Author name: oisinkelly

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 […]

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

County Manager Seamus Neeley says the impact of the abolition of Town Councils and the subsequent expansion of the County Council will not be as sever in Donegal as in other areas. As a result of the changes, 37 members will be elected onto the county council in May, an increase of eight. The council

€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

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

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

Two men aged 68 and 50 have been charged with several offences including possession of a class B drug with intent to supply. They are both due to appear at Derry Magistrates Court this morning. A 20 year old man has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. It is believed that the charges

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

The Wild Atlantic Way is being officially launched by the Minister of State for Tourism in Dublin today. It’s the first ever long-distance touring route here, showcasing the Atlantic coastline. Stretching for 2,500 kilometres from Donegal to Cork, it’s intended to link destinations and attractions along the route. 400,000 euro has already been spent on

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

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.

The Taoiseach says Ireland’s unemployment rate is still ‘unacceptable’. Enda Kenny is launching the latest Action Plan For Jobs – which hopes to attract an extra 10,000 jobs from abroad over the next five years, on top of the 100,000 previously announced. It is giving the IDA more funding to boost Ireland’s competitiveness abroad –

An organisation which provides anti-bullying services for schools says Snapchat is being used for ‘sexting’ and cyber bullying. Snapchat allows users send a picture or video that disappears in seconds but the receiver can take a screen grab saving the snap. A recent survey from Bully4U shows that 80 percent of 13 year olds and

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

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

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

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

A silver revolver owned by paedophile Michael Ferry is to be destroyed despite earlier claims that a museum would be interested in it because of its historic value.     Gardai were given permission at Glenties District Court today to destroy the gun. They already had permission from the Glenties January Court to 868 other items,

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

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

County Manager Seamus Neeley says while there have been a number of issues to iron out, the takeover of water services by Irish Water is working well. Since January 1st, the new company, which is wholly owned by Bord Gais, has been in charge of water services, and a nationwide metering campaign is continuing ahead

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

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

Former US President Bill Clinton is to pay tribute to John Hume during his visit to Derry next week. Mr Clinton will honour the former SDLP leader’s contribution to peace in Northern Ireland in a speech at the city’s Guildhall Square. During his visit to the city, Mr Clinton will also visit the University of

Nursing cutbacks have been found to be directly linked to higher death rates in hospitals. A new European study says every extra patient added to a nurse workload increases the number of deaths within a month of surgery by 7 percent. It also showed that for every 10 percent jump in nurses with bachelor’s degrees

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

 The trial of a Donegal man accused of bombing London’s Hyde Park for the IRA has been dropped after the judge was told about a deal granting him immunity. John Downey, from Ards, Cresselough had been charged with the murders of the four members of the Household Cavalry who died in the attack in 1982.

A County Tyrone teenager who shot dead his father told police that he had been seeking treatment for depression, a court has heard. Sean Hackett is charged with the murder of 60-year-old Aloysius Hackett, outside the family home in Augher in January last year. 19-year-old Sean Hackett, admits that he intended to kill his father,

Bishop Donal McKeown has been appointed the new Bishop of Derry. The announcement was made in Derry this morning. The 64 year old was the Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor. We will be speaking to the Bishop about his appointment later today and the audio will be posted here when available

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

Donegal hauliers are to take their campaign against a new UK road tax to Stormont today. The tax is set to be introduced on April 1st which will see hauliers crossing from the south into Northern Ireland having to pay a daily tax of £10. The haulage industry feel the introduction of the charge will

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

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

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

A Donegal man has admitted a number of driving offences at Benone beach in County Derry last summer. A woman and her four-year-old daughter were hit by a car during the incident. 30-year-old Paul John Doherty, from Ballynahone in Faughan, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at the beach and at the Seacoast Road in Limavady

Donegal County Council’s monthly meeting has been adjourned following clashes in the chamber between Independent Cllr Frank Mc Brearty and Fianna Fail whip Cllr Ciaran Brogan. It began when the council was asked about replacing Cllr Barry O’Neill on the Education and Training Board. Fine Gael proposed Cllr Martin Harley, and it would have been

Donegal County Council has been told that if action is not taken to stem coastal erosion at Ballyheirnan in Fanad, then more land will be lost to the sea. The issue was raised by Cllr Liam Blaney, who told members that problems on the beach there have been worsened by the recent storms. Officials plan

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

A 21 year-old man has been charged with possession of €10,000 of drugs for sale in Laghey last week. Conor McCallig, with addresses at Tullyleague, Laghey, and Fintra, Killybegs, faced five summonses at Donegal District Court today. He was accused of possession of cannabis and ecstasy and possession of both with intention to sell at

Donegal County Council officials are being asked to provide members with monthly updates on what progress is being made in achieving financial targets. The move’s been proposed by Sinn Fein, who say the 2014 budget was forced through, and increased accountability is needed to ensure that extra money anticipated in the budget is sourced. In

There was an increase last year in the number of vacant commercial premises in Donegal. Figures from the GeoDirectory show that in the last quarter or 2013, 13.1% of commercial premises in the county were empty – that’s an increase of half a percent on the previous quarter. Over the year, 1,218 of the 9,297 commercial

Met Eireann has issued a weather warning for Donegal. The weather service says strong winds will gust this afternoon and evening. The status yellow warning also applies to Munster, Leinster, Connacht and counties Monaghan and Cavan. Met Eireann forecasts that rain and strong to gale force Southerly winds will spread across the northwest during this

The next stage of a campaign to improve the security of older people in their homes takes place on Wednesday night. Another meeting has been called for Manorcunnigham and surrounding areas by local businessman Tony Morning. 1,500 people attended the first meeting earlier this month called in reaction to a number of robberies of older

Gardai are investigating a suspected burglary at a house in Lifford which left a couple hospitalised. The man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s were treated for injuries after the incident on Saturday night. A lone man entered the house in Porthall between 7.30pm and 8pm on Saturday night – he inflicted

An information meeting is taking place tonight over concerns at the quality of drinking water in the Gweedore area. The situation has become so bad that parents are being advised that the water is no longer safe for their children to drink, Tonight s meeting will be addressed by local GP Dr Tony Delap amongst