesbury Park on Friday night. The fire is believed to have

A car in Derry has been damaged in what police are describing as a hate crime. The incident happened in the Fountain estate in the early hours of Saturday. A 16-year-old boy and three men aged 18, 21 and 24 were arrested following the incident. All three have since been released on bail pending further

Two men in their early 20s have been killed in a road accident in County Tyrone. The car crashed though two gardens and ended up on its side on the Old Coagh Road in Cookstown. It happened at about 4am this morning. No other vehicle was involved. The road was closed for a time but

An investigation is underway after a 34 year-old woman died in a house fire in Sligo town last night. Fire crews and gardai were called to the house on White Strand View in Aylesbury Park at around 9.20. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and her body was removed to Sligo Regional Hospital

A man who was disorderly in the casualty department of Altnagelvin Hospital on Christmas Eve has been jailed today at Derry Magistrate’s Court. John Paul Harkin (34) of 316, Bloomfield Park in Derry who has 129 previous convictions appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court to face theft an disorderly charges. On December 24 Harkin was arrested

The 48th British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly plenary session gets underway next week with debates about workplace development in the future set to top the agenda. The Taoiseach Enda Kenny, CEO of Ryanair Michael O’Leary and the IDA’s Frank Ryan will be among the speakers to address the conference which meets in the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham,

The Mayor of Letterkenny has urged young people to protect their mental health, and seek help if they feel under pressure. Cllr Pascal Blake was speaking at the senior Academic Awards Presentation at St Eunan’s College, telling the gathering it was an honour to do so as the last mayor of Letterkenny. He told the

A Garda, whose past duties have included security at Aras an Uachtarain, has been suspended from the force for allegedly harassing two women. Donal Maguire appeared in court today charged with a total of four harassment offences on various dates over the past 18 months. Garda Maguire is accused of harassing one of the alleged

A paedophile who stalked schoolboys in a town was identified today(Fri) as former Order of Malta medical trainee. He also attended Neighbourhood Watch meetings in his local town, Ballyshannon Patrick Lenihan, 44, who had up to 80 porn pictures of boys in mobile phones and who tried to persuade schoolboys as young as 12 in

A public meeting is taking place next month to address what is being described as growing concern over proposals to locate a salmon farm off the Donegal coast. The Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages group claims B.I.M. intends to apply for a license to locate salmon cages off Gola Island near Gweedore. They are hosting

A Donegal barrister has said he believes there is more to come on the taping of telephone calls in over 20 garda stations across the country, including Letterkenny. Speaking to Greg Hughes on the Shaun Doherty Show, Damien Crawford said there are a number of issues to be taskled by the commission which was announced

A Letterkenny Councillor is calling for immediate action to complete repairs on the Glencar Road before the town council is abolished in two months time. Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, a sitting member of Letterkenny Town Council who is contesting the county council elections in May for Fine Gael says money was agreed to fix the road

  Transport Minister Leo Varadkar will officially open the new Bruckless Bridge this afternoon, almost two years after the work was completed. Donegal County Council says hroughout the years the 90-degree bend at the bridge was responsible for many collisions, and in recent years, its importance as a link to the Port of Killybegs had

Donegal Local Development Company says any community or voluntary groups considering starting a rural transport scheme should make contact with them. Expressions of Interest are now being sought from Community and Voluntary Groups wishing to avail of a transport grant within DLDC’s catchment area. The grants target socially disadvantaged communities, and DLDC Project Officer Margaret

  The Chief Executive of the Donegal Education and Training Board has established a Teaching and Learning Council which will have a broad remit. Shaun Purcell says members of the council are looking at good practice in their Schools and Centres with a view to sharing these throughout the network, with an initial focus on

There are fears that recordings of phone calls in Garda Stations could impact trials – even where evidence within them wasn’t used in court. A number of lawyers say they believe if information in the tapes recorded at Garda stations – wasn’t disclosed in court it could re-open dozens of cases. Taoiseach Enda Kenny says

The Irish Cancer Society is calling on members of the public to get behind Daffodil day today. Over 5,000 volunteers are selling Daffodils right across the country, and the charity says it’s hoping to raise 3.4 million euro. 30,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year, approximately 1,000 of them in Donegal. Mark Merritt

The PSNI has committed to review evidence against all those who were awarded letters of comfort as part of an “On the Runs” scheme. The DUP group leader on the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Jonathan Craig, has welcomed the review. Last month, the British Prime Minister David Cameron announced that a judge would conduct a