Author name: oisinkelly

Following his exclusive interview on the Shaun Doherty Show, Bishop Philip Boyce attended a press conference at the pastoral Centre in Letterkenny. He was challenged by one abuse survivor to call for a full public inquiry. John O’Donnell said he believes todays’s report is a cover up, and claimed many people people committed suicide as […]

A report into the handling of clerical child sex abuse in the Diocese of Raphoe says successive bishops made significant errors of judgement. The review – by the National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church – says too much emphasis was placed on the situation of the accused priest – and

The review of Safeguarding Practice in the Diocese of Derry has also been published today. Derry was one of the first Diocese in Ireland to invite a review. The review finds that historically there was a lack of awareness of the suffering caused to victims by abusers as well as an ignorance to the habitual

Over a thousand people are taking part in a public sector strike in the Guildhall Square in Derry this lunchtime. The action by public sector workers is expected to become the second biggest strike in British history in terms of numbers taking part. The action is to protest at the threat of further cuts and

The family of missing Derry man Eamonn Moore say they were becoming increasingly worried for his safety. The 21-year-old, from Jefferson Court in the city centre, has not been seen since he left his apartment on Saturday morning. It is understood that his family received what they regarded as worrying texts from him at the

Due to lightning hitting the phone lines in Buncrana last night Buncrana Garda Station landlines were out of operation for a period today. Engineers have repaired the fault and the lines are back operational.

There has been a mixed response to the publication today of the Review of Safeguarding Practice in the Diocese of Raphoe. The review was conducted by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church. We have ongoing reaction to it – you can view the report HERE The Bishop of Raphoe, Dr Philip

Donegal County Council has passed a motion calling on the Minister for Justice to keep all Garda barracks in the county open. Moving the motion, Councillor David Alcorn stated that the stations are a valued asset to each town and village they are located. It is understood that 12 stations in the county are likely

An inquest opens today into the death of a teenage student who fell 40 feet to his death in Bundoran on August 25th last. 17-year-old Joseph Olwill  from Shanliss Way, Santry, Dublin, was on the final day of a week-long holiday with a group of friends in two flats at Tyrconnell Apartments when he fell

Many schools, colleges and public services across Northern Ireland will be closed or severely curtailed as a result of a one day strike across the UK today. The action by public sector workers is expected to become the second biggest strike in British history in terms of numbers taking part. The action is to protest

The Bishop of Raphoe Philip Boyce has defended his decision to promote a priest convicted of voyeurism. Fr Patrick McGarvey was appointed parish priest of Fanad, last month. Six years ago he was banned from the Foyleside shopping centre in Derry after pleading guilty to spying in men’s toilets. Bishop Boyce said: “He has apologised

A long awaited report into how abuse allegations were handled in the Diocese of Raphoe will be published tomorrow morning (Wednesday). The National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church review of the Diocese of Raphoe will be posted at 10am,  on the website www.raphoediocese.ie. There will be a press conference later

A 28 year old man has appeared in court in Derry charged in connection with a stabbing incident in the city at the weekend. Kevin Ward of Sheriff’s Glen, was charged with the aggravated burglary of a house at Laburnum Terrace, with intent to cause GBH on a man. Ward was also accused of assaulting

Five more people have been arrested as part of the investigation into the attempted murder of Paul McCauley in Derry five years ago. Three houses were also searched in the city. Three men and a woman were arrested in Derry this morning, and a fourth man was arrested in England. The three men arrested in

The Coast Gaurd Helicopter from Sligo is been tasked to airlift vital supplies to Tory Island which has been cut off by the recent poor weather. The Malin Head Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre says that the helicopter is expected to be used to carry food and other essential for the next couple of

The public is divided on the County Council’s decision to grant Finn Harps FC 20,000 euro towards its debt. The clubs chairman has said that without the council’s help the club would have been unlikely to raise the 48K required to secure a license to play in the league next year. It is understood the

The Belfast Telegraph reports that a Catholic priest who was banned from a shopping centre after he was caught spying on people in a men’s toilet has been given a promotion. Fr Patrick McGarvey (43) has been appointed parish priest of Fanad, Co Donegal, by Bishop of Raphoe Philip Boyce. The elevation took place at

New figures show that Donegal County Council receives an average of 22 claims each month from motorists who believe their vehicles were damaged by potholes. It takes the council an average of 4 months to reply to each individual claim, however there are no figures to show how many of those claims are successful. Some

A Councillor says the decision by Donegal County Council to grant €20,000 to Finn Harps will not be repeated. Cllr Martin Harley and Cllr Barry O’Neill met with the Finn Harps board at the weekend with the club asking if the local authority would help with funding. Finn Harps must raise a total of €48,000

A councillor has warned that lives could be lost if flood prevention measures are not introduced in Lifford. A nationwide study is expected to confirm that Lifford is one of the country’s area classed as at risk of flooding. Raising the issue Councillor Gerry Crawford claimed that work to prevent flooding in Strabane in recent

The Mayor is to lead a cross party seeking a meeting with the Taoiseach over the decision to pull most of the funding for the A5 upgrade. It was confirmed earlier this month that the Irish Government will no longer contribute 450 million euro towards the project over the next 4 years. Instead 50 million

A Killybegs-based trawler master was yesterday served with a book of evidence that means he has to appear at Donegal Circuit Court on charges of breaching fishing laws. Donegal District Court was told the book of evidence was served on Michael Munnelly, of Riverdale Heights, Killybegs, by Sgt David Durkan earlier this morning. Munnelly faces

A motorist twice banned for driving in the Republic without insurance was banned again yesterday for seven years and fined a total of €1,300. Donegal District Court was told there was another occasion in Northern Ireland when 25-year-old Shay McDaid was fined £200 for driving without insurance. McDaid, of Hillhead, Castlefin, was not in court

An anti-fur-farming group due to hold a protest in Dublin today says there is no public appetite for continuing the practice. Fine Gael and Labour have both previously voted to end the practice. There are a number of fur farms here in Donegal, and in September last year hundreds were let out after a mink

A man who admitted biting two gardai was today sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for two years. Gavin Gillen said the first time was during a melee when he found an arm around his neck and he bit a finger. The second time was when he was pepper-sprayed by gardai the same night

Donegal County Council has agreed to allocate €20,000 to Finn Harps this evening, effectively saving the club from going out of business. Cllr Martin Harley and Cllr Barry O’Neill met with the Finn Harps board at the weekend with the club asking if the local authority would help with funding.] Finn Harps must raise a

A Donegal man has put forward his case that Vehicle Registration Tax is illegal to the European Petitions Committee. Inishowen man, Ryan Stewart put forward his case to the European Court of Justice in Brussels last week. The European Petitions Committee are supportive of the VRT petition and they are in agreement they are infringements

Efforts are to be made to boost Donegal’s number of blue flag beaches. Councillor Liam Blaney says that with a relatively small outlay, Donegal could easily move up the country’s  table. He says the county could get a significant boost with more blue flag beaches:

A Donegal County Councillor says the government should challenge the EU directive which has led to the introduction of the new septic tank legislation. Councillor Ian McGarvey says a situation can’t be allowed develop where people can’t sell their homes if their septic tank doesn’t meet new regulations. Some experts claim people in rural Ireland

The “High Level Group on Job Creation in the Killybegs Region” is defending its report, published last week. The group was established in June and asked to submit a report by Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Simon Coveney. Killybegs Fishermens Organisation CEO Sean O’Donaghue is chairperson of the group which drew up the jobs strategy criticised

The development of a swimming pool in Stranorlar has taken a major step forward today with the Council approving the go ahead for a €1.9 million loan. The facility is to cost €6.8 million. The council has spent €1.8 million to date and a grant of €3.8 million has already been approved for the project.

Roadside checks for drug-driving could be on the way from early in the New Year. The Irish Times this morning reports the tests will be fast-tracked as part of a crackdown on driving under the influence of prescription and illegal substances. Former Letterkenny Councillor PJ Blake is a member of the North West Regional Drugs

Independent TD Thomas Pringle has expressed disappointment after reading the High Level Report on employment prospects in Killybegs. He says hopes were raised hugely when the chairperson of the group announced last week that eighty jobs had already been created by the report. He says many people expecting concrete commitments were disappointed to find that

The numbers of people heading North for their Christmas shopping is set to increase this year. That’s according to new research from AA Travel Insurance. Of the 11,500 people surveyed almost 18 per cent said they were planning to do so this year – that’s up two per cent from this time last year. The

It’s emerged that the North West had the highest number of alcohol related mental disorders last year, while on a county by county breakdown, Donegal had the second highest proportion with 60 per 100,000. The highest was in Sligo – Leitrim with 97. Health Research Board figures quoted in the Donegal News show Letterkenny General

For the second time in less than a week, outpatient appointments at Letterkenny General Hospital are being cancelled as a result of overcrowding. There are a number of patients on trollies in the Outpatients Department, and as a result, Mr Couse’s surgical clinic has been cancelled. Orthopedic clinics will go ahead today, and at present,

Two men have been treated in hospital following a stabbing in Derry. The incident happened in the laburnum Terrace area between 2 and 3 o’clock this morning. One man was brought to Altnagelvin with stab wounds, but his injuries are not believed to be serious. Another man was also treated in hospital for injuries which

Police in Tyrone are investigating a robbery on Main Street in Coalisland in which a man was attacked by four men, one armed with a crowbar. The four men approached their victim shortly after 6 o’clock last evening. He was kicked to the ground, but his injuries are not believed to be serious. A sum

More stong winds are expected in Donegal after Met Eireann issued a severe weather warning for this afternoon and evening. Gale force winds, gusting up to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to batter the south, west and north of the country. Coastal counties will be worst effected. These conditions are expected to last right

Police in Derry are investigating an arson attack at the headquarters of North West Textile Recyclers at Springtown in Derry. The company, which trades as “Don’t Bin, Cash In” also operates in Letterkenny and Carndonagh. 3 trailers were burned in the fire which was tackled by seven units of the fire brigade. Jonathan  Mc Gonagle

The Taoiseach’s mother has passed away at the age of 93. Donegal native Eithne Kenny, nee Mc Ginley,  died this morning in Co. Mayo,  surrounded by her family. Originally from Glencolmcille, Eithne married the late deputy Henry Kenny and had four children. Speaking just months before her death, Eithne said she was so proud to

The BBC is reporting that two Catholic dioceses in Northern Ireland are preparing to publish major reports into historical child abuse, at the same time as a report is published in Raphoe. The report into the Diocese of Raphoe has been much anticipated, with next Tuesday now believed to be the most likely publication date.

IMPACT says a meeting with Donegal Oieeachtas members to discuss the future of the NoWDOC service was a positive one. The meeting to discuss fears that the NoWDOC service could be scaled back in Donegal.was attended by Deputies Charlie McConalogue, Pearse Doherty and Thomas Pringle. IMPACT’s Richy Carruthers says he’s disappointed no Government representitives were

Sinn Fein has published a Dail Private Members Motion calling on the Government to maintain current child benefit rates. The motion will be debated in the Dail next week. One of the budgetary measures being considered is that the Government may cut child benefit by 10 euro a week in the budget next month. Another

IMPACT have said that a meeting with Oriechtas members in the County yesterday was a positive one. All Donegal TD’s were invited to a meeting today to discuss the future of the NoWDOC service in County. There are fears that the NoWDOC service could be scaled back in Donegal. Yestertdays meeting was attended by Deputies

Fianna Fail Senator Brian O’Domnhaill has rejected out of hand suggestions that his party proposes septic tank legislation with charges greater than currently proposed by government. Today, the Can’t Pay Won’t Pay Group said it understood  that Fianna Fails proposals include a 200 euro charge on every household, every seven years. The Groups spokesperson, Danny

A 52-year-old Derry man who fed four schoolgirls with alcohol before sexually abusing them has been jailed for six years. Martin Edward Coyle from Bridge Street pleaded guilty to 18 charges including gross indecency with a child, unlawful carnal knowledge, and indecent assault. Derry Crown Court was told that Coyle used alcohol, cigarettes and money

A leading scallop producer and shellfish industry representative from Donegal has been elected the new chairman of the Irish Shellfish Association. Jerry Gallagher from Carrigart was appointed at a meeting of the new Executive Committee in the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin today. Irish Farmers Association President, John Bryan, congratulated him on his appointment. Jerry

Comments today from the chief executive of Derry’s Chamber of Commerce underline the severe impact the government’s 2% VAT increase may have on Donegal businesses Sinead McLaughlin said a quarter of cars in the city’s Foyleside shopping centre car parks last weekend had Republic of Ireland registration plates, most of them from Co Donegal. Ms

Highland Radio News has learned that a planning application for a major nursing home development outside Letterkenny has been withdrawn. Donegal County Council had granted planning permission for the nursing home on the outskirts of Letterkenny near Coolboy. The plans included the construction of 68 bed nursing home, access road, retention of a partially built