Author name: oisinkelly

There have been reports of three whales and a dolphin have been found beached in recent days. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group says it recieved reports of a pilot whale on Fintra Beach in south Donegal earlier this week. And in the latest discovery, a male sperm whale was found stranded on Omey Island […]

Buncrana Town Council has committed to make every effort to ensure Inishowen benefits to the maximum from Derry being the City of Culture 2013. The issue was raised at the December monthly meeting of Buncrana Town Council by Cllr Ciaran McLaughlin who called for a meeting with the Derry City of Culture Committee 2013. He

Aliens There were 61 reported sightings of UFO’s in Ireland this year, only one of those came from Donegal. The UFO research association of Ireland revealed that sightings were up 75% on 2010. There were a further three reported UFO sightings in Sligo. While many believe airborne Chinese lanterns or balls of lighting are responsible,

The PSNI have confirmed that a security alert in Strabane today was an elaborate hoax, investigations are underway. All roads that were closed are now reopen. Earlier today Bridge Street was closed to traffic and pedestrians, while the the Fiveways junction at Bradley Way was also been closed. The hoax today caused much disruption in

Army bomb experts have been sent to the scene of a security alert in Strabane. Police were called to Bridge Street after a suspect object was found at a tyre depot, close to the back of a local Chinese take-away. Bridge Street is closed to traffic and pedestrians, while the the Fiveways junction at Bradley

A Priest involved in a out-of-court settlement after allegations of a sex assault has been banned from saying Mass where he now lives, in France, according to the Irish Independent. Father Andrew McCloskey paid out €20,000 in 2005 to a man who claimed he had been sexually assaulted by him when he was 18. A

The most recent hospital performance indicators published by the HSE show Letterkenny General Hospital is generally performing well, but money remains a serious problem. The hospital is rated as performing very well in many areas, with room for improvement in others. However, the figures show that at the end of October, Letterkenny General was just

The number of people arrested in Donegal on suspicion of drink-driving over the Christmas period has shown a significant drop on last year. 22 people were arrested on suspicion of drink-driving across the county from December 1st up to St Stephens Day, compared to 29 last year. Gardai say there was the same number of

Strong winds and rain will continue to pummel the county today, although temperatures will remain mild for this time of year. A storm depression tracking eastward over the Irish Sea brought strong and gale force winds with severe gusts hitting the north and northwest coast yesterday. Gusts of up 130kmh knocked down ESB powerlines in

Gardai in West Donegal are investigating a break in at Molloy’s Supermarket in Derrybeg on Christmas day. Thieves stole charity boxes that were. beside the  window they smashed. It is understood they then fled the scene without taking any more as an alarm activated on the premises.

The Deputy Mayor of Derry says a fire at the Sean Dolan’s clubhouse in the city last night is a blow for the GAA and the entire Creggan community. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, with Cllr Kevin Campbell saying arson hasn’t been ruled out. The overnight fire caused extensive damage to

The Road Safety Authority is advising people to be extra careful on the roads in the coming days – as Met Eireann has issued a severe weather warning. Winds gusting up to 140 kilometres per hour will batter the country today and tomorrow – which is likely to lead to fallen debris or tree branches

A road safety campaigner in Donegal is describing the possibility of further cuts to the Garda Road Traffic Corps as “ludicrous”. Mary Clinton of A-Ceart was speaking after it emerged that the number of Gardai in the traffic corps has already been cut from 12-hundred to 950, and is set to decrease further in 2012.

Former Oireachtas members in Donegal are paid a combined total of just over €404,000 in pension payments. According to the figures collated by the Irish Independent, the largest Oireachtas pensions being received by former Donegal Oireachtas members are going to Dr James Mc Daid at just over €97,000 and MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher at

Police in the Scottish Highlands are continuing their investigations into the death of a Donegal fisherman whose body was recovered from Ullapool Harbour on St Stephen’s Day. However, they do not suspect foul play. The search began on Monday after it emerged that  Philip Anthony Toland from Glengad hadn’t been seen since Christmas Day. His

The Letterkenny Joint Policing Committee is to hold a series of public meetings in the new year, aimed at briefing people on crime patterns in the area, and also seeking their views on how policing in Letterkenny should be prioritised. Cllr Dessie Larkin is Chairperson of Letterkenny JPC – He says seperate meetings will be

Donegal Local Development Company has published its end of year report, saying that all investment targets have been exceeded, particularly in the Leader programme. DLDC had been allocated just over a million euro for Leader in 2011, but had extra projects ready to proceed in the hope that extra money would become available. It then

The body of a Donegal born fisherman has been recovered from a harbour in Scotland. A search had begun for 34 year old Philip Anthony Toland from Glengad after it emerged he hadn’t been seen since at the pier in Ullapool in the early hours of Christmas morning. Police, Coastguard, the RNLI and Grampian Police

A 19-year-old man is seriously ill in hospital after he was found with head injuries in Omagh this morning. The man was found lying in Gardenville Avenue off the Gorteen Road just before 5 o’clock It is not yet known how he received his injuries. Police are appealing for information.

Donegal may be set to lose its unenviable reputation as one of the country’s most dangerous counties for drivers, with the number of deaths so far this year just a third of last year’s total. A comparitive study published by the Irish Independent today shows that based on last year’s Road Safety Authority statistics, Donegal

Police in Derry are appealing for information following an assault in the city in the early hours of Christmas morning. The PSNI say that shortly after 12.30 on Sunday morning,  a window of a house in Lapwing Way  was smashed, and a 31 year old man assaulted in the street by 2 unknown men. The

The Taoiseach has paid tribute to members of the Defence Forces serving abroad over the festive season. In his Christmas message, Enda Kenny also vowed that the government will make the unemployment crisis its main priority over the coming year. Mr Kenny urged people across the country to look after the elderly and vunerable over

Gardaí say there will be extra checkpoints in operation around the country over the Christmas period. Officers are targeting drink driving, speeding and the non wearing of seatbelts. Ireland’s road safety record has improved dramatically in recent years. Assistant Commissioner John Twomey says whilst one road death is one too many – he is congratulating

There’s been a traffic collision at Cashel na Gor, about three miles outside Buncrana on the main Carndonagh Road. Gardai say the nature of the collision is still being assessed, and the extent of injuries, if any, is not known. The road will be closed for as period, with diversions in place between Cockhill Bridge

Police in Derry are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision in the early hours of Wednesday 21 December. In a statement, police say at approximately 2.15am, a 23 year old man was involved in a collision with a vehicle close to a nightclub on the Strand Road. The man needed hospital treatment but

A decision on the future of Lifford Community Hospital and other facilities in Donegal could be known early in the new year. The Irish Times is reporting today that a draft service plan to be given to Health Minister Dr James Reilly by the HSE next week will include provision for the closure of 10

As expected, Derry City’s manager Stephen Kenny has confirmed he’s leaving the club. Stephen Kenny will become manager of Shamrock Rovers. He’ll replace Michael O’Neill, who is set to named new Northern Ireland manager. Kenny, in his second spell at Derry, had been contracted to Derry City for another season, and had been offered a

The govenrment has announced a suite of regulations and bye-laws that will govern the wild salmon fishery in 2012. Under the new arrangements, the Bungosteen River in the Ballyshannon fishery district will reopen on a catch and release basis in 2012 after being closed this year. However, two other rivers in Donegal will close next

The Mayor of Letterkenny says he believes the council has done the right thing by maintaining commercial rates as they are, but setting aside almost €100,000 for marketting and tourism support. Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle says while all members would like to see the rate decreased, there is a belief that a rate reduction would

Donegal Airport will share in a fund of almost  €5.4 million to cover operating costs. It’s a 12.5 per cent increase on the subsidy provided last year for the airports in Donegal, Sligo, Knock, Galway, Kerry and Waterford. Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has stressed that regional airports were expected to work towards achieving viability over

A security alert in East Tyrone, has now ended after a controlled explosion was carried out on a suspect device this afternoon. The device has been taken away for further forensic examination. The Moygashel Road had been closed 50 metres either side of Moygashel Mills Park. Residents who were moved during the alert, have returned

Letterkenny Dentist Dr Terence Fox’s practice is once again one of the five top earners from the Medical Card Scheme. The practice was paid €317,355 euro last year, the second highest amount in the state. However, in an indication of how the amounts paid under the scheme have fallen, the amount paid to the practice

Gardai in Letterkenny have confirmed they are investigating a computer scam after four bank accounts were raided of thousands of euro by Nigerian fraudsters. It is the first such scam of its kind in Donegal. Gardai in Letterkenny confirmed that at least four bank accounts had been targeted in the phishing scam, and efforts were

Lettekenny Town Council has adopted its budget for 2012 at the first time of asking. The council will spend €7.6 million next year, with the largest proportion, €2.2 million, going on the County Charge to cover services provided in the town by Donegal County Council. The council’s wage bill will be just under €1.8 million.

Buncrana Town Council has adopted its budget for 2012, with commmercial rates remaining unchanged. The council will spend a total of 3.27 million euro next year, 100,000 down on 2011. Tourism and promotion have been identified as priorities, with over 30,000 set aside for that purpose in the budget. Town Manager John Mc Laughlin says

A member of the Travelling community facing five counts of attempted murder has had a bail application refused. 46-year-old Michael Paul McDonagh of Mitford Walk, Crawley in Sussex appeared  by video link at Strabane Magistrate’s Court today. He faces five counts of attempted murder arising out of a multiple stabbing in Strabane on St Patrick’s

Buncrana Town Council is to look at developing a town market. The suggestion was made this afternoon after it emerged that 5 casual trading operations in the town have been shut down in recent times. Councillor Peter McLaughlin says that it would give casual traders an outlet in a way that would be fair to

Three small businesses in Strabane are to close with the loss of up to 15 part-time and full-time jobs. Five Star Fish Spa pulled its shutters down for a final time last week. Nearby, Priceless Shoes on Castle Street ceased trading on Sunday with the loss of five jobs. And children’s clothing shop Nippers Corner

The driver of a car that crashed resulting in the death of his wife and in the serious injury of a young girl has lost his claim of indemnity against his GP. 81-year-old William Barr, of Middletown, Gweedore, had claimed his GP Dr Anthony Delap was negligent in certifying him fit to drive two years

It’s emerged the lucky ticket for last night’s Lotto jackpot was sold in Donegal town. The numbers drawn were 2,14, 22, 24, 29 and 41 – while the bonus ball was number 44. The identity of the winner – who scoops a 2 million euro prize just in time for Christmas – is still a

The High Court has ruled that €4.65m seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) from a Donegal-based suspected fraudster is the proceeds of crime. Francois de Dietrich, who ran his scam from Ballybofey offices, has already had more than €20M seized in the North. The money seized was uncovered in 11 bank accounts in the

After Donegal County Council failed to pass its budget for 2012 in Lifford yesterday, the attention now turns to the town councils in Letterkenny and Buncrana. Both towns hold their budget meetings this evening, with indications that a deal will be reached and the budget passed in both cases. It’s anticipated that Letterkenny Town Council

Fianna Fail has been accused of running the risk of the government directly controlling spending in Donegal. Its after councillors yesterday failed to agree Donegal County Council’s Revenue Budget for 2012. Fine Gael proposed the budget be accepted with some small adjustments namely reversing a proposal to cut 20 thousand euro in funding for Buncrana

An East Derry MLA says lives will be put at risk following the theft of a substantial quantity of electric cable from Drumagarner, near Kilrea. The cable powers electric lights at St Mary’s Church, where hundreds will be attending masses and services over Christmas. John Dallat says the church car park is on the opposite

The family of Gary Butcher who was killed in a bar in Magilligan in July last year say they are ‘devastated’ at the sentence passed on his killer. At Derry Crown Court, 21 year old Sean Doherty of Bawn Court, Ballykelly who admitted the manslaughter of Mr. Butcher was sentenced to two and a half

A jury took just 62 minutes at the end of a five-day trial to find a small farmer guilty today of depriving seven people of €177,000. Thomas Elvin, from Meencargagh, Ballybofey, who ran a company called Pear Shaped Resources based in the British Virgin Islands, claimed at Donegal Circuit Court that he was a penniless

Donegal County Councillors failed to reach agreement on the council’s revenue budget for 2012. It proved an eventful day with an unprecedented disruption to the meeting, numerous adjournments and claim and counterclaim as to why agreement could not be reached. Below is how the days proceedings unfolded. Today’s budget meeting began at 10.30am with a