Author name: oisinkelly

One of the country’s most senior army officers begins a two day visit to the North West today. Brigadier General Gerry Hegarty, General Officer Commanding the 4th Western Brigade, will visit members of the 58 Infantry battalion Reserve Defence Forces, and 54 Communications and Information Service RDF units in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim. During the

It’s been claimed that many of Donegal’s small and medium contractors are being blocked from bidding on major projects in the county because of the strict tender qualifications which are in place. Senator Pearse Doherty says the experience of companies who sought to tender for work on the new Finn Valley Leisure Centre is an

An Inishowen Councillor has said that once again the peninsula is to be neglected given the way that money for roads improvement is allocated at present. 12 million euro was allocated by the NRA yesterday for Donegal’s national and secondary roads, however because Inishowen has a very small section of these types of routes, it

The Women’s Health and Wellbeing Programme based in Co. Donegal has been shortlisted for the AONTAS STAR awards, which highlight outstanding examples of adult education each year. The Programme was developed by Donegal Women’s Network together with the HSE West. The project is one of three initiatives shortlisted in the Ulster Regional category. Speaking on

A 22-year-old man has been charged with causing the death of 24 year-old Martin Gallagher by dangerous driving in Derry at Halloween. Jonathan McGonigle, from Moyola Drive was released on bail with the case adjourned until the 27th of April. Mr McGonigle also faces charges of failing to stop or report the accident, of driving

Its emerged that more young people leave counties Derry and Tyrone than anywhere else in Northern Ireland to attend universities in Britain. The figures were provided to Foyle MLA Martina Anderson by Employment and Learning Minister Reg Empey as part of an answer to an Assembly question on the future expansion of Magee. The MInister

Its emerged that more young people leave counties Derry and Tyrone to attend universities in Britain than anywhere else in Northern Ireland. The figures were provided to Foyle MLA Martina Anderson by Employment and Learning Minister Reg Empey as part of an answer to an Assembly question on the future expansion of Magee. Ms Anderson

The HSE’s Public Health Department in the North West is advising parents to make sure that their children are vaccinated against measles following a number of cases of the disease in various parts of the country. Public Health Specialist Dr Anthony Breslin says while most children have been fully vaccinated with the MMR by the

A major funding package has been announced for a cross border project on the Donegal – Fermanagh border. The Special EU Programmes Body has allocated €8.3 million to the Termon Project in Pettigo and Tullyhommon. The project marks the completion of over three years work by the planning departments in Lifford and Enniskillen. Cllr Barry

Donegal has been allocated just over 12 million euro in funding under the National Roads Programme 2010. This represents an increase of over two million euro on last year. The money, which will be spent on the county’s national roads network will see 10.2 million euro on improvement works and almost 1.8 million euro on

Up to 70 thousand members of Siptu are today joining other public sector unions in staging industrial action against pay cuts. The latest development will see workers in health, education, local authority and state agency sectors take part in  a ban on co-operation with change and a work to rule. The spokesperson for Siptu in

The prices of hundreds of common medicines including anti-biotics and hyper-tension pills will be 40 per cent cheaper from today. The move is the result of a deal between the government and the drugs industry aimed at reducing costs for the State. The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association says patients it will mean patients can save

A man in his late twenties died following a fire in his mobile home at Knockfola near Derrybeg, Co Donegal yesterday morning (Sunday). The fire was discovered by passers by around 6.45 a.m. and the emergency services were alerted. When they arrived the mobile home was totally engulfed in flames. The man’s body remained at

It was weekend of tragedy In Donegal with two fatal road crashes claiming the lives of three men On Saturday morning a father and son from Castle Street in Ramelton died when their vehicle collided with another close to the Slab Road Junction. 59 year-old John Gallagher and his 24 year-old son Sean had been

Three people have died on the county’s roads. A man in his 60’s  died when he was struck by a car in Carrigart shortly after 8’clock last (Friday) night. Gardai in Milford are appealing for witnesses. Meanwhile shortly before 10 o’clock this (Saturday) morning two vehicles collided at the Slab Road junction at Burt. Gardai

A new survey shows that house prices continued to fall dramatically last year The Sunday Times Property price guide says last year was the worst in living memory In Donegal the average price of a new home 155,000, the Average price of a second-hand home is 140,000  – that is down: 19%.

It’s emerged that the Value of Court Judgments against companies in the Republic of Ireland for the recovery of unpaid debt increased by 54% last year. In Donegal, the increase was even more stark, with the value of judgements in the last three months of the year almost trebling. In the fourth quarter of last

A man has died following in a car crash in East Donegal The man in his 60’s, and from the local area, died in the collision shortly after 8’clock last night. Gardai in Milford are appealing for witnesses. Meanwhile shortly before 10 o’clock this morning two vehicles collided at the Slab Road junction at Burt.

As police renew their appeal for infiormation about the shooting of a Derry businessman in his shop this week, a rally has taken place condemning the shooting. 53 year-old Raymond Coyle is in a stable condition after being shot three times in the legs in his shop “Red Star” on Waterloo Street at about 5.30pm

A Bus Eireann service which was used by school pupils in St Johnston to get to school in Raphoe and other areas will not be available from next Monday. The Derry to Stranorlar route is being changed, to travel via Newtowncunningham and Letterkenny instead. Bus Eireann say any school pupils will be accomodated on alternative

There was a marked increase in the number of reported Burglaries, thefts and drug possession cases in the Donegal Garda division. However most other crime offences showed a decrease when compared to 2008. The figures from the CSO show that last year there was 40% increase in cases of Drugs possession with intent to supply,

Donegal Farmers are being urged to attend a public protest meeting in Abbeyleaks in Co Cork this weekend during which the controversial new beef price grade will be discussed. The event hosted by the ICMSA we here how some farmers are seeing losses of up to 80 euro per head under the new pricing system.

Hundreds of Tourism service providers from Donegal  will meet in Sligo on Monday for what Failte Ireland Northwest is describing as one of most important events ever hosted in the region. The tourism roadshow comes off the back of a difficult January for the tourism industry in Donegal with some slight optimism of an upturn

Talks between Sinn Fein and the DUP have resumed this morning as the devolution deadline fast approaches The parties have until this afternoon to strike a deal on the transfer of policing and justice powers. The Taoiseach and Gordon Brown will publish their own proposals for a way forward unless a compromise is reached Senator

Former chief constable Hugh Orde and former Policing Board chairman Desmond Rea head the list of distinguished figures to be honoured by the University of Ulster today The two will receive honorary degrees at the university’s Magee Campus in Derry. Both men will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws while Degrees will be

Newly published figures show that almost half of children born in Donegal in the first half of last year were to unmarried parents. The figures from the Central Statistics Office cover Janaury to June of 2009, in that period 1,156 children were born –  there were 10% more male babies born than female. The statistics

A Donegal man has been convicted of anally raping a 15-year-old girl and having sex with the same teenager two years ago. The 23-year-old accused, who can not be identified for legal reasons, had pleaded not (NOT) guilty at the Central Criminal Court to rape, anal rape and defilement of the girl on a date

A Derry man who admitted burgling a house in the city on Wednesday appeared in court today with visible injuries to his face which he alleged were caused by the householder who detained him. Ciaran Carr (24) of Cornshell Fields in the city appeared at the local Magistrate’s Court with a black eye and other

Councillor Terence Slowey has called on Donegal County Council to do more of its project consultancy in house after he was furnished with figures outlining the millions the council has paid out recently. Between 2005 and 2009 the council has spent 42 million euro on consultancy fees for water, roads and other infrastructural projects. Councillor

The Dail has been told there are currently 468 gardai deployed in Donegal, with 181 of these assigned to the Letterkenny Garda District. The figures are contained in the answer to a question posed by Deputy Dinny Mc Ginley, who has also met recently with the garda commissioner. He’s calling for extra Gardai to be

Almost 100 new jobs are being created by Seagate in the North, 85 of them at the company’s Springtown base in Derry. During a visit to the plant today, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster announced two Research and Development investments, totalling almost £60 million. Invest Northern Ireland has offered £12.7million towards the total cost of these

A Donegal man has been convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old girl two years ago. The 23-year-old accused, who can not be identified for legal reasons, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to two counts of rape, and defilement of the girl on a date in February 2008. Last evening, the

Tomorrow is the last day for nominations for this year’s Enterprising Donegal Business Awards, with businesses in the county being urged to submit entries. The award ceremony on March 12th will mark the culmination of the County Enterprise Boards Enterprising Donegal Week, with spiokesperson Ursula Donnelly saying that a lot of Donegal businesses are punching

After six months of discussions, the EU and Norway have reached agreement on mackerel fishing arrangements which are being welcomed by the Donegal fleet. Speaking after the conclusion of the talks, Fisheries Minister Tony Killeen expressed relief that a ten year deal has been reached which will put the mackerel fishey on a more stable

There’s been condemnation of the shooting of a Derry businessman at his city centre shop. 52 year old Raymond Coyle was shot in Red Star in Waterloo Street, which sells substances referred to as “legal highs”. His family believe that is the reason he was targetted, but deny that he had been warned against selling

New rules which give cross border recognition to driving disqualifications come into force today, on foot of an agreement between ministers in the Republic, the North and Britian. Under the new rules, Northern or British drivers disqualified for serious motoring offences in the Republic will no longer escape punishment when they cross the border, and

Two minor earthquakes have been measured in Donegal, one just before 9 o’clock last night, and the other just before 8 o’clock this morning. The slight tremors, which measured 1.5 and 1.7 on the richter scale were felt in Fanad and Inishowen. They follow another minor quake in the county on January 7th, which measured

A meeting will take place at Donegal County Council’s headquarters next week between council officials and engineers from the OPW to identify how best to prevent future flooding in Raphoe. The issue was raised in the Seanad last night by Senator Brian O’Domhnaill, who called for commitments to be given on funding a flood prevention

Despite a date having yet been set for a by-election in Donegal South West to replace MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher the list of candidates continues to grow. Senator Pearse Doherty is expected to contest for Sinn Fein, Frank McBrearty for Labour, Fine Gael select their candidate next month while Fianna Fail have yet to

There are calls for Donegal County Council to get its fair share of the 300 million euro announced this week by the environment minister for replacing water mains around the country. Water issues were high on the agenda at this week’s meeting of Donegal County Council. Councillor Core Harvey highlighted the plight of 25 homes

The campaign group University for Derry is welcoming what is says is a positive offer by the University of Ulster to enter into a partnership approach to the development and expansion of the Magee campus. According to U4D, recent statements from the University of Ulster demonstrate a realisation of the need for co-operation with all

Over a year after the disappearance of Dr Deidre Donnelly O’Flaherty gardai have made a national appeal for information. The Strabane women’s abandoned car was found close to the holiday home she owned in Culdaff. Dr O’Flaherty, married woman with three children, went missing on the morning of Sunday January 11th 2009. The married mother

There has been strong condemnation of what is being described as a surge in graffiti in the Castlederg area. The graffiti is said to range from the vulgar to the sectarian with a number of public and private properties being targeted. Ulster Unionist Derg Councillor Derek Hussey says the graffiti serves no purpose other than

Gardai are warning of severe traffic delays on the road between Castlefinn and Crossroads following a collision shortly before 5 o’clock. The road is being used as a diversion because of road works on the main road, and gardai say as a result, delays of up to half an hour are being experienced. So far,