Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal Pet Rescue has welcomed a court conviction of a Donegal woman for animal cruelty. The woman from Raphoe was this week banned from keeping dogs for two years after two dogs were found emaciated in her back garden. The ISPCA says the animals were found in horrific condition and could have died from neglect […]

There is a major job boost for Strabane today with news of a 3 million pounds investment by O’Neills International Sports Company. 60 positions will be created with the expansion of the companies operations. O’Neill’s will mark its 40th year in Strabane this year – the business designs, manufactures and sells sports and leisure wear

Two men from Donegal and Cavan who admitted having a gun with intent to endanger life in County Fermanagh have been told they face “substantial sentences”. They are 28-year-old Gerard James McManus, of Fernhill in Letterkenny, and 35-year-old Kevin Barry Nolan, of Main Street in Blacklion, County Cavan. The judge told them she would review

The European Parliament’s Petitions Committee will next week hear the case of a Donegal family who were excluded in the ‘lost at sea’ scheme. Francis Byrne, his son Jimmy (16) and three crew members were lost with their fishing vessel in 1981. The Byrnes, from Inver had appealed to the Ombudsman because they felt the

Down Syndrome Ireland says there’s been considerable cross party support for a new bill due before the dail later today. Independent TD Finian McGrath will present “The Down Syndrome Equality of Access Bill 2013” which is expected to proceed to committee stage without a vote. The bill will add Down syndrome to the list of

In the North investigations are continuing into what caused up to 60 young people to fall ill at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast last night. Fleets of ambulances were called to the DJ Hardwell gig and 15 teenagers were taken to hospital. Their conditions are now described as stable. Police are now trying to establish

The Communications Minister says he plans to amend the law which currently bans broadcasters from carrying material which can cause offence. Pat Rabbitte wants to change Section 39 of the Broadcasting Act so that only undue offence is banned – giving broadcasters a stronger right to discuss contentious topics. It comes after RTE paid out

Talks between unions and management at Tallaght Hospital in Dublin are getting underway this morning. The meeting is to discuss overcrowding at the facility which resulted in the cancellation of a number of procedures yesterday and today. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) says the hospital is full to capacity and staff are not

It’s emerged that an architectural design team for the new St Mary’s National School project in Stranorlar will be appointed by Easter. A site has been secured opposite the Finn Valley Sports Centre, the design is completed, and what is now needed are detailed architectural plans and costings which will allow the process go to

An Bord Pleanala has been notified of plans for a Windfarm at Carrckduff Hill and Lismullyduff in Killygordan Co Donegal. The prospective developer is Planree Ltd. The development is at pre-application stage with consultancy yet to be concluded. No details of the size of the development are currently available. Meanwhile Donegal County Council has been

The Minister for Defence has been asked re-investigate the case of a Donegal soldier who was shot dead in Lebanon. In 1981 Private Hugh Doherty was shot in the back when manning an observation post overlooking Palestinian controlled territory while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. His colleague, Private Kevin Joyce from

A grenade dating back to the early 20th century has been made safe in Ballyshannon. It’s believed the device was washed ashore at the Mall Quay  following recent storms. The Army Bomb Disposal team was deployed to The Mall Quay this morning at the request of local Gardai. The device was transported to another location

Legal proceedings against a development group in Creeslough are expected to be dropped with a commitment that funding owed to it for regeneration work that took place in the village will be paid. With the assistance of Donegal County Council and the approval of LEADER Grant Funding by DLDC, the group’s Creeslough Enhancement Project was

A Bill to allow ESB Networks provide broadband services to rural areas could be passed before the end of the year. The legislation, which was introduced by the Communications Minister before Christmas, is to be discussed at a Committee meeting today. Pat Rabbitte will appear before the group to answer questions on the introduction of

An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny has been named “Ulster Live Music Venue of the Year” by IMRO, the music rights organisation. Theatre Director Patricia Mc Bride says many artists have said An Grianan is one of their favourite venues in which to play, reflecting the theatre’s  philosophy that it’s  not about making the most money,

Children as young as ten were involved in petrol bomb attacks on police in Derry. Petrol bombs, paint bombs and bricks were thrown towards the Fountain estate on Sunday and Monday night. Two youths, aged 13 and 14, have been arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour in the area on Sunday. Chief Inspector Jon Burrows

The Taoiseach’s admitting not enough money has been earmarked for flood defence works in the years ahead. Enda kenny’s been quizzed in the Dáil over the coalition’s plans to spend 250 million on relief works by the O-P-W. But Cork alone needs up to 10 kilometres of walled defences at a cost of between 50

A notice from Letterkenny Circuit Court. The members of the jury panel who had been told not to turn up tomorrow (Thurs) are now requested to attend Letterkenny Courthouse at 10.30 tomorrow morning.

Over one hundred businesses from Donegal and Northern Ireland are coming together tomorrow for a major business conference in Donegal Town. The Business Connections event in the Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town will include advice from a number of high profile speakers, as well as workshops on issues including accessing finance, the pros and cons of

Calls have been made on Strabane District Council to secure the canal basin in the town. Fears have been raised that the area is being used as a drinking den by teenagers. Strabane Cllr Brian McMahon says there is also evidence that the old Weigh Bridge is being used for many to consume legal highs.

  The man who died in a tragic accident in Kilcar last night has been named as John Campbell Junior. The 28 year-old from Castlecarn died when the car he was working on fell on him. Efforts were made to revive him but he was pronounced dead at the scene. John Campbell Junior is the

Gardai have indicted that the Drugs Unit in Donegal remains an active and important element of policing in the county. Concerns had been expressed that the unit was being cut back, with a very real prospect of abolition. However, after a number of court convictions this week, sources within the unit have said that is

A man in his 20s has died in a tragic accident in Kilcar. The man was working underneath a car which fell on him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No futher details are available at present.

Police in Strabane are appealing for information after an alleged approach was made towards a 12 year old boy in the town. Over the weekend three men tried to entice the 12-year-old boy to get into a car in the Lampton Court area. The car involved as been described as a red Seat Leon with

Over 200 people turned out in Bunbeg this week for a meeting to show support for the local post office. Fears have been raised recently about the future of the post office, after An Post confirmed that it was considering its closure. The threat comes following the retirement of the local postmistress in the parish

Donegal has escaped the worst of overnight weather. Motorists are warned of wind blown debris – the ESB and Eircom networks in Donegal, for the most part, stood up to the gusts and driving rain. Met Eireann says there will be showers today some heavy with a risk of thunder. Winds strong  to gale southeast

Thousands of AIB customers could benefit from partial debt write-offs, if they are on split mortgages. Those who hold distressed mortgages with EBS and Haven could also qualify. AIB will select beneficiaries from a group of customers who have already come to, or are working on, split mortgage arrangements with the lender. Other institutions are

It has been confirmed that the Garda Ombudsman Commission will have full access to the garda electronic database for its inquiry into penalty points. Alan Shatter says the Ombudsman will have full access to the PULSE system used by gardai. He says the Ombudsman currently has to access the system through two Garda superintendents who

  Almost 70 groups involved in the Turn Off the Red Light campaign will be lobbying politicians today to make it illegal to buy sex. The Immigrant Council of Ireland says it’s vital in ending prostitution and sex trafficking in Ireland. The ICI has released an interview with a woman who was trafficked here from

A massive pothole on a road in Donegal is so large that local election candidate Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig was able to paddle a canoe in it. Mac Giolla Easbuig thas told Highland Radio News that the road in Arland is “almost impassible” for the ten families that live along it. The candidate paddled

A man who admitted the manslaughter of a police constable has been jailed for 12 years. Shane Christopher Frane received an indeterminate sentence and will only be considered for release by the Northern Ireland Parole Commission after he has served a minimum of six years in jail. Frane, whose address was given on court papers

Donegal County Council is being asked to contact Inland Fisheries Ireland to ask when they plan to reopen salmon fishing rivers in the county which are currently either closed or limited to catch and release. The call is coming from Deputy Mayor Michael Mc Bride, who says this is potentially a major source of tourism

Police have come under attack in Derry after responding to reports of petrol bombs being thrown. Police were responding to a report of petrol bombs being thrown from Nailors Row towards the Fountain Estate in Derry. When they arrived at the scene, missiles were thrown at police vehicles and bins were set alight on the

There was an unusual side effect of recent stormy weather in Bundoran as the seafront was submerged in foam. Seven feet of foam was whipped up by high tides and gale force winds which reaching 90kmph. Videos have now emerged showing the extent of the unusual phenomenon. Click below!

An Independent Senator and North West European Candidate has hit out at the Central Bank’s attitude to Credit Unions, accusing it of being draconian. Senator Rónán Mullen says new rules from the Central Bank will curb lending in up to 14 Credit Unions in Donegal and up to 200 nationally. He’s concerned at the manner

A cancer expert says putting power lines underground reduces the risk of childhood leukaemia from electromagnetic fields to almost zero. The European Commission is to publish a major review of the health risks caused by pylons today, which will likely recommend that pylons be routed to affect as few houses as possible. Meanwhile a childhood

Veteran Donegal County Councillor David Alcorn has confirmed he will not be seeking re-election to the council in May’s local elections. He confirmed the news at a meeting of the local Fianna Fail Cumann last night. It is understood that Noreen McGarvey of Meenmore is the favourite to be selected to run in Councillor Alcorn’s

Nearly one-fifth of the world’s total population is now signed up to Facebook. The social network giant is celebrating its tenth birthday today, and has a market value of more than 150 billion dollars. Founder Mark Zuckerberg says it’s been an ‘incredible journey’ so far. There have been some reports lately that users are going

The Taoiseach has indicated the health watchdog HIQA may be asked to carry out an inquiry into the deaths of a number of babies at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise. The parents of one of the babies who died 22 minutes after his birth at the hospital two years ago will today meet with

The Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat base has been damaged in weekend storms, but the boat itself was unharmed. The damage was discovered just hours after the service’s annual dinner dance when crew began to arrive at the lifeboat station at around 7.20. Ahead of high tide again on Saturday evening, as a precautionary measure the lifeboat

Garth Brooks will play a fourth concert in Dublin this July, and two women have already secured tickets following an appearance by the superstar on Highland Radio. His first three shows sold out rapidly on Thursday last week, and this morning it was announced that disappointed fans will get another chance to go along to