Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal man has been handed a suspended sentence for driving offences. 27 year-old Matthew Wallace of Grove Cottages, Muff was charged with having no insurance, licence, taking a car without permission and possessing cannabis on December 1st. Derry Magistrates Court heard today that the 27 year-old was stopped at a routine police checkpoint in […]

17 homes and businesses are currently without power today in Ballyshannon. ESB received a power outage report this afternoon, shortly before 2 o’clock. The utility say they are currently working to repair the fault and hope to have power restored by approximately 5:30pm.

Letterkenny Chamber has met with Irish Water to discuss plans to improve water infrastructure in the town. At the meeting plans to improve and future proof the water and sewerage infrastructure of the area were outlined as well as the current work being undertaken by the utility. Letterkenny Chamber CEO, Toni Forrestor says she is

Road users are being urged to take extra care today with slush, ice, sleet and snow affecting many road surfaces. AA Roadwatch is particularly warning about the risk of black ice. Status yellow warnings remain in place across many parts of the south and west. Widespread heavy and thundery showers during today will produce hail,

There are calls for an immediate review of the DEIS programme. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty is calling on a review to be initiated without delay, after anger has been expressed within many schools and communities throughout Donegal which continue to be excluded from the DEIS programme. The Minister for Education previously said that should updated

The issue of the reopening of the short-stay ward at Letterkenny University Hospital has once again, been raised at Central Government level. Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn, in the Seanad today appealed to senior HSE officials and Minister Simon Harris to approve the €1.8 million funding request to reopen the short-stay ward at the hospital to

There were 26 people awaiting in-patient admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, four fewer than yesterday. Of those, 13 were waiting in the hospital’s Emergency Department. According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, there were 461 people awaiting admission at hospitals across the country this morning, the largest number, 46, in Limerick.

Latest census figures published by the CSO show a significant drop in the unemployment rate in Donegal compared to the previous census in 2011. Total unemployment in the county was 12,829 giving an unemployment rate of 18.0%, compared with 26.2% in April 2011. Nationally, the unemployment rate recorded by Census 2016 was 12.9%. Of the

Donegal ETB advises that its Crèches in Milford and Buncrana will cease to operate from the end of June 2018. The Staff in both locations will be redeployed within Donegal ETB services. The Letterkenny Crèche based at Ard O’Donnell will remain open until June 2019 and will be subject to regular review thereafter.

  The Fisheries Minister is being urged to introduce legislation if he intends introducing a penalty points regime for fishermen. Fianna Fáil Marine Spokesperson Pat the Cope Gallagher says the minister was wrong when he previously introduced points through a statutory instrument. That regime has now been deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, because of

A 36 year old man has been arrested this morning following a house search in the Omagh area. The search was connected to the ongoing investigation into a security alert at Drumragh Road in Omagh in November. The PSNI say the man has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission of a

A Donegal Road Crash Survivor has been honoured by the RSA for his work on Road Safety Workshops in the county and beyond. In 2006, Richard Alcorn’s life was changed at the age of 19 when he was seriously injured in a crash. Two of his cousins were killed in a separate incident in 2005.

The Draft County Donegal Development Plan 2018-2024 is to go back to public consultation after a number of proposed alterations were agreed. Councillors met yesterday to discuss the new draft of the plan which was produced by officials after the first round of submissions and consultations. 312 submisisons in total were received by Donegal County

Funding has been confirmed for a number of walking and cycling routes across the Stranorlar/ Ballybofey area, with works already underway on three routes. The routes include; Screen Lane, past Drumboe avenue, Creggan Forest Walk, Drumboe Woods to link to Drumboe Road, Holy Well Wood – beside Creggan Forest, Killygordon and Drumboe Bridge and The

The Minister for Public Expenditure has said a report into options for homeowners affected by MICA in Donegal, should be complete this year. Minister Paschal Donohoe said the report into social housing for homeowners affected by the defective block issues will come before cabinet early 2018. Minister DOnahue was speaking after Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue

There’s an ongoing security alert in the Ederowen Park area of Derry, with part of the area sealed off and a number of homes evacuated. Local Councillor Sandra Duffy was there last night ; she’s hit out at those behind the alert, saying it was very upsetting for elderly residents and people with young families,

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Wednesday 13th December

Two Donegal men stopped by police in Belfast city centre in possession of more than an estimated half a million pounds worth of cocaine and herbal cannabis were sentenced at Laganside Crown Court today. Dominic Porter, aged 32, from Lifford, Co Donegal and Conrad Clarke, aged 29, from St Johnston, Co Donegal both received a

As 30 people await admission to Letterkenny University Hospital today, a Donegal Deputy has called on the Government, once again to approve a funding request to reopen the short-stay ward at the hospital. Deputy Charlie McConalogue is urging the Taoiseach to intervene and work in conjunction with Minister Simon Harris and the HSE to enable

A Donegal man has been commended by Minister Shane Ross for his commitment and dedication to save lives on the roads. Richard Alcorn was today awarded the Road Safety Authority’s ‘Education – Community Award’ at the RSA’s 10th annual ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Awards at Croke Park. Richard was involved in a serious road

Councillor Paul Canning has proposed a number of changes be made to the Draft County Development Plan 2018-2024. He is calling for more land be included in the settlement framework to allow future development of social housing. The proposed areas include; Muff, Raphoe, Carrigans, Bunbeg and Manorcunningham. Councillor Canning says the infrastructure in these areas

It is estimated that the cost of restoring Swan Park in Buncrana is in the region of €2 million. Work is needed to reconstruct the bridge, walkways and walls in the park after it was destroyed during the flooding on August 22nd. Senator Padraig MacLochalinn is now calling for a meeting with Minister Michael Ring

The European Parliament’s given its backing to moving on to the next phase of Brexit talks. But it says the UK must “fully and faithfully” turn last week’s hard-fought divorce deal into a final exit treaty. MEPs added an amendment accusing the UK Brexit secretary David Davis of trying to undermine good faith between negotiation

Two women aged 43 and 50, and a 47 year old man, arrested under the Terrorism Act in Strabane yesterday by Detectives in connection with ongoing investigations into violent dissident republican activity have been released unconditionally. The 50 year woman was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm during yesterday’s operation, and for

There were 30 people awaiting in-patient admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, nine more than yesterday. of those, six of whom were waiting in the hospital’s Emergency Department. According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, there were 540 people awaiting admission at hospitals across the country this morning, 59 of them in Limerick.

There are calls for Killybegs Community Hospital to be protected as discussions on the Draft County Development Plan continue. Councillor Niamh Kennedy put forward a motion today proposing the upgrade of the Community Hospital be included in plans due to go to public consultation. Councillor Kennedy says this Hospital is vital for the area and

Letterkenny Chamber’s new president is Leonard Watson, who has operated a menswear business on the Main Street for the past five years. Mr Watson took the chain from outgoing president Gerard Mc Cormick at the Chamber’s AGM last night. He says he wants to continue building relationships with chambers and other organisations across the North

Cockhill Celtic Football Club is to receive €189,200 in funding to repair damage caused to the club in August’s flood, Minister Joe McHugh has announced. It follows discussions between the Minister and Ministers Shane Ross and Brendan Griffin to secure €139,200 in Government funding, with an extra €50,000 coming from the FAI. This represents the

The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has welcomed the outcome of the Council of Fisheries Ministers, which finished early this morning, as generally positive but stated it again underlines the imperative to have fisheries and the wider trade inextricably linked in the phase two Brexit negotiations. The KFO says after protracted negotiations, a favourable result was achieved

A Donegal Deputy says hill farmers affected by gorse fires should not be unfairly penalised. Many hill farmers across the county had land destroyed when the fires hit in May. These farmers’ payments have been withheld with some receiving summary fines on their Single Farm Payment as a result of their land being burned outside

€25 million has been sanctioned for three phases of the N56 due to commence next year. It was previiously announced that work would begin next year on the Coolboy to Kilmacrennan Road, the Kilkenny to Letterlilly Road, and the Mountcharles to Drumbeigh Road. Minister Joe McHugh says the works are vital for Donegal’s infrastructure…….  

Works are due to commence today on the back of Muckish road which will see €90,000 invested in upgrading this stretch of road. The work being undertaken by Donegal County Council will include upgrades to drainage works on the route and resurfacing works at the Glassan junction. Councillor Seamus O’Domhnaill has welcomed what he has

  Over 1900 patients in the past year have been added to outpatient waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital. Figures obtained from the National Treatment Purchase Fund by Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty show that there are now over 14,000 patients on the outpatient waiting list, an increase of 15% on last years figure. It has

A murder suspect wanted in Northern Ireland has been arrested after he was extradited from the Republic. The PSNI says the 41-year-old was held in Armagh earlier over the death of prison officer David Black. He’s appeared before Armagh Magistrates Court and been remanded in custody until next month.

Three people have been arrested in Strabane today by detectives from the PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit. Searches were carried out today at a number of properties in the town in connection with ongoing investigations into violent dissident republican activity. The PSNI’s Detective Heaton says a number of items including cash, suspected counterfeit goods and firearms

The Government has announced over €130,000 in funding to the Red Cross in Donegal to replace ambulances lost during flash flooding that hit the Inishowen Peninsula in August. The Red Cross headquarters in Muff were badly damaged with the loss of equipment and vehicles. Government Chief Whip, Minister Joe McHugh has welcomed this evening’s announcement

Main Evening News Sport and Obituaries Tuesday 12th December

A reward for information has been offered after two masked men broke into The Coach House, Donegal Town. It is believed that at approximately 3:05am this morning the men entered the premises, making off with a substantial amount of cash and stock. Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardai in Donegal Town.