Author name: oisinkelly

Figures released by Donegal County Council have revealed that the amount spent on the upkeep of footpaths in Donegal has decreased by over €200,000 over the last two years. In 2015, there was just over €573,000 spent on footpath repairs in the county compared with just over €300,000 last year. Cllr Gary Doherty obtained the […]

Four Supermarkets in Donegal are set to provide life saving equipment. A community led initiative has been launched by EUROSPAR in conjunction with CFR Ireland to provide life saving equipment and training across Ireland. Life saving defibrillators are due to be installed at EUROSPAR Supermarkets in Ramelton, Newtowncunningham, Gortahork and Lahey. In partnership with CFR

  An investigation has been launched into the death of a prisoner at Magilligan Prison, Derry. The 27 year-old prisoner died in custody this morning. In compliance with standard procedure, the PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have launched investigations into the death.

  Figures from the Courts Service of Ireland show that Donegal has the lowest rate of drink driving convictions over the past decade. The data was released to Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóibín and reveal that nationally the rate of drink driving convictions has been sliding dramatically for at least the last 10 years. In

There were 13,719 people on the Live Register in Donegal at the end of July, 45 up on the June figure, but 2,238 down on the numbers signing on in July of last year. That’s a year on year decrease of 14%. The steepest year on year fall in the numbers on the Live Register

The Taoiseach has fully restated his committment to the A5. Leo Varadkar is in Belfast today, his first trip to Northern Ireland since being elected Taoiseach. West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff was speaking to him earlier today, and says he has given him a personal commitment on the issue…………… >*

The Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI are issuing a joint call this Bank Holiday weekend urging people to be vigilant and to take care on the water and along the coastline. It comes as both organisations note that August was the busiest month for coastal recreational incidents last year. Irish lifeboat crews last August

It’s emerged that almost 100,000 people a year who use Knock Airport travel on to Donegal. Latest figures from the airport have revealed that 733,951 people flew through the airport last year with estimations that 13% of these then went on to Donegal. Research at the airport also concluded that 9% of departing passengers are

The prospect of an extra 54 beds in Letterkenny town centre is being welcomed by Municipal District Mayor Jimmy Kavanagh. The Donegal News is reporting that Mc Gettigans Hotel intends adding an extra floor to the building opposite the courthouse, as well as demolishing some buildings to the rear of the premises. A planning application

  Signage is to be erected in the coming weeks to inform residents in Derry of the presence of CCTV cameras in a bid to catch those involved in the practice of illegal dumping and dog fouling. The initiative has moved to its final stage with Rosemount to be the first area to have cameras

200 days since the government in Northern Ireland collapsed, the Taoiseach will visit Belfast this morning. Leo Varadkar will give a speech warning the clock is ticking on Brexit negotiations, and saying that  every aspect of life in Northern Ireland will be affected by Brexit. In a speech at Queen’s University Mr Varadkar will also stress

Images of Ballyliffin Golf Club will be broadcast to millions of golfers across America later this month. In conjunction with Tourism Ireland, Matt Ginella of NBC’s Golf Channel visited Donegal and the wider West of Ireland region to film a segement for his programme, Morning Drive. The programme will be broadcast to a huge audience

The Amharclann Theatre in Gaoth Dobhair has welcomed the allocation of €20,000 in funding for equipment. The announcement was made by Government Cheif Whip Minister Joe McHugh who hopes a second round of funding will be announced in the coming weeks. Chairperson of Amharclann Gaoith Dobhair, Pól MacCumhaill, says they are very pleased with the

The Western Trust has confirmed that Ward 5 at Altnagelvin Hospital has reopened following its closure last week due to an outbreak of the norovirus along with staff shortages. Medical Director, Dr Dermot Hughes, says the hospital continues to deal with Infection Prevention and Control issues on an ongoing basis. However, beds across the hospital

People are being warned to expect some traffic delays today in Carndonagh due to road resurfacing works. Work is currently underway at Ballyloskey Road junction and at Bridge St/Chapel Street junction. Local Cllr. Albert Doherty says work should be completed by this evening and is asking the public for their cooperaton in the interim:

Concern has been raised over changes to speed limits in the village of Convoy. The 50kmph speed limit has been increased 60kmph and repositioned further into the village following public consultation. Concerned local resident, Gerry Maguire has launched a petition calling on the council to reverse the changes due to the high volume of children

The Managing Director of healthcare company Randox Laboratories has said Brexit presents a challenge which will be overcome. Dr Peter Fitzgerald was speaking as the launched a number of new products at the world’s largest diagnostics conference, which finishes in San Diego today. 30 delegates from Randox have been attending the diagnostics conference in San

It’s emerged that Donegal County Council do not keep a record of the number of disabled car parking spaces in Donegal. Inishowen Cllr Martin McDermott made the discovery after submitting a question to the Council when residents contacted him over a lack of designated spaces available at various locations in the county. Cllr Martin McDermott

Concern has been raised over severe water discolouration in the Greencastle area. Residents say that their water supply has been deteriorating for at least two months now with fears locally over the danger it potentially poses to health and safety. Donegal County Council and Irish Water are currently in the process of pumping water from

A committee is being formed in a bid to keep the swimming pool and leisure centre at the Bay View Hotel, Killybegs, from closing on September 1st. At a public meeting last night, the hotel’s Managing Director Henry Coleman said the leisure centre had lost €70,000 last year, and €30,000 for the first five months

A monument will be unveiled this Sunday on Arranmore Island to commemorate the Arranmore lifeboat crew who rescued 18 passengers off a Dutch cargo vessel which got into difficulty off the Donegal coast in December 1940. Ten crew members of the Dutch vessel lost their lives after the ship got into difficulties when it hit

A Donegal man who had been missing from his Dublin home has been located safe and well. 57 year-old Joseph Bernard Kelly had last been seen yesterday morning in the Ballinabolla area of Co Wexford. Last night, gardai confirmed he had been found. ************************************ Gardaí  are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of

Gardaí  are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Donegal man 57 year-old Joseph Bernard Kelly who is missing from the Stillorgan area of Dublin. The 57 year-old was last seen this morning at approximately 10am in the Ballinabolla area of Co Wexford, cycling a bicycle with a trailer which has a yellow

The DUP leader says the Taoiseach’s comments hoping that Brexit won’t happen, are disrespecting the will of the British people. Arlene Foster says that Leo Varadkar needs to accept that Brexit is going ahead. Ms Foster added that she hopes that Ireland will continue to work with the north and the UK to ensure the

A major rescue operation involving up to 70 people is underway in the Mourne Mountains in Co Down. It’s reported army cadets – some as young as 12 – got into difficulty on the mountain. Up to 16 people are being treated for the effects of hypothermia. The Mourne Mountain Rescue, Coastguard helicopters and ambulance

An emergency meeting between local representatives and Irish Water has taken place over an on-going sewerage slick in Dungloe Bay. A number of residents raised health and safety concerns recently over an apparent slick in the water. It’s understood that the meeting heard that it is not Irish Water’s responsibility to investigate the slick however

A Donegal man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent on former Derry City footballer, Barry Molloy. Martin Cheung, 39 of Ardban, Muff appeared at Derry Magistrates Court charged with possessing an offensive weapon, namely a glass and causing grievous bodily harm with intent on May 29th. A police officer has connected

It’s been confirmed that a minor earthquake occurred off the Donegal coast this morning. The alarm was first raised by a number of residents in the Milford area after feeling a slight tremor at approximately 6.45am. It’s understood that the earthquake struck off the Fanad peninsula but could be felt for miles inland. Tom Blake,

The mother of an 18-year-old Donegal man killed by a drink driver who was driving at 165 kph is welcoming the introduction of legislation recognising driving disqualifications across the island of Ireland. Shane Patton was killed in a two vehicle collision in Drumkeen 5 years ago. The driver of the other car, Eamonn Lynch was

It’s been claimed that the allocation of 2 additional staff to Glenveagh National Park is not sufficient to cope with the surge in visitor numbers and staff shortages. Last year 176,444 people visited Glenveagh National Park – the highest number on record. However, Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue says staffing levels have fallen year on year

  A number of Donegal environmental projects are to share over €36,000 in Government funding. The Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund supports local environmental initiatives by communities, individuals and not-for-profit groups. €460,000 of funding is available nationally for this year with local authorities to match that allocation. Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh says while the allocation

Irish Water is investing €2.7m million in flow monitoring and performance sampling equipment in wastewater treatment plants across the North and West region as part of a nationwide project which the utility say will provide enhanced protection for our rivers and coastal waters. The project will also allow Irish Water to identify where investment is

The first report on how to achieve a peaceful reunification of Ireland will be published today. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement says the Government must now open up dialogue on the future of the island. The report comes at a time of uncertainty for Northern Ireland in particular,

The Chair of the Letterkenny Food Bank has made an emotional appeal for information after yet another break in at the premises. It’s understood that criminals broke in at some stage on Monday night and made off with new CCTV cameras. The valuable equipment had just been installed in recent days after the property had

A Donegal County Councillor has reiterated his call for urgent safety measure works to be carried out in Carrigans. It’s after yet another minor crash in the village this week. Cllr Paul Canning believes that road safety improvements there must take precedence over other planned works in Donegal. He says action must be taken now

Serious concern has been raised after vital lifesaving equipment has been damaged along the river in Sion Mills. It’s believed that the incident happened at some stage over the weekend and was noticed by a passer-by this week. Police in Strabane are asking river users to report any criminal damage by contacting them on 101.