Author name: oisinkelly

The number of people out of work in Donegal has almost halved. Government Chief whip and Donegal TD Joe McHugh was commenting on the latest live register figures which show a 43% drop in the unemployment rate in the county between January 2012 and last month. The figures report there are over 48,000 more people

Ulster Bank has committed to provide some limited services to local customers in Castlederg. The news follows the announcement of the closure of the bank’s branch in the town in November. Speaking following a meeting in Strabane with the Ulster Bank’s North Area Manager and Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager, local Sinn Féin Councillor Ruairí

A delegation from the Irish Language Committee will travel to Donegal on Monday to meet with representatives from Donegal County Council, the local Comhar Chumann and local schools. A number of issues will be up for discussion, including language plans, social and culture initiatives, local development, economic development and the future of Donegal’s Gaeltacht for

The TII has confirmed that progress is being made on three N56 road projects. A contractor has been procured for the N56 Dungloe to Glenties road to construct the road section between kilkenny and Letterlily. Meanwhile, a contractor has also been appointed to carry out safety improvement owrks on the the Coolboy to Kilmacrennan section

Main Evening News, Sport, Nuacht and Obituaries Friday 2nd February:

The Chairperson of Donegal County Council’s Environment and Emergency Services Committee has expressed his frustration over the continued denial of 1916 commemorative medals to firefighters across Ireland. In 2016, serving members of front line emergency services across the island received medals to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising, with the exception of the fire

A new global-reaching cyber security company has opened today in Letterkenny. Cyber Risk Aware was launched today at the CoLab at LYIT, with an initial job creation of eight positions and plans to treble its workforce. The company is designed to assess and reduce human cyber security risk through simulated phishing, cyber security assessments and

Donegal County Council and the Office of Public Works have begun communicating about action and measures to be undertaken to prevent future flooding and coastal erosion at several locations in the county. It’s understood the OPW has recommended that funding allocated last year for studies into coastal issues at Carrickfinn and Portnoo now proceed as

An Independent member of Derry City and Strabane District Council says the decision to ban all flags and emblems from next month’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Strabane must be reversed. The decision has been widely criticised, with many people interpreting it as a ban on the tricolour. Cllr Paul Gallagher was speaking after council

It’s emerged that 108 Donegal patients have now received radiotherapy treatment at the new centre at Altnagelvin Hospital. The figure was provided at a meeting in the hospital this morning between centre management, and Donegal Action for Cancer Care. DACC Chair Betty Holmes says at the end of November, the figure was just under 60,

There are calls on the Housing Minister to increase the income threshold for Council Housing applicants. Currently, the maximum income threshold for Donegal is €25,000 for a single person, increasing to €30,000 if additional household members are taken into account. Donegal County Council is to write to the Minister seeking a review of these thresholds.

There are reports of black ice on many roads across Donegal this morning with gardai and the RSA both urging motorists to slow down. There are reports of several minor accidents with cars off the road in several places. Donegal County Council says gritters have been out since early morning, but even in areas designated

A Donegal Deputy has told the Dail that problems with the Island Fisheries (Heritage Licence) Bill that came before the Dail yesterday can be addressed. Leass Ceann Comhairle Pat the Cop Gallagher is backing the Sinn Fein bill to give island communities in Donegal and countrywide special licences. The bill says special provisions should be

New car registrations in County Donegal are down almost 13%. Nationally new car registrations are down 10.4%. 992 new car registrations were recorded in the county in 2017, down to 864 in 2018. The Society of the Irish Motor Industry predicts Brexit related uncertainty looks set to continue. Jim Power, Economist and author of SIMI

The INMO says conditions in Emergency Departments and the level of overcrowding in the country’s hospitals are beyond anything ever seen before. Last month, was the worst ever month for hospital overcrowding according to latest statistics published by the INMO. When the January figures are collated, there were 12,201 patients awaiting admission at hospitals across

Daft dot-ie say there was a 9 per cent rise in searches for properties that qualify for the new government-backed mortgage scheme last week. Under the plans, some first-time buyers can get a mortgage from local authorities for properties up to 320,000 euro. Martin Clancy from Daft-dot-ie says the scheme has captured people’s attention, and

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Thursday 1st February:

Sinn Fein have moved their Island Fisheries (Heritage Licence) Bill, which they describe as an attempt to address the depopulation of Ireland’s offshore islands by giving local fishermen and women back the ability to make a living as they have traditionally done. Representatives from island comunities were in the Public Gallery for the debate. Proposing

Gardai have confirmed a search is currently underway after a man escaped from Garda custody on Monday The man was appearing at Letterkenny District Court on assault and related charges when he escaped.

A nationwide lunchtime Teachers Union of Ireland protest has ended. The Teachers Union of Ireland protested today against pay inequality and said it is impossible to attract and retain young teachers. Greg Hughes spoke to some participating teachers outside Finn Valley College who say it is important action is taken to allow future generations who

A Donegal councillor has again called for the restoration of a Health Board system which brings decision making back to the regions. Following a motion from Cllr Ian Mc Garvey, Health Minister Simon Harris has been asked to attend a meeting of Donegal County Council to discuss a number of issues of concern. Cllr Mc

The Education Minister has been told that St Mary’s National School in Stranorlar cannot afford any more delays in its campaign for a new school building. Speaking in the Dail, Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher said one planning permission has already run out for the school because of a delay in agreeing plans to

The health watchdog has published an overview report of its medication safety monitoring programme. During the course of the inspections which were conducted at 34 hospitals nationwide, HIQA identified specific high risks in six hospitals which include Letterkenny University Hospital. Risks were primarily identified in relation to the governance of medication safety and were brought