Author name: oisinkelly

MEP Jim Higgins says Minister Phil Hogan should leave LEADER programme alone

A Northwest MEP is calling on Minister Phil Hogan to leave the LEADER programme alone. Jim Higgins, who will meet with Minister Hogan later today, is strongly opposed to plans to strip LEADER of its core planing and decision making functions. Mr Higgins is against the plans which would give more power to local councils […]

MEP Jim Higgins says Minister Phil Hogan should leave LEADER programme alone Read More »

Nightly water restrictions announced by Donegal County Council

Donegal County Council is extended the scope of its water restrictions, with areas served by the Lifford reservoir having their supplies cut from 11.30pm to 6am each night until further notice. The areas affected include Rossgeir, Porthall, Letterkenny Road, Cavan Hill, Glencash, Drumleen, Creaghadoos, Gillystown and Drumearn. Restrictions remain in place in the Finn Valley,

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Donegal solicitor appointed to the board of the Hospital Grouo for the West/North West

A Donegal born solicitor has been appointed as one of three new non-executive directors to the Board of the Hospital Group for the West/North West. Sharon Moohan is currently a Solicitor to the Residential Institutions Redress Board, and previously worked in the European Commission for a year, as well as lecturing in European Law at

Donegal solicitor appointed to the board of the Hospital Grouo for the West/North West Read More »

Donegal Youth Council welcomes referendum plans on dropping voting age to 16

  The Donegal Youth Council is welcoming the Governments confirmation that a recommendation to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 will be put to referendum. The Government has confirmed that a referendum will take place before 2015. Donegal Youth Cllr, Molly McGinty said if the voting age is lowered, then more youth issues

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Minister accuses Donegal Deputy of “reprehensible” scaremongering in hospital debate

Junior Health Minister Kathleen Lynch has accused Donegal South West Deputy Pearse Doherty of acting in a reprehensible manner by striking fear into the hearts of vulnerable people. She was speaking during a Dail debate on bed closures in Community Hospitals in Donegal. The issue was raised by Deputy Doherty, who said the the HSE

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Update – Gardai renew appeal following Churchill death, but won’t disclose PM results

Gardai investigating the discovery of a man’s body in Churchill on Sunday have renewed an appeal for information about his movements, but are not commenting on the cause of his death. The body of 50 year old Kieran Callaghan was found at his home at Roshine, Churchill at approximately 1.30pm. This afternoon, at a press

Update – Gardai renew appeal following Churchill death, but won’t disclose PM results Read More »

Update – Third reservoir included in Finn Valley water restrictions

More water restrictions have been announced in parts of the the Stranorlar Electoral Area by Donegal County Council, with supplies being disconnected between 10pm and 7am from tonight until further notice. The areas affected are those served by the Tievebrack,  Gleneely and Ballynacor reservoirs. The council’s full statement reads –   Due to the current

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70 year-old Donegal man charged with sex offences against boys back in court

A 70-year-old man charged with a series of sex offences against boys in west Donegal is still awaiting service of the book of evidence. Dungloe District Court was told today  that a short adjournment was being sought to allow continued communication between the State Solicitor and defence solicitor Cormac Hartnett. The 70-year-old is charged with

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Pringle fears for current hackney cab operators in new Rural Transport Programme

18 new Transport co-ordination units have been announced across the country this morning as part of a major overhaul of the Rural Transport Programme. It is part of a  major restructuring of the programme outlined in a new report published today ‘Strengthening Connections in Rural Ireland’ launched by the Public Transport Minister, Alan Kelly. The

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Claims some Jetski and motorboat users are putting swimmer’s lives in Danger

A spokesperson for Malin Head Coastguard Station says they have recieved reports of people on jetskis and in motor boats harassing swimmers and abusing  lifeguards. Mike Mullins was speaking as he warned people of the dangers of the water as thousands flock to the coastline to enjoy the current spell of good weather. Mr Mullins

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New crime figures: 22,000 crimes were committed last year by people on bail or awaiting trial

The latest CSO figures for 2012, show burglary was the most common crime committed by repeat offenders. Nearly 22-thousand crimes were committed last year by people on bail or awaiting trial for other offences. There were 11 murders committed by offenders last year, compared to 8 in 2011. While nearly 1,600 (1585) burglaries were carried

New crime figures: 22,000 crimes were committed last year by people on bail or awaiting trial Read More »

Report reveals Bin Laden was stopped for speeding in Pakistan

Pakistani authorities have been singled out for their failure to find Osama Bin Laden. A leaked report into his death found the former Al-Qaeda chief was able to hide in Pakistan for nine years due to the “collective failure” of state military and intelligence authorities. Al Jazeera – who published the report outlines how “routine”

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Anger in Derry as NIE move powerlines to accomodate 11th night bonfire

An East Derry MLA is considering an approach to the Northern Ireland Electricity Regulator after it emerged that NIE will remove power lines in the County Derry village of Articlave on Thursday night. The decision was taken because a very large 11th night bonfire has been built on Housing Executive land directly underneath the lines.

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Letterkenny Town Councillors clash over ‘Municipal Districts’ motion

Letterkenny Town Councillors have clashed over a motion calling on Minister Phil Hogan to give real powers to the Municipal Districts being proposed to replace the Town Council system. Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle said such a move is necessary to ensure that Letterkenny maximises the amount of income from rates that stays in the urban

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Nesbitt urges people and businesses of Derry to support Magee expansion

University of Ulster Chancellor James Nesbitt has called on the people and institutions of Derry to get behind the University’s call for Magee expansion. Addressing a graduation ceremony at the Millenium Forum in the city this afternoon, he said the University of Ulster is Derry’s university, and they are committed to its development at the

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Coveney and Varadkar launch new Marine Safety Strategy

The government has announced the first ever national maritime safety strategy today. The cross departmental agency will see a new safety initiative for the Irish Fishing Industry which the government says is about closing any gaps in services and preventing accidents at sea. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, with responsibility for

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Donegal Action Against Austerity collect petition of names to support Tony Rochford

The hunger strike of Tony Rochford, who is fasting in a campaign against austerity measures, has entered its fourth week. The Donegal Action Against Austerity protest group showed their support for Tony over the weekend by undertaking a 24 hour fast. They also took to the streets of Letterkenny at the weekend to ask members

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Two women due in court on Monday following Donegal arrests for Derry carjacking

Police in Derry have charged two 20 year old women with aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to the vehicle. They are due to appear atDerry Magistrates court on Monday. It follows a hijacking incident in the Clooney Terrace area of Derry on Friday evening. Just after 10pm a woman who was in the driver’s seat

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Brother of man who will lead Orange Order parade today in Rossnowlagh accused of cultivating cannabis

An Orange Order leader’s brother has been accused of links to cultivation of €220,000 worth of illegal cannabis plants. 45 year old Ivan Mahon, a farmer, yesterday appeared at Ballyshannon District Court, accused of allowing premises to be used for cultivation of a controlled drug. The court heard that Ivan Mahon and Chinese national 70-year-old

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Fermanagh teens appear in court on Ballyshannon burglary charges

A 19-year-old youth today admitted two burglaries and the theft of a quad last December and January in Ballyshannon. One of the burglaries admitted by Lee Williams involved the theft of €12,500 goods, including another quad, at Sean Nugent’s yard at East Rock, Ballyshannon, on January 4. A 19-year-old girl companion with him, Kerry Doherty,

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Update:Two men arrested in Strabane following armed robbery of a shop in Lifford

Two men have been arrested in Strabane in connection with an armed robbery in Lifford on Thursday evening. Between 7.30pm and 8pm a man armed with a knife entered Gallagher’s Fuel Depot in Rossgier and threatening a young male member of staff. The culprit escaped initially on foot but is thought to have later entered

Update:Two men arrested in Strabane following armed robbery of a shop in Lifford Read More »