Author name: oisinkelly

A security alert is ongoing in Derry with the Foyle Road closed and homes evacuated. Following the discovery of a suspicious device the Foyle road at its junctions with Craigavon bridge and Bishop street has been closed Police say up to 10 homes have also been evacuated as a result. Army bomb disposal experts have […]

Police in Foyle are investigating reports of two seperate incidents last weekend which they believed are linked and come as a resault of fights being organsised through social networking, At around 1am on Saturday morning a 28 year old man was assaulted by a group of unknown youths on the Old Strabane road, earlier there

There seems to be a slowdown in the numbers registering to pay the new household charge. To date, just over 891 thousand homeowners have paid the 100 euro tax. That’s about 1,000 more since yesterday. The Local Government Management Agency, who have been tasked with collecting the charge, say just over 1,000 households a day

Donegal County Council has been heavily criticised for not sending over any representatives for the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America this year. According to Letterkenny Town Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh, members of the Donegal Association in New York were disappointed that the County Council had no representative at the parade. Councillor Kavanagh, who was

An agency which helps people sort out their finances dealt with a record number of new clients in the first three months of the year. MABS, the Money Advice and Budgetting Service operates at 60 locations across the country. The agency has offices in Letterkenny, Buncrana,  Donegal Town and Derrybeg. The Agency says it regularly

A lot of land in Donegal will have the lowest reserve when houses, land and an unfinished housing estate go under the hammer for the first time in an Allsop Space auction next month.. The one-acre site at Beechwood Park, Convoy has a reserve of just 5,000 euro. This will be the second of five

The full property tax – when introduced – will be graduated and related to site value. That’s according to the Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte, who says it’ll be a more fair payment whereby wealthy people pay more than those on lower incomes. The comments follow the controversy sparked by the household charge – an

Twice as many women in Donegal as men suffer a stroke each year. New figures from the Irish Heart Foundation show that out of 86 stroke-related deaths in Donegal in 2010, 56 women died compared to 30 men. The statistics were released to mark the start of National Stroke Week. Dr Angie Brown, medical director

A Fianna Fail Town Cllr came in for criticism from his fellow members last night when he put forward a motion calling on Letterkenny Town Council to show it’s concern as the current government continues to attack rural Ireland. The Mayor of Letterkenny, Cllr Gerry McMonagle claimed that Cllr Tadgh Culbert had some neck on

TD Thomas Pringle says the recent case of a Donegal man who has been denied treatment in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin has highlighted the complete failure of the government’s health policy. Last week Thomas Keaveney from Convoy, revealed on Highland Radio that his treatment for chronic pain will no longer be available to him

Letterkenny can become a tourism hub in the Northwest. Donegal County Councils Tourism Development Officer told Letterkenny Town Council last night that the town has the potential to become the county’s centre of tourism. With Letterkenny within close proximity of Glenveigh National Park and Sliabh Liag, plus the opportunities that will come with Derry becoming

Six men arrested following an Easter Commemoration in Derry on Monday have been released without charge. The men had been arrested and brought to Antrim PSNI station during a follow up operation after a masked member of the Real IRA read a statement at the event threatening further attacks against the police.

It has been claimed that management of The Milford Inn are ‘hopeful’ that the hotel will be open and operational again by July this year. It was announced last Thursday that the Milford Inn went into administration. It is understood the hotel, which operates under the Best Western brand and is part of the Blaney

Letterkenny Town Council is to hear calls for the holding of ‘town hall’ type meetings which would allow the public engage more with the council. The proposal is coming from Councillor Dessie Larkin who wants the meetings in different areas of the town at least once a year. He believes the council should be more

The Teachers Union of Ireland is threatening a period of industrial unrest if there are further wage cuts in the sector. The TUI – which is holding its annual conference in Wexford – says the pay and conditions of second and third level teachers have been eroded in recent years. The union says the standard

A former head of IDA Ireland has called for a special cross-border development zone to be set up to give a boost to the economic development of the border regions of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. At a recent conference, Padraic White emphasised that “the immediately adjoining border areas have common economic threats but

HSE figures show more than 80% of patients copming to the Emergency Department at Letterkenny General Hospital are admitted or discharged within six hours, and over 90% are seen within nine hours. Donegal North East Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn says this is nother reason why Letterkenny General Hospital should not face cuts of millions to

The Chair of the Joint Policing Committee in Donegal says an analysis of burglary figures for 2011 proves the need to strengthen rather than cut garda resources in Donegal and the border counties. The comparative study published in today’s Irish Times shows there were 475 burglaries in Donegal last year, up 16% on the previous

Six men have been arrested in Derry after the Real IRA threatened police and soldiers with further violence at a republican commemoration in the City Cemetery yesterday. A number of commemorations took place across he North West on Sunday and yesterday, one of the biggest of them at Drumboe in Stranorlar on Sunday, addressed by

An analysis of burglary figures for 2011 shows a significant increase in the border counties, but a fall in the west of Ireland. The comparative study published in today’s Irish Times shows thjere were 475 burglaries in Donegal last year, up 16% on the previous year. There was a 20% rise in Cavan / Monaghan

An eight person has died at a private nursing home in Donegal, as part of a flu outbreak there. The patient passed away at Letterkenny General Hospital earlier today. This latest death is thought to have been caused by Influenza A – the flu strain that killed six other elderly people at the Nazareth Home

Police in Derry are appealing for information following an assault in the Mimosa Court area of the city on the evening of Saturday 7 April. At approximately 10.45pm, a 15 year old boy was assaulted by four masked men at the rear of a house, his injuries are not thought to be life threatening. The

A man in his 50’s who was being questioned by gardai in connection with the murder of another man in Donegal last February – has been released without charge. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. 24-year-old Andrew Allen, who was originally from Derry, was shot dead by gunmen at his

Gardai are continuing to question a man, in connection with the murder of another man in Donegal last February. 24-year-old Andrew Allen, who was originally from Derry, was shot dead by gunmen at his home at Links View Park in Buncrana. A Northern Irish man in his 50s was arrested yesterday. He’s still being detained

The HSE is monitoring the Nazarath Nursing home in Fahan after the death of another elderly patient. It’s not believed the death is linked to the current flu outbreak that killed six other elderly people at the same home in Buncrana. Influenza A was responsible for the deaths of the three women and three men,

A Letterkenny man has been elected President of the Union of Students in Ireland. 23 year old John Logue, a UCD law graduate will take up office on July 1st. He is a former USI Eastern Area Officer. Mr Logue has stated he is in favour of campaigning for a graduate tax, rather than continuing

Gardai says they’ll be mounting a preventative operation tomorrow in and around Buncrana after a group of over 100 youths took part in a beach party on the Shorefront on Good Friday last year. It’s understood the youths had arrived on buses from Northern Ireland, with several complaints about their behaviour, and the condition in

Over 2,000 people are being sought to make a “Chain For Life” from Falcarragh to Gortahork on Easter Sunday. It’s hoped that an unbroken line of people holding hands can be created between the chapels in the two towns, with money raised going to the Irish Cancer Society. Grace Sweeney is a member of the

There were 21,051 people on the Live Register in Donegal at the end of March, 216 down on February and 660 down on March 2011. That’s a year on year fall of 3%. The biggest year on year fall was registered in Killybegs, with 1,231 signing on, a fall of just over 9%. There were

The Milford Inn in Donegal has gone into liquidation. The hotel, which operates under the Best Western brand and is part of the Blaney Group closed its doors this morning. Around 55 jobs are set to go. At present, management and staff are in the process of contacting people with weddings and other events booked

The cause of a fire in a bar in County Donegal is under investigation by Gardai. The blaze broke out at Toland’s Bar, also known as the Hole in the Wall in St Johnston just before 1 o clock this morning. The Irish fire service said two crews from Donegal and two from Derry were

The Honorary Secretary of Strabane Rugby Club has said it could be forced to close after vandals spiked its ground with broken glass. The pitch at Bradley Way has been unplayable since the weekend, when smashed bottles were found driven into the turf. The club has already had to abandon one fixture. Robert Dirllon said

Donegal County Council says it is wrong to suggest it has failed to submit information on a zoning review to the government. Minister Jan O’Sullivan said not enough councils had published reviews and dezoned land which was zoned residential, with Donegal listed among those yet to comply. Donegal County Council was named yesterday as one

The Head of the Traffic Corps in Donegal is warning that it is an offence for drivers to be holding a mobile phone in their car, and penalty points and prosecutions may be imposed even of the person isn’t using it at the time. Inspector Michael Harrison was speaking as garda launch their Easter Road

Forty jobs are under threat after a nightclub in Strabane was placed into administration. The Northern Bank appointed a receiver to Katy Daly’s this week. The premises had been for sale for some time. The administrator, McClure and Watters, said the business would stay open in the short term, but its long-term future would be

Republican Action Against Drugs has claimed responsibility for the shooting of a man in front of his girlfriend and her baby daughter in Strabane. The victim is now recovering in hospital after being badly beaten and shot in the knee. Shortly before 10.30pm on Tuesday, four men wearing masks entered the house in Carlton Drive

The Garda force should lease vehicles for use rather than buy them, because an owned fleet is much more expensive to maintain and repair, Garda sergeants and inspectors have said. Sgt Paul Wallace from the Donegal division told delegates at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors that a vehicle that

The Irish Patients’ Association is urging all healthcare workers and visitors to nursing homes to ensure that they are vaccinated against the flu. Speaking to Highland Radio News this afternoon, CEO Stephen Mc Mahon said there’s traditionally been a low uptake of vaccinations by health care workers, and this needs to be addressed. Stephen Mc

Hundreds of euro worth of second hand clothes are being stolen from clothing banks across Donegal. It’s believed gangs are using bolt cutters to break in to the clothing banks. Last night a clothing bank in Carrigart was emptied of all the items of clothing that had been donated. James McFadden from St Vincent de

The ‘Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay’ campaign has hailed the boycott of the Household Charge as a resounding success. The ‘Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay’ campaign has hailed the boycott of the Household Charge as a resounding success. Their statement comes as it’s reported there’s been a 75% non-payment rate in Donegal. However, the council says that

Detectives investigating a sexual assault in the Waterloo Place area of Derry City on Monday 2nd April, are appealing for information on a Silver VW Golf car, believed to have been in the area at the time.  Police are keen to speak to the occupants of this car. Anyone who saw this vehicle in the

Police in Strabane are appealing for information after a 26-year-old man was shot in a punishment style attack in the town last night. A number of masked men entered a house in Carlton Drive last night at around 1030pm. The mans girlfriend and her daughter were in the house at the time. They assaulted the

It’s emerged that four of the six residents who died from influenza had been vaccinated against the flu. Eleven people there remain ill with varying degrees of symptoms – and doctors say they have concerns about some of these patients. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre says unfortunately, this year’s flu virus was not ideally matched

It was confirmed that a strain of flu was responsible for the deaths of six residents at Nazareth House in Fahan. Samples sent to the National Virus Reference Lab have tested positive for “Influenza A”. Three men and three women aged between 85 and 98 – have died at the home since March 22nd, while

TDs, Senators and MEPs disclosed political donations of just under 400 thousand euro last year. Of Donegal’s TDs, four disclosed donations. There were no donations disclosed by either of Donegal’s two senators, or by any of the three North West MEPs. Only donations above 634 euro 87 cent need to be disclosed. Of the three

It’s been confirmed this evening that the flu caused the deaths of 6 people at a Donegal nursing home. Three men and three women aged between the ages of 85 and 98 have died since March 22nd. Another 11 people were confirmed ill this morning. Experts say the samples taken tested positive for Influenza Type