Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal County Councillor believes an extensive investigation on infrastructure in Inishowen will be required following this week’s devastating floods. Many bridges and roads were effectively washed away however a question mark remains over the safety risk remaining infrastructure may pose after taking a battering during the torrential rain. Cllr Martin McDermott says after Tuesday […]

There are calls for the establishment of a barge service to cater to Donegal’s smaller islands. Cllr Micheal Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says there is real tourism potential on Inishbofin Gola and yet they are lacking in an adequate transportation service. He says there are people eager to develop smaller islands in the county and

The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association is urging all farmers devastated by this week’s flooding to document all damage and losses they have suffered. Horrific details are emerging surrounding vast amounts of livestock being lost in the floods which ripped through Inishowen, while fields and fencing have also been destroyed. It is hoped that

The Tasoieach has arrived in Inishowen to visit areas devastated by this weeks flooding. Leo Varadkar flew to the peninsula via the army helicopter earlier this afternoon. He is expected to meet with residents whose homes and businesses have been destroyed while he is also due to meet with army personnel who were deployed to

  An inter-departmental meeting took place today to consider the actions taken and progress made in dealing with flooding in an area of Donegal. While there has been constant and ongoing contact between the Departments and agencies since the flooding occurred, today afforded an opportunity to meet formally to consider the response from government departments

It’s been announced that the Red Cross will administer a flood relief scheme for small businesses affected by Tuesday’s flooding in County Donegal. Chief Whip Joe Mc Hugh has welcomed the announcement, describing it as a humanitarian support contribution towards the costs of returning business premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring,

Two status yellow weather warnings are in place for much of the country today. Met Eireann has forecast further heavy showers and long spells of rain today. Meteorologist Matthew Martin says Donegal and some parts of the country will experience poor weather throughout the afternoon, but the situation will improve……………….

Heritage Week is coming to an end, with a number of events in Donegal over the weekend. One of them involves an exploration of the fact that before Raphoe became the diocesan centre for the church in Donegal, the see was based at Raymoghey near Manorcunningham, which was founded by St Patrick. Amateur historian Leonard

North of the border, the Department for Infrastructure says flood response agencies including the PSNI, NI Fire & Rescue Service, DfI Rivers and Roads, Northern Ireland Water and Local Government are ready to respond to any further flooding in the North West. Given pre-existing saturation levels and ground conditions across some Western/North Western areas in

More money is needed to help Donegal residents deal with this week’s devastating flooding according to the Minister responsible for the area. An emergency meeting is underway to discuss a national response this morning. 30 troops are being deployed to the Inishowen peninsula, which was among the worst affected areas. Minister Kevin Boxer Moran says

The Army’s been called in to assist with the major clean up operation in Inishowen. Around 250 houses were damaged, while up to 6 bridges and a number of roads were washed away following heavy rainfall on Tuesday night – while more rain is forecast for today. Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe is visiting the

One of Ireland’s leading climatologists is warning that flooding on the scale that hit Donegal, Derry and Tyrone this week is likely to become more frequent. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed in the North West – with clean up efforts set to cost in the region of 400 million euro. The Government’s being criticised

  There are renewed calls for a patrol car to be allocated to Bunbeg Garda Station, almost eight months after the car that had been therer was damaged in a collision. Recently, nine new garda cars were deployed across the country, but opnly one of them came to the Donegal division. It is based in

It has been confirmed that a Defence Forces platoon will arrive in Donegal on Friday morning to help with the clean-up after the flood disaster. Paul Kehoe, Minister for Defence, has confirmed that an initial platoon of 30 Defence Forces personnel will be deployed in Inishowen from 9am on Friday.   Welcoming the news, Minister

  The Taoiseach says he’s shocked at the extensive damage caused by wild weather in Inishowen. Around 200 homes were destroyed while roads and bridges were washed away following heavy rainfall on Tuesday night. Met Eireann says further heavy rain is forcast for Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo and Galway until tomorrow evening. The Government says

  Met Eireann has issued a fresh rainfall warning for Donegal, Galway, Letrim, Mayo and Sligo this evening. The weather forecaster’s warning further spells of heavy rain are expected across the country this evening until 6pm tomorrow evening.

Emergency services are currently attending the scene of a two vehicle collision between Kerrykeel and Portsalon. The collision happened at around 4pm this afternoon. More to follow.

  Donegal Couny Council wish to advise the following in relation to issues arising for flood hit areas. The Quigleys point to Muff road is expected to be re- open at 6pm this evening on a single lane/traffic lights basis. We continue to ask that everyone travelling on the roads in North Donegal takes due

  It’s emerged that Milford Gardai are working in fear due to a lack of a patrol van at the station. The Irish Independent is reporting today that at present, Gardai there have to transport criminals in the patrol car with reports from officer that they are suffering an increase of verbal and physical abuse.

  Serious concern has been raised over the school transport system from Letterkenny to Milford with 17 students in limbo as to whether or not they have a place on the school bus this coming September. Parents claim they had been allocated a seat on the bus where told this week that was not the

The Department of Social Protection has activated its humanitarian assistance fund for Donegal residents. It follows devastating flooding earlier this week which has destroyed bridges and washed away roads. However the Department has not released details of how much money has been made available. Government Chief Whip Joe Mc Hugh has been visiting Inishowen with

Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty says her department is working to provide immediate financial supports to families and individuals affected by the severe weather and flooding in Donegal. The department has activated its Humanitarian Assistance Scheme which is available to assist people whose homes are damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential

Due to the current closure of the Quigleys Point to Muff road, the Foyle Ferry Service running between Greencastle & Macgilligan will be running an extended service today until 10pm to facilitate the travel needs of cars and lorries travelling in those directions. Donegal County Council says further updates on the status of this road

The IFA in Donegal says it will take some time before the extent of the devastation to farms in the county is known. County Donegal Vice Chair Brendan Mc Laughlin says the first priority is people who have lost their homes, and now it’s time to begin assessing the other flood damage. He says the IFA

The Government’s expected to announce emergency funding for flood victims in the North West this morning. At least 250 homes have been affected with 20 to 30 people in emergency accommodation following the unprecedented rainfall on Tuesday night. Bridges have collapsed and roads have been washed away with a major clean up operation now underway.

The North West’s three SDLP MLAs have written to other party leaders calling for urgent action to extend the Emergency Financial Assistance scheme for flood victims in Derry and Tyrone. Last evening, the Department for Communities confirmed that the scheme is open, and does not require ministerial sign-off, it is our belief that this scheme

Over 70mm of rainfall fell on Tuesday night over a 9 hour period causing mass destruction across the North West, with the Inishowen Penninsula the worst hit area. A special meeting of the Inishowen Municipal District takes place today to discuss the devastation and prepare detailed funding applications and submissions. The flash flooding gutted hundreds

There are calls for the Government to adopt a new approach to flood pervention and relief without delay. Deputy Eugene Murphy says the flash flooding that devastated the North West on Tuesday night highlights our unpreparedness to deal with the changing climate. Earlier this year, the Government announced a €200 million investment to tackle flood

The City of Derry Airport has published its revised schedule for Thursday The Airport was extensively damaged on Tuesday night following flash flooding which hit the North West, causing widespread devastation as many homes and businesses were destroyed. The airport was shut on Wednesday with flights having to be cancelled. The airport is due to reopen

Donegal County Council have been working tirelessly throughout the night and most of the day to assess the extensive damage and work towards repairing the county’s infrastructure. It is hoped the Cockhill Bridge and the Drumfree to Clonmany Road will reopen shortly. The Council have now advised that the road between Quigley’s Point and Muff

Hundreds of children in Donegal are now attending pre-school services which are more inclusive and in tune with individual needs. Figures show that 255 Donegal children have received supports including specialised equipment to support learning and development. The data is contained in a review undertaken by Donegal County Childcare which assessed the impact of government