Author name: oisinkelly

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

The HSE is being urged to seek cross-border help to ease the overcrowding crisis at Letterkenny University Hospital. The situation in the hospital at present has been described by Industrial Relations Officer with the INMO Maura Hickey as ‘unsustainable’. She says at this stage, other options must be explored and is urging the HSE to

Gardaí have launched an investigation following an overnight burglary at a pharmacy in Convoy. It’s believed that the burglary happened at around 3.50am this morning with the individuals gaining access to the premises via the front door. Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information or who saw any suspicious activity in the area to contact Letterkenny

The Road Safety Authority is considering publishing the names of people who have been disqualified from driving in the courts, in a similar manner to the publication by Revenue of the names of Tax defaulters. RSA Chief Executive Moyah Murdock says at present, there is no central database of people convicted of drink driving, and

Residents at Glenburnie between Moville and Greencastle are seeking a meeting with Council Engineers to seek safety measures after two incidents where unoccupied cars rolled down a hill towards the beach, crossing a popular walking path as the did so. The second incident happened yesterday, leading to community discussions last night. One suggestion is that

The number of people awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital has risen again, with 25 people awaiting beds this morning, 18 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That’s the fifth highest figure in the country. Nationally, the INMO says there were 578 people without beds this morning, 406 of them on trolleys.

44 people were killed in workplace accidents in 2016 – a drop of over 20 percent. Health and Safety Authority figures published today show that in Donegal, the figure last year was two, compared to six in 2015. Nationally, farm-related deaths are still high with 21 reported in 2016, compared to 18 the year before.

The HSE chief Tony O’Brien will brief Health Minister Simon Harris today on the overcrowding situation in Irish hospitals. On two days this week, the numbers awaiting hospital admission across the country was over 600. On Tuesday, there were 33 people awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital, 20 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. Yesterday,

A 48-year-old man has appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court charged with attempted murder and possessing a bow and arrow. Brian Forbes of Glenanne in the city faced a total of six charges including attempted murder, possessing a bow and arrow, possessing an ax, making threats to kill, causing criminal damage to a door and window

Gardai in Letterkenny have launched an investigation after parts of lorries were stolen from Tinney’s yard. It’s understood that the thieves broke into the yard between 8-9pm on Tuesday night and made off with valuble headlamps causing damage to the vehicles in the process. The parts stolen and subsequent damage caused is estimated to be

A Former Donegal Minister is calling for the closure of schools on a nationwide basis as a preventative measure for the current strain of flu from spreading, otherwise he says an epidemic is certain. There has been a sharp rise in the amount cases of flu this winter which has been attributed to mild weather

  Residents in the Killea area are being urged to be vigilant following reports of three males trying to gain access to a yard full of cars. The incident happened at 11.40pm last night however it’s understood the individuals were disturbed and made their getaway through nearby fields. This is the latest incident in a

  New figures show 2016 was the 17th warmest year since 1900. According to Met Éireann, the sunniest day last year was on June 2nd at Malin Head in County Donegal. The highest temperature of 2016 was reported at Mount Dillon in Roscommon on July 19th at 30.4 degrees Celsius. The wettest day of the

  A senior HSE official says the current strain of the flu has not reached epidemic proportions yet, but there is a serious increase in the number of cases. Public Health Specialist Dr Anthony Breslin was speaking to Greg Hughes on the Shaun Doherty Show today following suggestions that an increase in people going to

  Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information following the report of a house fire that occurred in the Stoneburn Place area of Currynierin in Derry. At approximately 10.30pm on Monday, police received the report of a house fire in the Stoneburn Place area of Currynierin. It is believed that the premises was deliberately set

Passenger journeys on the Bus Éireann local bus service network in the Northwest of the country grew by almost 10% in 2016. The company’s preliminary report for 2016 says there were 404,000 trips made on local services in 2016, compared to almost 369,000 in 2015. Bus Éireann employs 255 people in the North West, with

There were 19 patients awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 13 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. Nationally, the INMO’s Trolley and Ward Watch figure today is 602. Yesterday saw a record 612 people awaiting beds nationally, 33 of them in Letterkenny.

A Donegal Deputy has claimed that farmers will be disappointed with news that the Government has refused to lower the CAP payment ceiling during its term in office. It’s understood that in the Programme for Government a commitment was made that a proposal to lower the maximum payments, from €150,000 to €100,000 would be considered.

A 48 year old man has been charged with attempted murder, common assault, two counts of criminal damage, two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and threats to kill. He is expected to appear before Derry Magistrates Court later today. The charges are in connection with an incident in the Glendara

Northern Ireland’s first minister is refusing to step down, saying calls for her to do so are ‘misogynistic’. DUP leader Arlene Foster is under pressure over the botched Renewable Heat Initiative scheme, which went hundreds of millions of pounds over budget. Her partners in the power-sharing administration – Sinn Fein – have led the calls

Donegal County Council is inviting the public to participate in a short survey to find out more about the level of energy awareness throughout the county. It also hoped that the survey once completed will help advise on the best way to provide people with more information on saving energy costs. The survey is part

The Health Minister is to meet the HSE today to discuss the new record level of people awaiting beds at hospitals around the country. The daily count hit 612 yesterday, 33 of them at Letterkenny University Hospital and Simon Harris will meet management in the health service for a further update later. Meanwhile, it’s been