Author name: oisinkelly

A major jobs boost is on the way for the North West with the creation of 170 at O’Neills sportswear in Strabane. It’s after Derry & Strabane Councils planning committee approved plans for a new storage distribution and shop complex at the facility. A total of 600 people are already employed at the company. West […]

There are calls on the Council to make a section of parking adjacent to the new courthouse a “residents only” area. It follows concern raised by residents living on Orchard Row who are having difficulty parking their cars outside their properties with spaces in their private car park already taken up by people attending the

The Donegal Road Safety Working Group has launched a new campaign, encouraging drivers to use a mobile phone signal blocker pouch when driving in a bid to target phone use while driving. Donegal Road Safety Officer, Brian O’Donnell says research shows that mobile phone use by drivers, which is every bit as dangerous as drink

There are calls for Irish Water to progress plans for a wastewater treatment plant at Burtonport without delay. As part of the utility’s capital scheme a water treatment plant is planned for the area. However, Councillor Marie Therese Gallagher says there are ongoing concerns among locals which cannot be addressed unless Irish Water deliver. At the

Main Evening News Sport, and Obituaries Tuesday 13th February:

  Milford Gardai are urging motorists to avoid the Lough Salt Road, due to dangerous driving conditions, resulting from the recent bad weather. Meanwhile, in Derry, there has been a two vehicle crash on the Foyle Bridge which is blocking one lane city-bound.

A worse-case scenario Brexit deal could cost the Irish economy 18 billion euro. That’s according to an independent report commissioned by the government which was considered by the cabinet this morning. It stated Brexit will have a negative impact on Ireland in all scenarios, even with a soft exit. However the report was done under

A Glenties Municipal District Councillor has called for a meeting with Donegal County Council’s Housing Section to address the housing shortage within the area. Councillor Seamus O’Domhnaill says while it is welcome houses are being acquired in the municipal area, it is not enough, and more houses need to be built. Councillor O’Domhnaill says it

There needs to be a significant increase in investment for local and regional roads, according to Fianna Fáil. The Dáil will debate a motion later calling for a much larger budget for roads maintenance around the country. It comes ahead of the publication of the National Planning Framework on Friday which will outline the government’s

The prospect of the Supreme Court sitting in Donegal has been raised by Chief Justice Mr Frank Clarke. Speaking at the opening of the new courthouse in Letterkenny last evening, the Chief Justice remarked that when a new courthouse in Limerick opens in three weeks time, the Supreme Court will hold a sitting there shortly

A Letterkenny resident, who is facing a human trafficking charge under brand new legislation, had his case put back to November, at Sligo Circuit Court today. 40-year-old Sorin Cirpaci, Fortwell Court, Letterkenny is charged with trafficking Mr Gheorgha Bogdan in a period from May 28 to September 9 2015 at a car wash on Pearse

A new aircraft is being bought for the Donegal Dublin air service, after Stobart Air’s contract to operate the Public Service Obligation route on behalf of Aer Lingus Regionalwas renewed until 2022. The airline says it’s investing over €7million in the new plane. More than 33,000 passengers used the service to Donegal in 2017, with

There were 34 people awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 21 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That’s down just three on yesterday’s figure. Nationally, the INMO says there were 582 people waiting for in patient beds around the country, the largest number, 49, at University Hospital Limerick.

Residents in Clonmany are calling for further studies to be carried out to investigate a suspected increase in cancer rates in the area. The calls follows concern that a so-called ‘cancer cluster’ has developed in the town land of Cloontagh with between 20-30 homes having at least one or more people with the disease. Local

It’s been claimed that a dying 92 year old man was left waiting on a trolley at Letterkenny University Hospital for 24 hours last month. According to today’s Irish Daily Mail, the man was eventually admitted to a ward at the hospital and has since died. The HSE is investigating the circumstances surrounding how the

  There are fears that an elderly person will be seriously injured if necessary drainage works are not carried out at a Letterkenny housing estate. Significant amounts of water are regularly running off the green area at Muckish Avenue in the town and lying directly outside people’s homes. Cathaorileach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Gerry

It’s been claimed that Brexit is having an effect on the rental market in Donegal. In the latest Daft.ie report, rent has increased by 3.9% in the last quarter of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016 with the average rent in the county now €599. Ronan Lyons, Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity

49,000 homeowners in Donegal could be eligible for home energy grants. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has introduced an increase in grants as well as additional funding to enable homeowners make their homes more energy efficient. The grants cover one third of the total cost of the works, ranging from €300 for attic insulation

A Donegal Deputy is calling on the Government to urgently address issues facing 7 schools in the County. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has said Central Government has completley failed to address the needs of the schools in Donegal some of which are overcrowded and require new buildings. During a Dail debate, Deputy Gallagher told

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Monday 12th February:

The Taoiseach says he and the British Prime Minister have held constructive talks on restoring power sharing in Northern Ireland. Leo Varadkar has tweeted a photo of their meeting in Belfast – which also covered Brexit. He says they’re meeting leaders of the Northern Irish parties next. New Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald will

  The new Courthouse in Letterkenny has officially been opened this afternoon by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan. Court sittings commenced at the new building on 2nd January with the €20 million development including four courtrooms and upgraded associated facilities. Speaking today at the official opening was Minister Flanagan: The Chief Justice of Ireland, Mr Justice

A protest is to be held outside the Dail on Wednesday as controversy over the Tory Island Ferry continues. Islanders will travel to Dublin and stage a protest, calling for a quality service to be provided for Tory. From 1st April, the 40 year old Queen of Aran boat will replace the current ferry which

Fanad is one of the focal points of Fáilte Ireland’s new campaign for the Wild Atlantic Way which begins today, aimed at the home market. Centring on the theme – ‘Embrace the Wild Atlantic Way of Life’ – the campaign emphasises the opportunity for Irish people to discover Donegal and the west coast. A campaign

There were 37 people awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 24 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. Nationally, the INMO says there were 544 people waiting for in patient beds around the country, the largest number, 62, at University Hospital Limerick.

Water protesters are threatening to return to the streets if charges are introduced for excess use. Irish Water has confirmed that plans are in place to introduce the charges from next year. But People Before Profit TD Brid Smith says it’ll be impossible to tell who’s to blame for waste……. The head of Irish Water

Update – A meeting which was to have been hosted by Deputy Thomas Pringle in Ramelton tonight has been cancelled as a result of the weather. Overnight snow and ice has left a number of routes in the North West treacherous this morning. As a result, some local bus companies won’t be running while black

A fresh appeal for information has been issued over the murder of a 27-year-old man in Castlefinn ten years ago today. Andrew Burns died after he was shot on the evening of 12 February 2008 in Doneyloop. One person was convicted for his murder, however gardaí believe that a number of people were involved. Between

Snow and ice has affected Donegal and the North West overnight with more wintry showers forecast throughout the morning. A status yellow warning from Met Eireann remains in place. Motorists are being advised to exercise extreme caution this morning and assume no road is ice free. Forecaster with Met Eireann Arron Louch says while drier

Frustrations continue to mount over delays to the proposed A5 upgrade. SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan has spoken out after his request to meet with representatives of the Alternative A5 Alliance was rejected. MLA McCrossan has said that an AA5A representative’s recent comments, made last week, are nothing but smokescreen maneuvering. Following comments last week from

Funding of almost 8 million euro has been welcomed for Killybegs Harbour Centre. The funding comes as part of a 27.9 million euro overall investment for capital projects at Irelands Fishery Harbour Centres, with the centre in Killybegs to recieve third of the overall sum. Development works to be carried out at the Centre include