Author name: oisinkelly

  The Full Capacity Protocol has been implemented at Letterkenny University Hospital this evening with significant numbers continuing to await admission to its Emergency Department. It comes as 27 patients were without a bed at the hospital this morning, 10 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. All efforts continue to be made to identify patients

  Five wards in Altnagelvin hospital have been closed after what has been described as the worst outbreak of the norovirus in almost 30 years. Admissions to the hospitals surgery care of the elderly and urology wards have been suspended until further notice while two other wards are being closely monitored. It’s understood that the

  The High Court in Belfast has ruled that some evidence connected to the Omagh bombing is to be heard in secret. The Government had requested a “closed material procedure” for a judge to examine whether public disclosure of information would be damaging to national security. The BBC is reporting that after viewing a sample

Donegal County Childcare is reporting a positive response to their new supports for Children with Special Needs. Under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) which was set up in June, a range of  new information supports for parents and childcare providers have become available. The developments include an AIM resource library and two new training

The number of patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital rose sharply again today, with 27 patients without a bed at the hospital this morning, 10 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. The remaining 17 were on chairs and in overflow areas of wards. That compares to eight yesterday, four of whom were in the

The government spent €12,800 on transport when Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visited Donegal in May. The visit of the royals also incurred a €1,400 photography bill, while just over €1,100 was spent on catering. The figures, published by the Department of Foreign Affairs, do not include the amount spent on security operations or

Two men have been detained following the seizure of an estimated €3,000 worth of cocaine from a house in the Drumcannon area of Killygordon area last night. The men, believed to be in their 30s, are being questioned at Letterkenny Garda Station The seizure comes as the latest CSO analysis of crime in the Donegal

There was a significant fall in crime recorded in Donegal in the 3rd quarter of this year when compared to the same period last year. However, as has been hightlighted, there was a significant increase in drink driving offences as well as dangerous and negligent acts and a small increase in drugs offences. The CSO

The Mica Action Group says it is disappointed to learn the report from the independent panel set up earlier in the year to investigate the issue of defective blocks will be delayed until early next year. The Department of Environment says that due to a more rigorous investigation and a more extensive nature of the

Northern Ireland’s First Minister has survived a motion of no confidence, over her handling of the Renewable Heat Initiative controversy. However a majority of politicians in Stormont voted in FAVOUR of Arlene Foster to step aside and allow an investigation into the affair. The motion only fell because it did not get the support from

MEPs in the European Parliament are currently assessing the implications of Brexit in their various specialist areas. Northwest MEP Marian Harkin is on the Brexit sub-committee of the Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee. She says the impact of Brexit on workers travelling North and South of the border is of particular concern to her………….

There have been TWO mass walkouts of politicians in Stormont – as the First Minister defends her role in a controversial “cash for ash” scheme. Opposition MLAs walked out in protest, arguing that Arlene Foster should not have been allowed to speak as First Minister amid the controversy over the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme. Deputy

Ireland’s economy will continue to prosper, despite the seismic shift in global economic and political movements. That’s according to an EY Economic Eye report which found the Irish economy is forecast to grow by 2.7 percent per annum over the next four years and employment will continue to rise. It predicts a boost in jobs

The number of people arrested for drink driving in Donegal doubled over the first 16 days of this month, compared to the first 16 days of December 2015. Traffic Corps Inspector Michael Harrison says he was shocked when he saw the extent of the increase. He says people of all ages are being detected, and

The North’s First Minister Arlene Foster is resisting calls to stand aside in order to facilitate an independent investigation into the Renewable Heating Initiative Scheme. In Derry at the weekend, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said a process must be established to get to the truth. Former DUP Minister Jonathon Bell, who has now been

A new road safety campaign is being fronted by a well-known funeral director. David McGowan made headlines and gained a huge following earlier this year when he brought a plane from Shannon to Sligo to use in his glamping site. Now he’s joined forces with Mayo County Council to warn people to be on their

  Irish farmers are being advised to remain vigilant for any signs of disease, following an outbreak of birdflu in turkeys in Britain. The Department of Agriculture says an early warning system is in place and they’re continuing to closely monitor the situation. Nigel Reneghan is the IFA’s National Poultry Chairman – he says there’s

Two men are to appear at Derry Magistrates Court tomorrow morning both charged with robbery and attempted robbery. The charges are in connection to a robbery that occurred at a shop in the Clooney Terrace area of Derry on Friday. The men aged 41 and 39 were arrested later that afternoon.

Yesterday afternoon in Derry, Gerry Adams addressed the issue of the crisis surrounding the Renewable Heating Initiative Scheme. In his address the Sinn Fein President said a process must be established to get to the truth and defend the integrity of the political institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement. The RHI Scheme controversy was

Sinn Féin’s leadership team and key activists are to meet in Derry this afternoon to discuss the controversial Renewable Heat Incentive scheme. Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD will be the key figure at the Gasyard Centre, Derry. Hundreds took part in protests in the North last night calling on First Minister Arlene Foster to

Young farmers are anxious to tell the world that Ireland is not part of Brexit and the country is open for business. Macra na Feirme President Sean Finan says the UK’s decision to leave the EU has cast doubt over the future of many young Irish farmers. He’s calling for additional resources to help the

A Donegal Senator has reiterated his call for the Siege of Jadotville soldiers to be awarded a military medal for their bravery. In 1961, 155 Irish soldiers – eleven from Donegal – took part in a six day siege in Jadotville and surrendered when their ammunition ran out. In September, Minister Paul Kehoe presented the

Northern Ireland’s first minister Arlene Foster has hit back at calls for her to step aside, saying she doesn’t take instructions from Sinn Féin. Martin McGuinness has expressed concern over claims that an overspend on an eco-friendly project has left the government with a bill for four hundred million pounds but Ms Foster says she

Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue is calling on Minister Michael Creed to guarantee outstanding payments be issued to farmers under the Rural Development Programme. It was revealed that there has been a €204m under spend in the RDP for 2016. Deputy McConalogue is hopeful that payments will be issued before Christmas, next week. In response to

Fáilte Ireland has announced over 1.6 million euro in funding for festivals in 2017, €105,000 of which is coming to Donegal. The money is going to 16 different events across the country – with Dublin’s St Patrick’s festival receiving the largest portion of the pot at one million euro. Four events in Donegal are being

Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister Martin McGuinness has called on the first minister to “step aside” to allow an investigation into a controversial green energy scheme. Arlene Foster set up the Renewable Heat Incentive when she was enterprise minister. Opposition parties claim the government now faces a 400 million pound bill after overspending on the

A case linked to Ireland’s longest-serving serving politician, who is severely ill, was further adjourned today(Fri) with a warning from the judge that he will keep a tight rein on defence counsel. Judge Paul Kelly was told 81-year-old Donegal county Councillor Sean McEniff was still in intensive care at the Mater private Hospital. Solicitor Gerry