Author name: oisinkelly

Varadkar pays surprise visit to Malin Coastguard Station

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar made an unannounced visit to Malin Head Coastguard Station during a visit to Donegal yesterday. After addressing the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Mr Varadkar travelled to Inishowen with Deputy Joe Mc Hugh. Once again, the fututre of the coastguard station is in doubt after the publication of a consultants’ report […]

Varadkar pays surprise visit to Malin Coastguard Station Read More »

Independent TD Pringle “extremely pleased” with today’s Supreme Court decision

Independent TD Thomas Pringle has said he is “extremely pleased” that the Supreme Court has today decided to refer three questions to the European Court of Justice on the validity of the ESM Treaty. Pringle had argued the ESM treaty, which provides for a 500 billion euro permanent eurozone rescue fund, breaches the Irish Constitution,

Independent TD Pringle “extremely pleased” with today’s Supreme Court decision Read More »

Derry judge will consider granting anonymity orders in future drugs cases

A District Judge has said he will consider granting anonymity orders in drugs cases. District Judge Barney McElholm made the comment during a preliminary enquiry by 41-year-old Daniel Gerald Doherty at Derry Magistrate’s Court this morning. Doherty, of Liscannor Park, is charged with possession of Class A and Class B drugs with intent to supply

Derry judge will consider granting anonymity orders in future drugs cases Read More »

Census figures show Donegal had 49% youth unemployment in April 2011

More than 82-thousand people, under the age of 25 were unemployed in Ireland in April of last year, with Donegal having the second highest level of youth unemployment in the state. Youth unemployment in the county was 49%, just 1% less than Limerick City. That’s according to figures published from the 2011 Census. The wholesale

Census figures show Donegal had 49% youth unemployment in April 2011 Read More »

HSE confirms cross border options for Lifford Hospital are being explored

The HSE has confirmed that officials are exploring cross border options for service delivery at Lifford Community Hospital. It emerged yesterday that a consultation process on the future of the hospital which was to have begun this week has been deferred. In a statement to Highland Radio News today, the HSE says while this work

HSE confirms cross border options for Lifford Hospital are being explored Read More »

Cross border “Change a Little, Change a Lot” inititive launched today

A new initiative aimed at increasing accessibility for people in Donegal and Tyrone is being launched in Strabane this morning. The “Change a Little, Change a Lot” programme encourages businesses and comm unity organisations to make small changes in their premises to allow easier access to their premises by people with a disability. Supports will

Cross border “Change a Little, Change a Lot” inititive launched today Read More »

Man appeared under the influence of drugs in Glenties court

A 24-year-old man with no previous convictions appeared under the influence of drugs when he appeared before Judge Paul Kelly at Glenties District Court yesterday. Shane McDonnell admitted theft, public order offences and drugs possession and the court was told he was addicted to cannabis and alcohol. Judge Kelly, who expressed concern about McDonnell’s condition

Man appeared under the influence of drugs in Glenties court Read More »

MacGill : Hogan says he will cut number of councils and councillors

Enivronment Minister Phil Hogan has confirmed he’s to cut the number of councils and councillors under local government reforms. Speaking at the Macgill Summer School in Glenties yesterday evening the Minister said the property tax, and other reforms, will go ahead. Details of local government reforms were due to be agreed at this weeks cabinet

MacGill : Hogan says he will cut number of councils and councillors Read More »

Olympics – Boyce Focused On First Games

Milford’s 50k walker Brendan Boyce departed Donegal on Monday for the Irish camp at St.Mary’s, London. Brendan is one of five athletes from the North West involved in this year’s games, along with Letterkenny’s Marathon runner Catriona Jennings, DerryTri-athlete Elieen Morrison, FinnValley’s Pole Vaulter Tori Pena and Raphoe’s double Badminton Olympian Chloe Magee. In reaching

Olympics – Boyce Focused On First Games Read More »

MacGill : FF leader says government is failing to implement real reform

Fianna Fail leader Michael Martin has told the MacGill Summer School that if the Constitutional Convention does not discuss issues of substantive reform, it will be a missed opportunity. He said there is simply no doubt that the Irish political system failed in recent years, and our political system, as set out in the Constitution,

MacGill : FF leader says government is failing to implement real reform Read More »

Government accepts proposals to reduce Donegal to a single 5 seat constituency

The Government’s accepted the report of the Dáil electoral boundary commission. It’ll cut the number of TDs from 166 to 158 at the next election. The Cabinet today gave permission to Environment Minister Phil Hogan to draft legislation to give effect to the changes. As a result Donegal’s two constituencies will be merged in to

Government accepts proposals to reduce Donegal to a single 5 seat constituency Read More »

MacGill: Catholic Archbishop of Dublin calls for new abuse investigations

The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Doctor Diarmuid Martin has called for new investigations into abuse scandals in the Catholic Church. He’s told the MacGill Summer School in Glenties there should be research-based investigations – to shed light on what happened in the Magdalene Laundries, and in some mother and baby homes. Archbishop Martin says that

MacGill: Catholic Archbishop of Dublin calls for new abuse investigations Read More »

Video of Donegal Mountain Rescue Team’s Muckish Mountain Rescue

Video has been released of the helicopter rescue of  Coastal Cancer Challenge Eventer who collapsed with exhaustion after Climbing Muckish at the weekend. Donegal Mountain Rescue Team tended the casualty and were then assisted by Marshalls to bring the casualty down by stretcher through a steep section. The Team were then concerned that the casualties

Video of Donegal Mountain Rescue Team’s Muckish Mountain Rescue Read More »

Judge says four points is disproportionate for a few kph over the limit

A Donegal judge has said that four penalty points for a few kilometres over the speed limit would be disproportionate punishment. Judge Kevin Kilrane permitted two defendants who were travelling at 109 and 111 kilometres per hour at the same 100 km/h Road Safety Authority checkpoint to make charity payments of €100 each to the

Judge says four points is disproportionate for a few kph over the limit Read More »

MacGill : Mc Dowell defends Seanad as Taoiseach promises referendum

The former PD leader and Tánaiste Michael McDowell says the government’s proposal to abolish the Seanad is nothing more than a gimmick. He told the MacGill Summer School in Glenties last night that scrapping the Seanad would amount to the mutilation of the constitution. Mr McDowell said he believes the government’s proposal will fail……….. Earlier,

MacGill : Mc Dowell defends Seanad as Taoiseach promises referendum Read More »

MacGill: Enda Kenny says politicians will no longer get away with corruption

The Taoiseach says the government intends to press ahead with a referendum to abolish the Seanad – despite the objection of six former members. Prominent former Senators from across the political spectrum today launched a campaign to save the Seanad from abolition. Enda Kenny was speaking this (Monday) evening at the MacGill Summer School in

MacGill: Enda Kenny says politicians will no longer get away with corruption Read More »

Willie McAteer due in court in relation to alleged financial irregularities at Anglo

Two men are due in court this afternoon, as part of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at Anglo Irish Bank. The former Anglo Irish Bank Director Willie McAteer, who’s 56 and originally from Rathmullan, was detained this morning – whilst a second man – who’s also in his 50s – has also been arrested.

Willie McAteer due in court in relation to alleged financial irregularities at Anglo Read More »

MacGill: Summer School founder says its reputation was hard won

This is the 32nd year of the MacGill Summer School, exploring the theme Reforming and Rebuilding the Republic. Tonight, Taoiseach Enda Kenny will address the event, this morning and this afternoon, the background to the Mahon and Moriarty Tribunals will come under the spotlight. The Director of the school is Dr Joe Mulholland. Speaking on

MacGill: Summer School founder says its reputation was hard won Read More »