Author name: oisinkelly

Tens of thousands of people have taken part in the annual Darkness Into Light event. The 5k walk was held at over 168 venues throughout the country in the early hours of this morning to raise funds for suicide prevention. Among them were 12 locations in Donegal Last year, Darkness into Light walkers raised six

A North Inishowen election candidate says there’s been a worrying reduction in the amount of money being invested in road maintenance in Donegal. Fianna Fail’s Marie Duffy says the 24% gap between Donegal County Council’s stated need and what the government actually allocates needs to be addressed. Ms Duffy says this is particularly vital in

A Donegal election candidate says Failte Ireland should sponsor the annual “Rás” cycling race, which is not taking place this year because of a lack of financial support. Seamus Rogers says an investment of €750,000 would allow the race take place, and open up huge opportunities for the tourist industry. Cllr Rogers says many young

Community Employment supervisors have suspended five days of strike action due to commence on Monday. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has agreed to enter into a talks process aimed at resolving a long-running pension dispute. A total of 48 CE Supervisors and assistants in Donegal were set to engage in the strike

Fianna Fail European Election candidate Brendan Smith has denied that he and Peter Casey are locked in a battle for the fourth seat in the Midlands North West constituency. Mr Smith is canvassing in Donegal today, emphasising the potential impact of Brexit on border counties and stressing the need for a positive outcome in the

    A planning application to redevelop and construct a number of housing units on the former Ard Scoil Mhuire school site in Gaoth Dobhair has now been lodged. It’s understood that the application for the site by Charles Roarty proposes to construct up to thirty number housing units and includes plans to build an

  Uber-style taxis which are being referred to as ‘ruxis’ are a step closer to becoming a reality for rural Ireland. The National Transport Authority plans to run a pilot scheme for grants for people who want to begin running a rural taxi service. The process of getting a licence and the cost of insurance

  The process around the National Broadband Plan has been described as ‘completely flawed’ by Sinn Fein. The rollout to rural areas is now expected to cost 5 billion euro. The party’s communications spokesperson, Brian Stanley, says other options now need to be considered. Deputy Stanley says we have at least 7 months before contracts

A protest is taking place tomorrow outside Buncrana Garda Station over concerns relating to an upgrade to a Garda Mast in the town. Organisers say that the proximity of the mast poses a huge risk to the health of residents nearby with calls for it to be situated in a more isolated area. Further protests

  Thousands of people across the world will take part in Darkness Into Light tomorrow morning. The five kilometre charity walk in aid of Pieta House is taking place in 19 countries, including Ireland. In Donegal, 5,889 people walked in solidarity in Darkness into Light last year. Now in its 11th year, the event gives

  A cautious welcome has been given to an increase in grant aid as part of the multi annual rural water programme. As of May 1st, septic tank grants have been increased from 2,500 euro to 5,000 however homeowners had to be registered by February 2013 to be eligible. Cllr Paul Canning says there’s a

The Housing Minister expects the long awaitied Mica Redress Scheme to be brought before cabinet next week. Thousands of homeowners affected by the defective block issue in Donegal are remain in limbo over a lack of progress by Government on initiating a scheme. It was announced last October that a redress scheme would be delivered.

  There are calls on Ministers Simon Harris and Joe McHugh to urgently address the funding shortfall for Seaview House, Mountcharles. It comes following reports that RehabCare which is in charge of services at the centre will have to withdraw by 2020 unless €2 million funding is sanctioned by Government. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle says

  The Asthma Society says deaths from the condition are on the rise, and over 60% of people with Asthma in Donegal do not have it under control. Speaking ahead of a special Asthma Society Roadshow at Letterkenny Retail park today, CEO Sarah O’Connor said of the almost 16,000 people in Donegal with asthma, just

Ulster Bank is expected to sell off more non-performing loans in order to reach a European Central Bank target. Representatives from the bank are appearing before the Oireachtas Finance Committee, and admitted that more work needs to be done to bring down its number of non-performing loans. CEO Jane Howard says its expected the loans

There’s a warning that 52,000 full-time jobs and 14,000 suckler farms will be lost from Ireland’s beef industry over the next decade unless action is taken. Sucklers in Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan are said to generate €445m in direct and indirect economic output and 8,600 jobs. A recent analysis shows that the western

    The Chairperson of the Mary from Dungloe festival has moved to clarify that this years event won’t be impacted by concerns nationally over Civil Defence medical supports. The organisation usually provides first aid and other services at festivals but legal advice which was given to the Department of Defence could put that in

  The government has been asked to clarify the financial investment from the private contractor involved in the National Broadband Plan. According to the Irish Times, the cost of the plan, including private investment, is expected to exceed 5 billion euro – with the majority of the cost – 3 billion euro – coming from

  Community Employment Supervisors and Assistants in Donegal are set to begin five days on strike action next week. It’s in response to Minister Paschal Donohoe’s ongoing failure to meet with SIPTU to discuss CE supervisors right to a pension as set out in a 2008 Labour Court Recommendation. As part of the nationwide strike,

  A local election candidate is calling on the Justice Minister to move to re-enforce Garda number in isolated Donegal towns. Maghnus Monaghan a local candidate in the Stranorlar area has revealed that in Convoy where there is a population of 1000, there is just one Garda stationed there and two in Raphoe where the