Author name: oisinkelly

Rents in Donegal have fallen once again according to the latest Daft.ie Rental Report. The average rent nationwide in the final quarter of 2012 was €808, compared to €790 in late 2011 – that is a rise 2.2% during 2012, representing the first annual rise in rents since 2007. The increase in rents is being […]

Two men have been arrested after a policewoman was killed in a crash involving a stolen car in Derry. 27 year-old PSNI Constable Philippa Reynolds died in the collision on the Limavady Road at 3:40am in the early hours of Saturday. Constable Reynolds was on a routine patrol in an unmarked police car. It is

The government is still owed 47-million-euro in unpaid household charges with Donegal the county with the lowest level of compliance. The latest figures from the Local Government Management Agency show more than 470,000 properties remain unregistered. The household tax was bitterly opposed when it was introduced at the beginning of last year. Almost 14 months

The Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan, has extended his condolences to the family and colleagues of the PSNI officer who was killed in Derry overnight. The 27 year old female police officer was on routine patrol when the vehicle she was in collided with what is believed to be a stolen car on the Limavady Road.

Fianna Fail are inviting the public to two information evenings on the Common Agriculture Policy taking place in Inishowen and Letterkenny tomorrow (Sunday). The meetings follow confirmation in the the EU Budget of a reduction for both the Single Farm Payment and the Rural Development Programme. Overall however, farming groups believe that the agreement has

Fianna Fail are welcoming the results of new poll today which puts the party top of the leaderboard in popularity. The Irish Times poll shows the party on 26 per cent support. Fine Gael are one point behind on 25 per cent, that’s down 6 points, Sinn Fein is at 18 per cent support while

Over 300 properties are without electricity in Donegal this morning due to three separate faults. 237 homes and business in Buncrana lost power this morning with the ESB expecting it to be returned by 5 o’clock this evening. 85 properties are without power in Stranorlar – the ESB says it hopes to have the problem

A policewoman has died in a crash involving a suspected stolen car in Derry. The 27-year-old was on  patrol in a police car when the incident happened on the Limavady Road at 3.40am this morning. Two other officers in the car were injured, but not seriously. Two men made off from the scene in the

A man and a woman have appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court in connection with an armed robbery on the Peace Bridge 25 year old Robert Gannon of 13, Dunvale Close in Derry was charged with robbery, fraud by false representations and converting stolen property on Tuesday last. 19 year old Louise Swords of no fixed

North West MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher says initial indications are that the EU budget agreed last evening is a good one for the North West. It makes provision for 100 million euro more for the BMW region than had initially been proposed, although it is still 100 million down on the previous allocation. Pat

Police in Derry are appealing for information following an incident beside the schoolin Moss Park on Tuesday last, in which a car hit a dog and failed to stop. At around 7.30pm, a green car, partial registration LUI hit the black labrador dog, which later died.

People in Donegal marry slightly younger than the rest of the state, and are more likely to be married in a catholic church. They are among the findings of an analysis on marriages in 2010 published today by the Central Statistics Office. Most men in Ireland are 34 when they marry – women are 32.

Foyle MP Mark Durkan has expressed his regret at confirmation that HMV is to close its Richmond Centre store, with the loss of 15 jobs. He said while the difficulties at HMV have been apparent for some time, the news of closure still hits with a sense of shock. He added as staff now face

Strabane singer-songwriter Ryan Dolan is one of the official nominees for Ireland’s entry to Eurovision 2013. Ryan will join the other four nominees to perform live on The Late Late Show on Friday, 22nd February – the winner will be picked that night, on the show. Music producer Stuart O’Connor is working with Ryan on

Donegal South-West Deputy Pearse Doherty has said that the Government has straddled future generations with the burden of debt. The Government announced yesterday afternoon that the Promissory Notes for Anglo Irish Bank were gone once and for all. Now instead of paying out 3.1 billion a year, no capital payment will be made now until

A Strabane SDLP Cllr is defending Northern Irelands Environment Minister after the town was bypassed for funding to revamp derelict buildings in urban areas. This week it was announced that £1 million would be allocated to revamp town centres in the North, but Strabanes application was deemed unsuccessful. But Cllr Patsy Kelly has claimed that

Buses from County Donegal will be travelling to Sligo tomorrow for a major anti-austerity protest. The demonstration, organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, will coincide with five similar protests being held throughout the country. The Northwest leg of the march will gather at the Sligo County Council Offices in Riverside at 1.30pm. Spokesperson

A Co Tyrone lorry driver wanted in Donegal over sexual assault allegations has been extradited from the North to the Republic. 42-year-old Roy David Cochrane was arrested in Omagh last month. The 42-year-old, of Loughmuck Road, Omagh, his alleged to have attacked a girl in Donegal. Cochrane denies the charges and at a court appearance

The first phase of the 2.1 million euro River Links Project launched last year is nearing completion, with construction of a cross border footpath linking Doneyloop and Clady well under way. The cross border project is led by Donegal County Council, in partnership with Strabane District Council and Ballybofey and Stranorlar Integrated Community Company. Project

The next moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has said he wants to help restore the stability of the peace process. Dr Robert Craig, the minister at Kilfennan Presbyterian Church on Derry’s Waterside in Derry will succeed Dr Roy Patton at the next Presbyterian general assembly which takes place in Derry’s Millennium Forum in June, the

The Supreme Court has been told that Marie Fleming’s landmark, right-to-die appeal is ready to proceed next month. The Donegal born former lecturer who is suffering from MS, is attempting to overturn the State’s ban on assisted suicide. The Court was told that both sides are in the final stages of lodging papers in the

Strabane District Council has confirmed that it is not proposing to close committee meetings to the public and the press. In a letter to the local branch of the National Union of Journalists, the council’s interim chief executive says while the possibility was raised during the initial stages of an internal discussion among officials, it

North West MEP Jim Higgins says Ireland’s payments from the Common Agricultural Policy must be maintained. Mr Higgins was speaking ahead of today’s 2-day Summit in Brussels to conclude negotiations on the EU’s budget from 2014 to 2020. Ireland relies heavily on the budget for agricultural payments to farmers, and Mr Higgins insists those payments

Police in Derry have arrested a 19 yr-old woman and a 25 yr-old man in connection with an armed robbery that occurred at the Peace Bridge in Derry on Tuesday. At approximately 8.25pm a female was walking along the Peace Bridge towards the Waterside when she was robbed at knife point. A male approached her

Emergency legislation to liquidate the former Anglo Irish Bank has been rushed through the Dail overnight – ahead of an expected announcement on bank debt deal for Ireland today. President Michael D. Higgins has signed the Irish Bank Resolution Bill 2013 in to law at Aras an Uachtarain this morning. The Finance Minister’s admitted he

Eight new charging points for electric cars have been erected in the Strabane District  despite evidence that they are a waste of money. There are now over fifty electric car charging points in Northern Ireland. An electric car costs in the region of £25k and the British Government are giving a £5k grant to first time

A Donegal solicitor has sent a letter to the Justice Minister calling for a reform of the free legal aid system in Ireland. Letterkenny based solicitor Dessie Shiels says the current system is “grossly unfair to the victims of crime and serves only to favour criminals”. Mr Shiels also said that the cost of legal

The Dail has been told that if Education Minister Ruari Quinn insists in including capital assets in the means testing of families for student grants, then farmers will inevitably lose out. The issue was raised by Donegal TD and Fianna Fail Education Spokesperson Charlie Mc Conalogue, whio called for the  idea to be abandoned. However,

A major reform of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy which aims to cut fishing to sustainable stock levels and end dumping fish discards at sea was approved by the European Parliament in Strasbourg today. Overfishing is widely seen as the worst failure of the current CFP which dates back to 2002. The new CFP –

Are you getting married? or have you just got engaged? Then come along to Highland’s first Wedding Fair in Inishowen, in association with Callaghan Jewellers Buncrana on Sunday 27th January in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana from 1-5pm. There’s everything you need for your big day from Bridalwear to Cakes to your Honeymoon, Jewellery, Car

A ‘strain on resources’ means that there will not be a  full inquest into the murder of missing Castlederg teenager Arlene Arkinson this year. That is according to Senior Coroner John Leckey who told a preliminary inquest in Belfast today that he did not have the recources. 15 year-old Arlene Arkinson disappeared in August 1994

The Minister for the Environment says he will not depart from any of the recommendations made by the Constituency Commission. Under the proposals, Donegal will become a single five-seater constituency, with almost 9,000 voters in the south of the county transferring to Sligo / Leitrim. However, it seems that name will not be changed to

  Highland’s Rehab Bingo Jackpot Winners, Frances Gallagher, Rathmullan and Anne Doherty from Culdaff who shared last weeks prize of €8,100. They are accompanied in the photo  by Charlie Collins, Station Manager and Hazel Russell, Financial Controller. A full list of stockists for Rehab Radio Bingo Books are on the website @ www.highlandradio.com

The mother of Andrew Allen, who was shot dead in Buncrana last year, has claimed her son was killed not because he was involved in drugs, but for more personal reasons. Speaking on today’s Shaun Doherty Show, Donna Smith said the family believes that the shooting of Andrew in Lisfannon a year ago next Saturday

Two men in their 40s are due in court in Donegal shortly, charged in connection with the seizure of half a million euro worth of cannabis plants in Co. Leitrim. As part of an ongoing investigation by the Divisional Drugs Unit – a house in the Kilclare area of Carrick-on-Shannon was searched on Monday –

A 29-year-old has been shot in the foot in Meenan Square in the Bogside area of Derry. The man was treated in hospital, his injuries are not life threatening. It is believed the attack was carried out by dissident republicans. Derry City Councillor Patricia Logue says those responsible are not acting for the vast majority

Management of Donegal County Council says staff morale is positive despite recent redundancies, reductions in pay and increased workloads. Councillor Mick Quinn has called on the council to evaluate staff morale as a result of recent changes, the council replies that it is already engaging with staff and unions on a regular basis. Councillor Quinn

A Strabane District Councillor has expressed his disappointment that the town has been over-looked for funding to revamp derelict buildings in urban areas. Minister Alex Attwood announced this week that £1 million would be allocated to revamp town centres in Fermangh, Belfast, Lisburn, Moyle, Rosstrevor and Dungiven. Strabane District Council had applied for funding, but

Northwest Independent MEP Marian Harkin says she supports the French President’s call for a financial transaction tax. President Francois Hollande referred to the need for the tax during his address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday. The Irish government has so far refused to back the tax. However, Marian Harkin says its introduction could

The famous Other Voices concerts come to Derry this weekend as part of the City of Culture 2013 celebrations. The main events will take place in The Glassworks venue, with the concerts being streamed live around a number of bars around Derry. Other artists and bands will be playing throughout different other venues in the city. The

A 33-year-old man has been arrested after a collision involving a car and a lorry on the Melmount Road in Strabane. The crash happened shortly after 11 o’clock this morning. One man has been taken to hospital, his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The road was closed for a time, but has now

Traffic diversions are in place on the Melmount Road in Strabane following a road collisiion involving a car and a lorry shortly after 11o’clock this morning. The diversions in place at Dublin Road, and on the junction of Melmount Road and Peacock Road. There are no details of the extent of injuries, if any.

The family of Andrew Allen, who was murdered last year in Buncrana, have challenged his killers to say he was not a drug dealer or a career criminal. Mr Allen, from Derry, was shot dead at his home near Buncrana on 9 February 2012. Republican Action Against Drugs said it carried out the murder. Speaking

A series of workshops exploring the exodus of protestants from the West Bank of the Foyle in the early years of the troubles is being run over the coming days on both sides of the river. Author Jonathan Burgess has written a series of short scenes which will be performed as part of ‘The Exile

There has been a broad welcome to the news that the Budget for Letterkenny General Hospital  is to increase. Letterkenny was allocated €93m for 2012 which overran to €104.6m; this year the hospital’s budget allocation has been increased by 7% to €100.4m. Sligo General Hospital will see its budget increase by  5.2% this year. Labour