Author name: oisinkelly

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.

Police have been unable to extradite a man suspected of murdering a dissident republican in the North, it has been revealed. 31-year-old Kieran Doherty, was shot dead by the Real IRA in 2010. His body was found naked and bound on the outskirts of Derry near the Donegal border. Keiran Dohertys death was investigated by

The All-Ireland winning Donegal side has secured eight All Star awards. It’s the highest representation by any county since neighbours Tyrone also won eight in 2005. Goalkeeper Paul Durcan, defenders  Neil McGee, Karl Lacey and Frank McGlynn, in midfield Neil Gallagher and in attack Mark McHugh, Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden were all selected. Just

The joint Committee on Transport and Communication has been today hearing arguements for the retention of the current coast guard service as is. The government will soon consider recomendation from two reports into the coast guard service which cast major doubt over the future of Malin Head and Valencia Coastguard stations. Representative from the government,

Donegal County Council is reminding householders and businesses that the burning of waste often known as “Backyard Burning’ is illegal. Backyard burning is the uncontrolled burning of waste, which is frequently carried out in backyards in a barrel or open pile, or even waste burned in open fires, ranges or other solid fuel appliances. It

The Omagh Support and Self Help Group says the latest speculation regarding secret recordings taken by Special Branch and GCHQ reinforce their calls for a full public enquiry into the atrocity. The news website Belfast Daily is reporting today that a recording was obtained by GCHQ after the blast of one of the bombers expressing

A Donegal Garda is being hailed a hero after entering a blazing house in Donegal Town and rescuing an unconscious woman. Gardai were alerted to the fire at the house in The Mullins area yesterday afternoon at 4.35pm. They arrived on scene five minuted later to find the house engulfed in flames. A Garda entered

The government has allocated funding to progress plans for a helipad on Tory Island. Gaeltacht Minister Dinny McGinley announced the allocation of a grant of €1,500 to Donegal County Council to appoint an Aviation Consultant to advise them on the suitability of a site. Minister McGinley said he was very happy to be able to

A judge has deferred ruling on whether a prosecution brought against double killer John Gallagher for absconding from custody should be struck out. 46 year-old Gallagher, who killed mother and daughter Annie and Anne Gillespie in the grounds of Sligo Hospital in 1988, was released from the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum in Dublin on

The Joint Policing Committee in Letterkenny is backing calls for two extra CCTV cameras in the town. Members were told that since its introduction in 2008, 353 separate clips which can be used in court have been requested by gardai. The system has an annual running cost of €3,600, but that’s set to increase substantially,

THE SDLP will travel to Dublin today to fight for the retention of the coastguard station at Malin Head. The facility is under threat of closure following publication of the Fisher Report, which recommends a reduction in the number of coastguard stations. The SDLP will make their representation to the Dáil Transport Committee which has

Strabane District Council is to write a letter to the Norths Agriculture Minister seeking clarification on why 800 civil service jobs went to Ballykelly and not Strabane. It was announced in September this year that the Department of Agriculture in the North would be moving from Belfast to Ballykelly. Yet it was revealed last week

Hundreds of thousands of Irish people will be anxiously watching their TV sets in a couple of hours time, when Europe’s analogue TV signal is turned off. 202-thousand people here rely on analogue. The switchover to digital happens at 10 AM. Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte says there are a number of services people can contact

Letterkenny Circuit Court was told today that the trial of a man charged with dangerous driving causing Ireland’s worst ever car accident is likely to run for over three weeks. 24-year-old Shaun Kelly of Ballymagan, Buncrana faces the charges arising out of a crash between Clonmany and Buncrana in Inishowen, Co Donegal in July 2010

Derry has been voted the fourth best city in the world to visit next year, according to Lonely Planet. It says the UK’s City of Culture for 2013 is “undergoing a renaissance”. San Francisco’s top of the list, followed by Amsterdam and the Indian city of Hyderabad. Tom Hall – from the travel guide –

Crime is generally down in Letterkenny, but there have been increases in burglaries and thefts from the person. Inspector David Kelly told a meeting of the town’s Joint Policing Committee last night there have been 214 reported burglaries so far this year compared to 205 over the same period last year. Thefts from the person

A man is recovering from suspected stab wounds following an assault in Bundoran last evening. The25 year-old  received the injuries to his back and shoulders at around 7pm on the Ross Road. He was taken to Sligo General Hospital where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries. Three men aged 19, 22 and 56

Detectives in Derry are appealing for information following a shooting incident at a house in the Drumard Park area last evening. It is understood a shotgun was used in the incident at 10.30pm. A man was in the house at the time, but there are no reports of any injuries.

County Manager Seamus Neeley has told Donegal County Council that the amount of central government funding being lost to the council will not be as much as feared, but will still exceed a million euro. Mr Neely told members that the council is still expected to balance its books, and it is in that context

The Mayor of Letterkenny says the ratepayers in the town face increased costs as a result of the imminent abolition of the Town Council. At an emergency meeting of the Town Council last night, Cllr Dessie Larkin reported back to members on the briefing given by Minister Phil Hogan last week. He said they were

Donegal County Council has been told that tender documents for a full feasibility study into flood prevention works in Raphoe should be published this week, with specific proposals expected within a year. The news emerged during a briefing from consultants engaged in the North Western Flood Risk Assessment and Management project which is currently underway.

Police in Strabane are appealing for information following an assault on a 12 yr-old boy on Saturday evening, 20th October. At around 6.40pm as the boy was walking along Owenreagh Drive he was followed by two male youths. They shouted at him and then one of the youths punched the victim in the face, breaking

It’s emerged today that the incoming board of Udaras na Gaeltachta will meet for the first time in Letterkenny at the end of this month. The meeting will coincide with the Oireachtas festival which returns to the town. Fianna Fail Cllr David Alcorn has secured the council’s nomination for membership of the board of Udaras

Today marks 25 years since the Strabane flood. On the 22 October 1987 the town was left devastated after the watetwall collapsed when the River Mourne burst it’s banks. Many homes and businesses were destroyed as a result. In the aftermath of the flood a new flood defence wall was then built. Cllr James O

Fianna Fail Cllr David Alcorn has secured the council’s nomination for membership of the board of Udaras na Gaeltachta. With Sinn Fein support, he secured the nomination by 15 votes to 11, with two abstentions, including Mayor Cllr Frank Mc Brearty. Accepting the nomination, Cllr Alcorn paid tribute to Cllr Padraig O’Dochartaigh, saying he hopes

Cllr David Alcorn will be nominated to serve on the board of Udaras na Gaeltachta by Donegal County Council. Proposing Cllr Alcorn, Fianna Fail Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill said the government is trying to stifle opposition and use Udaras to copper fasten cuts in Gaeltacht areas. Cllr Padraig O’Dochairtaigh was proposed by Cllr Ian Mc Garvey.

There’s been a sharp rise in burglaries in the Derry area. Over the past twelve months break-ins have increased by nearly 20 per cent. The police say in half of those robberies, the burglar got into the house through an unlocked door or window. PSNI Chief Inspector Jon Burrows urged householders to follow basic crime

Sinn Feins Finance spokesperson says last nights joint statement from the Taoiseach and German Chancellor clarifies nothing on Ireland’s bank debt. Last week she seemed to cast fresh doubt on the prospects of a deal for Ireland, saying EU money would only be used to deal with future debt problems. However Enda Kenny and Angela