Author name: oisinkelly

A VEC member in Donegal says the new SUSI system for processing Third Level College grant applications clearly isn’t working and needs to be re-assessed. Peter Cutliffe was speaking after figures released by Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue at the weekend show that more than 2,200 students from across Donegal are still waiting for their student […]

The Government paid more than €240,000 to cover Deputy Pearse Doherty’s legal costs following his successful 2010 legal action which led to the holding of the Donegal South West byelection. The figures, published today by the Irish Times, cover the High Court case, and a Supreme Court appeal which the government subsequently abandoned. The byelection

Police in the North have launched a new investigation into the Remembrance Day bombing at Enniskillen. Fermanagh South Tyrone  MLA Arlene Foster says a fresh inquiry has been opened, after detectives were given new information about the IRA atrocity 25 years ago. Eleven people were killed and 63 were injured, when the no warning bomb

Met Eireann is playing down suggestions that snow is imminent, saying temperatures are still too high. Parts of South West England have been hit by snow this weekend, with  three inches reportedly falling in Bath, catching motorists by surprise and causing disruption for train services. Her though, Met Eireann says despite the cold weather here,

A Donegal VEC member says he has still received no response from the County Registrar’s Office regarding his calls for polling clerk positions to be advertised. Peter Cutliffe says he has written and e-mailed on a number of occasions, but received no reply. Now, with votng in the Children’s Referendum next Saturday, he says it’s

Young people want their parents to be more involved in their school lives – especially when they’re being bullied. That’s the message from anti-bullying groups today, who’re reacting to the latest statistics from the Ombudsman for children that shows 10 thousand pupils go to school in fear of bullies. The study follows the recent deaths

A new group has been established in Donegal to protest against the Household Charge and any future water and property charges. “Can’t Pay, No Pay – Donegal Inclusive” say they are not a breakaway organisation, but will reach out to all people and groups, including closer ties with Donegal Action Against Austerity. The group was

The main farming organisations are being accused of failing to serve the interests of all farmers in Donegal. The United Farmers Alliance claims that for 20 years, a minority of farmers have been in receipt of over 80% of payments and subsidies from Brussels, while the majority have been deprived their fair share. The group

The Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has been criticised again for huis failure to explain or comment on the huge backlog in processing third level student grants. Figures show that more than 2,200 students from across Donegal are still waiting for their student grants to be processed. There are also concerns over a high refusal rate.

The Letterkenny Chamber has defended Pramerica in its use of the JobBridge programme. Today, Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy said a recent advertisement for interns by Pramerica in Letterkenny highlights what he claims is the failure of the government’s JobBridge programme. The company is seeking 10 interns, with Paul Murphy asking if JobBridge did not

The two Donegal GAA Championship final matches scheduled for MacCumhaill park this (Friday) evening have been rescheduled. The matches will now take place in Tir Chonaill Park, Donegal Town tomorrow (Saturday). Aodh Ruadh versus Buncrana in the Intermediate Reserve Final will throw in at 1pm. Aodh Ruadh versus Termon in the Intermediate Final will get

Two men have been arrested over the shooting of a prison officer on a motorway in County Armagh. One of them is understood to be prominent republican Colin Duffy. David Black was killed in what police are calling an ambush on the M1 motorway yesterday. Speaking on his way into the North South Ministerial Council

Three people have appeared in court in Mayo – over their failure to pay the household charge. The property owners are the first people to be prosecuted in connection with the controversial tax. The three – a man and a couple from Westport – were in court in respect of their ownership of multiple units.

John McAreavey says he hopes this weekend’s ‘Match for Michaela’ will show people you can move forward in the right way. Donegal’s All-Ireland winning footballers will take on an Ulster selection tomorrow to raise funds for the foundation set up in memory of Michaela who was killed on honeymoon in Mauritius nearly two years ago.

The Minister for Children says she will ask the Latvian authorities to investigate the safety standards used by the social networking website ask-dot-fm. The website – which is registered in Latvia – is at the centre of controversy following the death of 13-year-old Erin Gallagher in Co Donegal last week. The teenager took her own

Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy says a recent advertisement for interns by Pramerica in Letterkenny highlights what he claims is the failure of the government’s JobBridge programme. The company is seeking 10 interns, with Paul Murphy asking if JobBridge did not exist, would Pramerica have hired people instead? He says at one point in October,

Sinn Féin have accused Fine Gael Deputy Joe McHugh of gross hypocrisy, saying his criticism of Sinn Fein and calls for unity this week are in stark contrast to what he said when he was in opposition. Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn says he was attacked for speaking out about the fact that only 1 out

‘One Donegal’ Cultural Diversity Month was today officially launched in the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny. Over 200 activities including exhibitions, seminars, workshops, storytelling, drama, and Intercultural events will take place in over 32 venues throughout the county from the 1st to the 30th November. The month of events aims to allow people space to think

The latest figures from census 2011 show that a total of 7,433 persons in Donegal were providing unpaid assistance to others in April 2011. Of these 61% were women and 39 were men. These carers provided a total of 289,423 hours of care per week. The census also showed that 170 children aged under 15

Minimum pricing for alcohol must be introduced as a matter of urgency. That’s the key message being delivered at a conference in Dublin today, organised by Alcohol Action Ireland. The group says a coalition of 27 bodies – which deal with the realities of drink-related harm – support the call. Amongst those groups is the

The latest figures from 2011 Census show that over 22 thousand people in Donegal have a disability. This represents 14% of the county’s population and compares to a national average of 13%. The majority of those with a disability in Donegal have a condition which limits one or more basic physical activity or have a

A large lorry has gone off the main road into a small river between Loughanure and Annagry less than half a mile  from Annagry village. There are no reports of injuries. Motorists travelling the road are asked to exercise caution as part of the road verge has broken away. It is expected there will be

Fine Gael is questioning Sinn Fein’s jobs plan which was launched in Letterkenny last week, saying there’s a contradiction in the expectation that the European Investment Bank would invest in a jobs plan, and Sinn Fein’s commitment to burning bondholders. Deputy Joe Mc Hugh was speaking as he urged Sinn Fein and all other parties

The Minister for Communications says he will meet with management at Eircom to discuss plans for 2-thousand job losses at the company. Eircom is to shed over a third of its workforce by 2016, as part of cost-cutting measures. Minister Pat Rabbitte says the expectation is that the job losses will be on a voluntary

Small firms and business people interested in renewable energy or the Green economy are being invited to participate in a new EU funded cross border programme. The Renewable Energy Networking Project has been awarded almost €400,000 to establish a network of businesses and individuals across the five councils who make up the North West Region

Gardai in Letterkenny fear copycat attacks after a number car doors were glued shut in the town. Yesterday morning a large number of cars in The Glencar Park area had their locks glued by a man in a hoody who was captured on CCTV. It is the fourth such incident in the area in the 

Gardaí are seeking the public’s help in tracing a teenager who was last seen in Mallow, Co Cork, on 17 September. Gardai believe that Noel Cawley may be using pseudonym ‘Alex Crumlish’ and may be in the Donegal or Derry areas. Noel was last seen in Mallow, Co. Cork on the afternoon of the 17.09.12.

Fine Gael has said that Sinn Féin’s persistent negativity about the work of the IDA in Donegal does not help efforts to attract investment to the county. Deputy Joe McHugh was responding to Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn criticism of the IDA which has so far failed to facilitate a site visit in 2012 for companies

Tyrone Football Manager, Mickey Harte spoke on todays Shaun Doherty about this weekends upcoming ‘Match for Michaela’. The Match for Michaela is taking place in Casement Park to raise funds for the foundation which was set up in Michaela’s memory. The charity runs a number of camps and activities to, “inspire and encourage young people

The funeral has taken place this morning of Erin Gallagher, the 13 year old Finn Valley college student from Ballybofey who took her own life on Saturday last. It’s believed she had been the victim of cyber-bullying on social network sites. Counselling services will be available at the school for parents and students today as

A continental-style Christmas market in Derry will go ahead with a bar, after objections from local publicans were withdrawn. Five publicans had objected to the application for an alcohol licence by Meenan Squate Limited to run the bar in Guildhall Square. They argued that it would damage their trade. Kate Finenan is the Project Manager

A local Independent Donegal activist has criticised Sinn Fein in Donegal for supporting Fianna Fail Cllr David Alcorns nomination to the Board of Udaras na Gaeltachta. At the last meeting of Donegal County Council Cllr Alcorn was nominated by 15 votes to 11. After the vote Sinn Fein said they had supported Cllr Alcorns nomination

One man has been trasported to hospital following a crash this morning on the Donegal Town to Ballyshannon road. A car and lorry are thought to have been involved in the collision which occured shortly before 11am. Traffic is being diverted at Laghey and Ballintra. Gardai expect the road to remain closed for a number

There have been fresh claims that some Donegal GPs are charging medical card holders for blood tests. The issue’s been raised by Cllr Jack Murray, who says he hjasd received a number of complaints from people who were charged 10 euro for blood tests. He says he received confirmation from Donegal’s Area Manager for the

With 10 months of the year now gone, it’s been confirmed that no potential investors have been brought to Donegal by the IDA in 2012. Donegal North East Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn says it’s a damning indictment of the current government’s lack of commitment to the people of the county. Deputy Mac Lochlainn has received

An attempt to prosecute double killer John Gallagher for absconding from custody failed yesterday when the judge ruled that the summons was incorrectly served. 46-year-old Mr Gallagher, who shot dead his ex-girlfriend 18-year-old Anne Gillespie and her mother 51-year-old Annie in the grounds of Sligo Hospital in 1988, was released from the Central Mental Hospital

Parents are being reminded to think ‘safety first’ this Halloween. Children all around the country are preparing to dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating later. But the Road Safety Authority wants to ensure the fun doesn’t stop once darkness falls. Spokesperson Brian Farrell has this practical advice for parents:

There have been calls for greater controls to help stamp out cyber bullying – following the death by suicide of a Donegal teenager at the weekend. It’s believed 13 year old Erin Gallagher from Ballybofey had been the victim of bullying on social networking sites. Her death follows the suicide last month of 15 year

It has been claimed that old tyres, which originated in Ballybofey, have been dumped in Glebe close to Strabane. Local Councillor Maolíosa Mc Hugh says that residents in the Glebe are incensed that a large consignment of tyres were off-loaded in the village by a man using a tractor and trailer at the weekend. Oficials

Derry city council is to receive £500,000 of funding for a programme of environmental improvements. The money will fund a programme of environmental improvements to tackle dereliction in Derry in the lead up to City of Culture 2013. Environment minister Alex Attwood is in the city today to confirm the details of how the money

Donegal County Council and the Donegal Road Safety Working Group have launched their ‘Be Safe Be Seen’ road safety campaign. The public is being urged to wear bright coloured or hi viz clothing when walking or cycling this winter. More than two thirds of fatal pedestrian collisions happen during the hours of darkness. Drivers are

Three men have been arrested in connection with a ‘joyriding’ incident which resulted in a Derry taxi driver suffering head and arm injuries. The incident took place at Racecourse Road at the weekend. The  taxi driver’s cab was rammed by the joyriders – he had to be cut free from his cab when it was

The principal of Finn Valley college has urged parents to talk to their children about the tragedy which has befallen the school after 13 year old Erin Gallagher took her own life on Saturday. An investigation is continuing into what gardai have described as a “personal tragedy”. Erin took her own life just hours after

A Derry man who was engaged in the selling of counterfeit DVDs and cigarettes was the victim of a punishment shooting, Derry Magistrate’s Court has been told. 25 year old James Joseph Doherty of 130, Carnhill in the city admitted 21 offences that occurred on August 17 last year. The court was told that police

The national suicide prevention organisation Console, is urging anyone affected by cyber bullying to seek help from the organisation immediately. It comes after three Irish teenagers – who were being bullied online – took their own lives in the space of a few weeks. The latest tragic incident occured in Donegal on Saturday, when 13

A leading pro life campaigner in the county has voiced her shock over revelations that some pregnancy counselling services were giving illegal and dangerous advice to woman. Speaking to Highland Radio, Mary Doherty stated that the undercover probe carried out by a group of woman highlighted a very worrying issue. The Gardai and HSE have launched an

Donegal County Council is to buy three new salt spreaders and eight new snowploughs to augment its winter service fleet. Members approved the move at a meeting in Lifford this week. In a report to members, Director of Roads Services John Mc Laughlin said he proposes to spend a total of €159,400 on 11 new

Two men jailed for kicking a Donegal teenager to death were both safely convicted of his killing, the Court of Appeal has ruled. Judges rejected challenges from Sean Cruickshank and Edward McEleney to being found guilty of murdering Liam Devlin in Derry. The 19-year-old victim, from Burnfoot, suffered fatal brain injuries during the attack in

It’s emerged that a planned Christmas market in Derry’s Guildhall Square may not now go ahead because of objections from five local bar owners. The application for the market licence includes provision for a bar, but the objectors claim it will affect thei Christmas trade. The application was adjourned until next Tuesday. The application for