Author name: oisinkelly

Two teenagers from Donegal are in the running to be named Youth Entrepreneurs of the Year 2012. 14-year-olds Aoibhinn and Ria Gallagher from Ballyshannon are among six finalists who will have their businesses judged in Dublin on Thursday. The girls produce a pre-packed baking mixture which they sell to local businesses. The manager of the […]

The dangers of meningitis and septicaemia are being highlighted today, on World Meningitis Day. The illness causes the deaths of around 1-thousand children around the globe every day. Those who survive can be affected with brain damage, blindness, deafness, behavioural problems and memory loss. Clodagh Hegarty is with the Meningitis Research Foundation – and explains

77 schools across the country have been given the green light today to replace their rented prefabs with permanent classrooms. Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has announced the first round of approvals which will see 14 million euro spent on the building of 94 mainstream and 57 learning support classrooms. It’s part of a 35 million

Former County Manager Michael McLoone has again defended the Whole System of Work after the controversial project hit the headlines once again. The Irish independent reports states the Council ignored a damning report in paying an extra €90,000 to consultancy firm – that payment has been defended by the council today. The WSW is a

A silent protest in opposition to cutbacks at a home for intellectually disabled people in Sligo takes place this evening. The rally’s been organised by the families and friends of Cregg House’s residents, and by staff members. It’s understood talks between management and the HSE over the 1.3 million euro cut in funding for the

The future of Letterkenny General Hospital and the health service in Donegal is the subject of a public meeting being hosted by Siptu in the Mount Errigal Hotel this evening. The union says cutbacks in the hospital’s funding and the outsourcing of some services including the shop are causes for concern, as is the moratorium

A Donegal TD is urging parents not to resort to moneylenders to pay for First Communions in the coming weeks. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children Charlie Mc Conalogue says a recent EBS survey suggests that Irish parents will spend a total of €33 million over the next few weeks on their children’s First Communions, while

The SDLP’s Colum Eastwood has been replaced on the Stormont justice committee by the Mid-Ulster assembly member, Patsy McGlone. The Foyle MLA was at the centre of controversy last week over his attendance at the paramilitary-style funeral of Seamus Coyle, who Mr Eastwood has described as a close friend. His party colleague, Mark H Durkan,

Gardai in Letterkenny are appealing for information about a weekend incident in the Glenoughty Close area of the town in which a car was destroyed in a fire. The incident happened in the early hours of yesterday morning, with gardai saying the woman who lives in the house outside which the fire happened had to

Gardai in Buncrana are continuing to question a man who was arrested yesterday morning in relation to the murder of Andrew Allen in February. The 24 year old died after being shot through the window of his home at Lisfannon in February. The man, in his thirties, was arrested in an undisclosed location in County

A man has been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Andrew Allen outside Buncrana in February. The man, in his thirties, was arrested in County Donegal this morning, and is being held at Buncrana Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. Earlier this month,

A spokesperson for the Department of the Environment says around 300 thousand homes will be unable to have a water meter installed – during the inital roll out of the scheme. But the Department expects that figure will be much lower as the scheme continues – and that the exact number will be a matter

Udaras na Gaeltachta has approved the appouintment of a new Chief Executive. Last evening, the Board of Údarás confirmed that Steve Ó Cúláin will take over the top job, subject to completion of contractual arrangements. He’s been with an t-Udaras since 1980, and is currently employed as Planning and Policy Manager. Glencolmcille Udaras Chairperson Liam

An arrest warrant has been issued for a man accused of raping a teenage girl in the grounds of Foyle and Londonderry College in Derry.   Adam Titheridge, who has an address in Sittingbourne, Kent, is accused of raping the 15-year-old girl on July 8, last year. The 20-year-old is also accused of assaulting the

The Catholic Church is describing as “inconclusive”, a meeting in Pomeroy last night. The meeting, involving parents and representatives of the Archdiocese of Armagh, discussed an incident involving a local priest last month. The meeting was called after indecent images were projected onto a screen during a power-point presentation that Father McVeigh was giving at

The Manager of the City of Derry Airport says the loss of the Flybe routes this summer are dissapointing but not all together suprising. Flybe’s service out of Derry was introduced for a four month period, the airline has this week confirmed that the route will not be returning for 2012. Damien Tierney says that

The Killybegs based Atlantic Dawn Group has launched boar fish on the Chinese market with the hope that it could lead to a multi million euro revenue stream. Karl McHugh, joint chief executive of Atlantic Dawn Group, is currently in China with the fisheries Minister trying to tap in to the market. The company has

There are calls for An Taisce to withdraw its highly critical report on local planning practices in Ireland after the heritage body admitted it was flawed. In the report Donegal ranked as having the worst planning system in the country . The report was based on  eight aggregated scores for each county, however overzoning was

Voters are turning their anger on the coalition – according to a new opinion poll. The IPSOS-MRBI survey for the Irish Times, shows support for both Fine Gael and Labour is down, satisfaction with the Government, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste all take a hit. Meanwhile support for Sinn Féin and others is up substantially.

PARC has welcomed the implementation of legislation which closes a loophole which allowed up to 75% of people convicted in court of a motoring offence to escape penalty points. As it stands, a driver summoned to court is not directed to take their license with them which means that in many cases no record of

Donegal County Council is to meet with Coillte to discuss imposing weight limits on forestry roads. Cllr Martin Harley moved a motion calling for a  limit of 17 Tonnes to be imposed. Officials suggested a blanket ban might not be appropriate, and said individual roads could be considered after consultation. Cllr Harley says rather than

Thw ‘tow path’ section of the Strabane Canal will open for the first time in 50 years this June. Strabane District Council announced this week it will be officially opening a section of the canal in Ballymagorry for public access in June 2012 for the summer season. The ‘tow path’ aspect of the project will

An elderly man has died in a house fire in Castlederg. He died when a blaze broke out at a detached bungalow in the Munie Road area on Thursday morning. The incident was reported to the emergency services at 11.35am. The alarm was raised by a family member who discovered the fire on arrival at

St. Eunan’s National School in Raphoe, has won this year’s Show Racism the Red Card, Creative Competition. Over 120 schools participated in the competition – which asked pupils to come up with different ways to get across an anti racism message. St. Eunan’s were awarded the top prize of a laptop for their school at

Gardaí have launched an investigation after a man was stabbed in Letterkenny overnight. The man, in his late 20’s, was taken to taken to Letterkenny General Hospital, his injuries are not believed to be critical. The assault happened at around 1030pm in the Mountain Top area. A man in his late 30’s was arrested at

The family of a Derry schoolboy killed by a plastic bullet fired by a soldier 30 years ago have called for a fresh inquest into the killing. Eleven-year-old Stephen McConomy was playing with friends in the Bogside when he was shot in the head. The soldier, from the Royal Anglian Regiment, claimed he fired the

Donegal County Council are to officially honour the memory of Garda Gary McLoughlin, who was killed in the line of duty three years ago. 24-year-old Garda McLoughlin was killed when he was struck by a car in Burt. Donegal County Council is to hold a special reception at the County House in Lifford on the

An investigation is under way in Derry after a sonar scan revealed a submarine-shaped object buried in the bed of the River Foyle. The discovery has sparked speculation that it might be a German U-boat from World War Two. The image was captured by Mallow Search and Rescue who are often called upon during search

Donegal North East Deputy Charlie McConalogue has said households in Donegal should be given the option of getting approved water meters installed themselves, instead of paying  €800 over 20 years. The Fianna Fail representative has also called on Minister Hogan to clarify if  homes in Co Donegal that already have water meters fitted will also

Fáilte Ireland is to provide support totalling €180,000 for ten festivals taking place all around Ireland this year including the Donegal International Rally. Funding will be provided by Fáilte Ireland to support the events based on their ability to generate tourism bednights in their respective locations. The Donegal International Rally features three days of motorsport

An elderly man who was missing from the Bruckless Village area of South Donegal has been found dead. The alarm was raised last evening when the man was reported missing. Gardai, the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team, the Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team as well as a SARDA search dog unit took part in the search.

Donegal Independent Deputy Thomas Pringle says that while he is not pro abortion, he does want the Government to implement the X-Case ruling. A debate on a Private Members’ Bill continues in the Dáil this morning – it calls for limited access to abortion in Ireland. It comes 20 years after a Supreme Court judge

The organisers of the event which saw many buildings and landmarks in Letterkenny turn blue last night to raise awareness of autism, have said they are overwhelmed by the response. The Letterkenny Autism Family Support Group was behind the initiative which saw a number of landmarks and businesses lit up blue, many people also donned

The Gweebarra Conservation Group has joined what it says is a the growing chorus of community and environment groups in Donegal concerned at the amount of  ‘preferred areas for wind farm development’ included in the new draft County Development Plan. Councillors will vote on the plan, which will govern development in the county up to

A major step in the drive to promote Donegal as a golf tourism destination has been taken today with the publication of a 12 page supplement in the Irish Independent. The pull-out promotes the county’s golf courses and other amenities. Earlier this year, tourism Minister Leo Varadker said promoting Donegal’s golf courses on the back

Preparations for the Donegal element of next year’s National Gathering have moved forward this week with the launch of the Donegal Gathering website. Speaking at the launch, Mayor Noel Mc Bride said that following a highly successful online event in February, Donegal council is again leading the way as the first county to launch its

Four in ten voters still don’t know which way they’ll vote on the European Fiscal Treaty referendum, according to a new opinion poll. The Irish Times poll published today shows that 30 per cent of voters intend to vote yes -23 per cent will vote no – but 39 per cent of people have yet

A secondary school in Derry is considering installing technology to block mobile phone signals. The Principal of St Cecilia’s College has warned pupils during assembly that she is concerned at a number of isues, including the possibility of photographs and videos being taken and spread, and reports of fights being organised. Kathleen Gormley’s threat comes

A North West MEP says any increase in diesel prices would be devastating. Jim Higgins’ comments come ahead of a vote tomorrow on an EU Commission proposal to tax fuels according to their energy content and polluting potential. This would reduce the tax advantage diesel has over petrol, and cause prices to increase. Yesterday, Donegal

An Inishowen Councillor has described the sentences handed out to two Derry men who robbed a service station in Muff as nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Steve Smith, 22, from 32 Bradley Way, Derry and Mark Villa, 18, from 75 Marianus Park, Hazelbank Derry pleaded guilty to robbery at Carndonagh District Court.

The overcrowding problem which led to the cancellation of a number of clinics today has been underlined by the latest trolley watch figures from the INMO. An exceptionally busy night in the Emergency Department means that 12 people are either waiting or being treated on trolleys at the hospital Such is the level of overcrowding

Donegal Independent TD Thomas Pringle has started a legal challenge against the Government over fundamental aspects of two European Union treaties. Deputy Pringle is to ask the court if the European Stability Mechanism treaty could be passed without ratification by the Irish public and to assess if it went against principles previously ratified by Irish

Staff at a Donegal based government department have threatened to go on strike if they are forced to make 90km round trips to work. Clerical officers at a Department of Agriculture local office have backed plans for industrial action after being told they will be redeployed to work in offices miles from their base in

Two Derry men charged with the robbery of a petrol station in Muff this weekend have been sentenced to six months detention. Steve Smith, 22, from 32 Bradley Way, Derry and Mark Villa, 18, from 75 Marianus Park, Hazelbank Derry pleaded guilty to robbery at Carndonagh District Court. The court heard how Smith and Villa

The Director of Water Services with Donegal County Council has said the future of water provision is at a crossroads following confirmation that Irish Water is to be a subsidiary of Bord Gais. Irish Water is to take over the function of water supply from local authorities, with questions being now being raised about group

The retrial of a man accused of murdering a woman pregnant with his child has heard that he told a female friend that the victim was worried that he “was going to do something to her”. 39-year-old Stephen Cahoon, admits killing 30-year-old Jean Quigley in Derry in July 2008, but he denies murder. The mother-of-four

The regeneration company Ilex has defended the cost of the opening ceremony of the Peace Bridge in Derry. The figure was given in response to a question put to the office of the first and deputy first ministers. Foyle SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said he was shocked at the £263,410 cost: But Head of Communications

A number of  Outpatient Clinics have been cancelled at Letterkenny General Hospital this morning after what’s been described as a very bust night in the Emergency Department.. As a result, the medical clinics of Dr Mohammad, Dr Steel and  Dr Patel have been cancelled. Today’s ENT clinic has also been cancelled. People are being urged

A motion directing the County Manager not to use people’s uitility bills and other private information to determine if they have paid the Household Charge has been passed by Donegal County Council. The motion, initially moved at the end of March by Cllr Jack Murray, has been the source of much debate both inside and