Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal County Council is inviting applications for their annual Arts Grants Scheme. The scheme enables the local authority to provide funding assistance to individuals and groups engaged in creative projects in the county.   In considering applications for the Scheme, Donegal County Council will take into account the extent to which the activities for which […]

A Donegal man who sexually exploited a 15-year-old girl he met on a youth mental health website has been jailed for 12 months. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Donnchadh McGinley, then aged 34, watched the victim’s favourite film, Frozen, with her before trying to have sex with her. McGinley, described by the defence as a

Injuries inflicted on the GAA pitch can be as bad as a car crash according to a leading sports medic. Doctor Kevin Moran, who works with the Donegal team, says the physicality of the game is making it more like rugby. He’s warning that concussion, lung and spleen damage are now common collision injuries. Former

Minister Simon Coveney is in Sligo this morning to launch the North and West consultation on the National Planning Framework, which will replace the National Spatial Strategy. The new strategy will incorporate a 20 year strategy for planning and investment, and a national consultation is now underway Donegal Councillor Albert Doherty is Chair of the

A Derry man on trial in connection with the civil war in Syria has been cleared of three of the six charges he faced. 28 year old Eamonn Bradley, whose address was given as Benview Estate in Coshquin in Derry was on trial accused of six charges in relation to the conflict in Syria. Bradley

Donegal County Council is being urged to fast tack the demolition of four partially built homes in Kilmcacrennan. It is understood the houses on the Chapel Road are in a condition which means they will not be finished and have been described as an eyesore and a danger to the local community. Councillor Michael McBride says

Up to forty people took part in a vigil last night at the gates of Letterkenny University Hospital, protesting against cutbacks and their impact on patients and their families. The ‘Still Waiting Health Campaign’ claims lives are being lost as a result of lengthy waiting lists, and the group is demanding more investment in health

The Minister for Marine has confirmed that a decision on an application for a controversial oyster farm at Cruit Strand has not yet been determined. It’s understood that the application is still under consideration by authorities, despite that the public and statutory consultation period for the application ended last October. The Minister was therefore unable

The Transport Minister has committed to meeting with management at City of Derry Airport. Concern had been raised in relation to a lack of funding provided to the airport by the Irish Government despite many passengers from Donegal and the Republic availing of the service. The Ministers commitment comes following Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainns call

Donegal based Garda whistleblower Keith Harrison has welcomed the announcement that the inquiry into the Maurice McCabe controversy will also investigate allegations of ill-treatment of other whistleblowers. The terms of reference for the inquiry were agreed in the Dáil yesterday, clearing the way for the investigation to get underway without delay. The Justice Department has

  It’s been revealed that there has been a 33% cut in nurses working in Donegal’s community hospitals since 2006 – down from 239 to 160. There has also been a 20% cut in overall staff numbers across the hospitals in Donegal – down from 609 to 486 in the same period. The information was

There were 23 patients awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning – 11 were trolleys in its emergency department while a further 12 were waiting on wards or in overflow areas of the hospital. According to the latest trolley watch report from the INMO,  the number waiting at Letterkenny hospital is up one on

A Donegal County Council decision to award permission for a significant Leisure Park in Greencastle has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala. The local authority granted conditional permission in September last year but that decision has been objected to by three parties. Under the plans for the Leisure Park at Carrowhugh in Greencastle there would

  The Cabinet’s agreed to the terms of reference for the Tribunal of Inquiry into the allegations of a smear campaign against garda whistleblower, Sergeant Maurice McCabe. They’ll go before the Dáil for approval this afternoon. Priority will be given to allegations against Maurice McCabe with an interim report to be provided within three months.

A feasibility study is underway looking at a possible Greenway linking Burtonport and Letterkenny along the old railway line. Consultants Sustrans are undertaking a site survey and a community / stakeholder consultation. The Greenway would be seen as a huge tourism boost for the county attracting walkers and cyclists. Councillor Terence Slowey says the study

It is claimed that the government is planning for a return to full customs checkpoints post Brexit. The information was received by Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty who described the news as worrying. Deputy Doherty says he has confirmation from the Minister for Finance that Revenue Commissioners are currently in the process of identifying location points

The Save our Services campaign has welcomed confirmation that Junior Minister Joe McHugh has called the Health Minister to fund community hospitals in Donegal. At a meeting with Simon Harris, Minister Mc Hugh urged him to allocate monies from the national capital fund to retain and enhance services in Lifford, Stranorlar and Ramelton, as well

The EU-Canada Trade deal, which was approved by the European Parliament yesterday, could have a devastating impact on the Irish beef sector, according to Midlands North West MEP Marian Harkin. MEPs yesterday voted to endorse CETA, the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, while this morning, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will address the European Parliament.

  The Transport Minister has been urged to include the Letterkenny Relief Road in his review of the Governments Capital Plan. In the Seanad last evening, Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn highlighted what he termed the very real need for the project to get underway in terms of Letterkennys potential as a future city and the

A Donegal County Councillor is warning residents in Ballindrait to be vigilant following reports of three men acting suspiciously in the area. It’s understood that the group attempted to open the gates and doors of a house in the Tober area while attempts were also made to gain entry to a garage on the property

Junior Minister Joe McHugh has called on the Health Minister to fund community hospitals in Donegal. At a meeting with Simon Harris, Minister Mc Hugh urged him to allocate monies from the national capital fund to retain and enhance services in Lifford, Stranorlar and Ramelton. This, he added, should happen alongside the development of a

  It’s been revealed that thirty families of refugees are expected to resettle in Donegal by the end of 2018, with the first 12 families arriving in May this year. The Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration has been engaging with Donegal County Council with a view to facilitating the resettlement of families under

  It’s been confirmed that contracts for the construction of Cockhill Bridge have been signed with work due to start within weeks. The overall €3 million project will see the construction of the new bridge on the outskirts of Buncrana as well as new approach roads to the crossing. Wills Brothers Civil Engineering Contractors have

  The father of missing Jack Glenn has urged the people of the North West not to forget about his son. The 23 year old entered the River Foyle two weeks ago tomorrow, sparking a major search effort by emergency services and the wider Derry community. Last week Jacks Grandfather Jack Snr. spoke of how

  The European Commission is taking Ireland to court over its failure to ensure urban waste water is being properly dealt with. It says the necessary steps aren’t being taken to prevent serious risks to human health and the environment. Under EU law, towns and cities are required to collect and treat waste water. 38

The Geological Survey of Ireland is preparing for the next phase of the ‘Tellus’ project, which will see a low flying plane using specialist equipment to collect geophysical and geochemical data on rocks, soil and water on the ground in Donegal. The geological mapping project has now been completed in parts of the West, with

    Ibec North West has published a report calling for economic growth to be shared equally across the country. The ‘Doing Business Locally’ document is aimed at local policy and business leaders in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim, and outlines a number of economic indicators which show the depth of the inequalites and challenges facing

The solicitor representing a second Garda whistleblower says his client was ‘treated as a pariah’ after complaining about the force. Donegal based Garda Keith Harrison claims a Tusla file was also compiled on him and wants to be included in State investigations. His solicitor Trevor Collins says the trouble started in 2009 after he arrested

  A vigil will take place outside Letterkenny University Hospital tomorrow evening to protest at what organisers say is the impact of hospital cutbacks on patients and their families. The ‘Still Waiting Health Campaign’ claims lives are being lost as a result of lengthy waiting lists, and the group is demanding more investment in health