Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal Junior Minister Joe McHugh is backing Leo Varadkar in the race for the leadership of Fine Gael. His decision was made public this lunchtime and had been expected. Leo Varadkar visited Donegal earlier this month and stated the county would be a priority for him if he were to become Taoiseach. Minister Joe McHugh

Housing Minister Simon Coveney has officially launched his bid to become the next leader of Fine Gael. Standing outside the party’s HQ in the last few minutes he said he wanted to heal the divisions that have opened in Ireland over the last decade. He’s also unveiled his election posters and is filing his nomination

There were 27 people awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, seven of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That’s two down on yesterday’s figure, and 10 down on Tuesday, when the hospital was the mopst overcrowded in the country, forcing the implementation of the Full Capacity Protocol. Nationally, the INMO says there were 406

Police in India says they have ruled out all other suspects in the murder of Donegal backpacker Danielle McLaughlin. It was reported yesterday that chief suspect Vikat Bhagat had accused three friends, in a 29-page letter to his sister, of murdering Danielle. Herald Goa names the three suspects who were “picked up as suspects” but

Deputations from three Donegal schools seeking major building projects are travelling to the Dail today for meetings with Education Minister Richard Bruton and department officials. The three schools are Scoil Adhamhnain in Luinnaigh, Derrybeg, St Marys National School, Stranorlar and Gaelscoil Na gCeithre Maistrí, Donegal Town. The visit has been organised by Leas Ceann Comhairle

  Three quarters of Ireland’s bathing waters are of “Excellent” quality for a third year in a row. In Donegal, 21 beaches are included in the survey, 15 of them are rated ‘excellent’. The Donegal beaches rated ‘excellent’ are Ballyheirnan, Bundoran, Carrickfinn, Culdaff, Downings, Drumnatinny, Fintra, Killahoey, Marble Hill, Murvagh, Naran, Port Arthur, Portsalon, Rossknowlagh

Those behind the latest theft of life saving equipment from the riverside in Strabane have been accused of reckless behaviour which could cost lives. During a recent training exercise, the local Mourne Search and Rescue team noticed a life ring had been removed from its location behind Supervalue in the town. It was either taken

A Donegal County Councillor is calling for the opening times of An Grianan of Ailleach to be extended during the summer months. It follows a call from Councillor Jack Murray yesterday to have the landmark twinned with Tullach Og Fort in County Tyrone. However Cllr Paul Canning believes that the current closing time of 8.30pm

Enda Kenny will stand down as Fine Gael leader at midnight. The Taoiseach has triggered the leadership contest to replace him at his parliamentary party in the last few minutes. Mr Kenny’s taken to twitter to announce the decision saying he will continue to carry out his duties as Taoiseach in full. A new Fine

There were 29 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the latest trolley watch report. There were 9 people on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 20 were waiting on wards. The figure is down 10 on yesterday number of 39 which saw Letterkenny University Hospital ranked

LEADER groups are in Dublin today for a meeting with Minister Heather Humphries at which the delay in allocating and spending money under the programme is being discussed. The government recently changed the structure of LEADER to involve Local Enterprise Offices in the administration of the funding, with oversight from Pobail. However, that’s led to

10 houses in Carrigans today sold at an Allsop Auction for 460 thousand euro. Two of the properties are finished while the rest require internal finishes. The price equates to 46 thousand euro per property with the winning bid being in the middle of the reserve. Elsewhere a four bedroom semi detached home in Glencar,

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