Author name: oisinkelly

A tourism organisation in Ardara says yesteday’s announcement from Ulster Bank that it is to close its branch in the town is a devestating blow. The bank confirmed that a total of 22 branches will close across Ireland including those in Ardara and Raphoe. The decision leaves Ardara without any bank though the ATM will

  Bus Eireann passengers will have to make other travel plans today as an-all out strike is underway. Buses stopped at midnight after drivers refused to work under the threat of pay cuts. Bosses at the transport firm are warning they need to plug a multi-million euro hole in their finances. But their claim that

Confidence in the data provided by An Garda Siochana has been eroded by misleading figures, according to the Policing Authority. The force confirmed today that they’ve overestimated the number of breath tests carried out each year by almost a million. Another clerical mistake also means almost 150,000 people may have their driving convictions quashed. Assistant

The communities in Ardara and Raphoe are said to be shocked today with the news that the Ulster Bank intends to close its branches in the towns. The branch in Raphoe is due to close in June and Ardara in September. In the case of Ardara this means that there will be no branch banking

The HSE says the Winter vomiting bug outbreak at Letterkenny University Hospital is improving: however, visiting restrictions remain in place. There are exceptions in exceptional circumstances, such as visits to ICU and Maternity, where next of kin should ring the specific ward manager in advance of visiting. The HSE says that elective surgical admissions have

Workers at Bus Eireann will go on all out strike from midnight. Trade unions met earlier and decided to strike, saying cost cutting measures by the company have created extreme anger among staff. A letter from the company this week said job losses would be a part of the overall survival plan for the company.

Martin McGuinness’s funeral mass has heard he was a ‘remarkable man and his life was a remarkable journey’. Thousands of people followed his tricolour-draped coffin through the Bogside to St Columba’s Church. Former US President Bill Clinton, former SDLP Leader John Hume and DUP Leader Arlene Foster are among those in attendance. Martin McGuinness was

  The new Finn Harps stadium in Stranorlar could be completed by early 2019. It’s understood that significant progress has been made following a meeting between Club representatives and the Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan. Once the stadium is completed, Donegal County Council will work to provide additional football pitches adjacent to the stadium which

There were 16 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the INMO. There were six on trolleys while a further ten were on wards. It’s down significantly on yesterday figure of 29. The latest trolley watch report has revealed that Limerick University Hospital was the most overcrowded in the

  Calls have been made to support Tidy Town groups who are in search of owners of derelict and vacant properties in Donegal. It’s understood groups in the county are trying to liaise with owners in order to carry out minor works to improve their appearance. Cllr Micheal McBride says the Property Registration Authority is

  Detectives from An Garda Siochana have today arrested two men under a European Arrest Warrant as part of a joint operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The two men, aged 29 and 32 years, were arrested in Dublin in connection with the attempted murder of two police officers at Eglinton, Derry on

Gardai in Carndonagh are appealing for information following a spate of break-ins in the town and surrounding area. It’s understood that a number of businesses and homes have been targeted in recent weeks with significant damage caused to properties. Any witnesses or anyone with information have been asked to contact Carndonagh Garda Station on (074)

Donegal County Council has been urged to write to the Education Minister requesting an immediate review of the School Transport Scheme. Numerous families in Donegal have been denied the right to school transport to a local secondary school because another one is deemed closer even though access to that school may be problematic during the

  Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Mr Joe McHugh, held meetings with leading Irish American figures today to discuss the situation of undocumented Irish citizens residing in the United States. Minister McHugh met Congressman Brendan F. Boyle and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney in Washington

  Thousands of people will turn out in the City of Derry today for the funeral of Martin McGuinness. The former IRA commander turned Deputy First Minister died on Tuesday after a short illness. Bill Clinton,Tony Blair, an Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Michael D Higgins will be among those at Requiem mass at St

  Investigations are continuing this morning after an explosive device believed to have been a substantial bomb went off in Strabane. According to police, it was detonated at around 8.30 on Tuesday evening in Townsend Street as police officers were patrolling the area. A number of homes were evacuated during the security alert which is

  A Donegal Deputy is urging the Government to prioritise Guidance Counselling Services in Secondary Schools. It comes following a Dáil debate by Fianna Fáil on the issue of the commitment in the programme for Government on restoring full Guidance Services to all Secondary Schools . Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says counselling services play

Final preparations are underway in Derry ahead of the funeral of Martin McGuinness tomorrow. The former IRA leader turned peacemaker will be laid to rest following funeral mass at St Columba’s church. Martin McGuinness’s final journey will begin at his family home on Derry’s Bogside soon after 1pm tomorrow. It’ll be followed by mass at

  Northern Ireland’s politicians have been remembering former deputy first minister Martin McGuiness with a special session of the assembly. The 66 year old died in hospital after a short illness. The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Terence Slowey today paid tribute to Mr Mc Guinness, and Books of Condolences have opened at the

There were 29 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the INMO. The latest trolley watch report has revealed that there were 9 people on trolleys while a further 20 were waiting on wards. It’s up five on yesterday’s figure of 24. Limerick University Hospital was the most overcrowded

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has formally launched a bid to have a number of economic, social and cultural rights recognised in the constitution. He has moved a private members bill in the Dail addressing the right to housing, healthcare, education and workers’ rights among others, and seeking to enshrine these rights in the Constitution via a

People in Donegal still have the lowest disposable income in the country, according to the latest figures from the CSO. An analysis for the disposable income figures for 2014 show on average, people in Donegal had €15,061 in disposable income. The state average was just above €19,000, while Dublin had the highest average disposable income of

  Police in Strabane say the security alert in the town today follows an attempt to kill police officers in Strabane last night. Superintendent Gordon McCalmont says they believe a device exploded while police were on patrol in the area of Townsend Street shortly after 8.30pm. He says the investigation is at an early stage, and

Hundreds of people gathered in Derry yesterday evening to accompany the body of Martin McGuinness on his final journey home to the Bogside. The North’s former deputy first minister and ex-IRA leader died on Monday night after a short illness. His funeral mass will take place tomorrow at St Columba’s Church, Longtower at 2pm. The

Hundreds attended a vigil in Buncrana last night to remember Danielle Mc Laughlin, the local woman who was killed last week in Goa, India. In a statement read to last night’s vigil on behalf of Danielle’s family last night, her friend Christy Duffy said their hope is that there will be a full, open and

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle is spearheading a bid to have a number of social rights recognised in the constitution. He will move a private members bill in the Dail addressing the right to housing, healthcare, education and workers’ rights among others, and seeking to enshrine these rights in the Constitution via a referendum. It’s the

A Killybegs man, who shouted “scumbag” while trying to confront Taoiseach Enda Kenny at a MacGill Summer School in Glenties a few yeas ago, had his case put back to 2pm today for the judge to look at a video of the incident, at Donegal Circuit Court. 46-year-old Gerry Bray, Church Road, Killybegs is accused

A security alert is ongoing in the Townsend Street area of Strabane. The PSNI say there is no access to the town via Liskey Road as a result of the incident, and say disruption is likely for residents. No further details are available.

A Donegal County Councillor has claimed that unfinished housing developments are still a prevalent issue in the county and further afield. The comments come following the publication of the latest progress report on tackling the issue, which has suggested that there is an 85% drop since 2010 from nearly 3000 to 420. Minister for Housing