Author name: oisinkelly

In his address at a Business Networking Event in the Co-Lab in Letterkenny the British Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett urged the North West region to continue to focus on the ‘opportunity agenda’. At this event, which was hosted by LYIT, Donegal County Council and Údarás na nGaeltachta the Ambassador heard first hand from the […]

The Taoiseach’s insisted the Government will not support ANY new system of water charges which is illegal. Enda Kenny’s refusing to back down on Fine Gael’s refusal to legislate for any system which it believes could result in EU fines. The party’s due to make its submission to the Oireachtas committee on the future of

  There has been criticism over what has been described as a failure to effectively use existing facilities in Letterkenny University Hospital. It follows revelations that a purpose build maternity theatre at Letterkenny University Hospital has remained unused since its construction back in 2004. It’s also been claimed that only three out of the hospital’s

  There were 22 people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the latest trolley watch report. 10 were on trolleys in its emergency department while a further 12 were on wards or in overflow areas. It’s down significantly on yesterdays figure of 36 – the second highest figure in

A Donegal Deputy is calling on the Communications Minister to put measures in place to tackle the poor mobile phone coverage throughout the country. Deputy Charlie McConalogue is proposing a universal service obligation to guarantee a minimum standard for mobile phone services throughout the state. He says Donegal in particular has been subject to highly

  There’s been a broad welcome to the government’s announcement that Irish Travellers are to be recognised as an official ethnic group in Ireland. In an historic speech in the Dáil last night, Taoiseach Enda Kenny says all members of the travelling community will now have a better future with less negativity, exclusion and marginalisation.

  A Junior Minister says there needs to be a reasonable approach to water charges. Joe McHugh says the Oireachtas committee on water needs to be given a chance to complete its work. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are at odds over the legality of scrapping the charges. Minister of State Joe McHugh says there’s

  Voting is underway in the Northern Ireland Assembly election. It’s the second poll in less than a year and follows the collapse of power-sharing in January. 90 seats are being contested with the major parties – the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin – likely to be the big winners once again. Belfast based

  Calls have been made on Letterkenny University Hospital to appoint a psychologist to support teenagers with Type 1 Diabetes. It follows news that there are no dedicated psychology services available in either the Hospital or Community services for teenagers with the condition. The hospital does however refer patients to the community run psychology service.

  Three men, aged 31, 36 and 49, arrested in the Derry area by Detectives investigating dissident republican activity have been released unconditionally last evening. All three were questioned in relation to a shooting incident at a house in the Ballymagowan area on Thursday, 5th January.

Concern has been raised that the traffic lights at Castlefinn Bridge and McClays Corner in Stranorlar are operating too slow with claims that they are posing a safety risk to motorists. The issue is causing severe delays and tailbacks in both areas, particularly at peak times. It had been proposed that temporary cameras be installed

A Donegal County Councillor is calling for the CFRAMS report to be published without delay. The report compiled by Government is to detail a list of areas which are to be prioritised in terms of flood relief funding and was meant to be published late last year. Cllr. Gary Doherty says some residents in the

Gardai in Carndonagh are investigating a break-in at St. Patrick Park’s clubhouse. It’s understood that windows were smashed to gain access to the premises at some stage on Tuesday night/ Wednesday morning with locals making the discovery last evening. Members of the club carried out an initial search of the property and it’s been reported

The Taoiseach has publicly recognised the ethnic status of the traveller community. Enda Kenny’s formal declaration in the Dáil tonight is the final formality on giving legal status to the traveller community. In an historic speech Mr Kenny says they no longer need to walk with their heads down and can now feel the same

  Donegal County Council has been called upon to address serious safety concerns at the main access route onto Magheragallon strand in Gaoth Dobhair. It’s understood that there has been growing reports of incidences of fallen rock on the walkway with genuine fears that if the problem isn’t tackled someone will be injured. Councillor John

Letterkenny University Hospital is the second most over crowded hospital in the country today. 36 people are awaiting admission to the hospital on trolleys or in wards, second only to Cork University Hospital. In total, 444 people are without a bed in hospitals across the country today.

Members of the French Marketing Partnership Group are visiting Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way this week, as part of a programme to highlight Donegal as a top tourist destination. More than 500,000 French tourists travelled to Ireland last year, Tourism Ireland Managing Director, Monica MacLaverty is hopeful that these visitors can make the North

The Family of Donegal man Seamus Doherty, who was murdered in at his home at Drumacnoo, Churchill, Letterkenny in June of 2012, say they are devastated at the decision to not proceed with a prosecution in the case. Samuel James Clarke, from Magherennan, Raphoe was charged with the murder of the 67-year-old and was due

The Cathaorleach of Donegal County Council says today’s visit to Donegal by the British Ambassador is an important one, particularly in the light of Brexit. Robin Barnett will attend a special business networking event in Letterkenny Institute of Technology later today and travel to Gaoth Dobhair tomorrow where he will meet representatives from Údarás na

Fianna Fáil’s accusing Simon Coveney of disrespecting the Oireachtas committee charged with addressing water charges. It’s after the Minister intervened last night and said he wouldn’t bring in laws on a new system – if they don’t include charges for wasting the utility. That’s despite the fact the parties’ confidence and supply agreement requires him

Detectives from Serious Crime Branch investigating dissident republican activity in Derry have arrested three men. Last evening two men aged 36 and 49 were arrested in the Creggan and Balbane areas and still remain in custody. Another man, a 31 year old was arrested in the city this morning. All three are being questioned in

It’s claimed that safety barriers on the Foyle Bridge in Derry still do not meet EU safety regulations despite this being highlighted six years ago. Then, a report from experts recommended the only way of preventing people attempting suicide by jumping off the Foyle Bridge was by raising safety barriers but nothing has been done

An incident where a man broke into a woman’s flat and stole her underwear has been described as ‘exceptionally creepy’ by a judge at Derry Crown Court. Judge Philip Babington made his comments during sentencing of Ronan Gillen (29) of Cornshell Fields in Derry who admitted burglary of the flat and assaulting the woman on

Young people within the county are being urged to consider a career within the Defence Forces. Minister Joe McHugh says there is a proud tradition of people from Donegal serving in the Irish Army. He is calling on men and women and those from diverse ethnic backgrounds to take part in one of the biggest

In his submission to the Department of Agriculture’s consultative review of mackerel quota policy,Deputy Thomas Pringle says a formal review of mackerel quota could cause job losses within Donegal. He says that as 65% of Ireland’s mackerel quota is caught in the UK, a hard Brexit could mean our access to British fishing waters could

The Full Capacity Protocol has been implemented today at Letterkenny University Hospital with significant numbers of patients awaiting admission. There were 23 patients awaiting beds at the hospital this morning according to figures from the INMO. In a statement issued on behalf of the hospital they say efforts continue to be made to identify patients

There are 23 people waiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital today. According to figures released by the INMO 11 people are on trollies in the Emergency Department with another 12 on wards or in overflow areas. Across the country 442 people are awaiting beds.

There could be a refund on the cards for people who paid water bills. Reports today suggest a group of TDs working on the funding of water services is behind the idea, although the method of doing it isn’t yet known. They’re preparing a report on the issue, which will be put to a Dail

  Residents in Strabane have been asked to be vigilant after a van was vandalised near the old Adria site in the town. It’s understood that both the front windscreen and the side window were smashed with a glass bottle at some time over the weekend. Anyone who may have witnessed or heard anti-social activity

  A delegation of Donegal County Council has met with the Transport Minister Shane Ross in a bid to seek funding for the upgrade of two bridges in Donegal. Funding is being sought for the upgrades works to Fintra Bridge and the Tyrconnell Bridge in Donegal town. In July, it was agreed by Councillors in

  Police in Derry have launched an investigation after shots were fired at a house in the Cornshell Fields area of the city last night. The incident happened around midnight and a family was in the house at the time of the shooting. Councillor Elisha McCallion has condemned the incident: “Such attacks are wrong and

  A High Court judge has approved a personal insolvency arrangement for Donegal county Councillor John O’Donnell, who has debts of more than €4.2 million. A meeting of Mr O’Donnell’s creditors had last month had rejected the proposed arrangement. The Irish Times is reporting that Ms Justice Marie Baker approved an arrangement which involves Mr

  The State has withdrawn a charge of murder against a 53-year-old Donegal man, who was charged with murdering a man in Churchill in 2012, according to the Irish Times.  Samuel James Clarke, from Magherennan, Raphoe, Co Donegal was charged with the murder of 67-year-old Seamus Doherty at his home at Drumacnoo  on June 16/17th,

  Thousands of commuters face widespread disruption from Monday. Unions at Bus Éireann are to begin an all-out strike after the company announced a series of cost saving measures – which it says is necessary to ensure its financial sustainability. The measures will see the closure of three routes – Derry-Dublin,  Dublin-Clonmel, and Athlone-Westport –

  An Garda Siochana are launching several new neighbourhood watch schemes in Letterkenny later tonight. The event takes place in the Station House Hotel at 7.30pm and will include several guest speakers to give an outline of the importance of such a scheme to an area. The following Schemes will be launched on the night.

  A Donegal Deputy is warning that farmers both north and south of the border should not be left behind by Brexit. It follows comments made by the UKs Farm Minister Andrea Leadsom who claimed that farmers would be better off outside CAP. Deputy Charlie McConalogue believes Ms. Leadson has failed to recognise the role