Author name: oisinkelly

Around 80 civil service jobs in Derry are at risk, a local MLA has said. SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said outsourcing the pension service posts currently based at Waterside House is among the options currently being considered by the north’s Department of Finance. Trade Union NIPSA is to hold a public meeting tomorrow (Thursday) night […]

A well known local musicain has put his name forward to replace Cora Harvey on Donegal County Council. 31-year-old Gary Doherty is the bass player with Donegal band Heads of State. The father-of-three is in the running at Sinn Fein’s convention which will be held on Sunday 3rd November. The Castlefin man, who has a

The mother of a former St Eunans GAA player, is warning people about the dangers of legal highs. Jimmy Guichard, suffered a heart attack and severe brain damage within hours of taking a legal high. The 20-year-old had recently moved from Letterkenny, to Gravesend, Kent, to care for his cancer-stricken father Martin. He bought the

St Peter’s High School in Derry’s Creggan is to be demolished, with a major social housing project planned for the site. Following weeks of discussion, the Diocese of Derry has confirmed that structural surveys are almost completed, and then the building can be knocked down. The pending demolition has been welcomed by Cllr Kevin Campbell,

The first sod has been turned in Buncrana on “Amazing Grace Park”, a project to transform a piece of waste ground next to the Tourist Office on Railway Road into a new public space. This park is the second step in developing an “Amazing Grace experience” that will attract visitors to the area, and comes

The Mayor of Donegal says the county council’s role in promoting social inclusion is a hugely important element of its remit, and one he wants to promote during his term. Cllr Ian Mc Garvey was speaking at the start of Social Inclusion Week, a council initiative with over 70 events from now until Friday. Cllr

The Glenties Windfarm Information Group believe they have made a compelling argument to Donegal County Council for changes to be made to the County Development Plan to impose further restrictions on where wind farms can be erected. In a some times emotional presentation to Donegal County Council this week, one woman told through tears the

The Vice Chairperson of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee has met with Chief Superintendent Terry Mc Ginn today to discuss her claim in a letter this month that high emigration levels among 18 to 30 year olds is driving down demand for drugs in Donegal. The comments were made by the Chief Superintendent in a

Donegal County Council says it is monitoring a number of bonfire sites across the county ahead of halloween night, and is warning people bonfires are illegal. 10 days ago, the council says it removed 3 tonnes of waste from a location in Donegal, and will do so again if deemed necessary. Donegal County Council says

Grenades found in a house in Derry were similar to ones used in an attack in Manchester that left two police officers dead Derry Magistrate’s Court was told today. The revelation came during a bail application by 29 year old Gary McPhillips of 34, Hawkin Street in the city who is charged with possessing weapons,

Police in Derry are investigating a reported hit and run incident on Strand Road on Tuesday morning last October 15th. Police say a woman has reported that at around 7 o’clock that morning, a black Audi A4 with a DL number plate ran the red lights on the pedestrian crossing close to the Centra forecourt,

  Sinn Fein County Councillor Cora Harvey has confirmed she will not be seeking nomination to run in next years Local Elections. The Stranoral Electoral Area representative will also step down as an elected representative on Donegal County Council in the coming weeks. The former Mayor has described it is a personal decision based on

The success of the Good Friday Agreement, since it was signed 15 years ago will be discussed during the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly meeting in London today. Key challenges facing the North will also be debated by British and Irish politicians. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers will give an update while the

One of highland radio’s founding voices, Packie Bradley has died. Packie became a household name across the Northwest earning thousands of loyal listeners through his mid afternoon show. Highland Radio’s Managing Director Shaun Doherty has described Packie as one of the kindest and most sincere people ever to sit in front of a microphone. Mr

Former paratroopers who shot dead civilians on Bloody Sunday could be prosecuted. 13 people died in the shootings in the Bogside in Derry in January 1972. The Sunday Times reports that up to 20 retired British soldiers face being arrested, questioned and possibly charged in connection with the shootings. Belfast-based security correspondent Alan Murray says

Fianna Fáil leader Mícheal Martin has described Health Minister James Reilly’s position as untenable. Deputy Martin said Dr. Reilly had lost control of his department following failure to clarify certain cuts from last Tuesday’s budget The opposition leader was speaking at the Annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration in Bodenstown, County Kildare. Deputy Martin says hindsight proves

Randox has announced it is to create 30 new jobs at its facility in Dungloe. The cutting edge medical diagnostics firm says the announcement is off the back of a multi-million euro deal with a leading healthcare distribution company in Mexico. The business worth €8million over the next two years, will see the delivery of

Members of Donegal County Council and members of the Donegal Education and Training Board are calling for clarification after the Donegal District’s Chief Superintendent suggested that high emigration of 18 to 30 year olds means that there is less demand for drugs in the county. The comments were made by Chief Superintendent Terry Mc Ginn

The Donegal Pet Rescue service says they are horrified at the discovery of 5 Labrador pups found dumped in a box on the side of the road. A member of the public was walking in the Ballybofey area when he made the discovery. Donegal Pet Rescue were called and say they were horrified to see

A 58-year-old man has appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court charged with the murder of 35-year-old Barry McCrory in the city. Kieran Edward Joseph McLaughlin of 60, Elaghmore Park in Derry was charged with the murder of Barry McCrory on October 10. When charged McLaughlin replied ‘not guilty this is a media smear campaign. McLaughlin, dressed

A Crown Court judge has said that all drug dealers had to be ‘discouraged’ as drugs were a ‘scourge on our society.’ Judge Philip Babbington made his comments in jailing a Derry man for possessing drugs with intent to supply. 26-year-old Sean Javod Kelly of 17, Moyglass Place in Strathfoyle admitted possessing class A and

The President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has questioned the will of the people in Ireland to fight against austerity. Speaking ahead of his speech at the Peader O’Donnell Winter Weekend, John Douglas, who is also the General Secretary of the Mandate Trade Union, said despite being failed by consecutive governments, there still

Donegal County Council is to seek a meeting with the Garda Commissioner to discuss crime in Donegal. The decision was taken at a special council meeting this afternoon which was also attended by members of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee and garda representitives. The Chief Superintendent was represented by Superintendent Andy Archbold, who told members

The life and legacy of Peadar O’Donnell is being remembered in Dungloe this weekend with a series of debates which the organisers say provide an alternative to the McGill Summer School. Peadar O’Donnell was born in Meenmore in 1893, and died at the age of 93. He was a republican socialist, and an opponent of

The Vice Chairperson of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee has said that smart policing will never replace the tried and tested model of having gardai on the beat, particularly in rural areas. Cllr Patrick Mc Gowan was speaking at a special meeting of Donegal County Council to discuss recent crime in the county, particularly aggravated

A 58-year-old Derry man has been charged with the murder of Barry McCrory in Derry last week. Kieran McLaughlin has been charged with murder and firearm offences. McLaughlin was arrested on Wednesday after a six day cross-border manhunt. 35-year-old Barry McCrory was murdered in his Shipquay Street last Thursday. A day after the murder, the

The senior coroner in the North has warned the chief constable and the justice minister he will not allow further delays in the inquest into the death of Castlederg teenager Arlene Arkinson. John Leckey was speaking at a preliminary hearing into her death. Arlene Arkinson, disappeared in August 1994 after a night out at a

It’s emerged that Donegal has the joint highest percentage of people convicted in court of a motoring offence escaping penalty points because of a legal loophole. Previously, a driver summoned to court was not directed to take their license with them, which meant in many cases, no record of the driver receiving penalty points is

A High Court case brought by a Donegal family against an engineer has been struck out after the case was withdrawn by the couple concerned. Karen and Francis Carr had brought a case against Gerard Duke of Donegal Town in relation to defects to their house. However, they withdrew their claim yesterday evening and accepted

Mangan Tours is to close its Letterkenny office at the end of the year, with up to five job losses expected. Managing Director Joe Mangan confirmed to Highland Radio News today that the company will will not be launching a brochure next year, but stressed that any tours already booked will operate as scheduled for

The clothing chain Primark is opening a store in Omagh as part of a major redevelopment of the Supervalu premises on Market Street. As well as creating a number of new jobs, it’s also hoped that the move will attract more shoppers into Omagh town centre. John Wallace is the Supervalu store manager in Omagh,

Donegal Sinn Féin TDs Pearse Doherty and Pádraig MacLochlainn have called on the people of the county to support a postcard campaign to reverse the cut to the phone allowance. Sinn Fein has said the budget has hit older people particularly hard with one of the most cynical cuts being the cut to the telephone

Donegal County Council meets in special session this afternoon to discuss break-ins at a number of homes across the county in recent weeks. Members of the Joint Policing Committee will be there, and senior gardai in the county have been invited to attend. The meeting was sought by Cllr Michael Mc Bride. He says there’s

Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue has said the Local Government Bill published this week will see more power removed from Donegal communities. The Fianna Fáil Deputy has heavily criticised the plan which will see Letterkenny, Buncrana, Ballyshannon and Bundoran Town Councils scrapped along with all other town councils across the country.   Deputy McConalogue has accused the

It has been confirmed that work will commence shortly on a new HSE Community Mental Health Service building on the campus of Donegal Community Hospital in Donegal Town. The €2 million development promises deliver a modern centre for Community Mental Health services in the South Donegal area. The HSE says the construction of a new

New laws promising the most radical reform of local government in a century have been published. The Local Government Bill 2013 will see all 80 town councils abolished, and replaced by a system of municipal districts. Letterkenny, Buncrana, Ballyshannon and Bundoran Town Councils will be scrapped while Donegal County Council will go from 29 to

Police have been given more time to interview Kieran McLaughlin. The 58 year old is being questioned in connection with the killing of Barry Mc Crory in Shipquay Street on Thursday last. He was detained by specialist police officers at around 3 o’clock yesterday morning after a five hour operation which began in Donegal at

The nephew of a woman who died weeks after she was burgled has pleaded with the Government to rethink their plan to scrap telephone allowance for pensioners. Joe McKean’s aunt was at home at Tullyrap just off the road from Letterkenny to Lifford with her sister Iza when three men broke into the house and

Letterkenny Town Council has been told that if 74,000 euro can be found between the Town and County Councils, it may be possible to carry out some repairs to the footpath out to Ballymacool. Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle had moved a motion calling for a barrier to be erected on the footpath to improve safety,

A Strabane District Cllr has expressed concerns over the proposal for a 6000 acre windfarm in the Sperrins. The proposal is for 60 wind turbines to be erected on land between Cranagh, Goles and Broughderg in the Glenelly Valley area of the Strabane District. The proposal is still at pre-application stage and is due to

North West MEP, Pat the Cope Gallagher has said that the Agriculture Minister must protect the Irish mackerel industry ahead of today’s fisheries council meeting in Luxembourg. Minister Simon Coveney will meet to discuss the dispute over mackerel quota rights in the North East Atlantic as Iceland and the Faroe Islands have increased their overall

Strabane District Council is to press the Environment Minister to make a decision on the planning application for the Three Rivers Project in the town. A decision on the Three Rivers Project, which if given the green light, could see the creation of 450 jobs, is still pending despite the application being lodged almost two

A number of people in Buncranna have hit out at the road repair works taking place in the town centre. Work started this week on relaying and resurfacing Main Street in the town. The work, which is expected to be finsihed by early next week, is currently causing much disruption in the town. But local

A 73-year-old man has been attacked by a gang of up to a dozen youths in Derry. The elderly pensioner has been left badly shaken and distressed by the ordeal. The incident happened between the City Walls and the Bingo Hall on Bank Place. Local Cllr Gerry Diver, has said the attack is a sickening

Twenty-two “high end jobs” are being created at a pioneering new medical research centre in Derry. The Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine – the only one of its kind on the island of Ireland – is based at the Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre (C-TRIC) at Altnagelvin Hospital. The £11.5 million facility is