Author name: oisinkelly

The Chief Executive of the Donegal County Enterprise Board has called for more investment in the small business sector, saying that in Donegal, 95% of businesses empoy less than 10 people, but supporting such businesses accounts for only 1% of the Department of Enterprise’s budget. Michael Tunney was speaking at the press launch for Donegal […]

There will be no vote management by Fine Gael in the enlarged Midlands -North West constituency for the forthcoming European Elections. Following a selection convention in Athlone last evening, it was confirmed that Sitting North West MEP Jim Higgins will be joined on the ticket by current Ireland East MEP Mairead Mc Guinness. Speaking to

The PSNI has arrested two men as part of the investigation into an armed robbery of a business premises in Ballybofey. The two men in their 20s were arrested on Sunday evening in the Carlton Drive area of Strabane as part of what has been described as major police operation. reports: The arrests follow an

Two candidates have been selected by Fine Gael to contest the enlarged Midlands -North West constituency in the forthcoming European Elections on May 23rd. Sitting North West MEP Jim Higgins will be joined on the ticket by current Ireland East MEP Mairead Mc Guinness. Ms McGuinness was proposed by party Chairman Charlie Flanagan TD, and

A security alert in Derry yesterday afternoon has been declared a hoax. A number of homes were evacuated in Crannog Park in the Strathfoyle area of the city as army bomb disposal experts investigated a suspicious object Shortly before teatime, the area was declared safe and residents were allowed return to their homes.

Sinn Féin’s Finance Spokesperson has accused the coalition of putting banks and bondholders before the Irish people. Donegal South West Deputy Pearse Doherty was speaking this morning at the party’s Ard Fheis in Wexford. He claimed the Government’s only ambition seems to be to have unemployment at 10.5% by the end of next year. Mr

The North’s deputy first Minister’s described sectarianism as being no different to racism or homophobia. Martin McGuinness has appealed to civic society to make their voices heard now. He says no longer can voices be drowned out by rejectionists. Mr McGuinness told the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in Wexford today that compromise, as envisaged in

A Garda Inspector has said that he wouldn’t like to walk alone down the street in Bundoran at 2.30 or 3 a.m.in the morning. Inspector Dennis Joyce was raising concern over numbers on the streets at that hour in Bundoran. He was opposing a number of late-night extensions at Ballyshannon District Court for Paris night-club

Gardai are investigating an armed robbery of a business premises in Ballybofey. At around 6pm on Friday evening two masked men threatened a taxi driver with a suspected gun in the Glebe area of Strabane forcing him to drive to Ballybofey. The men told the driver to before entering the Betting Lounge. Despite being threatened,

Gardai are investigating an armed robbery of a business premises in Ballybofey. At around 6pm on Friday evening two masked men threatened a taxi driver with a suspected gun in the Glebe area of Strabane forcing him to drive to Ballybofey. The men told the driver to before entering the Betting Lounge. Despite being threatened

Fianna Fail Cllr Dessie Larkin has confirmed this evening he is quitting politics. He was coopted onto Letterkenny Town Council in 1999 following the death of his father James, and in the same year, he was elected to both Letterkenny Town and Donegal County Councils as a member of Independent Fianna Fail. He became a

Gardai are appealing for information after a number of elderly peoples homes were broken in to in the county last night. Between 9pm and 1030pm there were a number of homes targeted in the St Johnston and Manorcunningham areas. The raids are the latest in a spate of burglaries along the border in recent months.

The Department of Agriculture in the North have said they will not release a business plan into the relocation of its headquarters to Ballykelly. It was announced in September 2012 that 800 civil service jobs would be moving from Belfast to Ballykelly, even though a leaked memo revealed that Strabane actually topped a table of

  The future of Ballybofey United Football Club is positive after an agreement was reached to secure the club a new 3.4 acre site. That’s according to club secretary Gary Foy who spoke after an agreement was reached that they would pay the Butt Hall Trust 25 thousand euro for the land. There was a

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