Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal councillor is calling for the abolition of Joint Policing Committees, saying they serve no purpose and are not a substitute for real accountability and reform. Last week, a meeting of the County Donegal JPC was adjourned after the Chairperson Cllr Noel Mc Bride clashed with Cllr Frank Mc Brearty. Cllr Mc Brearty was […]

The Derry based rail campaign group Into the West says redeveloping the old Waterside rail station inDerrycould be the catalyst for re-vitalising the Waterside. Plans have been produced by architecture students from Queen’s University showing how the station could look by 2020. The eight students – five of them first years – were taking part

Thousands took to the streets across the North West today to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with parades and street parties on both sides of the border. The weather was largely good, with some small shows and patches of mist in places, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowds who turned out. Derry City

The Taoiseach has told a US audience that Ireland’s economy is fighting back, citing job creation and a 2.9 per cent yield on 10 year bonds. He was speaking at a  St Patrick’s Day event in Boston at an event attended by around 1,000 Irish Americans including the mayor Marty Walsh Speaking ahead of his

Fianna Fáil has chosen two candidates to contest the European elections in the Midlands-North West region. Sitting MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher and Meath Senator Thomas Byrne were selected by more than 600 party members at a convention in Mullingar, Co Westmeath this afternoon. Pat the Cope Gallagher from Burtonport in Donegal currently represents the

Udaras Na Gaeltachta is being urged to offer a subsidy to Largo Foods in an effort to retain jobs in Gweedore. The snacks maker yesterday announced it is moving all its manufacturing to Co Meath with the loss of 142 Donegal jobs – 70 jobs will be available in Meath for Gweedore staff prepared to

A Donegal County Council decision to refuse permission for an Anaerobic Digester in Castlefinn has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala. Glenmore Estate Aghaveagh NW had sought permission for the construction of the commercial Anaerobic Digester with a view to producing renewable energy. Donegal County Council refused permission stating the development would be prejudicial to

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic collision in Buncrana in which a young teenager died. 13-year-old Callum Dale and his father were out walking when they were hit by a car at Ballymccarry, Cockhill at around 10.30pm lat night. Callum was pronounced dead at Letterkenny General Hospital, his father Peter, who is

A working group is being established with the goal of attracting new, sustainable jobs in west Donegal. The news was confirmed by Gaetacht Minister Dinny McGinley in the wake of the decision by Largo Foods to close its Gweedore factory with the loss of 142 jobs. The company is centralising its operations at its factory

The Chief Executive of Largo Foods says the high cost of producing its products in Donegal led to the decision to transfer all its manufacturing from Gweedore to its factory in Meath The snack food manufacturer has announced that it is closing its Gweedore factory with the loss of 142 jobs Donegal jobs. As part

Largo Foods has announced that it is closing its Gweedore factory with the loss of  142 jobs Donegal jobs. Staff were informed of the decision at a meeting with management this afternoon. Largo foods describes itself as a  leading manufacturer and distributor of premium snack-foods – its has factories in Gweedore and Ashbourne in Co

A Donegal South-West Deputy has slammed the government’s plan to introduce the Gateway scheme. The scheme will pay long-term unemployed people €20 extra a week in benefits for working for their local authority. In all, 3,000 long-term unemployed people will be selected to work for councils around the country for two years. 80 people will be taken

A UUP MLA has hit out at comments from John Downey made during his first interview since his trial collapsed. Speaking to the Donegal Democrat this week John Downey said he remained committed to the peace process and wants to see the establishment of an international truth commision. He also said that he is a

Two men have been arrested after a restaurant in Bridgend was burgled in the early hours this morning. The men broke into Harrys resteraunt in the border village at around 2 o clock this morning. They were arrested shortly afterwards by Gardai. They are currently being held in Garda custody in Buncrana Garda Station.

The coalition says nearly 45,000 ICT jobs will need to be filled between now and 2018. An extra 1,250 college places a year are being made available from this year to train people with the required skills. Almost 2000 work permits a year will be issued to those with ICT skills. There will also be

Aer Lingus is to sue SIPTU over its planned industrial action which was struck down in the High Court earlier this week. On Wednesday the High Court prevented SIPTU members holding a four hour stoppage. However Aer Lingus says the the threat of the strike has left it severely out of pocket. Industry Correspondent with

Two members of the Cabinet say they have every confidence in the Garda Commissioner. Martin Callinan is under pressure after the Garda Inspectorate report into the quashing of penalty points. It found he presided over a dysfunctional system with consistent and widespread breaches. Jobs Minister Richard Bruton and Education Minister Ruairi Quinn say Mr. Callinan

Staff at Largo Foods in Gweedore have been called into a meeting with management this afternoon. Staff have not been informed why the meeting has been called but there are concerns being expressed that job losses could be announced. Largo foods describes itself as a  leading manufacturer and distributor of premium snack-foods – its has

  Swilly Rovers have been fined and banned from hosting SFAI cup games after a review found some fans did take part in racist chants in a recent cup game. The SFAI review centred on a U-15 Evans Cup game between Swilly Rovers and Castlebar Celtic played on March 1st. An SFAI committee reviewed the referee’s report

Gardai are investigating after shots were fired at a car in Carrigans in the early hours of this morning. A man with a legally-held firearm discharged a number of shots in the Station Road area after he heard loud bang outside his home. It is understood the vehicle which was in the area at the

The British Government has confirmed today that over 300 jobs will be lost with the centralisation of the Driver and Vehicle Agency to Swansea in Wales, almost 250 of them in Coleraine East Derry MLA John Dallat, who’s been campaigning for the retention of the DVA centre in Coleraine says the decision demonstrates very clearly

An Irish scientist hailing from Donegal town will light up Times Square New York next month with his striking image of a lung cancer cell surrounded by a green glow. The image was taken by Dr Martin Barr, Clinical Scientist and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Institute of Molecular Medicine in Trinity College Dublin and

The Environmental Protection Agency says “it’s unacceptable” that raw sewage is entering rivers and bathing areas. The EPA says it’s found that waterways in 42 locations around the country are being put at risk of pollution because of the lack of waste water treatment plants. They include Bundoran in Donegal, which is now the subject

Donegal fishermen are set to have their mackerel quota for the North East Atlantic almost doubled after an agreement was reached last night. At an EU meeting in London attended by represetatives from Ireland, Norway and the Faroe Islands an agreement was reached to increase the mackerel quota for Irish fishermen. The deal will see

Calls have been made for Letterkenny Town Council to host a food festival in the town. A Taste of Donegal food festival in Donegal Town and the Foyle Food Festival in Derry has seen thousands descend there over the last few years. And it’s hope a food fesitival in Letterkenny would see a similar boost

The impact of policies imposed by the IMF, ECB and European Commission – the Troika – on four bailout countries has been heavily criticised in two European Parliament reports. The reports followed a four month inquiry by two European Parliament committees. They looked at how Troika policies impacted on Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Cyprus. Northwest

John Downey has said he remains committed to the peace process and wants to see the establishment of an international truth commission. The 62 year old, who is based in Creeslough, had ben charged in connection with the 1982 Hyde Park bombings in which 4 soldiers died, but the case against him collapsed when a

A drink-driver who killed a pregnant Co Donegal woman in a car crash has been sent back to jail after a judge ruled an original sentence was unduly lenient. 31-year-old Kevin McArdle of Longfield, Carrickmacross, was given four years in prison, with the final year suspended, at Monaghan Circuit Court in October 2011 for dangerous

Over half of burglars gain entry through unlocked front or back doors. That’s according to the latest figures compiled by the Gardai as they aim to help people make their homes more secure. Today is National Crime Prevention Day of Action and to mark the event, Gardai raising awareness about home security. In Donegal, local

Banba’s Crown on Malin Head is going to be turned green for two days this weekend to mark St Patrick’s Day. It’ll join iconic attractions such as Sydney Opera House, the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. Over 100 thousand people visit Malin Head per year and it is hoped those figures will be

A Letterkenny Town Councillor says incentives need to be introduced in an effort to revitalise the town’s Main Street. Jim Lynch says that area has become a ghost town and something needs to be done to bring it back to life. He has welcomed news that Letterkenny Chamber wants to employ a Town Centre Manager,

The Chairperson of Omagh District Council is calling for a review of car parking charges in the town, saying that the high number of parking tickets issued over the past year is a turn off to shoppers. Councillor Martin McColgan says drivers in Omagh received the most parking tickets in County Tyrone, with 3,979 issued

The sustainability of the Post Office network is to be examined this morning. The joint Oireachtas committee on transport and communications, will discuss how expanding the products and services An Post currently provides can secure it’s future. The number of post offices has reduced by almost 50 per cent over the past 13 years, and

The Emergency Department at Letterkenny General Hospital reopened to patients from 8 O’ Clock this morning. Flood damage last July affected 70 per cent of services, and ruined almost 40 per cent of the hospital’s capacity building. Extensive refurbishments have been carried out over the past couple of months. General Manager, Sean Murphy has praised

North West MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher has told the European Parliament that proposed changes to the Leader programme here are unnecessary, and will hamper rather than stimulate local development. Minister Phil Hogan is seeking to align the Leader companies more closely with county councils as part of a streamlining of local development structures. However,

A Donegal Councillor has called on the Justice Minister to encourage increasing sentences for serious crime. Alan Shatter has criticised the judiciary for not giving enough consideration to imposing community service over a prison sentence. But Councillor Paul Canning says the minister should be encouraging more lenghty custodial sentences – he has given the example

Justice Carol Hallett has been appointed to conduct an independent review of the administrative scheme for dealing with On the Runs. The review was commissioned in the wake of the collapse of Donegal man John Downey’s trial in London last month. John Downey had been suspected of the 1982 IRA murder of four soldiers in

Donegal County Council is to build four single rural houses in various parts of the county under the latest scheme announced by Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan. The minister today launched a 68 million house building initiative as part of a stimulus package for local authorities. 560,000 euro of the total is to be invested in

Moville born priest Father Eugene Boland is to resume his ministry in the Diocese of Derry, almost two years after being cleared on indecent assault charges at Derry Crown Court. Fr Boland, the Parish Priest in Killyclogher, stepped aside in August 2010 on foot of allegations made against him. He was cleared in the civil

Two men, both aged 20, have been charged with 18 offences each including hijacking, arson, robbery and GBH with intent. Both men are due to appear at Derry Magistrates Court later today. The charges are believed to be in connection with a hijacking in the De Burgh Terrace area on Sunday morning last.

Calls have been made on Letterkenny Town Council to find funding to improve the road infrastructure in and around the town. Cllr Ciaran Brogan raised the issue in a motion yesterday evening. He says that the road in Glencar is especially in need of repair after it was badly damaged in flooding last July. And

A Donegal County Cllr has called on the local authority to look at the options regarding the newly launched Gateway Initiative Scheme by the Government. The scheme will pay long-term unemployed people €20 extra a week in benefits for working for their local authority. In all, 3,000 long-term unemployed people will be selected to work