Author name: oisinkelly

Opposition parties and Age Action Ireland have criticised the HSE service plan for the coming year. Fianna Fail Deputy Charlie McConalogue says it is inevitable that community and acute hospital beds in Donegal will close this year further diminishing frontline services in the county. While no county breakdown was given the HSE’s service plan yesterday

The Donegal County Council Manager is encouraging members of the public to engage with the County Development Plan once it goes to consultation. After councillors made a number of amendments to the draft plan, the document  will now go to public consultation within the next three weeks. The public consultation phase itself will last four

A witness in the trial of Donegal man accused of raping his female house mate said she noticed bruising to the victim’s eye and bleeding on her ankles after the alleged attack. The 38-year-old has pleaded not guilty to orally raping and sexually assaulting the woman on October 30, 2010. The witness told a jury

Letterkenny Town Council is calling on Environment Minister Phil Hogan to withdraw fundiny from IBAL, the Irish Business Against Litter group. The issue was raised by Cllr Dessie Larkin, who said that unlike the Tidy Towns judges, IBAL will not engage with the council, and its judging takes place in secret. IBAL receives €70,000 in

Donegal County Council yesterday agreed to ban fracking in its new County Development Plan. Fine Gael Cllr Barry O’Neill voiced his complete opposition to fracking taking place in the county. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a controversial technique to extract natural gas from the ground, Clare County Council and Leitrim County Councils have already moved

A man has appeared in court in Derry charged with possessing a hatchet in the Strathfoyle area of the city on Friday. Mark John Rush (44) of 39, Dereen Drive in the city was charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place namely the Clonmeen Drive area of Strathfoyle on January 13. A

A cross-party deputation from Donegal County Council are to seek a meeting with the Environment Minister, Phil Hogan, as a matter of urgency. Fianna Fail Party Whip, Cllr, Ciaran Brogan, made the call at todays Draft County Donegal Development Plan meeting. His call was backed by all parties and Councillors. The Council has already written

Hospital beds are to close across the country – but the H-S-E says it’s too early to say how many. Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim currently have 331 acute hospital beds – that number will be reduced by 15 in 2012. The Executives’s also closing at least 555 public nursing home beds – in a bid

Following the demolition of the old Hamilton Shirt Factory in Derry at the weekend, thoughts in the city are now turning to what happens next on the site. Cllr Paul Fleming is Chair of Derry City Council’s Planning Committee – He says he’d like to see something done in time for the City of Culture

Inishowen’s two TDs are urging Failte Ireland to ensure that a self drive tourism initiative being planned for the Western Seaboard incorporates the peninsula. Last week, Failte Ireland unveiled plans for the “Wild Atlantic Drive”, a self drive route stretching from Sliabh League to West Cork. Now, Sinn Fein Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn has written

A murder investigation has been launched in Glasgow following the death of an Inishowen man following what’s been described by police as an unprovoked attack. 57 year old William McKeeney, originally from Malin Head,  was attacked by two men close to his home on  Melville Street in the Pollokshields area of Glasgow at around 12.40am

Donegal North East Deputy Joe Mc Hugh says he believes a major tourism project could shortly be announced for Letterkenny. In a message to party members, he says he is confident that in the coming weeks, a forestry site close to Letterkenny will be confirmed by Coillte as a centre for off-road biking tourism. He

The Foyle Road in Derry is open again after the former Hamilton Shirt Factory was demolished at the weekend. The road was closed on Thursday night after the building was judged to be structurally unsafe. A demolition order was issued on Friday after discussions between the DOE Planning Service and Derry City Council.

The latest AA Ireland survey, released today, spells more bad news for motorists. It shows there’s been a sharp rise in the cost of both petrol and diesel since December. Petrol is up 7 cent to 154.9 cent per litre while, diesel – up 6.2 cent to an average of 153.1 cent. It’s one of

Police in Derry have charged a 44 year old man with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He is due to appear in Derry Magistrate Court tomorrow. The charges follow reports yesterday that police had been called following claims that children were being chased with a hatchet  in the Clonmeen Drive area

The Dodge Nightclub in Gweedore has issued a brief statement rejecting claims that the venue was closed by gardai because it doesn’t hold a current liquor licence. There was anger locally when revellers were informed last night shortly after 12.30am, that the night club was being closed and they would have to leave. It has

Bundoran lifeboat has had its first call-out of the year to assist a surfer in trouble at Tullan Strand. The surfer got into difficulty around 4pm on Saturday after his surf board snapped, his friend immediately called the emergency services and Bundoran Lifeboat Crew were tasked to the scene. The crew were on scene within

Police in Derry are appealing for information following an incident in the Clonmeen Drive area yesterday (Friday). A report was received at approx 9.50pm of a man armed with a hatchet chasing local children in the street. Armed response officers were tasked to the scene and a 44 year old man was taken into police

A new survey shows that house prices in Donegal fell over 17% last year. The Irish Times House Price Guide for 2012 will be published tomorrow and gives a detailed break down of the decline of the property market Donegal since 2007. A second-hand 2-bed apartment in 2007 cost €145,000 and is expected fetch €60,000

Donegal students collected a total of ten awards at this year’s BT Young Scientist Exhibition. Eoin Farrell of St. Eunan’s College was announced as one of the Top Four Award Winners entitled Best Individual Award. He also collected the Health Research Board special award for his project on Paediatric resuscitation – he asked and examined

The owner of a Donegal house, which was the scene of an alleged rape and sexual assault, has denied that she didn’t take the accusations seriously. The house owner, who did not live in County Donegal, told a jury on day-three of the trial that she received an email from the alleged victim’s father, who

A National campaign to boycott the household charge is stepping up a gear today. Those against the controversial 100-euro tax are meeting in Dublin later – to plan ways to encourage more people not to pay. Socialist Party Councillor Ruth Coppinger says the aim of the campaign is to persuade people that they have nothing

A fresco painted by the renowned church artist Harry Clarke has been restored to its former glory after decades buried under layers of peeling paint. The Irish Independent reports how the gilded painting of an angel was hidden on the wall of St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny for 60 years, until it was uncovered by

Some Donegal County Councillors are embracing Twitter in an other way to stay in touch with the people. Twitter’s popularity is growing all the time in Ireland with hundreds of thousands of people exchanging news and their points of view with others. While a number of national politicians are already Tweeting up until recently few

The owners of of the Oatfield Confectionary plant in Letterkenny are refusing to comment on growing fears for the future of the facility. The remaining 15 workers at the plant are expressing concern, saying that key ingredients are now being outsourced and key machinery has been moved from the factory. Mayor Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle

Derry City Council has approved a DOE recommendation to demolish the former Hamilton Shirt Factory, and is now in consultation with the buildings’ owner. The DOE had refused an application to demolish the building last October, but after an internal wall collapsed in the building over the holidays engineers have concluded the building is now

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

The North’s Department of Environment has approved the demolition of the former Hamilton factory at John Street in Derry. The building is not listed but is in a conservation area. Once Derry City Council endorses the notice to approve, a decision notice permitting the demolition will issue immediately. A meeting involving council officials is ongoing

A Bundoran family had a lucky escape after being taken to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning, a housing association has said. In a statement the Clúid Housing development said four members of the same family living at the Silver Hill estate were treated last Friday at Sligo General Hospital. A full investigation is underway and

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

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

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

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.

A woman has told a jury she thought she was “going to die” when a man entered her bedroom in a house in County Donegal, and demanded she have sex with him. The woman said on day-two of the Central Criminal Court trial that she vomited when the man entered her room and demanded she

Highland Radio News has learned  that one man has been arrested following the seizure of a substantial amount of cannabis at Lettermacaward. 47 cannabis plants with a value of 18,800euro and cannabis herb valued at 2,500 were seized in what is understood to be a cannabis cultivation facility on Thursday. The 43 year old man

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

Motorists in Derry are being advised to avoid the Foyle Road and John Street area of the city due to the possible collapse of the former Hamilton Shirt Factory which is now in a dangerous state because of a collapsed wall. Road closures and diversions have been put in place  this evening to ensure the

Police in Derry say they have found no evidence of an explosion in the Waterside area on Tuesday evening. A number of homes were evacuated in the Spencer Road and Fountain Hill areas after the blast was reported shortly after 5 o’clock on Tuesday. Much of the cordon was lifted yesterday, and the final cordon

Donegal schools who are part of the DEIS scheme are being urged to contribute to a review announced by Education Minister Ruari Quinn. In the budget, it emerged the government was planning to cut resources from the scheme, which would have see teacher cuts in disadvantaged schools. Last night,  Mr Quinn said his Department would

Police in riot gear were called to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry on Wednesday. It is believed they were called to deal with a man who was being aggressive towards staff. The Western Trust has confirmed there was an incident at half twelve on Wednesday night where police were called in to assist. A spokesperson said

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

Donegal’s two electoral constituencies may be merged into one and the number of TDs here reduced from six to five. Fine Gael wants to reduce the number of TDsin the country to 158. The coalition party has written to the body in charge of revising the constituency boundaries and reducing the number of TDs, proposing

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

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

The Mayor of Letterkenny has jumped to the defence of the town for the second time this week, after it was criticised from an international travel guide. The Lonely Planet Guide authors describe Letterkenny as a town that has been ruined by the excesses of the Celtic Tiger era, through mindless development. They say the

A Donegal County Council delegation will meet with senior National Roads Authority figures in Dublin this morning to discuss funding for the county’s roads network. A number of projects in the county have been stalled, with hopes that at least some of them can be progressed in 2012. Among the projects shelved last August were

A  man has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of orally raping and sexually assaulting a female housemate. The 39-year-old has pleaded not guilty to orally raping and sexually assaulting the woman in a house in County Donegal on October 30, 2010. The trial continues today before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and