Author name: oisinkelly

Mc Guinness offers to mediate in Scottish referendum row

The ongoing row between the British Government and Scottish Executive over Independence has surfaced in Dublin. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond used a visit here for the British Irish Council to accuse the London Government of “bullying” over the holding of a referendum. That’s been rejected by the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who’s

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Plans for ‘Wild Atlantic Drive’ from Slieve League along Ireland’s West coast

Plans are being drawn up for a “wild Atlantic drive” along Ireland’s West coastline to rival the most scenic road trips around the globe. Tourism chiefs are working on a link-up of existing routes from Donegal’s Slieve League to west Cork to draw in thrill-seeking motorists from overseas. The trail will be pitched to continental

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Fears grow for future of remaining 15 workers at Oatfield Confectionery

There are growing fears about the future of Oatfield Confectionery Plant in Letterkenny. The remaining 15 workers are becoming increasingly worried for their jobs. It follows the continual removal of key machinery and equipment and outsourcing of key ingredients. Oatfield Sweets have been manufactured in Letterkenny for more than 80 years. Mayor of Letterkenny, Cllr

Fears grow for future of remaining 15 workers at Oatfield Confectionery Read More »

Minister gives no guarantees on future of Lifford Community Hospital

Donegal Senator Brian O’Domhnaill has called for an initiative to bring community nursing units into line with modern standards. He was speaking after exchanges in the Seanad with Junior Health Minister Kathleen Lynch, who could give him no guarantees on the future of Lifford Hospital. Ms Lynch said the Department of Health is awaiting proposals

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Factory collapse closes Foyle Road from lower deck of Craigavon bridge in Derry

There are major traffic delays around Foyle Road and John Street in Derry, where a cordon went up last night around the old Hamilton Shirt Factory, which is now in a dangerous state because of a collapsed wall. It’s feared the building is in imminent danger of collapse, and a demolition order has been issued.

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Donegal investors conned out of 1 million euro in ‘Ponzi scheme’

The Irish Examiner today reports how a former estate agent who stole €1.6m after he used solicitor Gerald Keane’s name to encourage 25 investors to participate in a “Ponzi” scheme has been jailed for six years. Eamonn Kelly (aged 48), who previously owned two RE/MAX Auctioneers franchises, told investors that they could make €15,000 profit

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Plight of potato farmers here is indicative of what’s happening in horticulture sector

Junior Agriculture Minister Shane Mc Entee says he has warned the supermarket sector that it is endangering the future of fruit and vegetable production in Ireland through below cost selling. Mr Mc Entee says the horticulture sector is becoming the victim in a supermarket price war, and he may have to take action to deal

Plight of potato farmers here is indicative of what’s happening in horticulture sector Read More »

Inishowen project officer to get most from Derry’s year as City of Culture

Buncrana Town Council is to join up with Inishowen Tourism to try and reap the benefits from Derry’s year as City of Culture in 2013. Inishowen Tourism are to appoint a project officer, who will look at different initiatives, to see which ones are achieveble and what will best benefit the Northwest region. Buncrana Town

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Deputy Mac Lochlainn calls on Health Minister to open new Letterkenny A&E Ward

Donegal North East Deputy, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn is to seek a Dáil debate today on the ongoing overcrowding at Letterkenny General Hospital’s Accident and Emergency ward. Earlier this week all Outpatient Clinics were cancelled at the Hospital after what was described as unprecedented numbers attending A&E overnight. Deputy Mac Lochlainn has described the conditions for

Deputy Mac Lochlainn calls on Health Minister to open new Letterkenny A&E Ward Read More »

Buncrana Leisure Centre will stay open with €20,000 extra council funding

One person who is welcoming yesterdays budget is the Chairperson of the Board of Management at Buncrana Leisure Centre. As a result of yesterdays amended budget, Buncrana Leisure Centre will now receive 20 thousand euro that was to be cut from its funding. If that funding had of been cut the leisure centre was faced

Buncrana Leisure Centre will stay open with €20,000 extra council funding Read More »

Council finally passes budget for 2012 after two days of negotiations

Donegal County Council passed its budget for 2012 last evening after two full days of negotiations. In the end Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Labour and three Independents backed the budget while Sinn Fein and Councillor John Campbell opposed it. The extensive negotiations meant a number of amendments to the draft budget – these include 400

Council finally passes budget for 2012 after two days of negotiations Read More »

Senator Harte accuses Deputy Doherty of blatant hypocrisy

Senator Jimmy Harte has accused Donegal South-West Deputy, Pearse Doherty of blatant hypocrisy. He claims Deputy Doherty is scaremongering local communities about the situation with rural schools. Speaking to Highland Radio News yesterday, Deputy Pearse Doherty called on his fellow Donegal TD’s to support a Sinn Féin motion on Thursday which calls on the government

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Court hears that Gardai were surrounded by more than 100 clubbers in Gweedore

A number of people have been charged following a melee in Gweedore when four gardai were surrounded by more than 100 clubbers outside a chip shop. Nine men were accused at Dungloe District Court yesterday of 22 offences which included public disorder, obstructing gardai and assault on three of them. Two of the men, a

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Donegal man accused of wrongly claiming Jobseekers’ benefits

A 55-year-old man has been sent for trial accused of defrauding the Department of Social Protection of €3,700. John Harley, of Gortnabrade, Carrigart appeared at Dungloe District Court today on 19 counts accusing him of defrauding the Department at the Public Service Centre in Gweedore Rd, Dungloe between August 27, 2009, and March 8th last

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Deputy Pearse Doherty calls on Donegal Deputies to support Sinn Fein motion

Government TD’s in Donegal are coming under pressure to seek a reversal of cuts in education, particularly to schools in disadvantaged areas in Donegal. Sinn Féin TD for Donegal South West, Pearse Doherty has called on local TDs to support the Sinn Féin motion on Thursday which calls on the government to reverse cuts to

Deputy Pearse Doherty calls on Donegal Deputies to support Sinn Fein motion Read More »

Father of girl with brittle bone disease says family may be forced to move to UK

The father of a five year-old girl who suffers from a rare bone disorder has said his family may have to move to the UK again if their daughter doesn’t receive the specialist treatment she needs. Sarah Morrison was born with brittle bone disease. Her father, Phillip, says he wants his daughter to receive specialist

Father of girl with brittle bone disease says family may be forced to move to UK Read More »

All clinics at Letterkenny General Hospital cancelled after extremely busy night

All Outpatient Clinics have been cancelled at Letterkenny General Hospital this morning after what’s been described as unprecedented numbers attending A&E overnight. The 20 bed overflow ward is full, with twelve patients now being accommodated in Outpatient department, while there are seven patients on trolleys in casualty. As a result, the medical clinics of Dr

All clinics at Letterkenny General Hospital cancelled after extremely busy night Read More »

Donegal County Council’s stalled budget meeting resumes this morning

Donegal County Council’s stalled budget meeting resumes today, with no signs yet of a resolution. Today is the government’s deadline for a decision, with fears that failure to agree a budget will lead to Environment Minister Phil Hogan by-passing the council, and appointing a commissioner to run the county. Before Christmas, the draft budget was

Donegal County Council’s stalled budget meeting resumes this morning Read More »

Mayor calls IBAL litter report on Letterkenny “spiteful and ludicrous”

The Mayor of Letterkenny has described the latest IBAL Litter Report as both “spiteful and ludicrous”. The survey placed Letterkenny 49th in a list of 53 towns, describing it as “littered”. However, Cllr mc Monagle takes exception to the finding, saying the report gives the town a mixture of As, Bs and Cs with most

Mayor calls IBAL litter report on Letterkenny “spiteful and ludicrous” Read More »