Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal County Council says it does not intend to close off reservoirs in the county tonight in an effort to avoid interfering with New Year’s celebrations. In its latest update the council says that the problems of a low water supply seem to be gradually stabilising and that while some areas are still without a […]

The bitter dispute which threatened the future of 2010 motorsport calendar has been resolved. It follows a meeting in Portlaoise last night between Motorsport Ireland Rallies Committee and the Motorsport Commission. The dispute resulted from anger about the actions of an official at the Donegal Rally in June and evolved to include dissatisfaction with current

The Mayor of Donegal has said that 2009 was a challenging year for the county and there are obvious further challenges to be faced in 2010. In an end of year message Councillor Brendan Byrne says that cuts in Council staff and a reduction in the capital investment programme by half with create challenges. However

Concern is growing for the safety of a man from Claudy who has been missing since he left for work on Wednesday. Richard McCall left his home in the village at about 7am and caught the bus to work in Derry, but never arrived. The 28-year-old is described as 5ft 11in tall, of thin build

Fine Gael Deputy Joe McHugh has said the cutbacks in frontline staff and there impact on Donegal’s frontline services have been underlined by the recent poor weather. Deputy McHugh says the government inability to introduce reform while retaining essential services has been badly exposed as council staff tackle icy roads and burst water pipes. He

The cross border shopping playing field will be levelled to some extent this evening when the VAT rate in Britain and Northern Ireland goes up at midnight, while the VAT in the Republic goes down. A reduced rate for the past year has been partly blamed for a massive rise in cross-border shopping this year.

A 66 year-old man with an address in Letterkenny appeared in Derry Magistrates Court today charged with one hundred and sixty eight sex offences. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was extradited from Donegal and has been in custody since December 21st. A Detective Constable Patterson told the court that he executed

Police in Derry are investigating a shooting in the city last night. A man in his 30’s was shot in the leg after being chased by three men in the Glenvista Road area at around 8 o’clock. Police are appealing for witnesses. Councillor Maeve McLaughlin has condemned those responsible for last night’s shooting – she

Hundreds of residential and business premises across Donegal are still without water today. Recent cold weather has burst a number of pipes in supply lines with over a hundred water services staff actively engaged in trying to maintain and restore water supply. Donegal County Council shut reservoirs across the county last night to allow supplies

The 24 year old man suspected of being linked to the death of Garda Gary McLoughlin in Inishowen before Christmas is due back in court today. So far, Martin Mc Dermott from Raphoe has not faced any charges in connection with the fatal crash in which he was also injured. Martin McDermott of Castlegrove, Raphoe

Many secondary roads across the county remain in a dangerous condition this morning. While main roads are said to have improved overnight rain has left compacted ice on back roads and estates particularly slippery. Meanwhile more cold weather and snow is on its way, particularly for Ulster in the early stages of next year Evelyn

Donegal Senator Cecilia Keaveney has made the top ten list of the highest claimants of expenses covering a two year period and published in today’s newspapers. Senator Keaveney was the fifth highest claimant of all TD’s and Senators in 2007 and 2008 claiming for thirty thousand six hundred and twenty nine euro. The latest figures

British diplomats complained bitterly in private about the lack of security provided by the Irish authorities for Lord Mountbatten following his assassination by the IRA. Mountbatten was killed on August 27, 1979, when the IRA detonated a bomb on his boat at his holiday home in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo. Three other people died in the

Donegal County Manager Michael Mc Loone has said the water crisis which is affecting the county is unprecedented in its scope, with sparodic leaks all over the county. Mr Mc Loone says reservoir shutdowns similar to those carried out last night will be put into effect again tonight, and said that extra staff have been

Natural Resources Minister Conor Lenihan T.D.has approved regulations governing the wild salmon fishery in 2010, with the measures coming into effect from Friday. In the Ballyshannon District, the Duff, Drowes, Eany and Glen rivers will open subject to bag limits, while in the Letterkenny District, the Owenea and Owentocker, Gweebarra, Crolly and Crana rivers will

As problems with water supplies continue across Donegal, householders and keyholders are again being urged to check unoccupied houses and premises for burst pipes, and report any leaks to Donegal County Council immediately. Overnight, Donegal County Council shut down reservoirs across the county on a phased basis to allow supplies build up again. However, indications

A senior roads official with Donegal County Council has said there are no budgetary or supply issues with gritting in Donegal. Michael Mc Garvey said that a full service has been provided on all but one of the roads on the council’s approved list, and while there had been some concerns about supplies of salt,

Donegal Councillor Mick Quinn is calling on central government to allocate funding for the upgrading of the road from Kindrum to the Harry Blaney Bridge over Mulroy Bay. Cllr Quinn says while Donegal County Council does not have the necessary funding to up-grade this road, extra funding was announced in the national budget for tourism

As problems with water supplies are reported around the Donegal, householders and keyholders are being urged to check unoccupied houses and premises for burst pipes and if necessary, shut off and drain the water system. The plan now is to shut down reservoirs on a phased basis throughout the night to allow supplies build up

Donegal County Council is being inundated with reports of problems as a result of the cold spell, with water supplies and road conditions causing concern. We’ve had reports of two county council gritters going off the roads this morning in South West Donegal, and effortsare being made to get a truck with essential supplies such

A number of people have been contacting Highland Radio regarding problems with water supplies and untreated roads. If you have queries rgearding these or other council related issues, please contact Donegal County Council’s emergency lines as follows Water – 074 91 72399 Roads – 074 91 72288

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food says it will not pay compensation of almost quarter of a million euro to a South Donegal family, as recommended by Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly, as it fears doing so would leave the government exposed to major financial liability. The report relates Lost at Sea scheme was introduced in

Motorists are again being urged to take extreme care on the roads this morning after temperatures plummeted once again overnight. A slight thaw over the weekend meant roads were very wet from melting snow, and that has now frozen over leaving untreated roads icy and dangerous, and also making footpaths and walkways very slippy. Gardai

Water supplies to a number of areas in the North West have been significantly affected by freezing temperatures. Both Donegal County Council and Northern Ireland Water say sub-zero temperatures have led to bursts occurring on watermain network and in customers’ homes. They’re urging customers to check any vacant or isolated properties for leaks, saying there’s

Temperatures have risen slightly after a white christmas, with many areas of Donegal experiencing fresh snowfalls on Christmas Day. However, gardai are warning motorists that while temperatures are not reaching the record lows experienced earlier this week, they will slip below zero in places tonight, and extreme caution is still needed on roads, particularly minor

Tens of thousands of people will take to the roads today as the Christmas season gets underway. However, with temperatures hitting as low as minus 10 degrees in places overnight, drivers are being warned to take extreme care. Record lows have been reported in Donegal and across the region, with temperatures of Minus 11 celcius

Donegal County Manager Michael mc Loone says he hopes the council can continue to pursue its change agenda in 2010, despite the national breakdown in talks between government and unions. Mr Mc Loone says the relations between management and staff in Donegal have been exceptional over the years, and that is one of the reasons

The man suspected of involvement in the roasd collision whih caused the death of Garda Gary McLoughlin, was discharged from hospital yesterday, and brought to court within hours. 24-year-old Martin McDermott appeared before a special sitting of Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on foot of warrants for his arrest. McDermott, of Castlegrove, Raphoe was accused of drink-driving

On foot of intelligence received by local Gardai in recent, days businesses in Donegal are being asked to review their security over the Christmas period. The County’s crime prevention officer, Sergeant Paul Wallace, says that while this is traditionally a busy time for the retailer the same can also the criminal in the run up

The 24 year-old man involved in a traffic collision with a garda patrol car which resulted in the death of Garda Gary McLoughlin has been discharged from hospital today. Martin McDermott, from Castle Grove, Raphoe is due before a special sitting of Carrick on Shannon Court this evening to face charges relating to three bench

Three men charged with terrorist-related offences after an attack on a house in Derry last week have been refused bail by the High Court. 20 year-old Christopher David Anthony Boas from Robert Street in Derry, is accused of owning items for use in terrorism. 43 year-old Raymond Whitehouse from Thornlea Gardens and his 19 year-old

The HSE is urging people to be considerate in how they access health services over the Christmas period. As GPs take their holidays, Now Doc will be providing its normal range of services, but people are being urged not to attend if they can wait until their own GP surgeries reopen. People are also being

After years of campaigning broadband has today been enabled in Creeslough. There have been numerous announcements over the course of the last year that the service was imminent however local frustration became apparent after one deadline after the next was not met. This was underlined in October when one resident said that locals had been

The future of the inter-party pact on Donegal County Council is under threat. It follows the adoption of the council’s budget budget by Fianna Fail when the other 19 members were not in the chamber. The meeting had adjourned to allow for discussions on how a reduction in the rate could be achieved, with the

Letterkenny Town Council has passed it’s budget for 2010, with expenditure of just over 7.3 million planned for the year. As expected, the commercial rate has been reduced by 3%. The votev was unanimous. The budget book prepared by Town Clerk Paddy Doherty says there are two key objectives – To maintain basic frontline services,

The Appeal Court in England has cast doubt on the expertise of a forensic scientist who challenged DNA evidence at the Omagh bomb trial. Professor Allan Jamieson, who appeared as a defence witness for Sean Hoey, testified that low copy number DNA was unreliable. The process, which allows genetic profiles of offenders to be created

Donegal County Council has adopted its revenue budget for 2010 in controversial circumstances. The draft budget was adopted with a small number of changes most notably a 3% reduction in commercial rates. Before this however Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Fein and the independents were meeting to come up with their own strategy to reduce those

Highland Radio News has learned that up to 25 jobs could be lost at the Medisize plant in Letterkenny. The company, based on the High Road, called staff to a meeting yesterday outlining their plans. Medisize employs around 170 staff at its plant in Donegal producing products for the health care market. The company employs

A Senator is claiming that the northwest is set to lose 50 million euro in revenue with plans to host Ireland’s stage of the World Rally Championship in Dublin rather that here. In September there was speculation that Motorsport Ireland was planning to propose Dublin as the venue for the event but that was denied.

As what looks set to be a protracted budget discussion in Lifford continues, County Manager Michael Mc Loone has told Donegal County Council that this year is different, and it’s well understood that new ways must be found in which to do business. He said changes have already being made, and the council today has

A 70-year-old man has been returned for trial to Derry Crown Court charged with sexually grooming a child, gross indecency against a child and making indecent images of children. William John Roddy of Queen Street in the city appeared at a preliminary enquiry today to face eight charges that were said to have occurred on

Donegal County Councillors meet later this morning to discuss the authority’s revenue budget for 2010. Coupled with the capital budget, which will be adopted next year, the council has a overall budget of just short of 220 million euro – half of what was available in 2007. Councillor Dessie Larkin says today’s priority will be

A new Youth Drop In Centre is opening in Buncrana today. The centre occupies four rooms in the Plaza in the town which have been specifically developed to address local needs. The venture was launched in October of 2008, with the small hall in The Plaza used until now. The initiative was funded by the

St Patrick’s NS, Lurgybrack Teevog national school Cloughan Scoil Mhuire Gan Small Letterkenny Scoil Colmcille L’kenny ( boys school) Gaelscoil Adhamhain L’kenny St Patrick’s National School Murlog Scoil Colmcille, Drumman, Ballyare Ramelton St Mura’s National school Tooban re opening on the 7th January St Baithins national school St Johnston Scoil Colmcille national school Greencastle Scoil

Three men have appeared in court on Monday charged in relation to an attack on a house in Derry last week. 20 year-old Christopher David Anthony Boast, from Robert Street in Derry, is accused of owning items for use in terrorism. He along with Raymond Whiteside from Thornlea Gardens, and his son Jordan were also

It’s been confirmed that the Inishowen NCT Centre will open from early next month, providing wehat the Vice Chairman of Donegal County Council is calling a significant New Year boost to the peninsula. Cllr Charlie McConalogue says the new centre will begin operating at Liss, Carndonagh from Tuesday 12th January. He says it’s the culmination

Donegal County Council’s housing lists have fallen this year, bucking a national trend which has seen a 35% average increase in the waiting lists across the country. The Irish Independent has collated figures showing 2,320 people on the waiting list in Donegal at the moment, down 11%. In Letterkenny, there are 925 people on the

The question of how Lough Foyle should be administered is back on the table after it emerged that Derry Port has applied for a licence to expand its dumping levels in the lough. However, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Brendan Smith has confirmed to Senator Cecilia Keaveney that his Department has not received any formal notification

The deep freeze is continuing across the country this morning, spelling havoc for motorists. Gardai in Donegal are advising motorists not to take to the roads unless absolutely necessary, and many schools have been closed across the county. Meanwhile, City of Derry Airport was closed for a time this morning, with hopes that the airport