Author name: oisinkelly

  Minister of State for Flood Relief, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has called for a dedicated agency for Emergency Situations, following this week’s flooding in Donegal. He says such a move would mean that help could be on the ground within hours – instead of leaving the responsibility for dealing with major catastrophes on the shoulders

Former Highland Radio presenter Shaun Doherty was back on the airwaves today after departing from his iconic show last month.  Shaun was a guest on the Marian Finucane Show one RTÉ Radio 1 this morning as part of a panel reviewing this week’s top stories. One of the main topics up for discussion on the

  The Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed says the government needs to invest in flood relief measures to combat flooding such as that seen in Inishowen this week. He has also blamed the devastation on climate change, insisting the government needs to play its part in tackling the effects of global temperature changes. The Defence

  Support for victims of the recent flood is continuing through the weekend. It’s understood that a number of families have been given support by staff from the Department of Social Protection while council staff are continuing to provide accommodation to those left homeless. In a statement Minister Joe McHugh said that some families have

  Up to £270,000 has been paid out to date by Derry City and Strabane District Council to those affected by the floods last Tuesday. The Council has received over 560 requests for assistance under the Emergency Payment Scheme that has been made available by the Department for Communities to assist those worst affected by

  Midlands North West MEP Mairead McGuinness paid has been visiting Inishowen to witness the damaging impact of the recent flooding. The Vice President of the European Union says she hopes to co-ordinate with farming organisations on a cross-border basis after speaking with devastated farmers whose livestock was lost and crops destroyed. She says there is

The Irish Red Cross has confirmed that the Government have requested the Society to administer an emergency humanitarian support scheme to assist small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies affected by the devastating floods in Donegal. The details of the scheme are not yet known but it is believed that the Government will make an

Irish Water have advised that they are working to resolve incidents in Donegal arising from extreme weather of recent days The utility is working closely with Donegal County Council to address damage to water and wastewater infrastructure caused by the extreme rainfall of recent days. Over 70mm of rain fell in a 9 hour period

Following the Taoiseach’s visit, disappointment has been expressed that no commitment has been made to community facilities in Inishowen to aid in repairing the damage caused by the torrential rain that devastated the North West. Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue says he has been seeking a commitment from Central Government to provide funding for community and

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has visited Donegal to see firsthand the destruction caused to homes and businesses during Tuesday night’s flood. He travelled to the Peninsula yesterday afternoon where he met with council officials and local residents and has confirmed that funding will be provided by Central Government. The Taoiseach  says it is extraordinary that given the

Derry City and Strabane District Council says it will continue to work in close partnership with all agencies on the clean-up from the flooding earlier this week. The Council is reminding people whose homes have been affected by the floods that they need to register their details with Derry City and Strabane District Council and

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