Author name: oisinkelly

Charlie McConalogue has been named as the new Agriculture Minister. The Donegal TD, who was previously Fianna Fáil’s Agriculture Spokesperson, succeeds Dara Calleary, who resigned over last month’s Oireachtas golf society dinner controversy. He’s the third person to hold the position since the government was formed at the end of June. Wexford TD James Browne

  Serious safety concerns have been raised over some jet skiers behaving badly at a popular Inishowen beach. Ned’s Point near Buncrana is a hive of activity, particularly at weekends, however its understood that problems with some jet skiers have arisen in recent years. The water is also used by swimmers and there are fears

  We could find out later who’ll be the new Agriculture Minister later, as the Dail resumes following the summer break. The Government’s expected to announce the new minister following the resignation of Dara Calleary over Golfgate. Fianna Fail Minister of State and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue is the frontrunner to replace him. The Irish

  With 135 mobile phones being stolen a week, Gardaí are asking people to increase phone security and download a locator app. According to new figures from the beginning of 2019 to last month, almost 11 and a half thousand mobiles were taken. However just 1 in 10 were recovered. Garda divisions in Dublin accounted

  There are calls for more CCTV to be installed in Carndonagh. It follows a recent spate of anti-social activity in the town, the most recent incident last weekend with seating vandalised in the town centre. Earlier in the summer, furniture in a local park was also destroyed. Cllr Martin McDermott believes that having more

    There are calls for a two week open period for parents to pay bus tickets under the school transport scheme. It’s after a number of parents in Donegal have had their payments rejected this year because they arrived late. It’s understood that late payments have been accepted in the past and while each

  It’s expected that better-than-usual Leaving Cert results will fuel a points rise in colleges. It’s understood the grades being handed out on Monday will be better overall than if students had sat the traditional Leaving Cert. But points for college courses will rise as a result, leaving some students disappointed. Education Minister Norma Foley

  Also on the agenda as the Dail resumes today is a Bill that’ll give Gardai additional powers to enforce Covid 19 regulations in bars and restaurants serving alcohol. It comes amid concerns some premises aren’t following the rules. The Act would provide for three types of closure order and also for a number of

  A senior member of NPHET’s hopeful that restrictions on family gatherings over Christmas can be avoided. A maximum of six people indoors and 15 outdoors is currently allowed under public health rules. Those measures are in place until September 14th, at which point government will decide on the next steps based on advice from

Gardai have issued an appeal for information after two shops were attacked with fireworks in Letterkenny last week. The incidents happened on Tuesday at two retail parks, one on Pearse Road and the other on Paddy Harte Road. A small amount of damage was done to clothing in one shop after a firework was thrown

The government’s new Employment Wage Subsidy scheme will cost the taxpayer at least 2.25 billion euro between now and the end of March next year. It took effect overnight, and replaces the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme set up in March to help struggling during Covid-19. Firms seeking to apply face stricter criteria than under the

Gardai in Falcarragh are investigating a road traffic collision at the weekend involving two quads, in which one of the drivers was injured. It happened outside the Lough Altan Hotel, Gortahork on Saturday evening. Sergeant Eunan Walsh says gardai are trying to piece together exactly what happened……….

The Health Minister now says he doesn’t want to fine people for throwing house parties with more than six guests. Stephen Donnelly says the threat of jail time or a 2,500 euro fine allowed for under the 1947 Health Act is “completely disproportionate”. He plans to amend the law to allow for fines of 20

The National Public Health Emergency Team is raising concerns over the number of people wearing face coverings incorrectly. The public health officials say they’re noticing too many people wearing masks under their chin, or not covering their noses. 53 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed last evening, with no further deaths. None of the new

Gaeltacht Minister Catherine Martin has confirmed that the Irish Language Plan for Letterkenny has been approved, which means that the town is now recognised as a Gaeltacht service town. Up to €80,000 per year will be allocated to implementation of the plan, which will be used to employ a Language Planning Officer. Minister Martin said

It’s emerged that Taoiseach Michael Martin signed a Statutory Instrument into law last week which, it’s claimed, will impose a totally unfair penalty points system on Ireland’s fishing community. The regime provided for in the package of measures included a penalty point provision which was deemed ‘unjust’ by the Supreme Court. Donegal TD Padraig MacLochlainn

It’s emerged that 12 of 35 Exceptional Review Applications submitted by Donegal schools for Special Needs Assistance for the upcoming school year have been unsuccessful. Figures supplied to Donegal TD Pearse Doherty also show a further seven applications require a school visit, which may not occur until later in September or October. Deputy Doherty says

  Residents in and around Brownknowe National School say their concerns over a proposed sewerage treatment plant are not being heard. Irish Water has lodged a planning application to Donegal County Council which would see construction begin on the Ramelton – Rathmullan Sewerage Scheme however the proposed treatment plant would be situated close to Brownknowe

  Donegal County Council and the Office of Public Works are progressing the design and development of the Ballybofey and Stranorlar Flood Relief Scheme. The scheme was announced by former Minister of State kevin boxer Moran in November last year. Murphy Surveys Ltd have been appointed to carry out survey works in the Twin Towns

  The GP and Clinical Lead of the Covid hub centre in Letterkenny has reiterated that the threat of Covid-19 is countywide and no area is more at risk than the other. There were no new cases reported in Donegal yesterday however the day before saw 14 confirmed cases. The latest data from Letterkenny University

  A local publican and Councillor says you can’t put a price on the current loss of pubs to rural parts of Donegal. With only premises that serve food currently operating, Cllr Martin Harley believes opening up the rest of the pubs would result in more people being kept apart. Cllr Harley says keeping just

  Irish Water has come in for criticism yet again after the utility has reportedly refused to meet with Councillors over plans for the water supply in Inishowen. The peninsula is notorious for frequent bursts and outages and local representatives are actively trying to ascertain the repair plans for the area. Cllr Martin McDermott says

  A new 15 million euro fund has been launched to help micro businesses impacted by Covid-19. It means companies with less then 10 employees access loans of between 5,000 and 25,000 euro. There’s be no repayments or interest over the first six months, while the following six months interest will be refunded by government.

  More than €3.3 million has been allocated to Donegal County Council for active travel and climate change adaptation measures. The grant allocations under the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus Plan will see just over €2.5 million awarded for 55 active travel projects across the county and around €780,000 for seven climate change adaptation measures. The