Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal Senator has claimed that hospitals in Letterkenny and other areas are in crisis because rather than properly invest in the health service, the current government chose instead to implement tax cuts. Speaking during a Seanad debate last evening, Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn said the overcrowding crisis at Letterkenny University Hospital will continue, because […]

A Donegal County Councillor is urging the authority to carry out cleaning and draining works of the River Lennon in Ramelton. Councillor Michael McBride has told Letterkenny Municipal District that if works are not carried out, floods similar to those in Inishowen in August may be experienced in the area. He says someone needs to

A North West delegation is in Boston after a series of meetings this week ahead of the Golden Bridges conference tomorrow. The cross border group is made of council officials, politicians, education leaders and local business The schedule has included meetings with civic and business leaders in Philadelphia, Worcester and Boston itself. Earlier this week,

A Sinn Féin delegation met with senior police officers in Derry this morning to discuss a spate of recent shootings across the city. The Sinn Féin delegation included Elisha McCallion MP and Raymond McCartney MLA. Speaking after the meeting, Mr McCartney, reiterated a call for the “PSNI to get to grips with armed gangs”. He

Letterkenny Chamber is urging businesses in the town to attend a meeting in the town tonight to discuss planned works including the proposed Irish Water works and safety works on the four lane stretch between the Polestar and Dry Arch roundabouts. The chambers Infrastructure committee will brief the meeting on progress to date, and is

Ulster Bank has confirmed it is closing 11 branches in Northern Ireland, a number of them in the North West. They are Dungiven and Draperstown in County Derry, Irvinestown in County Fermanagh Stewartstown and Castlederg in County Tyrone. West Tyrone MLA Daniel Mc Crossan says this now means Castlderg will have no bank at all

Derry’s “historic core” has been named the ‘Best Place in Northern Ireland in a competition, organised by the Royal Town Planning Institute. The competition acknowledges the places protected, carefully planned or improved by town planners for communities. Nearly 4,000 people voted on a shortlist of 10 places, with the area spanning Guildhall Square, the Peace

There were 16 patients awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the INMO. All 16 people were waiting on wards. Cork University Hospital was the most overcrowded with 46 people waiting there. Nationally, there were 463 people waiting for a bed at hospitals across the country.

Irish Water has just completed a €0.5 million investment in the Rathmullan Water Treatment Plant which the utility says will ensure improved water quality and security of supply for customers served from this plant. As part of the project Irish Water constructed a multi-flow clarifier, a sludge storage facility as well as providing new chemical

  It’s been claimed that the Council can’t upgrade its main chamber because of prioritises lying with the Inishowen flood response. There have been on-going concerns that the chamber in its current format is not fit for purpose with inadequate seating for Councillors and the general public. Cllr. Paul Canning believes an interim solution could

The Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District has expressed his shock over the amount of people who aren’t registered to vote. It follows a previous call by Cllr. Jack Murray earlier this month for people to get themselves on the electoral register ahead of the November 25th deadline. He’s also warning that the process can

It’s been claimed that the Government is ignoring requests for additional beds at Letterkenny University Hospital. The current proposal submitted to Saolta is for an additional 20 bed capacity from 330 beds to 350 beds. The €1.8 million funding request would also include an extra 14 staff nurses, additional care assistants and CNM posts plus

  The President and CEO of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, Tim Murray, hosted an Ireland North West delegation of civic leaders, officials and educational institutions in the Massachusetts city for a day of meetings and networking events. The schedule included a working lunch with the Worcester Chamber of Commerce and engagement between Worcester State

Questions have been raised over the HSE’s compliance with planning permission at Letterkenny University Hospital’s Emergency Department. Councillor Dessie Shiels has asked for confirmation following a report in March 2015 that stated further works were required to fully comply with the a condition of planning permission to ensure no public water discharges from the Mountain

It has been confirmed that a special workshop will be held between Donegal County Council and a number of agencies to discuss the growing issue of homelessness in Letterkenny. Councillor Ciaran Brogan raised the issue at a meeting of Letterkenny Municipal District, urging the council to work with other agencies to provide more emergency accomodation

  The IFA says the deepening fodder problems will have to be addressed by the Agriculture Minister. The organisation’s Donegal Chair Michael Chance says the Executive Council has reiterated its call for urgent action, particularly in the north-west and west of the country. A meeting was to have taken place with Minister Creed on December

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Tuesday November 14th

Health Minister Simon Harris has given the go-ahead for a new consultant at Letterkenny University Hospital to assist in the care of diabetes patients. Government Chief Whip Joe Mc Hugh has confirmed a second endocrinologist at the hospital has been approved by the independent Consultant Application Advisory Committee. Minister Mc Hugh has praised the work

The taxpayer is set pay the costs of District Court sittings for the failed prosecution of more than 150 summonses for illegal fishing on the Gweebarra River. The cases were dropped because the Attorney General decided that a defect in legislation prevented Inland Fisheries Ireland proceeding with the prosecutions, many of which dated back to

  Concerns have been raised over the impact works on the outskirts of Letterkenny will have on West Donegal. Councillor Seamus O’Domhnaill says planned works for the four lane stretch between the Polestar and Dry Arch roundabouts in Letterkenny will impact on traffic from West Donegal, as will work at on the N56 at Bluebanks,

  There are calls for Donegal County Council to ensure more resources are put in place in order for an application for the proposed Greenway from Letterkenny to Burtonport be submitted. Councillor Marie Therese Gallagher says there is huge tourism potential in West Donegal and the council needs to exhaust all resources to reach its

  There were 23 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the latest trolley watch report. 10 people were on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 13 were waiting on wards. University Hospital Limerick was the most overcrowded with 36 people waiting there. Nationally, there were 428

Serious concern has been raised over reports that beef will be included in the final deal between the EU and South American Mercosur countries. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture & Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue any such move could have a potentially catastrophic impact on the Irish beef sector and could threaten the quality of produce

The High Court has ordered Donegal waste collector Jim Ferry to allow the Environmental Protection Agency to enter his land to investigate an illegal dump with a view to it being cleaned. It also directed that Ferry must pay all costs involved and be invoiced for them on a monthly basis if necessary. Orders were

Repair crews are currently working on a water outage in the Muff area. While the burst initially affected a large part of the village, water has been restored to some areas but Grove and Craig Park are to remain without a supply until lunchtime. Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District Cllr Jack Murray says while

  Detectives at Strand Road are appealing for information after two viable pipe bomb type devices were recovered during a security alert in the Waterside of Derry yesterday. Police responded to a report of two suspicious objects in the Montgomery Close area at around 1:30pm. In a statement Detective Inspector Lindsay Fisher said that an

Business owners in Strabane are reportedly to be at end of their tether over a high level of anti-social behaviour in the town centre. Large groups of teenagers aged from 13 to 18 years of age are said to be congregating on Friday and Saturday nights, setting bins alight, vandalising cars and property and threatening

Rent prices in Donegal are at an all time high. According to the latest daft.ie report, the average cost of renting in Donegal is €592, an increase of 5.5% compared to the same period last year. To buy a three bedroom house in Donegal would cost on average, €359 in mortgage repayments, €229 cheaper than

Police have confirmed that two viable pipe bomb type devices were recovered during a security alert in the Waterside area of Derry yesterday. The security alert ended overnight and the Rossdowney Road has been re-opened. In a statement, Inspector Jonny Hunter said: “Police responded to a report of two suspicious objects in the Montgomery Close

  Over €128,000 of funding has been announced for sporting projects in Donegal. The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport has announced €2.9 million worth of funding for sport and physical activity projects across the country. The funding will be administered by Sport Ireland under the National Activity Plan for disadvantaged communities. Minister Brendan

Britain’s Parliament will get to debate and vote on any final Brexit deal relating to the withdrawal process. The UK’s Brexit Secretary David Davis has told the House of Commons the agreement will only hold if Parliament approves it. He’s announced a Bill – covering areas including citizens’ rights, the divorce payment and a transition

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Monday 13th November

A Derry Councillor says the PSNI need to get to grips with armed gangs in the city. The call comes after a man in his 40s was shot in both legs after being brought to an underpass on the Madam’s Bank Road last night. Councillor Sandra Duffy says following several recent shootings across Derry there

Police in Derry are currently dealing with a security alert in the Montgomery Close area. The PSNI have advised that the Rossdowney Road is currently closed. There are no further details at this time.