Author name: oisinkelly

Number of people awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital falls slightly

  There were 16 people awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning – 4 on trolleys and 12 in wards or overflow areas. It’s just one down on yesterday’s figure of 17. According to the latest figures from the INMO there were 404 people waiting for a bed in hospitals across the country this

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Minister tells Dail government is aware of Brexit’s potential impact on Donegal

Enterprise Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor says she doesn’t believe there’s a need for special committee to deal with job creation in the North West. Minister O’Connor told the Dail that regarding Brexit, the main concern will be to ensure a frictionless border with minimum inconvenience for the thousands of cross border workers in the region.

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MICA blocks investigation complete – report due in weeks

The Department of Environment has confirmed that the investigation into the issue of defective MICA blocks in counties Donegal and Mayo has been completed. Thousands of homes are thought to be affected by the blocks which can crumble and crack and leave homes uninhabitable. The MICA action groups says delays in the investigation have been

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HIQA report compliments Donegal foster care but one area of concern is highlighted

HIQA has today published a Donegal foster care report for Tusla with one significant risk identified in relation to staffing However, the report also highlights a good service in Donegal in which sound practice was evident in a number of areas. At the time of the inspection there were 200 children in care in the

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Relief for locals as plans for Gweedore wind turbine will not be progressed

It has emerged that plans for a 124 metre-high wind turbine on the Gaeltacht business park will not be progressed. Lir Energy Ltd had applied to Donegal County Council to erect the turbine at the Údarás na Gaeltachta-owned site in Gaoth Dobhair, but there was strong local opposition. The plans were rejected by the Council

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Temporary oncology appointment not a full time solution – Doherty

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty is welcoming confirmation that Letterkenny University Hospital’s Oncology Department is once again accepting new chemotherapy referrals. However, the Sinn Fein Finance Spokesperson has said that despite locum cover having been secured for the next four weeks, the service will not be continual as the temporary oncologist will only be available for

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Road safety campaigner says “drugalyser” should be operational by Easter

A Donegal Road Safety Group says it has been told that roadside testing for drug driving will begin by Easter. Mary Clinton of A-Ceart says she has been told that senior gardai are currently going under training on how to use the testing devices. Mary Clinton says this is a positive development……………..

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25% fall in community hospital beds in Donegal – Mac Lochlainn

It’s been revealed that almost one in four beds have been closed across Donegal’s network of Community Hospitals since 2006. The figures were released to Donegal Senator Padraig MacLochlainn from the Health Minister in response to parliamentary questions. Overall bed numbers are down in Donegal from 490 to 377 in the same period. Senator MacLochlainn

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Locum Oncologist appointed to Letterkenny University Hospital

    It’s been confirmed that a Locum Oncologist has been appointed to Letterkenny University Hospital with immediate effect. Locum cover was to be put in place on March 6th however it’s emerged that interim cover began on Monday past. It follows news earlier this week that to date, 51 chemotherapy patients from Donegal have

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Donegal Deputy claims new Bill will put insurance consumers in better position

A Donegal Deputy believes that a new bill will put insurance consumers in a better position against insurance companies who refuse to pay out. Deputy Pearse Doherty has brought forward the Consumer Insurance Contracts Bill which he says will update insurance contract law with a view to empower consumers. The Bill is to be debated

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Major cross border operation sees almost €24,000 of herbal cannabis seized in Donegal

  A major cross border operation has resulted in almost €24,000 worth of herbal cannabis being seized in Donegal. It follows further searched carried out by police after two men were arrested and the seizure of suspected herbal cannabis and cocaine with an estimated street value of approximately £160,000 in the Duncrue Street area of Belfast

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Grandfather of missing Jack Glenn says tragedy has united Derry community

    The Grandfather of missing Jack Glenn says the tragedy has united the community of Derry like nothing he has ever seen before. Searches are continuing for the missing 23 year old who went into the River Foyle a week ago today. Hundreds of people have been volunteering in a major search operation with

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GRA says Donegal gardai face unique challenges which must be recognised

The Garda Representative Association says there are specific challenges facing Donegal which do not affect other divisions. Brendan O’Connor, the association’s Donegal spokesperson says with the Atlantic on one side and Northern Ireland on the other, Garda management in Donegal can not call in support from other divisions as easily as other counties. Mr O’Connor

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20 Donegal firefighters to take part in New York St Patrick’s Day Parade

20 Firefighters from all over Donegal will be visiting New York this year to take part in the world’s largest St. Patricks Day parade.  According to Eunan Doherty from the Donegal Firefighters Association this is a reciprocal visit following the visit to Donegal in April 2016 by 50 New York Firefighters. “Last year’s visit by

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Irish Water to extend Glencolmcille Sewage Scheme to include Folk Village

Irish Water is to extend the Glencolmcille Sewage Scheme to include the beach at Dooey and the Father Mc Dyer centre, including the popular folk village in the area. Concern had been raised locally that being excluded from the initial scheme posed a very real pollution risk, and would also stymie planned development in the

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“3” says more than a quarter of its Donegal masts need upgrading

More than a quarter of Three’s mobile phone mast sites in Donegal need to be upgraded. The company’s revelation follows a query submitted Minister Joe McHugh last week over poor phone coverage in the county. The company has pointed the finger at its predecessor 02 which was bought over by Three some years ago. Minister

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Behind the scenes at Gogglebox: ‘It’s a terrible idea that really shouldn’t work’

Patrick Freyne spends a day on the set of the hit fly-on-the-wall series, to see what makes it tick   Gogglebox Ireland: Danielle, Laura and Des Grufferty in front of the tiny cameras. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons  A father, mother and daughter are watching television and chatting about their week. In a nearby bedroom four people

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Late goal wins National Cup for Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair

Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair are All Ireland School champions after victory in Clones this afternoon. The Donegal and Ulster winners beat Gaelcholáiste NaMara from Arklow 3-2 in today’s FAI Schools John Murphy Senior B National Cup decider. Conor O’Duigan scored their opening two goals in the 3rd and 44th minute while Michael O’Rabhartaigh scored the match

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Emergency services attending scene of two car collision near Killea

  Emergency services are currently attending the scene of a two car collision on the Donegal/ Derry border just outside Killea. The crash happened Letterkenny to Derry road just after 3.50 this afternoon. It’s understood that one car went on fire however no serious injuries have been reported. While the road remains open, motorists have

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Go ahead for £1 Million Ballymagroarty pitch and play park in Derry

  A £1 Million project which will see the construction of a pitch and play park at Shaw Court in Ballymagroarty in Derry has been given the green light. This project is one of four across the Council area including Brandywell, Ballyarnett and Kilfennan which will be delivered in two phases. Work will begin shortly

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Gardai renew appeal for information ahead of 5th anniversary of Andrew Allen murder

  Gardai have renewed their appeal for information on the murder of Andrew Allen in Buncrana in 2012.  He was murdered in his home in 26 Links View Park Buncrana. Co. Donegal in front of his partner five years ago tomorrow. Gardai believe that a number of people were involved in planning this murder and

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21 patients without beds at Letterkenny University Hospital

There were 21 patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, nine of them on Emergency Department trolleys and 12 in treatment rooms, ward chairs and overflow areas across the hospital. That’s up slightly on yesterday’s figure of 18. Nationally, the INMO says there were 539 patients waiting on trolleys at hospitals around the

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Former pupil says parents should have been contacted following Holy Cross incident

Questions are being asked as to why parents weren’t immediately contacted following a serious altercation at Holy Cross College in Strabane yesterday. It’s understood the incident happened in the schools canteen yesterday afternoon involving a large number of students. Police were called to the scene and arrested once male, but have since released him into

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Revive NW want N4 Sligo – Dublin road upgraded to a motorway

The campaign to have the N4 Sligo to Dublin Road upgraded is being brought to Dublin today. The Revive Northwest group is marching on the Dail this afternoon demanding that the entire stretch be upgraded to motorway status. It’s currently undergoing a partial upgrade but the group says further improving the infrastructure will create jobs and boost

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