Author name: oisinkelly

Increased childcare support for certain workers is being considered. It’s part of preparations for the upcoming budget being explored by the Children’s Minister. The Irish Independent reports that lower paid employees in the private and public sector would benefit from targeted childcare payments. None of the current supports are available to families with net incomes

It’s been confirmed that a referendum on Ireland’s blasphemy laws will be held on the same day as the Presidential election. Voters will be asked if they want to repeal the part of the constitution that makes blasphemy an illegal offence. The referendum will be held alongside the Presidential election on October 26th.

An additional €441,000 has been allocated for Donegal under the Community Enhancement Programme. Its after a funding announcement earlier this year of €159,400 for the county bringing the total funding to €600,500. Minister Michael Ring announced the latest tranche of funding today as part of a €8 million allocation to support disadvantaged communities throughout the

A couple has been left badly shaken after a break-in at their residence in Derry’s Yeats Court last night during which an apparent firearm was used. Detectives are appealing for information about the incident, which they are describing as an aggravated burglary. Just before ten to ten last night, four masked men, one armed with

The number of people awaiting in-patient beds at Letterkenny University Hospital has almost halved, with 21 people awaiting admission this morning, down from 41 yesterday. Of those, four were waiting on Emergency Department trolleys. Nationally, the INMO says there were 331 people awaiting admission at hospitals across the country, the largest number, 49, at University

Culture Night takes place tonight, with a series of events running in Letterkenny for the tenth year in a row. This year’s programme offers 39 diverse events in 26 venues, which organisers say will celebrate the region’s unique local cultural identity. A full programme is available online through donegalcoco.ie or at all council buildings. Meanwhile,

A young boy has died in a road incident in County Derry last night. The 8 year-old was killed after being hit by a car at a service station on the Glenshane Road in Maghera at around 8pm. The Glenshane Road was closed for a time, but has since reopened. The PSNI are investigating and

Derry has retained the Best Kept City title at the 40th annual Translink Ulster in Bloom awards which were announced this week. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor John Boyle says it’s a reflection of the pride people have in the city and the region. He paid tribute to the council’s staff

€1.8 million has been allocated for progress on the establishment of a Technological University serving the West and North West. The Connaught Ulster Alliance is bringing together the Institutes of Technology in Letterkenny, Sligo, Galway and Mayo, with a formal proposal expected in two years time. In a statement last evening, Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor

Detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit have detained a 48 year old man in Derry as part of a major investigation into drugs supply and money laundering. Meanwhile, a 34 year old man and a 25 year old woman were arrested in Newtownabbey. The Derry arrest has been linked to the seizure of suspected

Work on the A6 dualling scheme between Drumahoe and Dungiven is set to begin next week, according to Foyle MP Elisha Mc Callion. Describing it as a positive step forward for the city, Ms Mc Callion says a number of projects are already underway on other sections of the A6. When all are completed, she

A 31 year old man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Paul McCauley in 2006. Matthew Brian Gillen, from Bonds Street in Derry pleaded guilty on the second day of the trial at Belfast High Court. A 28-year-old man has already been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Mr. McCauley. Piper

  Direct discussions between Minister Joe Mchugh and Minister John Halligan are continuing in a bid to secure a resolution to the school bus transport issue in North Donegal. In statement this afternoon, Minister McHugh said that he met privately with Minister Halligan yesterday in advance of other Donegal representatives meeting him for talks. During

There were 41 people awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the INMO – making it the second most overcrowded hospital in Ireland. Eight people were on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 33 were waiting on wards. It’s the third time this week that the hospital has been in

The development of a wind farm in Meenbog in Donegal could potentially be halted due to the protection of one of Ireland’s rarest birds of prey. The Irish Raptor Study Group has been granted leave to legally challenge An Board Pleanála’s approval of the development. The voluntary organisation is committed to the monitoring for conservation

The Taoiseach’s due to meet with the British Prime Minister Theresa May this morning in Austria. The leaders are attending an informal EU summit where Brexit is one of the key topics of discussion. Leo Varadkar’s meeting with the British Prime Minister is happening this morning on the fringes of the gathering in Salzburg. It