Author name: oisinkelly

Motorists are being urged to avoid the Tullymoan Road between Clady and Strabane due to a traffic accident. The accident is believed to have resulted from icy conditions on the road this morning. Emergency services are attending the scene.

  Sinn Féin Councillor for Rosemount Mickey Cooper has spoken out in condemnation of recent damage to a set of locks in Creggan Burn Park in Derry. The locks, were installed on the gate at the top of the ‘zig-zag steps’ in the park in an effort to prevent anti-social behaviour. The locking of the

SIPTU’s warning a strike could be on the cards in some of the country’s best known care organisations. The dispute involves 8 thousand staff at organisations like the Irish Wheelchair Association, Rehab Care and The Cheshire Homes. The union says these workers had their pay cut in line with HSE staff during the recession, but

A Donegal Deputy has received confirmation from Transport Infrastructure Ireland that phase phase 1 of the Mountcharles to Inver upgrade of the N56 will commence in 2018. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has this week welcomed confirmation from the TII that phase 1 of the N56 upgrade from Mountcharles to Inver will begin next year. Deputy

100 youth projects are to benefit from half a million euro in funding. The funding has been granted under the Local Youth Club Equipment Scheme with scout groups, music groups and youth clubs among those in receipt of the grant. Government Chief Whip Minister Joe McHugh says the funding will be of great benefit to

Main Evening, News, Sport, Nuacht and Obituaries Friday 15th December

Members of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership met yesterday in Derry where they were informed of Northern Ireland’s Executive Office’s intention to release over €2.5 million in funding to facilitate in the work of the Partnership. At the bi-annual meeting, jointly led by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council, the

A judge said today that a young man deliberately “went out in a blaze of glory” with a series of church robberies because he knew was going to jail for earlier crime. Ballyshannon District Court was told that Nathan Coughlan was already serving a 12 month sentence for attacking and robbing a widow shortly after

Gardai have advised that the road at Tieveban, Burnfoot has reopened following a serious collision in the early hours of this morning. A 22 year old man was rushed to hospital after the 4×4 vehicle he was driving hit a stone wall. Gardai are continuing their investigations, and witnesses, or anyone who was on that

A Donegal Deputy has criticised the Government for continuing to fail in ensuring the inclusion of schools throughout Donegal in the DEIS programme. Sinn Fein Finance Spokesperson Deputy Pearse Doherty raised the issue during a Topical Issue Debate in the Dail last night, calling for a review of the scheme after the latest Pobal HP

€47,000 has been sanctioned to construct an outdoor adventure arena at Letterkenny Town Park. The project will be delivered by the Donegal Sports Partnership and will include the roll-out of an activity programme to engage local people in outdoor recreation sports. The funding issued by Minister Sean Kyne from the Dormant Accounts Fund will enable

The PSNI are continuing their investigations into the cyber theft of £86,000 from a church in County Derry. The money was removed from the church’s accounts after hackers gained access by persuading a priest that they were rectifying problems on his computer. The PSNI are liaising with the bank, and also the UK National Fraud

There were 28 people awaiting in-patient admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, two more than yesterday. Of those, 15 were waiting in the hospital’s Emergency Department. According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, there were 407 people awaiting admission at hospitals across the country this morning, the largest number, 43, in Limerick.

Detectives investigating a paramilitary style shooting in Derry last month have today arrested two men. The arrests relate to a shooting on Madam’s Bank Road on Sunday November 12th, in which a 44-year-old man was shot in the leg. A planned search was also carried out today at a house in the Shantallow area. The

Donegal County Council is inviting people to submit nominations for next year’s Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards. The Awards ceremony has become a highlight of Donegal County Council’s calendar of events. The Award is presented on an annual basis to members of the broad Irish Diaspora who have achieved prominence or recognition in the area

  Derry City and Strabane District Council has adopted a final strategy document on how best to embrace the principles of a Zero Waste Circular Economy. The strategy is intended to help aim is to keep resources and products in use for as long as possible. In conjunction with Zero Waste North West, the council

Police in Tyrone say there has been a two vehicle collision on the Beltany Road in Omagh which is causing major delays in this area. No further details are available.  

A Donegal Deputy has welcomed confirmation that his Climate Change Bill is to progress to the next stage in the Dail. The Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill has received unanimous support from the Oireachtas Committee of Financeand will move to the next stage when the Dail resumes after Christmas. The Bill seeks to divest public money

A man in his 20s has been seriously injured in a crash in Inishowen. The crash happened at ten past three this morning at Tieveban, Burnfood, five miles from Buncrana. A four by four vehicle hit a stone wall, seriously injuring the sole occupant, a 22 year old man. he’s been rushed to Letterkenny University

Flood relief payments for farmers affected by the falsh flooding that hit Inishowen on August 22nd are currently being processed. Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn has welcomed the confirmation from Minister Michael Creed with affected farmers due to receive funding, up to a maximum value of €15,000. However, Senator Mac Lochlainn has expressed his disappointment over

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Thursday 14th December

A security alert in Derry has now ended. A security operation was launched following the discovery of a suspicious object in the Ederowen Park area last night. A number of items found during the alert have been taken away for further examination. Police say during a search of a property in the Ederowen Park, earlier this

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,