Author name: oisinkelly

Fianna Fail Senator Brian O’Domhnaill is to again seek an emergency debate in the Seanad this afternoon on the proposed septic tank legislation. The issue is top of the agenda for most people living in rural areas of the county who are not connected to a main sewer and instead have a septic tank on […]

Fianna Fail Councillors are seeking an urgent meeting to discuss what impact new EU and National directives will have on the County Development Plan. The Party’s whip, Ciaran Brogan, says that the new rules are not contained in the CDP and could have serious implications for anyone wishing to build a home in some areas

Derry is set to be the location of president-elect Michael D Higgins first visit to Northern Ireland since his election. He is due to travel to Derry on Sunday for the final of the all-island school choir of the year competition. These will be one of Mr Higgins’ first formal engagements following his inauguration in

Staff at Letterkenny General Hospital are asking people this morning only to attend the casualty department if its an emergency. People are being asked to attend their GP if possible. Letterkenny General Hospital was extremely busy last night and this morning, but all clinics are going ahead today.

Tributes have been paid to the Catholic Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, after he announced his retirement for health reasons. Dr Hegarty said he was being treated for an “irreversible and progressive” condition. In a statement yesterday, Dr Hegarty said he decided to submit his resignation because he can no longer fulfil his diocesan

Derry Magistrate’s Court has heard that an 18-year-old entered the bedroom of a 9-year-old girl with intent to commit sexual offences. Connor O’Kane of 1, Scroggy Close in Limavady was charged with burglary with intent to commit sexual offences on October 2nd and November 5th this year. He also faced a charge of making threats

Letterkenny Councillor Dessie Larkin says he doesn’t believe the executive of Donegal Council will now proceed with proposed works on the outskirts of Letterkenny, even though they would be within their rights to do so. In 2006, the council cleared the works which would have involved erecting a barrier between the Dry Arch  and Polestar

An 88 year old Donegal man, who used viagra on occasion to rape his five granddaughters has failed in an appeal against the severity of his 15-year sentence. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had pleaded guilty to 45 sample counts of rape, indecent assault, sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault at

The majority of Councillors at today’s Letterkenny Electoral Area meeting have voted against NRA plans to change the layout of the Port Road between the Dry Arch and Polestar roundabout. The NRA’s proposals included splitting the existing road with a barrier into two distinct sections. Representatives of 31 Letterkenny businesses have now made a proposal

A legal expert says mis-information about the cost of septic tank inspections is scaremongering. The European Commission is seeking to heavily fine Ireland for not carrying out proper inspections. New legislation published by Environment Minister Phil Hogan will mean owners will face a registration charge of up to 50 euro. But Fianna Fail deputy leader

The Joint Policing Committee in Donegal says it will opppose any proposed garda station closures in Donegal after Chief Superintendent Terri Mc Ginn confirmed that 14 stations in Donegal are included on a list of stations which may close. She told a meeting of the committee that a preliminary report has already been carried out,

Representative of 31 Letterkenny businesses attending the local area electoral meeting today to oppose plans to change the layout of the Port Road between the Dry Arch and Polestar roundabouts. There are proposals to split the he existing road into two distinct sections but there is concern that the new road layout could have a

The Bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty is to step down for health reasons. Dr Hegarty has been Bishop of Derry since 1994 having previously served in the Diocese of Raphoe for 12 years. In a statement released to Highland Radio News Dr Seamus Hegarty said that very recently he received a diagnosis of a

A meeting was last night told that Finn Harps will go out of business if €48,000 is not raised before December 21st. That message was delivered to club’s shareholders who gathered in Ballybofey last night. The club’s outstanding debts of almost €50,000 that must be met by the December deadline for the club’s application for

McElhinney’s  has taken home the top award for ‘Store of the Year’ at the 2011 Retail Awards. Retail Excellence Ireland, Ireland’s largest retail industry body, presented the awards at ceremony in Galway at the weekend. The awards are the biggest event in the Irish retail industry calendar. In business in Ballybofey since 1971, McElhinney’s is

Fishermen and those who work at sea are being encouraged to take part in Marine Safety courses which will be available in west Donegal over the next four weeks. For the first time in over five years the BIM Mobile Coastal Training Unit will provide a series of Marine Courses for fishermen at Gweedore Business

Police in Derry have charged a 24 year old man with possession of class B drugs and possession of class B drugs with intent to supply. He is due to appear at Derry Magistrates Court on the morning of Monday 7 November. As is normal procedure the charge will be reviewed by the PPS. The

New figures show that Gardai are spending €45,000 a day  just to maintain the country’s network of speed cameras, with the majority of that money being spent in Donegal. As a result, this year the taxpayer will foot a €16.2m bill to maintain the network of cameras across Ireland. In November 2009, gardai put the

The ESB has threatened to cut off the power supply to the sewage system at a Letterkenny housing estate because it is owed a substantial amount of cash. The letter states the ESB will cut off power to the pumps in College PArk in Gelncar from Monday 21 November, due to the failure of the

Donegal could be set for more windfarm developments, as plans to expand the national network are revealed. Eirgrid – the operators of the national transmission grid say they’ve reached a new record in the output of Ireland’s wind farms. The group has revealed that the amount of power generated through wind last Wednesday evening –

The 48 year old man killed in a tree felling accident near Termon yesterday has been named as Danny Gallagher of Doon, Termon, a married father of five. 48 year old Mr Gallagher was cutting a tree at his brother’s home at Doon Well at around 1 o’clock yesterday when the tragedy occured. Mr Gallagher

A man in his mid forties has died while cutting down a tree in the Termon area. It’s believed the man, named locally as 47 year old Danny Gallagher, lost his life when the tree fell on him just before 1 o’clock this afternoon. Gardai in Milford are investigating the circumstances, and are believed to

A teenager is to stand trial for the murder of pizza delivery man Emmet Shiels in Derry Thaddeus McAllister, who is originally from Cable Street but now resides at an address in London, is charged with the murder of Mr Shiels on June 24, 2008. The 19-year-old faces further charges of attempted murder, possession of

Sinn Fein says it will publish a plan in the coming weeks to reduce Ireland’s deficit – while growing the economy. The party says the four year budgetary plan – outlined by the Government today – is anti-jobs, anti-growth and pro-austerity. It says the 12.4 billion euro programme of tax hikes and spending cuts is

A man accused over a rifle seizure allegedly linked to dissident republicans in Derry must remain in custody, a judge ruled on Friday. 43-year-old Anthony Taylor, of Farmhill, Derry, was detained with another suspect in August. Taylor, who is a  member of the pressure group Republican Network for Unity, faces a charge of having a

A 38 year-old Chinese woman has appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court accused of murdering her husband. Shuwei Shang, of 61 Frances Street, is charged with murdering 51 year-old Damien Keenan on Tuesday November 1. Deputy District Judge Des Perry asked the woman, through an interpreter if she understood the charge, to which she replied ‘yes.’

Donegal South West Deputy Thomas Pringle today welcomed a commitment from the Government to examine ways of allowing traditional fishing methods in Inver Bay. commits Deputy Pringle has been lobbying on behalf of a number of fishing families who want to fish for sprat and mackerel in the bay using methods which are more than

Bank of Ireland has appointed receivers to a Northern Ireland property development firm which had been planning a major housing development in Donegal. Carn Properties had been given permission for the development of over 200 units of housing in Letterkenny just two years ago. Permission for the Letterkenny development was granted in 2009 – the 

At a meeting of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta in Killarney today a number of projects were approved. 64 new jobs are to be created through a total investment of €6.5 million when fully implemented. It is not clear if Donegal will benefit from the announcement with further information to be confirmed at a

Letterkenny Business man Jason Black has been granted permission by An Bord Pleanala to retain changes he made to his premises when turning it in to a nightclub. Mr Black had to seek permission from An Bord Pleanala to retain an area of the Voodoo premises which was transformed from a Volleyball Court in to

Letterkenny has been earmarked by the IDA as the first location for a number of planned centralized alternative energy centres. It is proposed that the multi million euro renewable energy centre will be built on the Letterkenny Business and Technology Park where a site on a 7.4 acre site. The project must include the provision

A garda file is almost ready for presentation to the Director of Public Prosecutions on the murder of Republican double agent Denis Donaldson. Garda Superintendent Michael Finan, who is head of the Glenties Garda District, told an inquest that he expects the DPP to decide within six months if he has enough evidence to prosecute.

The Special Criminal Court in Dublin has reserved judgment on legal issues in the trial of a Strabane man accused of murdering Andrew Burns in Donneyloop over three years ago. Mr Burns body was found by a group of teenagers in the car park of a church at Donnyloop in 2008. It is the prosecution

The Government will announce later that it’s cutting growth prospects for next year by as much as one per cent – due to the continuing global crisis. The coalition is also expected to announce savings of 3-point-8 billion euro in the upcoming budget. We’ll also hear the extent of tax hikes and spending cuts necessary

A new route to Donegal has been added to Dublin Airport’s schedule. Scottish airline Loganair is now operating twice daily flights to Donegal. The new contract is for a three year period –  renewal of  the contract  in 2014 will depend on how extensively the service is used and the state of  the public finances.

The Junior Finance Minister says the Government may have to use its influence if some banks covered by the bank guarantee scheme choose not to pass on yesterday’s ECB rate cut to customers. Some banks – like Permanent TSB – have already confirmed the reduction will be reflected in their rates – while others have

Around 120 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in Donegal, but 90% of them face good chances of recovery if they are treated early. That’s according to consultant Kevin Moran, who is addressing an Irish Cancer Society meeting in Letterkenny tonight. The meeting in the Mount Errigal Hotel will hear from a number

A Senator claims that people in Donegal could face bills of up €12,000 to upgrade their septic tanks, according to new legislation published by the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan today. The legislation includes a registration charge, multiple inspection charges and possible significant upgrade charges. Senator Brian O’Domhnaill says parts of the bill are

Donegal North East TD Joe Mc Hugh says he believes funding will be found to reinstate the Foyle Ferry service linking Greencastle and Magilligan. Deputy Mc Hugh says the issue was addressed at a recent North South Ministerial Council meeting, and discussions are ongoing in Stormont and Dublin. He says the suspension  of the service

A hi-tech scanner has proved unsuccessful in the search for missing Lifford man David Colhoun. It was the first time the equipment has been used in the Northwest. The 22-year-old has not been seen since escaping from police custody after being arrested for minor offences in Strabane in May. Hundreds of locals, Gardai, the PSNI,

Donegal County Councl has announces details of its Free Household Hazardous Waste Collection service for November. You can despose of Cleaning Agents including bleaches, Waste Medicines, Antifreeze, Herbicides (weed killers), Pesticides, Adhesives, Old Paints, Paint stripper/thinner, Aerosols, Inks, Waste Engine Oil. The Council will not accept empty paint tins.  All containers, bottles, etc, must be

It emerged last evening that Laghey Post Office would not be reopening. It had been closed for some time due to what An Post described as ‘unforeseen circumstances’. A local group had recently expressed hope that the services would be restored, but those hopes have now been dashed. An Post released a statement to Highland

At Tipperary man who posted a video of himself driving recklessly on YouTube just two days after the death of 8 people in a crash in Inishowen has been sent to jail. 22 year-old Aaron Stanley from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, was tracked down by gardai after he appeared on YouTube recklessly driving around east Clare

Police in Derry have launched a murder investigation after a stabbing victim died from his injuries in hospital. The 51-year-old man was attacked in the Francis Street area of the city at 1.30pm on Tuesday – he was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in a serious condition where he died last evening. A 34-year-old woman was

Some Donegal potato farmers face going out of business because poor weather means next year’s crop is in serious danger. A report this week from Teagasc shows that up to 2,500 acres of the crop, or 80 per cent of the total, is still in the ground. Wet weather, and little prospect of an improvement

It’s been confirmed by An Post that Laghey Post Office will not be reopening. The facility was closed in July due to what was described by An Post as unforeseen circumstances. A group was formed to campaign for its re-opening claiming that its closure was a major blow to the area and meant locals had

A retired Garda’s son, who hopes for a future as a professional rugby player or coach, was warned by a judge yesterday that if he appears before him again he will go to jail for a long time.. 19-year-old  Darrath Farragher was fined €400 when he admitted disorderly conduct. The court heard that last March

Donegal South-West Deputy, Pearse Doherty has accused the Government of lying to the public. The Sinn Fein Finance spokesperson said in the Dail yesterday evening that it was “absolute nonsense” that Ireland would face sixteen years of austerity if they were to receive a write-down on their debt. Deputy Doherty said Greece have been offered

Donegal Deputies Pearse Doherty and Padraig MacLochlainn were today amongst a group of Sinn Féin and Independent TDs who staging a Dail walkout over the Government’s refusal to burn former Anglo bondolders. This afternoon, almost three quarters of a billion euro has been repaid to unguaranteed bondholders at the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. The Taoiseach’s