Author name: oisinkelly

Buncrana Town Council has passed its budget for 2013. Town Cllrs and Management met this afternoon to formally pass the budget, with a freeze on commercial rates one of the key features agreed. The Budget totals just over 3 million euro. Speaking to Highland Radio News at the meeting, Town manager John McLaughlin said the […]

Nightclubs in Donegal today(Fri) lost a tradition of opening for late extensions on Christmas night. In most areas of the country clubs don’t open on Christmas Day but there has been  tradition in Donegal for about three decades of opening that night. Judge John O’Hagan upheld a District Court order refusing extensions from one minute

Environment Minister Alex Attwood has today announced decisions on five major retail applications in Derry, with an ASDA store on the Waterside getting the go ahead, but four others refused. The Asda supermarket will be developed on the site of the current Homebase at Crescent Link on the Waterside. Three other applications for Crescent Link,

Two men were arrested after a security alert yesterday in Derry. A 35 year-old man’s been released on bail, and a 28 year-old man’s still in custody. The army bomb squad had to attend the scene on Hawkin Street. Residents were allowed back to their homes last night.

GAA plans to develop a major Centre of Excellence in Convoy have received a boost today with confirmation of a government allocation of 300,000 euro towards the dressing room complex. Sports Minister Michael Ring confirmed the allocation this morning, saying progress on the Convoy plan would cap what’s been a very successful year for Donegal

Buncrana Town Council will meet this afternoon to adopt it’s budget for 2013 with a freeze on commercial rates is one of the key features that has been agreed. It will be the fourth year in a row that Council has opted to freeze business rates in the town. The Budget totals just over 3

Letterkenny Town Council has passed its budget for 2013 at the first time of asking. County Manager Seamus Neely said that collaboration has been an important element of Letterkenny Town Council’s relationships with other groups and bodies in the town, and that is particularly evident in the adoption of a retail marketing fund which will

There has been a significant step forward in the Letterkenny, Bonagee link Road project. Through Donegal County Council the NRA has aquired a key piece of land for the project which houses the ‘Martin’s Great Gas’ Filling Station and a house. The Bonagee Link is seen as crucial in aleviating traffic delays in and out of

The Health Minister has said it is unacceptable that a Letterkenny mother had to drive to hospital while a paramedic treated her child in the back of the car. It emerged last month that an ambulance was called out by the mother – but it was only staffed by one paramedic because another had phoned

There is disruption to traffic in Derry this afternoon. Following a fire in the area, Carlisle Road in Derry is now down to one lane. The lane heading from Craigavon Bridge to Foyleside Shopping Centre is closed to traffic. The other lane is open. And following a search of a house at  Hawkin Street –

A murder inquiry into the Bloody Sunday killings in Co Derry is to begin in the New Year. Senior commanders from the PSNI briefed relatives of the 14 people who died after British paratroopers opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in the city in 1972. Earlier this year, police signalled an intent to investigate the

Strabane town centre has now reopened after there was a suspected gas leak at an Indian Take Away in the Abercorn Square area earlier this afternoon. The Abercorn Square, Market Street and the pedestrianised area of Castle Street had been closed to the public and commercial premises in the area had to be evacuated for

The government says Ireland has won important concessions on fishing quotas from Europe. Negotiations on the quotas took place overnight, and only wrapped up at 7 o’clock this morning. The end result means Ireland’s been granted a 216-thousand tonne fish quota for 2013. The European Commission was proposing drastic cutbacks, but the Minister for the

There is renewed hope that the North’s Department of Agriculture could be relocated to Strabane. It was announced in September this year that the existing 800 civil service jobs would be moving from Belfast to Ballykelly at the site of the former Shackleton Army Barracks. But in October a leaked memo revealed that Strabane actually

The Mayor of Donegal Cllr Frank Mc Brearty has published a Christmas message to the people of Donegal at home and abroad, wishing all a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous 2013. In a video published this morning on YouTube, Cllr Mc Brearty urges people to visit lonely people in the county over the Christmas, and

Letterkenny Town Council will meet tonight in a bid to pass its own budget, with a freeze on commercial rates proposed. In his introduction to the budget, the County Manager says the Council is conscious of the difficult times that the business community are experiencing at present. Seamus Neely adds that ratepayers represent a significant

The Government has been fined two million Euro by the European Commission for failing to regulate the installation and use of close on 500-thousand septic tanks. In addition, from yesterday the EU is imposing a daily fine of 12-thousand euro per day for breach of a 2009 ruling until the issue is properly addressed. Independent

A 69 year old man has died in a house fire close to Letterkenny. The fire was spotted at 9.30 last night at Glenkeogh, Killyclug. When emergency services got to the house, the body of the man, who lived alone, was found inside.. Gardai have confirmed the scene has been preserved and an investigation is

Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein have been accused of taking a 400 thousand euro gamble by failing to support Donegal County Council’s draft Revenue Budget for 2013. Despite 14 hours of debate and almost a dozen adjournments Donegal County Councillors were unable to agree on the budget proposals and will have to come back to

A woman has staged a sit-in during a pay protest at a community development organisation which was once given a boost by Environment Minister Phil Hogan. Ann McGowan, who once highlighted a cancer campaign on the Joe Duffy radio show, said she was prepared to remain locked in overnight at the Atlantic View Community Development

It’s not clear if Donegal County Councils budget for 2013 will be passed this evening. Cllrs from Fine Gael and Labour have outlined their support for the budget, while Sinn Fein have comfirmed that they’ll be voting against it. It’s still unclear if Fianna Fail and the Independents on the Council will vote for or

It’s now looking increasingly unlikely that the proposed €2  increase in rent for those living in council owned property will be included in Donegal County Councils budget for 2013. The council had been proposing a rent increase of just over 100 euro per house per year. But in last few minutes, Fine Gael whip on

17,958 babies were born in Ireland during the second quarter of this year, that’s down 2 point 3 per cent on the same period last year. Just over a third of those births were registered outside marriage or civil partnerships, an average reflected in Donegal. There were 520 births in Donegal during the second quarter,

The Minister for Mental Health has said the guidelines for reporting on suicide need to be strengthened. Kathleen Lynch made the comments at the launch of the Samaritans Ireland Impact Report for 2012, which reveals a 3 per cent increase in the number of calls to the helpline in the past year, to just over

County Manager Seamus Neely has told Donegal County Council that an ‘exceptional’ approach is needed for what is a hugely challenging budget. A small number of protestors stood outside County House in Lifford as members arrived to begin their discussions of Budget 2013. Following a comprehensive briefing this morning, the political discussion will get under

A Strabane District Cllr has raised concerns about a new roundabout on the Melmount Road in the town, after there were two car accidents on the road since Friday. Cllr Patsy Kelly says that there could be a fatality on the road if roads service does not put in place proper signage to make people

The Committee on Fisheries in the European Parliament has voted by 13 to10 in favour of amending the Common Fisheries Policy, including a provision to provide more resources and quota allocations fopr the small scale sector. Ireland’s member on the Committee, North West MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher, says it’s a first but significant step.

A Donegal Senator is calling for 75% of Ireland’s overseas Aid budget to be frozen for three years with the money instead diverted to Families, Carers and Child Benefit. Senator Brian O’Domhnaill says that’s the proportion of Ireland’s Aid budget goes to the EU, UN, World bank and other institutions including corrupt Governments. He argues

Donegal Action Against Austerity is to picket outside the County House in Lifford today as Councillors meet to agree the Revenue Budget for 2013. There are a number of controversial measures contained within the budget – amongst them an increase in rent for council house residents which Sinn Fein has already said it will oppose.

It’s reported this morning that the mother of sisters Erin and Shannon Gallagher is planning to sue the County Donegal VEC, and possibly also the HSE at a future stage. A letter from Lorraine Gallagher’s soliticors had already been received by the Donegal VEC on the 4th of this month, befopre the death of her

The Fisheries Council is meeting in Brussels this week to discuss the total allowable catches and quotas for next year. The negotiations are crucial to the Donegal fishing industry as is sets out what fishermen can catch, how much they can catch and for how many days in the year they can do so. Sean

Police have arrested a man over the murder of prison officer David Black. Mr Black, a 52-year-old father of two, was shot as he drove to work on the M1 in County Armagh on 1 November. Mr Black had been driving to work at Maghaberry Prison, the North’s high security jail, when he was attacked.

Its understood the Government has decided to introduce new legislation  along with regulations to allow for abortion in certain cases. The option was favored in the report of the expert group on abortion law which was considered at cabinet today. A formal statement from the government is expected shortly.

The visiting ban remains in place at Letterkenny General Hospital, with more wards now affected by the winter vomiting bug. Hospital management are repeating their waring that visiting is restricted to parents and fathers in the maternity ward only. In cases where someone is very ill, arrangements can be made with the ward manager in

Police in Derry are urging householders not to admit strangers to their home following reports of a number of bogus callers in the Foyle area. In a statement, police say bogus callers depend on the good nature and good will of others, and tend to target the more vulnerable members of our society and in

The President of the Chamber of Commerce in Derry is urging flag protestors not to jeapordise business in the city. Philip Gilliland says the chamber is careful to remain politically independent. However, he says it is estimated that the protests in Belfast will have cost retailers in that city £20m in lost trade, which will

A Fianna Fail Councillor in Donegal is welcoming the announcement by Environment Minister Phil Hogan of a grant scheme of up to 4000 euro for households whose septic tanks require upgrading. However, Seamus O’Domhnaill claims the announcement doesn’t go far enough, particularly when the regulations outlining the standards septic tanks will have to achieve have

A Donegal Deputy has described as a sad day for Ireland the news that a campaign group is seeking to get Ireland into the Guinness Book of Records for having the worlds most expensive bank bailout. Independent Thomas Pringle says the move is however an accurate reflection of the unjust burden that has been put

The County Manager is seeking government clarification on what affect the taking over of the provision of water in Donegal by ‘Irish Water’ will have on Council staff and the public A number of Councillors and Dail Deputy Padaig MacLochlainn have already expressed their concerns at the potential impact on staff the move would have.

Sinn Fein says it will not be able to support the proposed Council budget for 2013 while it contains an increase in rent for those living in council owned property. Donegal County Council is proposing an increase in rent for its tenents which will equate to over 100 euro per house per year. It is

The Environment Minister has announced a grant scheme of up to 4000 euro for households whose septic tanks require upgrading. Inspections will begin in the new year – and properties whose waste treatment systems have registered – and fail the inspection – will be eligible for a grant. Homeowners will have to register their septic

A multiple vehicle road traffic collision which occurred on the Port Road in Letterkenny earlier this (monday)evening has now been cleared. At least four vehicles were caught up in the crash. It is understood a number of people have been taken the short distance to Letterkenny General Hospital as a precaution – none of the

Labour minister Pat Rabbitte has called for discipline among the Senators in his party who are considering voting against  the social welfare bill in the Dail. At least four Senators have expressed reservations about supporting the bill which begins its passage through the Seanad tomorrow. Donegal Labour Senator Jimmy Harte says he will be voting

There has been a significant reduction in the number of fire service call-outs in Donegal. In the year to November 19th there were 875 call-outs compared to 1148 the previous year. According to Donegal County Council’s Draft Budget for 2013, there were 83 less domestic fires and 171 fewer gorse fires. The council says that

Donegal Senator Brian O’Domhnaill has said he will have more to say about NAMA in the Seanad tomorrow. It’s after the agency wrote to him asking him to either substantiate or withdraw comments he made in the house last Wedneday. Senator O’Domhnaill accused Nama of acting disgracefully, and said it is time it was fully

A 44-year-old man who admitted playing an ‘active role’ in a dissident bomb attack at a Derry PSNI station has been jailed for 13 years. Ordering that Philip O’Donnell spend half his sentence in jail and half on licence, Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Burgess said that had O’Donnell been a primary party in

The Mayor of Letterkenny has said if the government reintroduces the Jobs Initiative again next year, a concerted effort must be made to include the Bonagee Link Road. The initiative was first introduced this year to create construction jobs by fast tracking infrastructure projects which could then stimulate development. There was criticism in Donegal when

The Donegal GAA has a new leader. Four Masters representative Sean Dunnion has won a three way contest to become the new County Chairman, replacing outgoing Chair PJ Mc Gowan. The vote was taken at the County Convention in Donegal Town yesterday, with outgoing Vice Chair Charlie Cannon and Mick Mc Grath the other candidates. Chris Mc

A Donegal priest has said someone in government must take responsibility for mental health services, and fix what is clearly a broken system. Fr John Joe Duffy was speaking yesterday at the funeral of 15 year old Shannon Gallagher from Ballybofey. Shannon’s body was found her home on Wednesday night, six weeks after the death

Despite the bookies predictions it’s looking less likely that Ireland will see a white christmas this year. Met Eireann has forecast mild weather in the run up to festive period. Last year Ireland recorded unusually high temperatures across the country on Christmas Day. And Meterologist Harm Luijkx says there is no sign of a cold