Author name: oisinkelly

The Donegal Manager Jim McGuinness says that his team is not the finished article and has some improving to do. Donegal, unchanged from the semi final win over Cork, play Mayo in the All-Ireland Final this Sunday hoping to take the Sam Maguire back to the Hills  for the first time in 20 years and

A security alert close to the offices of Derry City Council is over. Two viable devices were found close to the building on the Strand Road in the early hours of this morning. They have since been made safe. Those evacuated from their homes have been allowed to return while all roads in the area

The Campaign Against Household and Water Taxes is calling on the Social Protection Minister to clarify whether people trying to claim social welfare will have to prove they’ve paid the household charge first. It follows reports that a woman received a letter from her social welfare office last week – seeking an appointment with her,

Buncrana Town Council will hold a workshop with county councillors from Inishowen and Letterkenny in the coming weeks to consider the future of the Lough Swilly Ferry linking Buncrana and Rathmullan. In a submission to Buncrana Town Council last evening, a County Council Official told members that the Swilly service, which ran on a reduced

Bomb disposal experts in Derry continue to examine two suspect devices found close to the offices of Derry City Council. One of the devices was found at the rear of the building with the other at the front. Strand Road was closed for a time but has since re-opened to traffic. Staff at Derry City

The families of two men murdered in Derry in 1976 are holding a press conference at the Pat Finucane Centre, Rath Mor Centre, Derry later today. Both families have recently received reports from the Historical Enquiries Team. Jim Loughrey was shot at his home in Greysteel on 14th November 1976, and died a week later

A former Letterkenny General Hospital Doctor who fraudulently obtaining a refund for an old laptop which he claimed was new, has been found guilty of professional misconduct. Dr Alabi Emmanuel Gbadebo was before a Medical Council fitness-to-practise inquiry yesterday. He was also found to have concealed his pending trial for the fraud from the HSE

Retired people in Donegal who still like to keep active are being encouraged to volunteer for Ireland’s largest youth organisation, Foróige. Older people with an interest in art, drama or music or those who simply want to share their life experience are being encouraged to apply. In Donegal, Foróige has 25 clubs, 5,000 young members,141

The latest information from the Census show that almost 10% of County Donegal’s population lives alone. The Central Statistics Office today released the latest publication in its series of Census 2011 results. Today’s publication, “Profile   5  Households  and  Families  –  Living Arrangements  in Ireland”, examines living arrangements in Ireland in terms of households and families.

A Donegal County Councillor has welcomed confirmation from the Taoiseach that there is no legal standing in the threats made by some councils to withdraw third-level grant applicants because of their family’s non-payment of the household charge. Yesterday Donegal County Council confirmed it wasn’t ruling out asking for proof of household charge payment from third

Sinn Fein’s spokesperson on Justice has called for the government to listen to the concerns of rural Ireland and commit to not closing any more rural garda stations. Speaking in the Dail, Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn quoted a recent IFA crime survey and the comments of a former assistant Garda commissioner to make his argument

There are renewed calls for a reduction in the speed limit on the stretch of road in Letterkenny between the Dry Arch and Polestar roundabouts. The current limit is 100 kmph but Councillor Noel McBride is calling for it to be reduced to just 60 kmph. There are concerns that reducing the speed to such

Home Help workers in the North West are holding a demonstration outside the HSE’s offices in Sligo later – in protest at the HSE’s decision to cut their working hours. Last month the HSE announced plans to make savings of 130 million euro in the health service, between now and the end of the year.

The Taoiseach has told the Dail that Clare County Council are not legally allowed to withhold grants from third level students. It emerged yesterday that the Council had written letters to grant applicants asking them if they’ve paid their household charge. It says it will prioritise the processing of grants for applicants who’ve paid their

Donegal Road safety group PARC’s campaign to have penalty points extended to learner drivers for a number of offences has progressed a step. The group want two points put on the license of a learner driver found driving unaccompanied by a fully licensed driver – they also want a two point penalty for those caught

A North West MEP says he will strongly resist proposed changes to legislation that could lead to tractors requiring an NCT. The EU plans to force farmers, who own tractors capable of doing speeds of more than 40km/h to do a Vehicle Test in the same way that Trucks are presently tested. MEP Jim Higgins

Donegal RNLI lifeboats launched 24 times during the summer months in Ireland Volunteer lifeboat crews in Lough Swilly launched 13 times, while Arranmore volunteers launched eight times and Bundoran launched three. In its latest report the RNLI highlights a number of rescues over the summer during which the loss of life was averted. The lifeboat

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has today condemned cuts to children’s and adolescents’ mental health services following cuts to the provision of travelling to provide the services. The issue was raised by the Deputy in the Dail. It was revealed yesterday that child and adolescent mental health services in the HSE West have been stopped travelling

Donegal County Council are refuting claims from a number of Councillors that they are bankrupt. After this weeks monthly Council meeting, Sinn Fein Cllr Mick Quinn claimed that there is a lack of clear information on the council’s finances and he said that the council was bankrupt. Independent Cllr John Campbell backed Cllr Quinns claims.

Donegal County Council is not ruling out asking for proof of household charge payment from third level grant applicants. Yesterday the council appeared to rule out such a move, but today the Councils Director of Finance said they were considering all options. This week it emerged that Clare County Council had written to applicants seeking

Donegal County Council is urging people with septic tanks and other similar systems to register them as quickly as possible. The council is stressing while February next year is the deadline for registration, the reduced fee of five euro will only be available until the end of next week. In a statement, Donegal County Council

New figures show that it could cost the council over 20 million euro to bring sewage treatment and water supplies on Donegal’s unfinished housing estates up to an acceptable standard. The estimates do not include other work such as roads, footpaths and lighting. The 20.4 million euro figure from the county manager relates to 283

The North’s Health Minister Edwin Poots has confirmed that construction of the planned radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin should commence next year. The issue was raised by West Tyrone MLA Michela Boyle, who sought reassurance that the plans remain on track. In his response, Mr Poots said construction should commence in 2013, with a view to

In what is being described as a stealth move a service for young people with mental health issues is being withdrawn from a number of schools in Donegal. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service says that all future meetings at a number of school regarding the young people being supported by their service are

The Mayor of Donegal Cllr. Frank McBrearty, on behalf of the elected members, management and staff of Donegal County Council would like to wish Jim McGuinness and the Donegal team all the best for their all Ireland final next Sunday. Speaking after Mondays Council meeting the Mayor said “although nothing would give me greater pleasure

A Donegal Deputy says he was shocked to learn that Irish people are being discriminated against in Australia. Pearse Doherty, who recently returned from a visit to Australia, says he has been told that in some cases job adverts carry a disclaimer ‘ Irish need not apply’. He says there are also reports that some

Donegal County Council is to leave it to the last minute before deciding who well represent it on the new, slim line Board of Udaras Na Gaeltachta. Councillors were due to vote on the issue yesterday but there was opposition from Fianna Fail which claimed that it was not clear if the council could appoint

This week has been designated as ‘Social Inclusion Week’ in Donegal, with over 50 events planned over the coming days. They range a coffee morning and discussion for older people at County House to a public meeting to discuss setting up a Men’s Shed project in Letterkenny. Charles Sweeney is the Social Inclusion Co-ordinator with

The search in County Monaghan for the body of one of the disappeared who’s been missing for 37 years continues today. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains has confirmed a 10 to 12 week search for the body of Tyrone teenager Columba McVeigh is underway at the site near Emyvale. 19-year-old Columba

Fine Gael says the lack of discussion on the impact local government funding cuts may have on Donegal at this weeks meeting of the council means all Councillors recognise the importance of people paying the Household charge. It was anticipated that a debate would take place at the meeting on a report from the county

Donegal County Council has rejected a motion calling for equal rights in same sex civil marriages but has adopted an amended motion. Councillor John Campbell’s original motion was amended by Fine Gael to welcome the consideration of the issue by the constitutional convention. A Fianna Fail amendment which effectively called for the status quo to be

Today’s debate on the relocation on gynae services at Letterkenny General Hospital has thrown out some very differing perspectives.. Supporting the motion, SF Cllr Marie Terese Gallagher claimed that many councillors don’t understand the impact of the decision, anmd warned that justifying cuts on the basis of the need to save money is a slippery

What was being flagged as one of the most important issues to face Donegal County Council in recent years today passed in Lifford without debate. It was anticipated that a lengthy debate would take place on the impact the non payment of the household charge may have on the council’s budget – but in the

A Fianna Fail County Councillor believes Gynecology Services have  improved at Letterkenny General Hospital as a result of recent changes. Gynae services were relocated within in the hospital last Monday with a reduction in beds from thirteen to six. The issue has been discussed at today’s meeting of Donegal County Council. Sinn Fein proposed a

The PSNI says an ongoing intiative to tackle street-level drug dealing across Northern Ireland has been successful, with over £400,000 worth of drugs seized in G-District, which covers Derry, Strabane, Limavady and Magherafelt. Operation Torus, which runs until the end of next month, is intended to disrupt and arrest drug dealers by encouraging people to

Forensic experts have carried out a detailed examination of a derelict flat once occupied by a man cleared of murdering a missing schoolgirl from Co Tyrone. Officers in white boiler suits moved into the property in the centre of Castlederg, where child killer Robert Howard lived at the time of Arlene Arkinson’s disappearance 18 years

Donegal will recieve no further allocation of tickets for Sundays All-Ireland final showdown with Mayo in Croke Park. The decision means that the county will have to make do with the 14,715 tickets that were originally allocated. Donegal GAA secretary Aodh Martain O Fearraigh confirmed there would be no further allocation, even though they had

Nearly a hundred jobs are being created at a call centre in Derry. Firstsource is recruiting 96 people to handle calls for Sky. The company already employs 1,200 people in Derry and 800 in Belfast and recently took over two centres in the Republic of Ireland. Foyle MP Mark Durkan welcomed the annoucement, especially in

New research shows that one in three cigarettes sold in Letterkenny are illegal. The research highlights the growing problem with illegal cigarettes in Donegal. The figures show that 33.9% of cigarettes in Letterkenny are non Irish duty paid (NIDP). The figure was well above the national average of 29.8% and placed Letterkenny fifth highest of

A West Tyrone MLA is questioning the decision to transfer Department of Agriculture offices from Belfast to Ballykelly in County Derry. Joe Byrne, the Vice Chair of the Stormont Agricultural Committee says no criteria have been outlined for the decision. The SDLP representitive says towns such as Omagh and Strabane should have been given an

The Finance Minister Michael Noonan says he hopes to advance talks with the European Central Bank within the next fortnight for a deal on Ireland’s bank debt. It follows positive signs of strong political support for an arrangement to make Ireland’s debt more sustainable at an informal meeting of EU finance ministers in Cyprus. Minister

A report published this weekend by the EU shows the extent to which where you live in Ireland can influence education and life prospects. According to the report, part of the “Mind the Gap” series, those living in the east and south do better than those in the BMW region. The geographical divide is highlighted

It’s emerged that Jimmy from Senegal will not be visiting Donegal next week in the run up to next week’s All Ireland Final. The Lanzerote based singer, who features in the song ‘Jimmy’s Winning Matches’ with Kilcar man Rory Gallagher was not able to secure a visa in time. While everything was ready on the

A man convicted of stabbing a young woman in the head in Omagh, has been sentenced to four and half years in prison. 32-year-old Stephen McCrea, of Riverview Park, Omagh, was accused of attempting to murder nurse Tracy Monteith on 8 August, 2010. Ms Monteith, who was discovered on her own doorstep with a kitchen