Author name: oisinkelly

School secretaries are set to strike tomorrow morning for one hour, before commencing a work-to-rule action indefinitely after talks over pay and conditions collapsed yesterday. The majority of secretaries are not recognised by the Department of Education as employees, meaning some are only earning €12,500 a year, with no holiday pay, sick leave or pension […]

  Discussions are taking place on the publication of a draft management programme for Errigal Mountain following the completion of the Ascent project. The project, which began in 2012, saw Donegal County Council and a number of European partners study upland conservation, and come up with strategies to protect their integrity while exploring their potential.

  A cautious welcome has been given to the progress of works at Moville Community College. The Education Minister has confirmed that planning permission for the project is expected to be lodge this September or October. A new architect appointed earlier this year, is currently working with the existing design team to finalise the Stage

  It’s hoped work could begin by the end of next month on a Glenties housing estate which councillors say had been plagued by drainage and sinkage issues. Remedial works have been promised at Clos Naomh Conaill for around two years, but nothing has been done. However, Glenties Municipal District was told this week that

Fianna Fáil have brought forward a private members motion in the Dáil today to highlight what the party says is the downward spiral in beef prices which has resulted in farmer protests, factories closing, and workers being laid off. While welcoming the deal struck over the weekend, Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue says it is now

A Donegal County Councillor is calling on the local authority to end the process of buying houses on the private market, and instead concentrate on building homes. Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig was speaking at this week’s meeting of the Glenties Municipal District, at which members were told that 10 properties had been bought

  Gardai will ‘hold off’ on reorganising the border divisions as part of its new policing plan until there is more certainty over Brexit. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris also confirmed to the Oireachtas Justice Committee that Cavan is being considered for an Armed Support Unit as part of the forces preparations for a hard Brexit.

  A Donegal GP and former Junior Government Ministers says if certain tests were conducted by GPs it may relieve the pressures faced by Letterkenny University Hospital. Doctor Jimmy McDaid was reacting to the latest trolley watch report which shows that almost 40 people were awaiting in-patient beds at Letterkenny hospital this morning. Previously, GPs

  The Government is being urged to do more to protect and develop offshore Islands in Donegal and elsewhere. There’s further concern that islands have suffered decades of population decline due to underinvestment and a lack of services. A motion calling for an action plan for islands was debated in the Dail last night. It was

  The true extent of potential coastal erosion in Inishowen has been highlighted in a new report, resulting in recommendations that part of Ballyliffin Golf Club’s course be moved inland. The report recommended that no more sand or material was to be removed at both Lagg and Ballyliffin, and that both beaches be placed under

  An agreement has been reached between the Department of Agriculture and local knackeries to recommence services. It follows serious concern this week that over 100 dead animals were still waiting to be collected from various farms across Donegal. The service is to resume on a temporary basis however it’s expected that it will be

  The Oireachtas Justice Committee will question Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, on his proposed organisational changes in the force later today. The Commissioner wants to reduce the number of Garda divisions from 28 to 19 to free up officers for more frontline duties. The Donegal Garda Division is to merge with Sligo and Leitrim as

  The Chief Executive of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has issued a stark warning that failure to achieve an orderly Brexit will result in chaos and conflict at sea. There are major fears that should Irish and other EU fleets be denied access to UK waters there will be flash points all across Europe including

  The Dail has heard that community-led projects in Donegal are under a constant threat of closure due to inadequate funding from Government. At the first Leaders’ Questions after the summer recess, Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle spoke of the struggles for Lifeline Inishowen, iCare and the Bluestacks Special Needs Foundation to keep their services operating

  The Fianna Fail Agriculture Spokesperson has called for conditions agreed at last weekend’s beef talks to be implemented as a matter of urgency. Speaking in the Dail last evening, Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue urged Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to promptly set up the taskforce to address the issue of transparency in the beef sector.

  New research from the ESRI has found that older people in hospital remain there for a shorter time if their local area has a better supply of home care and residential services. This is the first research of its kind since the government launched it’s ten year Sláintecare strategy. The Minister for Health has

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Tuesday September 17th:

Sinn Féin’s vice-president says her party ‘stands ready and waiting’ to work with the DUP to restore the Stormont Assembly. There has been no devolved government in the North since power-sharing collapsed in January 2017. During the summer, talks were under way between Sinn Féin and the DUP to try to get it back up

A Donegal County Councillor is calling on Irish Water to once and for all, solve the ongoing disruption to the water supply in the Ballindrait area. People in the area have been experiencing issues with the water supply for the past number of years and in the last week alone there have been 5 bursts

Gardaí are seeking information in relation to a burglary in Letterkenny. The incident happened on Tuesday evening last between 8.30pm and 9pm at Glendale Manor in Letterkenny. Entry was gained to the apartment through a side door that was forced open and a small sum of cash was stolen from the property. Garda Grainne Doherty

  An investigation is continuing into the theft of a caravan that occurred Sunday September 6th at 6am at Ballyness, Falcarragh. The caravan was parked at the side of a house that was under renovation. It has been established that the caravan was towed away by a Blue Passat the same morning and crossed the

  There are calls for further speed studies to be carried out at Manorcunningham as a matter of urgency. There’s said to be major health and safety concerns over the high speed some motorists are travelling through the Main Street of the village. Donegal County Council has already carried out surveys in Manor and identified

  A sudden economic shock could put the future of over 78-thousand beef and sheep farms into doubt. That’s according to the Central Bank, which says low incomes and a reliance on direct payments mean they’re at a greater risk than their dairy counterparts. It’s warning that around one third of all farms at the

  The average cost of rebuilding a home rose by 6 percent nationally over the past 12 months. The latest guide from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland shows the increase was most notable in Limerick, Cork and Galway at 8 percent, while Dublin saw a more moderate increase of 5 percent. Donegal however bucks

    Serious concern has been raised over a burn on the beach at Magherawarden in Portsalon. It’s understood that despite efforts from Donegal County Council to redirect the stream, it has since taken a route of its own; resulting in land being flooded with fears now that homes may fall victim of the situation

  There’s concern that if the government does not increase investment in school bus services in the upcoming 2020 Budget, then they may have to dedicate more money to new school buildings instead. Its anticipated that an increase in the budget would address the lack of availability of concessionary school bus tickets, an issue that