Author name: oisinkelly

Plans to build a campsite close to St Columb’s Park in Derry have been shelved by Derry City Council. Councillors had set out proposals in December for the campsite to accommodate visitors to the city during the Fleadh in August. However, they backed a proposal to withdraw the planning application this week after hundreds of […]

The Donegal ‘Let Me Be Me’ group  say they have been insulted and let down by an apparent split amongst two elected representatives on the issue of Donegal’s special needs pre-schools. Labour Senator Jimmy Harte has accused Senator Brian O’Domhnaill of using Donegal’s Special pre-schools for his own political gain and of has described his

Labour Senator Jimmy Harte has accused Senator Brian O’Domhnaill of using Donegal’s Special pre-schools for his own political gain and of has described his ‘manipulation of the truth’ as grossly offensive. Senator Brian  Ó Domhnaill had called for the Health Minister James Reilly to come before the Seanad to discuss the threatened closure of St

One of the woman targeted in a aggravated burglary earlier this week has spoken about the incident which left her sister in hospital. 91 year-old Isa Arthur and her sister 89 year-old Suzy where both pushed to ground by three men who entered their house on Monday evening. Suzy is undergoing an operation today for

Staff have been threatened with a knife during a robbery at a Lifford Filling Station on Tuesday evening. A masked man, described as 5 foot 10 inches, entered the premises at around 7.45pm threatening staff. He escaped in a green coloured UK registered vehicle driven by a second man. No one was physically injured in

Donegal mothers will further feel the impact this week of the anti-family approach of the Government. That’s according to Senator Brian O’Domhnaill who was speaking as Government’s budget policy of taxing Maternity Benefit comes in to effect. 46,000 mothers throughout the Country are to be effected by the move and could cost as much as

BreastCheck – The National Breast Screening Programme is currently inviting women aged 50 to 64 living in Letterkenny and surrounding areas for a free BreastCheck mammogram (x-ray) in the BreastCheck mobile digital screening unit located at the Letterkenny Public Service Centre, Neil T. Blaney Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. If the appointment time or date doesn’t

A series of public meetings are to be held in response to concerns expressed by Donegal farmers over the spread of the Schmallenberg Virus. The virus does not effect humans but can cause stillborn or deformed offspring in cattle and sheep. A number of animals have already been effected in the UK and Ireland with

Northwest Jim Higgins MEP has expressed concern after the European Parliament voted to impose the NCT on motorbikes, caravans, and trailers. This means that caravans and trailers will have to carry separate number plates from 2016. Speaking after the vote in Strasbourg, where he voted to reject the report outright, Jim Higgins said motorcyclists will

The Committee stage of the abortion legislation will continue today with the contentious suicide clause to be discussed. Last night, the Health Minister ruled out extending the legislation to cover fatal foetal abnormalities. After the Government won the first vote in the Dáil it went straight into committee. All Donegal TDs voted in favour of

The brother of a Donegal journalist who was killed after a night out in Dublin says society and parents have to look at drunken behaviour of young people. Eugene Moloney died after a single punch to the neck while walking home on Camden street on June 24th last. Gary Burch of Kennington Close, Templeogue was

Strabane District officials have met in recent days to consider the possibility of a new leisure centre for the town. The talks are the first phase of a consultation that could see leisure facilities moved from Riversdale to a new location elsewhere in the town. There has been a dramatic rise in the number of

Northwest MEP Marian Harkin has given an enthusiastic reaction to Emily O’Reilly’s result in this morning’s first round of voting for the position of European Ombudsman.  Six candidates are competing for the position including three incumbent MEPs. The final round of voting will take place in the Parliament tomorrow. People close to Ms O’Reilly’s campaign

A 22 year old Dublin man has been jailed for 3 and a half years for the manslaughter of journalist Eugene Moloney. Gary Burch of Kennington Close, Templeogue pleaded guilty to killing the 55 year old on Camden Street on June 24th last year. At closing time Eugene Moloney left Hogan s bar following a

Donegal All-Ireland winning star Patrick McBrearty yesterday appeared as a guest speaker at the 2013 Phoenix Ulster GAA Elite Academy. Patrick addressed all the players before fielding a number of questions from the very captive audience. He spoke of his own experiences as an elite underage player and shared some excellent advice for the players

A Councillor has described the aggravated burglary on the home of two elderly sisters near Raphoe as a cowardly and despicable act. 3 men targeted the home of the sisters, aged in their 80s and 90s, at around 5 o’clock on Monday evening in the Feddyglass area. During the incident one of the sisters was

The HSE is intending to provide children with complex needs, who are currently educated at special pre-schools in Donegal, a home support package. From September St Agnes pre-School in Donegal Town is to close – children will either be integrated into main stream schools or offered the home support package. It is expected that the

Gardai are investigating a burglary at the home of two elderly sisters in Raphoe during which one was knocked to the ground and hospitalised. At around 5 o’clock yesterday (Monday) evening 3 males called to the home of the sisters at Freddyglass who are aged in their 80’s and 90’s. They entered the premises knocking

A 22 year old Dublin man is to be sentenced later today for killing Donegal journalist Eugene Moloney with a single blow to the neck. Gary Burch of Kennington Close, Templeogue pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the 55 year old on Camden Street on June 24th last year. CCTV footage from Camden Street shows

Donegal Youth Councillors will meet with new Donegal County Council Mayor Ian McGarvey today in the County House in Lifford. The Youth Council will be seeking Mayor McGarvey’s support for a number of initiatives they are working on in 2013, including a youth mental health roadshow later this year, where they plan to run events

HSE management have said they are no plans to close St Josephs Hospital in Stranorlar. A recently formed steering committee met with HSE management yesterday. The group was formed after a public meeting last week to support St Joseph’s Hospital and lobby for the hiring of more staff. Donegal South West Deputy, Pearse Doherty chaired

A martial arts expert who told the police he “had the urge to hurt people” has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrates’ Court. Shane O’Kane, 39, from Bleach Green, Dungiven, County Derry, was arrested when he armed himself with two samurai swords and a knife. The court was told that police received a call

The Junior Minister Lucinda Creighton says a change to the abortion laws clarifying the term limit for a termination in suicide cases is a necessary minimum. She’s told the Dáil that she wants to continue working in Government to fix the economy but she must consult her conscience when it comes to a vote on

An Northwest MEP is calling for a complete EU ban on roaming charges-despite new lower charges introduced from today. Holidaymaker’s will be able to avail of reduced charges for mobile use across the EU. It will be 36 percent cheaper, costing you 45 cents per megabyte to download data or browse the internet while using

The number of people presenting themselves as homeless in Derry City stands at 2,200 – the highest rate in 20 years. In total, there are 3,311 people on the waiting list for Social Housing in the City. Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Councillor Tony Hassan has said the current figures are concerning and show an upward

Letterkenny business man and Everest conqueror Jason Black has fulfilled his commitment to take his summit flag back to where his epic journey began on the top of Mount Errigal. On Sunday afternoon Jason Black was accompanied by over 500 people, including Highland Radio owner Gerry Rabbitt (pictured) as he hiked to the top of

Those who did not pay the Household Charge now owe revenue 200 euro. Donegal County Council has today pointed out that responsibility for collecting the charge no longer lies with the local authority, Now, any arrears of Household Charge will become a Local Property Tax, the collection of which is the responsibility of the Revenue

It’s D-Day for Leaving Cert students who want to change their mind about their CAO forms. By a quarter past five this (Tuesday) evening applications- will close for anyone trying to choose a different range of third level courses. Up to 30 per cent of pupils are reported to use the opportunity. And, Joanne Holland,

The fall in Donegal house prices has slowed some what with a new survey  finding that house prices in the second quater of 2013 were 10% lower than a year previously. That compares to a fall of 13% seen in the year to mid-2012. The average house price in the county is now €125,000, 54%

The President of the High Court has ruled that a Donegal shooting range does not have planning permission. According to the Herald, permission for a range, used by a target shooting club near Lifford had been validly refused by Donegal County Council in 2011, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns found. The action arose after Donall McGroary,

Hundreds of people have taken part in a prayer vigil in Letterkenny this (Saturday) afternoon in response to the proposed Abortion Bill. The Catholic Bishop of Raphoe Dr. Philip Boyce lead the pro-life vigil in St. Eunan’s Cathedral ahead of a procession through the town to a pro-life rally in the Bernard McGlinchey Town Park.

The death has taken place in Donegal of one of the county’s oldest citizens. Mary McGee from Galdonagh in Manorcunningham has passed away in her 106th year at Hillcrest Nursing Home. Removal and funeral arrangements will be confirmed later.

Police in the North are investigating whether eight sudden deaths  are linked to drugs. Seven of the fatalities happened in the greater Belfast area, while one occurred in the northwest. Tjhose who died were aged in their 20s and 30s. Police are warning  people to be particularly careful if they are offered green-coloured tablets with

A man facing a series of charges including the shooting dead of a police officer in 1993 appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court charged with breaching his bail by residing at a different address. Christopher O’Kane (39) of Kular Court in the city was arrested after police officers called to an address to speak with him

A Donegal County Cllr has said that an explanation is needed on why funding has been pulled for the Riverine Project along the Donegal/Tyrone border. The cross border initiative was aimed at regenerating the Strabane/Lifford border riverside area. Among the proposals were a network of cycle paths and a pedestrian bridge linking Strabane and Lifford.

‘Jail the bankers’ protests have taken place in Dublin, Galway and Donegal Town. Organisers say that the Anglo Tapes – released this week – were the final straw and are calling for the government to do more to tackle the bankers. Gerry Bray was one of those that took part in the protest in Donegal

Funding for the Riverine project along the Tyrone/Donegal border has been pulled. The cross border initiative was aimed at regenerating the Strabane/Lifford border riverside area. Among the proposals were a network of cycle paths, a pedestrian bridge linking Strabane and Lifford, and a green are along with public art and interactive play areas. But the

The Can’t Pay Won’t Pay campaign group has said that it recognises that the boycott of the Property Tax has failed to attract sufficient numbers to remain viable, but their campaign will continue until the Property Tax is abolished. Spokesperson Francis Mc Cafferty says they believe that a strong boycott of the Property Tax could

A committee has been formed in the Finn Valley to support St Joseph’s Hospital and lobby for the hiring of more staff. The cross party meeting was attended by over 150 people, with representatives there from similar committees in Dungloe and Carndonagh. Cllr Patrick Mc Gowan was one of the organisers of the meeting. He

Hundreds of people are expected to climb Donegal’s highest peak on Sunday when mountaineer Jason Black leads a climb to the summit of Mount Errigal. Speaking at a civic reception in his honour last night, Mr Black said on the day he left Donegal to climb Mount Everest, he climbed Errigal with the Donegal flag

Independent Cllr Pascal Blake has been unanimously elected as Mayor of Letterkenny, possibly the last person to hold that position. His Deputy Mayor is Cllr Tom Crossan. Outgoing Mayor Cllr Dessie Larkin showed members a letter signed by 47 people in the 1840s calling for the establishment of a Town Council in Letterkenny, and a

There’s been widespread condemnation of a PSNI decision to put a number of Historical Enquires Team investigations on hold, so that the HET can carry out an investigation into the actions of British soldiers who caused the deaths and injuries on Bloody Sunday. The Bloody Sunday Trust says when Chief Constable Matt Baggot announced that

  The Transport Minister says the new Road Traffic Bill will help Ireland become the safest country in Europe for road users. The new legislation will see tougher penalty points for speeding, using a phone and not wearing a seat-belt – and Gardaí will be able to conduct new roadside drug tests. A new novice

A Sinn Fein Deputy has raised the continued imprisonment of Donegal Republican John Downey in Belmarsh Prison, with the Tánaiste. 61-year-old, John Downey, from Ards was arrested in May charged with murdering four soldiers in the 1982 Hyde Park IRA bomb blast. He was arrested despite receiving assurances from the Northern Ireland Office that he

Three members of Donegal Action Against Austerity have filed a formal criminal complaint with Gardai – over the behaviour of Anglo Irish Bank officials. The anti-austerity campaigners attended Buncrana Garda Station yesterday. They are hoping that other people around the country make similar complaints at their local Garda stations. One of the people who filed the

More streets in Derry’s city centre are set to be closed to traffic during Augusts All-Ireland Fleadh. Derry City Council announced last week that the Shipquay Street area would be closed to traffic during the event, which runs from the 11th to the 18th August. Now it’s understood that there are also plans in place