Author name: oisinkelly

A new report into the effects of homelessness on children has highlighted issues such as damage to their physical and mental health and behavioural problems. The findings of Focus Ireland show a number of challenges including a lack of certainty and overcrowding for children in homeless accommodation. They were based on in-depth interviews with 25

Government Chief Whip and Donegal Minister Joe McHugh has told a cross-border trans-Atlantic initiative in Boston that the Good Friday Agreement must be protected “in all its forms” during Brext discussions. Minister McHugh said “Let’s be clear. We will not agree to a hard border in whatever form – personnel, technology, video cameras or physical

Gerry Adams will this evening outline a timetable for his departure as leader of Sinn Fein. Some 3,000 party members are attending the party’s conference, which began yesterday in Dublin. Motions on the party’s position on abortion will be debated this evening. Having led Sinn Fein for 34 years, Gerry Adams is expected to run

Donegal has been well represented at the North West and West Regional Tidy Towns Awards presentation, with six areas of the county being awarded medals and two others receiving commendations. Presenting the awards last night, Minister Michael Ring announced a special grants package was being introduced to mark the fact that next year represents the

Tomorrow is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, with a number of events taking place in Donegal. A special vigil mass will take place this evening at 6.15 in St. Patrick’s Church in Ballyshannon, while the day will also be marked at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny tomorrow morning at

A bell salvaged from the wreck of the Laurentic has been bought at auction for £12,000 by Derry City and Strabane District Council. It’s expected the bell will be one of the prime exhibits when the planned new Maritime Museum opens at Ebrington. The Laurentic sank off the coast of Donegal 100 years ago, after

The PSNI have made a number of arrests in the Creggan Heights area of Derry today. Two men, aged 32 and 40 years have been detained in relation to an ongoing investigation into dissident republican activity. They’ve been taken to the Musgrave Serious Crime Suite in Belfast. Meanwhile, a 26 year old was arrested in

Immediate clarity is being sought as to when or if insurance companies will pay out to flood-hit sporting organisations and community groups in Inishowen. It’s been three months since flood water struck the peninsula with many groups left devastated in the aftermath. Local Cllr Martin McDermott says in some cases, insurance companies are simply not

There were 15 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the INMO. 13 people were waiting on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 2 were waiting on wards. Cork University Hospital was the most overcrowded with 41 people waiting there. Overall, there 300 people in total waiting

Families have begun to arrive in Donegal under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and these first families are being housed in Carndonagh. The Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration has been engaging with Donegal County Council with a view to facilitating the resettlement of families under this Programme and although progress had been delayed

A family have been forced out of their home in Manorcunningham due to a rat infestation. Mother of two Denise Gibson says that the large rats have entered her council home in Fr. Arnold Terrace. In a statement Donegal County Council said the most recent inspection by a specialised Pest Control Contractor confirmed that there

A Donegal County Councillor has expressed his disappointment over a decision to reject planning permission for a new cinema complex in Donegal Town. A planning application, including a cinema that would be able to sit over 700 people, a petrol station, shop and restaurant was lodged earlier this year with Donegal County Council. However it

Donegal County Council has been asked to provide an explanation as to why a number of properties in Letterkenny have been left vacant for a period of time. Councillor Dessie Shiels requested a breakdown of council owned non-residential properties and land in the town and reasons why they have not been leased. He is seeking

  Over 10,000 homes and businesses in Letterkenny now have access to a new faster and powerful broadband. Broadband operator SIRO has announced the rollout of the fibre optic network which they say continues to respond to the demand of residents in Letterkenny. Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny Municipal District Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh says the announcement puts

A Donegal Deputy has questioned the Government on what action is being taken to address the issue of the undocumented Irish in America. During an exchange in the Dail last evening, Deputy Charlie McConalgue asked Minister Ciaran Cannon for a report on discussions with officials in America in relation to immigration reform and future plans

  A Derry Councillor has hit out at those behind sectarian death threats in the city.  It’s understood that criminal gangs after they issued sectarian threats against a 64 year-old man involved in community work in the Creggan area. Local Councillor Kevin Campbell says the threat against the man needs to be lifted and those groups at

The National Union of Journalists has issued a statement, calling for Iconic Newspapers to halt the proposed redundancies at the Donegal Democrat and negotiate with the union. NUJ say three staff positions are being targeted by the company, even though journalists at the paper are already struggling with heavy workloads. The company is offering only

The Letterkenny Road in Derry has been closed in both directions following a road traffic collision. The crash involving four vehicles occurred near Nixons Corner. Police are advising that diversions are in place.  

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Thursday 16th November

  Emergency services are currently attending an incident on the Mountain Top Road in Letterkenny. It is believed a car has caught fire with the fire service currently working at the scene, close to Letterkenny University Hospital. Gardai have advised motorists to avoid the area.

The inquest into the disappearance of Castlederg teenager Arlene Arkinson has ended. According to BBC News in a statement from the Arkinson family read out today they accused some witnesses of “lies” and said their suffering will continue “long beyond the conclusion of this inquest”. The 15 year old disappeared in 1994 after attending a disco in

Letterkenny traffic unit have seized a vehicle after it was found to have no insurance, tax or NCT. Gardai have advised that Court proceedings are to follow.

Letterkenny Chamber says it wants to be involved in the tendering process for the safety works on the four lane road linking the Polestar and Dry Arch Roundabouts. Following a meeting of local businesses last evening, the Chamber’s Infrastructure Committee says they want to ensure that problems with recent works at Kiltoy are not repeated.

  Transport Minister Shane Ross has committed to visit Letterkenny to see first hand the traffic issues facing people there. A delegation from the Letterkenny Municipal District met with the Transport Minister at Government buildings today to discuss infrastructure in the town and surrounding area. Letterkenny Cllr. Ciaran Brogan was in attendance and says the Minister

There were 25 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the INMO. 12 people were on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 13 were waiting on wards. Cork University Hospital was the most overcrowded today with 34 people waiting there. Nationally, there were 375 people waiting at

  The Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District is hopeful a solution can be found regarding controversial proposals for a road through a scenic forest on the peninsula. Lisnagrath Woods near Muff is a popular amenity in Inishowen however Coilte plan to construct a road through it with concerns locally over the environmental impact this

  Letterkenny has scooped the Connaught/Ulster Regional Award in the Bank of Ireland National Enterprising Town Awards at last night’s gala ceremony in Tullamore. Both Letterkenny and Donegal Town were among the 76 Towns and Villages shortlisted as finalists for these awards with Letterkenny taking the Connaught/Ulster Regional Award. Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr.

The Health Minister is being urged to reopen Milltown House swimming pool in Carndonagh as a matter of urgency. The amenity which had been providing physiotherapy sessions to disabled people closed in July due to an irreparable heating system. People in the area now have to avail of services in private hotels or simply do

A delegation from the Letterkenny Municipal District is meeting with the Transport Minister at Government buildings later this morning to discuss infrastructure in the town and surrounding area. It follows two previous meetings held over the summer months, calling for various road improvements to and from the town centre. Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher

An Scoil Bheag in Gortahork is due to close its doors for the final time tomorrow after 10 years of caring for children in the area. The Crèche is the first of four ETB crèches in Donegal that are set to close in the coming months with reports suggesting that it’s down to a lack