Author name: oisinkelly

The ongoing supply issue and uncertainty over sterling and Brexit will be the main drivers of a small rise in house prices in Donegal throughout 2017, estate agents have predicted. A survey carried out by the Real Estate Alliance Group has found that agents throughout the county expect prices to rise by 2.5% on average […]

There’s been a sharp drop in the number of people awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital. There were six people awaiting admission at the hospital this morning, two of them on Emergeny Department trollies. The INMO’s Trolley and Ward Watch today shows 466 people awaiting admission this morning, 345 of then on Emergency Department trolleys.

Brexit has been branded ‘a mess’ by EU Commissioner Phil Hogan, who says the process is getting messier. The former Fine Gael Government minister’s been speaking in a number of papers this morning. He’s told the Irish Independent that he hopes the EU can persuade the UK government on a common position for Ireland, north and

The North’s First Minister is set to meet with the DUP in private later, to try and resolve the so called ‘Cash for Ash’ controversy. Arlene Foster who presided over the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme when she was Economy Minister, has refused to step down while an investigation takes place. Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams

An immediate meeting has been called with An Post following the unannounced withdrawal of postal services in Drumkeen. Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher and Councillor Patrick McGowan hope to meet with An Post to resolve the current difficulties in supplying the Postpoint service in Drumkeen. Deputy Gallagher, currently the Leas Cheann Comhairle, says something

We’re being warned that we could see further peaks in the hospital overcrowding crisis. Around 300 patients were on trolleys earlier today – down from over 600 on Tuesday. Damien McCallion is the HSE Director for Emergency Management with responsibility for the Winter Initiative. He says the situation is being closely monitored:

Figures released from the INMO reveal that over 2,000 people spent time on trolleys or chairs while awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital last year. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty says the figures clearly demonstrate that Government policy is continuing to create chaos in our health service and is putting patient lives in danger. The Sinn

Police in the North have issued a further warning for residents to ensure that their properties are secured. Police were alerted following reports that a number of door handles were tried in properties in the Church Square area of Sion Mills last night. This follows incidents in the Strabane and Newtownstewart areas a number of

We’re being warned against scare mongering over the trolley crisis in Hospitals. It’s after the number of people waiting on a bed this week reached a record high of over 600. The Irish Medical Organisation has hit out at the Government’s saying it’s – is too little too late. Dr. Rose Anne Kenny Professor of

  It’s been claimed that Donegal children are losing out on childcare as a result of an enrolment loophole. Under the current scheme, children can only be admitted to the scheme in September, January and April. This means that the number of weeks of childcare that kids are entitled to depends on what time of

Derry City and Strabane District Council has stressed that it will continue to clamp down on irresponsible or neglectful animal owners, following the successful prosecution of a dog owner found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her two pet huskies. Amy Denby, Eglinton, Derry, was sentenced at Derry Magistrates Court yesterday after pleading guilty to

Over 80 jobs are under threat at an engineering factory in Derry. It’s been reported that administrators have been called in at Derry-based firm, Schivo. The firm, formally known as Maydown Precision Engineering supplies to aircraft manufacturers and was bought by the Schivo Group two years ago. Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney says they are remaining

A father-of-two who stole €100 from an ISPCC Childline box at a pantomime – as well as a series of thefts along the border from Co. Cavan to Co. Donegal – has been jailed for 14 months. Jimmy Ward stole the money at the pantomime on December 11 in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. A father-of-two who

Concern has been raised in Drumkeen following the withdrawal of postal services from the area. An Post has confirmed that the agency in Drumkeen has had to close unexpectedly and that the closure is due to unforeseen circumstances. This means that residents will now have travel to Convoy to avail of the services there. However

  As concerns heighten around the significant increase in cases of flu, the Home Instead Senior Care group is warning that the lives of elderly people must be protected during the current outbreak. Yesterday GP and former TD Dr James McDaid suggested extending school closures as a solution to combat the spread. However Home Instead

203 schools in Donegal are set to share almost €1.3 million to develop Information and communications technology. It follows Education Minister Richard Bruton’s announcement of a €30m fund to boost ICT infrastructure in primary and post-primary schools.   ******************* Statement in full – Fine Gael Minister of State Joe McHugh has confirmed that €1,268,779 is

There were 30 people without beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, six of them on Emergency Department trolleys and 24 in overflow areas on the wards. That was the joint third highest figure in the country, 11 behind Limerick and one behind Gaway. Yesterday, the INMO reported and initial figure of 25 people waiting

Aquaculture producers in Donegal and Sligo say a government proposal to dump almost 100,000 tonnes of fine peaty silt in Donegal bay could threatening the health of millions of fish and farmed shellfish. Following a meeting in Killybegs yesterday, IFA Aquaculture executive Richie Flynn said that producers had voiced serious concerns about the plan after

It’s emerged that one insurance company is investigating what’s been described as an “organised ring” which is staging road crashes in Donegal in order to make fraudulent insurance claims. AXA insurance has told the Donegal News there are 36 ongoing investigations underway in Donegal, 19 of which are suspected to be staged accidents involving in

  GPs in Donegal will be given more access to private diagnostic services under a series of measures announced last night by the HSE. A number of enhanced measures were confirmed as part of the Winter Plan, including an additional 63 acute hospital beds, along with 60 step-down across 10 hospitals. None of the new

Donegal County Council is being urged to install traffic calming measures at Old Town in Letterkenny opposite the Now Doc service in the interest of pedestrian safety. Once such suggestion is to install a Pedestrian crossing there with the hope of easing the speed of motorists on what has been described as a very dangerous