Author name: oisinkelly

There will be real and significant challenges to rural Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit. That’s the warning from the Agriculture and Marine Minister, who says it will impact the rural economy hardest. A Department of Finance report earlier this week warned the economy will slow overall and there could be job losses […]

Almost €30 million has been allocated to Donegal County Council for the local and regional roads network in Donegal, with a number of bridges also included in the programme. Minister Joe Mc Hugh said this afternoon the projects being funded include further works on Cockhill Bridge, and more funding also included for Fintra Bridge and

  Education Minister Joe McHugh has confirmed that Brackey National School in Ardara is to get an extension. It’s intended that the new classroom will facilitate children with autism and special needs. Details of a construction date have yet to be released while a final costing price will be determined once the tendering process gets

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack in Strabane overnight. Emergency services were called to the scene of the blaze at portacabins in the Springhill Park area of the town overnight and the fire was eventually brought under control. The cabins were being used by a contractor undertaking work for the Housing Executive and it’s

  Drivers are being urged to watch out for difficult road conditions after frost and ice overnight. Caution’s being advised on routes across north-west this morning. A status yellow snow-ice warning will stay in place until Sunday, with severe frosts and sub-zero temperatures expected at night. Met Eireann Forecaster Vincent O’Shea says there won’t be

  Donegal County Council is writing to the HSE and Department of Health seeking a meeting to discuss the need for more investment in home help services in Donegal. The issue was raised in Lifford this week by Cllr Adrian Glackin, who had previously passed a similar motion at the Letterkenny Municipal District. He’s hopeful

  A Donegal Councillor says the earning thresholds for social housing in Donegal need to be reviewed, with the council now writing to Housing MInister Eoghan Murphy seeking a review. Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle told a meeting in Lifford this week that many people in Donegal are falling between two stools because they earn too

  The Western Development Commission has published a draft five year strategy, and is now seeking comments and submissions from groups and individuals from Donegal to Clare. The commission manages the Western Investment Fund, which has invested €51m in 155 projects, supporting 5,000 jobs. CEO Tomás Ó Síocháin says the new strategy is an important

There will be no upside for agri-food businesses from Brexit, according to the Agriculture Minister. Michael Creed has said some supports will be there if the UK crashes out of the EU but said the beef sector in-particular was very open to shocks. Minister Creed says there will be a huge risk to farmers and

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Thursday January 31st:

The funeral is taking place of Daniel Scott, the last of four friends killed in a collision near Gortahork on Sunday night to be laid to rest. Earlier this afternoon, the funeral took place of John Harley, whi;e this morning, Micheál Roarty and Shaun Harkin were buried. At John Harkin’s funeral Father James Gillespie spoke

The Seanad has heard that the two organisations in Donegal which provide vital services for children with intellectual disabilities are being taken for granted by the HSE and the Government. Neither iCare nor the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation received any funding under the €16 million Ability Programme last year and it had been hoped that

Gardai have issued a warning over a rise in cold callers. It’s reported that the criminals are targeting people living in rural areas, pressurising them into buying goods. Donegal Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Paul Wallace says while Gardai are monitoring the issue across the county he’s urging people to be on high alert:

The second of four funerals following Sunday’s crash in Donegal has heard how Micheál Roarty was a giant of a man – loved by many because he loved many. The 24 year old was described as a good soul who would help anyone in any way he could, and there was laughter wherever he went.

  Donegal County Council is calling on Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone to recognise the right of adopted people to information about their health, history and heritage. The letter to the minister is on foot of a motion from Cllr Niamh Kennedy, who says over two referenda, it is clear that the electorate favour such rights being

A Donegal GP says he can see waiting lists becoming an issue in GP surgeries in the near future. Dr James Mc Daid, a former TD and government minister says government policy is putting further pressure on GPs, and while he agreed with the extension of free GP services to Under 6’s, that has led

  Hospitals are warning of potential disruption to services once they get back up and running later. Industrial action by nurses ends at 8am, but the HSE says there could be a surge in patients presenting at emergency departments. INMO members will stage a further 24-hour strike next Tuesday, as their dispute with the government

  There are calls on the Minister with responsibility for Disability to ensure annual funding is provided for two organisations in Donegal which provide services for children and young people with autism and intellectual disabilities. iCare and the Bluestacks Special Needs Foundation both missed out on funding under the €16 million Ability Programme last year.

  Donegal County Council is to carry out an audit of all its housing stock to ensure that repairs are carried out promptly and all council properties are being maintained to the right standard. The issue was raised in Lifford this week by Cllr Ciaran Brogan, who said a comprehensive painting and powerwashing scheme should

There’s further warnings to the Government that unless rising insurance costs are tackled, jobs could be lost. South Donegal Deputy Eamon Scanlon says despite the Cost of Insurance Working Group two years ago publishing a series of recommendations to deal with spiralling insurance premiums, many of the key proposals have yet to be implemented. Deputy

Nurses and midwives have begun their first 24 hour strike. 37 thousand members of the INMO are staging industrial action in a row over pay and staffing levels. The HSE says it won’t be a “normal day” for the service with 25 thousand appointments cancelled. People are also being advised to only attend emergency departments

A new IFA Chairperson is to be elected on February 12th, marking the end of Michael Chance’s term as County Chairman. Michael has been Chairman since 2015 and in that short time has seen such developments and trials as the Inishowen Floods, Fodder Crisis, the emergence and developments on Brexit. The Donegal IFA AGM is

There are renewed calls for action on the Garda Station in Carndonagh. The current station has been deemed unfit for purpose by Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn with concerns over health and safety and station security raised in the past. Coupled with this, the station is only open on a limited basis, with Gardai based there

Fisheries Minister Michael Creed says the government remains focused on ensuring an agreement on joint fishing rights between the EU and UK is maintained. However, responding to Dail questions from Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher this afternoon, Minister Creed said while the risk of a hard Brexit remains, no guarantees can be given. Minister

It’s reported that there are so many applications being made for Irish passports north of the border that there is a shortage of application forms in a number of Post Offices. That’s led to renewed calls for the establishment of a Passport Office in Northern Ireland by the Irish Government. A Sinn Fein led online

Its emerged that none of the beds set to open at Letterkenny University Hospital under the Government’s Winter Initiative have opened. The Health Minister announced that 75 beds were due to open at a number of facilities across the country, 5 at Letterkenny University Hospital, however to date, just 40 have come into operation. Donegal