Author name: oisinkelly

Up to one thousand Gardaí could be investigated over the recent breath test controversy. Today’s Sunday Independent says an investigation is on the cards after a report found that 1.5 million fake tests were recorded. The Justice Minister has referred to the scandal as a “very dark chapter” in the history of the Gardaí. Charlie

A Status Yellow weather warning has been issued for Donegal. Heavy rain showers are expected with accumulations of 30 to 50mm of rain with wind speeds of 60km/h also expected. The warning will remain in place until 12 noon tomorrow. Meterologist at Met Eireann, Aoife Murray has this update:

Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council have highlighted the need for preventative measures to be put in place to prevent a recurrence of the destruction caused as a result of flash flooding that hit the North West almost 3 weeks ago. Members unanimously voted in favour of a proposal to write to the

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