Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal County Council is appealing to land owners and members of the public to exercise caution during the current period of dry weather and to take all necessary measures to prevent gorse fires and similar fires. With the current period of dry weather, gorse, heather and other undergrowth is extremely dry.  Fires are likely to […]

It’s emerged that what could have been a major pollution incident was averted in Killybegs harbour last weekend when a stricken vessel lost power in stormy conditions. The Spanish freezer vessel, “Aldan”, with 400 tonnes of fuel on board and a crew of 18, started drifting when the main engine failed about 10 minutes after

A group of fishermen from Donegal was in Leinster House this morning to address the Oireachtas Fisheries sub-Committee. It’s engaged in a study on how to promote sustainable coastal and island communities. In his submission, Aranmore Island Fisherman Gerry Early spoke of the effect the ban on draft net fishing is having on the island,

The Northern Ireland assembly agriculture committee has held an emergency meeting to assess the damage caused to farmers hit by the severe weather. A number of areas in the North have been particularly badly affected by snow drifts. West Tyrone MLA, Joe Byrne visited a number of farmers in the Glenelly Valley area of his

The main Donegal Easter Rising commemoration will take place at Drumboe Cemetery this weekend. The main speaker will be Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams at 3pm. 2013 is the 90th anniversary of the killings in 1923 of four Irish Republicans in Drumboe Woods. There will also be commemorations in Drumoghill, Castlefin, Buncrana and Gweedore. The

The IFA has launched a campaign to encourage people to ensure they know where their dogs are at all times. It follows the publication of figures this week showing that over the past 12 months in Donegal, 76 sheep have been killed or injured by dogs in Donegal, the fifth highest incidence of such attacks in the

North West MEP Jim Higgins says arrangements must be put in place to allow for recognition of free travel passes by private bus operators. Mr Higgins says Bus Éireann has recently cut back on many of its rural services in favour of express routes, and private operators are now the only transport option for many

Another Donegal person has received a letter from the Department of Social Protection encouraging them to apply for a job abroad. Yesterday it was revealed that a 60-year-old man from the county recieved a letter from the department telling him about a bus driver job in Malta, paying 250 euro per week. Now a young Donegal teacher

Donegal South West Deputy Thomas Pringle TD has hit out at a government plan to take €150 million from the Local Government Fund to write-down debt. Calling the proposal a “complete mockery of the entire government process”, the independent deputy claimed that as the Local Property Tax comes into force, more funding raised through car

The Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty is urging Social Protection Minister Joan Burton to clarify if it’s now the policy of her department to seek low paid jobs abroad for unemployed Irish people. The Donegal South West deputy raised the issue – after one of his constituents showed him a letter he received from

A Garda was asked to drive an ambulance to Letterkenny General Hospital because no paramedic was available, a county councillor has claimed today. Cllr Liam Blaney says the incident happened in the vicinity of the hospital. In a similar incident last year an ambulance was called out by a mother – but it was only

A new poll has found that the majority of people are in favour of harnessing Ireland’s wind energy potential. The MRBI poll for the Irish Wind Energy Association found 80 percent of those surveyed approve of the use of wind farms. A wind turbine collapsed during a storm in Donegal a few days ago and

Ardara has the worst footpaths in Donegal. Thats according to Donegal County Cllr Terence Slowey who has called on the Council to carry out repair works in the town. He says the footpaths in the town have deteriorated so bad that they are in a dangerous condition. And the Independent Cllr says that a number

Donegal County Council have condemned the recent decision to cut the number of beds in St Joseph’s Community Hospital in Stranorlar. It was revealed last month that the HSE are planning to reduce the number of beds in St Joseph’s. The proposal will reduce the current number of beds in the hospital from 75 to

Environmental Improvement Works are getting underway in Lifford and Strabane as part of an EU funded cross border project being led by the North West Region Cross Border Group. In a joint statement, Donegal Mayor Cllr Frank Mc Brearty and Strabane District Council Chair Cllr Thomas Kerrigan have welcomed the works. In Lifford, pavement strengthening

The Community Development Board in Donegal has decided to keep the Donegal Gathering brand going next year and beyond. The Gathering concept had been pioneered in the county last year as part of a concerted attempt to reach out to the Donegal Diaspora. The feeling locally now is that the brand is gaining recognition and

The Donegal Gathering calendar of events has been officially launched today, with over 140 events taking place between now and the end of the year. Speaking at the launch, Maire Aine Gardiner of Failte Ireland said at the core of The Gathering will be local community groups and event organisers, and a large part of

Highland Radio has confirmed today it will be seeking to retain its licence to provide a broad-format local radio service in North Donegal. Expressions of interest were invited by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in January, and today it was confirmed that two expressions of interest have been received. The formal application process will now

The Mayor of Donegal has revealed his past struggles with depression.  The National Conference on Sport aiding Mental Health (SAM) which is being hosted by the Mayor, Cllr. Frank McBrearty and Donegal County Council was launched yesterday. The Mayor has identified Sport and Mental Health as his two key themes during his year as Mayor.

A shop owner is appealing for information after a substantial sum of money was stolen at knife-point from his premises on Sunday evening. A male wearing a balaclava and gloves entered Callaghan’s XL Store on Main Street, Letterkenny at around 9.15 pm. The shop assistant was forced at knifepoint to empty the till and hand

Bryson Recyling are to take over the day to day operations of the counties civic amenity sites. There are currently six sites in Donegal in Laghey, Dungloe, Stranorlar, Letterkenny, Milford and Carndonagh. Those sites were being run by Donegal County Council, but they have struck a deal with Bryson. Cllr Seamus O’Domnhaill says he hopes

Independent Cllr Ian McGarvey has blasted the Government for their continued neglect of the elderly. The HSE announced cuts to Home Help, Home Care Packages and Personal Assistance hours last year. Cllr McGarvey says he’s been approached by many elderly people in his area who have lost their home help who desperately need it. He

A Donegal County Cllr has called on a closer relationship between Donegal County Council and Derry City Council. Sinn Fein Cllr Jack Murray says in particular there are waste management problems in the villages of Killea and Bridgend. And he says if the two Councils work together, then they could find a solution to the

British Prime Minister David Cameron is planning to make his first visit to Derry this year. Foyle MP Mark Durkan says the Tory leader has indicated to him that he hopes to travel to the UK City of Culture to attend one of the 2013 events. If the Tory leader does come to Derry, it

Derry Magistrate’s Court was told today that there are reports still outstanding in the case involving three Derrymen charged in connection with the finding of a rocket in a car in the city in December. A Crown lawyer was giving an update in the case of 47 year old Damien Harkin from Westland Avenue, 42

Concern is being expressed in Derry for the future of St Mary’s Community Centre in the Creggan after a number of groups reported being told the centre would no longer be available. Thje parish run facility does not receive any external funding, and Sinn Fein locally have today contacted the parish authoities seeking discussions on

A man who was taken from the Swilly at the Port Bridge in Letterkenny on Thursday last has died in hospital. Patrick Mc Elroy of Ballyboe, Lisnmonaghan was rushed to Letterkenny General Hospital after emergency services were called to the scene on Thursday afternoon. However, he died at the hospital yesterday. His funeral will take

Sinn Féin says the government needs to explore other ways of raising funding, instead of punishing people with the property tax. The party will today launch a draft repeal Bill to have the tax removed from legislation and to return the money to those who have already paid. They argue that the tax on family

The Health Minister has said that he is committed to developing more co-operation with the North when it comes to the health service. Planning permission has been granted for the new Radiotherapy Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital, which is being funded by the Irish Government and the Stormont Executive. The location of the unit at Altnagelvin

A technical examination is underway after a wind turbine came crashing down at the weekend. Pictures show the 250 foot high wind turbine flat on the ground in the bogland at Loughderry-duff near Mass, Portnoo. A spokesman for the developers North West Wind Ltd, said that they were awaiting the outcome of a “technical evaluation”

Police in Derry are appealing for information following an attack on a police car in the city earlier today. The attack took place in the Brandywell Avenue area at  around 11.40. Stones were thrown at a police car as they assisted with a palm Sunday church service in the area. Anyone with information on the

Failte Ireland are predicting a bumper year for tourism in Donegal. St Patricks weekend proved to be a positive start to the tourism season, with most Donegal hotels reporting that they were busier than usual. And a number of key hotels in Donegal reported a significant increase in visitors from the UK, Germany and the

The IRSP in Derry have dismissed speculation that the INLA was responsible for a gun attack in which two brothers were shot in the legs in Ballymagroarty two nights ago. The two men, aged 25 and 26, were shot shortly after 8pm on Thursday night and were taken to Altnagelvin hospital for treatment for their

The Health Minister has said that he will address shortly whether or not Letterkenny General Hospital will become a Regional Hospital. Regional hospitals recieve more payments from insurance companies than General hospitals. In July 2011 Minister Reilly said he was considering the classification of the hospital and in the past Donegal North-East Deputy Joe Mc

The Health Minister, James Reilly has officially opened the new Emergency Department and Medical Block at Letterkenny General Hospital today. The new bloc cost €24 million to construct, with significant delays experienced after the initial contractor went into liquidation. Minister Reilly said the new Emergency Department was a huge improvement on the old one….. Meanwhile,

The two men found liable for the 1998 Omagh bombing earlier this week are to appeal the decision. In a civil action taken by relatives of the Omagh victims against Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly from a Belfast High Court judge decided on Wednesday there was compelling evidence against them. Earlier this week, the judge

A young Donegal woman has been turned down for a nanny’s job in Russia after being told her lrish accent was too strong. Former Rose of Tralee finalist Grainne Boyle, applied for the job through an agency in London. The 25 year old completed a Skype interview last week and was told she had more

Donegal North East Deputy Joe Mc Hugh has called for people with disabilities to be given a say in formulating policy. Speaking during a motion on disability supports tabled by the Technical Group, Deputy Mc Hugh said politicians must be creative in how they approach the issue of targetting services and resources for people with

Health Minister Dr. James Reilly is in Donegal today for the official opening of the new Emergency Department and Medical Block at Letterkenny General Hospital. The new bloc cost €24 million to construct, with significant delays experienced after the initial contractor went into liquidation. First, Minister Reilly will open the new ‘Jigsaw’ premises on Pearse

Foyle MP Mark Durkan is calling for more to be done to create jobs West of the Bann. It was announced earlier this week that there are now over 15,000 people unemployed in Derry, Limavady and Strabane. And according to the latest figures Derry is still Northern Irelands dole capital. Mr Durkan says more needs

The Derry to Coleraine railway line has reopened today ahead of schedule after a 30m refurbishment. The line wasn’t due to reopen until April. Services will resume this weekend ahead of Easter and in time in many of the events for the City of Culture year. Spokesperson for the rail lobby group, Into The West,

Two men have been shot in the legs in Derry. The 25 and 26 year old men were brought in a van from another part of the city, and shot in the Ballymagroarty area at around 8 o’clock last night. Police are investigating and appealing for information. It’s understood the two men are brothers, with

Care is being advised on all roads in Donegal following heavy winds and overnight snow in places. ESB workers are working to rectify a number of faults, with over 420 homes without power in West Donegal between Creeslough and Gweedore. Problems in Buncrana are being addressed with 59 customers now outstanding, There are 89 customers