Author name: oisinkelly

There’s some good news for consumers – with VHI set to cut prices on a number of its plans. The move by the health insurer could provoke a similar response from its main rivals. Charlie Weston is Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent:

  A Donegal Deputy has raised serious concern over RTEs decision not to cover the launch of Sinn Fein’s alternative budget. The party launched the document yesterday which, Sinn Fein say, will protect the most vulnerable from increases in the cost of living. Taking to social media last night, Sinn Fein Finance Spokesperson Deputy Pearse

The Taoiseach says the Irish Government will not support the reported offer of a 70,000 ton beef quota to the South American Mercosur countries. The issue was raised in the Dail by Donegal Deputy and Fianna Fail Agriculture Spokesperson Charlie Mc Conalogue, who said in light of the contaminated Brazilian meat export scandal earlier this

The extent of the bed crisis at Letterkenny University Hospital has been thrown into sharp relief with the release of figures from the INMO showing the extrent to which the numbers awaiting admission at the hospital have grown this year. The INMO’s Trolley and Ward Watch figures for last month show a total of 459

MEPs have voted to oppose moving on to a second phase of Brexit talks. But the vote at the European Parliament is non-binding. The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, says “serious differences remain” between the EU and the UK. During the debate before the vote, Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness referred to those counties that

It’s emerged that the trial of the man accused of murdering Buncrana woman Danielle Mc Laughlin in Goa, India is expected to be fast tracked. In a statement issued on behalf of her family this afternoon, the Justice for Damielle campaign says charge documents have been received by their legal team in Derry. They also

An all boys primary school in Letterkenny has made the decision to enroll both boys and girls in 2018. Scoil Cholmcille has been in talks with a number of interested parties on the proposal to establishing a co-education model. A parents meeting will be held this afternoon at Scoil Cholmcille to discuss the proposal. Speaking

The Donegal Fire Service has launched a recruitment drive, targeting women. The service is making a concerted effort to encourage women into vacant part time positions. There are currently no women working in the Donegal department and they’re highlighting the importance of having more women employed in the service. The service is advertising for part

A social worker has denied apologising to Garda Keith Harrison and his partner for the involvement of Tusla. The Disclosures Tribunal is examining contacts between senior gardai and Tusla about Garda Harrison. Social Worker Donna McTeague says although she would’ve sought to put the couple at ease about her intervention, she did not apologise. This contradicts

Residents in Porthall held a protest yesterday calling for motorists to be more aware and abide by speed limits in the area. Local Councillor Gerry Crawford says it is a regional road, servicing cross-border traffic and there has been a number of serious road traffic collisions in the locality over the past number of months,

Letterkenny University Hospital is the second most overcrowded hospital in the country today. According to the latest trolley and ward watch figures 35 patients are waiting on a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital with 22 of those on trolleys in the hospitals Emergency Department and a further 13 waiting on wards or in overflow areas.

The theft of tools from a work site in Derry has been condemned. It is believed that a generator and a number of tools were stolen from the Moss Park area of the city. The items were being used to carry out a kitchen improvement scheme. Councillor Tony Tassan has appealed to those who carried

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is appealing to the people of Donegal to donate blood due to low supply levels. The service is currently experiencing pressure with a usual supply level of 7 days now reduced to 4. Clinics are being held in Ballybofey and Bunbeg this week with two clinics running today at Jacksons

The European Parliament is meeting in Strasbourg later to vote on whether sufficient progress has been made on Brexit negotiations. The timetable agreed between the UK and the EU states that significant developments have to have been made on the settlement payments before trade talks can begin. The Parliament is expected to vote no.

A special meeting will be held as requested by the shareholders of Inishowen Tourism after it closed its doors last month. A Crowe Howarth report into the running of the society was published however, it failed to be implemented resulting in the loss of funding from Government and 7 jobs. Senator Padraig MacLochlainn has confirmed

Concerns have been raised with the Director of Donegal Fire Service over the facilities at two offshore fire stations in Donegal. It was reported last week that a report commissioned by the Donegal Fire Association highlighted a number of means by which Arranmore Fire Station did not meet minimum standards. The report found that Arranmore

It’s been claimed that the lack of a Stormont Executive is threatening the future of City of Derry Airport. SDLP leader Colm Eastwood was speaking after a party delegation met with the permanent secretary of the Department of the Economy to discuss future funding for the airport. Speaking after last evening’s meeting, Colm eastwood said

The Chamber of Commerce in Gweedore is hosting a meeting tonight to discuss crime, and how the community can better prepare itself to help gardai prevent it. Chamber Chair Hugh Mac Giolla Bhride says the meeting will be attended by senior gardai and community representatives. He says while recent high profile burglaries in the county

The RNLI has published issued video footage showing the Portrush Lifeboat bringing a stricken trawler into Greencastle, assisted by the Lough Swilly Lifeboat. https://www.rnlivideolibrary.org.uk/getvideo.aspx?vid=wlOTTHeo The RNLI say the Portrush lifeboat crew was requested by Belfast Coastguard to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 10.37pm last night (Sunday 1 October) and go to the assistance of a

Donegal County Council’s Fire & Emergency Operations Plan is to be sent back to the SPC for additional time to consider. The move was proposed by the Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District Councillor Jack Murray. The report highlighted a number of issues within Fire Stations throughout the County. The motion was passed by 10

The social worker who visited Garda Keith Harrison and his partner Marisa Simms says no pressure was put on her by gardai to investigate the couple. Asked if she ever got a sense there was a garda operation to “get” Garda Harrison, Donna McTeague said no. The Disclosures Tribunal is examining contact between senior gardai

Councillor John Sheamais O’Fearraigh has officially been named as a member of the board of Udarus na Gaealtachta following much drama surrounding his nomination. At the sitting of Donegal County Council last week Councillor O’Fearraigh won the vote by one. However, Fianna Fáil Councillors called for a recorded vote following the nomination and sought legal

Intetrreg funding worth almost €15 million has been confirmed for the North West Greenways Project that will lead to the provision of 46.5km of new cross border greenways linking Derry and Donegal. The project has also successfully provided over €2m worth of cross border employment with eight new posts created between Derry City and Strabane

The issue of delays in driving test appointments in Donegal has been raised in the Seanad. In Buncrana, provisional licence holders are reportedly waiting up to 22 weeks before being able to take their test. Councillor Nicholas Crossan has emphasised the importance of holding a drivers license for young people, particularly in rural areas like

18 people were awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital today. According to the latest figures from the INMO, 5 patients were on trolleys in the hospitals Emergency Department with a further 13 waiting on wards or in overflow area. 416 people were waiting on a bed at hospital across the country today, with University Hospital

Gardai are currently investigating an overnight break-in at McCullagh Jewellers in Letterkenny Shopping Centre. It is believed that access was gained to the premises at approximately 2am with Gardai alerted after the alarm system was activated. McCullagh Jewellers is the latest target in a string of break-ins across the county. Sergeant Paul Wallace says access

The Lough Swilly Lifeboat has been tasked to assist in landing a fishing vessel at Greencastle pier after getting into difficulty off the coast of Malin. The alarm was raised between 10:30pm and 10:45pm last night after reports of a 15 metre fishing vessel with engine failure 10 miles north of Malin. The Portrush Lifeboat

A construction company currently under investigation into compliance with fire safety in schools has been contracted to build a new school in Letterkenny. According to The Irish Examiner Western Building Systems is still being contracted by the Department of Education to build schools across Ireland despite a number of issues in respect to fire safety

Las Vegas police have confirmed one shooter is down following a shooting at a concert. A hospital in the city says at least two people are dead and 24 injured. An area on the city’s famous main strip has been sealed off – while flights in and out of McCarran Airport in Las Vegas have

A quantity of drugs and a substantial amount of cash has been recovered from a property in Omagh. A search of the house was carried out in the town on Saturday. One male was arrested and is assisting police with enquiries. Later the same evening suspect Class B drugs were also recovered from three people

Questions over the sale of two Donegal Garda stations have been raised following the publishing of an interim report into the re-opening of 6 Garda stations. The assistant commissioner with responsibility for the Northern region advised Gleann Cholm Cille and Churchill are the two Garda stations that should be considered for reopening. However, both premises

  A public meeting will be held this Thursday in Annagry to discuss the possibility of establishing a committee to develop a children’s play park in the area. Local Councillor, Micheal Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig says work has been carried over the past year in considering a site for the development in the hope funding can

The of the A5 in the Irish Government’s key infrastructure ‘Ireland 2040’ plan has been welcomed in the North. West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has prasied Leo Varadkar for his continued commitment to the A5. The first stage of the western transport corridor is due to commence within the coming months and when complete will