Author name: oisinkelly

Denis O’Brien is due to give evidence today as part of his legal action over remarks made about his personal banking affairs in the Dáil. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty is one of the TDs named in the case. The businessman claims the comments effectively determined the outcome of a case he was taking against RTÉ […]

Two investigations are underway into alleged fraud at the Donegal Education Centre in Donegal Town. The Donegal Democrat is reporting today that all schools in the county have been informed about the investigations, which began when the centre’s current director noticed financial irregularities shortly after taking over the post last year. The alleged fraud is

Irish Water’s parent company ‘Ervia’ has committed to the delivery of a sewerage scheme for Gaoth Dobhair. In September, the European Commission criticised the Government over its failure to deliver the scheme. It’s understood that Irish Water has now put forward its proposals for Gaoth Dobhair as part of the state’s response to the Commission.

Work is to begin this week on erecting a crane on the pier at Gola Island. The need for a crane was highlighted last year by the fishing community with funding secured in recent months. It’s hoped that the move will benefit both local fishermen and islanders alike in their daily work. Local Councillor Micheal

It’s been claimed that Donegal farmers are only receiving half of what they should be under the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme. The payment was originally aimed at disadvantaged farmers in Donegal and the West of Ireland however the geographical area has been widened in recent years. It is now thought that because of this,

Almost 480 people are on trolleys at hospitals across the country – 14 of those at Letterkenny University Hospital According to the INMO – Cork University Hospital is the most overcrowded with 42 people in need of a bed. The Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore is next with 30 people on trolleys and overflow areas

Donegal County Council has scooped the Joint Local Authority Initiative award at this year’s Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards. The award was won by the Council for it’s work with Derry City and Strabane District Council on the North West of Ireland – A Strategic Model for Regional Development & Growth. The initiative

It’s been confirmed that the contracts for the £7m Brandywell Redevelopment Project have been signed earlier today. It’s understood that work on the project by Co Tyrone based contractors, McAleer and Teague will begin next week and will include a new stand, changing rooms and a new synthetic playing surface. The club is now looking

  Small business in Donegal could benefit from a €16.6m European fund to develop the Research & Innovation capacity of over 1,400 businesses on a cross-border basis. The ‘Co-Innovate’ project, announced under the INTERREG programme covers parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the border counties in the Republic. Preliminary discussions are already underway, with the

A total of 2,831 people were seen at the Breast Clinic at Letterkenny University Hospital in 2015, 1,633 of whom were new patients. 888 of the new Letterkenny referrals were deemed to be urgent, with 90% offered an appointment within two weeks, compared to 100% in Galway. Of the 745 routine referrals, 24% were given

Police in County Derry are renewing their appeal for information following a fatal crash a week ago today. 64 year old Loreto Douglas died in a collision with two vans on the Glenshane Road outside Dungiven last Wednesday morning. Three men and a woman were also taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries. The

The Green Party says the proposals on water charges will benefit everyone if they’re introduced. Debate over the report of the expert group is continuing this morning after it recommended that water should be paid for through general taxation, with charges reserved for wasteful use. It also suggested that public ownership of water should be

There’s been cross-party support in the assembley for a proposal to establish a new medical school at the Magee Campus of Ulster University. SDLP Health Spokesperson MLA Mark H Durkan tabled the motion which received unanimous support. The school is seen a step towards expanding the Magee campus. Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has

Donegal County Councillor is to press for progress in Finn Harps’ plans for a new stadium in Stranorlar. On foot of a motion from Cllr. Martin Harley, the council will lobby the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to deliver on previous commitments. Speaking at the council’s monthly meeting, Councillor Harley said that planning approval

The Irish Farmers Association have described the proposed changes to the terms and conditions of the Rural Social Scheme as unacceptable. Last month’s budget announced an additional 500 places on the scheme. However, farmers have hit out at proposed new restrictions, including a three year time limit and a minimum age of 25. Chariman of

Tomorrow Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn will call for a response on the issue of the ownership of Lough Foyle, situated between Derry and Donegal. Brexit has reignited the row over the ownership of Lough Foyle with Northern Ireland Secretary of State, James Brokenshire reasserting London’s claim that the ‘whole of Lough Foyle is within the

The Government may introduce a water tax to pay for services and remove charges from the majority of households. An expert commission report into water is to be published tomorrow – it’s understood it says charges should only be imposed on households who waste water. Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar says all parties will have

Gardai are urging owners of large pieces of machinery to have them marked, as incidents of theft are increasing. The issue came to the fore after the theft of a digger and trailer from a site in St Johnston at the weekend. The equipment was the property of Gortlee Sales and Hire. Its owner is

The Bishop of Raphoe says he believes Pope Francis will address the issue of clerical child abuse when he visits Ireland in 2018. Speaking on the Shaun Doherty Show this morning, Bishop Philip Boyce said he does not know how it will be done, but stressed he believes the issue will not be hushed up.

Donegal County Council has unanimously expressed no confidence in the HSE. The unprecedented declaration came on foot of a motion from Cllr Michael Mc Bride, who says every member of council hears regular complaints and concerns about the difficulty of accessing health services. The overcrowding crisis at Letterkenny University Hospital was also highlighted, with 16

A Donegal County Councillor is calling on cross-border support for the release of Tony Taylor, a Derry prisoner. In March last year Taylor was returned to prison after his early release licence was revoked by the then Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers. Mr Taylor was serving a three year sentence for possession of a rifle

Donegal County Council is being urged to increase its support for Mary from Dungloe, as the festival approaches its 50th anniversary next year. Cllr. Enda Bonner called for the financial support from the council to the festival to be restored to the €10,000 figure that existed some years ago. Meanwhile, Cllr. Maire Threrese Gallagher told

300,000 euro in funding has been announced for Donegal under the Rural Economic Development Zones scheme. Minister Joe McHugh welcomed the news which will see three Donegal areas benefitting directly from the funding. In Ballyshannon, 48,000 euro will be used for the upgrade of facilities in the town to enchance the area for tourism, while

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued an appeal to householders living in high level radon areas to get their homes checked. Over 4,700 homes across Ireland were tested for radon and 733 of these had raised radon levels, almost 80 had extremely high radon levels. The highest home tested in Ireland was found to have

Donegal County Council has given its approval to Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. One of the stadiums identified as part of the bid Derry’s Celtic Park. Derry and Strabane District Council has already given its support for the bid. Councillor, Jack Murray tabled a motion calling on the local authority to

Midlands North-West MEP Matt Carthy believes that Brexit could possibly open up unique opportunities to look towards a united Ireland. A new discussion document was released by Sinn Fein today, aimed at sparking discussions. It argues for the Good Friday Agreement’s referendum mechanism to be triggered and says a poll could be held concurrently north

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has approved plans put forward by Donegal County Council to proceed to the design and preparation stage of the N15 Blackburn Bridge phase 11 road project. Works are due to be completed next year with estimated to costs at €1/2 million. Proposed improvements include; traffic calming measures, and the addition of school

A Donegal Councillor says waste operators should be asked to outline their prices as part of the licensing process. Cllr Patrick Mc Gowan was speaking ahead of today’s council meeting during which he’ll move a motion calling for discussion about the pay by weight system which is due to be introduced. The system was to

A Derry councillor is expressed concern at a new spate of attacks on cars travelling along Madams Bank Road after some months of inactivity. Cllr Tony Hasson says motorists were targetted on Friday night last, with stones and large sods of grass thrown at a number of cars. Cllr Hassan says it’s only a matter

There were 17 patients awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 7 of them on trolleys in the Emergency Department. Nationally, 430 people were waiting on beds across the country this morning. Letterkenny University Hospital has been regularly returning double digit overcrowding figures in recent weeks, and the Full Capacity Protocol is being implemented

  The Garda Siochana Ombudsman Copmmission is to investigate a collision involving a marked Garda patrol car on the main Letterkennt to Derry Road last night. Gardai have confirmed that at 10.05 last night at Carrownamaddy, Burt the car was involved in a collision with an indepenent third party vehicle. Four people were brought to

A Donegal Town native has been appointed Head of Bank of Ireland’s operations in County Donegal. Barry Gallagher has 17 years bankng experience, and has worked as a Senior Business Manager in Sligo, as well as spending a period as Commercial Branch Manager in Bank of Ireland, Letterkenny.