Author name: oisinkelly

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.

  Irish drivers who are disqualified in the UK will now have their ban applied here. The Transport Minister has signed an order ensuring that the UK and Ireland will both recognise disqualifications obtained in the other country. It will affect drivers disqualified for dangerous driving, hit and runs, and drink-driving. Chief Inspector of Criminal

A number of childcare facilities in Donegal are to share €70,000 in funding. The funding is part of a nationwide allocation which will be used to create extra childcare places in the county. Groups located in Buncrana, Carndonagh, Greencastle, Glenties, Killygordon and Letterkenny are to share the allocation. Cllr Terance Slowey says the funding will

There are renewed calls for the location of public toilets in the Twin Towns. Cllr Patrick Mcgowan says with public toilet facilities being opened all over the county some in quiet remote areas ,it is time for the Council to either lease facilities from an existing business or to built and manage a new facility

There’s been a sharp drop in the number of patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital with seven waiting this morning, compared to 23 yesterday. Of the seven, six were on Emergency Department trolleys according to the INMO. Nationally, University Hospital Limerick was again the most overcrowded this morning with 37 people waiting there. In

A shooting incident in the Racecourse Drive area of Derry has been condemned. Shots were fired at a house shortly after 9.30 last night. Police say four children and a man escaped injury in the attack, and are appealing for information. Foyle MLA Raymond Mc Cartney says there is no place for guns on Derry’s

Minister Jim Daly has moved to confirm that an answer given to a Dail question over future of three community hospitals in Donegal was the wrong one. In answer to the question tabled last week by Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher, Minister Daly said the proposed nursing unit in Letterkenny would replace existing long-stay accommodation

Irish Water has invited local representatives  to put a case together for an upgrade to the South Inishowen Supply. A meeting between Irish Water and councillors took place last week, with the utility asking for as many human impact stories as possible to be submitted. The South Inishowen area has experienced numerous water outages over

  It’s been confirmed that safety measures will be carried out at a notorious blackspot in Donegal. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has agreed to €2M in upgraded works for the Cappry stretch of the N15 just outside Ballybofey. As part of the overall scheme pavement strengthening works will also take place from Lidl up to the

The Taoiseach says he still hopes Brexit won’t happen. Last week, Leo Varadkar took a defiance stance saying the Government wasn’t going to help design an economic border as Brexit wasn’t Ireland’s idea. This afternoon, he said at the very least he hopes the UK will stay in the single market and the customs union.

  A warning has been issued by Mulroy Coastguard after a lion’s mane jellyfish washed up on Downings beach at the weekend.  The harmful sting of the jellyfish has been known to cause severe pain and anaphylactic shock. The coastguard is urging the public to be cautious, stay clear of the jellyfish and report any

There were 23 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the INMO. 10 people were on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 13 were waiting on wards. University Hospital Limerick was the most overcrowded this morning with 31 people waiting there. Nationally, there were 287 people waiting

Minister Joe McHugh has said he has been reassured by the HSE that the health body is committed to a €5.6M upgrade to two community hospitals in the county and the retention of services including long stay beds. Minister McHugh said the HSE locally had once again reiterated its proposals to spending €3.5M on St

A ministerial response to a question tabled by Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher seems to confirm the end of long stay accommodation at three community hospitals in Donegal. In his response, MInister Jim Daly says “it is proposed to build a new 130 bed community nursing unit in Letterkenny by the end of 2021, through

It’s emerged that only 2 out of 607 new IDA supported companies have located in Donegal over the past ten years. Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said he’s reachd that conclusion after an analysis of parlimentary question responses and IDA reports since 2008. It is, he claims, a “damning indictment of the job creation policies of

Sinn Féin will tell the British Government today that a deal to restore the Stormont Executive is only possible if rights are implemented and agreements honoured. Speaking ahead of a meeting with British Secretary of State James Brokenshire in Belfast, Sinn Féin negotiator Conor Murphy says when talks resume, they should be ‘short, focused and

Sinn Fein says the DUP needs to stop ‘throwing rattles out of the pram’ and face up to the harsh consequences of a hard Brexit. The party’s Brexit Spokesperson says there is no good Brexit for Ireland and the DUP is failing citizens in the North. Deputy David Cullinane claims the DUP strategy is to

Today marks the 45th anniversary of the Claudy bomb attacks in Derry. 9 civilians were killed in 3 car bomb explosions in what became known as Bloody Monday. All of the main churches in the area will be taking part in an open air service this evening to remember the victims. Kenny Donaldson is Director

A Donegal Deputy has called on the Government to end what he termed  its policy of neglect and spin with regard to the Buncrana three school campus. Last week the prospect of a meeting with Minister Richard Bruton was welcomed with Minister Joe McHugh saying progress was being made on securing a site for the

A post mortem examination is due to take place today on the body of a 57 year old diver who drowned off the coast of Donegal on Friday. John Alwright got into difficulties while out with a group of divers near Portnablagh.   Mr Alwright, from Langford, Bedfordshire, was in Donegal with a group of

Changes to the Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016 has been welcomed. Government Chief Whip Minister Joe McHugh has welcomed the announced amendments which enable local breweries in Donegal to operate tours and sell alcohol. Minister McHugh says the new laws will allow the brewery and the new Sliabh Liag distillery to operate tours

Police in Derry are investigating reports of sectarian graffiti in the Bonds Street and Duddy’s Court areas. Police say a number of reports were received of sectarian slogans having been painted at both locations sometime last evening and today. Enquiries are ongoing and Inspector Ray Wilson would appeal to anyone with information to contact police

A Derry Councillor has condemned an attack on Council Community Wardens in the Galliagh Park area of the city. On Friday night last Community Wardens were on duty when their van was vandalised. Councillor Caoimhe McKnight said she has spoken with local residents who are outraged by the attack. Councillor McKnight has praised the wardens