Author name: oisinkelly

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

Letterkenny Town Council has approved a €10,000 plan to increase safety at the Windyhall Junction, with a view towards a more comprehensive project in the near future. Engineers were asked to present options for the junction. Four were identified, with the two preferred options outlined to members last evening. The easier, Option 4, would involve

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

A court has ruled that there is enough evidence to try two men accused of murdering Michaela McAreavey on her honeymoon in Mauritius. Avinash Treebhowoon and Sandip Mooneea will be tried before a criminal court for the murder of Mrs McAreavey in a luxury hotel on the island in January. Police believe the newly-wed, who

A caretaker jailed for 14 years today for molesting and raping four boys at a Donegal school has been described as a ‘demon’ by one of his victims. Michael Ferry of Gweedore, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to 38 sample charges which included oral and anal rapes, sex assaults, one indecent assault and

The last surviving parent of Derry’s Bloody Sunday dead died on Sunday. 84-year-old Lawrence McElhinney, died after a short illness. His son Kevin was 17 years of age when he was shot dead by the Army in January 1972. Mr McElhinney was the only parent to survive to see the Saville report published. It cleared

A woman has died in a two-car collision this on the road out of Donegal Town leading to Ballyshannon A 26-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene in the accident shortly before 10 o clock this morning. The accident happened at 940am this morning on the Old Road out of Donegal Town leading to

The Irish Coastguard is urging anyone taking part in the shoreline search for Derry teenager Sean Mc Nair to take extreme care on the shores of Lough Swilly this afternoon. The 17 year old has been missing since entering the Swilly from Rathmullen Pier in the early hours of Saturday morning. Weather conditions are hampering

The man who died on Saturday night last after falling off his bicycle in Letterkenny  the previous weekend was 35 year old Brian Mc Intyre of Windmill View in the town. Mr Mc Intyre was rushed to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin after the accident at the junction of Circular Road and Glencar Road on the

A caretaker who sexually abused a child at a Donegal school and then returned to the job where he went on to molest and rape four more boys at summer school, is to be sentenced today. The 55 year old pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to 38 sample charges which included oral and

Poor weather conditions are hampering the search for a teenager missing in Lough Swilly. 17 year old Sean McNair from Derry got into difficulty while swimming with friends at Rathmullen Pier on Friday night. Strong winds and poor visibility are delaying today’s plans for the search operation, but teams are at least expected to carry

The search for a missing teenage boy in Donegal has completed for the evening. 17 -year-old Sean McNair, who’s from Derry, was celebrating a friend’s 18th birthday at Rathmullen pier when he got into difficulty while swimming with friends. His distraught parents are keeping vigil with family and friends at the area where their only

A hit-and-run crash in which a man was knocked down and seriously injured is being treated as attempted murder, police have said. The 36 year old was struck by a vehicle on the Gortgonis Road, Coalisland, at half past 10 last night. He is critically ill in hospital. The driver did not stop at the