Author name: oisinkelly

It’s emerged that that two cross-border bodies could be targetted for cuts totalling over £2 million as part of a rationalisation being discussed by the Stormont executive. SDLP leader and Foyle MP says Tourism Ireland may have its budget cut by £1 million, and Inter-Trade Ireland by £1.6 million. He says this flies in the […]

The Arranmore Lifeboat has carried out its first rescue of 2010. At 6 o’clock this morning, the lifeboat was called out to a French trawler 18 miles west of Arranmore after a crew member on the trawler was injured in an accident. The crew reached the trawler at 7.20am, and brought the casualty to Burtonport,

The County Manager Micheal McLoone is to meet local union representatives to discuss how their planned strike action will effect council services. Trade unions have informed served notice on public Sector employers across Donegal that from Monday its members will be engaging in a campaign of severe and wide ranging industrial action activity. As part

A 20-year-old Derry man who admitted shining a laser pen at a police helicopter was told today that he faced the possibility of a ‘lengthy custodial sentence.’ Patrick White of Old School Lane in Derry pleaded guilty to endangering an aircraft on April 24 last year. According to reports prepared on White he had told

The former head of Donegal VEC, Sean O’Longan,  has been reacting to his appointment to the  new board of FAS saying his is looking forward to the challenge. Tánaiste Mary Coughlan yesterday unveiled a new 11-member board which also includes Margaret Sweeney, an accountant originally from Kilcar. Ms. Coughlan said along with new legislation it

A new guide has been launched for front line staff at Letterkenny General Hospital to help them better deal with people from backgrounds to different their own. The “Health Services Intercultural Guide” was developed by the HSE in response to the needs of the diverse religious communities and cultures now present in Donegal. The guide

IMPACT has served notice on Public Sector employers    across Donegal that from Monday its members will be engaging in a campaign of severeand wide ranging industrial action activity. As part of a nationwide programme of action against cuts in pay introduced by the government,  union members will refuse to work outside their contractual employment. One

The EU has awarded almost 2 million euro in funding for a new cross border Diabetes service for young people. From early this year young people with diabetes, their families and carers will be able to access specialist diabetes education programmes throughout the border counties. In s second initiative women with diabetes who are planning

The friend of a Donegal man accused of raping a teenage girl two years ago told a Central Criminal Court jury that he heard the complainant ask the man to be “f**k buddies” after the alleged attack. The 23-year-old accused has pleaded not  guilty to rape of the then 15-year-old girl on a date in

There are concerns that Scoil Chonaill Naofa in Bunbeg could miss out on funding for 2010 for an extension due to a technicality in the planning process. The issue was raised this afternoon in the Seanad. The 100 plus pupil school has been seeking an extension for 10 years with the current facilities described as

The internet forum, boards-dot-ie has been hacked and tens of thousands of email addresses and passwords may have been compromised. The website’s currently displaying a message with advice for members on what to do. But it insists subscribers credit card or financial information was not hacked. The Gardai and Data Protection Commissioner have been informed.

The North’s Policing Board says stop and search powers should not be seen as an alternative to traditional policing methods. However, the powers under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act remain in place, despite a European Court of Human Rights judgement that the practice is illegal. There’s been a marked increase in the extent to

A teenager who alleges she was raped by a Donegal man two years ago has denied that she was trying to portray herself as older then she was on Bebo and that pictures of her on the web site were “provocative.” The 23-year-old accused has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to rape,

The government has confirmed that the awarding of a contract to construct the new Finn Valley College is imminent. Responding to a query from Donegal Deputy Dinny McGinley in the Dail the Minister for Education has confirmed that tenders for the project were received last month and that a contract will be issued shortly. The

Donegal Senator Pearse Doherty has accused the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan of neglecting her own constituency. Senator Doherty says figures provided by her own department show that of the 1,740 site visits hosted by the IDA since 2003, only 41 were made to Donegal. Last year, there were three,

Recieved from and expressing the views of  Donegal County Council The water supply situation on 19th remains largely unchanged today 20th January. Whereas demand for water across the county is dropping, indicating a lessening of leakage and wastage losses, serious problems remain in some supply areas. The Lough Mourne supply, serving the Finn Valley area

Northwest MEPJim Higgins says Europe has failed Haiti with its slow response after last weeks earthquake. He says that the EU should have had people on the ground immediately after the quake struck so that a co-ordinated plan could have been put in place. The comments come as a 6.1 magnitude aftershock hit this morning

Derry city and Glengesh in Donegal both feature in Lonely Planet’s Top Ten Irish attractions list. In fifth place, Derry is praised for its ancient history, and terrific pubs in one of the island’s most fascinating cities. In sixth place, the guide describes the Glengesh pass as a generous slice of alpine magic in the

The parent company of Arntz Bellting in Derry is being urged to accept an enhanced redundancy package proposed by the workforce It was confirmed earlier this month that the factory is to close in March with the loss of 115 jobs. Making the call Derry MLA Martina Anderson says Germany based Optibeltz should meet the

Despite indications that the spread of the Winter Vomitting Bug at Letterkenny General had been contained  the hospital has now confirmed the norovirus has spread to other wards. The hospital is again urging people to adhere to the ban on visiting at the hospital. There are some exceptions but the hospital’s assistant Manager Paddy Rooney

Over 20,000 airline passengers will have their travel plans disrupted this (Wednesday) afternoon due to a four-hour strike by air traffic controllers. The stoppage between 2pm and 6pm will cause the cancellation of up to 150 flights at Cork, Dublin and Shannon. There is some disruption to flights in and out of the Northwest. A

The trial has opened at the Central Criminal Court of a Donegal man accused of raping a 15-year-old girl two years ago. The 23-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to rape, anal rape and defilement of the girl on a date in February 2008. He cannot be named for legal reasons. The now 17-year-old complainant

Donegal County Council says it is concerned that main water supply servicing the Finn Valley area is not recovering. While the water supply situation across the county is generally improving, the situiation at Lough Mourne is still critical. Even with water switched off for 12 hours a day, demand is running at 410 cubic metres

Donegal County Council Water Supply Update – 19th January 2010 Whereas demand for water across the county is dropping, indicating a lessening of leakage and wastage losses, serious problems remain in some supply areas. The Lough Mourne supply, serving the Finn Valley area and East Donegal is most critical. We appeal to all water users

Letterkenny Sinn Fein Councillor Gerry Mc Monagle has welcomed indications from the HSE that they are to surrender some rental accommodation around Letterkenny, and transfer part of its services and staff to the St Conals Hospital Campus. Cllr Mc Monagle claims more than a million euro is being paid in rent each year in Letterkenny

A PSNI team probing the theft of cash machines has arrested a 44 year old man in Fermanagh. He was detained in Derrylin on suspicion of attempted theft and criminal damage in Co Tyrone on June 29th last year. A total of thirteen ATM’s were stolen in Northern Ireland in the past year. Less money

The prospect of industrial action by almost 12,000 rank and file Gardai is looming once more. The Garda Representitive Association has sent its members a questionnaire, asking them their views on a number of options, including the withdrawl of labour. At the end of last year, the GRA announced plans to hold a ballot on

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has insisted that the A5 and A6 road schemes will go ahead as planned, despite opposition from some landowners. Mr. McGuinness was responding to an Assembly question by Foyle MLA Martina Anderson who sought assurances that the Derry to Aughnacloy and Derry to Dungiven roads would go ahead.

The national cost of repairing roads following damage from ice and flooding over recent weeks could exceed 150 million euro. Donegal County Council has already held a speciall meeting to discuss the cost, with a bill of up to €4 million anticipated, and other councils are now following suit, with growing calls on the Government

North West MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher is predicting a May by-election to determine his successor in Donegal South West. Fine Gael and Labour have already announced plans to hold selection conventions to determine their candidates while Sinn Fein has made numerous calls on government to set a date. Meanwhile Pat the Cope has rejected

Police are appealing for witnesses to an armed robbery on the Buncrana Road during which staff were threatened and thousand of pounds stolen. Three men armed with guns entered Jolly’s Petfood store at around 6 o’clock last evening with staff forced to hand over money from the safe at gunpoint. The men told the Manager,

Water supplies are showing signs of stabilising in most areas of the county though demand remains above normal. Problems continue to be experienced with outdoor service lines, services to field troughs and outbuildings and vacant properties. We urge members of the public to check taps and service lines at home, in outbuildings and in fields,

The trial of 14 people charged with various offences in relation to a protest at the arm manufacturer Raytheon in Derry will be heard in Belfast. At today’ sitting of Derry Crown Court the Recorder, Judge Des Marrinan said that for logistical reasons he felt it was necessary to move the venue of the trial.

A special meeting of Donegal County Council has today heard claim and counter claim over how the budget for 2010 was adopted last month. Non-Fianna Fail Councillors have been heavily critical of Mayor Brenden Byrne allowing the budget be adopted while only Fianna Councillors were present in the chamber. However legal advice presented today backed

A new body representing the Bed and Breakfast sector is predicting a more positive year in 2010, with a new marketting drive and grading system being introduced, and the economic outlook improving in key markets abroad. Ballyshannon based B&B Ireland, which encompasses the old Town and Country Homes and Irish Farmhouse associations, says online bookings

Members of Donegal County Council have been furnished with legal advice suggesting it would be virtually impossible to force a vote of no confidence in the mayor. In the letter, prepared at the behest of Mayor Brendan Byrne, the council’s solicitors say that his handling of the vote which saw this year’s budget passed in

Donegal County Council is meeting this morning to discuss the manner in which ther 2010 budget was decided, and the process leading up to December’s budget meeting. What happened at meeting is well documented. While Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Fein and the independents were meeting to thrash out proposals to reduce the comercical rate by

Figures collated and publishjed by the Sunday Independent show that between December 1st 2008 and December 1st 2009, Donegal’s three senators claimed almost €123,000 in expenses between them. Of the 60 members of Seanad Eireann, Fianna Fail Senator Cecilia Keavney was the highest claiming Donegal member, with expenses of just over €52,000, the 25th highest

A 17 years old man was been taken to Letterkenny General Hospital early today Sunday following a single vehicle accident near Gortahork. It is understood the van the young man was driving overturned in the middle of the road at Keeldrum just before 4am. His condition in hospital is described as “satisfactory”. The main N56

Water Update – Saturday January 16th As communicated to us by Donegal County Council – Water supplies are showing signs of stabilising in most areas of the county continue though demand remains above normal. Problems continue to be experienced with outdoor service lines, services to field troughs and outbuildings and vacant properties. We urge members

Water should be returning to most homes and business across Donegal following the latest round of reservoir closures by Donegal County Council. Supply was restricted in parts of the  Donegal, Stranorlar, Glenties and Letterkenny electoral areas overnight. Supply was switched on agian at eight this morning but will take some time to reach all properties

There was great success for Donegal students at the BT Young Scientist of the Year Awards held during the week. Deírbhile Ní Chathail, Aoife Nic Uait and Sean Cassey of Colaiste Ailigh picked up an award in the Junior catagory in the Biological and Ecological section. Aisling Nic Fhionnghaile also from Colaiste Ailigh, entering in

The Regional Game Council in Donegal has confirmed that a ban on the shooting of certain wild birds remaions in place, and will be reviewed again on Wednesday next. The temporary ban was brought in during the cold snap, and was to have been lifted yesterday, but it has been left in place for another

Donegal North East Deputy Dr James mc Daid is a step closer to rejoining the Fianna Fail parliamentary party This follows the announcement on Friday that the government will now proceed with the vaccination of first year girls against cervical cancer. Health Minister Mary Harney says she has renegotiated the cost of drugs with the

The County Manager Michael McLoone has been reacting to the news that Donegal County Council is facing a bill of up to four million euro to cover the costs incurred in dealing with the recent poor weather. The council met today were details were given of how much the freeze costs in maintaining and repairing the

Water Update – Friday January 15th 3.30pm As communicated to us by Donegal County Council – Water supplies are showing signs of stabilising in most areas of the county continue though demand remains above normal. Problems continue to be experienced with outdoor service lines, services to field troughs and outbuildings and vacant properties. We urge

The Health Minister has announced she is reversing the decision not to roll out the cervical cancer vaccine for secondary school students. Mary Harney says the Government is now in a position to provide the HPV vaccine for first year students after the cost of doing so was negotiated down from 16 million to just

A rescheduled Swine Flu Vaccination Clinic will take place in Buncrana on Tuesday 26th January, in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel. The clinics, which were due to take place in Buncrana on last Monday and Tuesday, were cancelled due to the severe weather conditions. Appointments for the clinic on Tuesday 26th can be booked online at