Author name: oisinkelly

Failte Ireland says Donegal can improve on 10% tourism growth in 2013

Fáilte Ireland says the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ initiative has the potential to attract significant numbers of additional visitors into Donegal during 2014, building in the increase recorded in 2013. The tourism body’s CEO Sean Quinn says Donegal saw significant growth in visitor numbers last year, much of which can be attributed to the work of […]

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MEP says Donegal will reap the benefits of 200 million Euro PEACE fund

It has been confirmed that the PEACE programme for the Border Counties and Northern Ireland will have a total budget of EUR 200 million for 2014. The purpose of the Programme is to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society in the Border Region and Northern Ireland and to promote reconciliation by assisting projects

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Shay stars for Boro

Shay Given kept his sixth clean sheet for Middlesbrough on Saturday and also helped  move his side to within five points of the promotion places. Boro beat Charlton one nil with Given pulling off a stunning world class save in the closing stages to secure the victory. Republic of Ireland number 2 Roy Keane was

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Fine Gael select election candidates for Letterkenny and Glenties

Fine Gael selected candidates at the weekend to contest two of Donegals electoral areas in the local elections. The party held selection conventions in Letterkenny and Glenties yesterday afternoon. In the Letterkenny/Milford electoral area sitting Cllr Noel McBride was joined by Letterkenny Town Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh and first time candidate Grace Boyle from Churchill on

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Shatter: High number of violent deaths this year “very disturbing”

The Justice Minister says the high number of violent deaths so far this year is “very disturbing”. Eight people have been killed in violent circumstances since the New Year and Alan Shatter says he has full confidence in the ability of  gardaí to investigate them. The latest victim, 42-year-old Michael Devoy of Balbutcher Drive in

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Varadkar calls for end to ‘unnecessary’ strike threat at Aer Lingus

The Transport Minister has urged SIPTU, Aer Lingus and the country’s airports to reach a quick deal over a pensions dispute. SIPTU is balloting members over whether to pursue industrial action over a deficit in the pension scheme shared by Aer Lingus and the three major airports. The Minister says any disruption to air travel

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Ireland unlikely to participate in EU mission to Central African Republic

The EU has approved a military mission to the Central African Republic (CAR). French troops are already trying to keep peace in the troubled African state. Conflict has escalated in the CAR with almost 1 million people fleeing the violence. The Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has already ruled out Irish involvement in any EU mission. “I

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Former Mayor calls for public inquiry into flooding at LGH

A Donegal county cllr has called for the establishment of an independent public inquiry into the flooding disaster at Letterkenny General Hospital. The hospital was devastated by flash flooding in July last year, taking out 40% of the hospital’s capacity. Cllr Frank McBrearty Jnr stated the importance of understanding why this was allowed to happen

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New website to be launched to raise awareness about the dangers of legal highs

The mother of a Donegal man who tragically died after taking legal highs in the UK, hopes a new website set up in her sons memory will help raise awareness about their dangers. 20-year-old Jimmy Guichard suffered a heart attack and brain damage after taking legal highs bought from a headshop in Kent last October.

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Fine Gael selection convention for Letterkenny/Milford to take place tomorrow

Fine Gael are to hold their selection convention for the Letterkenny/Milford electoral area tomorrow afternoon. It will take place in the Radisson Blue Hotel and will be chaired by Northwest MEP, Jim Higgins. The four candidates at the convention are County Cllr Noel McBride, Letterkenny Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, Churchill businessman Charlie McClafferty and former GAA

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Local Area Hackney Licence could help tackle rural isolation in Donegal – Higgins

A new Local Area Hackney licence scheme has been introduced, with North West MEP Jim Higgins saying this could be an important response to tackling rural isolation in Donegal. The pilot project, which is supported by the EU and coordinated by the National Transport Authority will allow low cost entry into the hackney sector in

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Orange Order claims Martin Mc Guinness is trying to scupper talks

The North’s Deputy First Minister is being accused of trying to “scupper” a peace deal. The comments come from the Orange Order, after Martin Mc Guinness claimed they were acting alongside the UVF and PUP. First Minister Peter Robinson has reacted angrily, saying Mr McGuinness has a “visceral hatred of the Orange Insitution” and is

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Health Minister fast tracks HIQA investigation into Ambulance Service

An independent investigation into the ambulances service has been brought forward three months due to the serious issues involved. Health Minister James Reilly confirmed the move by the Health Information Quality Authority during a meeting of the Oireachtas health committee. Dr James Reilly said he believed standards are being maintained in the vital frontline service.

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780 thousand allocated to Donegal for private housing grants in 2014

    Funding has been made available to Donegal County Council for a range of private housing grants in 2014. Minister for Housing and Planning Jan O’Sullivan has announced an allocation of €780,000 expressing hope that an additional allocation will be made available later this year. Welcoming the announcement, Donegal Deputy Dinny McGinley said the

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Robbery accussed refuses to acknowledge charges at Derry Magistrates Court

A 37-year-old man has appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court charged with the robbery of a bookmakers premises in Derry last month. Barry Crossan of 142, Creggan Heights in Derry was charged with robbing a bookmakers of £390 on December 14, he also was charged with carrying a handgun or imitation gun on same date. Crossan

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Government says ‘staffing crisis’ at Letterkenny General Hospital is not its responsibility

  The Government has said the staffing crisis atLetterkenny General Hospital is a matter for the hospital management and the HSE. The issue was raised in the Dail today by Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn. He quoted the INMO which said yesterday that overcrowding at Letterkenny General Hospital had worsened, with patients being treated on trolleys in

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Harkin says new EU proposals will force a rethink on windfarm expansion plans

New EU proposals on energy targets may seriously jeopardise pylon and windfarm expansion plans according to North West MEP Marian Harkin. She says the EU Commission will shortly announce new energy proposals that will lessen the need for EU states to source energy from renewable supplies such as wind energy. Up until now, the EU

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Joe McHugh says dealing with NI’s legacy issues important to Good Friday committee

The Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement has re-iterated the importance of dealing with the North’s legacy issues. Justice for the Forgotten – a group representing victims of the Troubles – will attend a meeting of the committee today to give their perspective on the manner in which

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Health Department defends Ambulance service handling of fatal Maura Porter incident

The Department of Health says it’s satisfied that the nearest available ambulance was dispatched to the incident which led to the death of Maura Porter. Ms Porter was struck by a car at 5.40pm on Monday the 30th of December at Churchtown suffering serious head injuries. It took 50 minutes for an ambulance to arrive

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Doherty fears missing documents could hamper Oireachtas banking inquiry

An Oireachtas banking inquiry could be hampered because of missing documents in the Department of Finance. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty, who says an urgent investigation is needed to see what documents about the bank guarantee have gone missing. The Department of Finance says it can’t find two documents which discussed a potential

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Tyrone man sent to jail for terrorism charges and IRA membership

A County Tyrone man has been jailed for 10 years for having guns and explosives, and being in a dissident group calling itself the IRA. Gavin Coyle, of Culmore Park in Omagh, admitted having four AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition along with explosives, bomb-making material and parts for improvised mortars. Gavin Coyle admitted to being

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Police in Strabane concerned at the use of ‘laughing gas’ for recreational purposes

Police in Strabane have issued a warning about the use of laughing gas for recreational use. Officers have said that a parent in the town found their child buying canisters online for a rave party. Police said this was the first report that they have received of this type of substance abuse. Nitrous oxide has many

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Letterkenny General staffing crisis to be raised with Health Minister

A Donegal North East Deputy is to raise the overcrowding crisis at Letterkenny General Hospital with the Health Minister. A spokesperson for the INMO yesterday said that the overcrowding crisis at Letterkenny General Hospital had worsened, with patients being treated on trolleys in corridors at the hospital. All patients south of the Twin Towns are

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Senator Jimmy Harte critically ill – transferred to Dublin hospital

Highland Radio understands that Donegal Senator Jimmy Harte has been transferred to a Dublin hospital in a critically ill condition. On November 16th, Senator Harte was found unconscious close to his Dublin apartment in the Newmarket Square area of Dublin 8 with life-threatening head injuries caused by a “tragic fall.” The father of four underwent

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INMO says patients were on corridors at LGH this week for the first time in 15 years

The INMO say the overcrowding crisis at Letterkenny General Hospital has worsened, with patients being treated on trollies in corridors at the hospital this week for the first time since 1998. All patients south of the Twin Towns are now being diverted to Sligo, but the INMO says it is now approaching capacity. Attempts were

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ESB urged to comply with Planning Department order to remove Ballyshannon fencing

Donegal County Councillor Barry O’Neill has called on the ESB to remove all fencing that has been erected along Assaroe Lake at the Knather Road in Ballyshannon and along both embankments on the River Erne in the Town Centre. Cllr. O’Neill has made a formal complaint to the Planning Department at Donegal County Council which

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Donegal Deputy welcomes funding boost for Agriculture and rural sectors

Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh has welcomed the announcement of 12.5 billion euro in funding for the Agriculture and rural sectors. The money – which comes from Common Agricultural Policy and exchequer funding will be dispersed between now and 20-20. Along with direct payments to farmers there will also be schemes for farm investment to grow

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Man appears in court in connection with a spate of crime in the Rosses area

A young man involved in a rampage of thievery and burglary by a gang which terrified residents of the Rosses in West Donegal offered Dungloe District Court yesterday an extra €1,500 compensation in addition to €1,600 he already paid into court. Ryan Boyle, 22, of Lower Keadue, Burtonport, was given three months prison suspended for two

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