Author name: oisinkelly

Speaking at a workshop in the Silver Tassie Hotel in Letterkenny yesterday morning, experienced sales professional Peter Turley explained how changing the way they think about sales could lead to huge benefits for Donegal businesses. He, along with two other speakers, local businessmen Seamus McMenamin of Mantis Cranes and Adrian Britton of Roadteam Ltd., addressed […]

Small businesses are facing big challenges, but we can all make a contribution to help. Today is being called “Small Business Saturday” with people being encouraged to turn to local retailers when buying Christmas gifts. The Small Firms Association says that if we all spent an extra € 20 in small businesses this Christmas, it

The European Council President says the Taoiseach will be consulted on the UK’s offer on the border before Brexit talks can progress to the next stage. British Prime Minister Theresa May has been given until Monday to come up with a “final offer” to EU leaders on how to avoid a hard border between the

The majority of Donegal County Councillors have voted in favor of adopting a Sinn Fein proposal allowing Budget 2018 to be passed. Councillors voted 17-15 in favor of the proposals which will see an increase commercial rates by 5% while also increasing the small business grant to such an extent that there will effective rebate.

Garda Keith Harrison says he’s disappointed but not surprised with the conclusions of the Disclosures Tribunal. Justice Peter Charleton rejected claims by Garda Harrison and his partner Marissa Simms that Gardai maliciously called in TUSLA to interfere in their family life. He said their allegations were “entirely without validity”. In a statement, Garda Harrison says

Donegal County Council’s Budget meeting has been adjourned until 6pm this evening amid reports that some progress is being made. It’s understood that while a number of proposals are currently on the table, further talks are to take place with the executive and members. It’s the third time the meeting has been adjourned today. Meanwhile,

Detectives from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch investigating violent dissident republican activity, arrested three men in County Derry last night. Two males, aged 33 and 43, were arrested in the Eglinton area and a 49 year old male was arrested in the Dungiven area. Police have been searching a quarry area on the Dernaflaw Road

No political party can be allowed to have a monopoly over what happens to the border, according to the Tánaiste. It’s after the DUP said they’d pull support for the UK government if the North gets a separate deal to the rest of Britain. This afternoon Leo Varadkar will meet European Council President Donald Tusk

Motorists are advised that the Limavady Road in Derry has been closed following an RTC involving a car and pedestrian.  Diversions are in place between King Street and Caw Roundabout. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes for their journey.

13 people were waiting on a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning. 11 people were waiting in the hospitals Emergency Department with a further 2 on wards. According to the INMO 320 people were waiting admission to hospitals across the country today with University Hospital Limerick the most overcrowded.

  Donegal County Councils meeting on Budget 2018 has been adjourned again until 4pm. Cathaoirleach Cllr. Gerry McMonagle has invited all independent Councillors who wish to reach a solution to join in this afternoons discussions. At last weeks meeting, local representatives voted unanimously against increasing commercial rates by 5%. Speaking after the adjournment, Fianna Fáil

Figures released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that new car registrations are down almost 17% in Donegal this year to date. 2900 new cars were registered in the county so far this year, compared to 3500 last year. Nationally, new car registrations for the month of November were down 9%

Gardai say an overnight break in at Kernan’s shop in Ramelton presents similarities to other break ins over the past number of months across Donegal. Entry was gained to the premises through a back door at approximately 3 o’clock this morning, with a sum of cash taken. Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Paul Wallace says this

Gardai in Milford are appealing for information following a break in at Kernan’s shop in Ramelton. The premises was broken into at approximately 3 o’clock this morning. It is believed a quantity of cash was taken. Anyone who may have any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Milford Garda Station on

A Donegal County Councillor is calling for more inpatient beds for teens in Donegal that are experiencing mental health issues. It follows claims that some young people with issues presented themselves at Letterkenny University Hospital but were sent home because there were no beds available for them. Cllr Gary Doherty says they are having to

As the Taoiseach prepares to meet the European Council President today – a new report claims a hard border is ‘inevitable’ after Brexit. A committee of British MPs says pulling out of the single market and the customs union would make it impossible to achieve a “frictionless” border. Leo Varadkar and Donald Tusk will discuss

It’s been revealed that only two houses have been built for social housing in Donegal over the past three years. The local authority says that there are currently a small number of applications which are at an advanced stage. Under the new policy which was reviewed last year it’s hoped that those projects can be

Latest statistics have revealed that almost a quarter of scheduled surgeries at Letterkenny University Hospital have been cancelled in the past year. Senator Padraig MacLochlainn has received confirmation that of the 388 scheduled general surgeries 89 were cancelled. Senator MacLochlainn says these figures are deeply worrying as the crisis at the hospital appears to be

The Justice Minister’s welcomed a report dismissing all allegations made by Garda whistleblower Keith Harrison and his partner Marisa Simms. Chair of the Disclosures Tribunal Mr Justice Peter Charleton found the claims are “entirely without any validity”. The interim report found the couple’s allegations that social workers interfered with their family life, in collusion with

A 41 year old man has been arrested in Derry on suspicion of murder following the death of a Donegal woman in Fermanagh earlier this year. 35 year old Lu Na McKinney died while on a boating holiday with her family. The PSNI’s Detective Inspector David McGrory said: “Police have carried out a review into

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Thursday 30th November

Siptu members working for the National Ambulance Service are to engage in industrial action at Letterkenny University Hospital from Saturday week next, December 9th. SIPTU has confirmed the action is on foor of what it claims is management’s failure to implement a Rights Commissioner recommendation. Siptu Organiser Martin O’Rourke says the HSE and ambulance service

  A suspected illegal anabolic steroid manufacturing site has been uncovered near Letterkenny. As part of the operation Health Products Regulatory Authority Enforcement Officers detained medicines and equipment from the premises. The HPRA worked closely with An Garda Síochána and Revenue Customs during the operation today with over 1,000 capsules of illegal products, believed to

Reports from Brussels today suggest fisheries issues surrounding Brexit still very much exist. During a two day visit to the EU Parliament, Community Activist Liam Whyte says things appear to be no further forward in terms of assurances for both the fishing and farming sector post Brexit. Mr Whyte says discussions with Midlands North West

A delegation from Donegal County Council has met today with Transport Infrastructure Ireland during which the development of a number of road projects in Donegal were discussed. Among the issues raised today in Dublin were the vital strategic links into Donegal including the link to the new A5, as well as the development of the

There were 13 people waiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning. According to the latest INMO figures 1 person was on a trolley in the hospital’s Emergency Department with a further 12 waiting on wards or in overflow areas. Nationally, 363 people were awaiting admission to hospitals with University Hospital Galway the most overcrowded.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney is the new Tanaiste. Minister Heather Humphreys has been appointed Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, while MInister Josepha Madigan has been appointed to cabinet, and named Minister for Culture Heritage and Gaeltacht.

Each Gaeltacht school in Co Donegal is to receive a grant of €1,000. The announcement comes as Government Chief Whip Minister Joe McHugh says investment in Gaeltacht education is to double next year. The extra funding is part of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. One of the key actions in implementing the Policy is the

A senior Donegal County Council roads engineer has said motorists should always drive to the conditions in the winter, and never assume that because a road has been gritted, it is ice free. Speaking on the Nine ’til Noon Show, Brendan O’Donnell said the council routinely grits 1,000 kilometres on 21 routes in the county

There’s growing frustration among a number of flood-hit families in Inishowen over when or if flood defence measures will be constructed outside their homes. Up to nine families from Parc An Grianan estate in Burnfoot remain in temporary accommodation almost four months on from floods in August. Cathoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District Cllr. Jack

Efforts to reach a deal on the Irish border post-Brexit are set to intensify in the coming days. The European Council President Donald Tusk is to fly into Dublin tomorrow to hold talks with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. It comes ahead of a crucial meeting between the British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President

Donegal County Council is being asked to urgently compile a new report regarding deprivation in Donegal. It follows findings from Pobal in recent weeks which classed parts of Donegal among the most disadvantaged areas in Ireland. Cllr. Albert Doherty says it’s vital those findings be recognised and acted upon without any delay, and he says

Donegal County Council is being urged to return to local planning offices, with planners based in each Municipal District. Cllr. Ciaran Brogan believes the move would give planners a better understanding of the needs and the challenges that are being faced by each area. Responding, the Council said levels of service provision will continue to

It’s been claimed that some Donegal sporting organisations and clubs lost out on funding because of small issues with their applications that should have been resolved. Last evening, it was confirmd that 71 Donegal clubs and organisations will share just over €2 million. Leas Ceann Comhairle and Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says that’s

Donegal County Council is to consider erecting large signage in Gaeltacht areas of the county in a bid to promote the Irish language. It’s hoped that the move would make tourist more knowledgeable about the heritage of a specific area, while also inspiring residents to keep the language alive. Proposals include a specially designed logo