Author name: oisinkelly

There are reports of surface water on a number of roads in Donegal this evening, particularly in the vicinity of Creeslough, Carrigart, Cranford and Termon. Water is also being reported on the road from Kerrykeel to Fanad. It follows persistent rain this afternoon and evening, which Met Eireann says will ease off tonight. Meanwhile, Met Éireann

Education MInister Richard Bruton has indicated he does not intend meeting with the ETB in Donegal to discuss the three college campus in Buncrana. Mr Bruton told the Dail this afternoon that everything that can be done, is being done. He was asked about the issue in the Dail this afternoon by Deputy Charlie Mc

A Donegal Priest says a number of people have travelled to Knock from the county to find that the Apparition Chapel and Parish Church are both closed. Knock Shrine has confirmed that both churches are closed for renovations until April of next year, but Fr Padraig O’Baoill says he only became aware of that thias

An Bord Pleanala is being asked to decide if the closing of an entrance to the Pollet Great Arch requires planning permission. The was great anger in the summer when public access, to what is one of Fanad’s renowned attractions, was blocked. It was claimed there had been a right of way in place for

The Chief Constable of the PSNI is facing an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. George Hamilton and two other senior officers are being investigated by the Police Ombudsman. The claims, from former senior officers, surround the way the PSNI handled an inquiry into contracts to supply vehicles for the force. Mr. Hamilton says

Questions are being asked over the general upkeep of the Market Square in Letterkenny. It follows the vicious assault of 18 year old Shanan Reid McDaid in the area in the early hours of Sunday morning. Gardai are examining CCTV but there are now fears that overgrown trees and foliage may have blocked some of

Letterkenny University Hospital was the second most overcrowded hospital in the country today with 38 people waiting for a bed. According to the latest trolley watch report 25 were on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 13 were waiting on wards. The hospital was the most overcrowded in the country yesterday returning the

A Donegal County Councillor is demanding urgent answers from the Council’s Roads Department following claims from some local representatives that they were briefed incorrectly on allocations for the LIS scheme in Donegal. It’s after revelations that the Donegal allocation falls far short of what was initially thought to have been earmarked for upgrading small access roads

  The fire service is currently attending the scene of what’s understood to be a small fire at Letterkenny University Hospital. The alarm was raised at around 10am this morning. An appliance rushed to the hospital and the fire crew is currently dealing with the incident on the orthopaedic ward. It’s understood that it has

It’s emerged that some homes in Inishowen which were damaged by August’s floods were already affected by Mica. Thousands of homeowners across Donegal are thought to be affected by the defective block issue but now those who were also victim to flood damage have no insurance to cover the cost. The issue is to be

  On his visit on Saturday last to the North West region Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed his commitment to the region and to building on the positive work already underway. At his meeting in Derry with the North West Region Development Group, which is made up of elected members from Donegal County Council and Derry

  The trial of a Donegal man charged in relation to the theft of livestock from a Kilbeggan farm in 2015 began at Mullingar Circuit Court yesterday (Wednesday). According to a report in the Irish Farmers Journal today, Barry Carr (31) of Boeshill, Pettigo, Co Donegal, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to taking livestock worth

  The Central Bank’s been urged to ‘up the ante’ over the tracker mortgage scandal. Governor Phillip Lane is due to face tough questioning at an Oireachtas hearing today on how the regulator handled the controversy. Mortgage lenders are accused of defrauding around 30-thousand customers who were taken off trackers. Sinn Fein’s Finance Spokesperson and

Plans for a carpark and other amenities in Dunfanaghy could be a step closer after Cllrs moved to support the proposals. A deputation from the Dunfanaghy Area Community Network attended the latest sitting of the Glenties Municipal District and raised growing concerns over parking issues in the town. It’s understood that the Network has already

Donegal Investment Group has announced that it is set to sell its 30% share in Monaghan Mushrooms for a figure of over 45 million euro. The company, which is quoted on the Irish Stock Exchange, has around 1,900 shareholders, with 1,200 of them being in Donegal – most of them farmers. News of the impending

The minister with responsibility for flooding says he will shortly announce a pilot programme for local authorities to prioritise the cleaning of channels and gullies. Minister Kevin Boxer Moran confirmed to the Seanad last evening that he will visit Donegal again on Monday and Tuesday of next week. He pledged ongoing government support, but said

  A team of Department of Agriculture inspectors has arrived in Donegal to assess over 300 applications for relief payments to farmers. The IFA met with the inspectors yesterday, with Donegal IFA Chair Michael Chance saying it was a productive meeting. He says IFA will continue to press for an extension of the scheme to

Gardai investigating the vicious assault of a young woman in Letterkenny at the weekend have released the description of a man suspected of the crime. 18 year old Shanan Reid McDaid was walking up by the Market Square area at around 3am on Sunday morning when a man approached her and proceeded to punch her

The Communications Regulator is warning the public about an international phone scam, that seems to be targetting Irish numbers. Thousands of people across Donegal and the country are recieving missed calls from numbers in Chad, Liberia and the east African island of Comoros. It’s thought the numbers operate on a premium rate that could end

Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has confirmed he will be returning to Donegal early next week to review the work being done after the floods in August. He told the Seanad he’s particularly anxious to meet the people of Inishowen again, and to have fresh discussions with officials and elected representatives…………..

Government Chief Whip Joe Mc Hugh says the start of the 70% advance of the Basic Payment Scheme will benefit over 7,400 farmers in Donegal. Over €700 million is being paid out nationally, almost €34 million of it being paid out locally. Minister McHugh said payments should start hitting bank account in the coming days.

  The Cabinet has changed a key element of the budget to allow family farms pass on without paying high tax. Last week Commercial Stamp Duty was raised from 2% to 6% in Budget 2018. However family farms can be passed on by farmers under 67-years-old at a stamp duty rate of just 1%. Now

The Seanad has been told that efforts must be increased to secure extra funding from Europe to restore facilities and amentities damaged in the August 22nd floods in Inishowen. Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn said efforts must also be redoubled to fasttrack flood defence measures and ensure the devastation is not repeated. Speaking to Minister Kevin

The UK’s Met Office has issued a Yellow weather warning for rain for the North They say that between 3pm and 11.55pm on Thursday, heavy rain will affect Northern Ireland. The office says the rain is likely to lead to flooding in places; delayed travel may well result, including through the busy evening period. It

Leas Cheann Comhairle and Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says he wants an election. Deputy Gallagher made the comments earlier today on the Nine to Noon Show when discussing flood prevention plans for Killybegs. While acknowledging that Fianna Fail has influence over decision making at present, he would prefer to be at the helm.

  Letterkenny University Hospital is the most overcrowded in Ireland today with 38 people waiting for a bed. According to the latest trolley watch report, 25 people were on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 13 were waiting on wards. Nationally there were 377 people waiting at hospitals across the country. Cathaoirleach of

  Detectives investigating an assault on a 20-year-old man in Newtownstewart are appealing for witnesses. The assault happened sometime between 5am and 5.30am during the early hours of Sunday morning last. In a statement, Detective Constable Brian St Ledger said that the 20-year-old male was taken to hospital with head injuries which are not thought

  A range of flooding aftermath issues in Donegal will be brought to the fore again in the Seanad later. Representations will be made for the Government to urgently provide financial support to rebuild Swan Park in Buncrana and Glenevin Waterfall in Clonmany. While the need for a range of flood defences to be commenced

The British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland says the chances of a power-sharing executive being set up soon are “not positive”. James Brokenshire says Westminster will have to impose a budget if a compromise can’t be agreed by November. The Stormont assembly collapsed last January and numerous attempts to get it up and running

  CCTV from other nearby premises in Carrigart could be vital in apprehending the culprits of a burglary at Centra in the village. Gardai in Milford are continuing their investigation into the burglary which occurred during the wake of the storm in the early hours of yesterday morning. (Tuesday) Thieves made off with a quantity

  People are being warned of counterfeit €50 notes circulating in Letterkenny. It’s after a number of businesses in the town fell victim to the scam in recent days. The Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce took to social media last night to advise the public to report any further instances to Gardai. Their CEO Toni Forrester

  Gardai are investigating a burglary at Centra in Carrigart which occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning. (Tuesday) The thieves gained access to the premises via the back door and made off with a quantity of cash and cigarettes. Gardai say they are keeping an open mind as to whether or not this