Author name: oisinkelly

The Transport Minister says we’re better prepared this year to deal with a bad winter. Leo Varadkar says lessons have been learned from the big freeze that gripped the country for the past two winters. Extra money’s been allocated for this year to ensure plenty of salt and grit supplies. But Minister Varadkar says if […]

Bundoran Town Council is to bring forward a special meeting to discuss the issue of derelict buildings in the town after one of them was targeted in an arson attack at the weekend. The vacant premises was damaged in the West End of the town at approximately 1.10am in the early hours of yesterday morning,

New political boundaries under consideration in the North could see one Westminister seat and up to six Assembly seats lost in Derry and Tyrone. Under the proposals, which are going out to public consultation, East Derry, West Tyrone and Mid Ulster will be scrapped, to be replaced by two new constituencies, Mid Tyrone and Glenshane.

In what the Pat Finucane Centre is describing as an almost unprecedented move, the British Army has apologised for shooting dead of an innocent man in Derry forty years ago this week. Billy Mc Grenery was shot dead by a British soldier at the top of Westland Street on September 15th 1971. The soldier who

One of the North West’s best known clerics has questioned the value of compulsory clerical celibacy. In his new book “A Troubled See : Memoirs of a Derry Bishop”, the former Bishop of Derry Dr Edward Daly says there needs to be a place in the modern Catholic church for a married priesthood. Speaking this

It’s emerged that a major audit is underway of fire hydrants in Letterkenny after two hydrants were found not to be working while the fire service tackled a recent fire. Mayor Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle said when he was advised of the problem, council staff quickly repaired the two hydrants, and are now engaged in

Letterkenny Town Council has been told that when water charges are introduced, the quality of water being supplied to households in the town will be closely scrutinised. Cllr Victor Fisher raised the issue of water supplies to Mc Neely Villas in the town, where he said residents are concerned about the water quality. County Manager

Leading Derry dissident republican Gary Donnelly who had been held by the Gardai in Monaghan in connection with the death of Denis Donaldson has been released without charge. Mr. Donnelly was arrested in County Monaghan on Saturday as he made his way back to Derry from Dublin. It is believed he was questioned about the

A man had a lucky escape today when he fell from a boat in to Mulroy Bay. It is understood that he was making his way out to a second boat which had broken its moorings when rough weather conditions overturned his vessel. The alarm was raised around midday and Mulroy Coast Guard where called

A Donegal estate agent, who is offering a buy one get one free deal for new houses in Letterkenny and Milford,  has said there have been enquiries about the properties from all over the world. Letterkenny-based estate agent Brendan McGlynn says he has been inundated with enquiries about the BOGOF deal. Speaking earlier on the

Donegal continues to be lashed by storm force winds this afternoon, but there are indications that winds may be beginning to moderate inland. Gusts of up to 137 km/h have been recorded on Arranmore Island while at Malin Head wind speeds have peaked at122km/h. There are numerous reports of trees down in a number of

As new and returning third level students make preparations this week for registering for their third level courses, a Donegal North East TD is highlighting an instruction from the Higher Education Authority that colleges facilitate students awaiting confirmation of grant payments. Deputy Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fail spokesperson on children, says with fees increased from €1,500

Met Eirean forecaster John Eagleton joined Shaun Doherty this morning confidently predicting that we had seen the worst of Hurricane Katia’s winds. He even predicted there would be little or no power outages – that turned out not to be the case as 6,000 home and business lost the electricity supply just an hour later.

As strong winds hit Donegal this afternoon, power cuts and falling debris are increasing across the county. The ESB now says over 5,000 homes in Donegal have had their power returned in the Letterkenny and Ballyraine and  Killybegs areas The 1,000 effected homes and businesses are in the Glenties, Convoy, Ballyshannon and Gortlee areas. Gardai

The Deputy leader of Fianna Fáil says the Parliamentary Party will have to decide whether to back David Norris or anyone else in the race for the Aras. There’s intense speculation that should Senator Norris decide he wants to return to the Presidential election, some within Fianna Fail would be willing to support him. And

The Chairperson of Strabane District Council has expressed concern at reports of a group of young people being threatened by four masked men, at least of one of whom was apparently armed. Police say just before midnight on Saturday, the men approached the group at a play area in the Ballycoleman Estate. One of the

A new survey shows that 37% of people in Donegal would confront an intruder in their home. The statistic is contained in an AA Home Insurance poll of over 13,000 people shows that on average, across the country, 31% would confront or attempt restrain a prowler. The survey also shows that 39% of Donegal respondents

Motorists are being advised to drive with extra care this morning as Hurricane Katia continues to batter parts of Ireland. Winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour are being forecast for today with the West and North West set to be the worst effected. Those travelling in high sided vehicles are also being advised

It has emerged that the man arrested by gardai in connection with the murder of Denis Donaldson is leading Derry dissident Gary Donnelly. Donnely, who is in his 40s,was arrested in County Monaghan on Saturday. Denis Donaldson was shot dead at his remote cottage near to Glenties in April 2006. Just months earlier the former

The Irish Coast Guard has advised members of the public to take care in the current severe weather conditions – particularly around the coast and in exposed areas. Winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour are expected to hit parts of the West and North later tonight and tomorrow. Waves are also expected to

Many private companies are continuing to providing rural transport and school bus runs despite losing the backing of MFG which ceased trading last week. A meeting this weekend between the agency’s management and the government failed to reach an interim arrangement to continue to fund rural transport and other services hit by the closure. That

Gardaí investigating the murder of Denis Donaldson at his home at Cloghercor, Doochary, Co. Donegal in April 2006 have arrested a male aged in his 40s this evening  in connection with the murder. He is currently detained at Monaghan Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939. This is the

Sinn Féin’s calling for the introduction of a special charge to stop civil servants getting massive retirement packages. It follows revelations that 55 more top civil servants are set to walk away with packages of up to 634,000 euro. There’s been outrage after former Secretary to the Government Dermot McCarthy retired in July on a

A 31 year-old man’s in hospital with serious burns after a fire at a flat in Derry. Firefighters were called to Shearwater Way in the Clooney area of the Waterside at half past four this morning. At this stage, the blaze appears to be accidental.

A Donegal petrol station has been ordered to close for 24 hours after the owner’s conviction for selling marked mineral oil. McD Fuels in Burnfoot has been told to stop trading for one day, on November 10th, next. The proprietor, Damian McDaid, was also fined €3,500 after he appeared at Buncrana District Court. According to

Donegal looks set to feel the brunt of Hurricane Katia as it pushes across the Atlantic towards Ireland. Met Eireann has issued a severe weather warning for early next week with winds expected to reach up to 130 kilometres per hour by Monday – with the northwest likely to receive the worst of the storm.

As many as 60 volunteers with the Search for the Missing group are in Donegal today to begin a new search for missing Lifford man, David Colhoun. David, who is 21, has not been seen since the early hours of Sunday May 22nd – his family fear he drowned in the River Foyle. The river

Junior Gaeltacht Minister Dinny Mc Ginley says he doesn’t believe that any interim arrangements will be reached over the weekend to restore rural transport and other services hit by the sudden closure this week of MFG Teo. In a statement last night, the Department of the Environment and Pobal said after initial discussions with the

Four crew members of a fishing trawler which got in to difficulty off the coast of Donegal yesterday where last night brought ashore safe and well. The alarm was raised shortly before four yesterday afternoon  after their vessel caught fire off Tory Island. Arranmore lifeboat and the Coastguard helicopter from Sligo were tasked to the

It has emerged that a delay in typing transcripts from previous court hearings could delay the trial of two men accused of murdering Michaela Harte by another year. Her husband, John McAreavey, had been told the hotel workers charged with killing his bride could go on trial later this year, after she was found dead

The North’s Deputy First Minister says he hasn’t given any consideration to suggestion that he might contest the Presidential Election in the Republic. Derry based Martin McGuinness was speaking at the opening of the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Belfast this evening. The party’s new Ard Comhairle to be elected this weekend is expected to

Talks involving government representitives and MFG management have concluded this evening, with no immediate decisions announced about the future administration of funding and community supports in Gaeltacht areas. In a statement this evening, the Department of the Environment and Pobal say they met with representatives of MFG Board and management to seek clarity on the

A fishing trawler is being towed into Burtonport after a fire was reported on board this evening. Malin Head Coastguard say they received the call from the vessel at quarter past four this evening. The Sligo based Search and Rescue Helicopter was tasked, as was the Arranmore Lifeboat. The helicopter arrived at the scene first,

Households in Letterkenny could soon have access to ultra high speed broadband. It’s emerged that the company which oversees high speed fibre networks in eight areas of Donegal is examining the possibility of a household wiring project in the county’s biggest town. E-Net’s Chief Executive made the announcement as the company announced increased profits and

Talks take place this afternoon to discuss the distribution and management of funding and community supports in Gaeltacht areas following the collapse earlier this week of MFG Teo.  Donegal South West Deputy Thomas Pringle says the effects of this have already been felt at community level, with some school bus and other rural transport services

The Food Safety Authority has said that one Donegal food businesses was closed in August for breaches of safety laws. The business closed was The Willow Tree Chinese Takeaway, Main Street, Moville. It was one of five served with closure orders across the country last month. While not commenting on specific cases, Dr Bernard Hegarty

Derry Presbyterian Minister David Latimer will become the first from Northern Ireland to address the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis which takes place in Belfast’s Waterfront Conference Centre over the next two days. It will also be the first time the party has held its annual conference in Northern Ireland. As many as 2000 delegates are

Letterkenny Town Council is to bring legal proceedings against five local businesses for the non payment of commercial rates. Councillors will be asked to formally sign off on the move when the authority meets on Monday. The proceedings will be taken  by the council’s solicitors VP McMullin and Son. The council will seek to recover

Met Eireann says there is a risk that Donegal could be hit by the tale end of Hurricane Katia. The forecasters say that there will be storms at sea off the north west coast and it is possible that they could move over land on Sunday evening and in to Monday. If that were to

A man from Strabane accused of being linked to creeper burglaries in the north-west has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment at Donegal District Court. A second man was remanded in custody to stand trial at Donegal Circuit Court in December. The men appeared in court following a year-long investigation by gardai targetting suspects who

North West MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher is urging both sides at today’s meeting on the future of MFG to agree an interim arrangement under which EU and state money can still be administered. MFG which channels, government and EU funding to businesses and community organisations across the Gaeltacht, ceased operations suddenly on Wednesday evening.

Tomorrow is World Suicide Prevention Day, with a number of events taking place in Donegal, including the release in Buncrana of several Chinese Lanterns representing people who have been lost. Meanwhile, the HSE says it is stepping up its delivery of two suicide prevention courses throughout the county, and is trying to ensure that all

Environment Minister Ohil Hogan says the government is exploring how to ensure that services provided by MFG are delivered in an alternative manner. The company, which suddenly ceased operating last night, has been administering  a number of EU and government programmes. In a statement tonight, the Department of the Environment say……..   “The Minister for

A 42-year-old man has pleaded guilty to stealing more than £35,000 from Tesco in Limavady a year ago when he appeared at Derry Crown Court today. He also admitted attempting to mislead police by claiming that he had beenc forced to take the money and bring it to Donegal. Michael Thomas Kearns originally from Claudy

Two men have appeared in court in Buncrana charged with possession of petrol bombs with intent. 21 year old Darren Grant of Park Mor, Buncrana and 18 year old Damian Carlin, of Keelogs, Linsfort, Buncrana were charged with having the devices at Figary, Fahan on July 20th last. A juvenile, who cannot be named, also