Author name: oisinkelly

  Health Minister Simon Harris has failed to turn up to a Dail debate on serious issues facing Letterkenny University Hospital.  Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty demanded that the Health Minister explain what action was taken to avoid the suspension of all new chemotherapy referrals at Letterkenny University Hospital. It follows last week’s confirmation that all […]

An EU initiative to reduce carbon emissions and meet energy efficiency targets has begun in the North West. ERNACT, which includes Donegal, Derry and Strabane is leading the CLEAN project, which is also being followed and assessed by groups in France, Italy, Finland, Spain, Romania, Greece, Slovenia and Sweden. €1.6 million in EU finds is

There were 28 patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, six of them on Emergency Department trollies and 22 in treatment rooms, ward chairs and overflow areas across the hospital. The overall figure is up five from 23 yesterday. On Monday morning, the number of people waiting was 35. Nationally, the INMO gives

  The Northern Ireland Transport Minister says construction on the A5 upgrade WILL begin this year. It follows earlier speculation that political instability at Stormont and upcoming election could put the project into question. However Minister Chris Hazzard has told West Tyrone MLA Declan Mc Aleer that the money is ringfenced, and the work will

Donegal County Council is to put in place a management plan which is hoped will change the controversial process of applying for aquaculture licenses. There have been a number of cases in West Donegal in recent years in which locals claim to not have been made aware of, or received late notice of, applications for the

A nurse who lost her job after taking €100 from a multiple sclerosis sufferer has been found guilty of professional misconduct. Mary Grace Dela Cruz Alegarme who works in the oncology department at Letterkenny University Hospital, made full admissions at the start of the hearing yesterday, including the fact that she took money from the

The Garda Commissioner has sought a report into the decline of Garda numbers in the Donegal Division. Its understood that Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan will evaluate the matter on a county wide basis, in consultation with senior Garda authorities. Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher is hopeful that this will pave the way in increasing the

Donegal County Council isleading calls for the Irish Coast Guard to be officially recognised as an emergency service. Councillor Martin McDermott this week received backing for his motion to have the Coast Guard recognised the same as the other main emergency services in this country. The motion will now also be passed to all other

  There are serious concerns over the future of the ferry service between Greencastle in Donegal and Magilligan in Derry after a call for tenders went unanswered. No tenders for the service, which has been running since 2002, were recieved when applications closed on January 25th. Councillor for the Causeway Coast and Glens Dermot Nicholl

Its been revealed that not a single council house resident has been evicted over the last ten years due to anti-social behaviour. The information was given to Councillor Jack Murray who says there are a small number of tenants making life a misery for others but the council is not taking action. He says the

There are serious concerns over the future of the ferry service between Greencastle in Donegal and Magilligan in Derry after a call for tenders went unanswered. No tenders for the service, which has been running since 2002, were received when applications closed on January 25th. Councillor for the Causeway Coast and Glens Dermot Nicholl says

A number of Donegal farmers have joined an Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association protest in Castlebar this afternoon, highlighting delays in processing GLAS payments. The payments had been promised before Christmas, but the Department of Agriculture says there are delays in some cases because of problems with documentation. Those delays, the minister says, are

It’s been confirmed that €100,000 is to be spent on a cancer research project based at Letterkenny University Hospital. The six month study will involve 120 participants, half of whom will be given special support and advice to improve their diet and activity levels. They will be compared to another 60 people who will receive

A nurse who lost her job after taking €100 from a multiple sclerosis sufferer is before a fitness to practice inquiry today. Mary Grace Dela Cruz Alegarme, who qualified as a nurse in 1999, is facing allegations of poor professional performance, professional misconduct and non-compliance with the nurses’ professional code of conduct. The inquiry is

It’s been revealed that the number of tourists visiting Fort Dunree in Inishowen rose significantly last year. When compared with 2015, there was an increase of almost 10 per cent visiting the historic landmark last year with a steady increase in numbers since 2013. Manager of Fort Dunree David Magee says there are a number of factors

The speed limit between the Dry Arch and Polestar Roundabouts in Letterkenny is to be reduced from 100 to 80 Kilometers per hour. The change of speed on the notorious accident blackspot was just one of a number of speed limit changes adopted at this weeks meeting of Donegal County Council. However councillors rejected a

A Councillor wants repeat criminal offenders to have their access to free legal aid restricted. Paul Canning says there are some people with hundreds of criminal convictions who should not have free legal aid and wants the council to see if legislation can be changed to ensure that is the case. The matter will now

Donegal County Council has announced that it will be offering up to 34 Gaeltacht Scholarships in 2017. Scholarships will be offered to local students to attend Donegal-based Irish Colleges for this coming summer. Donegal County Council, through its Coiste na Gaeilge and in association with the Irish Summer Colleges will be offering the scholarships to

  The man who died in a workplace accident at Ros a Mhil Harbour In Galway yesterday has been named as Terry Toland from Ramelton. It’s understood that an inspector for the Health and Safety Authority is to examine the scene of the tragedy later today. The 42 year old was working on installing pontoons

  HIQA, the Health Information and Quality Authority has published 20 reports on residential services for people with disabilities. Of the 20 reports published, 14 inspections found that the provider was generally ensuring a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations. Three reports relate to HSE centres in Donegal. In Dungloe services

  Ireland Captain Seamus Coleman is to be awarded the freedom of Donegal. The Killybeg’s native will join the likes of Shay Given and Packie Bonner in receiving the honour. Arrangements will now be put in place with the Everton right back to agree a date for the reception which came from a proposal from

Sinn Fein says the council’s annual St Patrick’s Day trip should have a special emphasis on undocumented Irish given recent orders signed by President Donald Trump. The estimated 50 thousand undocumented Irish in the US face an uncertain future under the presidency of Donald Trump as he cracks down on illegals. Council Gerry McMonagle says

Latest figures show there were 35 patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 12 of them on trolleys in the Emergency Department. That’s the third highest figure in the country today. Nationally, the INMO’s Trolley and Ward Watch says there were 445 people awaiting admission in hospitals around the country. University Hospital Limerick

Donegal County Council is being urged to call on the GAA to pull it’s deal with Sky that allows the British broadcaster exclusive rights to some games. Councillor Nicholas Crossan believes it’s time that all GAA matches were free to air in Ireland. He says the Sky deal doesn’t suit many who can’t afford Sky……

Fianna Fáil say legislation being brought forward by the party will offer older people the opportunity to be cared for in their own home, rather than have to go into residential care. Donegal Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue says the Nursing Home Support Scheme would allow for the provision of a home care package to people who

The Health and Safety Authority will today examine the site of a fatal workplace accident at Rossaveal Harbour in Connemara yesterday afternoon. Galway Bay FM is reporting this morning that a man in his 40s and thought to be from Donegal, was working on installing pontoons when he suffered a blow to the head from

The Taoiseach will meet the British Prime Minister in Dublin later today. Before that, Theresa May travels to Cardiff, where she will meet representatives of the devolved governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Among those attending that meeting will be Stormont’s outgoing First Minister Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein’s Northern Ireland leader Michelle O’Neill.

The National Framework for Passenger Ground Transportation Services has been labelled anti-rural and anti-small business by Donegal Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher. Government agencies and bodies such as gardai or the HSE can no longer hire bus or taxi services locally, but must go through a centralised office in Dublin. The Leas Cheann Comhairle says