Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal County Councillors are being urged to join the national voice in a bid to end the ongoing homeless crisis. Independent Socialist Finn O’Donnell believes the mental and physical health of people is being affected as a direct result of a lack of suitable and affordable accomodation. He says the true severity of the crisis […]

  A member of the HSE West Regional Forum says there must be changes to the model used by the ambulance service, and particularly in terms of the length of time it takes to get patients out of ambulances, and into Emergency Departments. Cllr Ciaran Brogan was speaking after the inquest into the death of

Following the granting of 14 aquaculture licenses, the Save Ballyness Bay campaign group says it will consider the licensing announcement before responding. In an initial statement, the group says they are deeply concerned that their objections, and those of thousands of others, have been ignored. They question the assertion that this will benefit the local

  It’s emerged that the rescue 118 helicopter does not transfer seriously ill patients from the North West and West of Ireland to Dublin beyond 9pm each night. The emergency helicopter which carries out search and rescues in Donegal is also paid by the HSE to urgently transfer people from Letterkenny University Hospital to Dublin

  The HSE has confirmed that no further long term care will be available at the existing unit at Lifford Community Hospital. Currently two long stay clients reside at Lifford they are being facilitated with their choice of alternative residential care and will move to St Joseph’s Community Hospital in January. The HSE has also

  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

  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

  The Government has backed down on a new law that critics say would have caused bingo halls to close around the country. Last night all parties in the Dáil passed a Sinn Fein amendment to the Gaming and Lotteries Bill. It increases the cap on prize money given out by bingo operators from 50

There’s been further disappointment expressed over the revenue raids on Donegal pubs at the weekend. Officers seized a large quantity of suspected counterfeit vodka as part of visits to 15 premises in the county on Sunday evening last. However, it’s now been further claimed that the alcohol seized was at least 50 years old and

  The case of a former soldier charged in relation to the events of Bloody Sunday in Derry has been adjourned again until the new year. The man, known only as ‘Soldier F’, is charged with two counts of murder, and five counts of attempted murder. The ex- paratrooper, aged in his 60’s, will not

  The number of Donegal families seeking assistance from Saint Vincent De Paul is said to have risen considerably. In 2018, over 700 families in the Letterkenny area alone were aided by the charity and it’s anticipated that up to 2,000 families in the county will seek help in the run up to Christmas. The

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

  The woman at the centre of a landmark citizenship case claims the ruling against her breaches the Good Friday Agreement. Emma DeSouza applied for a residence card for her US-born husband to live and work in Northern Ireland. It was rejected on the grounds she is seen as a British citizen despite identifying as

  Public consultations are to be held next week on phase three the Malin Head Visitor Management Plan. Works on the redevelopment are said to be progressing well, following the completion of phase two earlier this year. Workshops on the next stage are taking place in Malin, Culdaff and Carndonagh next Tuesday and Wednesday. Cathaoirleach

  Bingo players say they’re furious over the impact of new proposed legislation which goes before a Dail vote later today. They claim it will lead to the closure of bingo halls across the country, but the Government says it’s a fair proposal that will help charities get a quarter of proceeds. It comes after

  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.

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