Author name: oisinkelly

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

The NRA has confirmed that Compulsory Purchase Orders will be published next year to progress works at the Blue Banks outside KIlmacrennan. The project is one of a number on the N56 which were presented at a meeting between a Donegal County Council deputation and the National Roads Authority in Dublin last evening. Speaking to

A Letterkenny Councillor wants Eircom to review how it distributes its phone books. Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh says that after the latest edition was circulated, many ended up littering estates around the town. He says books were left at unoccupied and derelict buildings and ended up being kicked around estates. He wants Eircom to distribute the

Talks will take place at the Labour Court tomorrow, aimed at resolving the dispute affecting Marks and Spencer branches here. A planned strike by 2,300 workers at Marks and Spencer has been called off today, pending the discussions. 15 of Ireland’s Marks and Spencer stores, including the Letterkenny branch, closed on Saturday 7th December as

A 100,000 grant has been announced for two youth projects in Donegal. Children and Youth Affairs Minister Frances Fitzgerasld announced the funding this afternoon for projects in Gortahork and Ballybofey. Junior Minister Dinny McGinley says it’s a significant allocation for two very important projects……….

A Donegal County Council delegation met with senior National Roads Authority figures in Dublin earlier today to discuss funding for the county’s roads network. A number of projects in the county were identified as funding priorities, with the all party delegation arguing that Donegal has been underfunded in recent years and needs more investment as

Paedophile Michael Ferry, who is serving 14 years for sex offences against schoolboys, won’t go jail for any longer after admitting a further 15 sex crimes today. The 58-year-old was sentenced to a further seven years to run concurrent. That means he won’t spend a day beyond late 2021 which is what his defence counsel

Gardai say they are very keen to locate a black Opel Corsa car taken from a family home in Ballyholey, Raphoe by knife point. Two Volvo cars collided in the Raphoe area last evening with the occupants of one of the vehicles fleeing the scene, it is thought the two youths later stole the Opel

One of two men jailed today for sex offences against a 13 year-old boy attempted to flee court during proceedings. He was one of two brothers in their early 20s who pleaded guilty to sex offences when they were 17 against a 13-year-old boy. The two, who cannot be identified to protect the identity of

A Donegal County Council delegation will meet with senior National Roads Authority figures in Dublin this morning to discuss funding for the county’s roads network. A number of projects in the county have been identified as funding priorities. For 2013 almost €19 million was initially allocated to local and regional road improvements in Donegal with

There are renewed calls for a reduction in the speed limit on the approach road into Letterkenny between the Dry Arch and Polestar roundabouts. The current limit is 100 kmph but Councillor Dessie Larkin is calling for it to be reduced. There have also been calls for a barrier to be erected in the middle

A Donegal County Councillor has called on the Council to explore the idea of tidal and wave power generated electricity in Donegal. Tidal and wave energy is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into useful forms of power – mainly electricity. Cllr Noel McBride says that Donegal’s coastline has huge potential,

The latest Tax Defaulters list published by the Revenue Commissioners shows six settlements from Donegal, totalling just under half a million euro. Nationally, the Revenue Commissioners collected over 27 million euro in settlements between July and September from 88 people. In the largest of six settlements reached in Donegal, courier Aidan Caddye of Massreagh, Kilmacrennan

The Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) is insisting it came to an agreement with the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2009 to allow for the top-up of some salaries. Bosses at the CRC are appearing before the Dáil Public Accounts Committee over the top-ups scandal. Brian Conlon, who resigned as Chief Executive this week is not

A missing Convoy man, last seen in London in the 1970’s has been officially declared dead just short of his 87th birthday on Christmas Eve. Peter Edward Gallagher, better known to the family who last saw him 60 years ago as Eamonn, was declared officially dead by Judge John O’Hagan at Donegal Circuit Court. His