Author name: oisinkelly

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

An emergency meeting is due to take place in Carndonagh tomorrow in response to the flooding aftermath in Inishowen. Inishowen Councillors will meet with Council staff tomorrow to assess the significant damage caused to the infrastructure and rivers in the locality. Deputy Mayor of the Inishowen Municipal District Council, Councillor Albert Doherty says they hope

North Donegal experienced very heavy rainfall last night resulting in extensive flooding on our roads. Driving conditions were very difficult and many roads had to be closed temporarily. The Inishowen Peninsula was the worst hit with widespread road closures and properties flooded. Since the rain stopped overnight the Council’s roads staff have been taking stock

A large number of families in Donegal are now homeless after last nights devastating floods. Houses and businesses have been destroyed particularly in the Inishowen area after torrential rain hit the county overnight. Harrowing stories have emerged today after what’s been described as an unprecedented crisis. Speaking on the 10 to 1 show today, Leo

It’s been confirmed that Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood relief will visit the county this evening. He will be joined by Minister Joe McHugh to access the extent of the damage and what government support is needed. Minister McHugh says it is important there is a proper response from

City of Derry Airport has been closed after the building was flooded extensively overnight. As a result, all flights in and out of the airport for today have been cancelled while a major clean-up operation gets underway. For more information, click on the following link: https://www.cityofderryairport.com/ Counties Derry and Tyrone have also been counting the

  Donegal County Council have begun assessing the extensive damage caused by last nights flooding. A number of roads and bridges have been washed away on the Inishowen Peninsula. One of the worst affected routes is the Muff to Greencastle Road, which usually sees large volumes of traffic. Gardaí are advising people not to make

Shocking details are emerging today over the level of devastation across Donegal following last nights flash flooding. A number of farmers in Inishowen have lost animals overnight while some homes and businesses have also suffered severe flood damage. Local Cllr Martin McDermott has been praising the emergency services and says it’s a miracle that nobody

Emergency services were stretched to the limit overnight after many areas in Donegal were hit with severe flooding. Inishowen is said to have been worst affected with the situation there being described as an unprecedented crisis. Some residents in Clonmany had to be rescued from their homes while numerous premises were flooded across the peninsula.

It’s emerged that two additional therapists have been employed at Pieta House in Letterkenny to cope with the rising demand in services. The centre, which provides counselling to those who may be having suicidal thoughts or who have been bereaved by suicide opened its doors just three months ago. Manager of Pieta House in Letterkenny

  A number of roads in the North West remain closed this morning after overnight flash flooding. Donegal County Council are advising to take care this morning when travelling on secondary routes. Extensive damage has been caused to the county’s road network with the Council now assessing damage. The road from Quigleys Point to Carndonagh

Donegal County Council says it receiving reports of extensive flooding across the county following Tuesday’s heavy fall of rain. The Council is advising against unnecessary travel and if you have to travel, to do so with extreme care. Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has taken to social media to highlight severe flooding in South Inishowen with many

  Motorists have been advised to exercise caution when out and about this evening following reports of flash flooding at various locations across the county. An orange weather alert for heavy rainfall and thunder remains in place until 11pm tonight. Areas in Letterkenny, Lifford and Stranorlar have been hit with flooding and there have also

  An initiative is being launched to promote the library service in Donegal, with a new video designed to outline the range of services being provided. The “Transform, Enrich, Inspire” video will be simultaneously launched at the Central Library in Letterkenny and the Library in Gaoth Dobhair tomorrow, with people being urged to attend both

Detectives in Derry have confirmed a viable pipe bomb was discovered outside a residential property in the Heron Way area of the city last night. Superintendent Gordon McCalmont has described it as a reckless act at the hands of what police believe to be a loyalist paramilitary gang. He says a brick was hurled through

New proposals could see motorists take an educational course instead of getting penalty points if caught speeding. The Road Safety Authority is in discussion with experts in the UK, where first time speeding offenders can waive a fine and the imposition of points, by opting to take an education course instead. Gary Doggett, who started

Police in Tyrone say they have charged a 21 year old man with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, and also with possession of class A and Class B controlled drugs. He is due to appear at Omagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 12 September. The charges follow the search of a property

A number of people have been evacuated from their homes in Derry as a security alert continues in the Heron Way area of the city. It follows the discovery of a suspicious object last night. Police are at the scene this morning.

There are calls for more campervan facilities to be introduced in Inishowen. Local Cllr Albert Doherty says while there are exisiting facilities on the peninsula, more sites are needed to cope with the huge influx of tourists predicted for next year. As the area looks forward to Ballyliffen Golf Club hosting the Irish Open in

It’s been confirmed that work on a new Cycle Pedestrian footbridge over the river Finn between Ballybofey and Stranorlar will begin within weeks. The new footbridge will be attached to the outside of the existing bridge facing Drumboe woods between the Mac Cumhail GAA grounds and St Marys Church. It’s expected that the bridge will

Rent prices in Donegal have increased by 11.5% in the second quarter of 2017 compared with the same period last year. According to the latest report by Daft.ie, the average rent in the county is now €595, up 22% from its lowest point. The county is the third cheapest in the country in which to

  A firearm and ammunition have been recovered at a halting site just outside Letterkenny. The planned searches were conducted by local Gardai at the Manorcunningham Halting site shortly after 12.15pm this afternoon. The firearm and ammunition along with other property were seized and are now the subject of forensic examination. Gardai say that no

Donegal Rose Amy Callaghan is among the 18 Roses set to take to the stage at the Festival Dome tonight. Over 1.7 million viewers are set to tune in to RTE One over the next two nights to watch the Rose of Tralee. The 2017 Rose Escort of the Year, as voted by the Roses

  The British government’s published two more position papers giving details of where it would stand with the EU, after Brexit. The documents focus on a range of issues including trade and data protection. Ministers say they’re aimed at giving companies and consumers ‘certainty and confidence’. It comes days before more Brexit talks take place