Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal County Councillor Frank Mc Brearty says if elected to the Dail, he would have no problem voting against the Labour party if it does not return accountibility to Irish politics. Mr Mc Brearty says he is particularly interested in a full investigation of the culture of expenses both at a local and national level, […]

A pair of mating frogs sent sparks flying in an electrical fuse box and left part of Letterkenny electricity at the weekend. Residents and business owners in the Tullygay are found themselves powerless for two hours on Sunday, for no obvious reason. Rage turned to bemusement on Sunday when the ‘culprits’ for causing the power

Five men had a lucky escape yesterday in Killybegs when their speedboat got into difficulty. The five foreign nationals have a number of local fishermen to thank for saving their lives according to a spokesperson for Malin Head Coastguard. The men had no life jackets, flairs and their vessel wasn’t to the specified standard. Speaking

Forestry owners have called on Coilte to ban car rallying in state forests because of the “collateral” damage to private property. Coilte gets annual government grants under the forest road scheme 2008 to construct forestry roads for the extraction of timber. But it allows rally driving on them in return for lucrative fees. Private forest

Good progress is being made towards the approval of a new radiotherapy centre in Altnagelvin. Senator Cecilla Keaveney has recieved assurance from the Health Minister that one of the key principles of the National Cancer Control Programme is that patients will be provided with appropraite services. She says the new centre is still on course

The Assistant General Manager of Letterkenny General Hospital says while they appreciate the concerns of the people who marched in the town at the weekend, they must stay within budget and cannot spend money they do not have. Paddy Rooney said unlike private companies, the hospital is not in a position to increase its income,

A Tyrone man has been shot dead in Afghanistan. Its understood Ken McGonigle, who lived in Magheramason on the Tyrone/Derry border was working as a police mentor when he was shot by an escaped prisoner in Helmand on Saturday. The father of four was originally from the Trillick area. Two US marines were also killed

The Donegal Peace 3 Implementation Committee says it believes a series of five cross border and cross community projects being coordinated by An Grianan Theatre can make a major contribution to harmony in the North West. The initiative was launched in Letterkenny at the weekend by Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle, a member of the Donegal

A memorial was officially unveiled in Bundoran yesterday to mark the 30th anniversary of the fatal fire at the Grand Central Hotel. Five adults and five children, including a toddler, lost their lives in the blaze on August 8th 1980. Some of the families of those who died have criticised the location and design of

There were 22,832 people on the Live Register in Donegal at the end of July, up1,981 on the same period last year, a rise of 9.5%. The highest percentage increase was recorded in Ballyshannon with 1,563 on the register, up 15%, while Dungloe had 2442 people signing on, 13% up on the July 2009 figure.

There’s been a helicopter crash at City of Derry Airport this afternoon. What staff and officials are referring to as a “minor incident” happened during a refresher training session at ten to five this afternoon. Its understood that the Robinson 22 helicopter got into difficulty whilst hovering over a grass training area. The incident has

SDLP Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey has said a hoax bomb alert during a wedding reception at the Belfry Hotel in the Drumahoe area of Derry on Saturday night caused absolute chaos and angst for both guests and staff. Mr Ramsey saays it was a terrifying and unpleasant experience, not only for the young couple celebrating

Following yesterday’s march and rally in support of Letterkenny General Hospital coordinated by the “Save Donegal Health Services” committee, the HSE has issued a lengthy statement saying it intends to continue providing a first class health service in Letterkenny and Donegal, but muast live within its means. The statement makes no reference to revised proposals

A man who went missing from his Buncrana home has been found. 62 year old John Mc Bride had last been seen on Friday afternoon, and gardai and his family feared he might have been confused and unsure of his surroundings. He was seen last night near Carrick in West Donegal by a local man,

Several thousand people have marched through the streets of Letterkenny today to highlight their opposition to any move to reduce local health and hospital services. The march left the town’s Station Roundabout at 12 noon and, was joined by others along the route to the car park above St Conal’s Hospital, where a number of

Gardai in Buncrana say they’re conccerned for the safety of a 65 year old man who’s been missing from the area since early yesterday afternoon. John Mc Bride from Ballymagan is 6 ft 2 inches in height, of thin build with sandy, grey streaked hair. He was wearing dark trousers and possibly a blue V-Neck

A large crowd is expected to take to the streets of Letterkenny today to protest against any move to reduce local health and hospital services. The march will leave the town’s Station Roundabout at 12 noon and make its way to the car park above St Conal’s Hospital, where a number of speakers will address

Donegal Senator Cecilia Keavney says it’s important that the power of music and the arts be harnessed to promote peace. She was speaking at the Border Crossings event in Letterkenny last night, the first of five projects led by An Grianán Theatre supported by Peace III. Over the past two weeks, young people from the

A DUP delegation met with police in Derry today ahead of the Apprentice Boys’ parade in the city next weekend. They were concerned that dissident republicans could disrupt the parade. Willie Hay and Gregory Campbell met with Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin to address fears that the PSNI has insufficient resources to deal with any potential

Cross-border shopping has slowed to a trickle and is now worth just 1.4% of retail spending nationally, Inter Trade Ireland has said. The group released the results of surveys from shopping centres across Northern Ireland this week, showing the number of cars with southern registrations falling to the lowest level since September 2008. The surveys,

The body of a 48 years old foreign national was found last evening (Thursday) in a rented house at Bunbeg, Co Donegal. The discovery was made in the town land on Meenaduff by a friend of the man who could not gain access. Gardaí were alerted and the man’s body was discovered inside the bungalow.

It has emerged that the Transport Minister used the government jet to travel to Donegal to address the MacGill Summer School in Glenties last month. Noel Dempsey, who flew into to Derry, addressed the school on ‘reforming the republic’ at a cost to the tax payer estimated at one hundred thousand euro. The transport minister

Sinn Fein activists are holding a day of protest across the country today as local unemployment figures are published. Protests and pickets will take place at TD’s and Ministers offices and  town centres. Sinn Fein says the protests are intended to increase the pressure on the government to take action to create jobs. Senator Pearse

The buildings worst hit by the explosion of a 200lb proxy bomb which targeted Strand Road police station in Derry may have to be demolished. Yesterday, shop owners returned for the first time to the scene of the blast to survey the extent of the damage. A taxi driver hijacked at gunpoint was forced to

A GAA star and TV pundit, whose child was one of those attacked in west Donegal on Tuesday has asked the people of Loughanure to decide if students from the North are welcome or not. Jarlath Burns says he is disgusted by the attack on the eight student who are attended Colaiste Mhuire. Jarlath Burns’

The Garda Press Office has confirmed this afternoon that one youth has been interviewed in relation to the attack on eight students at Colaiste Mhuire Loch an Iuir. No arrests have yet been made but Gardai have confirmed that several others involved in the incident have been identified. The Garda spokesman said that progress is

The Irish Women’s Council has slammed Tanaiste Mary Coughlan for adopting an ‘ I’m alright Jill’ attitude to women in politics. The Donegal TD joined most other female deputies this week in stating they would not support measures to correct the under representation of women in Dail Eireann. One suggesting to correct the imbalance would

An Ulster Unionist MLA has expressed his concern that there doesn’t seem to be a co-ordinated campaign from the PSNI to tackle the escalation in Dissident Republican activity. Basil McCrea, the party’s spokesperson on policing says there is mounting concern in Derry at recent events – this week a two hundred pound bomb was detonated

An Irish Independent report today says the average payment to councillors in Donegal in 2008 and 2009 was just over €33,500, with councillors being paid out just over €1.02 million in 2008 and €1.04 million in 2009. The money comes mainly from the council, but also from the HSE, VECs and other bodies on which

An investigation into a helicopter crash which claimed the lives of a Donegal helicopter pilot and his student last April has found the aircraft hit disused electrical power lines before it went down. 34-year-old Colm Clancy from Derrybeg and his 24 year old student Dermot Sheridan Co. Clare, both died in the crash near Carbury

The Catholic Church has said it will comment on a call by Gregory Campbell to release any files that relate to the Claudy bombing – after the Police Ombudsman publishes his report on the atrocity. The East Derry MP, has urged the Catholic Church to release any files it may hold on the alleged role

A public meeting which was to have been held this evening in support of Carrigans Postmistress, Bernie Moore has been cancelled. The meeting had been called by the Irish Postmasters’ Union, which maintains that An Post has no justifiable basis to terminate the contract the Donegal postmistress for allegedly breaching security procedures during an armed

Gardaí in West Donegal are reiterating their appeal for information about an assault on a group of Irish college students in Loughanure on Tuesday evening. The teenagers, all of whom are attending Colaiste Mhuire were attacked by a gang as they returned home from a football match. Some of their attackers were weilding hurleys, and

A man from Ardara was tragically killed yesterday as he was felling a tree. Hugh Diver, came to prominence as a key witness in the Morris Tribunal. Mr Diver was also well known in Ardara as the long serving St Patrick in villages St Patricks parade. PRO of Adara Parish Council, Stephen McCahill, says Hugh

A man, thought to be from Ardara, has been killed as the result of a work place accident. It is understood the man was killed as he was felling a tree at a residential property on the Ardara to Glenties road. Gardai are at the scene, a Health and Safety Authority investigation is also expected.

The number of new cars registered in County Donegal last month was almost double the figure for July of 2009. There were 184 new cars registered in the county last month compared to the sme period in 2009 – an increase of almost 96% The number of light commercial vehicles sold dropped by 7% while

Emergency services have attended  the scene of a road traffic collision on the Letterkenny to Creeslough road. It is understood two vehicles were involved in the collision close to Termon. There were early reports that two people had been taken to hospital following the crash.

The weather in July was wetter and slightly warmer than usual in Donegal last month, according to a detailed analysis published by Met Eireann. Met Eireann says that nationally, rain was recorded every day between the 1st and 21st of July, with thunderstorms on several days. Gale gusts were recorded on several days too, while

Gardai are investigating an assault on eight students from the Irish college in Loughanure last evening. The students, all from Northern Ireland, were returning to Colaiste Mhuire when they were attacked by a gang of youths, some of whom were weilding hurleys. Six Gardai have been brought into the village today to investigate the incident.

Quad bikes and scrambler motorcycles have been banned from from two areas of County Donegal. Environment Minister John Gormley introduced the move to protect 14 sensitive nature sites across the country which were being damaged because of recreational off-roading. The ban applies to Ballyness Bay, Falcarragh and Gweedore Bay and Islands. Owners of quad bikes,

Two teenagers have been found dead at a house in County Derry. It’s reported their deaths may be linked to carbon monoxide poisoning, although police say they’re not able to release any more information. Tests are taking place at the house at the moment. The 18 year olds were found in the Tunnel Brae area

The funeral will take place tomorrow of a newly wed Inishowen woman who died in hospital yesterday from injuries sustained in a fall at the weekend. Last Thursday, Caroline Farren marked her 40th birthday by marrying Tony Cahalin at the Guildhall in Derry. On Sunday morning at 3 o’clock, she was walking on a bridge

A woman has been seriously injured in a road traffic collision on the road between Moville and Carndonagh. The two vehicle collision occured close to Breda’s Glen at 10 o’clock on Tuesday  morning. The road has been closed for a technical examination, and diversions are in place. The  injured woman was taken to Letterkenny General

The man who was held at gun point during an armed robbery of Lapsley’s fuel depot in Killea at the weekend has been telling his story. Six masked men, some of the them armed, struck the premises as it was closing at around 10pm on Friday night last. They tied up staff and customers before

Donegal GAA is to a launch a road safety campaign aimed at encouraging players to ensure they drive safely to and from matches. The initiative comes following a GAA  investigation into reports of players driving dangerously. The campaign which is entitled ‘Live To Play’, will feature a number of high-profile GAA stars and is one

The Labour Relations Commission has begun talks on the future of temporary contract workers in the HSE West area, over 100 of them based at Letterkenny GeneraL Hospital. This morning’s Irish Times carried details of a leaked report recommending that up to 1,000 workers on temporary or fixed term contracts be let go or see

DUP MP Gregory Campbell has challenged the Catholic Church to release any files it has on the alleged role of a priest in the Claudy bombing. The IRA attack in 1972 claimed the lives of nine people, including a nine-year-old girl. Shortly afterwards, it emerged that one of the suspects was parish priest Father James

Work to bring 250,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste back into the republic from Northern Ireland begins today, with the first consignments being brought from a illegal dump at Slattinagh in Fermanagh to the Ballinacarrick landfill in Donegal. That process should take up to a month, with the focus then turning to an illegal site

A car bomb has exploded outside Strand Road PSNI station in Derry. In the early hours of the morning, a taxi driver was forced to bring the device to Strand Road police station early this morning by two hijackers, one of whom was armed with a gun. The device went off at around twenty past