Author name: oisinkelly

There were 13 patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, none of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That follows Wednesday, when there were 46 people awaiting in patient beds, the highest in the country. Yesterday, the figure was 21. Nationally, the INMO says there were 357 patients awaiting admission across the country this […]

Derry City Council is to consider a special CCTV camera in the Lower Strand Road area of the city to tackle the issue of boy racers. Councillor Mickey Cooper says the proposal has been made following discussions with police, and it follows efforts to deal with what has been an issue for some time. He

There’s been a 14% drop in the numbers on the Live Register in Donegal, with 13,333 people signing on last month compared to 15,536 in May 2016. All eight local offices in Donegal recorded falls in the numbers signing on, with 1,361 people on the register in Dungloe, a fall of 21%. There were 4,031

People are being urged to be vigilant and take care in and on the water or along the coastline this Bank Holiday weekend. With the summer holidays approaching, the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI are reminding everyone planning a trip to the coast or going out on the water to be mindful. Shane Smyth

The HSE in Donegal has come in for heavy criticism in the Dail over its handling of the Seaview Respite Home in Mountcharles. Deputy Thomas Pringle says despite numerous emails and calls to the HSE in Donegal, he was unable to get an answer as to the level of service and future services at the

Another business has been targeted by criminals in Carndonagh. Windows and doors of Five Keys Kitchen were smashed in the early hours of Thursday morning. It is just the latest in a sting of attacks on businesses, last month Carolina’s Hair and Make Up was broken into and money stolen prompting calls for the establishment

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says the public could do more to pressure the HSE and government to increase investment at Letterkenny University Hospital. Yesterday saw record numbers awaiting admission in its Emergency Department with 46 people waiting for a bed. The INMO says says nurses are concerned for the health and safety of

As the Fine Gael leadership race nears its end, Midlands North-West MEP, Mairead McGuinness says Simon Coveney shows clear determination, vision and leadership. The Midlands North-West MEP says the Housing Minister has shown his interest in both fishing and agriculture, two poignant sectors in which the economy in Donegal thrives. Having declared for Simon Coveney

  Police received a report of shots being fired in the Old School Lane area of Dery last night. A number of members of the public reported hearing the sound of 3 shots in the area shortly before 11.40pm. There were no reports of anyone being injured or any damage having been caused to properties.

  Gardai in Letterkenny have launched an investigation after a man was attacked in the town in the early hours of this morning. The incident happened on the Ramelton Road area of Letterkenny at approximately 4am following an altercation between a number of people. It’s understood that the man who is in 20s suffered a

It’s been confirmed that the existing courthouse in Letterkenny will not be sold. The historic building will be retained in public ownership with Donegal County Council overseeing its future use. There were fears locally that the building may be put on the market due to its prime location in the town. Cllr. Ciaran Brogan moved

Lotto chiefs have confirmed that last nights winning lotto ticket was sold in the North West. Last nights jackpot was a cool €2 million. The winning numbers were 15, 31,33,34,36,43, with the bonus number 39.

A Donegal County Councillor who spent a short time in a wheelchair in Donegal yesterday has described the experience as ‘an eye opener’. As part of world MS day Councillor John Campbell spent a time in a wheelchair to better understand the challenges faced by wheelchair users. He says even small imperfections in pavements and

  There was a slight increase in the numbers of babies born in Donegal last year. 1,900 were born last year just four more than 2015. Of those born in Donegal 986 were male and 914 were female. The majority of their mothers were in their 30s. 38 babies were borne to mothers under 20

Minister Leo Varadkar has appeared to contradicted the timeline given today by Minister Joe McHugh on when his department agreed to review benefits for seasonal workers. In a statement today Minister McHugh said the review was launched following a meeting between Killybegs workers’ representatives, Minister McHugh and Minister Varadkar in Gaoth Dobhair recently. But in

The INMO has given more details of the overcrowding crisis at Letterkenny University Hospital which saw 46 sick people without a bed making it the most overcrowded in Ireland. The organisation has called for action saying people were waiting for beds in an unsafe and unsatisfactory environment. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says the

CSO figures published this week show an increase in the number of recorded suicides in County Donegal last year. 20 suicides were recorded involving 13 males and 7 females – this is an increase of 20% on 2015. A total of 1,131 deaths were recorded in the county, a small reduction on the previous year.

Progress is being made on establishing a North West office in Brussels with a view of representing the region in the wake of Brexit. It’s understood that both Donegal County Council and Derry and Strabane District Council are considering the proposal and it is currently under review. Cllr. Ciaran Brogan put forward the motion at

  Letterkenny University Hospital was the most overcrowded in the country today with 46 people recorded as waiting  for a bed there this morning. According to the INMO, 26 people were waiting on trolleys while a further 20 were waiting on wards. As a result, the Full Capacity Protocol has been implemented and all efforts continue

  A major cross-border built heritage summer school gets underway next week. The purpose of the summer school is to highlight the importance and to encourage the conservation of historic buildings in the North West. The ‘Conservation without Frontiers’ Summer School runs from Wednesday, June 7 until Saturday, June 10 with events in Letterkenny, Tyrone

There’s an on-going security alert in Dungiven in County Derry. The alarm was raised earlier this morning following the discovery of a suspicious object on the Foreglen Road just outside the town. The Foreglen Road is closed from the Feeny Road junction to the Baranailt Road junction with diversions also in place at Killunaght Road

  An Inishowen Councillor is calling for Leenan Pier to be developed as a matter of priority. Cllr Albert Doherty says the project would not only maximise its tourism potential but would also ensure the sustainability and safety of the local fishing community there. The call follows other recent council works in the Urris area

Concern has been raised at the high level of illegal tyre dumping in rural areas of south Inishowen. It’s understood that there have been up to seven incidences discovered recently, most notably in Killea, Manorcunningham, Carrigans, Inch, Grainnes Gap and Bonemaine. The Council say that they dealing with the issue on an on-going basis however,

  Updated figures show that over 14,000 people are waiting to be seen or assessed by medical staff across the various Departments of Letterkenny University Hospital 3,000 of those people have been waiting for over 12 months to be seen. The figures were obtained by Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher who says they are alarming

  There are calls for fishermen in north Donegal to be allowed to gill net for white fish during the summer months. Councillor Martin McDemott says the move would not only allow owners of fishing boats up to 36 foot to supplement their income, it would also ease the over fishing of crab. The councillor

There has been strong condemnation of damage caused to property at St Eugene’s Primary School in Victoria Bridge. Two windows were broken at the school sometime over the weekend while several empty alcohol bottles and cans were found indicating it was being used as a drinking den The police are appealing for information. Local Councillor

The Department of Housing has defended its funding allocated to Donegal for grants to improve the homes of older people and people with a disability. Yesterday, Minister for Housing Simon Coveney announced that almost €60 million will be made available nationally but Donegal will receive just under €790,000. The Department of housing says that figure

The government has announced funding for piers in county Donegal. The piers at Glengad, Port Inver and Owey Island will receive €102,000 in today’s funding announcement which is additional funding from the Department of the Marine. Glengad is getting €30,000 towards the reconstruction of the quay wall while Port Inver has been allocated €27,000 for