Author name: oisinkelly

An international plea for information on the death of Danielle McLaughlin has been issued by the Truth for Danielle Campaign. The Buncrana woman was murdered and raped on the 13th March in Goa. To date, one person has been charged with criminal offences in relation to the untimely death of Danielle. Spokesperson for the Truth

Around 40 people attended the Still Waiting vigil held at Letterkenny University Hospital last evening. This is the second vigil to take place at the hospital this year. Those gathered are calling for an end to lengthy waiting lists and cancelled procedures. Gina Grant member of the Donegal ETB and representative of Our Children’s Voice

The government is being urged to develop a Public Service Obligation model to keep rural post offices open. It comes after An Post indicated earlier this week that 265 offices around the country are not viable and may be closed. Fianna Fáil says post offices could be developed to provide other services, like providing tourist

A Donegal Deputy has accused the Government of blocking the appointment of a second breast surgeon at Letterkenny University Hospital. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says the Government’s inaction and total lack of commitment is to blame for the lack of services at the Breast Clinic Unit. The claims were made after Health Minister Simon

Greater Manchester Police are continuing their investigation into the death of Donegal man, Dylan Crawford. The 20 year-old was found unconscious shortly before 1.40am on Wednesday morning on Spear Street, Manchester. Two men arrested on suspicion of theft and supplying prohibited drugs remain in police custody. Police are now appealing for the public’s help to

A young Donegal man has been found dead in Manchester. The 20-year-old from Killygordan was found shortly before 1.40am on Wednesday morning, near a car park on Spear Street. He has been formally identified as Dylan Crawford. He was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary where he was later confirmed dead. A Home Office post mortem

The NBRU says the fact there will be a major cultural change in Bus Eireann is reflected in the Labour Court recommendation. Pickets have been lifted at depots around the country but it’s expected to be lunchtime tomorrow before a full service operates. There’ll now be a consultation phase so that workers fully understand what

Water charges have effectively been abolished this afternoon. The Dáil voted 96 to 48 to accept the report of the committee on the future funding of water services. The report says charges should be abolished except for excessive use, there should be a referendum on public ownership and meters are to be installed in all

Irish Water say they are to replace the Pumps contained in the Sewage Treatment Plant at The Elms in Letterkenny. The Pumps at this Sewage Treatment Station have been failing for years resulting in waste overflowing onto the street and Council Tankers having to regularly empty the tanks. On a recent inspection it was found

  There were 14 people waiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the latest trolley watch report. Five were on trolleys in the Emergency Department while a further nine were waiting on wards. Nationally, there were 346 people waiting for a bed at hospitals across the country today.

The Health Minister was not present in trhe Seanad today for a key discussion on what’s been described as an on-going crisis in diabetes care in Donegal. Last week it was revealed that the HSE has not advertised for a replacement Paediatric Endocrinologist at Sligo University Hospital which also caters to the Donegal region –

Further calls have been made on the Health Minister to progress the recruitment of the long awaited second Consultant Breast Surgeon position at Letterkenny University Hospital. The Minister has been requested to urgently convene the dedicated Forum established to examine the issue of cancer services at the hospital. It’s hoped that the Forum would also

A Road Safety Group believes a new law to be signed off by the Transport Minister today will have a positive impact on successful court convictions. It’s hoped that the provision, in the Road Traffic Act 2016 will tighten up existing procedures to enable penalty points to be matched to driving licence records following conviction

A Donegal woman has died after falling from a boat in Lough Erne in County Fermanagh. The incident happened in the early hours of this morning. The woman’s body has been recovered after an overnight search operation. The PSNI says an investigation is underway and a post-mortem is due to be carried out. Police said

Reports of tax evasion and social welfare fraud by a Co Donegal Garda were not investigated or followed-up, the Dáil has heard last evening. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty said that former garda Kieran Jackson had reported incidents of tax evasion by a now retired garda superintendent. Deputy Doherty told the Dáil that in May 2001,

Strong opposition to water charges looks set to continue in Donegal following the agreement on the report from the Water Committee. The regime brought in by the last Government will be effectively ended later today with no further bills for households. But those who excessively use water will still face the possibility of charges. The

The HSE has confirmed that it intends to invest more than €4 million in upgrading works to retain and enhance community hospital services in Stranorlar and Ramelton. The confirmation follows a meeting between Minister Joe McHugh and HSE Area Manager John Hayes. It’s understood that a report from the HSE on services in Lifford is

The Health Minister is being urged to outline his plans to address what’s been described as the on-going crisis in diabetes care in Donegal. Last week it was revealed that the HSE has not advertised for a replacement Paediatric Endocrinologist at Sligo University Hospital which also caters to the Donegal region – leading to fears

A Donegal Deputy is calling on the Government to step in and address a serious decline of rural services in Donegal. The call comes following the announcement of Ulster Bank closures in Raphoe and Ardara and the potential future closures of post offices by An Post. Deputy Thomas Pringle raised the issue in the Dail

Ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, the Donegal Road Safety Working Group is urging all road users to act responsibly when travelling on the roads during the holiday period. Over the Easter holiday period many people will set out to visit family and friends, some making long journeys. Remember that everyone is in the

  A Donegal County Councillor has been charged with drink driving, six months after being given a motoring ban for a similar type offence. Councillor Ciaran Brogan’s case was mentioned at Mondays sitting of Letterkenny District Court. He has been charged with drink driving at Treanbeg, Trentagh in the early hours of April 1st. It’s

  A Donegal Road Safety group has welcomed the move that from tomorrow, Gardai will be able to test drivers for drugs on the roadside. They’ll be testing for cannabis, cocaine, opiates and benzos. If you’re found over the limit you could lose your licence for between one and four years. Figures suggest that one

Midlands North West MEP Mairead McGuinness says she’s been assurred by the EU Fisheries Commissioner that he will look at crab-pot losses off the Donegal coast, but only after the Irish authorities are present the details. The presence of large trawlers is being looked at as a possible cause of the losses.; The Commissioner told

Minister for Tourism, Patrick O’ Donovan has agreed to meet a cross party delegation from Donegal County Council to discuss the funding of the Rathmullan to Buncrana and the Greencastle to Magilligan ferries. It follows concern raised that Donegal County Council is funding the two ferries without any support from central government. Due to the

DNA testing and paint markings have been used to trace stolen sheep back to their original owners in Donegal, after they were sold at Dowra mart in Cavan. The Irish Farmers Journal is reporting that the mart knew nothing about the history of the sheep, and the farmers who bought them had acted in good

Pressure is mounting on political parties in the North ahead of a deadline to form a power sharing Executive. The Secretary of State James Brokenshire previously indicated negotiations won’t be permitted to continue past Easter. Issues such as legacy and an Irish Language Act appear to remain the major sticking points in the talks. The

There were 12 patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 4 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That’s down slightly on yesterday’s figure of 14. The INMO says nationally, there were 409 people awaiting beds this morning. Cork University Hospital was the worst affected with a total of 31.

A civil legal tussle is looming between hill farmers and leisure walkers in Glencolmcille. This was revealed at Dungloe District Court yesterday, when sheep farmer Cathal Haughey of Ballard, Glencolmcille was convicted and fined for assaulting a walking tour leader. In court, Judge Deirdre Gearty observed that although much was presented in evidence about rights of

A new report claims Ireland performs well compared to the UK in terms of productivity, the ease of starting a business and the quality of higher education and training. However the UK has the edge in its quality of infrastructure, labour market efficiency and technological development. That’s according to the National Competitiveness Council. Chairperson Peter

A second vigil is to take place outside Letterkenny University Hospital calling for an end to lengthy waiting lists and cancelled procedures. The Donegal Vigil is one of sixteen taking place across the country and follows a previous vigil held outside the hospital some weeks ago. Organisers are urging people in the county to attend

Serious concern has been raised that homes and businesses in Donegal which have been affected by flooding will not be considered a priority in a new scheme signed off on by Government. The 2 million euro voluntary relocation scheme will cover people whose homes were left uninhabitable following flooding between the 4th of December 2015

The Dáil will debate the final report of the Water Services Committee in just one hour and twenty minutes this evening. A formal vote to end the current charging regime will take place tomorrow, with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil set to carry it comfortably. Fianna Fáil’s Barry Cowen is adamant his party has delivered