Author name: oisinkelly

It’s emerged that marts are to receive grants of up to €5,000 each to upgrade their online systems and help cover the cost of doing business online. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue is expected to announce the measure shortly. George Starrett is Chair of the IFA Farm Business Committee in Donegal – He says the association

It’s been confirmed that nurses at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry have received Free Parking discs. Last night, Derry City and Strabane District Council agreed unanimously to highlight this issue with the Western Health Trust. Cllr Jason Barr was one of those who raised it, and he says he was contacted by the Trust today saying

An announcement on easing level 5 Covid-19 restrictions will be made this evening. It’s expected restaurants and gastro pubs will be allowed to reopen despite NPHET advice, with inter-county travel opening for a period over Christmas. The head of the HSE says he’s concerned that there may be a spike in cases of Covid-19 in

Update – The mayor of the Letterkenny Municipal District has confirmed a meeting is likely to take place next week to discuss the signing of a contract to bring up to 350 asylum seekers to live at former student accomodation on the Port Road in the town. It’s expected the meeting will be attended by

A Donegal TD has suggested that the Dail’s European Affairs committee may be the forum through which many post Brexit problems can be resolved. Deputy Joe McHugh is Chair of the Committee, and says he believes it can play a key role in resolving issues in the coming weeks and months, particularly in relation to

  Two Donegal Oireachtas members have welcomed the signing of a contract to bring up to 350 asylum seekers to live at former student accomodation on the Port Road in Letterkenny. In a joint statement, Deputy Thomas Pringle and Senator Eileen Flynn say it’s important for the local community to rally around and help make

A campaign has been launched in Carndonagh to have a 10 km cycleway developed around the town to allow people cycle to school or work, and also facilitate leisure and exercise. A Facebook page has been set up, and an online petition established. The Carndonagh Cycleway Group wants to brief members of the Inishowen Municipal

  Donegal TD Pearse Doherty has raised the future of Ulster Bank with Finance Minister Pascal Donohoe in the Dáil. At present, Ulster Bank operates five branches in the county, at Letterkenny, Killybegs, Donegal Town, Ballybofey, and Buncrana. Deputy Doherty said the bank’s parent company is undertaking a strategic review, with fears that the bank

The Tanaiste has told the Dail there is no question of cross border travel being banned, but the same restrictions that govern inter-county travel within the state also cover Northern Ireland. Leo Varadkar said at present inter-county travel is only permissable for work, education, or to care for a relative, but it’s hoped that may

The Tanaiste has told the Dail there is no question of cross border travel being banned, but the same restrictions that govern inter-county travel within the state also cover Northern Ireland. Leo Varadkar said at present inter-county travel is only permissible for work, education, or to care for a relative, but it’s hoped that may

  A HSE Clinical Lead for infection control has acknowledged that there is a very significant Covid-19 issue in Letterkenny University Hospital and that more work needs to be done to control it. However Professor Martin Cormican is warning that both the hospital and the local community are effectively one entity. He believes that the

  The Burnfoot Flood Relief Scheme is now open to public consultation but there are fears that it’ll be several years before it’s complete. It’s over three years since the devastating floods of August 2017 with Pairc na Greine estate completely washed out at the time, but affected residents have not been able to return

  Assurances have been given that funding for Buncrana Leisure Centre has been set aside in Donegal County Councils Capital Budget. The capital budget is due to be adopted on Monday and includes the necessary monies to progress the project. Initial plans were to refurbish the current facility which has been closed to the public

  There are calls for all pubs to reopen when Covid 19 restrictions begin to ease next week. The Vintners Federation of Ireland feels it’s safer for people to socialise in controlled settings as opposed to their homes. It’s believed pubs that serve food will be allowed reopen in a few weeks but wet pubs

  A Donegal Deputy has accused the Tánaiste of being ‘out of touch’ with people living in border communities. It’s after it emerged that the Government is strongly considering advising people not to travel to the north from next week because of the different level of Covid 19 infection rates and restrictions. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar

  The government is strongly considering telling people not to travel to Northern Ireland from next week, due to the region’s Covid-19 crisis. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told his party colleagues last night the measure may be introduced, but no final decision has been made. The cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 will meet this evening to finalise

  There are 46 users of disability services in Inishowen registered as being in need of respite services, but only one bed available at the Riverwalk facility in Carndonagh. At this week’s meeting of the Regional Health Forum West, Cllr Albert Doherty said its incumbent on the HSE and the government to address this situation

  A planning application for new security features at Gartan Estate has been withdrawn. The application, lodged by Donegal ETB sought to erect gates and a fence around parts of the Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre. The proposal had sparked major concern among the local community who use the amenity regularly. Cllr Michael McBride

The CEO of Eir says her comments about their call centre in Sligo has nothing to do with staff. Minister Frank Feighan had called on Eir to clarify comments by Carolan Lennon blaming Sligo for poor performance in dealing with customer calls and complaints. Ms Lennon told the Oireachtas Communications Committee today that it was

There needs to be an end to the Brexit process ‘very soon’, according to the Finance Minister. The EU and the UK are still trying to iron out a future relationship agreement, but the President of the European Commission says there are some issues still to be decided. Last night, US President-elect Joe Biden warned

  The Tanaiste has confirmed shops and hairdressers will be the first to reopen when we exit Level 5, saying it’ll be ‘haircuts and shopping before nights out’. NPHET has been meeting to consider its recommendations and a formal announcement from the Government is expected on Friday evening. Leo Varadkar says they will reopen places

Donegal County Council has adopted its budget for 2021 at the first time of asking, with a majority supporting its ratification. Members are now looking to the future, as the council navigates the twin challenges of Covid 19 and Brexit. Cllr Marie Terese Gallagher says while she supports the budget, there are some issues she

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has voiced his support for the Irish greyhound industry to be defunded. Deputy Pringle was speaking on a Private Members Bill brought forward by the Social Democrats calling for the end of State funding for the greyhound industry. He told the Dail that the funding sanctioned for the industry could be

The Garda Representative Association say legislation to protect Gardai from abuse on social media should be introduced in Ireland. Politicians in France are debating a new law that would criminalise any social media videos identifying police officers. Donegal GRA Representative, Brendan O’Connor acknowledges that they are in a public role but says abuse of Gardai