Author name: oisinkelly

Letterkenny Town Council says it is monitoring the performance of new traffic lights outside LYIT, and will recalibrate them when more information is available. Officials were responding to concerns raised by Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle at a meeting of the council last night. They also revealed that the impact study which approved the lights has […]

It’s been claimed that the drug crystal meth is circulating widely in Buncrana. Local councillor Ciaran Mc Laughlin has contacted local gardai on behalf of a number of parents who have contacted him recently. He says on Sunday evening last, a woman rang him to say her teenage daughter had taken the drug the previous

A number of Letterkenny Town Councillors have expressed concern at a planning application for an exit road out of Letterkenny Shopping Centre. The application, in the name of Lindat Limited of Harcourt House in Dublin, seeks permission for an egress road from the car park onto the Port Road, with a left turn only However,

A Donegal man, who was found not guilty of child sex charges last week, has said his life has been ruined. Martin Begley from St Johnston was arrested in April of this and charged with sexually assaulting a girl between January 2007 and November 2008 when she was aged between 12 and 14. However, last

The Chairperson of Letterkenny’s Joint Policing Committee says poor lighting in housing estates may be contributing to attempted burglaries in the town. Cllr Dessie Larkin says that on the same night there was a highly publicised aggravated burglary in the Glencar Area, he’s been told by a number of residents in Ashlawn that attempts were

A man’s been transferred to a Belfast hospital after sustaining serious burns in a suspected gas explosion in the Waterside area of Derry. A number of surrounding houses were evacuated following the explosion at a house in the Bond Street area at about 22:35 last night. The man, whose injuries are described as very serious,

Kieran McLaughlin, the man at the centre of a major cross-border manhunt has been urged by his own family to give himself up. PSNI and Gardai officers are still searching for the 58-year-old as the murder investigation he is wanted over enters its fifth day. McLaughlin is wanted in connection with the murder of 35-year-old

Detectives from PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch investigating dissident republican activity have unconditionally released  a 44 year old man. The man was arrested yesterday (Mon)  morning in the Derry area and was been taken to Antrim Serious Crime Suite for questioning. Meanwhile, the cross-border search for a man wanted in connection with the murder of Barry Mc

There are questions hanging over the long term future of the Foyle Ferry service linking Greencastle and Magilligan after the owner of the company confirmed that it will no longer operate the Lough Swilly service linking Buncrana and Rathmullan. Foyle Ferry Company owner Jim Mc Glenaghan says the Foyle service no longer receives any subventions,

A major Road Resurfacing project gets underway in Buncrana tomorrow, with traffic management and diversion arrangements being implemented. Donegal County Council has agreed programme dates with the surfacing contractor to resurface Buncrana Main Street, St Orans Road and part of St Marys Road as part of the ongoing Improvement Works. The council’s notice reads as

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education and Skills Charlie McConalogue TD has called on the government to protect education services in Budget 2014. The party launched its budget proposals this week, which protects funding for education services, mental health services and supports for people with disabilities.  Fianna Fáil’s plan prioritises special needs education, provides additional resource

The IMPACT Trade Union has expressed concern about the future of some Community and Voluntary Organisations in Donegal. The union’s North West Assistant Secretary Richy Carrothers says there is a reliance on the community and voluntary sector in Donegal, and many organisations are in financial trouble due to cuts in funding in critical areas such

The cross-border search for a man wanted in connection with the murder of Barry Mc Crory continues on both sides of the border. The PSNI have warned anyone who sees 58 year old Kieran McLaughlin not to approach him, but to contact police immediately. The PSNI believe he crossed the border into Donegal, and over

The PSNI have renewed their appeals to the public about the whereabouts of Kieran McLaughlin, whom they wish to question over the murder of Barry McCrory in Derry on Thursday. Detective Chief Inspector Harrison said “We are continuing to appeal to the public for their assistance in establishing the current whereabouts of 58 year old

An East Derry MLA has voiced his disappointment at the news that the police have suspended their investigation into the 1972 Claudy bombing. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the attack where three bombs exploded in the Derry village killing nine people. No group has ever claimed responsibility for the attack but the IRA

People in the North East Inishowen area are being urged to consider volunteering at Carndonagh Community Hospital to improve the social lives of residents there. In the recent HIQA report which identified problems at the hospital, lack of social activity was highlighted, and the Carndonagh Hospital Liaison Group says volunteerism is a way in which

North West MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher has told a conference in Letterkenny that the European Commission must address the gravity of the illicit trade problems we face in Ireland.” The conference, which particularly focussed on the issues of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes, was told that legitimate businesses are giouig to the wall because they

A siege in Burnfoot has ended. Gardai had surrounded a property on the Brae Road, near Iskaheen Parish Church overnight. Following a murder in Derry on Thursday, armed Gardai and the Irish Army had surrounded the property yesterday evening but by 4am this morning it had become clear that the house was empty. The hunt

Gardaí have surrounded a house in Burnfoot where Kieran McLaughlin, the man wanted by the PSNI for questioning about yesterday’s murder of Barry McCrory in Derry, is thought to be hiding. Members of the Garda’s Armed Response Unit are on the scene and the road, known locally as the Brae Road, has been closed since approximately 5pm.

A commitment’s been given that five beds will be reopened at Carndonagh Community Hospital on Monday week next. The secretary of the Carndonagh Community Hospital Liaison Group Joe Hegarty has indicated the group was given the commitment during a meeting today with hospital management, during which other issues including x-ray, physiotherapy and day services were

A viable mortar type device has been found by police during a security alert in Derry. About 1,000 people had to leave their homes because of the alert and several roads were closed. The police said the “intent was to kill or injure”. Cllr John Boyle said this security alert caused much destruction, and he

The Chairman of the Glenties Windfarm Information Group has hit out at the CEO of North West Wind, after he claimed that the Glenties Windfarm Group had minority support. Speaking on yesterdays Shaun Doherty Show, the CEO of North West Wind, John Gillespie said that the Glenties Windfarm Information Group do not represent the views

About 1,000 people were asked to leave their homes due to an overnight security alert in Derry. Army bomb disposal officers are at the scene. Most people have now been able to return to their homes. Police cordons have been reduced in the area and the only road still affected is Lawrence Hill. It’s understood

The nephew of an 89-year-old woman who died in hospital yesterday, has said those who carried out a burglary on her home three months ago are responsible for her death. Suzy Arthur was at home at Tullyrap just off the road from Letterkenny to Lifford with her sister Iza at 5 o’clock on the evening

Police investigating the murder of Barry McCrory in Derry yesterday have released the name of a man they want to speak to. Officers have requested information on the whereabouts of 58-year-old Kieran McLaughlin who is described as being 5’7″ tall, of medium build, with blue eyes and grey hair. He is believed to be wearing

A European arrest warrant is being sought against the brother of double killer John Gallagher in connection with a car ramming incident in Donegal earlier this year, a solicitor has claimed. 47-year-old John Gallagher, appeared in the dock of Strabane Magistrate’s Court this morning ahead of a contest against a harassment charge tomorrow. Gallagher faces

The CEO of North West Wind has hit out at the Glenties Windfarm Information Group and said they don’t represent the views of everyone in the area. The Glenties Windfarm are opposed to wind turbines being erected in the area. And over the past couple of weeks the group have collected over 700 signatures in

  There’s been further contact between Donegal County Council and the selected contractor to finalise arrangements to bring the Dungloe and Glenties sewage scheme to construction. After a meeting with Donegal County Council officials today, Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher says when this detail between DCC and the contractor is finalised, contact documents will then be

Donegal North East Deputy Joe Mc Hugh has told the Dail that more capital projects should be started to boost the economy, and there are several ready to go in Donegal. During questions to Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin, Deputy Mc Hugh quoted the economist John Maynard Keynes, who argued that the best way to

Up to 300 new engineering jobs are set to be announced for Omagh. A major seven figure capital investment by global engineering manufacturer Terex Finlay is expected later this morning. The multi-million pound investment will create upwards of 300 new jobs over the next two years. The news follows yesterday’s announcement that Omagh-based engineering firm

The KFO is welcoming new scientific advice recommending a 67% rise in mackerel quotas, but says the fear is that the Commission will see this as opportunity to do a deal with Iceland and Faros at the expense of Irish fishermen. In the EU parliament today, North West MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher hit out

A West Donegal councillor is rejecting suggestions that money set aside for the Dungloe and Glenties Sewage Schemes may be lost. Earlier today, the Dungloe Action Group said it is to meet with Donegal County Council officials tomorrow to discuss the delay in the commencement of the schemes. At the beginning of August this year,

40 new jobs are planned for Omagh in a £3.1million expansion by engineering firm Telestack, £444,000 of which will be provided by Invest NI. Welcoming the announcement, local MLA Declan Mc Aleer said the plan represents a vote of confidence in this area, he’s hopeful that as many these new skilled jobs as possible can

Two Derry men have pleaded guilty to possessing a pipe bomb found by police during a surveillance operation in the city in September 2011. 56 year old Eugene McLoone from Abercorn Road and 48 year old Daniel Martin Joseph Doyle of Bluebell Hill Gardens both pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to having the device

Gardai have issued a warning to bus company owners around the county after a number of school buses stopped at check-points where found to be unsafe. Increased Garda checks on school buses in Donegal have found that many are not road worthy. Of a total of nine buses stopped at one check point this week,

The Dungloe Action Group are to meet with Donegal County Council officials tomorrow to discuss the commencement of the Dungloe sewage scheme. At the beginning of August this year, Donegal South West Deputy, Dinny McGinley said the work would begin within a fortnight. But two months on and works have still not begun. Spokesperson for

Vandals who threw every lifebelt on Derry’s Peace bridge into the river Foyle have been condemned. Foyle Search and rescue crews discovered all the lifebelts had been vandalised during a patrol at 1am on Sunday morning. It is second time in four months that the lifebelts have been vandalised. In July it was warned anyone

The European Parliament is calling for a ban on Menthol cigarettes and other fruit-flavoured tobacco products. However they’re proposing that the ban would not come into force for several years. MEPs yesterday voted on a number of draft laws to make tobacco products less attractive to young people. The MEPs supported calls for laws to