Author name: oisinkelly

The Housing Minister says his department is working to figure out how to address concerns of home owners in Donegal and Mayo over the defective blocks grant scheme. Minister Darragh O’Brien updated cabinet today on issues associated with Mica and says he is working with other Departments and agencies after serious concerns emerged about the

The Housing MInister has pledged to review the Mica redress Scheme and bring recommendations to cabinet on how to address a number of issues. The issue was raised at cabinet this afternoon. This evening, wee spoke to MInister Charlie McConalogue………

Mica is everybody’s problem. That’s according to the Chairperson of the Ray Community Group who has warned that the Community Centre will have to shut its doors unless the remit of the Mica Redress Scheme is expanded to include public buildings. Declan Meehan told Greg Hughes today, that there is not one person that is

A senior Sinn Féin figure has denied the party deceived people by having members pose as representatives of a fake polling company. A polling system from the party saw members pretend to be from a fictional company in order to compile voter data. They used ID badges alleging they were from the independent Irish Market

Sick pay rights are to be given to all workers from next year. Under proposals being brought to Cabinet by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar today, employers would have to guarantee a minimum number of paid sick days from 2022. It’s estimated half of workers may not have access to company sick pay at present. Donegal Deputy

A master plan for the redevelopment of Buncrana’s pier and shorefront has moved a step closer to becoming a reality. Donegal County Council has agreed that the project which would include the refurbishment of the town’s pier area and the relocation of the RNLI base from Ned’s Point to Buncrana pier, would was worthy of

Farmers are holding a demonstration in Raphoe on Friday as part of a nationwide rally to highlight the importance of commercial farming to the rural economy. Farmers will be assembling at Raphoe Mart at 10am on Friday before travelling through the town in their tractors in a bid to warn against the dangers in the

Two paddleboarders have been rescued after being blown out to sea off Mermaid’s Cove in Sligo. Malin Head Coast Guard was alerted just after 6pm yesterday evening with the Bundoran RNLI subsequently launched at 6.11pm, arriving at Mermaid’s Cove, a short time later. The Rescue 118 helicopter was also tasked to the scene. On arrival

Councillor Gerry Crawford has been announced as the new Cathaoirleach of the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District. He takes over the role from Sinn Fein Councillor Gary Doherty. Councillor Martin Harley meanwhile, has been elected Leas-Cathaoirleach. Councillor Crawford says Mica will be top of his agenda in the year ahead:

A proposal for the installation of the proposed Inishowen Heritage and Play Trail in Carndonagh has gone out to public consultation. It followed community discussions on how to enhance the Barrack Hill Town Park, with an emphasis on accessibility and quality of play equipment. The plans are available to view at the Visit Carndonagh Offices.

It’s D-Day for the class of 2021 as the Leaving Cert Exams get underway. As usual students will be sitting down to English Paper 1 from half past 9. Due to public health measures there are more than 5 thousand exam centres being used to allow for social distancing. This year sixth year students have

The European Commission Vice President and the UK’s Brexit Minister will meet later in what’s seen a key meeting on the Northern Ireland protocol. The post-Brexit arrangement – which was agreed between both sides – places checks on goods travelling between the north and Britain. However it has caused anger among loyalists, who don’t want

A Milford Area Councillor believes Milford should be separated from Letterkenny and made into a Municipal District in its own right. At present, Milford and Letterkenny are separate Electoral Areas, with three councillors elected in the Milford area and seven in Letterkenny, which goes out as far as Manorcunningham. The ten councillors then sit together

The Taoiseach says it’s important that politicians North and South of the border work together following confirmation of a new First Minister in Stormont. DUP MLA Paul Givan will take over from Arlene Foster next week. His party leader Edwin Poots announced the reshuffle of Ministers this afternoon. Taoiseach Micheál Martin met both Mr Givan

DUP MLA Paul Given will replace Arlene Foster as First Minister in Stormont. Party leader Edwin Poots has been revealing his ministerial line up for the Stormont Executive. Paul Frew will become Economy Minister, while Michelle McIlveen will take over as Education Minister. Mr Givan says it’s an honour to take on the position…………..

More than €50,000 has been raised by Relay for Life Donegal after the event went virtual for a second year in a row. The virtual event over the weekend replaced the annual 24 hour relay at LYIT. 29 teams across the county took part by walking in their locality and by holding a wide array

Letterkenny Gardaí are appealing for information in relation to a couple of incidents of criminal damage that occurred at a large construction site at Millbrae, Stranorlar. The first incident Damage was caused to a forklift on the site. The second incident the side and rear windows of a teleporter were smashed with rocks and a

A mica affected homeowner has appealed for public support ahead of a planned Mica redress protest taking place in Dublin next week. Catherine Duffy from Drumkeen built her dream house with her partner back in 2003. Eight years ago they realised there was a problem with the outer wall. Paint began to chip from the

The National Broadband Plan has made ‘effectively no progress at all’, according to Irish Rural Link. It’s after it was revealed that just 4 thousand homes have been connected under the plan so far this year – well short of it’s target of 115 thousand for 2021. That target has now been cut in half

The Road Safety Authority says it hopes to clear the backlog in driver theory tests by September. More than 120,000 people are currently waiting to take the test after centres closed due to the pandemic. However today marks the reopening of those centres for in-person theory tests, in line with the easing of restrictions. RSA

The Arranmore RNLI Lifeboat responded to two calls in two days over a busy bank holiday weekend. The Lifeboat was called to assist a rib on Sunday which got into difficulty on rocks off Kincasslagh. When the Lifeboat arrived on scene, the Bunbeg Coastguard Boat had secured the casualty boat and brought it to safety.

A local MLA has extended sympathy to those injured in crashes outside Strabane over the weekend at a notorious accident blackspot. The traffic accidents happened at the junction of the Orchard/Bellspark Road at the Glebe outside Strabane Local MLA Maolíosa McHugh said he has been raising the issue of the junction for many years. Following

The tactics used by Gardaí in Dublin and Cork over the weekend was a “necessary response”, according to a representative body. Shields and baton charges were used to deal with violence that erupted after large groups of young people gathered. A total of 55 arrests were made, the majority of those in the capital, while

4,000 pubs are among the hospitality businesses reopening today for outdoor service. The easing of restrictions marks the first time this year that bars and restaurants can welcome back customers. Gyms, leisure centres, cinemas and theatres can also reopen, while the numbers allowed at a wedding reception increases from 6 to 25. Padraig Cribben from

Bunbeg Coast Guard have reminded anyone who visits Bunbeg harbour to be mindful of where they park. Yesterday their boat team was delayed by almost 10 minutes when responding to an incident due to bad parking around the slipway. They say thankfully, the incident was brought to a successful conclusion however, it is only a