Author name: oisinkelly

Junior Minister Jim Daly says it would make no sense to remove beds in community hospitals at a time when acute hospitals are under severe pressure. Speaking on the Nine ’til Noon Show, Minister Daly gave an assurance that the hospitals in Stranorlar, Ramlelton and Lifford would continue into the future. However, he would give […]

There were 16 people awaiting in patient beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, six of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That’s up five on yesterday’s figure. In Sligo, the figure was 15. Nationally, the INMO says there were 588 people awaiting admission at hospitals across the country this morning, the largest number, 55, at

An investigation is underway after an overnight fire destroyed one of Donegals most historic buildings. A number of fire appliances attended the scene at Donaghmore house in Castlefin last night and eventually brought the blaze under control however it’s understood that the building is completely gutted. The 10 bedroom Victorian country house is currently on

The IFA in Donegal is calling on the government to make funding to local authorities for greenways to be contingent on the development of a Code of Practice for engaging with landowners. In a detailed submission to the Transport Minister, the IFA says the level of engagement around the country has been haphazard, with problems

While the Junior Health Minister has pledged to work towards retaining existing services in three Donegal community hospitals, no firm commitment has been given to long term residential care provision at the facilities. Minister Daly attended a well-attended public meeting in Jacksons Hotel last night where clarity was sought on the future of Ramelton, Lifford

The Health Minister has been heavily criticised for failing to turn up to Dail debate last evening to discuss the future of services at Lifford, Ramelton and St Joseph’s Community Hospitals. The topic was selected for discussion and it had been anticipated that Minister Harris would be in a position to provide clarity surrounding the

Serious concern has been raised following news that Northern Irish company Lagan Construction has gone into administration and that the delivery of Irish Water’s Inishowen Regional Water Supply Scheme may be impacted. The company was appointed as contractor for the project last year with works due to be carried out on the Eddie Fullerton Dam

Motorists are being warned to take extra care on the roads this morning after sub-zero temperatures returned to some parts of the county overnight. The mercury dropped to minus 3 degrees in places, leading to frost and icy stretches. A status yellow low temperature warning from Met Eireann remains in place until 10 o’clock this

Quigley’s Point health centre is due to reopen at the end of next month after it was damaged during last Augusts flooding. The centre has been closed now for over 6 months with the flood damage resulting in the cancellation of the vital satellite GP service which has caused upheaval for those in the area

The Dunfanaghy Text alert is hosting its first A.G.M later tonight to mark is one year milestone since being first established. Guest speakers will be Vanessa Clarke from Muntir Na Tire Text Coordinator for the County and Sargent Paul Wallace crime prevention Officer while other members of An Garda Siochanna will also be in attendance.

Donegal Deputies Pat the Cope Gallagher and Pearse Doherty a short time ago in the Dail called again for clarity on the future services at Donegal’s three community hospitals, including long term residential care. Deputy Doherty told the Dail this evening of the public outrage since it was announced a decision had been taken to

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Tuesday 20th February:

Police in Derry are investigating after a van stolen in Inishowen was involved in a collision at a roundabout on Heather Road in the city. Police in Derry say they received a report that a white transit van had been stolen from an address in Carndonagh at 5 o’clock last evening. At approximately 7:30pm, police

There are further calls for a full investigation to take place into claims where an ambulance took over an hour to attend a house just five minutes from Letterkenny University Hospital. The patient had died by the time the ambulance had arrived, with the family very unhappy with responses they’ve received from the National Ambulance

Further details are emerging of an incident in Strabane over the weekend in which a man was assaulted and falsely imprisoned in his own home Sometime between 10pm and 1am on Saturday night last, a number of persons entered the mans home in the Springhill Park area. Police have described what happened as a very

There were 11 people waiting on a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning. According to the INMOs latest Trolley and Ward Watch report, 9 patients were on trolleys in the hospitals Emergency Department with a further 2 waiting on wards. Nationally, there were 621 people awaiting admission to hospitals across the country today with

Education Minister Bruton will meet with the Donegal Education and Training Board on Thursday. The minister has confirmed to Chief Executive Anne McHugh that he will meety with her and board members to discuss a number of issues, including the Buncrana Three School Campus. The meeting will take place on Thursday evening in the Letterkenny

A woman reported missing in Tyrone has been found safe and well. The alarm was raised after 35 year old Leanne McCready hadn’t been seen for a number of days. The last sighting of her had been last Saturday in Artigarvan. This morning, the PSNI confirmed she had been found and thanked people for their

It’s hoped that the Junior Health Minister will be in a position to clarify details on the future of the three Donegal Community hospitals during a visit to the county today. Minister Jim Daly will attend a public meeting in Jacksons Hotel this evening where concerns will be put to him. The visit comes amid

There are fears that plans for a new Cleary Centre in Donegal Town could be delayed significantly because a funding application was not submitted by the HSE on time. According to today’s Donegal Peoples Press, The Parents and Friends of the Cleary Centre say they feel let down by the revelation. However, the HSE has

The Government is being urged to provide funding for minor improvement works in Ballyliffin and the wider peninsula ahead of the Irish Open. A funding application was submitted by Donegal County Council before Christmas that would contribute to upgrading rural roads and footpaths while also going towards the general upkeep of towns and villages. Cllr.

Resurfacing works are due to get underway today in Letterkenny. Work will take place in the coming days on Justice Walsh Road, Pearse Road, from Larkins Lane and on the Oliver Plunkett Road. Diversions will be in place during the working hours of 7pm to 7am. Letterkenny Chamber CEO, Toni Forrestor has welcomed the commencement

Business leaders are being warned their lack of preparation for Brexit is ‘alarming’. Fianna Fail says the Government needs to pay attention to an AIB report saying just 6% of SME’s are ready for what lies ahead. The party’s Stephen Donnelly says it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Monday 19th February:

Last night’s Room To Improve on RTE1 which featured Daniel and Majella O’Donnell was watched by 722 thousand people. The revamp of the couple’s West Donegal home made the episode the top programme of the year so far. It was also the highest performing show in the history of the series. Meanwhile, Majella says she’s

Efforts are continuing in a bid to locate a man who escaped Garda custody last month. A number of searches have been carried out after the man escaped Garda custody having appeared at Letterkenny District Court on assault and related charges on Monday 29th January. Gardai have confirmed the man is still at large and

Approximately €70,000 worth of drugs have been seized during a weekend operation just outside Letterkenny. Gardai raided two properties in Drumkeen on Saturday and seized MDMA to the value of €40,000, Cocaine worth €22,000, cannabis to value of €8000. A man in his 20s was arrested and detained at Letterkenny Garda Station for questioning with

A number of clinics have been organised to help people reply to Local Improvement Scheme rejection letters which were delivered across Donegal this week. Councillor John Campbell has criticised a Donegal County Council’s decision to reject a number of LIS applications as ineligible, depite informing councillors that further information would be sought on the applicants.

Ahead of tomorrow’s visit to the Twin Towns by Junior Health Minister Jim Daly, Chief Whip and Junior Minister Joe Mc Hugh has responded to calls for clarification on the future of the community hospitals in East Donegal, and in particular, St Joseph’s Hospital in Stranorlar. On the Nine ’til Noon Show today, Junior Minister Joe

One person has been arrested and charged in Strabane as part of an investigation into what Police have described as a very serious incident. The PSNI are currently investigating an incident in the Springhill Park area of the town, involving burglary, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment and criminal damage. Anyone with information relating

It’s emerged that more than 30,000 crimes were linked to people on bail in Northern Ireland in the last three years. West Tyrone MLA Daniel Mc Crossan submitted the Freedom of Information requests, saying the scale of the figures is shocking, and more details are needed. He says this trend must be urgently assessed…………

There were 15 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the INMO. 13 people were waiting on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further two were waiting on wards. The most overcrowded hospital in Ireland today was Cork University Hospital with 59 people waiting there. Nationally, there were

A meeting between Council officials and Irish Water is set to take place over sewerage concerns at Ballyliffen ahead of the Irish Open. There have been ongoing issues with the sewerage plant in the village, particularly during the summer months with the plant reportedly working above full capacity, causing an unpleasant smell. With thousands expected

Over 550 people attended a public meeting at the weekend over the on-going confusion surrounding the future of three Donegal Community Hospitals. It was hosted by the Save Our St Joseph’s Hospital action group while political representatives were also in attendance. Chairperson Fr. John Joe Duffy says many concerns and powerful words were expressed on

The Still Waiting Health Campaign is organising a protest for this Saturday in Letterkenny calling for an increase in bed capacity and restoration of staff levels. The protest is to begin outside the gates of Letterkenny University Hospital at 1pm and will proceed to the Market Square were a range of speakers will address the

There are further calls on the Government to release funding to reopen the short stay ward at Letterkenny University Hospital after record numbers on Friday saw 56 people awaiting admission there. 46 people were waiting on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 13 people were waiting on wards which resulted in the Full

Only 6 percent of small and medium businesses have planned for Brexit. The AIB survey also shows that just 2% of SMEs in the North are prepared for Britain’s departure from the EU. However the study also shows one fifth of export-focused SMEs are looking to reduce their exposure to the UK. Head of Business Banking

A number of clinics have been organised to help people reply to Local Improvement Scheme rejection letters that were delivered across South West Donegal this week. Mountcharles based councillor John Campbell has slammed Donegal County Council’s decision to reject a number of LIS applications as ineligible, depite informing councillors that further information would be sought