Author name: oisinkelly

There were 21,700 people signing on the Live Register in Donegal at the end of May. That was down 27 on April,. but up 309 from May 2010, an increase of 1.4%. The highest increases were in Letterkenny and Killybegs, while falls were recorded in Buncrana and Dungloe. There were 6,106 signing on in Letterkenny

A Letterkenny Councillor is expressing grave concern that the proposed Bonagee Link Road has not been included in a priority list of National Secondary Roads which has been published by the National mRoads Authority. Cllr Dessie Larkin says there’s cross party support for the link, and widespread agreement that the road is a vital cog

Due to what has been described as unprecedented numbers attending Letterkenny Generally Hospital over the weekend, a number of outpatient clinics will be either cancelled or disrupted today. This morning, Dr McKenna’s dermatology clinic is cancelled as is Mr Considine’s E.N.T clinic; disruptions to other clinics are to be expected. Those attending clinic this afternoon

Letterkenny General Hospital says after a very busy weekend, it expects that some Out Patients Clinics may have to be cancelled tomorrow (Tues). Anyone with appointments is being asked to ring the hospital before leaving home. Also, people are again being urged to avoid the A&E Department unless absolutely necessary.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney says he is trying to secure some financial help for farmers who have suffered as a result of the recent gorse fires in Donegal, but the EU is not likely to provide direct funds. Mr Coveney was speaking after meetings with both the IFA and ICSA during a recent two day

A school principal in Derry says she is worried that the new Peace Bridge over the Foyle could make some of her pupils ineligible for free school transport. The Western Education and Library Board is expected to make a statement tomorrow on the implications for schools of the new pedestrian and cycle bridge, which is

Gardai in Donegal are urging people to look out for older people in their communities. It follows a number of reports from various parts of the county that a man appears to be posing as a priest as a cover to get into the homes of older people and persons residing alone in isolated locations.

Mourners were told today that a four-year-old boy crushed beneath a thick steel door always had a happy glint in his eye. About 1,200 grieved with Daniel Cleary’s parents Keith and Patricia at the funeral Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Donegal Town. A moving solo of Danny Boy, was sung as the remains were carried

The Burtonport area are said to be in shock after a young man from the area tragically died in Australia. Sean McBride, was working on scaffolding at a wharf in the town of Dampier in Western Australia which is believed to have collapsed yesterday afternoon. The scaffolding the 28-year-old was working on was above the

The Government are planning to introduce a bill which will change the way in which Gaeltacht areas are identified. Under this new legislation, Gaeltacht areas will be identified in future by how much the Irish language is used instead of by geographical location. At least two-thirds of a district’s population must now be shown by

Udaras na Gaeltachta is to retain its enterprise functions, but budgets are being cut, and the direct election of the board will end. Speaking ahead of the Publication of the Gaeltacht Bill, Junior Minister Dinny Mc Ginley said that contrary to speculation, the Udaras will retain its enterprise function. However, he said the new bill

Inishowen Councillor Rena Donaghey says final agreement has now been reached with the operators of the Lough Swilly Ferry, and the service linking Buncrana and Rathmullan should be up and running in a fortnight’s time. There was some debate at a council meeting earlier in the week about the availability of money from a Strategic

While in Greencastle, Minister Coveney was lobbied about the unfinished breakwater, but says there is no way money can be found to complete the job at the moment, but it will be prioritised in the future. However, he promised funding of almost €500,000 to cap the work which has been done and ensure it doesn’t

Up to 160 new jobs are to be created in the seafood processing sector, 36 of them, in Killybegs. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Simon Coveney announced the initiative in Killybegs this morning. He also announced he is establishing an action group chaired by KFO CEO Sean O’Donaghue with a view towards identifying how expanding the

The future of Udaras na Gaeltachta will become clearer today after Junior Minister Dinny Mc Ginley addresses a meeting of board members in Falcarragh this morning. There’s widespread speculation that he will announce that the job creation remit will be transferred from the Udaras to Enterprise Ireland. Udaras will then be rebranded, with responsibility for

Motorists are being told to expect delays over the Bank Holiday weekend in the Falcarragh / Dunlewey and Gweedore areas. There are a number of sporting events and Gardai have said restrictions will be in place. The Gaelforce North race will take place tomorrow, and motorists travelling along the R251 (The Termon to Dunlewey Road)

Donegal County Council has confirmed that there was an explosion at a booster pump house in Carrigart on Tuesday. A pressure vessel ruptured, causing damage to the pump house and resulted in the loss of water supply to up to 70 houses in the Gortnabrade area. The Council have said they are taking measures to

Investigations are underway into the death of a boy who was killed when a steel door fell on him. 4 year old Daniel Cleary was in a yard at his home in Drumbar near Donegal town last evening when the incident happened. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and his body’s been removed to

The Road Safety Authority has welcomed the introduction of mandatory drink driving testing at the scene of crashes involving injuries. From today, drivers can be breathalysed at the scene of the crash – or in hospital. Donegal Base road safety group PARC let the campaign for the introduction of the legislation. Chief Executive of the

A 27-year-old Derry man has appeared in court charged with possessing firearms and drugs with intent to supply. Stephen Radcliffe of Dunluce Court was charged with possessing a sawn off shotgun and a .32 pistol with intent on February 28 last. He also faced a charge of possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply

A 23-year-old man has been charged with obstructing police after a bomb alert in Derry this morning Twenty homes were evacuated around the Ringfort Road when a suspect object was thrown at a house at about quarter past five. It was later declared a hoax and residents were allowed to return to their homes. Another

Speculation is mounting that Údarás na Gaeltachta will lose its job creation role. It’s believed that Junior Minister Dinny Mc Ginley will make the announcement at a meeting with board in Gweedore tomorrow morning. He’s expected to announce that the job creation function will be taken over by Enterprise Ireland, and the board’s name will

The Fire Service in Derry say two girls who were trapped in a burning building at Springtown in Derry last night are lucky to be alive. The girls, aged 13 and 14, became trapped in the building at the Ballinskea industrial estate at around 10 o’clock last night. A number of appliances from the Fire

A Donegal County Councillor says that Eirgrid and ESB networks should be doing more to inform the public about the 110k volt power line which is being constructed across Donegal. It was confirmed this week that ground work on the project will start this month, 60% of landowners have so far been contacted, with the

Today is Haemochromatosis Awareness Day. This genetic disorder is most common in Europeans – particularly in those of Nordic or Celtic origin. It causes the body to absorb too much iron from their diet which then gradually accumulates in the liver, pancreas, joint or heart and if it’s not removed it can cause irreversible damage.

Sinn Fein has outline its opposition to the Draft County Development Plan claiming that if adopted as is, it would have a detrimental impact on the county’s rural areas. The plan came up for discussion at this weeks meeting of Donegal County Council, just hours before it was to be released for public consultation. Deputy

There is renewed hope that road safety works in the vacinity of the Finn Valley college will be complete before the start of the next term. Parents have complained of the dangers for pupils walking to and from the college given the current road conditions and and the lack of a proper pavement. This week,

The PSNI has confirmed that the search for missing Lifford man David Colhoun is to be widened. In a statement the family, through the police, thanked everyone for the assistance in the search to date. David, who is 22, has been missing since last Sunday week. The PSNI say extensive land and water searches have

Donegal County Council says Elected Members had to exercised a reserved function to allow Labour co-opt Councillor Michael McBride on to Donegal County Council. This was in reponse to Letterkenny Solicitor Dessie Sheils – he quoted council legislation which deems the cooption against the rules. Councillor McBride replaced now Senator Jimmy Harte on the council,

The chairman of Bundoran Town Council today(Wed) launched a court action claiming the town’s former parking attendant defamed him. Sean McEniff, who is also a Donegal County councillor and owner of a group of hotels, claims Patricia McCafferty wrongly accused him of being a corrupt councillor influencing planning decisions in Bundoran. The allegations were made

Funding has been announced today for the planned new park in Carndonagh, with most of the money coming from the Inishowen Leader Company. The Inishowen Development Partnership is providing  €500,000 to Carndonagh Playground Development Committee for the completion of the new park. Announcing the funding Minister Phil Hogan said the project will cost a total

There was increased local activity this morning in the search for missing Lifford man David Culhoun. The 22 year-old has been missing since last Sunday week. The search on a section of the local river intensified after sniffer dogs were attracted to the area last evening. However divers searching the spot last evening and this

The legality of the co-option by Labour of Councillor Michael McBride on to Donegal County Council has been called in to question. While stating he has no issues with the personalities involved, Letterkenny Solicitor Dessie Sheils has quoted council legislation which deems the co-option against the rules. Councillor McBride replaced now Senator Jimmy Harte on

Opposition politicians are accusing the Environment Minister of creating confusion over plans for new taxes. Minister Phil Hogan announced yesterday that water meters would be installed in every home from next year, in preparation for the new water tax. And yesterday evening he outlined plans for a flat-rate household charge which will hit taxpayers from

It has been confirmed that re-alignment work on one of the most dangerous stretches of the Dungloe to Glenties road will commence in October. Under the work, a 3.3 km stretch of the road between Cloghbolie and Boyoughter will be widened and realigned. It will remove one of the most dangerous stretches of the N56

The company behind the controversial new 110K power line which will cross Donegal, says objections from land owners to date have been minimal. Work on the ground begins next month and will see an over head line constructed from Brinbane in west Donegal to Letterkenny in the east. Eirgrid and ESB networks says the development

A 29-year-old man has admitted causing a fatal crash in County Monaghan last December in which three people died, including a Donegal born teacher. Kevin Mc Ardle of Carrickmacross pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death, and was remanded in custody for sentencing. 39 year old teacher Róisín Connolly, nee Langan, was

The full extent of the damage caused by gorse fires which raged across the county last month has been revealed. Donegal County Council has told of the huge cost, financially, through lost property and destroyed forestry, that was incurred. Between the 30th of April and May 5th of this year the fire service received at

The Environment Minister says water metering is not about taxation but about environmental conservation. Minister Phil Hogan says consultants have been appointed to see how the scheme will operate in Ireland and will report back in October. A conference on water metering is taking place in Dublin today. The roll-out of water meters will begin

Gardai are now treating an incident at a house in Loughanure, west Donegal as most likely a burglary. Initial reports suggested the house was discovered broken in to with a large quantity of blood present inside. However a garda source suggests that only a small amount of blood was discovered and it is most likely

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has again called for more action to be taken against those who assault paramedics, in the wake of such an attack in Derry. Police had to be called by a crew in the Northland Street area of Derry on Sunday night, after a patient they were taking to Altnagelvin Hospital

Donegal North East Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has called on the Minister for Health, James Reilly, to intervene in the debacle over the extension to Letterkenny General Hospital. He said todays news of outpatient clinics being cancelled and patients on trolleys as totally unacceptable. He also called on the HSE to wrap up the legal

There is speculation that President Mary Mc Aleese may attend this year’s July 12th celebrations in Rossnowlagh. An unnamed member of the Orange Order is quoted in today’s Donegal People’s Press as saying President Mc Aleese would be attending the Rossnowlagh event, which this year takes place on Saturday July 9th. He says reaction to

The search for a County Donegal man who has been missing since escaping from PSNI custody continues today. 22-year-old David Colhoun from Lifford was arrested in Strabane on 22 May for minor offences. A search involving police on both sides of the border and Foyle Search and Rescue has concentrated on the River Mourne near