Author name: oisinkelly

The cost of medicine in the north versus the south is back in the spotlight again with claims that private patients in Donegal and other Border counties are crossing to buy their prescription drugs much cheaper. It is estimated that heart patients who don’t have medical cards can save up to €80 on a month’s […]

The annual Apprentice Boys of Derry parade will take place today, with significant traffic disruptions possible. Police say this is the largest loyal order parade in Northern Ireland with 15,000 people and 140 bands expected this year. Diversions will be put in place from around 10.30am in various points around the city centre, and traffic

Police in Derry are appealing for information following a suspicious approach made to a 10 year old girl in the Ballymagroarty area last night, Thursday 9th August. Sometime between 9.30pm and 10pm, as the girl was playing in a green area behind Ennis Place in the vicinity of the Community Centre she was approached by

A rescue operation is over on Lough Swilly this afternoon after a man taken from the sea onto the Lough Swilly Lifeboat and airlifted to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. The rescue was coordinated by the Malin Head Marine Rescue Centre, which is potentially facing closure following a review earlier this year. Joe Joyce of the

Rescue update – man airlifted and brought to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. Audio from RNLI to follow.

A rescue operation is ongoing in Lough Swilly this afternoon after a man was washed out to sea off the Five Fingers Strand in Inishowen. A number of units were tasked, including the Lough Swilly Inshore Lifeboat and Greencastle Coastguard A woman with binoculars on the Isle of Doagh guided the lifeboat to where the

There’s been a glimmer of hope that the bus service that took outpatients from Donegal to Dublin could be restored. Francis Marley, owner of the coach company in Cloghan, held a special meeting with a top HSE executive in Donegal this morning. He presented a set of figures to show the service, stopped two weeks

County Councillor Dessie Larkin has said he will co-operate fully with Donegal County Council after they recieved documentation claiming he was involved in alleged expenses irregularities. The anonymous correspondence sent to Donegal County Council claims that he may have pocketed expenses for two conferences that were going on at the same time in 2006. Details

Two men who allegedly abused and insulted tourists of three different nationalities in what was described as ‘a disgraceful incident’ have been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate’s Court. 19 year old Ryan Sharkey of 11, Jasmin Court and 20 year old Ruarai Canning of 42, Southend Park were charged with two counts of disorderly

Donegal North East Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn has accused government officials of pursuing a vindictive campaign against the Lough Swilly Marina in Fahan. In a letter to Minister Simon Coveney, he says far from supporting the only successful marina in North Donegal, officials are trying to block its development. Deputy Mac Lochlainn says the government decision to

The owners of the old Adria factory in Strabane are being urged to secure the site and ensure access cannot be gained to the compound. Cllr Patsy Kelly made the call after the fire service fought to bring an intense blaze under control yesterday morning after tyres hidden in the undergrowth on the site were

There are reports that several people are without telephone coverage at present because thieves have stolen the copper telephone wires. It’s the latest in a series of such thefts, which have been concentrated in the Fanad area over the past two years. Tirconaill Tribune Editor John Mc Ateer has been writing about this phenomenon, and

Police and fire crews were called after a number of tyres which were being stored in undergrowth for use in bonfires were set ablaze, very close to the nearby residential area of Ashgrove Park. Local Cllr Patsy Kelly says the fire appears to have been started by people using the abandoned site as a drinking

Sinn Fein is calling on Irish emigrants in Australia to get involved in politics at home. The party’s Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty is travelling to Australia to meet with the Irish diaspora in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Donegal South West Deputy Doherty says the trip has been timed to coincide with the run up

Corner shops across Donegal are struggling to stay open because of high bank charges. And trade is down by more than 15% according to Chief Executive of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association. Vincent Jennings said local shop owners are facing a huge uphill battle to stay open. Speaking on todays Shaun Doherty Show he

Several thousand spectators are in County Donegal today for the start of the Irish National Sheep Dog trials. Organisers say the competitions are an exciting spectacle. The 2012 trials are being held at Glebe Farm on the grounds of Castle McGrath in Pettigo from today to 11 August. About 150 competitors are aiming to qualify

The Manager of the City of Derry Airport has welcomed news that a new route to Lanzarote from the City of Derry Airport has been included in Falcon Holidays summer sun schedule for 2013. Damien Tierney says the addition of Lanzarote as a sun destination for passengers in the North West was a significant boost

A bird-watching facility at Fort George beside the River Foyle in Derry has been destroyed in an arson attack. The vandals struck sometime between Tuesday night and yesterday morning, torching the wooden structure. It is thought that those responsible for the damage may have doused the area in petrol before setting it alight. The bird-watching

Sinn Fein’s Finance spokesperson has described a row between the Ceann Comhairle and Independent TD Luke Ming Flanagan as “political banter”. Deputy Flanagan hit out at Sean Barrett’s Dail chairmanship in a newspaper article. The Labour Party Chief Whip Emmet Stagg has said the comments were out of order. But Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty says

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association has described as “lunacy” proposed changes to the assessments of third level maintenance grants. It’s thought that the changes may see productive assets, such as farmland and machinery, being included in the means testing of the grants. The I-C-S-A says it’s worried such changes could result in children

The Donegal IFA has said the farming community will not tolerate any changes which would result in children from low income farm families being excluded from third level grants. There are concerns that productive assets, such as farmland, will be included in the assessment of third level maintenance grants. Farmers claim the existing system already

Donegal looks set to be bathed in wall-to-wall sunshine for the rest of this week, sending temperatures soaring. Forecasts for the next few days are for bright, sunny skies with barely a cloud in sight. And temperatures are set to reach the mid 20’s on Friday. But sun-lovers should make the most of the warm

The bellboy at Legends Hotel who disappeared from Mauritius before he could give evidence at Michaela McAreavey’s murder trial has returned to the island to speak with detectives involved in the new probe into her death. Police were under pressure to speak with Rajiv Bhujun, who was with her husband John McAreavey when he discovered

There has been a significant spike in the number of people on trolleys at Letterkenny General Hospital. Figures compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show 8 people on trolleys at the hospital this morning either awaiting or being treated. The figures of late have generally shown few if any on the trolleys at

The Government has announced grants totalling just over 110,000 euro for Donegals islands today. 81,000 euro will be sanctioned by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, while Donegal County Council will sanction the rest of the grant. The money will be spent on improvement works on Arranmore and Tory Islands on various facilities

Plans for Strabane’s first pedestrian bridge looks to be back on following an £873,000 cash boost from Stormont’s Regional Development Department. Minister Danny Kennedy announced this morning that Strabane had been successful in securing the money from the Active Travel Demonstration Fund. The move has been warmly welcomed and almost certainly guarantees that the long-talked

Donegal County Council says it expects to raise 4 million euro this year from the holiday home tax. If that figure is realised, it would bring the total yield through the tax in Donegal to 12 million euro. The Non Private Principle Residence charge was first introduced in 2009. In a statement Donegal County Council

Traders are angry after Environment Minister Alex Attwood further postponed an announcement of seven major planning applications in Derry, originally due at the end of June. The applications include several major retail developments and at least one hotel, with developers keen for a decision in time to be ready for City of Culture year 2013.

A Donegal Deputy says the loss of a bus service from Donegal to Dublin for sick patients must be blamed on the Health Minister and not the HSE. The Marley’s bus for seriously ill Donegal patients to Dublin hospitals was discontinued last month. Pádraig Mac Lochlainn says that while the HSE made the decision to

The National Housing Construction Index has shown the continued drop in construction activity in Donegal, but shows a marginal increase in Donegal Planning Applications. The research shows that from January to June 2012, 615 planning applications were submitted in Donegal. This compared to 575 in 2011 resulting in a marginal increase of 2%. Donegal was

Police are appealing for information following an indecent assault that occurred in Derry City Centre on Sunday morning last. Sometime between 2.30am and 3am, a 22 yr-old woman was walking along Magazine Street when she was grabbed by a male and assaulted. The woman managed to break free and run off. The male is described

Derry City Council has been accused of “dragging its heels” in responding to a five point plan presented to it by the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Traders Association in April. The plan lays out ideas of how to regenerate Derry city centre and includes a relaxation of planning regulations to enable faster decisions and the

A West Tyrone MLA says the people she represents do not want new road signs along the border which read  ‘Welcome to Northern Ireland’ The Lifford to Strabane road is one of eight border locations earmarked for the erection of the “Welcome to Northern Ireland” signs. The roads service says the signs remind drivers they

A 15-year-old Glenvar boy, who had been reported missing, has been returned home safely. Ciaron McLuaghlin left his home in the early hours of Sunday morning with a Chelsea sports bag. Gardai in Milford had issued a statement on Sunday for information, after the boy went missing. But Gardai said today that the boy had

A District Judge at Derry Magistrate’s Court today granted anonymity to three men accused of possessing £150,000 worth of cannabis due to what he described as the threat from ‘certain criminal elements.’ District Judge Barney McElholm cleared the court before the case involving the three men from the city began. He cited judgements in the

A man in his 70’s has died in a road traffic collision The incident occurred just after midnight on Monday when his car veered off the road and into a field at Meenmore, Fintown. His body has been removed to Letterkenny Hospital for a post mortem examination. Forensic collision investigators are due on the scene and

Gardaí in Milford have issued an appeal for information about a 15-year-old boy who has been missing from Glenvar since yesterday. Ciaron McLuaghlin was left his home in the early hours of this morning with a Chelsea sports bag. He is described as being 5’5 in height, with blonde hair and blue eyes. When last

SDLP Omagh councillor Seamus Shields has died after a long illness, the party’s leader has confirmed. The 65-year-old, who represented the Mid-Tyrone ward, was a retired primary school principal who later qualified in 2007 and practiced as a solicitor. Mr Shields was a councillor for 23 years and also served on the board of the

Three men have been charged with drugs offences after being arrested in the Blackthorn area of Derry on Friday. Two men, aged 21 and 44, are charged with supplying cannabis, possessing it and possession with intent to supply. They have also charged a 30-year-old man with possession of cannabis, possession with intent to supply and

A 65 year-old fisherman is recovering in hospital having been rescued from the sea on Saturday afternoon. The man was fishing alone between Malin Head and Glengad when his boat sank. Wearing a life jacket and with a radio, the man became stranded on rocks before making a mayday call. Malin Head Coastguard tasked the Greencaste Coastguard

Sinn Féin have launched a campaign aimed at getting Education Minister Ruairí Quinn to introduce relatively simple measures that would reduce the cost of sending a child to school. Two surveys earlier this week – by Barnardos and the National Consumer Agency – have indicated that stretched household incomes are making it increasingly difficult to

A Donegal Deputy has called for the retention of Malin Head Coastguard, especially in the wake of what happened this week. Six people were saved earlier this week after the got into difficulty at Tramore Strand close to Rosbeg, the rescue was co-ordinated by the Malin Head Coastguard. And they were also called out to

A 31-year-old man has been charged with attempting to smuggle cannabis with an estimated street value of £3,000 into the UK via City of Derry Airport. The man, who is originally from Portugal but currently lives in County Tyrone, was detained after he got off a flight from Faro to Derry on Thursday. He was

Donegal County Council has again stated that the high volume of non-payment of the Household Charge will effect spending on core services within the county. The Government confirmed this week that the council could have its funding cut by 4 million euro in September if the level of compliance in paying the household charge remains

A County Councillor, who has been critical of  RTE’s coverage of County Donegal, says he is not surprised the state broadcaster opted to screen Dublin versus Laois in the All-Ireland over Donegal versus Kerry. The TV rights are shared by RTE and TV3 – RTE had the first choice of games for the All Ireland

Irish Water Safety has paid tribute to the heroic efforts of those who saved the lives of 6 people who got in to difficulty in the sea off Donegal yesterday. Four children were body boarding at Tramore strand close to Rosbeg when they were caught in a current – two lifeguards also got into difficulty.