Author name: oisinkelly

Heritage council awards over 58 thousand euro to 13 Donegal projects

The Heritage Council has awarded €58,500 in funding for thirteen heritage initiatives in County Donegal to groups and individuals throughout the county. It is hoped the investment will not only help retain important aspects of Donegal’s heritage but also support jobs and attract tourists. Joseph Gallagher, the Council’s Heritage Officer says they while there is

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Donegal Marathon launched

The Donegal Marathon was launch this week at the Letterkenny Public Services Centre. Full and half marathon events are scheduled to take place on Sunday August 24th marking the first marathon to be held in Donegal since the early eighties. Full details and information on the marathon are available on the website – www.donegalmarathon.ie. Chris

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British PM orders OTR letters review following collapse of John Downey trial

British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a judge-led review of letters and pardons sent to IRA suspects. It follows the collapse of the trial of Johh Downey who was accused of the Hyde Park bombings in 1982. The trial collapsed after it emerged that Mr Downey, from Creeslough, had been given a secret letter

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Former Donegal soldier sentenced to six years for PSNI murder plot

Two men, one an Irish army reservist from Co Donegal, have been sentenced on gun charges arising from a planned attack on a trainee policeman’s home in 2009. Belfast Crown Court heard that the attack, in Garrison, Co Fermanagh, was foiled by undercover police. The judge told 28-year-old Gerard James McManus, from Fernhill, Letterkenny and

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Former Tyrone Minor Captain thought dead father would become guardian in heaven

A former Tyrone GAA minor captain on trial for shooting dead his father, thought that by killing one of his parents they would become his guardian in heaven and resolve his unhappiness in life. Before the killing of his father Aloysius in January 2013, Sean Hackett had split up with his girlfriend. The 19-year-old, from

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3 míle euro ceadaithe do cursaí traenaila do maístear sa Ghealtacht

€3,000 ceadaithe ag an Aire Stáit don Ghaeltacht  Donnchadh Mac Fhionnlaoich T.D., mar chabhair chun cúrsa  inseirbhíse do mhúinteoirí ó na Coláistí Gaeilge ar na siollabais Oifigiúla do na Tréimhsí Foghlama sa Ghaeltacht do Mhic Léinn Oideachais a eagrú. D’fhógair an tAire Stáit ag an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta Donnchadh Mac Fhionnlaoich T.D. inniu

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O’Domhnaill says new building regulation costs can be avoided by submitting commencement notices immediately

A Donegal councillor is urging people with planning permission to submit their commencement notices to Donegal County Council in the next two days in order to avoid substantial costs. Councillor Seamus O’Domhnaill says new building regulations which come into force from the 1st of March mean architects or engineer will have to sign off on

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Green Prescription a major success according to evaluation report

A HSE backed initiative to improve health by increasing exercise and community activity in Donegal has been a major success according to an evaluation report published this afternoon. The Green Prescription programme involves doctors advising patients to become more active and referring them to community initiatives such as walking groups. The report found this has

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Robinson recalls Assembly as fallout continues from Downey trial collapse

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson has given the British government until tonight to set up a judicial inquiry into secret letters sent to more than 180 Irish republican paramilitary suspects. He issued the deadline after announcing the Stormont Assembly will be recalled tomorrow to discuss the collapse of the trial of Donegal man John

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Donegal could lose over 30 post offices following Dail vote – Pringle

The Dáil last night voted down a motion which would have guaranteed the future of the post office network. The motion was moved by members of the technical group, including Donegal South West Deputy Thomas Pringle. TD’s instead approved a government counter-motion which fell short of guaranteeing the survival of smaller post offices. The Dail’s

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Shatter ‘astonished’ at comments by Oliver Connolly to whistleblower

The Minister for Justice says he was “astonished” at comments by Oliver Connolly to a garda whistleblower. Alan Shatter has told the Dáil that he does not know “what he was thinking” when he told a whistleblower that the minister would ‘go after him’. Minister Shatter is defending his decision to sack the confidential recipient.

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Motorists advised to avoid Strabane bypass after three car collision

Motorists are being advised to expect delays in the vicinity of Strabane bypass following a three vehicle road collision. Emergency services are currently on the scene, including the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Northern Ireland Ambulance and the PSNI. It is understood that the accident occurred just before 4pm this afternoon near the turn

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Former Tyrone minor Captain tried to strangle mother three months before Fathers murder

The mother of a Tyrone teenager accused of murdering his father says her son had tried to strangle her three months earlier. Sean Hackett, the 19-year-old former captain of Tyrone’s minor Gaelic football team, admits shooting his father dead in January 2013 – but he’s pleaded not guilty to murder. Aloysius ‘Wishie’ Hackett was shot

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British Prime Minister says the collapse of case against John Downey was down to a “dreadful mistake”

The British Prime Minister says the collapse of a case against the Hyde Park bombing suspect was down to a “dreadful mistake”. John Downey, who’s from county Donegal, avoided prosecution because of a letter he was sent by police, saying he was not wanted for arrest. 4 soldiers died in the IRA attack in London

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North’s First Minister threatens to quit over John Downey non-prosecution

The North’s First Minister has threatened to resign unless the decision to drop prosecution in the Hyde Park bomb case is reviewed. The DUP leader said he was not prepared to remain as first minister in a power-sharing administration that is being kept in the dark about such an important matter. Mr Robinson said he

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EU Transport Commissioner briefed on potential impact of UK HGV Tax on cross border truckers

The EU Transport Commissioner is examining the planned introduction of a tax on hauliers from the Republic transitting through Northern Ireland. The investigation follows a meeting on Strasbourg last night between Commissioner Siim Kallas, who is also Vice President of the Commission, and North West MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher. Mr Gallagher says he briefed

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Northwest MEP calls for EU youth jobs scheme to be rolled out in Ireland

Northwest MEP Marian Harkin is warning that an EU jobs scheme for unemployed young people must be rolled out across the country. Ms Harkin was referring to the EU’s Youth Guarantee Scheme which was recently established. It’s supposed to help young people under 25 to get a good-quality job within 4 months of leaving formal

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Donegal County Council, County House, Lifford

Councillors oppose Government’s local authority work placement scheme

Donegal County Council has passed an emergency motion calling on management not to cooperate with with the controversial Gateway – local authority work placement scheme. The scheme, announced last week by Social Protection Minister Joan Burton, is intended to offer work experience to 3,000 jobseekers. However, Sinn Fein claims “Gateway” is compulsory, will not enhance

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PSNI takes responsibility for the collapse of John Downey Hyde Park bombing trial

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has accepted full responsibility for failures leading to the collapse of the prosecution against the Hyde Park bombing suspect. John Downey, of Ards, Creeslough, received a letter of assurance in 2007 saying he was not wanted. But a judge says the PSNI knew the Metropolitan police wanted to arrest

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Minister says full inquiry into whistleblower allegations ‘is likely’

A Cabinet minister believes it is likely there will be a full Commission of Investigation into garda whistleblower allegations. A barrister has been appointed by the government to look at the claims and determine whether one is necessary. The Justice Minister is addressing the Dail about his response to the allegations. More than five hours

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County Manager says council could still take Rockhill barracks into ownership

The former army base at Rockhill outside Letterkenny could still be bought by Donegal County Council after a discussion in the chamber this week. County Manager Seamus Neely told the meeting that he would go back into talks with the Department of Defence with a view towards reducing the initial costs. However, he warned even

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Donegal case expected to feature in committee discusion on Ambulance response times

Ambulance response times will be the topic of today’s Oireachtas Health Committee. The HSE, paramedics and Siptu representatives will answer questions regarding concerns surrounding missed response targets. A review was ordered by the Health Minister James Reilly following a number of incidents where response times were not achieved, this includes at least one case in

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Unanimous support for Cllr McBrearty motion calling for Independent policing inquiry

Donegal County Council has passed an emergency motion signed by 14 members calling for an Independent Judicial Public Inquiry into policing in the past, the present and the future. The motion also calls for the setting up of policing boards similar to the model in the North. The motion calling for the inquiry was one

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Donegal Council again seeks meeting with Transport Minister on A5

Donegal County Council is once again seeking a meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Transport Minister Leo Varadkar to discuss the A5, and specifically, the road between the Manorcunningham Roundabout and Lifford. Moving the motion, Cllr Ciaran Brogan said that recent comments by Minister Varadkar make him concerned that the government is rowing back on the

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Donegal County Council meeting adjourned again as Cllrs clash

Donegal County Council’s monthly meeting has been adjourned for second time following heated exchanges in the chamber between Cllr Frank Mc Brearty and members of Fianna Fail. It follows discussions on who should replace Cllr Barry O’Neill on the Education and Training Board following his resignation from the body due to work pressures. Donal Kavanagh

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Overcrowding problem worsens at Letterkenny General with 27 people without a bed

Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives association show 27 people without beds at Letterkenny General Hospital this morning. According to the figures, 12 patients are on trolleys while a further 15 are in wards. Last week the HSE asked the public to stay away from the  Emergency Department at Letterkenny General Hospital unless absolutely

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