Author name: oisinkelly

Fianna Fail leader Michael Martin has said in power his party would give Lifford Community Hospital all the support it would need. He was speaking on the canvas trail in Lifford today as part of his visit to Donegal. Deputy Martin outlined the concerns that were expressed to him while offering his support to Lifford […]

AXA Insurance says it is seeking a number of voluntary redundancies, as it consolidates its operations in Ireland. A number of staff currently based in Dublin City Centre have been told their jobs are moving to Derry. A statement from AXA says it has decided to consolidate operations in the interests of efficiency and customer

  Concern has been raised in relation to where Election campaigners are erecting their posters with claims that some are creating serious safety hazards in Donegal. There have been reports of posters being erected on signposts, blocking important signs for motorists. In one case at the Kilross junction between Letterkenny and Stranorlar some posters are

Independent Thomas Pringle’s campaign team is questioning why Fianna Fail have left West Donegal off party leader Micheal Martins Election tour. As part of his visit to the county today Deputy Martin is canvassing in Buncrana, Letterkenny, Milford and Ramelton with Charlie McConalogue and Lifford and Stranorlar with Pat the Cope Gallagher. Cllr. Micheál Cholm

The North’s Regional Development Minister has confirmed that the consultation process on the A5 road upgrade project has commenced. The consultation period will start next week and run until 4 April followed by a decision being made on the need for a new Public Inquiry on the scheme, which is currently programmed for autumn 2016.

The brother of missing Strabane man Sean Smurf Diver has slammed the Gardai and the PSNI for not doing enough to help find him. The search for Sean ‘ Smurf’ Diver has entered its third week with extensive local searches carried out on the River Mourne. The main focus this week is on the River

  Sixteen is the final number of Candidates to contest the General Election here in Donegal following two late additions.  Yesterday was the final date to submit nominations for the Election which saw Independent Candidate and anti-water charges activist Michael Mooney and Fis Nua’s Cordeila Nic Fhearraigh adding their names to the ticket. The deadline

  It’s been confirmed that 1.5 kms of water main between Falcarragh & Gortahork will be replaced. The work is hoped to reduce or stop the large number of bursts and stoppages which households in the Falcarragh – Gortahork area have experienced recently. It is expected the total cost will be in excess of €500,000

  A judge has given a warning that he might refuse to return for trial a Derry man charged in connection with travelling to Syria to fight against ISIS if there are any further delays. Eamonn Bradley (27) of Benview Estate in Coshquin was to face a preliminary enquiry at Derry Magistrate’s Court on charges

  Residents in Donegal are advised to be vigilant following claims that a man posing as an ESB worker and driving what appears to be an ESB vehicle is calling to homes in the county in a bid to carry out burglaries. The van has been spotted in the Castlfin area lately but other sightings around Donegal have

  Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin is continuing his nationwide General Election tour and will visit the new Donegal constituency  tomorrow.  It’s believed Deputy Martin will canvass in Buncrana, Letterkenny, Milford and Ramelton with Charlie McConalogue and Lifford and Stranorlar with Pat the Cope Gallagher.

Additional disabled facilities are to be provided in Derry’s Brooke Park when it reopens later this year after a substantial renovation. At a committee meeting last evening, members agreed to provide a wheelchair adaptable swing, and look at what other facilities can be provided. Cllr Mickey Cooper says it’s to be welcomed that after discussions

It’s emerged that Derry councillor and former Foyle MLA Maurice Devenney has been suspended from the party, for allegedly bringing the party into “disrepute”. The BBC is reporting this morning that complaints were made to the party that Mr Devenney was asking DUP suppporters to give theitr votes to the SDLP’s Mark Durkan outside a

Sinn Fein Deputy and Donegal candidate Padraig Mac Lochlainn has backed a Donegal surgeon who hit out at the health minister this week Minister Leo Varadkar recently suggested that more hospital beds would ease the presure on doctors to discharge patients, a claim that Orthopedic Surgeon Peter O’Rourke tooki grave exception to this week. Mr

A Donegal County Councillor has expressed concern over a new tenant purchase scheme for council tenants, claiming it lacks fairness, and does not provide for access to all. Under the new scheme, council tenants are allowed to purchase their home at a discount of up to 60 per cent on the market price. This applies

The potential of job creation in the forestry and wood chip industry in Donegal needs to be explored according to a Donegal TD Independent Deputy and Election Candidate Thomas Pringle has published a policy document on the biomass sector in the county, in which he claims wind farming has not benefited the rural communities of

  Workers who answer 999 emergency calls have given notice of a 12 hour strike on the day before the general election. (Thurs 25th) The CWU – which represents the workers – says to protect the service – the work stoppage will take place only at the Navan 999 centre between 8am and 8pm. It

  Fianna Fáil’s justice spokesman has lashed out at Sinn Féin – saying it’s a cult and not a political party. Niall Collins was responding to Sinn Féin’s plans to scrap the Special Criminal Court if it’s elected. Fianna Fáil is proposing a new Serious and Organised Crime Unit which it says would go further

Enterprise Ireland says 13 new companies are starting in the border region over the next three years as a result of funding approved in 2015. Seven of the companies are being supported through Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start Up programme, the other six through the Competitive Start Fund. Nationally, 217 companies will create over 1,500

Last night’s TG4 Donegal Poll ahead of the General Election pours cold water on Sinn Fein’s chances of taking a third seat in Donegal, and conversely, suggests that outgoing Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn could be in difficulty as he fights for the  last seat. It’s been one of the of the main talking points in

Midlands North West MEP Marian Harkin has praised the Campaign for a Clean Estuary in Moville after the EU confirmed to the group that Ireland was non compliant in relation to granting planning permission for waste water treatment plants, and new legislation is now necessary. This impacts on the long running debate about the proposed

Calls have been made for proposed guidelines on wind farm development to be finalised once and for all following the latest turbine failure on Cark Mountain in Donegal. Sinn Fein tabled a recent Parliamentary Question to Minister Alan Kelly regarding the matter but he failed to give a date for when updated planning regulations would

It’s been claimed the issue of the future of the Ramelton Nursing Unit, Lifford Hospital and St Joseph’s Community Hospital is being used as a political football. Yesterday, Junior Health Minister Kathleen Lynch declined to meet with hospital campaigners in Donegal to discuss the downgrading of the hospitals in question due to a hectic schedule.

A new opinion poll carried out for TG4 shows that Fianna Fáil is poised to win two seats in Donegal and may well upset Sinn Féin’s plans to take three seats in that newly merged 5 seat constituency. Veteran  FF candidate Pat the Cope Gallagher looks set to make a comeback to Dáil Éireann and

    Workers at the 999 call centre in Ballyshannon have voted in favour of strike action. The call centre in south Donegal is one of three across the country who are calling for an end to disciplinary actions over issues such as the length of toilet breaks. Members of the Communications Workers’ Union want

  Junior Health Minister Kathleen Lynch has declined to meet with hospital campaigners in Donegal to discuss the future the Ramelton Nursing Unit, Lifford Hospital and St Joseph’s Community Hospital. Yesterday it was agreed that those against the transfer of long term beds from the three hospitals would unite to oppose any reduction in services

Donegal County Council has responded to claims from Cllr Frank Mc Brearty that a strike by water workers was narrowly averted in the county. Cllr Mc Brearty called on Chief Executive Seamus Neely to make a statement, after claiming that council water staff who are now contracted to Irish Water were on the verge of

  The Finn Valley Wind Action group is calling for a full investigation and report following a Turbine failure on Cark Mountain. It’s believed the blade disintegrated on a turbine and debris was subsequently dispersed into the surrounding area. The group now say it clearly this highlights safety concerns in terms of how close the