Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal campaign against proposed Road User Charge to escalate in coming weeks

A delegation from the Donegal Truckers Group will head to Stormont and the Dail in the coming weeks, to express concerns over the proposed Road User Charge. That’s according to the groups spokesperson Christopher Gallagher, who was speaking following a meeting in Letterkenny on Sunday afternoon. From April the 1st, hauliers in the south will

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ESB working to restore power outages in North West as temperatures set to drop

Met Eireann is warning that temperatures are due to dip below freezing tonight as many people still remain without power. Around the country, 60-thousand homes still have no electricity, while some will be forced to endure another night of the cold and darkness as ESB networks warns many faults won’t be repaired this weekend. In

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Agriculture Minister urged to process weather related payments as fast as possible

The IFA is urging the Agriculture Minister to process environmental and weather related payments to farmers as quickly as possible. The association’s Donegal Chair PJ Mc Monagle says the extreme weather since the start of the year, coupled with the start of the lambing and calving season, is making conditions for farm families around the

Agriculture Minister urged to process weather related payments as fast as possible Read More »

Cllr McBrearty calls on Health Minister to take over running of Letterkenny General

A Donegal County Cllr is reiterating his calls for a independent judicial public inquiry at Letterkenny General Hospital after a report showed significant evidence of non-compliance with HSE procurement policy at the hospital. An internal HSE audit has found several areas of non-compliance, the report found that the hospital breached compeition and transparency rules between

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New early-warning system in diagnosing cancer hailed as breakthrough

Medical experts are hailing a new early-warning system as a major breakthrough in diagnosing Irish cancer patients. The National Quality Assurance Intelligence System is being used to review and improve the accuracy of tissue testing when diagnosing cancer. The system was established after a number of cases in the last decade where cancer wasn’t spotted

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Omagh Street Safe Project praised by North’s Justice Minister

The North’s Justice Minister has praised the work being done by the Omagh Street Safe project, after attending a training session with volunteers this week. The project offers support to those who may be vulnerable while socialising in Omagh town centre on Saturday nights, and is being extended to Friday nights from tonight. Minister David

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Gardai appeal for information after elderly man beaten and robbed in his home in Glenties

A pensioner has been beaten and robbed in his home here in Co Donegal. The latest incident happened between 6pm and 7.30pm on the Station Road in Glenties last evening. The elderly man was left in an extremely distressed state. Gardai in the town are investigating the attack. Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the

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Update – Postmasters’ Union calls for support as motion is moved on saving Post Offices

The future of Bunbeg Post Office is to be raised in the Dail later this month as part of a motion being moved by the Technical Group. Donegal South West Deputy Thomas Pringle says the motiion will outline how the government can help preserve rural post offices by opening up the possibilty of more banking

Update – Postmasters’ Union calls for support as motion is moved on saving Post Offices Read More »

Court told PM and forensics reports not yet available in Derry murder case

Derry Magistrates Court has been told today that post mortem and forensics reports are not yet available in a murder case. 58 year old Kieran McLaughlin of 60, Elaghmore Psrk in Derry is charged with murdering Barry McCrory on October 10. He is also charged with maliciously wounding a man two days previously. A solicitor

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Health Minister says there are particular difficulties with staffing at Letterkenny General

The Minister for Health has admitted that there is a particular difficulty in filling vacant senior posts at Letterkenny General Hospial. Concerns over staffing at the Hospital, and the resulting impact on services, was back on the agenda in the Dail this morning when the issue was raised by Donegal Fianna Fail Deputy Charlie McConologue.

Health Minister says there are particular difficulties with staffing at Letterkenny General Read More »

First and Deputy First Minister confirm April public consultation on A5 upgrade

Public consultation into the delayed A5 dual carriagewat will begin April. The news was this week confirmed to West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer who sought assurances from the  that the Executive remains committed to the A5 project. In response to a question from Declan McAleer, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness stated that the Executive remains

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Minister for Justice to asked what he intends to do about bugging of Garda Ombudsman HQ

The Minister for Justice is to be asked to explain what he intends to do, to deal with allegations of bugging at the headquarters of the Garda Ombudsman Commission. The Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight is to invite Alan Shatter to appear, as a matter of urgency. TDs have also asked GSOC to hand

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Derry City Council agrees rates increase of 2.58%

Derry City Council has agreed a rates increase of 2.58%. The rate was struck last evening following what a council spokesperson described as intense negotiations between officers and elected members. Derry City Council says it is facing unforeseen financial costs and economic difficulties while trying to meet growing expectations following the success of 2013. Policy

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Donegal and Northwest escape worst of severe storms as thousands left without power

Donegal and the Northwest escaped the worst of the severe weather conditions last night as parts of the country were battered by storms. The ESB says customers hit by yesterday’s storm should make preparations for being without power for a number of days. 190,000 homes and businesses are without supply this morning and crews are

Donegal and Northwest escape worst of severe storms as thousands left without power Read More »

PSNI say Landrover in Lifford was an accident – Cllr calls it an ‘international incident’

There are calls for an investigation after it emerged on Highland Radio that a PSNI Landover  crossed the border into Lifford this morning . A witness told the station that the vehicle crossed the bridge into Lifford and drove around the roundabout before returning across the bridge into Strabane. Councillor Frank Mc Brearty has described it

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Claims made that some facilities at Aura Leisure Centre discrimate against those with a disability

It has been claimed that some facilities at the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny discriminate against those with a disability. The local council this week heard calls for a hand rail, at head height, to be installed in the centre’s pool following complaints from a Letterkenny disability group. It is understood that a rail was

Claims made that some facilities at Aura Leisure Centre discrimate against those with a disability Read More »

Yellow weather alert for Donegal with more snow and strong winds forecast

Driving conditions in many parts of the Northwest are described as treacherous after overnight falls of snow and freezing conditions. A number of minor collision have been reported as ice and snow affected many areas. Conditions will not improve much as Wednesday progresses with more wintry showers set to hit the Northwest. Met Eireann has

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McConalogue – Young farmers may be forced off land without government support

Young farmers may be forced off the land because the government isn’t doing enough to support them. That’s according to Donegal North East Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue, who questioned the Agriculture Minister on CAP reform in the Dail last evening. Under the provisions of the package, there are supports for young farmers under the age

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Cllr Larkin says County Council should buy former Rockhill barracks site

A Letterkenny Town and County Councillor has expressed regret at a recommendation from the County Manager that the Council not buy the former Rockhil Barracks in Letterkenny. The Department of Defence has offered Rockhill and Liffird barracks to Donegal County Council for a total of 1.2 million Euro over six years. However the Council will

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Representatives from GSOC to appear before Oireachtas Committee

Representatives from the Garda Ombudsman Commission will appear before an Oireachtas Committee today to discuss allegations of bugging at the GSOC headquarters in Dublin. In an RTE interview last night, Commissioner Kieran Fitzgerald said a security breach could not be definitely ruled out – but the Justice Minister Alan Shatter has said there is no

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One man arrested as gardai seize 400 thousand euro of cannabis in Castlefin

  An estimated  €400,000 worth of cannabis has been seized in Castlefin. The drugs were seized as part of an intelligence led operation involving the Garda National Drug Unit, Customs Revenue Enforcement Officers, and the Divisional Drug Unit  Donegal. The seizure was made shortly after 8pm on Tuesday evening. One male in his early 30’s has been

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Letterkenny homeless man appeals directly to town councillors for help

The problem of homelessness in Donegal was highlighted during a meeting of Letterkenny Town Council this week. The council’s monthly meeting was briefly interrupted by a man who said he was homeless and unable to get accommodation. The man, who is in his 40s, entered the chamber of Letterkenny Town Council during this weeks meeting

Letterkenny homeless man appeals directly to town councillors for help Read More »