Author name: oisinkelly

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

Fishermen in Ireland may be subject to cuts in their quotas of white fish for 2013. A scientific body is recommending to the European Commission a number of cuts to fish catches which may effect the Irish fishing industry. Northwest MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher – who is on the European Parliament’s fisheries committee –

Planning permission has been granted for the new local hospital and health care centre in Omagh. It was announced just over a year ago that funds of up to £100m were being made available for the first phase of construction on the new local hospital. The new facility will include a health and care centre

Donegal County Council is preparing to make its pitch for future interreg and EU Peace funding programmes, with members told this week that the council’s own EU Policy and Funding Unit has become a crucial element of the ongoing bid to maximise funding. Councillors have been told that the authpority will be making a submission

Donegal County Council and Kerry County Council are once again joining forces to make a joint case for the retention of coastguard bases at Malin Head and Valencia. The issue has been back on the agenda since the Fisher Report recommended centralising services in Dublin, and was debated for several hours in Leinster House this

The Garda Representative Association is criticising plans to overhaul the policing model in Ireland. Newspaper reports say it could mean that stations which have been closed to cut costs will be replaced by so-called ‘Garda clinics’ – held at venues like community centers at specific times. But the GRA President John Redmond says renting a

It is claimed that just 6% of student grant applications have so far been approved with a massive backlog in unprocessed applications already amassed. Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue has been informed that 72% of grant applications processed so far have been refused while 78% are still waiting to hear back from the Department of Education.

Developer Michael O’Flynn’s action allegating that he was defamed by Deputy Lucinda Creighton during an address in Donegal in 2010 is due in the High Court  Court early next month. The proceedings arise from a speech by Fine Gael Minister of State, titled Standards in Public Life and Accountability, to the MacGill Summer School in

Gardai are mounting a high-visibility enforcement campaign on roads around the country this Bank Holiday weekend. Learner drivers will be the main target of the operation. There are over 260-thousand learner permit holders – who must always be accompanied by fully qualified drivers along with displaying their L plates. Chief Superintendent Aiden Reid is from

Donegal South-West Deputy Thomas Pringle has called on the government to establish a Suicide Prevention Authority to tackle the prevalence of suicide and self-harm in our society. There were 525 recorded suicides in Ireland in 2011. The figures from the Central Statistics Office showed that men accounted for 84 per cent of all deaths by

Proposals are being drawn up for major reform of Ireland’s policing model. According to reports today, it could see Gardai staff ‘clinics’ at set times during the week in areas which are hit by station closures. The Irish Independent says up to 80 Garda stations are expected to close before the end of the year.

Sinn Feins Finance spokesperson has said that meeting the Troika programme targets will not guarantee economic recovery. Yesterday the Finance Minister Michael Noonan said Ireland had taken the first steps towards exiting the bailout deal. He said they opened a discussion with the I-M-F, E-C-B and E-C and it’ll form part of the next review

Ferry passengers who get delayed substantially will be entitled to the same kind of compensation that air passengers currently enjoy if the European Commission adopt proposals passed by MEPs this week. The same could apply to passengers who are inconvenienced because of delays to bus and rail transport. The MEPs are proposing a raft of

A sex offender has been named after his victim and mother of his child asked a judge to waive her right to anonymity. 39 year old Carl Heaton pleaded guilty to the defilement of a child when he admitted having sex with the then 15-year-old on three different occasions in Co Donegal in 2008. The

A Donegal man with Spina Bifida has gone to the European Parliament to highlight the dire lack of services and help for people who are ageing with the condition. 40 year old Frank Larkin – was one of a number of people with Spina Bifida – who came to Strasbourg this week to present a

Derry City Council and the Culture Company have published the first edition of the programme of events for the city’s UK City of Culture celebrations next year. As had been previously confirmed, the Turner Prize will be presented outside England for the first time; a new commission by the London Symphony Orchestra will be presented,

 Derry~Londonderry launches Ireland’s “richest ever cultural programme”   The first edition of the programme for Derry~Londonderry 2013, the UK’s first City of Culture, was announced today.   Derry~Londonderry in Northern Ireland will play host to a world-class programme which includes the Turner Prize presented outside England for the first time; a new commission by the

A fourth man has been arrested this morning in relation to an assault in Bundoran last Monday evening. A man received suspected stab wounds to his back and shoulders in the assault on the Ross Road. His injuries are not life threatening. A 32 year-old male was arrested this morning and is being questioned by

A Donegal councillor is calling for a debate on the role of voluntary housing agencies, saying it is his fear that the agencies are cherry picking the best available houses in the county to manage. Cllr Patrick Mc Gowan  was speaking as the council agreed to lease over four unsold affordable houses in Buncrana, Carndonagh

The Joint Oireachtas Committee has heard an impassioned plea for the retention of the Malin Head Coastguard Station from an SDLP Councillor in Limavady who has a unique perspective. Orla Beattie lives in Limavady, but teaches at Glentogher National School near Carndonagh, travelling to and from work via the Foyle Ferry when it is operational.