Author name: oisinkelly

North West MEP Marian Harkin says the European Union is splitting apart in front of our eyes, and core countries such as Germany and France will forge ahead while deficit countries like Ireland could collapse. Ms. Harkin repeated her belief that a restructuring of Irish debt will be necessary, as the current burden is unbearable. […]

A Donegal company has been named amongst  ten successful companies across the country that have been awarded funding under Enterprise Ireland’s new Internet and Games Competitive Start Fund. Franklyweb Ltd, Donegal, which offers a Subscription based clothing product range, will receive 50 thousand euro under the scheme. It’s aim is to stimulate the emergence of

Donegal County Council’s Public Art officer is urging people to be vigilant after a piece of public art along a motorway outside Moate was stolen. It’s believed the piece, titled Grainne Og was taken so it’s bronze and steel could be melted down and sold on. Terre Duffy of Donegal County Council says most pieces

Ireland is being included in the so-called ‘International Appalachian Trail’, an extension of the world-renowned walking route on the Canada/US border. The original trail stretches for 2,000 miles along the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Maine and attracts 2.5 million hikers every year. The new proposed link will see the Irish section of the international

The DUP have also shown their committment to the radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin. The DUP’s Jim Wells, who chairs the assemblys health committee, said his party would reverse the move if they took the health portfolio. And he also said the money was available and there was no case for a postponement:

The Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, has described the decision to postpone the construction of a radiotherapy unit in Derry as ‘sectarian’. He said he could “guarantee” to reverse it after the elections in May. Mr McGuinness said the delay, announced by the Health Minister in the Assembly on Thursday, was “shameful, highly political and

Funding has been approved for works at the Arragry / Rossgier water line in Lifford. 785,000 euro has been approved which will pay for pipe replacement along the line. The water line in the area as proved troublesome over the last number of years, especially during the recent cold snap when 22 bursts were reported.

A Donegal businessman and his partner who were among the bidders for the state’s second mobile phone licence have welcomed the publication of the Moriarty Tribunal report. Dunfanaghy born Michael Mc Ginley and his partner Tony Boyle, whose company Persona was among the unsuccessful bidders, say they will now seek the justice and fairplay denied

A Donegal County Councillor says proposed new by-laws in Cork, which will make it an offence to take photos of children in playgrounds, should be considered here. The draft document states no person, unless they are a member of a family, shall operate, or use a camera, camera phone, video or any other media device

There’s some bad news today for around 17,000 low paid school secretaries and non-teaching staff. The Finance Minister Michael Noonan says he will not be reversing a five percent pay cut to their wages, implemented in January. Around 500 secretaries belonging to the IMPACT trade union have already voted to take industrial action over the

Details of the proposed route of the N14/N15 Donegal link to the A5 through Northern Ireland will go on display early next month. Over a million euro has been spent to date on the plans which include proposals for the New Lifford Bridge. The stated objectives for the N14/N15 Donegal road link to the A5

An inquest has heard how a Letterkenny toddler, who had just learned to walk died after she was struck by a car at her home. 1-year-old Lisa Gallagher, died at her home in Drumardagh on July 23rd last year after she was struck accidentally by the car being driven by her dad Adrian. Heartbroken father,

Donegal Action for Cancer Care have said yesterdays announcement came as no surprise to them. Spokesperson Betty Holmes said that Michael McGimpsey had said before that money wasn’t available for the Radiotherapy Unit. She’s now called on the Irish Health Minister Dr James Reilly, to bring a radiotherapy unit to Letterkenny General Hospital:

Donegal ‘s two Fine Gael TDs say Health Minister James Reilly attends going to the first North South Ministerial Council Elections after the Assembly Elections in the North in a bid to get the proposed Altnagelvin Radiotherapy Unit back on track. Junior Minister Dinny Mc Ginley and Deputy Joe Mc Hugh met with James Reilly

A motorist with a record of hit-run driving and who is serving a jail sentence was given another six-month sentence yesterday  for having no insurance on a separate occasion. 30-year-old father of two Peadar Toner of Glenswilly, Letterkenny told the court he was forced to drive because his pregnant girlfriend was suffering morning sickness. Glenties

The new Government has begun putting its first piece of legislation is going through the Dáil – but it’s a bill drafted by the previous coalition. The main provision of the Road Traffic Bill 2011 will allow for a mandatory breath test for all drivers involved in a crash where people are injured. That’s a

The Chairperson of the Western Health and Social Services Trust has expressed grave disappointment at the decision to postpone the proposed radiotherapy unit in Derry. In a statement this evening, the Western Trust says the reason why the Radiotherapy Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital is so important is that the Cancer Centre in Belfast is on

Dr James McDaid has hit out at Sinn Fein after plans for a radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital were postponed today. The former Fianna Fail Deputy said if Sinn Fein implemented the same policies they’ve promised in the South, then we wouldn’t be in this position. Speaking to Highland News, Dr McDaid, who runs his

Northern Irelands Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has postponed plans for a new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. Highland Radio news learnt just before Mr McGimpsey addressed his Department that this would be the case. He the announcement to the Assembly in a statement on his capital priorities for the next four years. He

City of Derry Airport has announced a new summer route to Paris. Flybe will be flying to Charles De Gaulle Airport from Derry five days a week during the summer months. It is hoped that the new route will bring in new visitors to Northern Ireland from Paris, as well as providing a gateway to

A case of Tuberculosis has been confirmed at Loreto Convent in Letterkenny, with HSE West offering screening to students and staff at the school. The screening will begin on Monday of next week, weith parents invited to an information briefing at the school this afternoon. The HSE is stressing the overall risk of transmission of

The new Mayor of Buncrana says there are a number of important events on the horiozon to help develop the town as a centre for business and tourism. Cllr Michael Grant was speaking after he been elected to replace Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn. Cllr Nicholas Crossan, who assumes the role of mayor in June under

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has refused to drop the States appeal against Donegal South-West Deputy Pearse Dohertys High Court victory, that resulted in the by-election last year. Last year the Sinn Fein Deputy successfully argued in the courts for a by-election in the constituency. He won the by-election – and the subsequent General Election by a

Derry City Council has revealed a masterplan that will see at least nine million pounds spent developing the former landfill site at Culmore. Most of the money will be spent on making the site safe and extracting methane gas, which will be used for electricity generation. The works will also include landscaping and the development

Up to a hundred people who drive from Derry to work in Belfast every day may now be spared that round trip. The Department of Social Development has announced the transfer of 95 jobs dealing with the state pension from Belfast to Derry. According to Minister Alex Atwood, the process is set to begin this

Solicitors acting on behalf of businessman Francois De Dietrich have issued a statement in response to financial allegations raised recently in the press and media. The Financial Services Authority in the North has obtained a High Court order freezing over £20 million in assests in the name of Mr De Deitrich and his company ETIC

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has announced the portfolios allocated to each of the party’s TDs today. And Donegal’s two Sinn Fein Deputies have been allocated two of the most senior positions within the party in the Dail. Donegal South-West Deputy Pearse Doherty will remain as Finance spokesperson for the party.While Donegal North-East Deputy Padraig

It’s hoped the Bay View Hotel can still be saved, despite a reciever being appointed last week. The Killybegs hotel is one of the oldest in the county and was established in 1850. A reciever was appointed by the Bank of Scotland last week, but management at the hotel are still optimistic of opening the

Buncrana Town Council meets this evening to select a new mayor, with current Deputy Mayor Michael Grant expected to be chosen. The agendas also provides for the co-option of a new Sinn Fein Councillor to replace Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn, but we understand the party has not yet decided who that will be. The first

Donegal’s woodlands could be in line for a major European environmental award. The woodlands are part of a Coillte project to restore 550 hectares of four priority woodland types. Already, the project has restored some of the rarest woodland in Donegal and eight other counties, and has won an International Energy Globe Award.

A special meeting of Donegal County Council took place today to fill the vacancies left by the election of three former councillors to the Dail last month. Former councillors, Sinn Fein Deputy Padraig McLaughlin, Fianna Fail Deputy Charile McConalogue and Independent Deputy Thomas Pringle were all present. to see their replacements confirmed as councillors. Cllr

A security operation in Derry is over after a suspicious object found this morning was declared to be a hoax. The object was on a car windscreen at Kinnego Park in the Foyle Springs area of the city.

It’s emerged that Fine Gael will have a Donegal candidate in the Seanad election, after Danny Byrne from Bruckless confirmed he will be running. After the close of nominations for political parties at noon today, there were no Fine Gael candidates from Donegal. However, Mr Byrne, who lost his father and brother in the Skifjord

A security operation is underway in Derry after a suspicious object was found this morning. The object was on a car windscreen at Kinnego Park in the Foyle Springs area of the city. Army bomb experts went to the area after the incident was reported at quarter to eight this morning. The police say 18

Seanad candidates have until midday to decide if they’ll contest the election. Locally, Councillor Jimmy Harte will run for Labour on the Industrial and Commercial Panel. While, Seantor Brian O Domnhaill will run again for Fianna Fail. Highland Radio news understands that there will be no Fine Gael candidates from Donegal contesting. Labour nomination Jimmy

A special meeting of Donegal County Council is taking place in Lifford today to fill the vacancies left by the election of three former councillors to the Dail last month. The three incoming councillors are John Campbell, who will replace Deputy Thomas Pringle as an Independent in the Donegal Electoral Area, Paul Canning, who will

A Derry councillor is urging closer parental supervision of their childrens internet usage. Cllr Mark H Durkan made the call after he was contacted by a constituent who told him an attempt had been made to groom her eight year old daughter. She said the child had been contacted by an adult pretending to befriend

Hundreds of acres of uplands in Co Donegal have been fenced by farmers in compliance with area aid requirements imposed by the Department of Agriculture. That is according to campaign group Friends of the Irish Environment, which claims the fences block walking trails, and impede access to beaches, hills, lakes and rivers. The group has

Lecturers at the Magee campus of the University of Ulster and Queens University in Belfast are taking strike action today in protest against revised pension arrangements. The dispute centres on attempts to increase pension contributions for staff, raise the retirement age and end the final salary element of the scheme. Further protests are planned for

Human Rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson is making a one day visit to Derry at the invitation of the  Pat Finucane Centre and the Bloody Sunday Trust. While in the city he will visit the Museum of Free Derry.  At 4 pm, there will be an open session in the Guildhall where the Rev. Jackson will

A special service commemorating all Irish people who died to defend freedom in the First World War and elsewhere will take place in St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny tomorrow. The celebrants will be Catholic Bishop Dr Philip Boyce, Church of Ireland Bishop Dr Ken Good, Presbyterian Moderator Dr Brian Brown and Methodist Moderator Rev Ian

A cross border investigation is continuing this morning following an incident in Strabane on St Patrick’s Night in which four men  were stabbed. Three men remain in a serious, but non-life threatening condition in Altnagelvin Hospital following the incident outside Joes Bar in Abercorn Square. It’s believed their attackers fled across the border into Donegal.

Police in Derry are appealing for information following an assault in the Foyle Road area last night. At around 8pm, a 15 year old man was sitting close to a car wash when he was assaulted by a number of people. He was kicked to the head and body a number of times before he

Destination Donegal is an occasional series of documentaries taking in the sounds of different parts of Donegal. On Arranmore Island, Thomas Costello takes us on a journey through his community. From the German couple who’ve made the Island their retirement home to the manager of the legendary Crystal Swing. There’s stories of going away and

The Federation of Irish Fishermen is calling for its members to be invited to give their opinions on enhanced environmental strategies rather than being hit with a populist blanket ban on discards. Chairperson Sean O’Donoghue, also head of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, was reacting to EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki’s recent blanket ban on discards.