Author name: oisinkelly

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

A man in his 70s has died in a crash on the N2 in County Monaghan. He was the driver of a car that was in collision with a lorry on the outskirts of Carrickmacross just before 5pm. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the lorry was taken to

Theresa May has DENIED a deal has been agreed on the Brexit divorce Bill. It’s been widely reported that the UK could end up paying up to 55 billion Euro. However the British Prime Minister has refused to rule out handing over MORE cash, after that…… Both sides say a final agreement is yet to

The 2017 Sports Capital grants have been announced by Minister Shane Ross, with 71 different organisations in Donegal sharing over €2 million in funding. Leas Ceann Comhairle Pat the Cope Gallagher is welcoming the grants, saying they will be of great benefit to their respective communities. However, he says there are many other communities which

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty says there’s a real fear that more people in Donegal will be made homeless because the accommodation in which they are living is being sold. The Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson was speaking after recently published data has revealed that compared to last year, there has been an eleven per cent increase

There were 20 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital according to the latest trolley watch report. 7 people were on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 13 were waiting wards. University Hospital Limerick was the most overcrowded with 69 people waiting there. Nationally, there were 452 people waiting at hospitals

There could be a potential breakthrough in the Mary Boyle case. It’s after Gardai spoke to two Donegal men who claimed they found a purple cardigan, similar to the one the six-year-old was wearing when she disappeared near Cashelard on March 18, 1977. The men, who were in their teens at the time, claimed they

Homeowners affected by Mica in Donegal have been left in limbo after an insurance company representing the builders rejected compensation claims. It’s understood that ‘HomeBond’ has been in contact with a number of those affected and while acknowledging that mica is prevalent in their homes, they have decided to reject the claims submitted. Speaking on

There have been a number of reports relating to the possible use of ‘key lock jammers’ in Letterkenny, Bridgend, Lifford and Strabane areas. These devices send a remote signal that stops owners locking / opening car doors. In turn this may appear to indicate a faulty car key battery, when in fact the signal to

Donegal County Council are to carry out a review of car parking charges in the county in the New Year. Currently car parking charges apply in Buncrana, the Twin Towns, Letterkenny, Donegal, Ballyshannon and Bundoran with the Council considering if other towns are suitable for the charges to be introduced. Cllr Barry O’Neill passed a

Gardai in Ballyshannon have confirmed that a number of minor crashes have happened this morning as a result of poor driving conditions today.  Gardai in Ballyshannon have confirmed that there was a collision main on the Bundoran Ballyshannon by pass earlier this morning – that the crash has now been cleared but the road remain

There are reports of severe black ice across the county this morning. Barnesmore Gap, Glenties, Ardara, Ballyshannon, Bundoran and Killybegs areas are understood to be particularly affected. Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution and assume no road is ice free.

There are calls on Donegal County Council to remove the internal layout of all dwellings and commercial premises from their planning website over fears that burglars may use them to gain access to a property. Cllr. John O’Donnell raised the issue at this weeks sitting of Donegal County Council with the Council agreeing to write to

It’s been claimed that crime in Donegal goes unreported because there are not enough operational Garda stations in the county. Cllr. Michael McBride raised the need for an increase in Garda numbers in Donegal this week with the Council agreeing to write to the Justice Minister on the issue. Cllr. McBride says he has witnessed

A Donegal County Councillor has hit out over a change to the school transport policy.  Under the new terms, students who participate in extracurricular activities are no longer able to use their school bus ticket for later scheduled Bus Eireann services. Cllr. Gary Doherty has branded the change as an attack on rural Ireland which leaves both

It has been revealed that Donegal County Council has spent just 42% of money allocated by central Government to improve services in rural Ireland. According to the Irish Independent the council has failed to use funding specifically earmarked for four major rural development schemes, namely the Town & Village Scheme, CLAR Programme, REDZ Programme and the