Author name: oisinkelly

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

There were 19 patients awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 12 of them on trolleys in the Emergency Department and seven in overflow areas on wards. That’s down slightly on yesterday’s figure of 23, nine of whom were on trolleys in the Emergency Department. Nationally, there were 409 people waiting on hospital beds

  People who vandalise Christmas trees and decorations are  being warned that they are putting themselves, and others, in danger. Derry City and Strabane District Council says there have been several incidents of damage, most recently to the trees in Derry’s Waterloo Place in Derry and Glenmoran Village outside Strabane. It brings the total number of

Public Expenditure Minister Pascal Donohoe says he is working to ensure that Brexit does not compromise any offers of EU funding already made in Northern Ireland. Mr Donohoe is in Derry today, along with Stormont Minister Martin O’Muilleoir, to view a number of projects supported by Peace and INTERREG. They include the North West Regional

A man from County Derry has been remanded in custody charged in connection with drug finds valued at more than £400,000. The 29-year-old man, who was granted anonymity, is charged with six charges of unlawfully supplying cannabis and cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis on dates between September 2012 and

A garda investigation is underway after letters were delivered to several houses in Letterkenny warning of the presence of an alleged paedophile. It’s believed a man dressed as a postman delivered letters to a number of residents in an estate in the town on Tuesday afternoon. The letter – it’s claimed – contained a three

Tenders are being invited for a three year contract to provide a ferry service from Greencastle to Magilligan. The contract for the roll on/ roll off ferry service will run from April 2017 – March 2020 with Donegal County Council and Causeway Coast and Glen Borough Council now inviting applications. The closing date for applications

  Donegal Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill has resigned from Fianna Fail after the state watchdog found that he knowingly breached ethics laws – by claiming travel expenses from two different bodies for the same trips. The Standards in Public Office Commission found against Brian Ó Domhnaill following an inquiry into his claims for travelling and

A young mother of three in Ramelton is warning residents in the area to be watchful after oil thieves emptied her tank just ten days before Christmas. The woman had over 200 litres of oil stolen last night and knows of at least two others in the area who have also been robbed. The young

  Efforts are underway to prepare a guidance document for the conservation of traditional shopfronts and vernacular signage in Donegal. It’s hoped the document will provide assistance to those involved in preservation, conservation, regeneration and design initiatives in towns and villages across the county. The guidance document will also aim to show how important traditional