Author name: oisinkelly

The HSE has apologised to Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe. The health authority’s National Counselling Service referred a baseless allegation of abuse to the Child Protection Services in August 2013. In a statement issued this afternoon the HSE says this was due to an administrative error made by a staff member of the HSE’s National Counselling

Police in Derry are keen to speak to the driver of a vehicle following reports of suspicious activity on Thursday last. The PSNI were contacted after a black estate car was seen driving slowly in the Greenwalk area of the city. A girl who contacted Police felt the car was acting suspiciously. Inspector Greg Smyth

As searches continue for missing Derry man, Jack Glenn Foyle Search and Rescue have attended to two reports this week that a person had gone over the railings near River Foyle. Last week it was reported that a male had entered the water on Sunday while searches were being carried out. He was transferred to

SIPTU is warning that Irish public transport is facing a major crisis unless Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and Bus Eireann start listening to their workers. It says industrial action could now be on the way for Dublin Bus and Irish Rail AS WELL as Bus Eireann. The union is balloting members in Dublin Bus over

The Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone remains under pressure today, following the latest revelations about an alleged smear campaign against Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe. Minister Zappone reportedly knew of Tusla’s role in spreading baseless allegations against McCabe up to three weeks ago, but didn’t inform the rest of cabinet. She says it would have been inappropriate

The bird flu virus has been confirmed for the first time in a resident species here. It’s been found in a mute swan in Tipperary and a grey heron in Cork. It means an order which makes poultry owners keep their birds indoors – will remain in place – and that presents a dilemma if

Speaking after a Brexit conference hosted by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister Joe McHugh is positive the Government is doing all they can to minimise the impact of Brexit on Donegal. He says the Taoiseach has made clear his view that any manifestation of a hard border would have very negative consequences for our country and

A Donegal County Councillor has raised a number of questions surrounding the treatment of Japanese Knotweed in Donegal. The potential damage the Japanese Knotweed can cause to other native plants has long been flagged as a very real problem in the county. Cllr. Martin Harley has requested information from the Council as it relates to

The Heritage Council has issued a call for communities to nominate the forgotten and lonely monuments in their community, that are desperately in need of care and attention, under the Adopt a Monument Scheme. The Council is looking for four monuments to join the scheme for 2017. Aimed at empowering communities to become actively involved

A public consultation opens next Thursday on the future development of Malin Head. Tenders are already out for stage two which involves road widening works, car parking expansions and the building of toilet facilities at the popular tourist spot. The public consultation is for stage three to further enhance the area for tourists and locals.

  The security alert in the Farm Hill area of Derry has now ended. The army bomb disposal team examined a suspicious object discovered in the area and have declared it to be a hoax. Farm Hill has now reopened to traffic and all residents have been allowed to return to their homes.

  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

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.

An All-Ireland tree planting initiative gets underway this weekend, with the aim of planting a million trees. Among the groups taking part are the Buncrana Tidy Towns Initiative and Wild Inishowen, who will be planting trees from 10am tomorrow morning at Dunree Fort. One Million Trees in One Day is an initiative which aims to

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

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

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

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

The OPW has confirmed that a survey is to be carried out this year in relation to coastal erosion on Carrickfinn beach. In the interim Donegal County Council is carrying various works to halt the effects of erosion there. They are also inviting the public to a practical training workshop on February the 24th will

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……………..

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

    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

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

  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

    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

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