Author name: oisinkelly

Garda Keith Harrison has told the Disclosures Tribunal he felt Tusla was manipulated by gardai for malicious reasons against him. However a social worker has contradicted Garda Harrison, saying a follow-up visit to the family home was appropriate and not based on scurrilous accusations. Garda Harrison was also asked why he did not send a […]

  Two former members of the Official IRA could face prosecution for their alleged role in the events of Bloody Sunday. The public prosecution service in the North is already examining files against 18 ex-British soldiers. Now the PSNI has sent a file on a former IRA member, and is preparing a file on another.

30 jobs have been announced for Falcarragh as work commences on a new community centre for Coiste Forbartha An Fal Carrach. In August up to €466,000 was sanctioned by Government Chief Whip Minister Joe McHugh for the new centre as part of the 20 year strategy for the Irish language. Minister McHugh has welcomed progress

  Business owners in Donegal are being warned to back up their CCTV footage remotely. It’s after the fifth break in the county in a matter of weeks with SuperValu Dungloe the latest target on Wednesday night. In each break in, the criminals removed the CCTV from the premises along with the hard drive. Donegal

There were 16 patients awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital today. 4 people were on trolleys in the hospitals Emergency Department with a further 12 waiting on wards or in overflow areas. Nationally, 389 people were waiting on a bed today with University Hospital Galway the most overcrowded.

There were 17 people registered as homeless in Donegal at the end of August, one less than the previous month. Across the North West region, there were 42 people registered as homeless, eight down on the August figure. Official figures released today show nationally, there were 5,222 people registered as homeless, 3,527 of them in

  There’s been a major burst on the main water line in Quigleys Point. Water is being directed from other sources to surrounding areas but it’s understood that the centre of the village will without water until late afternoon. Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District Cllr. Jack Murray says it’s a huge inconvenience to residents

A senior Mental Health Promotion Officer in Donegal says there is a slight increase in incidents of suicide in Donegal, particularly among men. It comes as Pieta House officially launches its Letterkenny base, with commitments of more staff and outreach services in the coming months. A report this week from the National Office for Suicide

  Whistleblower Garda Keith Harrison is resuming giving evidence at the Disclosures Tribunal this morning. Yesterday he denied threatening to burn and bury his partner Marisa Simms, after repeated accusations by text that he did. A statement made by Ms Simms to Gardai also contained these threats. However Ms Simms told the Tribunal the threats

Gardai in Donegal are advising owners and managers of rural businesses to review their security arranagements and surveillance equipment in a bid to ‘target harden’ their premises and increase the ability to withstand a robust criminal attack. The warning comes after retail businesses in Laghey, Letterkenny and Killygordon were broken into over the last number

The Cardiology Rehab Unit at Letterkenny University Hospital is due to reopen on Monday. The service has been suspended since May due to a breakdown of crucial Telemetry monitoring equipment. Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says due to the suspension of services the situation with the Cardiology Rehab Unit has greatly worsened due to

A motion calling for the full delivery of services and supports to assist those affected by the Inishowen floods has been passed in the Dail. Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue who put forward the motion, hopes the Government now addresses the outstanding gaps in funding support schemes for sporting organisations and public amenities, particularly Swan Park

The mother of a twelve year old boy killed in the Omagh bombing is set to make her first emotional visit back to the North. Donna Maria Barker’s son James was one of 29 people killed in the Real IRA blast in 1998. She vowed never to return after the bombing and moved to England.

Talks are underway between the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Cockhill Celtic and a number of other flood hit sporting organisations in Inishowen. It’s understood that while no funding has been announced by Government, estimated costs have been submitted to the Department with an assessment currently taking place. Recommendations will be then be made

  Gardai in Dungloe are appealing for information following last nights break in at the SuperValu shopping centre. Thieves gained access to the premises via the roof and made off with a substantial amount of goods. The CCTV system at the store was also removed during the operation. Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Paul Wallace says

Two men have been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of an off duty police officer in Derry. A 43 year old and a 59 year old were arrested by detectives from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch after a viable under vehicle improvised explosive device was was discovered at the home of a police

Garda Keith Harrison says he regrets not telling his superiors about his relationship with Marissa Simms when he was transferred to Buncrana in Donegal. Ms Simms’ brother was convicted of killing a garda attached to Buncrana Garda Station shortly after the transfer. The Disclosures Tribunal is examining claims by Garda Harrison that he was the

Paul Hannigan has been reappointed as President of Letterkenny Institute of Technology. Paul Hannigan has been President of LYIT since January 1998, and he will continue as President for another five-year term. Paul previously worked in Dundalk Institute of Technology from 1987. In 1992 he became Head of Department of Business Studies until his appointment

Farmers in Donegal are being warned that the early winter and increased cost of keeping animals for a prolonged winter will have adverse effects on farm incomes in the region. The issue was discussed at an urgent weather meeting hosted by Donegal IFA in Donegal Town this week. The meeting was attended by more than

  People in Donegal are being warned about the latest phone scam that’s doing the rounds. A premuim number beginning with 006 rings once in the hope that those being targetted will call back. It’s understood that if you do fall victim to the scam and make the call, the automated answering machine will drain

There were 23 people awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital today. 10 patients were on trolleys in its Emergency Department with a further 10 waiting on wards or in overflow areas. Nationally, 417 people were awaiting admission at hospitals across the country today with University Hospital Limerick the most overcrowded.

Irish Rural Link has broadly welcomed the first draft of the new National Planning Framework Ireland 2040, but has expressed some reservations about how regions are divided. The plan proposes Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies to ensure that regional parity can be achieved. However, Irish Rural Link says the three regions being suggested are too

  Gardai are investigating an overnight break in at the Super Valu shopping centre in Dungloe. A van belonging to the company was also stolen but it has been located on the outskirts of the town. Access was gained through the roof of the premises while CCTV was also removed. Gardai say that the break

  The Disclosures Tribunal has heard no mention was made by gardai of possible criminal charges in an 8 hour interview with Marissa Simms. Ms Simms has been giving evidence this morning about her relationship with Garda Keith Harrison, who has claimed he was the target of a smear campaign by senior gardai. In October

  The HSE has confirmed that a business case for capital funding to redevelop the former Cleary Centre building in Donegal Town has been formally finalized. The proposals, if approved, would see existing adult day services currently located in the Victor Complex and St Agnes Day Centre housed in a newly built facility on the

50% of retailers in Donegal believe that Brexit will lead to an increase in cigarette smuggling. A cross-border survey conducted by RAS, Retailers Against Smuggling, revealed that one in three retailers in Ireland are concerned about the rise in criminality and illicit trade following the decision of the UK to leave the European Union last

People in the West and North West are being urged to prepare for stormy conditions today. Winds could reach up to 100 kilometres per hour along the atlantic from this afternoon. A yellow warning’s in place for Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Clare and Kerry. Met Éireann says the conditions are expected to last until Friday afternoon.

The Carn Flood Aid Centre will be closing its doors this Saturday. The centre, which opened five weeks ago, has been offering furniture, household goods and clothing to those who have been devastated by August’s floods. Items which are not taken are to be donated to the Red Cross flood relief fund. Local Cllr. Albert

    An inspection crackdown has resulted in 28% of Donegal farmers inspected losing money under the basic payment scheme. Figures from the Department of Agriculture show that nationally, almost 60% of farmers inspected fell foul of one or more cross-compliance rules in 2016. More than half of those farmers were forced to pay a

Services from Pieta House North West are to be expanded from next week. The centre, at the Grand Central Building on Canal Road in Letterkenny will be officially launched tomorrow. Since opening its doors to clients on May 15th of this year, Pieta House North West has worked with 117 clients from all areas of

An 18 year old male arrested by Detectives from Serious Crime Branch investigating the death of Jordan McConomy in Derry during the early hours of Sunday last has been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service. Detectives had been granted an additional 36 hours to question him. 19 year old Jordan McConomy from Rossnagalliagh

  The partner of a Garda whistleblower says she was suspicious when social services contacted her soon after she withdrew a Garda statement. Marissa Simms is giving evidence to the Disclosure’s Tribunal about her partner Garda Keith Harrison. The Tribunal is looking into contacts made between Tusla and gardai about him. Marissa Simms says gardai

  Anti-abortion campaigner and former Election Candidate Tim Jackson has ended his ten day protest outside Government buildings. His goal was to get the Oireachtas Abortion committee and the Taoiseach to watch an abortion video which he has selected before any further discussion or deliberation on a possible referendum. However it’s understood that the Committee

  A woman in her 20s was knocked down in Letterkenny this morning. The incident happened at approximately 9am on the Pearse Road area of the town. Gardai in Letterkenny say that the woman was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital as a precaution and did not sustain any serious injuries.

Donegal Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn is claiming that three months after the publication of the Mica Expert Panel’s report, there has been no movement on a redress scheme, despite the recommendations of the group. In the Seanad this morning, Minister Damien English took questions from Senators Mac Lochlainn and Rise Conway Walshe. However, Senator Mac

The partner of a garda whistleblower has told the Disclosures’ Tribunal she was asked intrusive and irrelevant questions when interviewed by gardai. Marissa Simms gave a statement about Garda Keith Harrison’s behaviour at Letterkenny Garda Station in October 2013. She’s told the Tribunal she made the statement during an ‘extremely bad’ time in their relationship.

Anti-abortion campaigner and former Election Candidate Tim Jackson says he will review his ongoing protest fast later today, ten days after he began refusing food. He wants the Oireachtas Abortion committee and the Taoiseach to watch a video of an abortion which he has selected before any further discussion or deliberation on a possible referendum.

A number of key roads in the North West have been included in the Government’s draft National Planning Framework 2040. Government Chief Whip Minister Joe Mc Hugh says the document, which goes out to public consultation today, commits the government to improving the Letterkenny Lifford Road and the A5, as well as the Letterkenny Derry