Author name: oisinkelly

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,

Police in Derry have confirmed that A 32 year old man and a 31 year old man are expected to appear at Derry Magistrates Court next month charged with behaving in a threatening manner onboard an aircraft, being drunk onboard an aircraft and using threatening or insulting words towards aircraft crew. The charges relate to

An investigation has been launched into a suspected spate of arson across Inishowen. In the last week it is understood that two houses, a barn and Cockill School were targeted, the suspicion is that it is the same person or group of people responsible for all the attacks. Local Deputy Padraig MacLoughlainn says it is

There is hope that a resolution to the issue which forced the closure of Laghey Post office in South Donegal may be in sight. The facility was closed last month 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 difference of opinion has emerged between Stranorlar area councillors over how to deal with safety concerns for students attending Finn Valle College. It emerged this week that a new footpath will not now be in place for the new school term despite a commitment made earlier that it would. A temporary route through Drumboe

Almost 58,000 people, the vast majority of them secondary school students, receive their Leaving Cert results today. Of those, just over 2,200 are in Donegal. A total of 2,205 people sat the Leaving Cert exams in Donegal in June,  1,128 female and 1,077 male. A further 148 students sat the Leaving Cert Applied. Results will

Passengers using the Belfast to Derry railway line are to be taken by bus between Coleraine and Derry for up to two years because of concerns over safety. The disruption will affect a third of trains using the route. It’s also emerged that a complete refurbishment of the track between Derry and Coleraine has now

Retired GAA  broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh says he will announce next week whether he will run as a candidate in the Presidential election. The 80 year old says he’s been approached by a number of political parties, and has not ruled out putting himself forward as a candidate. Mr O Muircheartaigh, who turns 81 on

A footpath leading to the new Finn Valley College will not be ready for the new term in 2 weeks time. Earlier this year, in the run up to the General Election, former Tanaiste Mary Coughlan claimed that money was available and that the footpath would be completed before the new college opened. But work

470 children were killed or injured on Donegals roads between 1997 and 2009, a new study reveals. The RSA released the figures yesterday, as part of its research into child fatalities and injuries on the nations roads. The research also showed that 56% of all child casualties in Ireland between 1997 and 2009 were pedestrians

A Derry Councillor says it’s time to reopen the debate about a third bridge over the Foyle in Derry, this one linking Newbuildings and the Letterkenny Road. The need for such a bridge has been discussed before, most recently in a report last year, which found that of 6,100 vehicles arriving into the city from

The latest daft.ie rental survey finds that although there’s been a large percentage increase in rental costs around Letterkenny IT, accomodation for students at the college is still the cheapest in the country. The survey finds an increase of just over 7%, second only to Limerick. Conversely, rental costs across all sectors in Donegal have

Two men have appeared in court in Derry charged in connection with public order offences following an Apprentice Boys parade in the city on Saturday. 35 year old Gerard Anthony Kelly from Corrody Road in the Waterside, and 36 year old John Patrick Duffy from Lone Moor Gardens each face a number of charges. The

Phase 2 of a £3 million junction improvement scheme at the Culmore Road Roundabout in Derry has been completed, with traffic now flowing normally in the area. Local politicians say the new road scheme will help ease the flow of traffic, particularly for those who travel between Derry and Donegal on a daily basis. Foyle

A man has appeared in court charged with stabbing four men, including a Garda Sergeant outside a nightclub in Letterkenny. 46-year-old John Boyle of Leck Cottages in Letterkenny, appeared at Mullingar District Court this morning accused of four counts of assault causing harm. Claire O’Brien was in the court….

The head of the Apprentice Boys in Derry has criticised part of the policing operation in the city on Saturday, after violence broke out after the annual parade. Petrol bombs were thrown at police and three vehicles were hijacked. A mother and her daughter were also dragged from their car near Creggan Street during the

Senator Brian O’Domnhaill says he thinks Fianna Fail should run their own candidate in the Presidential election – and he also said that party leader Michael Martin should not step down. And he said that as party leader, Michael Martin had every right to approach Gay Byrne. The broadcaster ended weeks of speculation on Saturday,

More than 200 people travelled to a remote island off the Donegal coast yesterday to remember more than 500 stillborn babies buried in a secret burial ground. The children, all born between the 18th and 19th centuries, could not be buried on consecrated ground because they had not been baptised. The poignant event was attended

The Bishop of Raphoe Dr Philip Boyce has announced a number of changes for the diocese. Fr Francis Ferry will leave Tory Island to become curate in Conwal & Leck, Letterkenny, replacing Fr Willie Bradley who returns to the Holy Ghost Fathers. Fr Paul Gallagher continues as Chaplain to Cloughaneely Community School in Falcarragh ,

A 46-year-old man will appear before a sitting of Mullingar District Court later this morning charged with stabbing a Garda sergeant and three nightclub bouncers in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. The sergeant injured in the incident is still receiving treatment at Letterkenny General hospital for his injuries. The incident took place in the early hours of

Gardai in Letterkenny are investigating a knife attack in which 4 people were injured including a Garda Sergeant – in the early hours of this morning. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Lower Main St Letterkenny outside the Voodoo nightclub. Three men – and a Garda Sergeant were injured – and were taken to

The Health and Safety Authority is investigating an accident in which a three-year-old girl tumbled 16 feet from a hotel balcony during wedding celebrations and had a miracle escape. Eva Sweeney, a cousin of the bride, Ashley Gallagher, fell through a hole in a balcony railing on to a sloping tiled roof and tumbled to

At least three people have been arrested – and a number of petrol bombs seized by police – following rioting in Derry after the annual Apprentice Boys parade in the city. A mother and daugther were pulled from their car by a gang near Creggan Street,  while a car was set alight in Fahan Street

Gay Byrne has confirmed he will NOT be in the running for the Presidency. The 77 year old broadcaster, who’s believed to be in his West Donegal holiday home telephoned the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin earlier today to inform him of his decision not to contest the election. So far, there’s been no reaction

A post office van’s been hijacked and set on fire in the Shantallow area of Derry. This morning’s attack on Madamsbank Road came as thousands of Apprentice Boys prepared for a parade in the city. Four masked men threw petrol bombs into the van and ran off. The blaze was put out by firefighters. Lastc

All GAA matches – scheduled to take place in Co. Derry this weekend have been cancelled – as a mark of respect to a referee, who died at a game last night. Martin Mulholland – who was in his fifties – collapsing during the quarter-final of the senior championship between Kevin Lynch’s, Dungiven, and St

A convicted sex offender has been jailed for failing to notify police of a change of address. 46-year-old William Joseph O’Connor whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison had been ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely which meant he had to inform police of any change of address. On March 7 O’Connor told

The HSE and Gardai are investigating an alleged assault involving two doctors at Sligo General Hospital. Newspaper reports today claim the male and female doctor were on rounds on Thursday morning, when they had an argument in the presence of a patient. The female doctor was seen to fall backwards clutching her forehead, and was

15,000 apprentice accompanied by 140 bands marching through Derry City Centre this afternoon. Today’s parade marks the 322nd anniversary of the ending of the Siege of Derry in 1689. Before the main demonstration at lunchtime, a number of local Apprentice Boys are walking the city’s walls before a religious service in St Columb’s Cathedral and

A referee has died after collapsing at a G-A-A hurling match in Swatragh, Co Derry. It happened during the quarter final of the senior championship between Kevin Lynch’s, Dungiven, and St Colm’s, Ballinascreen. Paramedics treated the referee on the pitch and then brought him to the changing rooms where a defibrillator was used, before he

A Donegal man who was caught performing an indecent act in his car twice within days seemed to have ‘an obsession with this particular form of deviancy’ according to District Judge Barney McElholm. 35 year-old Gavin Porter of Grange, Inch Island,  admitted two charges of indecent exposure in May this year he also pleaded guilty

Following an increase of dolphins off the Donegal coast, people are being warned to be cautious and not to engage with them. Around 100 bottlenose dolphins have been spotted in the inner Donegal Bay between Rossnowlagh Beach and Doorin Head over the past few days. Onlookers will be able to see the dolphins from Mullaghmore

A survivor of abuse in Donegal has said he is angry at Bishop Philip Boyce’s response to media claims that a new report will show that hundreds of children in Donegal were abused by 20 priests numerous times. Dr Phillip Boyce said the claims in the  Irish Independent were inaccurate, misleading and not in the

A new study has found that five out of six homes where a fatal fire occurs do not have a working smoke alarm. The study of 330 house fires in which 379 people died between 2000 and 2009 shows that just 57 of the blazes were in homes where a working smoke alarm was fitted.

Foyle MP Mark Durkan along with the area’s 6 MLA’s are calling for an independent arbitrator to be brought in to try and end the escalating dispute between staff and management at the North West Regional College. Lecturers and management are involved in a bitter row over redundancies and redeployment, earlier this year about 60

After an absence of at least 13 years the Letterkenny Town Festival returns this weekend under the banner Letterkenny Live. Two two day event, headlined by Ryan Sheridan, will see live music in the town, tonight and tomorrow. It is hoped the event will become an annual one once again. Tony Forrester, the head of

An Bord Pleanala has granted planning permission for a new Petrol station in Letterkenny which has been the subject of years of controversy. Tony Kelly has been given the go ahead for the project despite strong objections from near-by business owner Edward Tobin. Letterkenny Town Council gave conditional permission for the erection of a petrol