Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal Deputy has called on the Government to urgently set a date for the publication for the MICA expert panel report. Thousands of houses in Donegal are said to be affected by the defective blocks which have left families living in fear of their homes crumbling around them. The panel’s initial deadline had been

The Department of Education is to review DEIS schools funding criteria. According to Minister Joe McHugh, the Department is rolling out new criteria for the funding programme to replace the system which had been in place since 2008. In a statement Minister McHugh says the Government has been working hard over the past few years

The High Court has quashed a Ministerial decision against the variations of the County Development Plan for Donegal which had been approved by Councillors in June 2014. The variations were intended to impose restrictions on the development of windfarms in the county. The Ministerial Order was issued last year and was the second of its

There are unconfirmed reports that an Irish woman found dead in India was from Donegal. Local media reports the body of a woman in her late 20s was found a beach in the Canacona area of Goa. It’s believed a number of people are being questioned about  the woman’s death, which is being treated as murder.

  A fisheries case in Donegal has ruled in favour of local anglers. Inland Fisheries had 153 summonses against 50 anglers from the Rosses angling club for illegally fishing for Salmon on the Gweebara River. Inland Fisheries Ireland  withdrew the cases and they were truck out from Dungloe Court The decision to withdraw the cases

  A group of young farmers and Agriculture students form Co. Donegal joined a delegation of over 30 from agricultural courses in colleges across the Midlands and North West in Brussels this week hosted by Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy. Ballyhaise, Mountbellew and DKIT were the participating colleges, but the delegation also included farmers who

  Gardaí at Henry St are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Tara Cox who is missing from the Limerick area since the 24th February 2017. Tara, who is 17 years old, is described as 5’3″ in height, with light brown hair, blue eyes and medium build. It is believed she may

  Postmasters from across the country protested the possible closure of post offices in the GPO earlier. Around 200 post offices could close as part of a radical restructuring plan for An Post. Postmasters say this would have a huge impact on local communities, particularly in rural Ireland. The Irish Postmaster’s Union Donegal Representative Breid

The uncle of an 18 year old man who’s been missing in Derry since the weekend says facilities must be provided to help young people in difficulty. Paddy Mc Daid’s nephew Dean Millar was last seen in the city in the early hours of Sunday morning, and it’s feared he may have gone into the

The number of patients awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital has risen by eight, with 34 people without beds this morning, 14 of them on Emergency Department trolleys, and 20 in overflow areas and on wards. That’s the third highest figure in the country today, behind Portlaoise on 39 and Cork on 36. Nationally, there

The appointment of a second breast surgeon at Letterkenny University Hospital could be a step closer after a meeting last evening involving cancer campaign groups, Donegal politicians and Health Minister Simon Harris. Recently it emerged that while a locum breast surgeon was being promised, previous pledges of a full time appointment were apparently being rolled

One person has been recovered as part of the search for a missing coastguard helicopter off the west coast. It’s understood the man is in a critical condition and is now being rushed to hospital. The coastguard says Debris has been found spread over a wide area. 4 crew were on board the Dublin based

Gardai are investigating a spate of attempted burglaries in the Liscooley area of Castlefinn. It’s understood that intruders targetted a number of homes in the early hours of Sunday morning however there are no reports of anything being taken. Anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area or who may have information is asked

Latest research from the Central Bank has revealed that 11% of mortgages in Co. Donegal are currently in arrears. At the same time, almost 66% of people are unaware that there are free support services available to homeowners who are in mortgage arrears according to a new study conducted by the Citizens Information Board. The

Talks to establish an executive at Stormont are said to be entering ‘a critical stage’, with just two weeks left to agree a deal. The parties must reach a deal by March 27th, or risk a return to direct rule from London. The Northern Secretary James Brokenshire has cancelled his St Patrick’s Week visit to

A Donegal County Councillor has claimed that the Lismonaghan Road in Letterkenny remains a danger to pedestrians. While it’s been confirmed that a section of missing footpath at Lismonaghan Road has been completed between the Maples and Rowan Park estates , there are now calls to address other sections along the road. The lack of

A search operation is underway for a coastguard helicopter missing off the west coast. Contact was lost with one of the Search and Rescue helicopters just before one o’clock this morning and a major sea search is ongoing off the county Mayo coast, about six miles west of Blacksod. Search and Rescue helicopters from Sligo

The Foreign Affairs Minister says it’s vital that Stormont has a voice in the upcoming Brexit negotiations. Talks are continuing between the DUP and Sinn Féin to try and reach a deal to form a new Government – with Northern Secretary James Brokenshire warning that a second election could be on the cards, if they

  The death has been announced of retired Bishop Eamon Casey. Mr Casey left Ireland amid controversy in the early 90’s after it was discovered he’d fathered a child with an American divorcée Annie Murphy.   Eamon Casey was ordained a Catholic priest in 1951- he was appointed Bishop of Kerry 18 years later, and

  It’s been revealed that 166 children currently in care are without a social worker in TUSLA West Region – which includes County Donegal. Figures released by the Children’s Minister show that nationally, a total of 453 child cases have yet to be allocated a dedicated social worker. The data was provided to Donegal Deputy

  Fine Gael TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Tony McLoughlin, has said that a new bus service for North Leitrim and South Donegal will help to further connect rural communities in the region and is another welcome development. Local Link has launched the new six-day-per-week service linking Kinlough to Ballyshannon via Bundoran with seven return journeys per

A man reported missing earlier today has been found safe and well. Police in Strabane had issued an appeal highlighting their concern for the safety of 38 year old male Gerard Brown from the Claudy /Park area. However it’s been reported this afternoon that Mr. Brown has been located. Police wish to thank everyone who assisted

A company based at the Industrial Park in Derrybeg says it has had to turn away contracts because it is struggling to find employees. Irish Pressings exports 99% of it’s products, supplying parts to the automotive industry, with customers including BMW, Rolls Royce, Honda and many others. Spokesperson Karen Campbell says finding employees is difficult,

  Strabane police are concerned for the safety of missing 38 year old male Gerard Brown from the Claudy /Park area. Gerard has left his home in the early hours of this morning and has not returned home. If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of Gerard, or seen anyone matching his description, please

There were 26 patient awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, six of them on Emergency Department trolleys, and 20 in overflow areas and on wards. That’s the third highest figure in the country today, berhind Galway on 36 and Cork on 31. Nationally, there were 392 patients awaiting admission at hospitals across the

A Donegal Deputy says no Post Office closures should be tolerated, and weekend suggestions that up to 200 post offices should close must be resisted. Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue says the government must intervene to ensure that An Post is offering services that meet local need. He’s also calling for the implementation of the recommendations

The brother of missing Derry man John Concannon says the family is convinced remains found in the Lenamore area on Saturday are those of the 71 year old. John was last seen getting off a bus close to where the remains were found in November 2015. A Post Mortem examination is taking place at the

Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill has rejected a Sinn Fein claim that Fianna Fail in Donegal is sending out “mixed messages” on Brexit, saying Fianna Fail will not be found wanting in terms of campaigning on and preparing for Brexit. Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn says on the one hand, Fianna Fail Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue is criticising