Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal Councillor is calling for changes to the approved list of newspapers for the publication of planning notices. Cllr Jack Murray says there was recently a case where a potentially contentious application for wind turbines in Inishowen was missed by local people, because the notice appeared in the Irish Times. He says with three […]

Emergency services are attending the scene of a work place death in the Dunlewey area this morning. It is understood a man has died whilst using heavy machinery. Gardai remains at the scene – there are no further details at present.

Donegal parents are being warned that they can expect a call from the Police to collect their children if they are found to be under the influence of alcohol in Derry this weekend. Sergeant Sam Young has stated that extra patrols will be in place this weekend to identify Donegal youth’s either drinking illegally or

A number of key school projects across Co Donegal have been overlooked in the five-year School Building Programme according to Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children Charlie McConalogue. The Donegal North East TD says while the Donegal projects confirmed yesterday are welcome, there are other schools not mentioned, and it now seems they will have to

Donegal Sinn Fein Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn has urged the Government to come clean on the bailout fund’s link to the Fiscal Compact. His party has taken issue with the claim that rejection of the agreement will prevent Ireland from accessing the European Stability Mechanism in the future – Most experts predict that will be

A 42 year old man has been arrested in Strabane on suspicion of dissident republican activity. He’s being detained at the serious crimes suite at Antrim Police Station.

The vigilante group Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) in Derry have admitted the shooting of two young men in the city last week. The group said that the shooting was for an unprovoked attack on a republican activist and rejected claims by the father of one of the victims that he was forced to witness

A man who killed a teenager in a bar on Arranmore has had his sentence hearing adjourned for over two weeks. Last month a Central Criminal Court jury found 41 year-old Stephen Boyle not guilty of the murder but guilty of the manslaughter of Paul Boyle, aged 19, at Early’s Bar, Leabgarrow, Arranmore on October

The latest statistics on drinking water quality in Donegal show that last year Aluminuim Levels in parts of the county were relatively high. In parts of east Inishowen, some samples from the public water supply showed aluminium levels 20 times greater than that recorded in Letterkenny. A sample taken from the water in Donegal Town

A Donegal Councillor says flawed logic appears to be governing policy relating to septic tank inspections. It’s emerged that septic tanks in parts of Donegal will be among the first to be targetted when inspections begin next year. The Irish Independent has published figures this morning suggesting that tanks in the Swilly and Crana catchments

Martin McGuinness has today called on vigilante group RAAD to issue a clear and definitive statement removing all threats to young people in Derry and to disband the group. In a statement the North’s Deputy First leader said RAAD have nothing at all to do with Irish Republicanism and as oppressors of the community in

A 13 year old boy from Newtowncunningham has appeared at Derry Magistrates’ Court this morning, charged in connection with incidents on the Madamsbank Road in Derry last night. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons was charged with riotous behaviour and causing damage to a police land-rover. He was bailed to his parents’

Educate Together in Letterkenny is to get a new school, with construction to begin in 2015. The school is one of three Donegal additions to the government’s Five Year programme. The other two new additions are extensions to Deele College in Raphoe and Little Angels in Letterkenny. Both of those are to begin in 2014.

A security alert ended in Derry last night after a suspicious object was declared a hoax. Madamsbank Road was closed for a time as a result of the alert. Up to 80 youths gathered in the area, attacked police and set fire to traffic cones. The road has since reopened.

It’s emerged that septic tanks in parts of Donegal will be among the first to be targetted when inspections begin next year. According to the Irish Independent, tanks in Donegal, Galway, Monaghan, Louth, Cork, Laois and Wexforde will be the first to be inspected because, the paper says, they are believed to be a threat

Up to 1000 people attended a rally calling for vigilante group Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) to disband in the Guildhall Square over the weekend. The public protest was organised by the ‘RAAD – Not In Our Name’ group and was attended by MLAs and councillors from both Sinn Fein and the SDLP. Recently, RAAD

Anti-household charge campaigners have condemned plans by the government to track down people who do not pay tax, through utility bills. The Sunday Times yesterday reported that the move follows discussions with the Data Protection Commissioner. Just 12 percent of homes have so far signed up to pay the 100 euro tax – which is

Hundreds of parents, teachers and community groups have turned out for a protest in Donegal this afternoon – in opposition to cutbacks to education. The demonstration is underway in the Market Square in Letterkenny. The rally is being addressed by a number of speakers including President of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, the Reverend John

Sinn Fein says ‘bully boy’ tactics are being used to scare the Irish people into passing the forthcoming referendum on the fiscal treaty. The party’s foreign affairs spokesperson says Sinn Fein will lead political opposition to the Eurozone agreement. Members of the party are meeting in the Dublin today to discuss their strategy for a

The civil retrial of two men being sued over the 1998 Omagh bombing is set for October, a judge confirmed yesterday. Mr Justice Gillen said he was setting aside up to six weeks to hear the case against Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly. He also set out his intention to deliver a verdict within a

The threat from the vigilante group Republican Action Against Drugs(RAAD) against two Derry men has been lifted. Following the shooting earlier this week of Ciaran McFadden and his cousin Sean by RAAD there were reports that two other young men were due to be shot in connection with the same incident the McFaddens had been

Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey has met with Senior Police Officers in Derry to highlight the ongoing threat from Republican Action Against Drugs, who carried out the recent shootings. Two cousins were shot during the week by the group. It’s believed the shootings took place after what was effectively a fight in a bar in the

A British Royal Navy submariner has appeared in court charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act. 29-year-old Petty Officer Edward Devenney, from Strabane, was remanded in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Devenney was arrested in Plymouth on Tuesday morning and charged on Wednesday night. Wearing a blue polo shirt and jeans, he confirmed his name

An anti-austerity walk from Malin Head to Dublin gets underway today. The trek, expected to take three weeks, is being undertaken by Donegal Action Against Austerity. One of those taking part is unemployed builder Joe Murphy He believes what they are undertaking will make a difference:

4.5 million euro is to spent in Donegal over the next couple of years tackling racism and sectarianism. The money comes through the EU’s Peace Three Programme and will be used to promote greater community integration within Donegal and on a cross border basis. This is the second tranche of funding for the project which

Deputy Pearse Doherty has said he believes he was unfairly treated after he was banned from the Dail for two days yesterday. He was ordered to leave yesterday for failing to quit his questioning into the background of Ireland’s most senior civil servant. The Donegal South West Deputy wanted to know whether he could ask

A Derry father has told of his horror as he witnessed his 20-year-old son being shot in Derry this week. Kieran McFadden’s son, also Kieran, was shot in the leg in the Bogside on Wednesday night. A cousin was shot in both legs. The group Republican Action Against Drugs carried out the attack. Mr McFadden

Police in Foyle investigating the sudden death of Michelle Clift have renewed their appeal for any information relating to her last known movements. Forty-one year old Michelle was last seen leaving her home address in Foyle Park around 8.30am on February 29th. Her body was recovered from the river close to playing fields in Coshowen

There has been a broad welcomed to the news that two Donegal festivals have been allocated €70,000 from the Government. The Rory Gallagher international Tribute Festival is to receive €20,000,  while the Earagail Arts Festival has been allocated €50,000. The announcement was made from the Tourism and Sport Minister under Fáilte Ireland’s Festival Funding Allocations

The Earth is being battered by the largest solar storm in five years – but scientists say so far there have been no reported problems. It was triggered by a massive solar flare earlier in the week and grew as it raced outward from the sun. There were fears the storm could interfere with power

Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty has been suspended from the Dáil after refusing to obey the orders of the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Barrett. The dispute arose when Deputy Doherty made allegations about the new Secretary General at the Department of Finance. Mr Doherty told the Dáil that John Moran had headed up a company that

The driver the Clonmany crash in which eight people where killed has been sent forward for trial to Letterkenny Circuit Court on May 1st. Shaun Kelly, 23, from Hillroad, Ballymagan, Buncrana, had been charged with causing the death of the seven passengers travelling in his car and another man, Hugh Friel on 11th July 2010.

Two Donegal festivals have received a significant funding boost from Failte Ireland today. I was confirmed that The Rory Gallagher international Tribute Festival will receive €20,000  while the Earagail Arts Festival has been allocated €50,000. The money was allocated under Fáilte Ireland’s Festival Funding Allocations for 2012.

Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty has been suspended from the Dáil after refusing to obey the orders of the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Barrett. The dispute arose when Deputy Doherty made allegations about the new Secretary General at the Department of Finance. Mr Doherty told the Dáil that John Moran had headed up a company that

The Uncle of two men shot in Derry last night says RAAD carried out the shooting to instill fear and avoid reprisals for the murder of Andrew Allen in Buncrana last month. Brian McFadden was speaking after two of his nephews were shot in a punishment style shooting in the Bogside area of Derry last

A Judge in Donegal has agreed there are a “number of shortcomings” in relation to speed camera vans across the country. In Buncrana District court this morning a number of Inishowen solicitors challenged the legality of the speed vans, which have been in operation since November 2010 Solicitors Frank Dorrian, Pat McMyler and Ciaran MacLochlainn

The Donegal Women’s Domestic Violence Service has taken 385 calls from concerned women in the first two months of this year alone. The organisation released the figures to Highland Radio on what is  International Women’s Day. The service’s mission statement is to empower and support women to regain, reclaim and retain control of their lives

The Mayor of Letterkenny is seeking legal advice having been the centre of serious allegations by a Member of Parliament in West Minster. MP Jim Shannon made the allegations under ‘Parliamentary Privilege’, which allows a Member of the House to openly say what they like without the fear of  legal prosecution. Those rules apply to

Two men have been shot a number of times in the Bogside area of Derry. The attack happened at around 11 o’clock last night. The men are being treated in hospital – their injuries are not life-threatening. If the patern of recent times is followed, last night’s shootings are most likely the work of vigilante

Startling figures released to coincide with International Women’s Day reveal that 770 women and children have accessed domestic violence services in a single day. Safe Ireland says it took a snapshot of the situation on November 4th 2011 – the fourth one-day census carried out by the group. Spokesperson Caitriona Gleeson says it’s positive that

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children Charlie McConalogue has said that patients in Donegal and across the country are facing bigger bills under the health reform plans being pursued by the Minister for Health James Reilly. According to the Deputy, new research shows that the Government’s plans change Ireland’s health service to the Dutch health model

Further details of this weekends demonstration against cuts in primary schools in Donegal have been announced. Protesters will meet at the Port Road in Letterkenny at 2pm, and from there they will walk to the Market Square, were a number of people, including representatives of the INTO will address those in attendance. It was announced

Police in Derry are appealing for witnesses following a report of a robbery that occurred in the Ardmore Road area of the City during the early hours of this morning, Thursday 8th March. The 25 year old man was walking in the area shortly before 12.30am when he was knocked to the ground by two

Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh claims a Government plan to allow the household charge be paid in Post Offices comes off the back of public demand. Currently the tax could only be paid at Council offices or by Direct Debit. Deputy McHugh says by letting the tax be paid at Post Offices the Government are not

It’s expected that the Government will announce in the coming days that the household charge will be able to be paid in Post Offices. Currently the tax could only be paid at Council offices. Donegal North East Deputy Joe McHugh says by letting the tax be paid at Post Offices the Government are not trying

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill has received confirmation that nine primary schools in Donegal will lose a teacher from September. Senator O’Domnhaill received the information from Education Minister Ruairí Quinn and he says it amounts to at least 30 teaching posts. The Minister was responding to questions from the Senator. In addition he says all 101

A judge in Donegal asked today if anything could be done to keep drugs out of prison. He was dealing with a defendant who received counselling for his addiction but relapsed when in Castlerea jail. Judge Kevin Kilrane made his comments following the jailing for five years earlier this week of prison officer Jarlath Walsh