Author name: oisinkelly

The BT Young Scientists Competition is continuing at the RDS in Dublin, with 22 projects from 7 schools in Donegal among those competing for the title. Final judging has been taking place this morning, with the awards to be announced this evening. Among the Donegal competitors is a group of students from Rosses Community School, […]

The Oireachtas Transport Committee is to hold a publicv hearing into some of the proposed improvements on the N2 – A5, including the Slane bypass and the government’s promise to co-fund the A5 section between Ballygawley and Derry. The hearing is taking place at the behest of Labour’s Transport Spokesperson Joe Costello, who sought the

There is a crisis waiting to happen at Letterkenny General Hospitals Emergency Unit if the A&E Unit doesn’t open soon, according to Donegal North-East Deputy, Joe McHugh. In the past fortnight 1820 patients have visited Letterkennys A&E Department. And some patients have had to be treated in ambulances because there is no space. Deputy McHugh

A Buncrana councillor says he’s still not happy with the deal done between the county council and the IDA last year, which has seen the IDA confirm it is to concentrate its marketting efforts on Letterkenny. As part of the arrangement, the IDA has handed over lands to Donegal County Council in return for dervelopment

The proposed Radiotherapy Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital has been hit with a major setback. Yesterday the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said while the money to build the satellite radiotherapy unit in the grounds of Altnagelvin hospital in Derry is in place, there will be no cash to run it. He said it would be totally

Sliabh Liag is to share in a funding boost worth more than €5 million. EU structural funds have been released for a cross border funding package including the Gobbins Cliffs in County Antrim and and Sliabh Liag. Recent works have seen secure fencing, information points and other developments put in place along the sea-cliffs. Now,

The PSNI in Derry have been granted an extension to question two men being held over the death of a woman in Strathfoyle. Liam Carlin and Kevin Downey, both aged 21,  appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court this morning, (Thursday) where the police asked for an extension until midnight tonight. Defence solicitor for Carlin Mr. Dermot

A Buncrana Councillor claims that a proposal to take responsibility for housing away from town councils would represent an erosion of local democracy. Housing Minister Michael Finneran says there are 88 housing authorities across the country at the moment, and that is unnecessary. He wants to see a smaller network of regional authorities, which he

Donegal County Council’s Tourism Development Officer says the next three years present a major opportunity for the county. Kevin O’Connor says events including the UK City of Culture events in Derry in 2013 and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race next year will benefit the entire North West region. However, speaking in Buncrana, where

It’s been confirmed that the Government has agreed to support the continuation of the Public Service Obligation for Donegal Airport. Carrickfinn will now continue to recieve the PSO when the exsisting contract expires in July 2011. Sligo, Knock, Galway and Derry will not recieve the PSO after July. MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher says without

The brother and brother in law of Michaela McAreavey have arrived in Mauritius to make arrangements for her remains to be brought home. Three men charged in connection with the murder of the 27 year old school teacher denied any involvement in her death when they were brought to court this morning. The men –

An eight-year-old boy has died following an asthma attack triggered by a choking incident. Hugh Simpson-Callaghan from County Donegal died on Monday after the accident at his home in Gleneely. He was rushed to a medical centre but could not be resuscitated. Local councillor Charlie McConalogue said the whole community was in shock at Hugh’s

Letterkenny Councillor Ciaran Brogan has confirmed he has withdrawn his name from the Fianna Fail candidate selection process in Donegal North East, and will not be contesting the forthcoming general election. Cllr Brogan says it has become clear that Fianna Fail will not select a Letterkenny based candidate. There have been indications that he would

Three men will appear in court in Mauritius this day next week charged in connection with the murder of Michaela McAreavey. Two of them – a 29-year-old room attendant and a 41 year old floor supervisor at the Legends Hotel where she was staying –  have been charged with her murder. A third man –

It’s emerged that two gardai saved the life of a woman at Dungloe Lake yesterday, after apparently spotting her in the water as they drove towards Letterkenny from the court in Dungloe. Gardai are not commenting on the incident, but it was witnessed by a man who lives in a house overlooking the lake, 200

Two local men have appeared in court on the island of Mauritius charged with murdering Michaela McAreavey. A third man has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder. All three are from the Indian Ocean island and work at the Legends Hotel where the 27-year-old newlywed was staying on honeymoon with her husband John McAreavey.

The Diocese of Clogher is to be sued in the US by clerical sex abuse specialist, lawyer Jeff Anderson. The diocese of Clogher takes in Fermanagh, Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal. The action by Mr Anderson is in connection with allegations of child sexual abuse in the early 1980s by a former Clogher priest. Announcing the

Three men are due in court in Mauritius this morning charged in connection with the murder of Michaela McAreavey. The local men – who are staff of the hotel where the 27-year-old was staying on honeymoon – were due in court at 7am Irish time. Two are room attendants at the hotel – and one

A 22-year-old man has been charged in connection with a dissident republican bomb attack on Strand Road police station in Derry last August. The man is charged with causing an explosion, possessing explosives with intent to endanger life, hijacking, false imprisonment and having a gun. He is also accused of membership of a proscribed organisation.

Letterkenny Town Council is to source its own salt supplies to deal with any future cold snaps. Almost half the motions before the council at its monthly meeting focused on the after effects of the severe weather in November and December. Members praised council staff and officials, saying they had performed above and beyond the

Students from 346 schools across the country have entered an array of innovative projects at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. A record 1,735 projects have entered the competition this year, up a third, with over 500 chosen to compete for the coveted title of BT Young Scientist & Technologist of the Year 2011.

Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte has been speaking about his daughter who was murdered on her honeymoon in Mauritius. Michaela McAreavey was found dead by her husband John in their hotel room. Police are questioning 6 suspects over her death, although no one has been formally arrested. Her father Mickey – manager of Tyrone GAA

Military helicopters are searching for dozens of missing people after flash floods in Australia left 11 people dead. Queensland’s state Premier says 78 others are still unaccounted for – and they have grave fears for at least 18 of them. A torrent of water is still spreading towards Brisbane – the country’s third largest city

An elderly couple have been left shaken after their home was attacked by a gang of up to five men in Strabane. The attack on the pensioners Townsend Street house happened around 11 o clock on Sunday evening. A gang wielding iron bars and other weapons smashed the couples front doors and windows. The chair

A court in Donegal was told today that a man who claimed constant harassment by gardai got so fed up with it that he asked them for a lift home in the patrol car when he was drunk in Dungloe last September. When he was refused, and told to take a taxi home, James Mc

A Donegal County Councillor says that efforts are ongoing to address a situation on a private housing estate where a family of three are living in a car in Stranorlar. Locals have expressed concerns at the situation however it is thought the family involved are not seeking any assistance from the local authority. Although the

Fr Gerard McAleer is the Harte’s parish priest and a long time close friend of the family. He has been comforting the family since they learnt of Michaela’s death. Fr McAleer says the world is a much darker place without her:

Police in Mauritius investigating the death of Michaela Harte have launched a murder investigation. It follows a post mortem examination which confirmed that the 27-year-old was strangled while on honeymoon on the island. The daughter of Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte was found dead in her hotel room yesterday. She married Down footballer John McAreavy

A Letterkenny Town Council discussion on the government’s commitment to funding the A5 between Aughnacloy and Derry became sidetracked last night when Labour Cllr Jimmy Harte and Fianna Fail Cllr Dessie Larkin became embroiled in a pre-election argument. The issue had been raised by Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle, who suggested the council seek a meeting

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty says he does not believe that the Taoiseach spent up to six hours in the company of Seán Fitzpatrick without discussing the situation at Anglo Irish Bank. Brian Cowen issues a statement last evening saying there was nothing untoward about a golf outing he took with Mr FitzPatrick in July 2008

A search for Mary Boyle, the longest missing person in Ireland who disappeared almost 34 years ago, has been called off after two days. Despite tons of bogland being removed from adjoining holes there was still no sign this evening(Mon) of the remains of six-years-old Mary. The search at Cashelard, near Ballyshannon, ended shortly after

Students are calling on the government to spend more on third level education rather than reintroduce college fees in order to fund the sector. It comes as the long awaited Higher Education Strategy Group report by economist Colin Hunt is published today. The Union of Students in Ireland is accusing the government of failing to

Police have confirmed that there has been an attack on the home of an elderly couple in Strabane. Up to five people wielding iron bars smashed the front door and windows of their house in the Townsend area. The owner of the house was attacked when he gave chase.

Three names have now been put forward as potential candidates to contest the General Election in Inishowen for Fianna Fail. It us understood that at a meeting last evening, it was revealed that Councillor Rena Donaghey has been nominated by her local party members. She joins fellow Councillor Charlie McConalogue and Senator Cecilia Keaveney as

Michaela Harte, the daughter of Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte, has been found dead in Mauritius. The 27-year-old died while on honeymoon on the island. She was married to Down footballer John McAreavey at St Malachy’s Church in Ballymacilroy, Co Tyrone on 30 December 2010. Michaela Harte was a former Rose of Tralee contestant, and

An appeal hearing by four dissident republicans held liable for the Omagh bombing has heard an FBI agent who gave evidence during the case is a “pathological liar”. Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Seamus Daly and Colm Murphy were successfully sued by 12 victims’ relatives, who were awarded £1.6m compensation last June. The men started an

The Deputy Mayor of Donegal says the council will have top make a direct case to the Transport Minister for funding to complete a number of important road projects in the county. Cllr Padraig Mac Lochlainn, who also chairs the council’s Strategic Transport Committee says a meeting today between a council deputation and the National

Letterkenny IT has this morning unveiled of a land purchase deal at a cost in excess of 8 million euro. The IT has secured a10 acre sight directly opposite the institute on the Port Road and second 66 acre piece of land lies adjacent to the Knocknamona Roundabout. One of the main causes of concern

Gardai in Letterkenny are seeking to play down reports that a group of children, some as young as five, had kicked a dog to death in the Long Lane area of the town. In a statement issued to Highland Radio News and local papers this morning,  gardai refer to “sensationalist” coverage on Highland Radio and

North West MEP Marian Harkin is calling for a mechanism to be introduced to measure the contribution that volunteers make to the economy. At the weekend, Ms Harkin was in Hungary to speak at a conference launching 2011 as the European Year of Volunteering. She told delegates that the International Labour Organisation has a mechanism

Letterkenny IT will this morning unveil details of an eight million euro land purchase. Tanaiste and Education Minister has already given approval to LYIT to buy two seperate pieces of land to facilitate growth and expansion. They include a 10 acre site directly opposite the institute on the Port Road. The site is owned by

A new dig to find the remains of a six-year-old girl who mysteriously disappeared almost 34 years ago began yesterday on a remote hillside near Ballyshannon in County Donegal. Gardai confirmed they were assisting members of Mary Boyle’s family in the dig at Cashelard, five kilometres from Ballyshannon. The dig has been prompted by new

A Donegal County Council Delegation is in Dublin today for a meeting with the NRA. It’s the annual meeting between the council and the authority, with Mayor Cllr Cora Harvey saying there is a need to progress a number of key projects and that will be stressed. The projects to be highlighted include the Ballybofey/Stranorlar

The most recent study by business group Irish Business Against Litter has found Letterkenny in 14th position reclaiming its ‘Clean to European Norms’ status from 2008. The town had dropped to ‘seriously littered’ in last year’s finale. They said Letterkenny Leisure Centre was in pristine condition, almost all of the approach roads got the top

As expected, Fianna Fáil has  adopted a two candidate strategy in Donegal South West, with Tanaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan and Senator Broan O’Domhnaill both selected by the party to contest the upcoming general election. Up to 400 delegates attended the event in Glenties this afternoon, chaired by the Minister of State for Labour

Fresh snow has been falling across Donegal today, but Met Eireann say the bank of cloud is moving away. The showers in Donegal are part of a band that is now moving down the country. This latest cold spell is not expected to last beyond the weekend. Vincent O’Shea from Met Eireann says that the

A car has been burnt out in a sectarian attack in Co Derry. It happened at Killyvally Park in Garvagh in the early hours of this morning, outside the home of a Catholic woman. It’s prompted calls for increased jail sentences for petrol bombers. The SDLP MLA for East Derry, John Dallat, is urging the

The Fianna Fail Convention to select candidates to contest this springs general election in Donegal South West will be held tomorrow. As of last evening, three people had formally allowed their names go forward to the selection convention which is being held in Glenties. They are Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, Senator Brian O’Domhnaill and former Senator

Donegal County Council has moved to address confusion about how traffic should approach the Station Roundabout in Letterkenny from the Ramelton Road and Gortlee. In November, new road markings were painted which seemed to suggest that only traffic turning into the town centre should take the right hand lane, and all other traffic, including traffic

Gardai have uncovered a cannabis factory in Ballybofey. The discovery was made by members of the Drugs Unit in Letterkenny at a house in the Beechwood Avenue area of the town. Various drugs with an estimated street value of almost 23 thousand euro were seized as part of the operation. A 31 man, thought to