Author name: oisinkelly

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 […]

The Health Minister’s warned H-S-E managers they have to do more to tackle waiting lists. Simon Harris has told the Dáil he’ll have an action plan from the H-S-E by the end of the month and another one to tackle those waiting for scoliosis operations. During the Debate in the Dail, Deputy Gerry Adams gave

Donegal County Council has agreed to purchase two large trailer mounted pumps to deploy on a first call basis to any area under treat of flooding . The initiative, which will cost €150,000 is being paid for by the council, with Cllr Patrick McGowan saying it’s a cost which should be met by the government.

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

The mother of a Derry man killed in Co. Donegal five years ago has called on his killers to search their conscience. 24 year old Andrew Allen was shot dead in front of his partner at a house outside Buncrana on the 9th of February, 2012. Gardaí have said they believe up to 12 people

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

Derry City and Strabane District Council is to increase rates by 2.76 per cent for the 2017/18 financial year. The Council say that it will drive growth and investment in the City and Region and will see continued improvements to the delivery of high quality services to citizens right across the entire Council area. In

  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

  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

  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

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

The Office of Public Works is to begin work on a Conservation Management Plan for the Grianan of Aileach site in Burt. It follows a meeting at the site yesterday involving the OPW, Donegal County Council members and officials, Bord Failte and a number of community groups. Cllr Jack Murray says it was a positive

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

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

It’s been claimed that motorists in Inishowen are being let down by the National Driving Licence Service. The campaign for an NDLS office in the Inishowen peninsula has been an on-going issue for some time, with people having to travel to Letterkenny to get a new driving licence. The issue has been raised with the

People are being urged to have their say on future oyster farm developments as part of an independent review which is currently being carried out. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed has appointed a review panel regarding the licensing process and the associated legal framework in the view of changing legislation. There

One male pupil was arrested by police responding to a disturbance between students at the Holy Cross College in Strabane. Police were called to the scene when a large number of students were involved in an altercation in the school’s canteen. Police say there were no serious injuries and the parents of all students involved

A local woman has spoken out of sheer frustration at the lengthy waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital. It follows an RTE Investigates programme that found tens of thousands of patients aren’t included on official waiting lists. Helen has been speaking on today’s Shaun Doherty Show; her daughter has been waiting for a year and

There were 18 patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, six of them on Emergency Department trolleys and 12 in treatment rooms, ward chairs and overflow areas across the hospital. That’s down slightly on yesterday’s figure of 22. Nationally, the INMO says there were 590 patients waiting on trolleys at hospitals around the

A Donegal Deputy is calling for changes in the Garda vetting procedure for Special Needs Assistants, with concern being expressed that delays in approving applications will a detrimental impact on schools over the coming months. Deputy Charlie McConalogue says there are problems with duplication under the current system, because unlike teachers, SNA’s have to reapply

A public meeting is to take place in Greencastle in April to discuss the need for harbour improvements to be completed. A major project was approved some years ago, and preliminary works were carried out, including the partial construction of a breakwater. However, work was suspended in 2010 as a result of the economic downturn,

There has been an increase in the number of vacant commercial premises in Donegal. The latest research from GeoDirectory shows a commercial vacancy of 15.6% an increase of 1.4% in a year. The figures cover the last quarter of 2016 and show Donegal has the third highest commercial vacancy rate in Ireland and is 2.1%

Concern has been raised at the high level of disruption to the water supply in various areas of Inishowen in recent days, without any prior warning. A major burst occurred in the Clonmany area at the weekend which saw a significant number of residents having no running water for a number of days in some

A contract has been signed for the delivery of a water main rehabilitation project in Ballybofey, which Irish Water say will ensure badly needed improvements in water services for consumers in the area. This investment of €1 million by Irish Water will be delivered by Conwell Contracts Ltd. in partnership with Donegal County Council. Irish

Three quarters of students at Letterkenny Institute of Technology are receiving grants from Student Universal Support Ireland, the highest proportion in the country. Figures from SUSI which have been published by the Irish Times this morning show 74.4% of student at LYIT in receipt of grants, compared to a national average of 61% for institutes

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association is stressing that the Areas of Natural Constraint Payment must reflect the actual constraints faced by farmers. If a proposed review is incorrectly applied, the Association says a substantial part of the ANC budget budget will not go where it is most needed, and that will have a

  The family of an elderly man have appealed for witnesses to come forward after he was allegedly assaulted on the Port Road in Letterkenny. It’s understood the incident happened at 3pm on Saturday afternoon when the 77 year old was stopped in traffic near the polestar roundabout and another motorist began sounding his horn.

  The Taoiseach’s warned of a possible return to cross border criminality and even armed conflict if Brexit negotiations fail to take account of the island of Ireland. Enda Kenny says while the UK is opting for a hard Brexit, many of their intentions remain unclear until after article 50 is triggered next month. He

  Letterkenny University Hospital General Manager, Mr Seán Murphy, has confirmed that the replacement Locum Consultant Medical Oncologist is on track to take up post on the 6th March and the normal medical oncology service at LUH will resume when the new Locum Consultant starts on that date. Mr Murphy stated, “Letterkenny University Hospital provides

  A man who was caught with 1.6kg of high grade explosives and three detonators on a bus bound for Derry has been jailed for seven years. Patrick Brennan, 53, of Lindisfarne Avenue, Clondalkin in Dublin, was arrested in June last year. RTE is reporting that The Special Criminal Court offered to suspend the final

The Dail has been told that a number of appeals have lodged in relation to the decision to grant licences for oyster farms in West Donegal. The issue was raised by Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan, who criticised what he termed the lack of community consultation and the failure to carry out an Environmental Impact

There were 22 patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, six of them on Emwergency Department trolleys and 16 in treatment rooms, ward chairs and overflow areas across the hospital. Nationally, the INMO says there are 461 patients waiting on trolleys at hospitals around the country today. Meanwhile, nursing unions will meet with