Author name: oisinkelly

The man accused of raping and murdering Donegal woman Danielle McLaughlin has claimed three friends killed her in front of him despite his trying to save her. Vikat Bhagat, who is currently in custody awaiting trial, has written a 29-page letter to his sister detailing the events which he claims led up to Danielle’s death […]

A man in his 70s, who was involved in a car crash on the Ballyshannon to Donegal Road, has died from his injuries. The crash involving a lorry and a car occurred at the Ballintra / Rossnowlagh junction on Monday afternoon. The dead man, who was in the car, is understood to be a visitor

Donegal Road Safety Officer has urged people not to use their mobile phones whilst driving pointing out that distracted driving could be a factor in 20-30% of all collisions in Ireland. Almost 28,000 people were detected holding a mobile phone while driving in 2016 and on average every day, 76 people are detected using their

Donegal County Council is to discuss a possible twinning arrangement between Grianan of Aileach and Tullach Og Fort near Cookstown in County Tyrone. The issue has been raised by Cllr Jack Murray, who says it has massive potential in terms of attracting tourism. A deputation from Tyrone, including representatives from Mid-Ulster council, is coming to

Junior Minister for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan will meet with members of Donegal County Council today on the second leg of a two day visit to the county. Among the topics on the agenda will be the Donegal Tourism Strategy, which sets out to develop iconic attractions in the county with a view of

  A Donegal County Councillor is calling on the Health Minister to take action once and for all on issues facing Letterkenny University Hospital. The call come after the hospital was the most overcrowded in the country yesterday, with 39 people waiting to be admitted, 19 of them in the hospital’s Emergency Department. It was a

A Donegal Deputy is welcoming the Agriculture Ministers decision to extend the deadline for applications for the Knowledge Transfer Group scheme until the end of July. Concern had been raised that farmers would miss out on the funding because they had been unable to complete their applications for the scheme online. It’s understood that IT

Nearly 1000 people are set to descend on Killybegs with the arrival of a luxury cruise ship there tomorrow morning. The MS Astor is to make its maiden voyage to Killybegs, with an estimated arrival time of 8.30am tomorrow morning.   The German cruise ship will then stay until late afternoon. Local Councillor Niamh Kennedy says

Police in Strand Road are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of Sam Christopher Comber, also known as Sam Harold, who was last seen in the city on Sunday last. It is believed the 39-year-old bought items from a supermarket in the Quayside area at approximately 2:25pm before cycling towards the Peace Bridge. The bike

Two men – aged 27 and 40 – have been arrested in connection with the murder of a Police Constable Ronan Kerr six years ago. The 25-year-old was killed by a booby-trap car bomb in Omagh, County Tyrone in April 2011. Two suspects were taken into custody from prison.

  The Full Capacity Protocol has been implemented at Letterkenny University Hospital this afternoon following a sharp rise in sick people awaiting admission. It comes as the hospital was the most overcrowded in the country today with almost 40 people waiting for a bed. The Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital remains extremely busy today

Creative businesses in Donegal are keen to work together and collaborate on projects, and are keen to learn how they might do that. That’s one of the key findings of a new survey conducted by final year marketing students at Letterkenny IT in conjunction with the Local Enterprise Office. The survey explored the opportunities for

  It’s emerged that the on-going backlog in processing and payment of the State maternity benefit is centered around staffing issues in the department in Buncrana. A number of women, both pregnant and who have already given birth, have spoken out about the ongoing delays with thousands waiting months before their claim is processed or receiving

  A Derry councillor has expressed concern at how police conducted a drugs raid in the Carnhill area of the city on Sunday night last. At one point, Cllr Brian Tierney says there were over 150 people gathered at the scene as police in boiler suits and masks searched a house. Police seized a quantity

There were 39 patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 19 of them on Emergency Department trolleys and 20 in overflow areas and on the wards. That was the highest figure in the country this morning, followed by the Mater in Dubllin on 37 and University Hospital Galway on 31. Nationally, the INMO

A West-Galway TD believes there’s a serious lack of spending on rural projects. Deputy Eamon O’Cuiv claims only a fraction of the money allocated for work in 2016 has been spent. He’s also highlighting the fact that much of the money set aside for Leader has not been allocated, an issue highlighted last week by

Transport Minister Shane Ross is being urged to sanction a Donegal County Council application to have a number of  roads in the county reclassified. The council’s Roads and Transport Policy Committee says some local county roads need to be upgraded to regional status due to an increase in traffic, while the R238 in Inishowen should

Calls for explicit recognition of the special status of Northern Ireland and the border counties are growing, with Sligo, Leitrim and South Donegal TD Marc Mac Sharry the latest to call for special status in the upcoming Brexit negotiations. Deputy Mac Sharry says it’s vital to ensure that all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement

Two cyber security firms have suggested a North Korea-linked organisation is behind the attack that’s crippled compuer systems around the world. Lazarus Group is thought to have targeted Sony Pictures in 2014. Here at home, the Cabinet will be briefed on the fallout from the virus later. The HSE’s external IT networks will also remain

The Taoiseach’s hinted he may announce plans to step down as Fine Gael leader this week. Enda Kenny was expected to make the announcement on Wednesday – sparking a leadership contest, and a parliamentary party vote on June 7th. But that was thrown into doubt when it was confirmed he’ll be away on a trade

There were 23 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the latest trolley watch report. 14 people were waiting on trolleys while a further 9 were waiting on wards. University Hospital Limerick was the most overcrowded today with 35 people waiting there. Nationally, there were 325 people waiting for

Emergency services are currently attending the scene of a serious road traffic crash in Ballintra. The crash between a lorry and car happened on the Ballyshannon – Donegal Town road earlier this afternoon. At least one person is thought to be seriously injured. As a result the road remains closed at this time and diversions

The funeral has taken place today in Derry of Brendan Duddy, the businessman who played a key role in resolving contentious parading issues in the city. He also facilitated early talks and contacts which were crucial in the lead up to the peace process. His work in that regard earned him the title “Derry’s secret

Students hoping to get a bed in new accommodation due to come on-stream in Dublin next year could have to pay more than 900 euro a month in rent. That’s according to a report from Knight Frank estate agents. Full-time student numbers have jumped by a third in the past ten years in the capital,

Heritage and culture organisations are being urged to register events for Heritage Week, with the end of this month the closing date for registration. Over 450,000 people are expected to participate in over 2,000 heritage events around the country during Heritage Week in August, last year saw over 100 events in Donegal. This year National

Derry based Global Equipment Spares Limited is more than doubling its workforce over the next three years as part of a strategy to grow its export sales six-fold. With support from Invest Northern Ireland GES, which is located at Campsie Industrial Estate, is investing £1.9million to upgrade its facility, purchase new machinery and create 61

It is hoped that the Maternity Theatre at Letterkenny University Hospital, which has been disused for 13 years, will open in 2018. Deputy Pearse Doherty has been told by hospital management that commissioning the bespoke maternity theatre at the hospital is now being treated as a matter of priority. Deputy Doherty has welcomed the news

A long awaited resource for people contemplating taking their own lives, or affected by the death of a loved one who has done so, will be available in Donegal from this morning. Pieta House North West will open in Letterkenny at 10 o’clock. Pieta House provides a free, therapeutic approach to people who are in

A Donegal Deputy is called for more resources to open up new agri markets after Brexit. Deputy Charlie McConalogue says he’s been told there are only five officals in the Department’s market access unit, a figure he describes as ‘woefully inadequate’. Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue has criticised Minister Michael Creed for his allocation of limited

A Donegal councillor says a lack of bins at Rossknowlagh Beach may prompt people to bring their rubbish home. Last week concerns were raised over the state Rossnowlagh beach was left in following a spate of good weather. Reports of large amounts of litter being left by visitors angered locals in the area, prompting a