Author name: oisinkelly

  Fears over inadequate funding for iCare in Inishowen have now become a reality. The facility has been granted 36,000 euro for the year ahead but their initial application requested 100,000 euro. Concern had been raised yesterday after the HSE confirmed the same funding amount for the Bluestack Foundation in Donegal Town, despite that facility […]

  A decision to ban blue lights on Coast Guard vehicles has been described as a major step backwards. In a directive issued to staff, the Coast Guard told members the risks associated with driving blue light vehicles on public roads “need to be mitigated” for the safety of volunteers and the public. Local Cllr

An investigation is underway in Ramelton after a lifesaving defibrillator was vandalised. It’s understood that extensive damage has been caused to the casing surrounding the defibrillator to the extent that it can’t be accessed. A representative of the installers is due to examine the scene and it’s hoped that the damage can be repaired. The

  Simon Harris survived a motion of no confidence in the Dáil last night to keep his job as Health Minister. The Sinn Féin motion calling for his head was defeated by 58 votes to 53. It was called because of his handling of the overruns at the new National Children’s Hospital. There were 37

The Taoiseach has confirmed that works at Donegal’s community hospitals will not be delayed as a result of the cost overruns of the National Children’s Hospital. This is contrary to comments made by Minister Joe McHugh to Highland Radio last week when he said there may be delays in carrying out improvement works to the

  The Government is facing further criticism as it emerged the number of social houses built or purchased in Donegal last year only equates for 6% of the county’s housing needs. The Department of Housing has revealed that last year 74 social houses owned and managed by Donegal County Council and Approved Housing Bodies were

  There are calls on Letterkenny Councillors to halt a possible move to allow gambling machines in the town. Councillors in Letterkenny and Inishowen are considering adopting measures which would allow gaming machines operate legally in in both municipal districts. It follows the seizure of an extensive amount of gaming machines in the county last

The Dail is continuing a debate on a motion of no confidence in Simon Harris which he is likely to win. The Health Minister has said quitting is not in his DNA. Though Fianna Fáil TDs have said they don’t have confidence in the Minister – and are only abstaining because they don’t want to

A family aged in their 60s and 70s have been left badly shaken after three masked men armed with a pitchfork and metal poles broke into their home in the Corgary Road area of Castlederg last night. The men broke into the house shortly before 10pm, forcing two of the male occupants to lie on

Some of those who were put out of their homes as a result of the fire on Buncrana Main Street two weeks ago could return to their homes as soon as this evening. Local Councillor Rena Donaghey has confirmed that air pollution tests are now complete and clean ups have been carried out at a

Formal approval has been granted to allow the commissioning of the Maternity Theatre at Letterkenny University Hospital. It’s understood that the HSE is now in the process of finalising plans which will also include the sanctioning and recruitment of staff. The development has been lying idle since 2000 when it was built as part of

  Today’s funding announcement for the Bluestack Foundation in Donegal Town has led to grave concerns over what allocation iCare in Inishowen is to receive. It’s understood that the facility initially applied for grant aid of 150, 000 euro while iCare has submitted an application for 100,000 euro. Donegal Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn it’s now

The Tánaiste says a British warning of tariffs being applied on food imports is a “reality check”. UK Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, has confirmed tariffs will be introduced in the event of a no deal Brexit. This would mean Irish farmers competing with South American countries, which have much lower production costs, to get access

  An additional €36,000 in funding has been sanctioned to the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation in Donegal Town. It’s understood that the grant aid will be used to assist the facility to continue to provide valuable training and supports to services users with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities living in south Donegal. Cllr Noel Jordon

  It’s envisaged that there will be further confirmed cases of measles in Donegal. The current outbreak in the county has led to seven definite cases so far with more suspect cases being investigated. The HSE has not disclosed the location of where those affected are from but parents are being told to watch out

  The mother of Jasmine McMonagle hopes to set up a charity in memory of her daughter. Jasmine was murdered at her home in Forest Park, Killygordon in the early hours of Friday the 4th of January. Today would have been her 29th birthday. Speaking on today’s Nine Til Noon Show, Jackie McMonagle says her

A Donegal Deputy has welcomed confirmation that compensation will be made available for people who incurred financial penalties as a result of Illness Benefit delays. Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty told Deputy Thomas Pringle that compensation will be afforded those who were affected by the delays last year. Those affected are now being urged to

  Work has begun on a historic bridge in Glenswilly but it’s hoped that it will be put on the list of protected structures to ensure long term preservation. The bridge over the River Swilly at Rashedoge has been reportedly neglected for some time however the local authority has initiated some minor improvements works there

  A Donegal Deputy says the cost of living crisis is out of control. It follows the publication of a report by the trade union-linked economic think tank Tasc, which found that Ireland has some of the highest levels of market income inequality in Europe, marked by a high cost of living and lack of

Concern has been raised that planned works for Magheroarty Pier may have a detrimental impact on the local fishing industry. Dredging works are set to commence at the pier next month with further development plans in the pipeline as preparations get underway to accommodate the new Tory ferry. Speaking at a recent meeting of the

The Sinn Féin leader says the PSNI have no credibility when it comes to dealing with legacy issues in the North. Last week, it was revealed that that police did not provide all relevant documentation to the Police Ombudsman in relation to the Loyalist murder of five people in a Belfast bookies in 1992. It

A former Gaeltacht Minister says he’s making efforts everyday to improve his grasp of the Irish language – but it was a constant source of embarrassment to him. Joe McHugh admits he doesn’t know why he was appointed in 2014 by former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, given that he couldn’t speak the language. He says he

It’s emerged that a number of commercial premises in Donegal have been targeted by thieves in recent days. Costcutters in Ballybofey, Manny’s Pub in Convoy and Hegartys home interiors in Buncrana were broken into within the past week alone. No arrests have yet been made with investigations continuing. It comes as figures from Gardai show

  There are calls on all candidates in the upcoming local elections in May to campaign poster free. It’s thought the use of media outlets and social media platforms would not only be better for the environment but also cost effective for the candidate. Cllr Seamus Maguire believes the use of posters during an election