Author name: oisinkelly

Almost 150 people in Donegal have received Humanitarian Aid funding following last month’s flash flooding that devastated Inishowen. 135 people have received the initial emergency funding of €150 under Stage 1 of the Humanitarian Aid, to help cover the cost of purchasing food and clothing. An additional 13 households have received Stage 2 payments with

The Government’s answer to the homelessness crisis has been unveiled. In the lead up to winter time, 200 extra emergency beds will open and family hubs will be created with a price tag of 10 million euro. A Homeless Inter-Agency Group is also being established to deliver homeless services. Some say it falls short of

Bertie Ahern says out of all the European countries, Ireland is giving Brexit priority focus. The former Taoiseach was speaking last night at the Kennedy Summer School in New Ross County Wexford: He says the repercussions of Britain leaving the EU is of utmost importance to this country rather than anywhere else:

It has been confirmed that emergency works are to be carried out at two schools in Donegal. Ballymore National School, and Glassan National School, Glassan are due to receive confirmation of funding in the coming days for the purpose of carrying out mechanical works. Government Chief Whip, Minister Joe McHugh has thanked Minister Richard Bruton

Donegal County Council is being asked to investigate the possibility of re-surfacing the Portsalon to Ballylar road. A new water main and road realignment was carried out on the section last autumn with concern that the road is now in a very poor condition. Cllr Adrian Glackin says the road is a busy one, particularly

  Since the severe flooding on the 22nd August, Donegal County Council has been working to have the priority regional routes in Inishowen open as soon as possible and below is an update on the status of these roads: The road at Riverside between Quigleys Point and Carndonagh – is now open to single lane

The Irish government is being urghed to apply to the EU for a special fund to help farmers affected by Brexit. Midlands North West MEP Matt Carthy says agricultural communities in Ireland, North and South are deeply interwoven, and currency fluctuations and other factoirs have hit them severely in recent months. He’s tabled an amendment

40 jobs are being created in Derry with the opening of a new cafe-bistro on Strand Road in Derry. Primrose, which already operates two cafes in the city, plans to open the new facility in the first week of November. Owner Ciaran Breslin says it’s a substantial investment…………. Pic – Malenie and Ciaran Breslin

There were 22 people awaiting in-patient beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 10 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That’s down from yesterday’s figure of 29, according to the latest INMO figures. Nationally, there were 362 people awaiting admission, the largest number, 41, at University Hospital Limerick.

The fire service remains at the scene of a fire at a waste disposal facility at Rossbracken. The fire broke out in the early hours of this morning, with the fire service urging people in the Manorcunningham area to keep windows and doors closed. The fire is now under control, but a shed at the

Health Minister Simon Harris is hosting an All-Island Civic Dialogue on the implications of Brexit for Cross-border Health Co-operation today in Dundalk. Opening the event, Minister Harris referenced a number of important cross border health initiatives on an all-island basis, including the new jointly funded Radiotherapy Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, and the arrangement

Donegal TD Pat The Cope Gallagher says he has still not heard from Junior Minister Jim Daly since an answer he received to a Dail question was subsequently contradicted by the minister in an interview on Highland Radio. Deputy Gallagher was told there were no future plans for long term beds in St Josephs Hospital

DUP MP Ian Paisley is referring himself to the Westminister Standards Committee after the Daily Telegraph claimed he failed to declare that he accepted family holidays worth £100,000 from Sri Lanka. The paper says Mr Paisley is now working on a post-Brexit trade deal betwen Britain and Sri Lanka. Responding on Twitter Mr Paisley described

People in Manorcunningham are being urged to close their windows and doors as a result of a fire at a waste facility in the Rossbracken area of Letterkenny. The fire service says smoke from the fire is being blown in the Manorcunningham direction, and people should keep their homes sealed as a precaution. until the

  Small businesses in Donegal are to benefit from €16.6m in funding. The funding is part of the Co-Innovate project under the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme and has been designed to help small and medium sized businesses overcome issues arising from the existence of borders. Over 1,400 businesses in the border regions will receive support

People in Donegal are being reminded that the closing date for submissions for the Local Improvement Scheme is tomorrow. The scheme which was withdrawn in 2011 aims to support works on private access routes which are not maintained by the council, but are important means of access. All applications must be submitted by 4:30pm tomorrow.

A new commercial fibre network is due to be rolled out in 6 towns across the county. The network is part of a €100m broadband connection for 115,000 homes and businesses acorss Donegal. The service is due to be installed in Stranorlar, Buncrana, Ballybofey, Donegal Town, Ballyshannon and Bundoran by next year. Councillor Martin Harley

29 people are awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital today. According to latest figures published by the INMO 16 patients are on trolleys with a further 13 waiting on wards or in overflow areas. Nationally, 391 people are waiting on a bed with University Hospital Limerick the most overcrowded.

The European Commission has today set out its principles for the political dialogue on Ireland and Northern Ireland in the Brexit negotiations. The European Union says the common travel area between Northern Ireland and the republic and the Good Friday agreement must be protected once Brexit comes into force. It’s piling on the pressure on

  Government Chief Whip and Donegal Minister Joe McHugh has expressed confidence in the Garda Commissioner. It follows revelations yesterday that officers recorded one and a half million breath tests in Pulse which never took place with the report showing figures recorded in Donegal were exaggerated by 61%. The government’s being warned that the public

  It could be at least a year before Swan Park in Buncrana reopens to the public. The amenity has been deemed unsafe due to extensive damage to infrastructure caused by last month’s flooding. A major refurbishment of the park had just got underway in July, with €250,000 earmarked for various improvement works. Local Cllr

The IFA in Donegal is welcoming the support fund which has been set up for farmers affected by flooding in Inishowen and East Donegal. Up to €15,000 beng made available to covers the loss of livestock and fodder, as well as provisions towards the clean-up cost of agricultural lands and the replacement of fences. Michael

The BBC is reporting today that the European Union wants Northern Ireland to have a different Brexit deal to the rest of the UK. A document, which will be published later by the EU’s Chief negotiator says the UK should take responsibility for finding a “unique solution” so people can work, go to school or

The lack of parking facilities at the new Court House in Letterkenny is to be raised at council level. There’s been criticism of the lack of public parking at the site, with concern also being expressed at what’s been described as insufficient spaces for people with disabilities. The issue is to be raised at next

  Serious concern has been raised over the risk posed by trees aligning the road along Lisnenan in Letterkenny. The trees are currently covered in ivy, with fears that they would be liable to fall in a storm. Municipal District Mayor Jimmy Kavanagh says this road in particular is a busy one which leads to

A 25 year old Derry man who drove a stolen car at speed at two police officers forcing them to dive out of the way fearing for their lives has been jailed at the local Crown Court. Caoimhin Gallagher whose address was given as c/o Maghabaerry Prison admitted a series of charges relating to incidents

  Just under one million households will receive a “cheque in the post” from Irish Water by the end of the year. The government has approved a refund scheme which it says will mean most households won’t have to do anything to get their money, although those who’ve moved home will have to get in

  A support fund has been set up for farmers affected by flooding in Inishowen. The announcement was made by Michael Creed TD Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The support will apply to losses of livestock, the loss of conserved fodder and as a contribution towards the clean-up cost of agricultural lands, including

  Since the severe flooding on the 22nd August, Donegal County Council has been working to have the priority regional routes in Inishowen open as soon as possible and below is an update on the status of these roads. The road at Riverside between Quigleys Point and Carndonagh –  a temporary bailey bridge has been

Clean Coasts Ireland and Donegal County Council are coordinating the Big Beach Clean Up in the county on the weekend after next. Last year, 120 clean ups took place across the country, 20 of them in Donegal. Becky Finn is Donegal Officer with Clean Coasts Ireland:

There were 20 patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, seven of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That’s down from 27 yesterday, according to figures just published by the INMO. Nationally, 374 were awaiting in-patient beds this morning, the largest number, 69, at University Hospital Limerick.