Author name: oisinkelly

  Donegal has been named the ‘coolest’ place to visit next year. It’s the only Irish destination mentioned in the National Geographic Traveller’s ‘Cool List’ for 2017. The list captures the top culture capitals, hipster hotspots and wild escapes. Other countries making the list are Santiago, Helsinki, Greenland, Peru, Canada, India and South Africa.

  Denis O’Brien has accused Deputies Catherine Murphy and Pearse Doherty of disrespecting the High Court by “unraveling” a court imposed injunction. He made the comment while giving evidence at his legal action against the Dáil over comments they made in the chamber last year. Denis O’Brien claims comments made by Deputies Murphy and Doherty

The family of Arlene Arkinson is “deeply frustrated” at delays in concluding an inquest into her death, a coroner’s court has heard. The 15 year old from Castlederg disappeared in 1994 after attending a disco in Bundoran. She had last been seen in the company of convicted child killer Robert Howard, who died in prison

    The Full Capacity Protocol has been implemented at Letterkenny Univeristy Hospital this afternoon due to the significant numbers of patients awaiting admission to the hospital. The latest figures from the INMO have revealed that there were 28 people awaiting admission to its Emergency Department this morning. The Full Capacity Protocol has been implemented

Health Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA, today announced the award of two significant contracts for further investment at Altnagelvin – a new North Wing Ward Block to replace the ageing tower block wards and major upgrade works to Day Surgery Theatres. The Minister confirmed the appointment of Northstone (NI) Ltd as the contractor to build the

There were 28 people awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning according to the latest figures from the INMO. 16 of those are on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 12 are in overflow areas or wards. University Hospital Galway is the most overcrowded with 34 people in need of a bed

The average rent across all Residential Tenancies Board properties in Donegal was €487 between July and September, up €13 when compared to the previous three months and up €30 compared to Quarter Three in 2015. The data, published this morning by the RTB is based on the actual rents paid by new tenants. Meanwhile, it’s

It’s anticipated that the Pieta House facility in Letterkenny will be open by April next year, the 11th across the country. Last week, officials from Pieta House visited Letterkenny amd met with the Action for Hope group which is working on the project on the ground. It’s co-ordinator Danny Devlin says a premises has been

Planning permission has been granted for new office development at Ebrington. The permission covers consent for refurbishment and extension of a listed building. Building 104, a former barracks building, will be converted to 19 new offices. Members of the Planning Committee were informed at the meeting that there were no representations received. The applications were

A post mortem examination is taking place today at Letterkenny University Hospital on the body of a woman recovered from Lough Barrow near Doochary last evening. It’s understood the woman’s car went into the water from a pier. Gardai have confirmed they do not believe the death is suspicious, and they are treating it as

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