Author name: oisinkelly

  Donegal is becoming a more expensive holiday destination. That’s according to Donegal Hotelier Paul Diver who was responding to news that there’s been an over six percent drop in the number of British tourists since the start of the year. There has however been an overall increase of three per cent in the first […]

The Ulster Farmer’s Union and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs are holding a number of advice clinics across Tyrone and Derry following last week’s flooding. Practical help will be available to anyone affected by the flash flooding at 3 clinics over the coming days from 9am to 5pm. Beginning today, at Glenelly

Following the announcement of the new flood relief scheme for small businesses and sporting organisations, Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue says the government must ensure that the new scheme can be applied for from today. He’s also demanding that clarity is provided on supports available to businesses and farmers, as well as sporting groups. He says

  The trial of a man from Derry accused of attending a terrorist training camp in Syria has been postponed until next week. Jurors have already been sworn in at Omagh Crown Court. 28-year-old Eamon Bradley who lives on the Creggan Estate in Derry denies all the charges against him.

  The Donegal Road Safety Working Group is reminding motorists, cyclists and children to take extra care on our roads around the county as schools return once again after the summer holidays. People are being warned that traffic will increase while there will also be more pedestrians to watch out for. Road Safety Officer with

Serious concern has been raised over what’s been described as the Governments lack of strategic vision to regenerate the North West. Deputy Marc Mac Sharry believes that the region is suffering as a result of the Government’s repeated failures in rural policy, and claims this is preventing the North West from reaching its full potential.

  A man has been jailed for four years in Romania after blackmailing a Co. Tyrone teenager who later took his own life. 17 year old Ronan Hughes died by suicide in June 2015 after being tricked into posting images of himself on-line. 31 year old Yulian Enache pleaded guilty to blackmail and making indecent

It’s emerged the latest round of flood relief for small business and sporting organisations does not cover sports pitches, with Donegal Deputy and Government Chief Whip Joe Mc Hugh saying the Sports Minister is looking at how that can be addressed. Meanwhile, the Dapartment of Social Protection and Donegal County Council are moving to clarify

The Chair of the Inishowen Municipal District has made and urgent appeal for any rental properties available on the peninsula which could house families displaced by the disastrous flooding. It’s understood that one week on, eight families are still living in hotels due to a shortage of available housing. Cllr Jack Murray says with a

It’s been confirmed that Local Improvement Schemes are to be reinstated. LIS provides funding for the upkeep of small private and access roads which are not maintained by local authorities but are important for access. The scheme was withdrawn in 2011, with councillors and local communities calling for its urgent restoration ever since. Cllr Micheal

The trial is due to begin this morning of a Derry man accused of attending a terrorist training camp in Syria Eamon Bradley from the Creggan is also facing weapons and explosives charges dating back to the alleged incident in 2014. The 28-year-old denies the charges. A jury of six women and six men have

Two million euro has been set aside for businesses and organisations affected by last week’s flooding in Donegal. The Minister with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe says the emergency humanitarian assistance will be provided to those who were unable to secure flood insurance. A similar measure was introduced as a result of Storm Desmond, which

  It has been another busy day for Donegal County Council and communities across Inishowen as they continue to recover from the devastating floods from Tuesday last. Roads Update Donegal County Council can confirm that a bailey bridge has been secured from the Defence Forces as a temporary bridge structure for use on the R240

  The Deputy Leader of Sinn Fein says much uncertainty still surrounds what supports are available to businesses, community centres, sports clubs and farmers following last week’s flooding. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald is in Inishowen today visiting flood hit communities across the peninsula. Describing the scale of damage there as devastating and unprecedented, Deputy McDonald

  Two people have been rescued after getting into difficulty in the water in Rathmullen. The alarm was raised at approximately 1.20 yesterday afternoon with the two casualties assisted by the Lough Swilly RNLI and two Rathmullen lifeguards. They were then recovered from the water by the Lough Swilly ferry. The crew of the Lough

  Despite the Council currently having already recorded 300 sections of the Inishowen Roads Network as damaged, it’s anticipated that the figure will rise significantly in the coming days. The Director of Emergency Services and Finances with Donegal County Council is Gary Martin, he says there is still a great deal of assessment work to

It’s reported that Donegal Airport wants to see more “through connections” with flights linking Dublin with airports in the UK and mainland Europe. This would allow people buy a single ticket from Donegal to those airports via the airport’s Dublin service, and make the transfer at Dublin far more smooth. According to fora.ie, the dossier

A fatality on the main road in Carrigans is imminent if urgent safety measure works are not implemented. That’s according to Cllr. Paul Canning, who was speaking after another crash in the village this week. Cllr. Canning has made numerous representations on the issue over the last number of years. He estimates that a crash

47 families have registered with Donegal County Council as being displaced following the floods last week and this includes 21 families in Burnfoot, 14 in Buncrana and the remainder in Carndonagh, Muff, Clonmany and Malin. The Council is working closely with each family on a case by case basis with a view to determining what

A special follow-up meeting of Inishowen Municipal District councillors has heard that 300 sections of road on the Inishowen network have been deemed faulty following last weeks flooding. Members were briefed by council officials on the extent of damage across the peninsula and possible costings for extensive repair work. The Council is due to meet again

Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald is due to visit the Inishowen peninsula later today to see first-hand the damage caused by last week’s floods. Deputy McDonald will meet with local residents, businesses’ and community centres affected by the floods. Caothairleach of the Inishowen Municipal District Cllr Jack Murray says her visit will be

Gardai are appealing for information following the theft of a tractor. The Massey Ferguson was stolen from the Drumkeen area in the early hours of this morning. Anyone with information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 0749167100. The owner is also offering a reward to anyone with information regarding this theft.

  The HSE has set up a helpline for people affected by the recent flooding in Inishowen. The helpline is available from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. The HSE has also provided an information leaflet ‘Coping with Flooding’ which has been distributed widely in the community. This leaflet outlines the common reactions people often experience after

  The Fianna Fail leader has branded the Governments response to the flooding crisis in Inishowen so far as insufficient. Micheal Martin has since given a commitment that he and his party would keep the devastating aftermath very much in the Dáil focus. Speaking on the 10 to 1 show earlier, Micheal Martin said that

Britain’s Brexit Secretary is calling for “flexibility and imagination” as the third round of talks begins in Brussels ahead of the UK leaving the European Union. David Davis wants discussions to broaden to future trade relations. But EU officials insist not enough progress has been made on issues including the Irish border. Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist

Another school bus crisis is developing in Donegal, with not enough places available on the bus serving the national school in Gleneely. Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn says up to four families have been told that there are not concessionary places for their children, even if they had a place last term. He says these decisions

The Small Firms Association says economic growth cannot be taken for granted. Launching it’s pre-budget submission today, it says the Government must deliver on it’s commitment to end discrimination against the self-employed. SFA Chairperson and business owner Sue O’Neill says it’s vital to create an environment that supports small business……………

The UK’s Brexit Secretary is demanding the European Commission be more flexible as a third round of formal Brexit talks get under way. David Davis is meeting the EU’s negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels, before a team then look at all the technical details. The status of the Irish border is one again on the

Members of the Inishowen Municipal District will hold a follow up meeting with Council Officials later this morning following an emergency meeting last week in the immediate aftermath of the flooding. The meeting will assess further costings for repairs to infrastructure, as well as homes and businesses. Deputy Mayor Cllr. Albert Doherty is hopeful that

More than sixty families have been given financial aid since last week’s floods in Donegal – and there’s further help available for others. Donegal deputy and Government Chief WhipJoe McHugh says further supports are also being made available and Donegal County Council staff are assisting 40 families in securing new accommodation. He’s urging everyone affected