Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal County Council has confirmed that approval has been received from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to carry out urgent safety works at Maghergallon Beach in Gaoth Dobhair. Concern had been raised about the increase of fallen rock on the walkway accessing the beach and it’s hoped that this work will prevent more instances […]

The council Cathaoirleach, Terence Slowey says a visit to the county by the Housing Minister later this month is important in addressing the housing crisis in Donegal. Minister Simon Coveny arrives on Friday the 24th to discuss his housing policy, how it effects Donegal and how the social housing shortage in the county can be

  Emergency services are currently attending the scene of a two-vehicle crash just outside Strabane. The crash between a lorry and a car happened shortly before 2pm this afternoon on the road at the Prospect Bar corner on the Bellspark road. A lorry has overturned and it’s understood that the driver has been injured although

The Donegal County Council executive has been accused of being too focused on Brexit and links with Derry than current issues within the county. The comments were made at today’s Glenties area meeting where councillors refused to adopt a budget outlining spending by the council in the district. Councillor Seamus O’Domhnaill says the area has

There were 19 patients awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, seven of them on Emergency Department trolleys and 12 in overflow areas or on wards. Today’s figure is down significantly on yesterday’s, which saw 33 people awaiting admission in Letterkenny, the highest figure in the country. Nationally, there were 501 patients without beds

It’s been revealed that Donegal County Council has received 168 litter or waste management complaints to date this year, almost identical to last year’s figure of 165. The complaints were made from all over the county with the Council saying that every effort is being made to identify those responsible. Council Spokesperson Suzanne Bogan says

The coastguard was called in for a medevac from a Russian fishing vessel in the early hours of this morning. Helicopters from Sligo and Dublin attended the scene 180 miles northwest of Erris Head in County Mayo, where a crewman on board the vessel had become ill. The operation was coordinated from the coastguard station

Concern has been raised that abandoned caravans are delaying a major clean-up operation at a disused halting site in Strabane. It’s understood that while Derry and Strabane District Council has committed itself to the clearing of the site located at Greenbrae, it could be weeks before work gets underway. The halting site has deteriorated over

Gardai have denied claims that the drugs unit in Donegal is being disbanded. In a statement, priominent campaigner and former councillor PJ Blake had claimed that the unit, which was already working with limited resources, had been completely withdrawn in recent days. However, in a one line statement in response to queries from Highland Radio

There was one Donegal settlement noted in the latest list of tax defaulters which has been published by Revenue. Donal Murphy, a skipper with an address at Hawthorn Heights in Dukineely paid almost €329,000 in taxes and penalties. The settlement was in respect of underdeclaration of Income Tax.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan will be in Belfast later for negotiations to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland. Mr Flanagan will join the British Secretary of State and the main political parties for talks this afternoon. Yesterday Sinn Fein cut short their meeting with James Brokenshire, after the party said he ‘waffled’. The talks

A Donegal County Councillor is urging people to make submissions on what they want to see in the National Planning Framework Document. The new framework will incorporate a 20 year strategy for planning and investment, with tomorrow week is the deadline for submissions under the consultation process which was launched earlier this year. Councillor Paul

  Talks at Stormont appear to have hit their first stumbling block. A Sinn Féin meeting with the British Secretary of State was cut short this evening over funds for legacy inquests. The parties have three weeks to form a Government or risk a return to direct rule. The party’s leader in Northern Ireland Michelle

A Health Information and Quality Authority inspection has found a residential service in Donegal for people with disabilities non-compliant on a range of inspection themes. The Railway View & Finnside Centre, which is run by the Health Service Executive, was criticised over its fire alarm system and fall prevention measures. HIQA noted some improvements in

    Two people have appeared in court in Letterkenny today following a number of incidents in the Cockhill area of Buncrana last evening. A man has been charged and remanded on continual bail to appear at Buncrana court later this week subject to a number of conditions that were sought by the state and

  Irish Water is investing over €820,000 in a water mains project which the company says, will ensure a clean and secure water supply for the 591 people served by the Rathmullan Water Supply. This supply is on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Remedial Action List for high levels of THMs. These works are being undertaken

A public meeting takes place in Ballyshannon to discuss what people fear may be a scaling down of fire services in the area. At present, both Ballyshannon and Bundoran each have a fire station, but it’s feared one of them may be closed. Now, a group of local community activists has called a meeting for

The Irish Postmasters’ Union is seeking the implementation of the Kerr Report to save the post office network, despite the fact that it recommends some post office closures. According to the Irish Independent, the unpublished report, overseen by businessman Bobby Kerr, outlines a range of proposals, including the shutting of 80 outlets. Breid Gallagher is

Politicians are meeting again today at Stormont as they try to form a new Government. However the two main parties are at loggerheads as Arlene Foster refuses to step aside as DUP leader. Sinn Fein’s vowed not to re-enter any agreement with her as first minister. Foyle MP Mark Durkan hopes they can put their

Two people are due in court today following a number of incidents in the Cockhill area of Buncrana last evening. An initial report of a house being attacked was received by gardai at 4.30 yesterday afternoon, and a number of other incidents developed, including attacks on two houses, one of which it’s understood involved an

It’s reported some of the country’s post offices could be facing closure as An Post looks to save money. According to the Irish Independent, an unpublished report, overseen by businessman Bobby Kerr, outlines a range of proposals, including the shutting of 80 outlets. There are currently 13 hundred post offices around the country, and the

New figures from the Road Safety Authority show that people in Donegal have to wait up to 6 months before they can sit their driving test. The wait for practical driving test now stands at 23 weeks at test centres in Letterkenny and Buncrana, while drivers face a 17 week wait to take a test

The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has been accused of dragging his heels for failing to progress plans for reforming the Commercial Rates. The Department had given a commitment to take steps to make the current system more fairer and equitable for all those who currently pay Commercial Rates. Donegal Deputy Pat

  Talks aimed at resuming power-sharing in Northern Ireland are taking place today. The DUP and Sinn Féin have three weeks to form an executive after last week’s elections – or there’ll be direct rule from Westminster. Sinn Féin is so far insisting DUP leader Arlene Foster can’t be involved until the Cash-for-Ash controversy is

  Latest figures show that there were 21 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning. 9 were on trolleys in its emergency department while a further 12 were on wards or on overflow areas. According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation – University Hospital Galway is the most overcrowded with

  Gardai in Donegal are appealing to home and business owners to be vigilant about forensically aware criminals operating in the county. It’s understood that members of an organised gang have been linked to a series of burglaries most notably in the Manorcunningham area. The criminals are taking their shoes off before entering a premise

  The Health Minister Simon Harris has agreed to a follow-up meeting with Donegal Action for Cancer Care. The meeting has been confirmed for this day week at 2.30 and key topics will include cancer services and other key issues facing Letterkenny University Hospital. Department of Health officials along with members of Saolta will also

  It’s been claimed that Brexit could pave the way for a significant increase in shipping traffic to Donegal. The possibility of utilising Donegal harbours like Greencastle or Buncrana to directly import cargoes by ships as opposed to using neighbouring harbours in Northern Ireland has been suggested as a positive consequence of the UK leaving

  Residents in the Gortahork area are calling on Donegal County Council to address on-going storm water and drainage issues there. It’s understood that after heavy falls of rain, the main access road at Derryconnor becomes severely flooded with residents finding it near impossible to drive through significant depths of water. Concern has been raised