Author name: oisinkelly

Police in Norway have confirmed that the 32 year old man being questioned in connection with two attacks yesterday is an extreme right wing Christian Fundamentalist. He has been named locally as Ander Beh-ring Bre-vik. The death toll has now risen to 91 and the number is expected to increase. A bomb was detonated in […]

A 39-year-old council worker has died after becoming trapped by a lorry at a council recycling depot on Gateside Road in Coleraine. He’s been named locally as married father of two Alan Devenney, who was from the town. The Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation, and the depot will remain closed until further

A former Mayor of Donegal is to raise an emergency motion at Mondays Donegal County Council meeting, which she hopes will save the Donegal Food and Craft Market. The market, which is held in Donegal Town, is expected to be served a closure order in the coming days. The move is off the back of

A ward at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry has been closed to new admissions because of an outbreak of  Norovirus. Ward 42 has been temporarily closed as a result of the bug, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting. The Western trust has urged anyone who is unwell not to visit the hospital. It has also issued guidelines

The search for missing teenager Sean Mc Nair resumed on Lough Swilly at 5 o clock this morning, with members of the Irish Coastguard and the RNLI carrying out searchs in and around the Lough throughout today. Naval divers are also in the water, and volunteers are carrying out shoreline seaches. The 17-year-old from Derry

A bookmakers shop in Strabane has been gutted by fire in what is thought to be an act of arson. The Fire and Rescue Service has been praised for their efforts in controlling the fire at the bookmakers in the Butcher Street area of Strabane. It is understood the fire broke out a little after

The PSNI has apologised after mistakenly arresting a couple on suspicion of a “sham marriage” for immigration purposes. Neil McElwee and Yanan Sun, who is of Chinese origin, had just arrived at the Guildhall building in Derry on Tuesday when police arrived and detained all 40 guests. Yanan is five months pregnant, after being released

The High Court has approved a 2.5 million euro settlement to a 23 year old Donegal woman with cerebral palsy – which is alleged to have arisen from a birth injury. Lauren Tinney from Buncrana sued the HSE through her mother Eleanor over the handling of her birth at Letterkenny General Hospital in May 1988.

Plans have been submitted by the Department of Education for a major new school in Stranorlar. The new three-story building with 24 classrooms, a teachers room and a library and resource room will be situated at the Mill Brae. The site, across from the Finn Valley Centre, will allow for much needed extra car-parking spaces.

The Order of Malta says the convicted child abuser, Michael Ferry, had no contact with children through the group while he was a member of it. Michael Ferry worked with the organisation in 1993 with a view to setting up a branch in Gweedore. However a spokesperson for the order says it never got off

Letterkenny General Hospital may be upgraded to regional status in order to being in more money from the hospital’s private work. Health Minister James Reilly indicated at an Oireachtas Health Committee meeting last evening that he is considering the classification of the hospital, as it is paid less than other large hospitals which do similar

Doctors from other EU countries who want to register and work in Ireland are not subject to any test of their medical skills according to the Irish Independent. The Medical Council, which regulates the profession here, reported 361 complaints against doctors last year — a rise of 22% compared with 2009. On Tuesday it emerged

After weeks of speculations it is expected that the popular Donegal Food and Craft Market, held in Donegal Town, is to be served a closure order in the coming days. The move is off the back of a complaint form a local business that Casual Trading is taking place in Donegal Town, contrary to the

A man who led detectives on a 30 kilometre pursuit before crashing into another patrol car and killing a young Garda has been jailed for seven years. Martin McDermott was found guilty of the manslaughter of Garda Gary McLoughlin in Co Donegal in December 2009. McDermott, 25, of Castlegrove, Raphoe, was also found guilty of

Donegal Senior Football Manager Jim Mc Guinness is denying that a rift has opened between  himself and County Board Chairman PJ Mc Gowan. Suggestions of a rift increased when it emerged the bill for the players’ overnight stay in the Slieve Russell Hotel the night before the Ulster Final last Sunday was paid not by

The CEO of the HSE say that Letterkenny General Hospital will have to meet a 7% reduction in it’s volume of work to keep within budget this year. Cathal Mc Gee was responding to Donegal Deputy Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue at a meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee this afternoon. Deputy Mc Conalogue said it

A 41-year-old Derry man has appeared in court charged with causing a bomb scare that resulted in more than £20,000 in lost trade last Tuesday. 39-year-old Martin Stokes of Barr’s Lane, Derry was charged with claiming there was an explosive device behind Specsavers on Ferryquay Street. The court heard that an employee in the shop

The youth organisation Foróige has confirmed that Michael Ferry worked as a volunteer at one of its clubs. Foróige said Ferry, worked with children for the organisation in Co Donegal between 1984 and 1987. A spokeswoman said the group had been contacted by both the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the gardaí to make them

The HSE says it is is reviewing its involvement in relation to the case of Michael Ferry to establish that all appropriate actions were taken by both the former North Western Health Board and the HSE. The executive is also urging anyone who may have been abused to seek counselling. In a statement this afternoon,

David Norris says he’s on track to be nominated to run for the Aras. The Independent Senator now has 13 of the 20 Oireachtas members required – including eight Independent TDs. But he says he’ll also make a fresh bid to secure four local authorities in September in case he can’t make the 20 TDs

A former Detective Garda and author of the book ‘Breaking the Silence says that it is his belief that a paedophile ring was operating in West Donegal. Martin Ridge, who investigated the notorious child abuser Eugene Greene, was speaking today on the Shaun Doherty Show. He says that he knows of a number of paedophiles

The budgtary situation at Letterkenny General and other hospitals around the state is coming under the microscope today, with members of the Oireachtas Health Committee questioning HSE CEO Cathal Mc Gee and Minister James Reilly. Donegal North East Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue, a member of the committee says he will be raising Letterkenny General at

Derek Mulligan says the response from the school, where the caretaker who had abused him worked, makes him “sick to his stomach”. Coláiste Cholmcille in Gweedore, where convicted paedophile Michael Ferry had worked, released a statement yesterday. The school expressed their deepest sympathy to Derek Mulligan but disputed as “factually incorrect” many details of the

It is understood the he HSE will confirm later that a multi-agency response, including support and counselling services for victims, will be announced in response to the conviction of Michael Ferry. It follows representation made to the executive by Deputy Pearse Doherty, he says there may be more victims in the area and it is

A Garda has revealed the terrifying moments before a car smashed into his patrol car and killed his colleague. Garda Bernard McLaughlin revealed how a car being driven by Martin McDermott “came like a rocket” before it hit them head-on in Burt in December 2009. 24-year-old Garda Gary McLoughlin, died in hospital the following day

A father who sexually abused his daughter has thanked her for being brave enough to come forward and to expose him. The Donegal man admitted abusing his daughter on a number of occasions after he would get drunk in 2006 and 2007. On one occasion he gave his wife money so she could go out

Donegal County Councillor Jack Murray has welcomed a High Court Action which is hoped could save the future of students in the county. Three students have issued a High Court challenge to the Governments decision to change the Maintenence Grant Scheme. The legal action is attempting to quash the decision to change the qualifying criteria

A 32 year old Lithuanian man who left his country to start a new life in Ireland after serving seven years in jail for manslaughter has been jailed for six years after Gardai found a cannabis factory at his home in Donegal. Andrius Gruodis pleaded guilty under the Misuse of Drugs Act after Gardai were

The Irish Language Colleges’ Representitive Body CONCOS has asked Colaiste Colmcille in Donegal to step aside from the group until all investigations into alleged sexual abuse are completed. 55 year old Michael Ferry from Carrick Boyle in Gweedore – was sentenced to 14 years in prison this week – for abusing four boys at the

Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson has called for an urgent external investigation into child sexual abuse allegations in Gweedore. Deputy Dara Calleary says every facet of this story must be thoroughly investigated as a matter of urgency. He is calling on the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to appoint a Garda team from outside

The President of the Medical Council says it’s a matter of concern that the competence of doctors coming from the EU to work in Ireland is not assessed. Under EU freedom of movement legislation, the Medical Council here is NOT allowed to assess the competence of doctors coming from within the EU. It comes after

A man has been stabbed in the face during a suspected sectarian attack in Derry. He was walking in the Chapel Road area of the city around 2 o’clock this morning – when two men jumped out of a car and attacked him. The 26-year-old victim was stabbed in the face and ribs. He was

A former Mayor of Letterkenny says it’s vital that Town Council officials and members meet in October to ensure that adequate provisions have been made for the winter. The council was told this week that additional snow ploughs will be available, including a plan to put small ploughs to be added onto grass cutters for

Sinn Fein Deputy Pearse Doherty has said with hindsight, he himself witnessed what could be deemed as inappropriate behaviour from convicted Donegal paedophiles Michael Ferry. The Deputy was one of many local  youths that would have socialised in and around Ard Scoil Mhuire in Derrybeg where Michael Ferry abused five boys. The 55 year old

A €4 million settlement was approved by the High Court  in favour of a young girl who suffered severe spinal injuries, leaving her wheelchair bound, as a result of a road crash in West Donegal. Nóirín McGarvey, now seven, had, through her father, Ronan McGarvey, Lower Dore, Bunbeg, Co Donegal, brought proceedings against William Barr

A former Garda Detective has been accused of reaching excessive speeds during a pursuit which ended in the death of a young Garda. Garda Gary McLoughlin was killed when another car crashed into the Garda car he was driving in Co Donegal on December 13th 2009. Garda McLoughlin, 24, died the day after the crash

A Doctor who worked at Letterkenny General Hospital and who did not know how to take a pulse has been found guilty of poor professional performance by the Medical Council. 31 year-old  Dr Asia Ndaga  failed to turn up for a fitness to practise inquiry yesterday where she faced several allegations concerning her work at

Gardai have begun an investigation into an organised child sex ring amid claims dozens of young boys were abused for more than a decade by school caretaker Michael Ferry and other paedophiles. Officers in Donegal are now investigating claims against at least four other suspected paedophiles linked to Ferry. Details of the garda inquiry emerged

The body of a woman in her early forties was removed to Letterkenny General Hospital last night after she died suddenly in a restaurant at Annagry. It is understood the woman, who lived locally, had entered the premises with a relative just a short time before she collapsed. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

More than 8,500 people were caught watching TV without a licence in Northern Ireland during the first half of the year. This included more than 2,800 in Belfast, 530 in Craigavon and 600 in Derry. They were among almost 197,000 people caught across the Britain and Northern Ireland during the same period.

The search for a missing teenager in Lough Swilly is continuing this evening. Sean McNair hasn’t been seen since the early hours of Sunday morning. The 17 year old from Derry went missing in the water while swimming with friends at Rathmullan pier. Up to 300 volunteers turned out for todays search, along with the

A 25-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of  a Garda in Donegal in December 2009. 24-year-old Garda Gary McLaughlin, a native of Co Leitrim, was killed when his patrol car was involved in a collision with another car at Lisfannon, Burt. The trial of a man charged with the manslaughter of a

Five Romanian women appeared at Letterkenny District Court yesterday charged with keeping a brothel in the centre of the town. The five women, aged between 20 and 38, pleaded guilty to the charges. The house at 1A Binnion Avenue in Letterkenny had been put under surveillance for a short period of time, and Detective Garda

The search for a missing teenager in Lough Swilly is due to resume around now, with coastguard urging all volunteer searchers to make sure they wear proper clothing and take extreme care. Sean McNair hasn’t been seen since the early hours of Sunday morning. The 17 year old from Derry went missing in the water

Justice Minister Alan Shatter is demanding to know why a school caretaker – who had a conviction for sexually assault – was allowed to continue working at a Donegal school – where he then sexually molested another four young boys. Michael Ferry of Gweedore was jailed for 14 years yesterday after pleading guilty to 38

Parts of Derry city centre have been closed following a security alert. Police say the alert comes after a telephone warning was made to the Specsavers store on Ferryquay Street. Staff have been evacuated. The Richmond Centre has also been evacuated. Derry City Councillor Martin Reilly, who works nearby, says thankfully todays Foyle Cup parade,

The trial begins today of a 24 year old Raphoe man charged with dangerous driving causing the death of a garda. Garda Gary McLaughlin, also 24, a native of Co Leitrim, was killed when his patrol car was involved in a collision with another car at Lisfannon, Burt on December 13th, 2009. Martin McDermott of

Letterkenny Town Council is to seek funding at both national and EU level in a bid to continue the urban renewal and regeneration work which has been going on in recent years. Cllr Dessie Larkin moved three motions, one seeking to extend the recent Main Street improvements into the Lower Main Street Area, and another

The 26 year old woman killed in a collision outside Donegal Town yesterday morning has been named locally as Deirdre Burke of Drimarone. The collision, which involved a car and a van, happened at Ardlenagh on the old Ballyshannon Road at twenty to ten yesterday morning. Meanwhile, police in Tyrone have launched a murder inquiry