Author name: oisinkelly

Time is running out for Mica affected families in Donegal. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle who is urging the Government to include a redress scheme in Budget 2019. Last December, Minister Damien English promised families affected by the defective block issue that there would be news of a redress scheme by early 2018. […]

The British government says holidaymakers travelling to Europe after March next year could face higher bank card charges in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Guidance for that scenario also warns of the risk of delays at the border and urges pharmacists to stockpile medicines. Brexit secretary Dominic Raab says he’s still working towards a

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Thursday August 23rd:

A good Brexit deal is within sight, according to the UK’s Brexit Secretary. The British government has issued advice to citizens and businesses on how to cope with a no-deal scenario. Businesses in the North have been told to ask the Irish government for advice on trading across the border if the UK crashes out

  There’s been a broad welcome to plans for upgrade works to some the South Donegal water supply. Communities in Ballyshannon, Bundoran and Rossnowlagh are all set to benefit from the works which include replacing ageing water mains, eliminating leaks and reducing the risk of contamination. The work is expected to start in September and

The owner of a house in Falcarragh which was destroyed in a fire earlier this week is calling for an urgent response from the relevant authorities. On Monday, John Fitzgearld rang the emergency services after the fuse box in his house went on fire. Despite living close to Falcarragh fire station, it emerged that the

There could be renewed hope for some planned post office closures in Donegal after one was saved in North Sligo. Despite the postmaster at Cliffoney post office due to retire, An Post has confirmed that they will offer a new contract and a new postmaster or postmistress can take it over. 13 post offices in

A Donegal County Councillor is warning people that betting through their bank accounts could hamper their chances of obtaining a mortgage. It’s been reported that anyone who has put any type of bet on through their account over their previous two years could be classed as a regular gambler and therefore refused their mortgage. This

Gardaí are increasing patrols during the Pope’s visit amid fears of a spate of break-ins. They’re afraid that burglary gangs will be targeting empty homes as pilgrims attend events during the Pontiff’s trip this weekend. Homeowners are being advised to ask neighbours to keep an eye on their houses whilst they’re out. Meanwhile there’s controversy

We’ll find out this morning how the British government’s preparing the UK for the risks of a no-deal Brexit. It’ll publish the first of its technical notes – which includes advice for businesses and the public. In a speech, Britain’s Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab will set out plans which he says will keep the UK

Homeowners, farmers and business owners across Tyrone, a year on, are still awaiting emergency funding to assist in the recovery of last August’s devastating floods. West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan along with a number of local farmers, is to meet with the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs next week

SIPTU says the government must triple its investment in childcare to prevent more people from leaving the sector. The union has launched it’s “Big Start” campaign, calling on Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone to develop a ‘new deal’ for childcare. SIPTU Regional Organiser Martin O’Rourke says parents are paying too much for childcare, at a time

  Derry City and Strabane District Council has become the first council in the North to introduce a Climate Adaptation Plan. Through the project, funded by the EU and supported through the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme, the Council aims to develop an international best practice adaptation planning model to devise effective plans and actions

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Wednesday August 22nd:

Public representatives and principals from schools across West Tyrone are meeting with the Permanent Secretary for Education this week to lobby for more investment. It was revealed earlier this month that 1,430 teaching and support staff received redundancies across the North over the past 3 years due to financial pressures caused by the continued deadlock

Publicans are claiming heavy excise taxes on alcohol are partly responsible for closing nearly 15 hundred pubs around the country in a little over a decade. The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland says hundreds of jobs have been lost due to a 17 per cent drop in the number of pub businesses since 2005. DIGI

Donegal County Council has closed the R237 between Killea and Newtowncunningham to allow for essential repairs. Local diversions are in place. The road closure is due to last until Friday, but local councillor Paul Canning is hopeful it can reopen tomorrow evening……………

While the future of the Letterkenny Reunion is secure, there are calls on Donegal County Council to provide financial support to it. The popular event, which has just concluded, has had no major sponsor since the abolition of the Town Council some years ago. Some local businesses make contributions but Committee Members are said to

A year after many roads and bridges were damaged by flooding in Inishowen, most have been repaired, but the work isn’t finished. John Mc Laughlin is Donegal Coubnty Council’s Director of Roads and Services, he says there are still some roads and bridges to be repaired, and that work is continuing. He’s been speaking to

  A Donegal County Councillor is demanding answers amid reports that fire crews were delayed responding to an emergency call out involving a house fire in Falcarragh this week. It’s understood that no fire crew from the nearby fire station was available at the time, resulting in fire personnel from Gaoth Dobhair and Letterkenny tending

It’s been revealed that 2351 patients at Letterkenny University Hospital have been waiting over a year and a half for outpatient treatment at the hospital. The figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund for July, show that the number of people waiting in excess of 18 months to see a consultant have increased every month since

Farmers are calling on the Government to roll-out the low-cost loans that were promised in last year’s budget. It’s one of a number of measures they’re calling for, as they launch their pre-budget submission today in Dublin. IFA President Joe Healy says farmers have never needed the funding more:

  Work is underway to end a flooding problem outside a school at Lunniagh, Derrybeg. Local Councillor Michael Cholm Mac Gilla Easbuig says for a number of years, pupils and staff have had difficulty getting into and out of the school because of surface water gathering on the road outside. Now, just over €80,000 is

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Tuesday August 21st:

A third tax band has been suggested as a way to make money from high earners. Revenue Commissioners want to introduce a new 43% rate for anyone earning over €80,000 a year. They say it could raise more than 430 million for the Exchequer. Sinn Féin’s Finance Spokesperson and Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty is in

A number of hotels in the county were represented on a recent trade mission which also included Donegal County Council and Donegal Airport. Meanwhile, today, it was confirmed that Donegal is bering included in a pilot programme to launch the Global Irish Festival Series, intended to attract members of the diaspora home,. Niall Gibbons is

A West Donegal Councillor says he has asked Udaras na Gaeltachta’s Chief Executive to intervene in the dispute at RAP in Gweedore, but was told such a move would not be appropriate. Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig is stressing he believes Udaras should be urging management at RAP to talk with the trade union

The Bishop of Raphoe has said there is absolute clarity in the Diocese as to how allegations of abuse are dealt with, and any allegations are reported to the gardai immediately. Bishop Alan Mc Guckian was speaking ahead of the Papal Visit at the weekend. In particular, he welcomed the document published by Pope Francis