Author name: oisinkelly

The Dail has been told that the government’s commitment to help fund a North West Radiotherapy centre in Derry was confirmed to the North’s Health Minister just a few weeks ago. The issue was raised in the Dail last night by Deputy Pearse Doherty, who claimed the recent statement by Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey that […]

The IFA is calling for the proposed Climate Change Bill to be abandoned in light of the setting of a date for the general election. Earlier this week, the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee called for the bill to be put on hold, expressing concern about some of the restrictions it would impose. the IFA says the

The Taoiseach and five ministers will hold talks with their Northern Ireland counterparts in Co Armagh this morning. Among the ministers travelling north will be Minister for Energy, Communications and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan of the Green Party. Issues for review will include the financing of cross-border organisations and the €500m promised by the Government

The Taoiseach has announced March 11 as election date – he confirmed the date during an address to the Dail this afternoon. He also assigned Ministries vacated by recent resignations as follows: Tanaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan is to take on responsibility for health and children. Mr Cowen also reassigned other ministerial posts, with

In a rare move Foyle Assembly members have made a united appeal to Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to deliver on the commitment to deliver a radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital. In a joint statement, MLA’s from the DUP, SDLP and Sinn Féin insisted that the centre must go ahead. Last week the North’s Health Minister

Fine Gael will not announce if it is to run one or two candidates in the General Election in Donegal Southwest until the selection convention is held on Sunday. Front runners, Deputy Dinny McGinley and bye-election candidate councillor Barry O’Neill say they both would favour a two candidate approach, however Fine Gael HQ has yet

Speaking during the Fine Gael bill on Health Insurance, Donegal North East Deputy Joe Mc Hugh repeated calls for the completion of the new A&E unit and Medical Assessment Unit at Letterkenny General Hospital to be fast tracked. He also called for a mechanism to be found to fill nine Junior Doctor positions at the

The incoming Health Minister will have to move quickly to ensure that planned radiotherapy services go ahead as planned at Altnagelvin Hospital by 2015. The issue was raised by Deputy Dinny Mc Ginley during the debate on a Fine Gael bill on Health Insurance last night. Deputy Mc Ginley said the questions over whether or

The Seanad has been told that removing the Public Service Obligation from the Aer Arran’s Derry Dublin  service will badly affect business in North and East Donegal at a time when huge opportunities exist. Senator Keavney told the Seanad that with Derry’s stint as UK City of Culture just under two years away, this is

A bereaved couple’s dream of moving into the cottage they have spent the past four years restoring has been shattered by thieves. Helen and Ian Hancock, who lost a baby three months ago, live in a mobile home but were in the final stages of completing work on the 400-year-old cottage near Raphoe. But thieves

Donegal investors who fear they have lost large sums of money in a Ponzi scheme are still looking for information on getting their money back. The investment scheme is understood to involve around 200 investors from Donegal with 40 people investing from Northern Ireland. The amount of money lost in the investment scheme is estimated

The Health Minister has announced tonight that she WILL NOT contest the general election. Mary Harney’s announcement had been widely expected. But it’s emerged that she’s also tendered her resignation as Health Minister. While it hasn’t been formally accepted by the Taoiseach, she says it’s a mere formality. The move now clears the way for

Waste Enforcement Officers from Donegal County Council have begun a clean-up operation at a house in Stranorlar. The council have moved in to remove rubbish from a local home after complaints from locals, it is the second time a clean-up operation has taken place at the house in recent years. The occupants of the house

A farmer from Convoy is appealing for information after two quads bikes were stolen in the early hours of this morining. The two red honda quads were stolen from Richard Greggs dairy farm in Convoy. He says it’s the second time his farm has been targetted by thieves, a quad was also stolen on St

You can now get the latest news and sports updates from Highland Radio News directly to your Facebook wall. Regular but selective stories are posted through out the day. Just visit www.facebook.com/highlandradio and like the page. To ensure you recieve the updates in your ‘top news’ feed, you may have to extend your newsfeed or

The Fianna Fáil party will today begin picking up the pieces after a bruising leadership challenge which saw Brian Cowen survive as leader, and Michael Martin resign as Foreign Affairs Minister. The Taoiseach will now consider a replacement for Michael Martin who’s pledged to support the party, and says he will remain loyal to the

Cllr Jimmy Harte has raised concerns that almost 60 two-teacher schools across Donegal could face closure or amalgamation in a Departmental review which is currently taking place. The value-for-money review is being undertaken by the Department of Education and it has the aim of cutting costs. Many are located close to other schools, raising question

The Government has described a proposal from Donegal Senator Brian O’Domhnaill for it to consider a 50% reduction in commercial rates for a 15 month period as unfeasible. Speaking in the Seanad last night, the general election candidate said while all companies across Ireland have issues, he believes the proximity of the border presents particular

Inishowen-based playwright Brian Friel has been named Donegal Person of the Year 2010. The announcement was made last night at a Donegal Association function in Foley’s Bar, Dublin. The renowned dramatist was officially informed of the honour by committee members of the Donegal Association Dublin, who travelled to his home in Greencastle on Monday. Brian

A fourth man will appear in court in Mauritius today charged in connection with the murder of Michaela McAreavey. He’s a security worker at the Legends Hotel resort where the 27-year-old was staying with her husband John. Three other hotels workers have already appeared in court charged with the killing and they’ll appear in court

Donegal County Council has been shortlisted for an Irish e-government award for its online coverage of the MacGill Summer school held in Glenties last July. The public is also being encouraged to go HERE and vote for the council in a number of other categories. Brian Boyle is the head of Information with Donegal County

Councillor Patrick McGowen has today insisted that the Twin Towns bypass must remain the priority road project in Donegal despite Deputy Niall Blaney saying otherwise. Deputy Blaney says it would be a mistake to prioritise other roads above the Letterkenny to Lifford Road linking to the proposed new N2 – A5 Dublin to Derry Road.

The Bishop of Derry & Raphoe has condemned recent attacks on Orange Halls in County Tyrone. Bishop Ken Good says the attacks caused great distress and that if their intention is to damage good community relationships, they will not succeed. Bishop good says  those responsible are to be outrightly condemned.

Donegal County Council has curtailed its programme of water restrictions as supplies continue to return to normal levels. Last night, and until further notice, water supplies were restricted in the Lifford and Tievebrack areas between 8:00pm until 8:00am. The council says that whilst these are planned shut downs to conserve water – other areas may

Donegal North East TD Niall Blaney says it would be a mistake to prioritise other roads above the Letterkenny to Lifford Road linking to the proposed new N2 – A5 Dublin to Derry Road. Speaking after a meeting with Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, Deputy Blaney says he accepts that there are other roads on the

The public on both sides of the border are being urged to attend a meeting being held next week to discuss fears over the future of the proposed cancer care unit at Altnagelvin Hospital. Last week the North’s Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announcing that he has the money to build the new state-of-the-art radiotherapy unit

A man in his mid-50s appeared at Letterkenny District Court yesterday charged with 84 counts of sexual assault and rape. The man, who cannot be identified, will now face trial on the 84 counts alleged to have been committed against four teenage boys on a series of dates between July 1990 and January 2005. He

A woman has been rescued from a fire at a house in Derry. The blaze broke out at the property in Ardfoyle in the Brandywell on yesterday evening. The fire service found the woman, who is aged in her thirties, in an upstairs bedroom and took her to safety. Her condition is unknown at this

Donegal North East T.D. Niall Blaney says he’s hopeful that funding to bring the proposed Letterkenny Link Road to planning stage will be approved in the coming weeks. Deputy Blaney met Transport Minister Noel Dempsey this afternoon to discuss the need for the road. Deputy Blaney says he discussed the importance of the road alongside

Donegal North East Fianna Fail Deputy Niall Blaney has pledged his full support to Taoiseach Brian Cowen. Tanaiste Mary Coughlan has also pledged her full support for Mr Cowen. It comes as pressure continues to grow within the party against Mr Cowens leadership. Deputy Blaney said Mr Cowen has his full support and he hoped

At a selection convention held in Letterkenny yesterday, Sinn Fein selected Deputy Mayor of Donegal. Padraig MacLochlainn, to contest the General election for the party in Donegal North East. Sitting TD Joe McHugh has been put forward unnopposed to contest the General Election for Fine Gael in the constituency.

A post mortem is due to take place this morning on the remains of 80-year-old Nellie Rodgers who died tragically in a fire at her west Donegal home on Saturday morning. The late Ms Rodgers lived at Kerrytown outside Burtonport with her 83-year-old brother Dan, who managed to escape the blaze. 83-year-old Dan Rodgers is

Fine Gael is awaiting a direction from the National Executive of the party over whether to run or two candidates in the forthcoming General Election in Donegal South-West. With nominations due to close this evening ahead of the party selection convention next Sunday there appears to be division over the election strategy. It’s believed some

There has been an explosion at Guildhall Square in Derry. It happened at about half past three this morning. The cause of the explosion has yet to be established. It is understood it happened near the City of Culture office, which is at Waterloo Place. Foyle MLA, Pol Callaghan, says this attack, was an attack

The Tanaiste Mary Coughlan says the Taoiseach Brian Cowen will make an announcement on his future as leader of Fianna Fáil later this evening. However she said – as of now – there is still no vacancy at the top of Fianna Fáil. It’s understood the Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin left his Cork constituency

Donegal County Councillor David Alcorn has been listed today as one of FIanna Fails ‘cronies and insiders’ to receive a lucrative post in one of Fianna Fail’s last acts in Government. The Irish Independent claims the Fianna Fail led Government is ‘stuffing quangos and state boards with political cronies and insiders in its last weeks

A 29-year-old man is in a serious condition in hospital after he was assaulted in Derry. He was attacked close to a bar in the Longfield Road area of Eglinton at about 2.30am in the early hours of Sunday morning. His condition has been described as ‘serious’. The police have appealed for anyone who may

The headache continues for Brian Cowen. Fianna Fail backbencher Noel O’Flynn is urging the Taoiseach to call time on his role as party leader. The TD for Cork North-Central has indicated the Parliamentary Party should back the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin, to take over the post. Mr Cowen is continuing to consult with

A woman has died in a house fire in West Donegal. It is understood the dead women lived in the house at Kerrytown near Annagry with her brother. He managed to escape the blaze and has been taken to Letterkenny General Hospital. It is not clear the extent of his injuries. The fire  was reported

It has been confirmed that the Bloody Sunday commemoration march in Derry to be held on Jaunary 30th will be the last. Thirteen marchers were shot dead on the  30th January 1972 in Derry when British paratroopers opened fire on crowds at a civil rights demonstration. A statement signed by the majority of the families

Fine Gael and Sinn Fein will select their candidates this weekend to contest the up coming General Election in Donegal North East. Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams will address his party’s convention at which Councillor Padraig MacLochlainn will be selected for the party, which will adopt a one candidate strategy. The party is hoping to

Friends and relatives of murdered newlywed Michaela McAreavey are prepared to say their last goodbyes to the 27 year old. The daughter of Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte is being waked this weekend before a funeral on Monday – which will be attended by the President. Yesterday, her body arrived back from Mauritius.

An inquest into the death of a Strabane republican who took his on life whilst in police custody in Derry is due to begin on Monday. 40-year-old John Brady from the Drumallagh estate in the County Tyrone town was found hanged in his cell at Strand Road PSNI station in Derry on September 3, 2009.

Construction work will soon begin on extensions at St Patricks National School, Lurgynrack and Scoil Mhure gan Smal in Letterkenny, according to Deputy Niall Blaney. Deputy Blaney confirmed that the tendering process is underway for both projects. And he said building contractors are now being asked to submit their bids for the work.

Donegal students have taken home a number of awards from the 47th annual BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2011. The event took place at the RDS this week. Students from local secondary schools were honored with a selection of awards including Henrik Brusecke from St Columba’s Comprehensive School who was awarded the title of

Donegal North East Deputy Niall Blaney has refuted claimes by fellow Deputy Joe McHugh, that patients are being treated by staff in ambulances in Letterkenny General Hospital because of overcrowding. Earlier today Deputy McHugh said there was a crisis waiting to happen at Letterkenny General Hospitals Emergency Unit if the A&E Unit didn’t open soon.

The body of Michaela McAreavey has arrived home to Northern Ireland. Her remains arrived at Belfast City Airport at lunchtime,  accompanied by her husband John, brother Mark  and other family members. The daughter of Tyrone GAA manager Micky Harte was strangled while on her honeymoon on Monday in Mauritius. Her remains are en route to