Author name: oisinkelly

The transport minister in the North has again expressed his commitment to the Derry to Coleraine rail link, but said he does not have the funding to upgrade the line. Danny Kennedy met with Derry MLAs, MPs and councillors yesterday to discuss the future of the service…. Last week Mr Kennedy announced work on link […]

Management at Donegal Airport have confirmed that Aer Aran will continue their flight to Dublin up until November. It was confirmed yesterday that Logan Air has been awarded the new contract for the operation of the Donegal Dublin air service. The new Donegal contract is for a three year period commencing on the 3rd November.

The Bishop of Raphoe has said the catholic church is under pressure from the outside and the inside, but it will survive. Dr Philip Boyce made his comments druing a novena at the basillica in Knock. His comments come as the Abused Catholic Children Association of Ireland confirm it’s weekly protest in Dublin this week

Transport Minister Leo Varadker has confirmed that Logan Air has been awarded the contract for the operation of the Donegal Dublin air service. The other remaining PSO contract linking Dublin and Kerry will be run by Aer Arrain. The new Donegal contract is for a three year period commencing on the 3rd November, 2011 with

There’s been another suspicious fire in Inishowen, this one in the Hilltown area of Buncrana. Shortly before half past three, a car was set alight outside an elderly woman’s home, two sheds containing farm machinery and a load of turf were also burned. Chief Fire Officer Bobby Mc Menamin says it’s worrying that such incidents

A former Irish soldier and his co-accused, due to stand trial accused of being dissident republican gunmen, claim an alleged murder bid on a trainee police officer was a prank. The 28-year-old ex soldier, Gerard James McManus, from Fernhill in Letterkenny and 35-year-old Kevin Barry Nolan, from Main Street in Blacklion, deny attempted murder. The

The City of Culture Company in Derry is calling for a rail platform to be built at City of Derry Airport. The company chairperson, former Mayor Martin Bradley, says it’s “nonsense that visitors to the city should not be able to avail of a direct rail service.” He also called for a meeting with Transport

A prominent Donegal anti-drugs campaigner says the issue of people driving under the influence of drugs is being completely ignored in the road safety debate. PJ Blake says that while news of stricter laws on drinking driving are to be welcomed, he feels nothing is being done to address the issue of drug driving. Mr

Three Outpatient Clinics have been cancelled at Letterkenny General Hospital this morning after what’s been described as unprecedented numbers attending A&E overnight. The 20 bed overflow ward is full, with a number of patients now being accomodated in Outpatient department. As a result, the medical clinics of Dr Steele, Dr Mohommad and Dr Oshodi have

Donegal’s two representatives will be in the spotlight at the Rose of Tralee  this evening. 23 year-old Maria McCole from Letterkenny is the Donegal Rose while Grainne Boyle, who is 24 and from Gartan, is the Dubai Rose. The first round of the contest was held last night in Tralee. Grainne has been explaining how

A Donegal County Council decision two close two roads in the west of the county while the tourism season is ongoing has been described as ill-timed and ill-conceived. A section of the N56 is being closed between Crolly and Dungloe for six weeks, it is feared this will deter people from attending the Donegal  Shore

The Road Safety Authority is rejecting claims that the new drink-driving regime sends out the wrong message. Changes to drink-driving legislation come into force next month and will see the breath test limit being reduced. However, there won’t be an automatic ban attached to the lower limit. Gardaí will also be given new powers under

Gardai in Inishowen are continuing their investigations into an ongoing spate of alleged arson attacks, after another fire at the weekend, this one at an empty house at Elaghbeg in Burnfoot which was extensively damaged. Attempts were also made to burn a HSE building and another unoccupied house on Inch Island. Gardai are treating the

Independent Presidential candidate Seán Gallagher has urged other candidates in the Presidential election campaign to agree to a measure that could save up to 380 thousand euro of public funds for Donegal. Each candidate is entitled to send each voter an election leaflet with a potential cost to the tax payer, if there were seven

The Buncrana Community Combatting Suicide group has announced details of its involvement in World Suicide Prevention day next month saying it will allow the community to come together to remember those they have lost. On September the 10th hundreds of chinese flying lanterns will be released to remember loved ones who have died through suicide 

The Rape Crisis Network of Ireland has said it is not surprised to learn that the majority of convicted sex offenders in Donegal are not receiving treatment or supervision. Treatment is not compulsory while supervision orders are issued at the discretion of the judge responsible for the case. Clíona Saidléar of the Rape Crisis Network

Donegal business are at a particular disadvantage when it comes to trading online. That is according to the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association – it conducted a new survey which shows that online sales opportunities are being lost through inadequate broadband quality. ISME’s Chief executive Mark Fielding says that while this is a country

Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has said that there needs to be an increase in the number of medical graduates here. She said that the current Accident and Emergency crisis where services are being closed or seriously curtailed is down to a shortage of Junior Doctors. At present only Queens University in Belfast and Trinity in

There’s been a major security breach potentially affecting over 6 thousand former part time RUC officers. All former part timers are receiving a one off gratuity for their services, one of them is West Tyrone MLA Ross Hussey. However, he says details of what the letter refers to are clearly visible through the windows on

As many of the 2,200 Donegal students who sat the Leaving Cert in June are this afternoon consider, their CAO offers of college places, the President of LYIT says he’s happy with the applications and points requirements for courses in the college this year. The points requirements for courses at LYIT range from 400, to

A group which works with women affected by prostitution recorded a 4 per cent increase in the number of people they helped last year. Ruhama’s annual statistics report shows the 204 women they worked with in 2010 came from 31 different countries. The group says the location of new victims of trafficking also shows the

The points for college courses in science, technology and agriculture have increased dramatically this year. While in contrary to previous years – the points needed for courses in arts and business have decreased. The first round of CAO college offers has been posted online this morning, with offer notices arriving in the post for students

The Minister for Education has now been called in to resolve the issue surrounding the new Finn Valley College. The project has been dogged by controversy over safe access for students and whether it will or will not open on time. Now local Councillor Cora Harvey has written to the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn

Figures from the CSO suggest rural gardai are cracking down on prostitution with Donegal having one of the highest rates of people convicted in relation to prostitution. The figures, covering the last three years, show that Donegal, Cork, Galway and Kerry gardai have had more convictions and charges than Dublin for alleged brothel-keeping. Proportionately the

The Environmental Protection Agency has blamed a Donegal County Council treatment for being a significant cause of the decline in the pearl mussel population. In a report, the Environmental Protection Agency says an immediate upgrade of the Kilmacrennan wastewater plant is required as it is considered a significant cause of mussel decline in the lower

Donegal’s All-Ireland Semi-Final against Dublin in Croke Park is a sell-out. The Donegal County Board has confirmed that they have sold the 12,000 tickets they were allocated. It’s the quickest sell-out of Croke Park in GAA history and it will be the first full house there this year. The highest attendance of the season so

A Donegal bike enthusiast priest will celebrate a special mass  for motorcyclists this Sunday. Fr Gerard Sweeney decided to hold the mass having been urged to do so by his biker friends. The mass is at 1pm at St Aengus Church, Burt. Fr Gerard Sweeney is hoping for a good turnout:  

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard today how a man assaulted a taxi driver after arguing over the fare with him. San McCormich (26) of 8, Balbane Pass in Derry was charged with assaulting the taxi driver n May 21 this year. The court was told that the taxi was parked in the city centre when McCormick

Organisers of National Heritage Week are expecting a record 370-thousand people to take part in more than 1,400 events around the country. The nine-day programme – which kicks off today – aims at raising awareness about the value of our national heritage and its importance. Most of the events are free and attractions include learning

Donegal NE Deputy Padriag Mac Lochlainn says the residents of Moville and Greencastle have much to be proud of after An Bord Pleanala this week gave the go ahead for the contravserial sewerage scheme in the area. The permission is contrary to the recommendations of an inspector, and subject to a number of conditions, including

A member of Donegal VEC says there’s no question of the new Finn Valley College not opening in time for the new academic year, but that’s been questioned by a representitive the National Electrical Contractors of Ireland. There have been concerns that a dispute between the main contractor and a sub contractor may compromise plans

The Mayor of Derry has called a special meeting to discuss the implications of delays in upgrading the Derry-Coleraine rail link, and the restrictions being put on the line. The meeting, which takes place next Wednesday afternoon in the Guildhall, will include councillors, MLAs and MPs Mayor Maurice Devenney says it’s essential that the Council

The coordinators of an EU backed geological survey which is underway in Inishowen are stressing that it is not a commercial venture, and the information is not been gathered for potential fracking or mining. A County Meath consultancy company recernt;y won contracts to deliver the soil, sediment and water sampling elements of the Tellus projet

It’s feared that an alleged dispute between the main contractor and a sub contractor may compromise plans to open the new Finn valley College in two weeks time. After a 30 year wait, the new school in Stranorlar is now substantially fnished, but the fear is that electrical work may not be certified, and the

The Historical Enquiries Team has opened a new investigation into the killing of a Strabane man by the British Army 40 years ago today. A commemoration will take place this evening to mark the 40th anniversary of the killing of 24 year old Eamon Mc Devitt by a member of the Royal Marine Commandos. Mr

The family of two Donegal fishermen who died after their boat capsized off the coast of Donegal have said  a report into the accident finally brings them closure. 65-year-old Edward Doherty, from Ross Head, Malin Head, and his nephew 41-year-old Robert McLaughlin died after their vessel ‘Jennifer’ sank off Glengad on November 1 last year.

The Community for a Clean Estuary has said it is shocked to learn that the Council has not submitted the required information to An Bord Pleanala which is considering the Moville Greencastle Sewerage system. Correspondents between An Bord Pleanala and the Environmental Protection Agency show that the council has yet to seek permission from the

The Head of Failte Ireland North West has played down reports that 2011 was one of the worst tourism seasons on record for County Donegal stating there are positive. Paul McLoone says that numbers this year are in line with last and that the major population areas are still doing well. An ad campaign has

Sea conditions and a heavy catch may have resulted in the death of two Donegal fishermen who died after their boat capsized, that’s according to a new report released yesterday. 65-year-old Edward Doherty, from Ross Head, Malin Head, and his nephew 41-year-old Robert McLaughlin died after their vessel ‘Jennifer’ sank off Glengad on November 1

Almost 13,000 candidates from across Northern Ireland are receiving their A-Level results today, with UCAS also releasing its course offers. For those who do not receive their first choice, competition for places under the clearing system is tight, with fewer places this year than previously. The University of Ulster is estimating they will have around

A commemoration will take place in Strabane tonight to mark the 40th anniversary of the killing of a local man by a member of the Royal Marine Commandos. 24 year old Eamon Mc Devitt, who was deaf and mute, was shot by a commando at Fountain Street in August 1971, with his family continuing a

The wife of a Co Tyrone farmer who died from head injuries he sustained when he fell from on top of bales of hay, said yesterday she hoped other members of the farming community would learn from the circumstances of her husband’s death. 59-year-old Christopher Irwin Roulston was found by his wife Kathleen in his

A senior Derry City Council official says the Derry Donegal Showcase at the Irishfest in Milkwaukee should lead to a noticeable increase in the number of people visiting the North West in the coming years. Brendan Mc Menamin, the council’s Arts and Culture Officer, says three quarters of a million people will visit the festival

The largest Irish festival in the world is getting underway in the US. The North West is being well represented at the Milwaukee Irish Fest, with a Derry Donegal Showcase. The showcase is being supported by Failte Ireland North West. There are also representatives from key statutory agencies , business persons, musicians, artists and performers,