Author name: oisinkelly

In what is being described as a stealth move a service for young people with mental health issues is being withdrawn from a number of schools in Donegal.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

Eight settlements totalling almost 2.35 million euro have been reached by Revenue in Donegal in the latest quarterly list which has just been published. The settlements were reached betweem April 1st and June 30th this year. Property Developer and Company Director James Barr of Avondale in Burnfoot paid just over €959,000 in respect of underdeclaration

A woman was told at Derry magistrate’s Court to ‘stay away from anyone who will lead her into temptation.’ 32-year-old Edel McLaughlin of 2g Lisfannon Park in Derry was charged with a series of disorderly behaviours and resisting police. The court was told that on May 31 McLaughlin entered a fast food outlet in the

A Foyle MLA says he is aware of more shooting victims in Derry who have been told they do not qualify for compensation. Earlier this week Paul Ward was told he was not entitled to a pay out because he did not co-operate with the police investigation. Mr Ward denies this and it is understood

A Church of Ireland minister has been assaulted by a gang in Strabane. The Rev Richard Bryant said he and his wife were just yards from the church when he was attacked in broad daylight. He said he was hit on the head and fell to the ground. The Reverand only moved to Strabane two

Town and County councillors are expected this evening to make a last ditch plea to Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan not to abolish their local authorities. The Minister is due to address the annual conference of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, tonight. Speaking at the MacGill Summer School

Representatives of Donegal’s tourism industry have this week met with over 60 American and Canadian top tour operators with the hope of boosting tourist numbers from the two countries next year. The operators were briefed on The Gathering 2013 and how they can work next year’s festivities into their itineraries. The meetings come as the

Police in Derry are warning people to be vigilant following a report of a bogus caller at the home of elderly person in the city yesterday afternoon. The intruder had pushed his way into an eldery woman’s home claiming he was there to collect furniture, and only left when challenged by another family member who

Donegal North-East Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has been appointed Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Defence Deputy Mac Lochlainn was appointed to the position yesterday after a reshuffle of TD portfolios announced by Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams. He outlined to Highland Radio News what his key priorities would be in relation to Donegal:

It’s reported today that householders will be able to self-assess the value of their home for the property tax. According to the Irish Independent, people will put their property into a value bracket, using a checklist provided by the Revenue Commissioners – and those who undervalue it will face penalties. A major publicity campaign is

Letterkenny General Hospital’s new tobacco free policy has been officially implemented today, with staff, patients, visitors, contractors and others banned from smoking anywhere on the hospital grounds, including the car parks. The ban also extends to all areas of the St Conal’s campus. The Donegal Smoking Cessation Service is backing the policy, and will be

The new emergency department and medical bloc at Letterkenny General Hospital has opened, with other services moving into the new building over the next two weeks. The Emergency Department was relocated at 8 o’clock this morning, and saw its first patient within twenty minutes. Hospital Manager Sean Murphy says the move has progressed very well………….

Witnesses have described running battles between youths in Letterkenny last night with claims that there was a lack of a proper garda presence. One parent has told how her son was forced to flee the area of the Main street after he and his friends were set upon by a second large group of youths.

The Good Friday Implementation Committee has been urged to do all it can to make sure the construction of the A5 remains a priority for both the Northern and Irish Governments. The Mayors of Derry, Donegal, Strabane and Omagh attended a meeting of the committee today in Dublin with all the other districts and boroughs

A major housing development in St Johnston has been given the green light by An Bord Pleanala. The plans for 28 houses by KDC properties LTD were initially refused permission by Donegal County Council -An Bord Pleanala reversed that decision on appeal. The proposed multiple development  is made up of of 28 homes made up

The new emergency department and medical bloc at Letterkenny General Hospital has opened this morning. The Emergency Department was relocated at 8 o’clock this morning. Other services will be transferred in the coming weeks. Hospital Management are seeking the co-operation of the general public by asking them to avoid attending the Emergency Department in Letterkenny

Schools in the centre of Letterkenny are being asked to consider staggering their opening and closing times to ease traffic congestion. The issue was raised by Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle, who says there are over 2,000 pupils attending the four schools clustered around the cathedral area, and there are very dangerous conditions in the area

The Good Friday Implementation Committee are meeting today in Dublin to discuss transportation and access in the Northwest. The Mayors of Derry, Donegal, Strabane and Omagh District Council are all set to attend the meeting, with the main focus set to be the A5. All the other districts and boroughs along the A5 route will

The European Parliament has backed proposed legislation to impose sanctions on countries engaged in unsustainable fishing practices. The report, prepared by North West MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher was approved by 659 votes to 7, a margin he says is unprecedented in the area of fishing policy. In the immediate term, the sanctions will be

Emergency services have attended the scene of a road traffic collision in Fahan. Up tot four vehicles were involved in crash which occurred shortly after 11 o’clock close to the Red Door restaurant. Two Garda units and three ambulances attended the scene. It is understood that here are no serious injuries.  

A Donegal TD and Senator have clashed over the cost of administering the Household Charge. Donegal South West Deputy Thomas Pringle has hit out at the Local Government Management Agency after it emerged that over €7 million euro collected through the household charge has been used to finance the agency this year. However, Senator Jimy

Donegal Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has described comments by an Athlone District Court judge in which he described Travellers as “Neanderthal men” as utterly disgraceful Deputy MacLochlainn has called on the judge to apologise He says anti-traveller racism in all forms is unacceptable in Ireland, and it is mind boggling to think that Justice Seamus

The P-S-N-I are monitoring a Facebook page – which claims to name and shame paedophiles in Co. Derry. Police there say they know the founder of the site, which has over 1-thousand followers. In a statement, the force says officers in the Limavady area are monitoring the page, to ensure it doesn’t  breach any legislation.

A Letterkenny Councillor is calling on members of government parties in Donegal to stand up to their leader and demand an end to cuts at Letterkenny General Hospital even if it means losing the party whip. Cllr Ciaran Brogan, a member of the HSE West Regional Forum, says there have been a number of cases

A Donegal judge yesterday spoke of the dangers of heavy goods vehicles driven by fatigued workers. Judge Denis McLoughlin said it was a very serious offence people driving very large vehicles on a public road without the required rest period. Road Safety Authority officer Seamus Lynch told Dungloe District Court how tachograph records spanning four

Donegal South West Deputy Thomas Pringle has hit out at the Local Government Management Agency after it emerged that over €7 million euro collected through the household charge has been used to finance the agency this year Deputy Pringle says the fact that such a large proportion of the intake from the Household Charge is

A 41-year-old man who accidentally knocked down and killed his neighbour in a road traffic accident in Derry last year has escaped prison. Laurence Michael Conaghan from Lisfannon Park, was given a six month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and disqualified from driving for two years. He was told by Judge Piers Grant at

A Derry man who was shot by the vigilante group Republic Action Against Drugs, has been refused compensation for his injuries. In what is thought to be a case of mistaken identity, 45-year-old Paul Ward was shot twice in the stomach and still has a bullet lodged in his back since the shooting three years

A 20-year-old Derry man walked free from Coleraine Courthouse today after charges he faced in connection with the murder of pizza delivery man Emmet Shiels in Derry in June 2008 were not proceeded with. Thaddeus McAllister originally from Cable Street in the Bogside area but now with an address in London had been due to