Author name: oisinkelly

Nearly half of the population is in receipt of a medical card. According to Health Service Executive (HSE) figures in the Irish Examiner today, GP-only and full medical cards now number around 2 million and they will cost tax payers €2.5 billion this year. There has been a rise of 38% in the number of

The infection that contributed to the death of Savita Halappanavar went undiagnosed for 3 days at Galway University Hospital according to a draft report into her death. The report shows that staff at the hospital should have considered a termination for Savita days before her death. Possible infection day Savita was admitted The report –

The Minister for Communications says gardaí are not being treated less favourably than other public sector workers. Pat Rabbitte is urging members of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) to return to Croke Park discussions on pay cuts. He says that threatening ‘Blue Flu’ action is not appropriate. Three branches of the GRA have already voted

Every Wednesday the Holy Father holds a general audience with groups of faithful and pilgrims. This is a more poignant address as it’s said to be one of his last before his retirement.

A very wet but mild day ahead. There will be heavy rain at times in the North and some dry spells in the South and South East. It will turn wet again in the afternoon and evening but staying mild with temperatures between 10-12 dgrees.

Opposition parties are being accused of using the Magdalene Laundries report to score political points. The claim was made by Labour Junior Minister Kathleen Lynch during a Dail debate last night of a Fianna Fail motion calling on the government to apologise immediately to survivors of the Laundries. Minister Lynch claimed that Sinn Fein had

3 University College Dublin (UCD) students who threw eggs at the Taoiseach will appear before a disciplinary committee today. They launched the attack on Enda Kenny in a protest over student fees as he officially opened the student centre in the college on November 29th. The eggs missed their intended target but UCD Vice-President for

Ireland could be set for a jobs boost as a result of new trade talks between the US and Europe During his first State of the Nation address since his re-election, US President Barack Obama confirmed negotiations would begin to launch the world’s largest free trade zone. Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore

Its reported a SWAT team moved in on Christopher Dorner before he set the building on fire. A Sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Bachman confirmed that one deputy had been killed and another injured in an exchange with mr Dorner. He had been on the run since last week when he allegedly killed three people. Ms. Bachman,

The Finance Bill will include a range of supports for the small business sector – as well as measures to tackle tax evasion. It will also give effect to tax reliefs for the film and TV industry and the excise rebate for the transport sector. The legislation will be accompanied by a seperate bill on

The meeting has been called by Ireland, as holders of the EU Presidency, and will be chaired by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney. The meeting gets underway at 4.30pm Irish time this afternoon. Ireland and the UK are to put together their own response to the crisis – while the EU formulates a wider plan. Henry

Barack Obama has anchored his State of the Union address on those specific domestic priorities. He has also confirmed that the US will open talks with Europe to launch the world’s largest free trade zone. Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore’s welcomed the announcement, saying it “opens up enormous untapped potential” to boost

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has warned of a ‘disaster’ for farmers due to flooding. Representatives from the IFA are attending the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht to discuss impact of flooding on farmers. It says the problems and difficulties encountered by farmers due to flooding will take centre stage. Cathaoirleach

The Taoiseach says a Dáil motion by Fianna Fáil calling for an apology for the women of the Magdalene Laundries shows “scant regard” for those who lived and worked in the laundries. Enda Kenny has already signalled during a meeting with some women yesterday that he will deliver an apology during a Dáil debate next

More than 140 dogs have been recovered in a joint operation involving several agencies in Co. Leitrim. The ISPCA, together with Leitrim Animal Welfare, helped rescue the dogs from a property in a rural area of the county where they were living in ‘deplorable conditions’. The ISPCA said it is the largest cases of canine

“Ah sure we have all that in the cloud these days…”, but what is it? The Cloud has been pegged as the way forward for some time now, but only in recent times have serious and affordable solutions become available for businesses. So how can it help you expand and grow your business while avoiding

A food scientist has suggested lamb products may also contain horse meat. Dr. Mark Woolfe is a former head of authenticity at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Britain. He says the products need to be tested. It comes ahead of a meeting of Agriculture Ministers from across the European Union tomorrow to discuss the

Convicted murderer Brian Rattigan has become the first person in the State to be found guilty of drug dealing from behind bars. The 32-year-old, formerly of Cooley Road in Drimnagh, has been convicted of the possession of €1 million of heroin for sale or supply while an inmate in Portlaoise Prison. When Gardai raided his

The 16 Irish stores of retailer HMV are to close with the loss of 300 jobs. The news comes after the receiver of the music chain in Ireland issued a statement confirming that the shops – which had been temporarily closed – will not re-open. Deloitte says the stores had been closed by HMV prior

Fianna Fáil has moved to distance itself from a controversial slur on travellers by a member of the party. Donegal County Councillor Seán McEniff had demanded the segregation of travellers from settled communities. It follows the burning of a house allocated to a traveller family in Ballyshannon yesterday. Local TD and Sinn Féin justice spokesperson

The latest bid by Ryanair to take over Aer Lingus is being blocked by the European Union (EU). The low fares airline says it was told during a ‘state of play’ meeting with the European Commission that its approach will be prohibited. Ryanair says the decisions being made despite it meeting every competition concern raised

The High Court has said it is ‘good news’ that 5 investors have expressed interest in struggling homeware chain B&Q Ireland Ltd. Declan McDonald of Pricewaterhouse Coopers has been appointed as examiner to the insolvent business which employs 690 staff across Ireland. There was no opposition to the company’s petition for court protection from its

Sinn Fein has again called on the Fianna Fáil leader to outline what measures he intends to take following controversial comments made by one of the party’s councillors about travellers. Donegal County Councillor Sean McEniff today repeated his call for the segregation of travellers from settled communities. Councillor McEniff was reacting to the burning of

Strabane District Council has agreed to increase its district rate for the coming year by 3.76%. In a statement, the council says the increase reflects its ongoing commitment to invest in community, leisure and recycling facilities. This means that local ratepayers will see an average increase in their domestic rates bill of £22 in the

A Letterkenny Town Councillor has called for renewed efforts to improve facilities at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny. The Town Council had approved plans for the development of the college but that decision was successfully appealed to An Bord Pleanala. It is now feared that the project is back to square one in terms of

There’s been another aggravated burglary in Inishowen, this time at Cullen’s Shop and Filling Station at Cockhill in Buncrana. At around 7.30 last night, a man entered the premises and threatened a staff member with a knife before making off with a sum of cash. Garda investigations are continuing today. Local Cllr Ciaran Mc Laughlin

Gardai  are investigating a  suspected  armed  robbery at a shop in Inishowen. At around 7.30pm  on  Monday evening a man armed with a knife entered Cullen’s shop in Buncrana demanding money. He escaped on foot with an undisclosed sum  of  cash. No one was physically injured in the incident. Gardai  continue to hunt the  man.

Derry City Council has agreed a 1.98% increase in the annual rates, stressing that this is the lowest rates increase ever recorded for the city. The Chairperson of the Policy and Resources Committee, Cllr. Paul Fleming said the increase represented in real terms 31 pence increase per week to the average residential ratepayer. He says

Donegal County Council says  that 60% of householders have now registered properties for the Household Charge. This represents an increase on the figures released nationally at the weekend. This is made up of 38,288 properties that are recorded on the Local Government Management Services database; 546 householders who have registered for a waiver and a

Meanwhile, in Stormont today, members of the Assembly paid tribute to the Constable Philippa Reynolds The DUP’s Gregory Campbell tabled the matter of the day, saying his prayers were with Constable Reynolds’ PSNI colleagues and her family. Justice Minister David Ford said Constable Reynolds died doing the job “she was so enthusiastic about”. Sinn Fein’s

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has accused the Can’t Pay Won’t Pay Group of attempting to hijack a protest which was held in Sligo at the weekend. CPWP have demanded an apology from the union claiming they were prevented from joining the 6,500 strong protest against austerity. In a statement the group voiced their

Traveller support group Pavee Point has issued a statement on the overnight house fire in Ballyshammom. The group says – if the incident is arson – it’s disgusted and disappointed to learn of the development. Pavee Point has called on the gardaí to protect traveller families in Donegal, after this, the third such incident in

Two men have appeared in court on charges relating to the death of a policewoman killed in a crash involving a stolen car in Derry. 27-year-old Constable Philippa Reynolds, died in the collision on the Limavady Road shortly before 4am in the early hours of Saturday morning. The men in court were Shane Frane (25)

A cross border project to enhance business opportunities in the renewable energy sector will hold its firstc meeting for members and prospective members tonight. The Renewable Energy Business Network is being led by Donegal County Council, and is intended to maximise opportunities in the renewable energy sector for businesses across the North West employing 50

Letterkenny General Hospital has reduced the number of patients on trolleys from January this year compared to January 2012 by 61%. The length of stay was also reduced from 8.6 days to 5.3 days at Letterkenny General in 2012. Nationally the number of patients on trolleys fell by 32%. Donegal North-East Deputy, Joe McHugh says

Campaigners from the Cant Pay Wont Pay Group have claimed that they were harassed by stewards and Gardai at an anti-austerity protest in Sligo over the weekend. In a statement released this morning the group have voiced their anger and their disappointment at the way they were treated at Saturdays march. Up to 6,500 people took part in the

A priest who quit his parish claiming he was being bullied has left the area, despite pleas for him to stay. 74-year-old Fr Bill McGeady shocked the people of Glencolmcille when he said he had suffered physical and mental abuse. Parishioners who wanted him to stay marched to the parochial house in an effort to

There has been a suspected arson attack at a controversial house in Ballyshannon. Members of the fire service were called to the scene of a house fire in the Parkhill area shortly before 3am this morning. The house in question has been the root of much controversy in the town, as Donegal County Council recently

Two men have been charged over the death of a policewoman killed in a crash involving a stolen car in Derry. 27-year-old Constable Philippa Reynolds, died in the collision on the Limavady Road shortly before 4am in the early hours of Saturday morning. The men, aged 25 and 23, are charged with offences including aggravated