Author name: oisinkelly

The helicopter service for Toraigh Island has been expanded, and from today, will run as a weekly service rather than a fortnightly one. It follows discussions between Junior Minister Sean Kyne, the HSE and Irish Helicopters. Junior Minister Joe Mc Hugh says this is a significant boost for the island, and something the community on […]

Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has today published their 2016 regional report on health inequalities. Health outcomes are generally worse in the most deprived when compared with the least deprived areas. The report found that overall life expectancy from birth has continued to improve. The report revealed that life expectancy at birth has continued to

It has been announced that €20,000 of funding will be made available to implement plans for Letterkenny to become a Gaeltacht Service Town. Speaking earlier to Highland Radio News, Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh confirmed the funding and said that a meeting held last night, was a chance for people to bring forward their ideas and vision

Strabane, Limavady and Magherafelt are to retain their courthouses. Last year, the then Justice Minister David Ford indicated six courthouses would close across Northern Ireland, but last evening, it was confirmed by his successor Claire Sugden that would not now be the case. It’s the second time the Strabane Courthouse has been reprieved in four

Projects in Derry and Tyrone will benefit from an additional £25million funding allocation announced this week as part of the Executive’s first step stimulus package. The funding, which is intended to stimulate and support infrastructure development, was confirmed during the October Monitoring round, with an emphasis on road maintenance and public transport. In a statement,

Claims that the transport infrastructure of the North West has been neglected by successive governments will be raised during a special debate in the Seanad next month. Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn has secured a debate for Wednesday November 16th, three weeks from today, which must be attended by Minister Shane Ross. Senator Mac Lochlainn says

The government has been accused of misleading the Dáil over its controversial scheme for first-time buyers. The claim comes from Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty – who is querying the role of the Central Bank in how the scheme was designed. Michael Noonan told the Dáil on Budget Day that he had engaged with the Central

Midlands North West MEP Marian Harkin says she would not vote for the current EU-Canada trade. The CETA deal was to have been signed this week, but has been delayed because the Walloon Regional Parliament in Belgium has is blocking the Belgian prime minister from signing. Marian Harkin says she is opposed to an element

The Republican group calling itself Óglaigh na hÉireann has claimed responsibility for a paramilitary style shooting in Dungiven last week. A statement was issued by the group to the County Derry Post today claiming responsibility. Last Wednesday night a man was taken from Derry and shot in the leg just before 8 o’clock in Dungiven.

Another protest is taking place today at Edenmore Meats in Lifford. It has been claimed that Edenmore Meats owe some local farmers substantial amounts of money with others not receiving payments in almost two years. Farmers have been there since 7 o’clock this morning and say that they will now remain there until they receive

Concerns have been raised in Derry as Sinn Fein Councillor Elisha McCallion says over 5000 people in the Foyle constituency could lose their vote. The former mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council has said that there is real concern in the city and district after it was revealed that the Electoral Office is

A Donegal County Councillor will appear before Letterkenny’s Circuit Court on December 6th. Independent Councillor John O’Donnell will be on trial for two cases of assault against two people. The incident occurred last February in Letterkenny.

Donegal County Council has advised that this Halloween they will be monitoring a number of locations were waste materials have been supplied for bonfires over the past number of years. The Council has warned that bonfires can cause serious damage to the environment and to health and supplying materials for use on bonfires is an

A Donegal Deputy has voiced his concerns that there is a lack of progress on the future of three community hospitals in the county. A meeting was held yesterday between HSE officals, public representatives and members of the action group Save Our Hospital Services. No conclusion was reached on the future of Lifford, Ramelton and

Letterkenny woman, Gina Grant has been announced as Donegal ETB’s Chairperson. The Education Training Board in Donegal is the largest educational organisation with 15 post primary schools under them. The ETB continually introduces new courses for students post primary and into further education. Chairperson of ETB, Gina Grant says she is delighted to be a

Local TDs and Councillors are being urged to put the Gweedore Sewerage Scheme back on the agenda, three years after 13 million euro in funding was announced for the scheme. The Gweedore Chamber of Commerce says since then, 3 million euro has been spent on consultancy fees, but no further action has been taken on

An 18-year-old man has been sentenced to a Treatment and Supervision Order at Derry Crown Court after being found guilty of sexual assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping and threatening to kill. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been found unfit to plead at an earlier hearing and a jury heard the evidence

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is set to introduce a minimum living wage of £8.25 for council workers, following the lead of Derry City and Strabane District Council and Belfast City Council. The decision was taken by the Policy and Resources Committee, and is set to be ratified at the next full council meeting. Omagh

  Donegal County Council is inviting contractors to tender for the construction of a new bridge at Cockhill, Buncrana. The scheme involves the construction of a new 38m single span bridge over the Crana river to accommodate the realigned R238, with full specifications published today on the etenders website . Completed tenders should be returned

Gardaí in Moville are this afternoon investigating an incident of criminal damage to a car that was set alight on Saturday night. Gardai and the Fire Service attended the scene at Foyle View Cresent in Moville at approximately 10pm. The fire was extinguished but damage was caused to the car and the front of a

The Board of Management at Dooish National School in Ballybofey has expressed concern over the councils plans to increase the speed limit outside the school to 100 km/h. At the moment amber flashing lights are in place to advise motorists to slow down on approach to the school during peak times. Donegal County Council has

Three RNLI volunteers from Donegal have been honoured at the charity’s annual presentation of awards. The event recognises volunteers dedication and commitment to volunteering over long periods of time in a bid to raise funds and awareness and to help save lives at sea. Among the local awardees was Lough Swilly RNLI mechanic Gregory McDaid

An anti-drugs campaigner has met with Letterkenny’s Garda Superintendent and has commented that is was a positive meeting. Former Town Councillor and anti-drugs campaigner PJ Blake met with the Superintendent after having wrote to the Minster for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald and Garda Commissioner, Noirin O’Sullivan. PJ Blake says that the demand is still there but

Letterkenny has had more emergency applications to take children into care than anywhere else in Ireland. According to figures released the Child Care Law Reporting Project 26 emergency applications were made to letterkenny District Court in 2015. Dublin and Cork has had higher overall child care applications made but both had fewer full care order

A Donegal Deputy is calling on An Post to fill the vacant position at Dunlewey Post Office without delay. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has said that An Post’s decision to enter into a round of public consultation regarding the necessity for a Post Office in Dunlewey is a waste of time on their part.

Donegal Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn has welcomed plans by Irish Water to address instances of sewage discharge into the Crana River in Buncrana. Sewage discharge from the Westbrook pumping station has been entering the river during times of high levels of rainfall for this past number of years. Senator Mac Lochlainn says this is an

The AA has released figures from a survey they conducted to reveal that in Ireland 68% of drivers supported the introduction of a live register naming those found guilty of drink-driving offences. In Donegal over 45% of drivers supported this measure with only 7% in opposition. However, when asked if this measure would affect people