Author name: oisinkelly

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

  There were 23 people awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the latest figures from the INMO. 9 were on trolleys in the Emergency Department while a further 14 were on wards or on overflow areas. That’s up on yesterday’s figure of 18. Nationally, there were 473 people waiting to be

The Standards Commission has today published its investigation report about alleged contraventions of the Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service (Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001) by Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill, a former member of Donegal County Council. The report follows an investigation hearing held on 9 May 2016. The Standards Commission

A 29 year old man is due in court in Derry today on drugs charges. The man was arrested in the Claudy area yesterday as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of controlled drugs in the North West. The charges are two counts of being concerned in the supply of a class A

Planning objections to the proposed Wind Turbine at Gweedore Industrial Estate have been handed in to the Council offices in Dungloe. There have been a number of public meetings in relation to the proposal with a protest taking place outside Údarás na Gaeltachta ofices in Gaoth Dobhair last week. It’s understood that over 120 objections

Last year, there were 665 arrests nationwide for driving under the influence during last year’s campaign. Gardaí are also warning that they will be increasing the number of mandatory alcohol testing checkpoints around the county over the next six weeks. Road Safety Officer with Donegal County Council is Brian O’Donnell……..  

A Donegal Deputy has claimed that residents in isolated rural areas are set to lose out on funding for the upkeep of minor roads, following the recent announcement of CLAR funding. It’s understood that the Local Improvement Scheme has not been included for funding through the Clar programme, raising serious concern. Thousands of homeowners in

The Public Accounts Committee at Stormont is holding a special meeting later to consider calling on the North’s first minister to give evidence over the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme. Arlene Foster announced yesterday that MLAs would be recalled on Monday as she gives a full statement in the Assembly. The ex Northern Economy Minister has

  Police have arrested a man in the Claudy area today as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of controlled drugs in the North West. The suspect, aged 29, has been taken to Coleraine Police Station for questioning. Detective Inspector Tom McClure, from Reactive and Organised Crime Branch, said: “Today’s arrest is the

  Gardai in Letterkenny have released a man who was arrested in connection with an alleged rape in the town in October last. The man was arrested yesterday following an intense investigation by Gardai which began following a report of a rape at an apartment complex in Letterkenny on 23rd October. The man in his

  The Shaun Doherty Show has been chosen as the recipient of a Special Recognition at this year’s Road Safety Authority (RSA) Leading Lights in Road Safety Awards. The award recognises the huge contribution the show has made in highlighting the issue of road safety in Donegal. Communications Manager with the Road Safety Authority Brian

There are calls for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy following the agreement of 2017 quotas by the EU Council of Fisheries Minsters. The meeting ended in the early hours of this morning. The Killybegs Fishermens Organisation says the overall outcome of the Fisheries Council that finished at 2am this morning was positive, with

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says she will now seek a re-election as a vice president of the European Parliament. Last night the Midlands North-West MEP lost the vote to become the EPP candidate for next year’s European Parliament presidential elections. Former EU Commissioner from Italy Antonio Tajani will run for the position. Ms

A local Councillor has spoken out following Irish Water’s announcement last week that the company is to take responsibility for the administration of Donegal business water accounts. The change will see responsibility for account administration for almost 8,000 existing business customers in Co Donegal move to Irish Water from the Local Authority. Councillor Seamus O’Domhnail

A Donegal Deputy has moved the Civil Law Missing Persons Bill 2016 in the Dáil. The Bill allows for the appointment of an interim manager of the property of a missing person. It’s undersood that between 7,000 and 8,000 people are reported missing every year in Ireland, almost 20 every day. Speaking in the Dail

Improvements to Diabetes services in Donegal are on the Health Minister radar. That’s according to The Donegal Branch of Diabetes Ireland who met with the Minister this week during his visit to Letterkenny Hospital. Currently, there are 666 adults with Type 1 diabetes and 4,353 adults with Type 2 diabetes attending Letterkenny Hospital. Paul Gillespie

Two men have appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court charged in connection with a drugs find that the PSNI have said is valued at between £200,000 to £300,000. The men cannot be identified after District Judge Barney McElholm granted an application for anonymity on the grounds that there is a generalised threat against people charged with

The review of the school transport scheme has been heavily criticised with a view that it doesn’t go far enough to address issues in Donegal. Concern has been raised by many parents in the county over their children’s inability to access the schools they wish because other schools are deemed to be closer. Donegal Senator Padraig

A 25 year old man has been arrested in connection with the death of a man in County Derry. A house at Silverthorn Avenue in Coleraine has been sealed off following the incident yesterday afternoon. Forensic teams are trying to piece together the circumstances surrounding the death. The deceased was a local man – aged

The Killybegs Fishermens Organisation says the overall outcome of the Fisheries Council that finished at 2am this morning was positive, with significant increases in three pelagic stocks. The mackerel quota is up 14%, blue whiting up 85% and Atlanto Scandia herring up 104%. There were also increases in a number of important whitefish species but

  Star Wars and Game of Thrones were huge boosts to tourism in Ireland this year. The franchises both film in Ireland and their on-screen success has led to more people visiting the country. Tourism Ireland says 10.5 million people have visited Ireland this year, an 11 per cent increase on last year. Its CEO

  Diaspora Minister Joe McHugh says the Government is acutely conscious of the importance of the issue of immigration reform in the United States and its impact on Irish people living illegally in the US. The Donegal Deputy was speaking in the Seanad to update this house in relation to the plan for advancing the

Over 540 patients are on trolleys at hospitals across the country, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. 28 people were without a bed a Letterkenny University Hospital this morning – up from 22 yesterday. University hospitals in Cork and Galway are the worst affected – with 48 people waiting for admission to beds.

The Donegal based group “Our Children’s Voice”, which represents the families of children with terminal and life limiting illnesses says it had a very productive meeting with Minister Simon Harris during his time at Letterkenny University Hospital yesterday. The group raised three key issues, the need for outreach clinics in Donegal to reduce the need