Author name: oisinkelly

Children as young as 10 are gambling in Derry and Donegal, according to the city’s mayor. Cllr Colm Eastwood attended a meeting last week were he was told gambling was a huge problem among young people in the North West. He says the news is “very worrying”. Cllr Eastwood is urging business owners with gaming […]

The 74-year-old owner of a private bar dubbed the “Bog Hotel” attracted a judge’s sympathy yesterday when he admitted stealing newspapers and a magazine. Defence solicitor Paudge Dorrian said Patsy Brogan was going through “a stressful period” at the time in November 2009. The solicitor told Judge Kevin Kilrane at Donegal District Court that he

Freezing conditions are continuing to wreak havoc for commuters across the country this morning. Motorists are being warned not to become complacent behind the wheel – as driving conditions remain perilous. Road temperatures fell to -9 in Donegal last night. Nicola Hudson from AA Roadwatch says conditions on the roads remain treacherous:

National School Closures for Thursday 2nd Dec. Annagry National School Ayrhill National School closed till Monday Convoy Joint National School Cranford National School closed till Monday Derryconor National School Drumoghill National School closed till Monday Edenafagh National School Glenties closed till Monday Gael Scoil Buncrana Glassan National School Creeslough closed till Monday Magherabeg National School

The following schools have confirmed to Highland Radio that they will be closed tomorrow (Thurs Dec 2nd), with some indicating they will not reopen until Monday. Please note this is the final list for this evening, our telephone lines will not be staffed until 7 o’clock tomorrow morning. If you have an addition to the

Gardai are investigating what they believe to be a serious act of vandalism on the Lackagh Bridge, near Doe Castle. Over 10,000 euro of damage was caused to the bridge on the main road between Creeselough and Carrigart by a person driving a digger last Friday. As well as significant damage to the bridge, a

One of Donegal’s most recently installed pieces of public art has been vandalised. The Map Wall at Barnesmore Gap has been defaced with republican slogans. One side of the walls contains reproductions of 19th century letters about Donegal placenames, the other, a relief map of the county. Terre Duffy is Public Arts Manager in the

The folllowing schools have informed Highland Radio that they are closed tomorrow, Thursday. Where it has been confirmed that the school in question will remain closed until next Monday, that will be reflected in the script. National Schools Annagry National School Ayrhill National School closed till Monday Cranford National School closed till Monday Glassan National

Donegal County Council is reporting an increase in demand on a number of water supplies in the county coinciding with the current cold weather conditions which could lead to water being restricted. Taps left running,  burst mains which have not yet been located and leakage in private properties is being blamed for an increase in

Donegal Anglers have given a cautious welcome to the introduction of a new  Confidential Phone Line which will allow people to report incidents of poaching and pollution of the country’s waterways. The new initiative is from Inland Fisheries Ireland which states that the aim is to stamp out the antisocial practice of illegal fishing and

A three day seminar is being held in Derry this week to discuss the often forgotten victims of the troubles in Northern Ireland, women and children. The seminar is being attended by experts from the Republic, Scotland and the US to discuss cross border strategies to deal with violence and sexual abuse against women and

The Department  of Finance has rejected a request from the Public Accounts Committee to investigate Údarás na Gaeltachta travel expenses. Secretary general of the department Kevin Cardiff declined to provide a note stating he was satisfied all trips carried out by Údarás na Gaeltachta personnel adhered to public service travel guidelines. Four Donegal members of

Donegal South West Deputy Pearse Doherty has made his maiden speech in the Dail, calling on the government to pack its bags and leave office immediately. Deputy Doherty was speaking on a Fine Gael motion which promises to facilitate the government to have the Finance Bill passed by Christmas so that an election can take

NoWDOC in County Donegal is introducing a new text messaging service to improve access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It’s thought the model could be extended across all the emergency services, allowing the services to access the details of deaf or hard of hearing people. The new service, which will go

Junior Fisheries Minister Sean Connick says he will be attempting to secure the best deal possible at quota talks in Brussels later this month. He was responding to Deputy Joe Mc Hugh, who said fishing communities in Donegal and elsewhere are struggling because of quota restrictions which have not been equally applied. He said the

A Donegal man and his two sons are in custody in Britain accused of murder. 56 year old Robert Derek Johnston, and his sons Ben, 26, and Tom, 24, from Pampisford, near Cambridge, are accused of killing Shaleem Amar in Sunningdale, near Ascot, Berkshire. Shaleem Amar, a 33-year-old father of three, was found dying in

NATIONAL SCHOOL CLOSURES Annagry National School Convoy Joint National School Cranford National School Derryconor National School Fintown National School Glassan National School Creeslough Glenmaquinn National School Gortahork National School Letterkenny Educate Together Magherabeg National School Manorcunningham Magheroarty National School Robertson School Stranorlar Scoil  Leanbh Iosa Carrigans Scoil Naomh Fiachra Illistrin Scoil Naoomh Brid Downings St

Highland Radio has been informed that the following schools will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday December 1st. This is the final list for tonight, if any school has additions, please call them in t- the station after 7 o’clock tomorrow (Weds) morning. National Schools Annagry National School Convoy Joint National School Cranford National School Derryconor National

The new TD for Donegal South West has been formally welcomed into the Dail, and will make his maiden speech tonight. After the result of the Donegal South West By-Election was read into the record by the Clerk of the Dail, Deputy Pearse Doherty was led into the house by the leader of the Sinn

CLOSURES FOR TUESDAY 30TH NOVEMBER Scoil Iosagain Buncrana will remain closed until Wednesday Ayrhill School Ramelton Ballyraine National School Brackey National School Ardara Cloughfin National School (and Wed) Convoy Joint National School Cranford National School Cranogue Bui Loughress Point Ardara Croaghross National School Portsalon Fanad Donaghmore National School Liscooley Dooish Nat School Drumkeen Nat School

The Dail’s newest member will take his seat in the chamber this afternoon, but while a newcomer to the Dail, former senator Pearse Doherty is no stranger to Leinster House. However, the new TD for Donegal South West could serve less than ten weeks before a general election is called. This afternoon, there will be

Donegal County Council should work to make the county the renewable energy capital of Ireland. Cllr Terence Slowey says jobs can be created and money can be made through renewable technology in Donegal. He says that there are training courses available now in LYIT, and renewable energy may be the future of job creation:

Donegal County Council is to support in every way possible the work of groups which provide support to immigrants from Donegal. Raising the issue the Donegal County Council’s monthly meeting in Lifford, Cllr Dessie Larkin said he recently got to see the work being done by Boston Donegal GAA and other such organisations. The number

This is the list of schools and other facilities which will be closed  tomorrow, Tuesday November 30th, as notified to Highland Radio by 6 0’clock this (Mon) evening. National Schools Ayrhill School Ramelton Ballyraine National School Brackey National School Ardara Convoy Joint National School Cranford National School Croaghross National School Portsalon Fanad Derryconnor National School

An 87-year-old Donegal man who raped and sexually abused five of his granddaughters over a 19 year period has been sentenced to 15 years at the Central Criminal Court. The heard that the man methodically “groomed” each of the girls, starting when they were around 7. He committed his final rape last year when he

Donegal man Michael Gallagher is renowned for predicting weather patterns based on observing  nature and the behaviour of animals. The Glenfinn Postman, who recently published a book on Traditional Weather Signs, says things won’t be as bad as last winter, but the current cold snap will last for a few days yet………

Donegal County Council says there are no major problems on main roads in the county at the moment, and all routes are passable with care. The weather forecast suggests the worst of the snow is over, but the big freeze is expected to last until at least Thursday. Senior Roads Engineer Michael Mc Garvey says

The newly elected Deputy for the Donegal South West Constituency says he will not be earning any more money now that he is an elected TD. Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty will move from sitting in the Seanad to the Dail following his landslide victory during the by-election on Friday. A TD’s salary is €92,672. However,

Donegal County Council says the vital service provided by An Post in rural areas must be maintained. Last month, the Communications Workers Union last month warned against changes which could affect An Post’s ability to provide the universal service obligation, which ensures that everywhere in the Republic, rural or urban, receives the same level of

Gritting lorries servicing dangerously-icy roads have been attacked by youths in Derry on Sunday. The window of one vehicle was smashed and the Roads Service was not able to treat a number of roads in the Creggan and Gobnascale areas. Elsewhere, the service said it had deployed snow ploughs “to most areas and followed up

City of Derry and Donegal airports are opened now this morning. The London Stansted to Derry flight had to be diverted to Belfast this morning because of the freezing weather conditions. There is likely to be ongoing flight disruption due to poor weather conditions at City of Derry, passengers are advised to check with their

Highland Radio has been notified of the following school closures as at 7:30pm, Sunday November 28th Primary & Secondary Schools ACRES NATIONAL SCHOOL BURTONPORT AIRHILL NATIONAL SCHOOL RAMELTON ANNAGRY NATIONAL SCHOOL BALLINMORE VOCATIONAL SCHOOL BALLYRAINE NATIONAL SCHOOL CARNDONAGH COMMUNITY SCHOOL COLAISTE AILIGH LETTERKENNY CONVOY JOINT NATIONAL SCHOOL CRANA COLLEGE CRANFORD NATIONAL SCHOOL CRANN OG BUI

Thanks to listeners John Casey,Kathleen McMenamin, Aisling McHugh, Michelle Diver,Mary Laverty, Annemarie Wilson, Adrienne Randals, Derek Martin,Paddy O’Connor Aine Friel, Sinéad,  Danny McGinley, Catherine Forde,  Brendan Martin Breda, Dee Gallagher Gareth Doherty, Annmarie MacIntyre  and photographers John Rafferty Eoin McGarvey and Georgina Havlin,

Two men have escaped an alleged abduction attempt – when the car they were in crashed in Derry. The men – aged 19 and 23 – claim they were in a house in the Circular Road area when four men – two armed with guns – entered just before 10.30 last night. They said they

Some wintry showers at first will die out early tonight (Sunday) and it will be bitterly cold with widespread severe frost and icy patches. Lows of 0 to -6 Celsius in light winds. Monday will be another extremely cold day with frost and any fog slow to clear. Mostly dry and bright with sunny spells.

Freezing temperatures are being recorded around the Donegal following further  snowfalls last night. Temperatures have fallen as low as -7C in some parts with many roads across the county very icy. Road users and pedestrians have been urged to take extra care and to make journeys only when necessary. Donegal County Council has undertook a

Labour party leader Eamon Gilmore has congratulated Cllr. Frank McBrearty on his ‘ very encouraging performance in the Donegal South West By Election’. He said Frank has more than trebled the Labour Party share of the vote over the general election in a constituency where the Labour Party has not been traditionally strong. In 2007

SDLP Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey has said the community is horrified after a pensioner was held at gunpoint and robbed in his home in the Gobnascale area of Derry. He said: “The people of the Waterside are appalled that an elderly man in their community has been brutalised in this way. “The SDLP wholeheartedly condemn

A number of Bus Éireann services in the and north west are experiencing delays today. Bus Éireann will continue to monitor weather and road conditions throughout the day. The affected services are: 1 Dublin-Belfast – delayed 32 Dublin-Letterkenny – delayed 33 Dublin-Derry – delayed

Donegal Sinn Fein Senator Pearse Doherty is to move from Seanad Eireann to the Dail after winning the Donegal South West by-election in emphatic fashion. He was declared elected after the fourth count, without reaching the quota. However, as his total vote exceeded the combined votes of the remaining candidates, Cllr Barry O’Neill of Fine

Distribution of Cllr Thomas Pringle’s 3,763 votes Senator Pearse Doherty   SF      +1,709     16,897 Senator Brian O’Domhmaill FF  + 433       8.069 Cllr Barry O’Neill   FG    +869    8,182 As Pearse Doherty cannot be mathematically be passed, he has been declared elected.

Distribution of Cllr Frank Mc Brearty’s 3,375 votes Senator Pearse Doherty   SF      +1,452       15,188 Senator Brian O’Domhmaill FF  + 278        7,636 Cllr Barry O’Neill   FG    +871       7,313 Cllr Thomas Pringle  Ind  +272    3,763 Cllr Thomas Pringle eliminated

Distribution of Anne Sweeney’s 133 votes Senator Pearse Doherty   SF  +17       13,736 Cllr Frank Mc Brearty Lab +9    3,375 Senator Brian O’Domhmaill FF  +14    7,358 Cllr Barry O’Neill   FG   +18    6,442 Cllr Thomas Pringle  Ind   +53    3,491 Cllr Frank Mc Brearty eliminated

Electorate       62,299 Total Poll  34.908 Invalid Votes   484 Valid Poll   34,424 Quota   17,213 First Count Senator Pearse Doherty   SF   13,719 Cllr Frank Mc Brearty Lab  3,366 Senator Brian O’Domhmaill FF  7,344 Cllr Barry O’Neill   FG    6,424 Cllr Thomas Pringle  Ind  3,438 Anne Sweeney Ind  133 Anne Sweeney eliminated

Speaking at the count centre in Stranorlar this morning, Senator Pearse Doherty said he is confident, but is taking nothing for granted until there is an official count……. For Fianna Fail, the analysis of what went wrong now begins. Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill, the brother of Senator Brian O’Domhnaill, says there is no doubt that national

Counting is continuing in the Donegal South West by-election. Counting began at 9 o clock this morning. Final and complete tally: PEARSE DOHERTY 39.7% BRIAN O’DOMHNAILL 21.2% BARRY O’NEILL 18.4% FRANK MCBREARTY 10.2% THOMAS PRINGLE 10.1%

Counting is underway this morning in the Donegal South West by-election. Counting began at 9 o clock. The latest tallies with 72% of the boxes (out of 100) are as follows: PEARSE DOHERTY – 39.8% BRIAN O’DOMHNAILL 21.5% BARRY O’NEILL 18.8% THOMAS PRINGLE 10.1% FRANK MCBREARTY 9.8%

Speculation continues to mount today about who will run for Fianna Fail in Donegal North-East in the upcoming General Election. It was reported earlier this week that moves had been made within the party to put Councillor Charlie McConalogue at the forefront of the running. But Senator Cecillia Keaveney has denied this and she says

A man has been ordered to take the roof off his two storey luxury house and turn it into a wall plate dormer  – to prevent it from being demolished. Joe Lynch had been given until this week to comply with a court order to bulldoze his €250,000 home after he built it a number