Author name: oisinkelly

Plans should be set in place for the extension of rail services in Donegal and the North West immediatley. Speaking on a debate on Transport in the Seanad last night, Senator Pearse Doherty, called on the Minister of Transport to make the creation of rail services in Donegal a priority. He says all parties, cross-border, […]

The average waiting time for operations has fallen to its lowest level ever. According to the National Treatment Purchase Fund , patients booked for surgical or medical procedures are now on lists for an average two and a half months. And the numbers waiting longer than a year plummeted from more than 4,000 two years

A section of the N13 Letterkenny to Derry Road has been closed by gardai as the fire service tackles a fire at a storage facility close to Newcunningham. Traffic is being diverted through Newtowncunningham village as efforts continue to put out the fire. Gardai are stressing there is no risk to life,  and no injuries

Gardai have confirmed this afternoon that an investigation is underway following the discovery of a skeletal remains at Ballintra in South Donegal. It is understood the discovery was made early this morning in sand that had been taken there for the development of a football pitch. The sand originated at a quarry in the Carrick

Pressure is mounting on Donegal North East TD Dr James McDaid and NorthWest MEP Pat “the Cope” Gallagher to give up their ministerial pensions. Just three TD’s and two MEPs haven’t given up their pension, after an avalanche of announcements, sparked by the decision from EU Commissioner Maire Geoghegan Quinn on Monday. Dr McDaid is

Donegal North East TD Dr James Mc Daid says he will not give up his pension in order to open up a debate on how TDs are paid. He says cutting the income of Oireachtas members on foot of what he termed a media led witch hunt would open the possibility of politics once again

The EU commission is hosting a discussion on Common Fisheries Policy reform in Donegal Town tomorrow. Martin Territt, the Director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, says the event at the Mill Park Hotel will be an open discussion where Irish citizens can ask questions and contribute to the discussion on reform of the

After a campaign of over 20 years, Finn Valley College is to get a new school building. Tanaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan has announced this morning that a contractor for the new school has been approved, and building work should start shortly. The new school will have the capacity to cater for 325 students

The opposition’s set to keep the pressure on the Taoiseach this morning, with five politicians still holding out on their ministerial pensions. They want Brian Cowen to follow the example of the Fine Gael leader and announce that all of those still embroiled in the double payment controversy will cave in to pressure. Fionnan Sheahan

The Justice Minister says he’s “extremely disappointed and dismayed” by the contents of an intended speech at the annual conference of the Garda Representative Association in Limerick. Dermot Ahern has pulled out of scheduled appearance in Limerick this evening because of the allegations and contents of a speech which the Donegal based GRA President Michael

Pressure is mounting on the final 7 members of Fianna Fail drawing ministerial pensions and Oireachtas salaries. This evening former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Cavan/Monaghan TD Dr Rory O’Hanlon became the latest to surrender their pension entitlements. All those in Fine Gael and Labour rescinded the double payments earlier today. But the Taoiseach Brian Cowen

The Deputy President of the ICMSA has estimated that farmers in the Republic milking 70 cows are paying up to €1,000 more annually for veterinary medicines than their counterparts in Northern Ireland. The ICMSA price survey involved comparisons with veterinary practices throughout the Republic and similar outlets in Coleraine and Fermanagh. Deeputy President of the

A resolution has been finally been found to the long running dispute at the Derry sorting office over payment rates fro the delivery of election leaflets. Derry postal workers had voted not to deliver election literature because they had been offered less money for the job than workers elsewhere. Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has welcomed

The Irish Drivers Association are urging the general public not to vote for any candidates in the next Donegal elections who doesn’t have a clear policy on VRT. They are also demanding for the immediate termination of the tax, and they want any vehicles that have been seized to be released under the finance act.

Donegal County Council has had a heated discussion on the approval of a new policy on processing grants for disabled people and the elderly. Last year, the council suspended the acceptance of new applications after it emerged the amount allocated had exceeded the budget available. In October, the council began accepting applications again, with applicatants

Fifteen parishes in the Derry Diocese will have no priest in 15 years time, a priest as said. Fr Michael Canny of St Eugenes Cathedral blamed the falling numbers joining the priesthood. And Fr Canny says it’s going to be hard for the Catholic Church to attract people to join the priesthood, especially in light

The Donegal Association in Dublin has been honoured by Donegal County Council at a civic reception in Lifford this afternoon. A large crowd from Donegal and Dublin gathered for the function at county house. Mayor Brendan Byrne said it’s a well deserved honour on the 75th anniversary of the association’s foundation. Tony Dunleavy is President

Former garda commissioner and Donegal native Eamonn Doherty has died following a long illness. The 86-year-old passed away on Saturday morning at the Beacon hospital, south Dublin. Originally from Donegal, Mr Doherty joined An Garda Síochána in 1943 and spent 45 years in the force, retiring in 1988. He was the first member of the

Four new members have been appointed to the Donegal VEC on the basis of nominations received after the positions were publically advertised last year. The new members were appointed by Donegal County Council following a secret ballot of the membership this afternoon. Two women and two men had to be appointed today following a lengthy

Four new pre-fab classrooms are to be provided for St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny. The new rooms are intended to ease pressure on the school, which has applied for a comprehensive extension under the Capital Building Programme. This year, the college confirmed it is limiting its new student intake from September, an indication of the

A new campaign to tidy up key tourist areas doesn’t go far enough, according to a major anti-litter group. The Department of the Environment has set aside 1.5 million euro to help local authorities tackle rubbish in scenic spots and visitor areas, with Donegal County Council expected to benefit substantially. However, Irish Business Against Litter

Sinn Fein in Donegal is challenging Fianna Fail politicians in the county to clarify where they stand on the matter of VRT. Cllr Padraig Mac Lochlainn says a Facebook campaign launched nine days ago now has more than 5000 members, and the number is growing daily. He says while there is widespread outrage at the

Donegal County Council will launch a major cultural strategy in Lifford today. Mayor Cllr. Brendan Byrne, will launch the document “Cultural Connections”, which maps out the priorities of thecouncil’s Cultural Services Division to 2014. The document will be launched at council HQ later this morning.

The Irish Government has been accused of breaking European Law in applying Vehicle Registration Tax to cars imported from the north to the south. Donegal Branch Chairman of the Irish Drivers Assocaiation, John Doherty, says people should be allowed to trade freely across the border. He’s started up a petition, which he plans to hand

Derry Crown Court heard today that a sample of DNA belonging to the accused was found on a curtain pole an 83-year-old woman had used to fight off an intruder who had forced his way into her Derry home. Before the court is 50-year-old Thomas Burke of Eglinton Terrace who is charged with robbing the

Donegal Creameries PLC has published its 2009 financial report, noting satisfactory results and significant debt reduction in what was a challenging year. The company says it made continued strategic progress, and that will continue into 2010. The results show a turnover of €113.3m, with adjusted operating profit of €3 million. The dividend per share has

The partner of a Dungiven man who was killed in an industrial accident five years ago says she is seeking a formal apology after his inquest took place without her knowledge. 48 year old Richard McSparron was crushed to death in a rock slide at a Donegal quarry in 2005, and at his inquest yesterday,

Three people have been returned for trial at Derry Crown Court charged in connection with the discovery of £3 million of heroin and ecstasy tablets in the city last year. Eight kilograms of 70% pure heroin, with a potential street value of £2 million, was discovered in a lorry in July last year after the

Former Fine Gael Councillor Jimmy Harte has confirmed he’s considering an approach from the Labour Party, with the prospect of contesting the next general election under the Labour banner. Cllr Harte, a member of Donegal County and Letterkenny Town Councils says he’s made no decisions, but he is seriously considering the offer. He secured re-election

Three men arrested in connection with a shooting incident, which left a 24-year-old seriously injured, remain in custody this evening in Antrim Serious Crime Suite. A man was shot in both knees outside his flat in Lisnafin Park on Monday night. Two 23-year-old men where arrested in the Carlton Drive and Ballycolman areas the following

The trial of a man charged with falsely imprisoning, assaulting and stealing from an 83-year-old woman has heard the victim identified him to police. Thomas Anthony Samuel Burke, 50, from Eglinton Terrace, is alleged to have committed the offences in the 83-year-old woman’s home last May. One hundred and eighty pounds was stolen from the

Senator Cecilia Keaveney has told the Seanad a situation could be on the cards where strong RTE, TV3 and TG Ceathair pictures are being digitally broadcast into the North, while people parts of Inishowen cannot receive a proper picture. Speaking on the adjournment debate last night, Senator Keaveney said she understands cross border television coverage

A march and rally which was to have taken place in support of Lifford Hospital next Tuesday has been put back until the 17th of May. The event is being organised by the Friends of Lifford Hospital, who are seeking commitments from the HSE that the hospital won’t close as a result of an ongoing

A new television advertising campaign promoting Donegal will be lauched next month. The new adverts are designed to encourage people to holiday in Donegal this year. It’s all part of the larger Discover Ireland Campaign launched by the tourism authority earlier this year. Head of Operations for Failte Ireland in the North-West, Paul McLoone says

Donegal does not exist on the maps of the Government‘s crisis response headquarters. The apparent oversight at the National Emergency Co-ordinating Centre was further proof the country’s second-largest county does not exist in the minds of central policy-makers, senior politicians claimed. Charts on the walls of the taskforce HQ, two floors up in Dublin’s Agriculture

A 50-year-old man has gone on trial at Derry Crown Court charged with falsely imprisoning, assaulting and stealing from an 83-year-old woman. Thomas Anthony Samuel Burke, from Eglinton Terrace, is alleged to have committed the offences in the woman’s home on the Northland Road last May. One hundred and eighty pounds was stolen from the

Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has urged the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture Fisheries and Food to consider the Lost at Sea case outside of the constraints of party political lines. Addressing the committee this morning, Ms O’Reilly said she does not believe acceptance of the report would lead to a cascade of follow on complaints, leading to

Aer Arann has confirmed it’s resuming flights today. Flight RE 325 from Donegal to Glasgow is operating today, as is the return flight RE 326 from Glasgow to Donegal. Flight RE 206 linking Donegal and Dublin is also operating, but flight RE 207 from Dublin to Donegal is cancelled. Meanwhile, flight RE 287 from Dublin

Donegal Senator Pearse Doherty is calling for clarification on Donegal County Council’s priority list for libraries, after being told last night by Minister Sean Connick that the priority as far as the government is concerned is Donegal Town. However, Senator Doherty says his understanding is that the priority has been changed to gfacilitating the transfer

The European Commission is to look into the economic impact of the ongoing travel chaos following a lengthy discussion on ther issue by the European Parliament in Strasbourg last evening. One of the contributors was North West MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher, who says every EU country will feel the financial impact of the past

Police in Derry are investigating an explosion outside a house at Dunmore Gardens in the Creggan area. The blast was reported shortly before midnight last night, the area remains cordoned off while a forensic examination of the scene is carried out. There are no reports of any injuries.

A judge in the united states has ruled that a catholic priest should be exradited back to Ireland to face child molestation charges here. 82 year-old Reverend Francis Markey was arrested in Indiana in November on an extradition warrant alleging he raped a 15 year-old boy in Donegal in 1968. For the past two years,

The Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly will appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food this morning to discuss her Special Report on the Lost at Sea Scheme, which she found was ‘contrary to fair and sound administration’.” The committeen initially refused to meet her, but relented in the face of concerted pressure. Fine

Two men were arrested in Strabane last night in connection with a paramilitary style shooting which took place on Monday night. The two men, both 23, were arrested in the Ballycolman and Carlton Drive areas of the town shortly after 9 o’clock last night. A 24-year-old man was forced out to the front of his

Figures released by customs show that sixty-nine people driving Northern Ireland registered cars in Donegal have had their vehicles seized during a two day customs crackdown. There was widespread anger during the operation with claims that many people travelling between Inishowen and Derry were delayed by up to three quarters of an hour as a

A man has been shot in both legs in a paramilitary-style attack in Strabane. Four men went into a house at Lisnafin Park, Strabane, at around 11 o clock last night. Meanwhile, Two families have been left homeless after an oil tank was deliberately set on fire in Strabane. A 24-year-old man was forced out