Author name: oisinkelly

A Westminster deal between the British Conservative Party and the DUP is thought to be edging closer, as efforts to restore the institutions at Stormont continue in Belfast. This morning, Ireland’s church leaders have written to all of the Northern parties, urging them to reach a deal on power sharing. Sinn Féin and the DUP

Over 400 lamb carcasses have been destroyed following an outbreak of sarcocytosis. According to The Irish Times, lambs at meat plants across the country have been destroyed after being found to contain the disease which can be transmitted to humans. Michael Chance, Chairman of the Donegal Executive of the IFA has confirmed that the outbreak

With just 17 new Gardai allocated to Donegal in the past three years there are calls for the county to be prioritised when 600 trainees graduate this year. Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue has described this figure of 17 as abysmal. He is now calling on Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan to ensure Donegal receives an increased

The leaders of Ireland’s main churches have written a joint letter to the northern parties, urging them to reach agreement on the restoration of power sharing. The religious leaders are calling on the five main parties “to go the extra mile”. They say an agreement will be “for the common good of all in our

Detectives in Derry are investigating an assault on a teenager in the early hours of this morning in the Creggan area of the city. At approximately 4am the 19 year-old man was walking between Glenowen Park and Forrest Park when he was set upon by three males. The victim was struck a number of times

Allegations of suspected social welfare fraud have risen to an average of 500 per week, according to the Social Protection Minister. Regina Doherty says around 5000 complaints have been received in the past two months – a 50% rise on the same period last year. It follows an anti-fraud campaign launched in April by her

A 50 year-old man has been jailed for 12 months and ordered to pay £5000 in compensation after defrauding his fiancée and her family out of thousands of pounds. Matt Jaeger of Albany Street Lane, Edinburgh pleaded guilty to eight charges of fraud by false representation at Derry Magistrates Court. Jaeger who has been on

A Donegal Deputy is calling on the Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to ensure that an emergency crisis aid fund for tillage farmers is established as soon as possible. Many farmers, particularly in Donegal had their crop destroyed last year due to unseasonable weather with most still counting the cost ever since. Earlier this week it

Questions are being asked over the level of health and safety measures being implemented during broadband upgrade works in West Donegal. It’s been claimed that a number of residents are concerned in relation to man holes being left open and unattended. It’s feared that should a tourist or someone unfamiliar with the area be travelling

A warning has been issued to farmers in Donegal following the theft of a number of sheep in the east of the county. Two seperate incidents have been reported in recent days – one in the Raphoe area at some stage last weekend. It’s understood that in the other case, the stolen sheep were recovered

Almost two million euro has been announced in funding for Ireland’s regional airports. Minister Shane Ross says the 1.94 million will go towards safety and security projects at Ireland West Airport Knock, Waterford and Kerry. Donegal Airport receives €22,500, substantially lower than others. However, with further grants to be announced later this year, Deputy Pat

  There were 13 people waiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning. According to the INMO there were six waiting on trolleys while a further seven were waiting on wards. University Hospital Limerick was the most overcrowded in the country today with 41 people waiting there. Nationally, there were 280 people waiting for a

The Cathaiorleach of Donegal County Council says there are questions to be asked about the HSE’s confirmation that further fire proofing works are needed at the new Emergency Department and Medical Bloc at Letterkenny University Hospital. It’s been confirmed that a phased series of closures and restrictions will be needed to allow the works take

The number of planning permissions granted for new dwellings in Donegal in the first quarter of the year was double the figure for the first three months of 2016. CSO figures released this morning show 88 new dwellings given permission between January and March this year, compared to 44 in the same period last year.

The North FLAG, Fisheries Local Action Group, Strategy Fund is being formally launched at the Maritime Museum in Greencastle today. The fund will deliver €468,000 in investment across 31 distinctive marine projects for the region. The launch, which cooincides with the two day Laurentic Festival was told that the initiative is designed to support and

It’s been confirmed that a suspect device found at Cornshell Fields in Derry last night was a viable explosive device Local councillor Sandra Duffy says the actions of those involved in leaving this device are to be “condemned outright”. She says Cornshell Fields is an area with a very high young population, with a lot

The new bloc at Letterkenny University Hospital  is now facing ward closures over fire safety concerns. The HSE has confirmed the emergency department and medical bloc at the hospital needs fireproofing works, despite the fact that it has a modern fire alarm detection system and significant fire protection measures. However, the HSE is stressing there is

As Border Communities Against Brexit prepare to mark the first anniversary of the Brexit vote with a demonstration at Stormont, EU leaders are continuing a two-day summit in Brussels today. Last night, British Prime Minister Theresa May sought to allay the fears of EU citizens living in the UK, saying any EU citizen in the

Derry City and Strabane District Council has launched a consultation process ahead of the preparation of a regional arts and culture strategy for the next five years. The Co-Design group comprising of local representatives from a range of arts and culture disciplines held its first meeting last week and will host a series of workshops

Thousands of people in South Inishowen are once again without water this morning after what’s been described as a major burst in Fahan. Cllr Jack Murray, Cathaiorleach of the Inishowen Municipal District says he’s already been in contact with Irish Water, and will be making it clear that the ongoing pattern of disruption in the

Donegal County Council and Failte Ireland are advising the public that road surfacing works will take place at Ardmalin, Malin Head next week. The works are being carried out as part of the Malin Head Access and Amenity Improvement Project and as a result, access to the road will be limited. In the interest of health &

The Irish government says it’s calling for special status for the North after Brexit – the first time it’s done so. Up to now the government was reluctant to seek special status because it could have knock-on effects for other regions in Europe. But foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney says it’s now something Ireland will