Author name: oisinkelly

Cllr calls for ban on sale of tablets & smartphones to children

  A Donegal County Councillor is calling for the sale of tablets and smartphones to children under 13 to be prohibited, claiming they are more dangerous than weapons. Cllr Michael Naughton believes the internet leaves children highly vulnerable to the likes of gambling, pornography and cyber bullying. Speaking on todays Nine till Noon show, Cllr […]

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Licenses granted for oyster farms at Ballyness

    The Department of Agriculture and the Marine has granted 14 of the 18 licences for shellfish farming at Ballyness Bay near Falcarragh. The controversial applications for aquaculture and foreshore licences have been strongly opposed by a campaign group. Ballyness Bay is a special area of conservation featuring mudflats, sandflats and dunes. The licences are

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Nurse staff levels Donegal’s community hospitals down dramatically

  It’s been revealed that the number of nurses working in Donegal’s community hospitals has been cut by 40%. Nursing staff levels in the county’s 11 community hospitals are down from 233 in 2007 to 141. Meanwhile, the number of beds in the hospitals has dropped by 25%. Donegal Senator Padraig MacLochlainn says the figures

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Men arrested in connection with Strabane mortar device released

Two men arrested as part of an investigation into the discovery of a mortar device in Strabane in September have been released. The 25-year-olds were arrested by Detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit yesterday and have been released after questioning. Police say the discovery of the improvised explosive device in the Church View area of

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Public requested to not visit Letterkenny University Hospital

Management at Letterkenny University Hospital are requesting people to not visit the hospital due to the significant outbreak of flu in Donegal. Visiting restrictions were first implemented at the hospital on Friday last but have since tightened, in a bid to protect vulnerable patients and prevent further spread of the virus. In a statement this

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HSE issue statement over non-compliances at Inishowen care home

  The HSE has acknowledged that non compliances were found at an Inishowen car home and various measures are underway to address them.  The James Connolly Memorial Centre in Carndonagh provides residential Care for 16 adults with Intellectual Disability, both male and female in County Donegal. This Centre was registered by the Health Information and

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Suspected counterfeit alcohol seized during Donegal pub raids

    Revenue has confirmed that a substantial quantity of suspected counterfeit alcohol was seized during raids in Donegal at the weekend. Officers visited various pubs in the county on Sunday evening which was met with widespread criticism locally over the time and hour the raids took place. Revenue Officers visited a total of 15

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Urgent clarity sought from HSE over Lifford hospital plans

It’s been claimed that the present long term residential patients in Lifford Hospital could be moved to St Joseph’s Hospital in Stranorlar after Christmas. The patients in question are elderly and have been residents in Lifford for 15- 20 years. It’s also further claimed that relatives of those concerned have been not been made aware

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Leaky roof & restricted rights found at Inishowen care home

Hiqa has found several areas of concern within an Inishowen care home for people with disabilities.  Residents were found to have restricted rights to their own property and control of their finances following two inspections earlier this year. The James Connolly Memorial Residential Unit in Carndonagh was visited by inspectors in June and August. A report

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Fears Irish crab exports to China may cease over new protocols

  It’s been claimed that Irish crab exports to China may have to cease because of new protocols being implemented by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. Up to now, Export Health Certificates for brown crab have reflected a naturally occurring problem that the animal, throughout its lifetime, builds up cadmium from the seas around it.

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Decisions on Ballynass applications to be published this week

It’s been confirmed that decisions on aquaculture licence applications have been made in respect of a number of aquaculture projects in Ballynass Bay near Falcarragh. Minister Michael Creed told the Dail that the Ministerial Order will be published on Thursday of this week in the Donegal Democrat. He was speaking during a Topical Issues debate

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Two men arrested and searches carried out in Strabane

Detectives from PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit, have arrested two 25 year old men in the Strabane area, and a number of searches have been conducted. Detective Inspector Andrew Hamlin confirmed the arrests and searches are linked to the ongoing investigation into an improvised mortar device that was discovered in Church View, Strabane on Saturday 7th

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HSE plan for Letterkenny will guarantee winter of chaos – Cope

  It’s been claimed that the HSE Winter Plan for Letterkenny will guarantee a winter of overcrowding and chaos in accessing services. It’s understood that the plan, while including a number of measures, does not specifically address bed capacity or staffing issues at the hospital. Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher is warning that patients

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Council advertise for tenders to progress Buncrana Leisure Centre

  It’s been confirmed that Donegal County Council is actively advertising for tenders to progress Buncrana Leisure Centre. The existing building is set to be demolished and a new state of the art facility will be developed in its place. The town and surrounding area have been without a swimming pool and leisure centre for

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