Author name: oisinkelly

The HSE says the SAOLTA group has applied for funding to have extra beds opened at Letterkenny University Hospital under a special winter initiative, but would give no commitment on providing money to enable them to open up the closed Short Stay Ward at the hospital. Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle says he is disappointed with […]

Coillte has today announced that they have withdrawn their application for a road through Lis Na Grath Woods, Muff. A meeting was held last week with the company after concerns were raised locally over the environmental impact the proposed plans would have on wildlife in the area. The company has now agreed on an alternative

A former Ulster Unionist MP is suggesting that Donegal would be better off being part of the UK. John Taylor, now Lord Kilclooney, says Donegal has been forgotten by the Irish Government. Speaking during a discussion on the potential impact of Brexit on border counties, Lord Kilclooney told Ocean FM that Donegal would gain from

There were 33 people awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 20 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That’s an increase of 11 on yesterday’s figure, making Letterkenny the third most overcrowded in the country today. Nationally, the INMO says there were 448 people awaiting in-patient beds at hospitals across the country this morning,

  There’s been a 52% increase in the number of passengers travelling on the Aer Lingus Regional route between Donegal Airport and Dublin. Figures released this morning show just over 33,500 passengers flew between Dublin and Donegal in the past twelve months, compared to just over 22,000 the previous year. August of this year was

People in the Twin Towns area are being encouraged to attend the launch of the new Ballybofey Stranorlar Text Alert scheme. The launch takes place tomorrow evening in the Finn Valley Centre at 8pm with guest speakers on the night including Supt Michael Finan and Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Paul Wallace Crime prevention Officer. Local

A Donegal County Councillor is warning over a possible downturn in trade in the run up to Christmas if commercial rates are increased. Fine Gael Whip Cllr Barry O’Neill was speaking after local representatives failed to reach an agreement on Budget 2018 last night. Cllr O’Neill says with much uncertainty surrounding Brexit, now is not

Donegal County Council has proposed to increase funding support for both the Foyle and Swilly ferry service. An additional €175,000 is being made available as part of budget 2018, bringing the total amount to €225,000. The local authority say that this will remove the uncertainty in relation to the availability of the services. Cllr. Martin

Donegal County Councillors have been unable to reach an agreement on the council’s 2018 budget. After almost 6 hours of adjournments and private deliberations at yesterday’s meeting, it was agreed last night that the meeting be adjourned until December 1st. All Councillors from across the party divide voted against an increase of 5% in commercial

  The number of drinking water supplies in Donegal with high levels of THMs has been reduced to 11, following the removal of Fintown from Donegal’s Remedial Action List. The Environmental Protection Agency removed the supply from the list after a €1.1 million investment programme involving the construction of new water mains and two booster

The Government has been lambasted for its failure to extend a compensation scheme to all farmers affected by August’s unprecedented flooding in Inishowen. Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue has also questioned the authority for the length of time it is taking for payments to be made. Minister Michael Creed announced a compensation scheme for farmers following the

A man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 35-year-old Strabane man at a pub near Croke Park in Dublin. Michael Barr, a father of five from Co. Tyrone, was shot seven times when two masked gunmen burst into the pub in April 2016. Opening his case before the non-jury court today, prosecuting

The deadline to pass the Budget is Friday week December 1st. Councillors have voted overwhelmingly today against applying a 5% increase in commercial rates as part of the Councils budget for 2018. Labour’s Martin Farren says to accept the increase would send out the wrong signal. He’s calling on all local representatives to work together

A Donegal Deputy is calling on all elected representatives to work together in a bid to secure the proposed new cinema in Donegal Town. Plans for a proposed five-screen theatre were rejected by the council this month over fears of increased traffic volume in the area. Deputy Gallagher says he is shocked by how the

The PSNI is appealing to communities to speak out against paramilitaries as a gesture to mark the United Nation’s Universal Children’s Day. Police are highlighting what they say is the continued use of violence in paramilitary style attacks on young people, including an incident in Derry earlier this month in which a 17 year old

Milford Garda Station has been given the go-ahead for a major refurbishment. Government Chief Whip Minister Joe McHugh has announced today that works at the station are due to begin before the end of the year. Works will include additional space by extending and re-designing the existing station to include conference rooms, incident rooms, additional storage

A Donegal man has spoken of his distress at becoming homeless. ‘John’ lost his home in Falcarragh last Friday as its owners plans to renovate the property. He was told that emergency homeless accommodation in the county was full and has since been staying in a B&B. He also says that the landlords that he

There were 24 people awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 11 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. Nationally, the INMO says there were 355 people awaiting in-patient beds at hospitals across the country this morning, with the highest figure, 37, recorded at Waterford University Hospital.

One of the senior political figures on last week’s cross border trade mission to Boston says there is not doubt that the initiative will lead to investment and jobs. Cllr Noel Jordan, the Leas-Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council was part of the group which included representatives of Donegal County and Derry City and Strabane District

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has ruled himself out of the process to replace Gerry Adams as Sinn Fein leader next year. Mary Lou McDonald looks set to become the next party president after a number of other contenders ruled themselves out of the race, including Stormont Leader Michelle O’Neill. Gerry Adams announced his intention to

Gardaí in Sligo Town are refusing to enter their own station today. 101 officers based in the building say it’s overcrowded and unsafe. They say they won’t return until conditions improve. Garda Ray Wimms is a divisional representative for the force in the Sligo Leitrim division………..  

It’s reported this morning that 200 new jobs could be on the way to Donegal. Abbott Ireland is reported to be expanding its Diabetes Care facility at Lurganboy near Donegal Town. The investment would double the workforce to 400, according to the Sunday Times. The company describes the Donegal plant as a center of excellence

Police in County Derry say a man has died in hospital following a road traffic collision on the Glenshane Road on Thursday last. The collision, involving a Transit van and a cyclist, occurred at around 8:30am near the turn off for Maghera. The cyclist, aged in his 20s, passed away in hospital at the weekend

Police in Derry say a security alert in the Carnhill area is now over. A suspected pipe bomb has been deemed an elaborate hoax after further examinations, and cordons in the area have now been lifted. Local councillor Sandra Duffy says those responsible for the incident are “at war with the people of Derry” and

Members of Dongal County Council are set to reject a proposed 5% increase in Commercial Rates when the authority meets this morning to consider it’s Budget for next year. In the Draft Revenue Budget being considered at today’s meeting, Council Chief Executive Seamus Neely says the council will spend almost €149 million next year. He

There were 3 speed detections reported by Letterkenny Traffic Corps over the weekend. The detections were made on the N13. The drivers were issued with 3 penalty points and an 80 euro fine.

Letterkenny Traffic Corps have seized a vehicle with no insurance. The driver of the BMW 6 series was also found to have no valid licence. Court proceedings are to follow.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams told his party’s conference last night that a special meeting will be called next year to elect a successor. He announced his intention to step down, and told delegates he will not run for election to the Dáil again. Alan McBride, whose wife was killed in the IRA Shankill bomb

Police are investigating what they have called a hate crime after it’s reported that a WWI memorial was damaged in The Fountain area of Derry yesterday. The report was received just before midday that the piece of artwork had been destroyed, it’s believed some time during Friday night. PSNI are appealing to anyone who may

A Donegal County Councillor has called on the local authority to invest in and improve linkages between a number of locations within Letterkenny Town Centre following the development of the new Courthouse. Councillor Ciaran Brogan put forward a motion at a meeting of Letterkenny Municipal District calling for improvements to be made to lighting and

Police in Strabane have urged homeowners to be vigilant against home-heating oil theft during the winter period. The warnings come after PSNI recieved a report of a number of males acting suspiciously in Sion Mills overnight, while oil was stolen from the tank of an elderly woman in the Castlederg area yesterday. Police have appealed