Author name: oisinkelly

Housing Minister Damien English has confirmed that a number of people who applied for social housing because their homes were affected by Mica have been turned down. Responsing to questions from Donegal Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue in the Dail this afternoon, Minister English said data protection issues prevented him from discussing the reasons for applications […]

The Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald is to announce her resignation this afternoon. She made her intentions known at this morning’s cabinet meeting. A short time ago, Government Chief Whip and Minister Joe Mc Hugh confirmed the outcome of today’s cabinet meeting to Highland Radio News…………

The Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald is to announce her resignation this afternoon. She made her intentions known at this morning’s cabinet meeting. It’s expected Frances Fitzgerald will announce her resignation this afternoon in the Dáil – staving off a Christmas general election. It follows her handling of the Garda whistleblower controversy over emails sent to the

There were 16 people waiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, down 17 compared to the same day last week. The latest trolley and ward watch figures show 4 people were on trolleys in the hospital’s Emergency Department with a further 12 on wards. 437 people are waiting on a bed at hospitals across

The A5 upgrade is to go ahead. The North’s Department for Infrastructure today confirmed its decision to proceed with the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme, with the section between New Buildings and north of Strabane ready to start in early 2018. They say construction will start as soon as possible. West Tyrone MP Barry Mc

A Canadian firm has formally put plans in place to develop a gold mine in West Tyrone. Dalradian has located a site in the Sperrins, saying that 350 jobs would be created if the site gets approval. Environmental protesters are campaigning against it, but other local people are supportive – citing the job potential. Patrick

The Council is being asked to provide more funding for Buncrana Leisure Centre. Under the Three Year Capital programme, a number of leisure centres in the county including Buncrana are to share 300,000 in funding. Government funding has already been earmarked for Buncrana but the local authority need to provide 1.8 million for the project

Irish Water has confirmed that work on two major water supplies in Inishowen are going ahead. The line between Carndonagh to Gleneely is to be upgraded while work is also to be carried out at Bree in Malin. The work is to begin in the coming weeks and is expected to be complete in the

Progress is being made with providing public toilets in Ballybofey. An expression of interest has been received by the Council from an interested party in leasing facilities to the Council providing terms can be agreed. However, Local Cllr Patrick McGowan says that if agreement is not reached by the end of this year that the

Protecting the Good Friday Agreement will also protect the environment. That’s the argument being put forward by a cross border group of environmental NGOs who are making a presentation to MEPs in Brussels today. Michael Ewing of the Environmental Pillar says upholding the deal in the current talks, will ensure high standards are maintained after

Donegal County Council is to request a meeting with the General Manger of Letterkenny University Hospital, the Head of the National Ambulance Service and the Regional Chief Fire Officer to discuss issues facing the hospital. High on the agenda will be the ongoing overcrowding situation in its Emergency Department while the issue of poor ambulance

Plans to progress the Burtonport – Letterkenny Greenway could be a step closer. The Council say that it’s currently examining options to deliver the work with a view to preparing an application to the expected Greenways Fund 2018. 10km of the line is currently available for recreational use over routes in Creeslough, Falcarragh, Loughanire and

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has confirmed steady progress is being made on three N56 projects. It is expected that improvement works on the Kilkenny to Letterlily route, Coolboy to Kilmacrennan road and the Mountcharles to Drumbeigh stretch will all commence next year. In welcoming the announcement, Leas-Cheann Comhairle Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher is confident

  Concerns have been raised in Strabane over a vast amount of lighting outages in the area. According to local Councillor Patsy Kelly an excess of 300 lights are currently out across the town and wider district. He says there are cases where pedestrians are not visible to motorists at junctions due to the poor

Hundreds of people turned out at the Abbey Hotel on Monday evening for a public meeting called following the refusal of planning permission for a new cinema in Donegal Town. Earlier this month, Donegal County Council refused plans for the five-screen cinema along with public parking and a shop and restaurant. In the wake of

Frances Fitzgerald was made aware of a garda strategy to take an aggressive stance towards Maurice McCabe a second time in the summer of 2015, by way of a media query. The then Justice Minister was advised that if asked about this, she could say that Sergeant McCabe was a valued member of the force.

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Monday 27th November

There are calls on the Council to write to the Education Minister requesting that community schools in Donegal be included in the Deis programme. Earlier this month, €1.8 million had been allocated by Government to the programme however, no school in Donegal is to benefit from it. Cllr. John Sheamais O’Fearraigh says there’s an onus

Payments are due to be issued next week to Donegal farmers who suffered loss and destruction as a result of the Inishowen flooding in August. Government Chief Whip Minister Joe McHugh says he acknowledges the scheme is limited, he says EU rules governing it are very specific in that it does not cover arable crops

Irish Water are currently working to repair a burst water main in Letterkenny. Supply disruptions may be experienced in the Drumany, Letterkenny, Dromore, Drumardagh, Rossbracken and surrounding areas. The utility is advising that a traffic management plan will be in place for the duration of the works. It is estimated works will be completed by

There has been condemnation in Strabane after a car was crashed into a road sign before being set on fire in the Ballycolman Estate area of the town in the early hours of yesterday morning. West Tyrone MLA Michaela Boyle has described the actions of the driver who abandoned the car as completely reckless as

Four Donegal surfers will be honoured at Irish Water Safety’s National Annual Awards Ceremony this Wednesday for their quick actions when a group of teenagers got into difficulty at Tullan Strand earlier this year. Owen Murphy, Fergal Muller, Friederike Rost and Sean Young were giving surf lessons on Tullan Strand when a group of nine

An 18-year-old Donegal man who told police he was looking for women after he was stopped driving a tractor in Derry City Centre has been fined £50. Anthony Breslin from Gortnaskea, Burnfoot Co Donegal admitted having no L plates on his tractor on August 16th this year. District Judge Barney McElholm said: “This is Don

A new document proposes a post-Brexit ‘customs arrangement’ between the UK and EU. The British-Irish Chamber of Commerce has published a report which suggests a trade relationship between Britain and Europe that is effectively borderless and tariff free. It follows extensive consultation with interest groups and stakeholders. Director General of the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce,

Gleann Ghaoth Beara Community Development has been awarded €50,050 in funding. The funding will aid in the resurfacing of the pitch and fencing. In welcoming the news, Government Chief Whip Minister Joe McHugh says: “The development will help the local community as Forbairt Pobail Ghleann Ghaoth Beara in providing a very safe facility for people of

Questions are being raised over Donegal County Councils Capital Budget 2018-2020. Under the proposals there are 21 units planned for social housing for Donegal next year with Cllr. Marie Therese Gallagher branding that number as inadequate. She’s calling on the Council to be more ambitious in their plans and request more funding from Government………….. Meanwhile

Donegal Sinn Fein are set to hold their selection convention this weekend. It’s taking place in the Mount Errigal Hotel on Sunday at 7pm. County Chair Cllr. Jack Murray says whatever happens in the coming days, Sinn Fein want to be election ready…………..

There were 18 people awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning. According to the INMO 5 people were on trolleys in the hospitals Emergency Department with a further 13 on wards. 386 people were waiting on a bed at hospitals across the country today, University Hospital Limerick the most overcrowded with 46 people waiting

  Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty is welcoming recent progress made in respect to the ongoing efforts to address the issue of coastal erosion at a number of communities throughout West Donegal, including at Maghery, Magheraroarty, Carrickfinn and Portnoo. Deputy Doherty’s comments come following a recent briefing from the Environment Section of Donegal County Council on

Government Chief Whip Joe Mc Hugh says if the immediate political crisis can be overcome, rather than limp through on the current Confidence and Supply agreement, FG and FF should immediately negotiate a new agreement for the next 2-3 years. Speaking to Greg Hughes on the Nine ’til Noon Show, Minister Mc Hugh said any

Derry Councillor Brian Tierney says he will not be deflected by an attack on his home over the weekend. He and his wife Cheryl have issued a statement this morning pledging to continue their efforts to make the city a better place for everyone living there. Cllr Tierney’s car was set alight outside their home

A 33 year old man is due to appear before Derry Magistrates’ Court this morning folllowing a search in the Buncrana Road area yesterday. He is facing a number of charges, including driving while disqualified, using a motor vehicle without insurance and taking a motor vehicle without authority. He is also charged with Possession of

Derry City and Strabane District Council says it is exploring options regarding its joint bid with Belfast for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2023. Last week, the EU commmission said applications from the UK would not now be considered in light of Brexit. The two councils say they are working with the

Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh has announced that payments will issue to farmers affected by the Inishowen flooding from next week. The Donegal TD secured the scheme after the August weather event which caused significant damage to farms. More than 300 farmers will begin receiving payments, ranging from 250 to 15,000 euro from next Monday,

The British Irish Chamber of Commerce is publishing a proposal that they believe will ease trade relations post Brexit. They’re proposing a solution for trade between the UK, Ireland and the EU. Details of the document will be published later this morning. Meanwhile, Ireland’s being accused of ‘playing tough’ over a threat to veto EU