Author name: oisinkelly

      It’s been confirmed that flood-hit farmers can now apply to the aid package announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, last week. The deadline for applications is Friday September 29th to facilitate a speedy process of requests. Government Chief Whip and Donegal Minister Joe McHugh has been reassured that the application […]

  Irish people could have to work until they’re 70 to qualify for a state pension. The measure has been tabled by the ESRI as a way of protecting the economy but critics have been quick to react. The qualifying age for a state pension in Ireland is already one of the highest in the

  Serious concern has been raised after what’s been described as a dramatic increase in the number of patients awaiting outpatient procedures at Letterkenny University Hospital. Figures show that as of the end of August, the overall number of patients awaiting treatment at the hospital has risen by more than one thousand compared to patient

Discussions are continuing about the re-distribution of twenty two of the seventy three UK seats in the European Parliament among some of the remaining EU countries, two of which would go to Ireland. Midlands NW MEP Marian Harkin says one issue being discussed is representation for people north of the border. However, she is stressing

  There were 25 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital according to the INMO. 12 were on trolleys its Emergency Department while a further 13 were waiting on wards. The figure is up 3 on yesterdays 22. University Hospital Limerick was the most overcrowded with 57 people waiting there. Nationally, there were

Councillors in South Donegal want the road from Pettigo to Laghey to be upgraded to a National Secondary Road, which would make it eligible for more funding. The issue was raised at a meeting this week by Cllr Michael Naughton. He secured the backing of his colleagues in the Donegal Municipal District, and says the

A West Tyrone MLA is warning farmers affected by the recent floods that if their land is not fit for use as a result of the damage, they must submit a special form  by tomorrow in order to protect their Single Farm payments. Declan Mc Aleer says the Force Majeur form deadline is set by

Revenue has published its latest Tax Defaulter list, with four settlements received from Donegal and one from Derry. The five settlements involved a total of almost €448,250 in outstanding tax, interest and penalties. Brian Brogan, a farmer, landlord and employee from Sockar, Trentagh, Letterkenny paid almost €104,000 in tax, interest and penalties. Dermot Doherty, a partnetr,

  The organ at Christ Church in Derry has been extensively damaged in a break in over the past number of days. The break-in was discovered by a member of the parish team who called to the church last evening. Police were alerted, and scenes of crime officers carried out a detailed forensic search of

Over 61 and a half thousand students get their Junior Cert results today, 2,354 of them in Donegal. They include the first grades from the new English Junior Cycle. Results from the reformed English Junior Cycle, combine exam results with continual assessment marks. This year also sees the first time students will receive a Junior

An interesting twist from the Brexit fallout could result in two extra MEP seats for Ireland. Britain currently has seventy three MEPs. They’ll all lose their seats once the UK leaves the EU. And last night the European parliament debated a report on the future composition of the Parliament post-Brexit. One of its recommendations is

A Glenties area Councillor says significant progress is being made on improvements to the stretch of N56 road from Dungloe to Glenties. Two phases are complete, with tenders in for phase three between Kilkenny and Letterilly. Work on that phase should start by the end of the year. Cllr Terence Slowey says preparations are under for

  A special action plan forum is taking place later tonight in Donegal to highlight the need for investment in Gaeltacht areas. There will also be an opportunity to discuss the current work being done in the Gaeltacht, including issues like language planning and the policy on Gaeltacht education. It’s part of a series of

  Three new suicide prevention resources have been launched in Donegal by the National Office for Suicide Prevention. The initiative is part of World Suicide Prevention Week and includes a poster outlining the key services and phone numbers to contact in a mental health crisis, a GP Patient Pathway for those experiencing a suicidal crisis

  The Commission for Energy Regulation, Ireland’s independent energy regulator has successfully secured a prosecution against Mr. Jerome Travers, 18 Tullan Strand Road in Bundoran for illegally carrying out gas works while not being a registered gas installer. The case was heard in Ballyshannon District Court under presiding Judge Kilrane, who convicted and fined Mr.

Transport NI is being urged to consider placing a zebra crossing on the section of the Racecourse Road between the junction of Carnhill and Danesfort Crescent in Derry. Cllr Tony Hasson issued the call after a woman was knocked down and injured on this stretch of road on Friday afternoon last, and says since he

25 drinking water supplies around the country are at risk of being infected with cryptosporidium, four of them in Donegal. They are Letterkenny, Creeslough, Glenties/Ardara and Owenteskna / Kilcar. In its drinking water qualty report for 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency says more than 99 per cent of drinking water samples complied with safety standards

Formal contracts have been signed and ethical approval has been secured for a €100,000 research project announced earlier this year for Letterkenny University Hospital. The six month study will involve 120 participants who have just finished their treatment. Half of whom will be given specially targetted support and advice to improve their diet and activity

A text alert system to allow the public report instances of illegal parking on disabled bays in Letterkenny is being considered by Donegal County Council The scheme would be introduced on a pilot basis and similar to one already underway in Gorey County Wexford. The motion was passed at the latest sitting of Letterkenny Municipal

A meeting between local representatives and the OPW is due to take place to discuss the level of flood defence measures in Donegal. It follows last month’s devastating floods in Inishowen while Stranorlar and Letterkenny respectively were also hit. It was confirmed yesterday that the bill for repairs to road infrastructure in Donegal is estimated

A special IFA meeting takes place in Inishowen tonight to discuss the impact of the recent flooding on the farming community. The main item on the agenda will be the funding package announced last week. The meeting gets underway in the Lake of Shadows Hotel in Buncrana at 8.30pm. Donegal IFA Environment Chairman is Francis

    It’s been confirmed that the total repair cost for roads infrastructure in Donegal following the recent floods is estimated at €15.3m Meanwhile the Council has issued their latest update in the recovery operation: · R244 at Craignahorna on the Mountain Road between Buncrana and Carndonagh expected to open in 4 weeks. · Local

  The owner of Moville Tool Hire in Inishowen has reiterated that his company does not conduct sales on a door to door basis. It follows reports in recent weeks of people selling equipment such as power washers in Inishowen wearing jackets bearing the company’s name and handing out business cards which appear to be

  The CEO of an Inishowen charity which provides a youth club and special interaction for children with autism says they still receive no formal funding from the state, 17 years after the service began. Angela Tourish heads up iCare, which has been described as a lifeline by parents of children with autism, and exists primarily on

There were 21 patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, eight on Emergency Department trolleys and 13 on wards and in overflow areas. Nationally, the latest report from the INMO shows 422 people are waiting in emergency departments and overflow areas of wards. University Hospital Limerick is the most overcrowded with 52 people

A Donegal councillor is urging the authority to notify Google and other relevant e-mappers when majopr changes are made to road layouts in the county. Cllr Michael Mc Bride will raise the issue with engineers at a Letterkenny Municipal District meeting today. He says he was prompted to make the call after hearing of a

Over 23-thousand houses were sold across the country in the first six months of the year. Dublin saw the most sales at almost 7,500, an increase of 11% on the same period last year. The MyHome.ie analysis of the property price register shows that Cork came in second, followed by Kildare, Galway and Meath. Sales fell

It’s hoped new evidence received in connection with the case of Castlederg teenager Arlene Arkinson may shed light on what happened when she disappeared almost 23 years ago. Two folders have been submitted to the coroner from Gardai, believed to contain information on lines of inquiry and searches conducted in the Republic of Ireland. The

Talks at Stormont are due to recommence today with an agreement yet to be made between Sinn Fein and the DUP. SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has called on both the Irish and British Governments to intervene if the political deadlock continues this week. Mr Eastwood is proposing both Governments place their own joint proposals on

The Garda Commissioner has announced her retirement. Nóirín O’Sullivan earlier notified the Taoiseach and Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan of her intentions. In a statement she said; “I devoted much of my summer break to considering if continuing would be the right thing to do. It has become clear, over the last year, that the core

As Hurriance Irma continues to batter Florida, it is reported that 3 people within the state have died. Irma has already killed at least 22 people in the Carribean. More than 6 million people were ordered to evacuate with Florida Governor Rick Scott pleading again today with residents to heed advice. Donegal man Joe McFadden