Author name: oisinkelly

Gardai have confirmed that cannabis plants uncovered in a cultivation factory outside Malin yesterday morning are worth in excess of 1 million euro. The haul was discovered yesterday in a commercial unit. A third man has been arrested in relation with the find. Two men were also arrested at the scene yesterday morning. The three […]

A leaked memo has revealed that Strabane topped a table of suitable locations for 800 Civil Service jobs, but still lost out to Ballykelly. A document shows that 23 areas were shortlisted as potential locations for the Department of Agriculture headquarters. Officials then used nine points of critieria, including availability of jobs, employment deprivation, earnings

Junior Health Minister Kathleen Lynch is denying that it took 48 minutes to get an ambulance to an injured jogger in Letterkenny last week. The issue was raised in the Seanad by Senator Jimmy Harte, who said the injured person was left lying on the road while waiting for an ambulance to come from Carndonagh,

There are calls for the current CCTV system in Letterkenny to be upgraded and extended. Councillor Tadge Culbert, who made the call, says with dwindling numbers of Gardai on the streets of Letterkenny an improved CCTV system is required to help preventing crime or finding those responsible for it. He says the system needs to

The PSNI has issued a warning about bogus banknotes after several reports of counterfeit ten and twenty pound notes being used in Derry, Limavady, Strabane and Castlederg over the last few weeks. Three people were arrested and released this week as part of an ongoing investigation. On Monday of this week, police received a report

A Buncrana Town Cllr has said that it will be a huge blow to the town if as expected, town councils are to be scrapped. The Minister for the Environment is expected to formally confirm in the near future that Donegal’s four town councils, as well as those around the country, are to be phased

A 22-year-old man is due to appear in court charged in connection with a kidnapping. He will appear at Strabane Magistrates Court on Thursday. The man also faces charges of false imprisonment and blackmail. Two men appeared in court in Dungannon on yesterday in connection with the kidnapping of a cattle dealer, who was held

The first ever clinic to offer abortions on the island of Ireland will open in one weeks’ time. Marie Stopes International is setting up a centre on Great Victoria Street in Belfast, which will be open to women over the age of 16, including those who travel from the Republic. Women who attend will have

Fishermen in Donegal could find restrictions eased after changes to Technical Conservation Measures proposed by North West MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher were unanimously accepted by the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee today. He says he wants to remove and amend outdated and unworkable fishing constraints such as area and gear restrictions, which date back to

Sinn Fein is accusing Fianna Fail of dishonesty over the party’s new campaign to oppose the property tax. Fianna Fail has set up a website – wrong-tax-wrong-time-dot-i-e – urging people to sign a petition against the levy, which is to be introduced next year. It was launched today by party leader Michael Martin, who admits

A Donegal North East Deputy has expressed his dissapointment at the Governments decision to reject proposals to provide extra protection to frontline emergency workers. Last week Fianna Fail said they wanted individuals found guilty of assaulting gardaí, A-and-E staff and members of the fire service to be jailed for five years. They also said they

Gardai have uncovered what’s being described as a ‘large scale’ cannabis cultivation factory on the outskirts of Malin Town this morning. Gardai are still at the scene and are assessing the scale of the discovery, which Superintendent Kevin English says is highly significant. Speaking on today’s Shaun Doherty Show a short time ago, he confirmed

Gardai have uncovered what’s being described as a ‘large scale’ drug cultivation factory on the outskirts of Malin Town this morning. Gardai are still at the scene and are assessing the scale of the discovery, which one senior officer has indicated is highly significant. To people, believed to be foreign nationals, have been arrested at

The cousin of one of the men accused of kicking a 57-year-old Donegal man to death in a racially aggravated murder has said he admitted being involved in the killing. Adel Ishaq and Asif Rehman deny killing William McKeeney, who died after the being attacked in a street in Glasgow’s Pollokshields area in January this

A briefing at Letterkenny General Hospital has been told that the new Radiotherapy Unit planned for Altnagelvin Hospital is a unique cross border venture, which will provide access to radiotherapy services to over a half a million people living on both sides of the border. Dr Mary Hynes, Network Manager South and West for the

The President of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland says over 20 careers guidance and counselling jobs have been lost in Donegal, and that will have ramifications into the future. Gerard Craughwell was speaking after spending a day in Donegal attending training courses and speaking to TUI representatives and members in the county. He said while the president

The SIPTU national campaign to defend Home Help services comes to Donegal today with a meeting in Letterkenny this afternoon and one in Ballybofey tonight. Local SIPTU Organiser Declan Ferry says since the beginning of our Home Helps campaign, two months ago, SIPTU has held over 70 meetings throughout the country, and the attendance at

A Letterkenny Town Councillor says more people will end up sleeping on the streets if more council houses are not made available. This weeks town council meeting was told that Donegal County Council will build just three new council houses over the next three years. Raising the issue, Councillor Tadge Culbert says the demand for

Plans to begin “fracking” in areas of the North West will be debated in a Dail Committee today. Hydraulic Fracturing – also known as “fracking” – is a type of gas exploration that’s been criticised for it’s damaging effects on the environment and surrounding areas. But supporters say it can create sustainable energy in rural

The widow of a Co. Sligo man who was gunned down in 1999 has been awarded nearly three quarters of a million euros in a long legal battle against the men responsible for his murder, one of whom was based in Ballyshannon. 58 year old Margaret Madden, owner of a B&B at Lough Gara House

Gardai in Lifford are investigating an alleged extortion at a betting shop in the town yesterday. Gardai are stressing that no robbery or burglary took place. The bookies shop, Toots Takes All, which is situated on Butcher Street in Lifford, recieved a call yesterday afternoon. The man on the phone demanded that a member of

A march and rally in support of the Donegal Home Help Service will take place in Letterkenny on Friday week next, the 19th of October. At 1 o’clock, the march will proceed from St Conal’s Hospital to Market Square where speeches will be made and a soup kitchen set up. The trade unions IMPACT and

The Health Service Executive is urging everyone over 65, pregnant woman, people with chronic illnesses and healthcare workers to get vaccinated against influenza. Over 56% of people over 65 with a medical card were immunised against flu in 2011, down from 60% the year before and significantly below the World Health Organisation’s target of 75%.

A forensic pathologist told a race murder trial that a Donegal man who was allegedly kicked and stamped to death suffered injuries normally associated with a car crash. Dr Julie McAdam said she had never come across the type of severe trauma that killed 57-year-old William McKeeney, originally from Malin Head, from massive internal bleeding.

It’s reported that proposals to double the penalty points for drivers using mobile phones while driving have got the green light. The Irish Independent says the government’s accepted the recommendations from an all-party transport committee. Transport Minister Varadkar says the culture needs to be changed so that talking on a handheld mobile while driving becomes

With confirmation expected this week that town councils are to be scrapped, the Mayor of Letterkenny is predicting funding for the town to drop by as much as 60%. The Minister for the Environment is expected to formally confirm this week that Donegal’s three town councils, as well as those around the country, are to

Owners of property in Letterenny,which is vacant and falling in to disrepair, are being warned the Derelict Property Act will be used if the property isn’t brought up to standard. Councillor Gerry McMonagle raised the issue with Letterkenny Town council following a recent fire at a vacant property in the Long Lane area. He says

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness is not ruling out a move to Celtic or Liverpool. Since Donegal’s All-Ireland Final win, McGuinness has been linked with coaching roles with Celtic and Liverpool. It was reported last week that Liverpool wanted the Glenties man as their new sports psychologist. And he has also been linked with a coaching

A Letterkenny woman has made calls for a play park to be introduced in the town for children with disabilities and learning difficulties. At the moment there is no such park in the town that caters for the needs for people with disabilities. It’s understood the special park would cost in the region of 50,000

The coastguard helicopter airlifted a woman to Letterkenny General Hospital yesterday afternoon after she fell and injured herself while climbing on Lough Salt Mountain. The 40-year-old woman, is believed to have sustained a broken ankle. She was one of a group of seven people on a visit to the county. The climbing party were close

A murder victim’s last words were captured on the mobile phone of one of two men accused of killing him, a court heard. 57-year-old William McKeeney, originally from Malin Head, who was kicked and stamped to death, said: “Is there a problem here, lads? What’s the problem?” One of his alleged murderers then took the

With hopes rising that a North West Radiotherapy Unit will be up and running within four years, public meetings are taking place over the next two days in Derry and Letterkenny to update people on what progress is being made. The Western Trust and the HSE will brief medical professionals, campaign groups and members of

An SDLP MLA in East Derry has told a meeting in support of Malin head Coastguard that the service provided from the threatened base has been vital to Northern Ireland as well as the republic, and the SDLP has sent an 11 point submission to the Department of Transport in Dublin to reinforce the cross

The Taoiseach says the development of wind energy off the Atlantic coast holds huge potential for developing the Irish economy. Speaking in Brussels, Enda Kenny said plans are well advanced to launch an integrated marine strategy to take full advantage of Ireland’s off-shore resources. It’s an initiative which will be watched closely, both in terms

Former SDLP leader John Hume has received his papal knighthood at a special Mass in Derry’s St Eugene’s Cathedral last night. In June, Pope Benedict announced that Mr Hume was to be made a Knight Commander of St Gregory. Mr Hume said he felt very honoured by the knighthood, which was presented by the former

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has agreed a detailed timetable with his counterparts in Northern Ireland to have mutual recognition of penalty points in both jurisdictions. A North South MInister Council meeting in Armagh has agreed that parallel legislation will be passed, north and south, by 31st December 2014 to allow penalty points imposed in the

Tributes are being paid to TV pundit and former Derry GAA player Joe Brolly, who is recovering in a London hospital after donating a kidney to a fellow member of St Brigid’s club in Belfast. Both Mr Brolly and Shane Finnegan coach an Under 12’s team on which their sons play. In a statement on

The President of LYIT says its new science laboratories will help it better match the needs of the increasing number of students attending the institute. The 4 million euro facility adds over 1,000 sq m of fully-equipped science laboratories with a total of 8 labs. There has been a 55% increase in student number at

Sources close to the Donegal GAA management team are again rejecting speculation All Ireland winning manager Jim Mc Guinness is heading for the Premier League. There are reports that he is being lined up for a move to Liverpool FC to work as a sports psychologist. It’s the second time in the space of a

The Taoiseach has said that staffing questions relating to Letterkenny General Hospital are a matter for local management. During a visit to Letterkenny, Enda Kenny was asked to give his reaction to news that the HSE  will not be renewing contracts of employment for 14 newly qualified nurses at Letterkenny General Hospital. The INMO says

A suite of new science laboratories at the Letterkenny Institute of Technology was officially opened today by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The new facility adds over 1,000 sq m of fully-equipped science laboratories with a total of 8 labs.  This represents an investment of almost €4 million from the Government and LYIT. The need for

A Senior Consultant at Letterkenny General Hospital has said there is concern over staffing levels at the facility. Mr Micheal Sugrue was asked to comment on the news that the HSE  will not be renewing contracts of employment for 14 newly qualified nurses at Letterkenny General Hospital. The INMO says this will lead to longer

Jim McGuinness holds an MSc in sport psychology from John Moore’s University in Liverpool and is understood to have links with Antrim native manager Brendan Rodgers. This has lead to the Donegal Manager being linked with a backroom job at the Anfield club – but Donegal chairman PJ McGowan insists there is nothing in those

Maximum sentences for anyone who assaults members of the Gardai – that’s what Fianna Fáil is calling on the government to introduce. They want individuals found guilty of assaulting gardaí, A-and-E staff and members of the fire staff to be jailed for five years. Dara Calleary is Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson on Enterprise, highlighted the death of Garda

A Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA has described comments made by the Chair of Strabane District Council as not only grossly offensive but totally inappropriate. DUP Cllr Thomas Kerrigan said that “God made man and he made woman as a helper’when outlining why he would be opposing a motion seeking that the local council supports

Five fire appliances had to go to the scene of a head-on road collision just outside Letterkenny this morning. Gardai and ambulance crews were also at the scene of the incident at Meenaroy on the main Letterkenny to Glenties road, on the outskirts of Glenswilly. The incident happened just before 9.30am. Gardai in Milford said

Graffiti claiming to name people in the drugs trade has appeared on walls in Derry. The graffiti has appeared in various places across the city including the Top of the Hill area of the Waterside. Attempts have been made to remove it, but it keeps reappearing, according to SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey. Mr Ramsey said

The government has been unable to offer any reassurance over the future of the Malin Head Coastguard Station and has perhaps cast further doubt. The Fisher report published earlier this year suggested that Malin Head and Valentia Coastguard stations be closed and the service centralised to Dublin. The issue was raised in the Seanad by

The partner of a Donegal man told a murder trial she watched from her window as two men kicked him to death. William McKeeney died in hospital after being found fatally injured in the street by his partner Annmarie Newlands yards from their Glasgow flat earlier this year. 20-year-old Asif Rehman, and 19-year-old Adel Ishaq,

The INMO has warned that patient care will be compromised with news that 14 nursing post are to be lost at Letterkenny General Hospital. As a cost containment proposal by the HSE, it will not be renewing contracts of employment for 14 newly qualified nurses. These plans are to be introduced on Monday next, October