Author name: oisinkelly

There’s further concern in Donegal over new rules applying to installing water connections. It emerged that a man living in West Donegal has been quoted almost 70 thousand euro by Irish Water to get a connection from his new house to the water main, short distance away. It follows similar claims made earlier this week

  A local GP is blaming a severe lack of sunshine in Donegal as the main reason behind the high number of patients with osteoporosis in the county. Doctor Martin Coyne described the levels of vitamin D coming out of the lab at Letterkenny University Hospital as ‘frightening’. He’s urging those at risk of low

  An extra Garda presence in Glencolmcille yesterday has been described as ‘ironic’ as it’s anticipated that Gardai there will be without a patrol car in the near future. Cabinet Ministers met in the village yesterday for their last meeting before summer recess with increased patrols and Gardai deployed to the area. However Donegal GRA

  It’s been claimed that failed economic and social policies of successive governments are to blame for a range of issues affecting Donegal. There’s concern that inequality and deprivation remain huge problems for the county and little is being done to counteract it. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty made the comments after Cabinet Ministers met for

  Donegal has the highest number of patients waiting longer than two years for Speech and Language Therapy treatment. Figures obtained by Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty reveal that more than 520 people are currently on the waiting list for an appointment, 67 of them waiting over two years for an initial assessment. Senator Padraig MacLochlainn

  Donegal County Council says a workshop is necessary to discuss a number of issues relating to waste in the county. Cllr Michael Mc Mahon says there is are ongoing issues with illegal dumping, particularly in the vicinity of bottle banks and other amenities. Cllr Mc Mahon told members the council should also look at

Donegal County Council has been criticised over a lack of action on promoting tourism in East Donegal. The Cathaoirleach of the Lifford/ Stranorlar Municipal District questioned the Council on what progress has been made since his motion on tourism for East Donegal was passed at full council in March. In a reponse the local authority

The Cabinet has signed off on a bill that’ll see a levy placed on independent radio stations reduced by up to 50 per cent. The Broadcasting Amendment Bill was approved by ministers meeting in Donegal today. The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland has welcomed the move and say it follows a long campaign. They say they

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Thursday July 25th:

The Taoiseach and the new British Prime Minister appear to be on a collision course over Brexit. In his first address to Parliament in the top job, Boris Johnson called for the complete removal of the backstop from the withdrawal agreement. Mr Johnson said that will be a key objective for him in negotiations with

Boris Johnson has claimed any Brexit deal must involve the Irish backstop being abolished. The new British prime minister today addressed the House of Commons for the first time. He repeated his pledge the UK will leave the EU on October 31st – with or without a deal. The EU has ruled out re-negotiating the

An investigation is continuing after Finn Park in Ballybofey was vandalised in recent days. Vandals burned part of the River End of the pitch while a fire hydrant was also ripped from its container. Attempts were also made to break in to the club shop. CCTV in the area is currently being examined and Aidan

  It was also confirmed by Government officials that Donegal County Council will take full responsibility for the Mica Redress Scheme. The strategy for the implementation of the scheme has not yet been finalised but the local authority hopes applications will open early Autumn. Speaking at last nights meeting, Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District

  Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy was in Donegal yesterday where he held long awaited discussions with members of the Mica Action Group and a number of public representatives. While a Mica Redress Scheme was announced ahead of the Budget in October last and formally approved in May there has been a severe lack of information

  Donegal County Council is to hold a special workshop to discuss 5G and mining, two of the most controversial issues that may face members in the months and years ahead. In terms of mining, a recent application for an exploration licence in the Glenfinn area was withdrawn, but communities say it could become an

  It’s been claimed that two thirds of social housing rent collected by Donegal County Council is being directed towards funding road projects. The local authority collects between €11 million and €12 million in rents per annum. Lifford/ Stranorlar Municipal District Councillor Patrick McGowan is calling on the Council to end this practice and take

  A South Donegal Deputy believes returning emigrants are being unfairly penalised under the current driving licence arrangements. Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Transport, Tourism, and Sport Deputy Marc Mac Sharry says the current system is discriminatory and makes no sense. Irish people returning from the US cannot exchange their valid American driving licence for the

The Psychiatric Nurses Association has suspended this evening’s planned industrial action by 6,000 of its members. Nurses were due to begin an overtime ban from 7pm as part of their row with the HSE over the recruitment and retention of mental health staff. This evening, the PNA says discussions with the Workplace Relations Commission has

The Save Our St Joseph’s Hospital Action Group has hit out at the short period of notice given ahead of a proposed meeting with Junior Minister Jim Daly. The meeting never happened. The Minister with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People was reportedly in Donegal yesterday and had offered to meet with the Action

There are six permanent Consultant Psychiatry Posts in the Donegal Mental Health service which are either unfilled or temporarily filled. Two of the posts are in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, two in General Adult Psychiatry, one in Liaison Psychiatry, and one in Old Age Psychiatry. The Irish Hospital Consultant’s Association four of the posts in

Small businesses crossing the border with the North could be exempted from customs checks after Britain leaves the EU. Conservative MP Nicky Morgan has suggested allowing small firms in Ireland go forward and back without being inspected could be part of a new deal with the EU. Morgan is a prominent supporter of Brexit, and

A Donegal councillor says Irish Water should allow the local authority carry out some connections, claiming that people are being quoted exorbitant amounts of money for what should be reasonably straightforward jobs. Cllr Michael Naughton says a workshop is needed to discuss issues with Irish Water right across the county. According to Cllr Naughton, rules