Author name: oisinkelly

Country music star Daniel O’Donnell is showing his support for those affected by the Mica scandal. Thousands of people from Donegal, Mayo and elsewhere will protest in Dublin today, demanding the government commit to a 100 percent redress scheme. A draft report estimates the total cost could hit 3.2 billion euro and the government’s currently […]

The IFA has warned the government not to ignore their concerns around safeguarding the viability of farms in Ireland. Farmers will take to the streets today at four regional rallies throughout the country protesting at the economic consequences of environmental policy initiatives demanded by the Green Party. A number of Donegal farmers are attending a

There are further calls on the Irish Government to provide funding to the City of Derry Airport. While the airport primarily facilities people in Northern Ireland, figures show that 40% of its passengers are from Donegal. The issue was raised in the Dail as part of Statements on the recovery of tourism and aviation by

  Donegal County Council has been told that new by-laws governing casual trading are needed to address the growth in roadside coffee pods and gourmet food outlets. Cllr Niamh Kennedy moved a motion this week, urging the council to investigate the potential of designated trading areas where there has been increased activity in trading, and

  Thousands of Donegal people are set to descend on the Capital later for a second 100% mica redress demonstration. The protest gets underway at 12 noon in Dublins City Centre. Speaking in the Dail last night Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh the crisis has gone on too long and it’s time to resolve it once

  Sinn Féin has called for the Help to Buy scheme to be scrapped in the budget. The party also says the Local Property Tax needs to be phased out and Carbon Tax increases should be halted. The party has called for a wealth tax, increases in employers PSRI and stamp duty hikes on larger

Bars and nightclubs in Northern Ireland are hoping to hear some good news from Stormont later, as it meets to review Covid-19 restrictions. It’s already been hinted big changes could be kicking in on October 14th. Donegal man Declan Jordan – the manager of Rosie Joe’s bar in Derry – is keen to see some

The General Manager of Letterkenny University Hospital is urging healthcare professionals working elsewhere who may considering returning to Donegal to send CVs to the hospital’s HR Department. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Sean Murphy said the hospital needs more nursing, medical and clinical staff, and while funding is being made available to open more

Vandalism in Castlefinn has caused hurt and upset to the neighbours of those responsible. That’s according to local Councillor Gary Doherty following the discovery of plants and bushes pulled out and left strewn over the streets of the village this morning. This is the second such incident in recent weeks. Councillor Doherty is appealing to

A dedicated webpage to raise awareness of cyber crime has been set up on Donegal County Council’s website as part of an initiative by Donegal’s Joint Policing Committee. The online platform provides information for young people and parents, how to detect a scammer purporting to represent a bank and advice and assistance from the Garda

A new EU pandemics authority has been welcomed by Midlands North West MEP Colm Markey. The European Health Emergency preparedness and Response Authority will monitor for possible future health dangers around the globe. And if there worst happens again, the authority will co-ordinate the buying up of medical supplies like vaccines to be distributed as

Donegal County Council is to write to the government seeking the establishment of a dedicated task force to address the social impact of Mica in Donegal. The issue was raised by Councillor Albert Doherty, who said its vital that the government initiate, coordinate, fund and promote a North West housing, health and family welfare response

A Donegal Deputy say families affected by Mica are not going away and shouldn’t be forced to come to Dublin to protest tomorrow. It comes as the Housing Minister has described the Mica issue as an absolute tragedy and has committed again to enhance the current redress scheme. In the Dail, Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn called

A Donegal Deputy says to label children as potential criminals is not the way forward as a crime preventative measure. It comes as The National Youth Justice Strategy was debated in the Dail yesterday evening which aims to promote positive behavioural change in children. It also includes a wide range of issues relevant to children

D-Day is on the horizon as a second 100% Mica redress demonstration gets underway in the Capital tomorrow. The demonstration begins at 12 noon at the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square with protesters then making their way through the city. PRO of the Mica Action Group, Michael Doherty says it’s critical that people turn

A Status Yellow Weather Warning is in effect for five western coastal counties. Up to 50 millimetres of rain is forecast for parts of Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim over the next 48 hours. A similar alert’s due to take effect in Cork and Kerry from midday, with all warning’s set to expire at

  The Attorney General is looking at ways to penalise quarries which sold defective mica blocks. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has said he believes those responsible should play a role in fixing the problem. The Minister hasn’t ruled out a 100 per cent redress scheme, despite a report last week advising against it. Minister O’Brien

  A Donegal Deputy has moved to clarify questions on local property tax forms. It’s after the tax forms were said to be causing some confusion locally. In the forms, Revenue is asking people to use Revenue’s online property valuation tool and to add the band number the online tool generates to their payment form.

  The Government’s being accused of sleepwalking into an energy crisis. The Dail has been debating a People Before Profit motion on the rising cost of electricity, gas and fuel prices. The party says many people won’t be able to heat their homes this Winter as a result. TD Jennifer Whitmore from the Social Democrats

Donegal County Council has adjourned its reconvened July meeting which had been taking place the the Aura Leisure Centre, and will reconvene the meeting online this afternoon, with Cllr Frank McBrearty excluded. It follows heated exchanges during a discussion on whether the council can legally refuse to do business with companies who have supplied blocks

The Housing Minister has reiterated again that nothing is off the table as a revision of the Mica redress scheme continues. Minister Darragh O’Brien has confirmed that the removal of upfront costs, including rent and planning exemptions has been agreed while significant progress is also said to have been made on a guarantee on second