Author name: oisinkelly

The number of reported incidents of violence and aggression against staff at Letterkenny University Hospital trebled between 2016 and 2018, according to Freedom of Information figures obtained by the Donegal Democrat. There were 14 incidents in 2016, 24 in 2017 and 42 in 2018. Of the 42 incidents reported last year, 18 involved physical harassment

The domestic violence service Lifeline has told members of the Inishowen Municipal District that they are in dire straits financially, and need help to secure government funding. All state funding for domestic violence services goes to the Letterkenny based Donegal Domestic Violence Service, but Lifeline say they are dealing with up to three times as

The cost of living for households could rise by more that 1,300 euro a year in the event of a hard Brexit, according to a cross border social justice charity. Extern provides supports to 20,000 vulnerable adults and young people on an all island basis. It says they’ll be seriously impacted by Brexit, yet the

The Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District says the draft plan which has been presented for Malin Head is an exciting one which shows the huge potential for the area. The plans were presented at a series of consultation meetings this week at Malin Head, Malin Town, Carndonagh and Culdaff. Cllr Martin Mc Dermott said

A resident of Covehill, Letterkenny has written the Donegal’s Chief Fire Officer in an attempt to once and for all address serious parking issues in the area. Concerns over illegal parking on roads in the vicinity of An Grianan Theatre and the Regional Cultural Centre, resulting a road leading to residential properties being blocked has

The Minister for Disabilities has agreed to meet with Donegal Oireachtas members next week to discuss funding for iCare in Inishowen and the Bluestacks Special Needs Foundation, Donegal Town. The HSE has estimated that €150,000 in funding is needed for Bluestacks per annum and €100,000 for iCare. However, both organisations have received just €36,000 in

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Wednesday December 11th:

There are fears plans for the Sea Survival Training Centre at the National Fisheries College in Greencastle have been abandoned. It comes as its emerged Bord Iascaigh Mhara will not apply for funding to proceed with the project in 2020. In a response to Donegal Senator Padraig MacLochalinn, the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the

Update: A young Donegal mother left awaiting transfer from Letterkenny University Hospital for two weeks is due to be transferred by ambulance to St James’ Hospital tonight in the hope of being admitted. Earlier, the woman’s husband Stephen told today’s Nine til Noon Show, that his wife who is a cancer patient has been in

The County Donegal Joint Policing Committee has been told that Go Safe vans should not be deployed in the vicinity of churches, particularly during funerals, weddings and other services. Chief Superintendent Terri Mc Ginn pledged to ensure that any emerging issues are handled sensitively. Cllr Michael Mc Bride raised the issue, and on today’s Nine

5,215 children are currently awaiting Primary Care services in the North West. Figures obtained by Fianna Fail show that in Donegal, 1,850 children are waiting to access Primary Care services, 152 of those under 18’s in the county are waiting over a year. Sligo, Leitrim, and South Donegal Deputy Eamon Scanlon says the figures are

An Inishowen councillor says it’s important that contentious works on a river bed at Glackmore Hill are fully investigated, and any potential risk to the environment is minimised. Concern was expressed after a developer who is working on the hill could not access the site via the agreed road, and so he used an alternative

The new president of Letterkenny Chamber is Jimmy Stafford, a bank manager with Bank of Ireland and part time presenter and producer with Highland Radio. He replaces Leonard Watson, who has now completed a two year term. A native of Cork, Jimmy Stafford has been in Donegal since 2007, and says the progress being made

The Housing Minister has indicated that the Mica redress scheme could be published before Christmas. Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue told the Dail this week that the thousands of affected homeowners in the county were promised the scheme would have been published by this time last year yet still no homes have been fixed. Eoghan Murphy

Work is to begin in early January on a new bridge in The Illies outside Buncrana. The bridge that was there was washed away in the flooding of August 2017, cutting off the local people living in the area. A temporary bridge was then erected by Donegal County Council, and that’s been in place since.

There are fears that the Three School Campus project in Buncrana could be compromised, after the Donegal ETB was told that the Department of Education is considering alternatives. At an Inishowen Municipal District meeting this afternoon , Cllr Albert Doherty said councillors are still being told that discussions with a vendor are ongoing, but the

The SDLP leader is warning his constituents of a fake letter being handed out purporting to be from him. The letters which he alleges have been delivered to houses in Derry ask people to financially support his election campaign. He says he is disgusted by the move and asks if Sinn Féin will condemn it.

A former Garda Sergeant has backed calls for a specialised drug sniffer dog to be located in Donegal. The suggestion was put forward by Councillor Michael McClafferty at yesterday’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee, he believes a canine sniffer for the drugs unit would be a vital addition to tackling drugs in the county.

Leader funding has been announced for a number of projects in Donegal. Two playgrounds are being funded, with almost €188,000 for Magheraroarty and €126,000 for Ranafast. Coiste Forbartha Chnoc Fola receives almost €76,000 for a refurbishment, Donegal Socks in Glenties has been allocated over €58,000 for machines, and Amuigh Faoin Aer tourist cycling in Carrick

Roughly half of the country’s coastal waters, rivers and lakes have unacceptable levels of pollution. A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency shows only 53 percent are of satisfactory quality. The full report can be accessed HERE It highlights river waters as a particular concern, with the quality having dropped by 5.5 percent since

The Vice Chair of the Regional Health Forum West has welcomed the announcement that a planning application has been submitted for the long awaited new Letterkenny Community Nursing Unit. Councillor Gerry McMonagle says the 110 bed unit will provide the bed capacity that Donegal is in need of. The development at Kilmacrenan Road, Knocknamona will