Author name: oisinkelly

The Taoiseach says 2014 will be the year of jobs as the coalition plans to restore employment to Celtic Tiger levels of more than 2.1 million by 2020. A new post-bailout economic plan has been unveiled that promises no income tax hikes between now and the end of the decade. The plan says austerity will […]

A Strabane Cllr has said that a young woman is lucky to be alive after she had her drink spiked on a night out in the town over the weekend. The woman in her early 20s, who does not want to be named, was on a night out with her sister on Saturday night in

The trial of a man accused of dangerous driving causing the deaths of eight men has been fixed for February 4 at Letterkenny Circuit Court. Judge John O’Hagan was told today(Tues)at Donegal Circuit Court that the trial of Shaun Kelly will take about a week. Kelly, aged 24, of Hill Road, Ballymagan, Buncrana, Co Donegal,

It’s reported that two shots were fired during an armed robbery at a bookmaker’s premises on St Francis Terrace in the Pennyburn area of Derry last night. The single raider, whose face was covered with a hood and scarf entered the shop just before 7.00pm and demanded money from a staff member on duty before

A garda investigation is continuing after two masked men, one of them wielding what’s reported to have been a sword, robbed a shop in St Johnston last night. The men entered Mac’s Mini Mart at around 10 o’clock last night and escaped with an undisclosed sum of money. Forensic experts are at the scene this

Almost 60 per cent of staff working in residential facilities for the elderly in Co Donegal have never had a flu vaccine, according to research carried out by a public health consultant in the county. The most popular reason for not availing of the vaccine was that staff believed they didn’t need it, but over

A convicted child killer and rapist will learn next week if he is to be granted legal aid for an inquest into the death of Arlene Arkinson. Justice Minister David Ford is due to decide whether to approve funding for Robert Howard to be represented at the hearing to examine the disappearance of the Castlederg

Traffic diversions remain in place in Convoy following an early morning fire at a business premises in the Greenfield area of the town. Traffic is being diverted via the Kilross junction, or through Raphoe. The fire service has confirmed that at least one acetylene cylinder has been located at the site, and procedures are in

An Independent TD says there may be a need for an independent inquiry into NAMA. It follows claims that a former employee at the National Asset Management Agency leaked classified information to international financiers. The Irish Independent says the official has admitted leaking the information and a dossier is with the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan

The property tax was one of the most searched for terms in Ireland this year. The annual Google Zeitgeist shows Environment Minister Phil Hogan, late actor Paul Walker and Donal Walsh were among the most searched for people in 2013. We also googled Ryanair, the Royal baby, the Eurovision and Miley Cyrus in huge numbers

The government is considering changing the legal age of consent from 17 to 16. It was one of the items on the agenda for the final cabinet meeting before Christmas. An all-party Oireachtas committee recommended the change in 2006. But Lisa Collins from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children says they

The St Vincent de Paul Society in Donegal says donations are down by over 20% this year, possibly as a result of the top ups controversey at the CRC. It follows publication of new research by UNITE and Mandate showing that that Donegal is among the worst affected counties by food poverty, with almost 19,000

Police in Foyle have issued an appeal for witnesses after a police car crashed in the Creggan area yesterday morning. They say the car was responding to an emergency domestic incident at around 3 o’clock yesterday morning when the collision happened at an area known locally as the Bywash on the Creggan Road. According to

Donegal South West Deputy Thomas Pringle says it’s gone beyond time for the publication of reports on how paedophile Michael Ferry continued to have access to children for years after he was placed on a sex register. The 58-year-old received an extra seven years last week to run concurrent to 14 years in jail imposed

People living in border counties are more likely to travel North for pre-Christmas shopping. That’s according to a new survey carried out by the AA, which shows 24 per cent of motorists have planned a trip to Northern Ireland to do some shopping during the festive season. Those living in Donegal rate highest – with

The Taoiseach’s promising a secure and prosperous future for Irish people – but says it won’t happen overnight. In an address to the nation last night, Enda Kenny also promised to create enough jobs to bring emigrants home. Political correspondent, Páraic Gallagher reports…………

With Donegal County Council due to hold its budget meeting on Wednesday of this week, a group of local businesses has come together to demand a rates reduction, Over 300 businesses across the county have signed up to the Donegal Business Rates Reduction Campaign, with the threat of a rates boycott looming. County Manager Seamus

New research shows that Donegal is among the worst affected counties by food poverty. The figures published by Mandate and UNITE reveals that thousands of people say they couldn’t afford a proper meal in the last week. The trade union’s are seeking immediate aid from government to organisations providing food assistance to help them to

Health Minister Dr James Reilly and Justice Minister Alan Shatter are to be quizzed this week over why reports are still not ready on how paedophile Michael Ferry continued to have access to children for years after he was placed on a sex register. The 58-year-old received an extra seven years last week to run

Cash has been stolen in an armed robbery at a bookmakers in Derry. A man in his 20s entered the shop on the Racecourse Road just before 930pm last night. He was carrying a suspected firearm and threatened staff before making off with the cash. He is approximately 5ft 10in tall, of slim build, and

Gale force winds have blown part of the roof off a supermarket in Omagh. The damage was caused to Supervalu on Market Street just after 11am on Saturday. A large piece of the roof came down and was caught on a canopy and cables. Police said there were no reports of any injuries. Cordons were

An SDLP Cllr in Strabane has accused Sinn Fein of indecisiveness over the decision to locate 800 Department of Agriculture jobs to Ballykelly. Strabane District Council is to submit a freedom of information request to see the business case which led to Ballykelly being chosen ahead of Strabane. The proposal was put forward by Strabane

Dozens of people turned out in Sion Mills last night again for a protest against proposals to bring a waste management plant to the village. Donegal based firm Connective Energy Holdings have submitted an application for an anaerobic digestor on the grounds of the old Herdmans Mill. It was the Sion Mills Community Group Against

The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation CEO Sean O’Donaghue is one of a number of industry representatives meeting with Fisheries Minister Simon Coveney tomorrow night in Brussels. The talks come on the eve of the December Council of Ministers’ meeting, at which the quotas for the coming year are due to be agreed. However, Sean O’Donaghue says

North West MEP Marian Harkin says as the Troika leaves Ireland and the economy exits the bailout from Monday, its important that the potential for local community development is fostered. Ms Harkin was speaking last evening after the official launch of Inishowen Ecotourism, which has seen 32 local companies come together to market the peninsula

An emotional Daniel O’Donnell spoke about his wife Majella’s battle with cancer on the Late Late Show last night. The Donegal singer was overcome with emotion as he recounted the moment he realised his wife’s cancer was for real. 51-year-old Daniel said he was watching Majella having her hair shaved on the Late Late Show

The Inishowen Ecotourism brand was officially launched this evening in Ballyliffin. 32 local companies have come together to market the peninsula as a centre of eco-friendly and sustainable tourism, with a website and app for visitors. The launch was carried out by North West MEP Marian Harkin, who says it’s a very significant initiative……..  

Proposals to redevelop the Brandywell Stadium in Derry have received a major boost this week with confirmation that Derry City Council’s Development Committee has given its approval to the plan. Subject to ratification by Full Council, the Greyhound Track will be moved to the new proposed location around the Showground’s pitch and the existing grass

The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government has been heavily criticised for failing to resolve funding issues facing the Doe Community Association/ Cresslough Tidy Towns Committee. With the assistance of Donegal County Council and the approval of  LEADER Grant Funding by DLDC, the group’s Creeslough Enhancement Project was completed last year at a cost

A Donegal Deputy claims schools who started book rental schemes are now being punished by the Government for taking the initiative in doing so. Fianna Fail says the Education Department’s new school book rental scheme will not be available to those schools that have established their own schemes. The party’s Education Spokesperson Charlie McConalogue says

A Police Ombudsman investigation has found failings on behalf of the PSNI in the case of a Lifford man who drowned after escaping from custody in 2011. David Colhoun’s remains were discovered in the River Finn last February, 10 months after he disappeared on May 22 2011. The 22-year-old had been arrested during a night

There are 412 Gardaí, 29 Garda Reserves and 28 civilian staff assigned to the Donegal Garda Division. The figures were announced in the Dail last evening by Junior Minister Dinny Mc Ginley, speaking on behalf of Justice Minister Alan Shatter. He was answering a question from Donegal North East Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue, who asked

The latest government statistics show that Strabane District Council has received the most complaints about noise in Northern Ireland. In the period between 2012 and 2013 – 204 complaints were made about the noise of pets, loud music, neighbours and even wind turbines. Just one person in Strabane was brought before the courts for a

A Donegal councillor is predicting that next week’s Budget Meeting will be an unprecedented farce which will have to be adjourned. Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher was speaking after the publication of the council’s proposed 2014 budget book, which anticipates spending of just over 138 million euro next year, with rents and commercial rates being frozen.

It is reported that the HSE plans to remove a Catholic Chapel and other rooms of prayer at Letterkenny General Hospital. According to today’s Donegal News – management are in discussions with church representatives to replace the chapel with an inter-denominational room. The paper reports that staff and visitors are concerned that the Catholic Chapel

The Minister for Finance says Ireland will still have to impose tough austerity measures even though the Troika are leaving. Michael Noonan says the Irish budget deficit remains too high and that more efforts are needed to bridge the gap between income and spending. He has admitted that not much will change next Monday when

What has been described as most intense meteor shower of the year will be visible tonight and into tomorrow. Friday 13  /Saturday 14 The Geminid shower is expected to be at its most spectacular from 4am until dawn on Saturday, if there are clear skies, and you will not need a telescope. Doctor Robert Massey

One club in the north-west has been able to breach a Garda crackdown on alcoholic drinks sales on Christmas night. Paris night-club in Bundoran was today given court permission to sell drinks from midnight on Christmas night until 2 a.m. on St Stephen’s Morning. Judge Kevin Kilrane gave permission “reluctantly” after owner Conor McEniff assured

The granting of planning permission for a two and three storey extension to the existing co-lab building at Letterkenny Institute of Technology has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala. The proposed development is part of the North West Regional Science Park. Letterkenyn Town Council had awarded conditional permission for the development but that has been

There are more problems for Ulster Bank customers this morning. The bank says it’s aware some people are having trouble with their accounts this morning – and it says it’s working to fix the problem. It also says no one will be left out of pocket as a result. It’s the latest in a series

Transport Minister Leo Varadker has sought a meeting with the Road Safety Organisation PARC after speaking with the group’s founder in Leinster House last evening. Inishowen based Susan Grey was attending the committee stage of the Road Safety Bill, when the minister approached her and asked for a meeting in the New Year. She told