Author name: oisinkelly

80 percent of money raised by Local Property Tax next year will be retained locally, to fund vital public services. The Government has decided that no local authority will be worse off in 2016 compared to this year. So the remaining 20 percent will be re-distributed to provide top-up funding to certain local authority areas

Police have made an extradition request for a man arrested in Donegal in connection with a shooting at a wedding in Derry. A man was wounded in the incident in Derry on Wednesday night. The victim, who was in his 30s, was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital where he was treated for shotgun wounds to his

Junior Minister Joe Mc Hugh has pledged to support efforts to tackle coastal erosion at Maghery Beach near Dungloe. Minister Mc Hugh visited the beach this afternoon with local councillor Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig, and was told the erosion problem there has worsened over the past three years. The issue is up for discussion

A North West MEP says politicians who have consistently tended to exaggerate the prospects for Irish agriculture have a major responsibility to the country’s farmers to being in measures to improve farm incomes. Speaking ahead of a farmers’ protest in Brussels next week, Independent MEP Marian Harkin says there is an onus on politicians both

A security alert is ongoing in Maghera, County Derry. The security forces are examining the Oakvale Terrace area of Upperlands following the discovery of a suspicious object in the area. Oakvale Terrace has been closed and a number of houses evacuated. Diversions are in place. There are no further details at this time.

The university campaign group U4D says confirmation of significant job losses at Ulster University’s Magee campus is not only terrible news for those affected, it’s also bad for the city and for the North West economy. The group says ultimately, responsibility for the cut-backs at Ulster University must reside with those politicians who decided to

Invest Northern Ireland is pledging to continue to work with Hunter Apparel in Derry following the announcement this week that 15 jobs are to go at the company’s Springtown plant, representing around a third of the workforce. In a statement issued to Highland Radio News, Invest NI says it’s understood that although this is a

Talks on the refugee crisis continue at EU level today, with a meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg and a separate gathering of the leaders of four eastern European countries – including Hungary. It comes ahead of a European Commission proposal to relocate an extra 120-thousand people across the European Union to be unveiled next

Motorists are being urged to adhere to temporary speed limits at the site of road works across the county. Workers have contacted Highland Radio to says drivers are speeding through road improvement works, patricularly on the N15 outside Ballybofey, warning that its only a matter of time before someone is injured or killed. Donegal Road

The Donegal based chairperson of the Road Safety Group PARC has welcomed confirmation of the very first cases of drivers being prosecuted for failing to present their licences in court. A loophole has been closed which allowed drivers who were given penalty points in court but did not have their driving licence with them, to

Fianna Fail Senator Brian O’Domhnaill has ruled out running in the next General Election appearing to throw his support behind Councillor James Pat McDaid who is looking to get on the ticket. In a statement Senator O’Domhnaill said he would not be seeking a nomination to run for Fianna Fail in the next general election

Extra capital projects are set to go ahead in Derry and Strabane, pending full council approval. The Council’s Governance and Strategic Planning Committee has approved a 20 million pounds package, including the redevelopment of the Brandywell Stadium, the Melvin 3G pitch and the delivery of a number of new community play parks across Derry and

A man’s been arrested in Donegal following a shooting incident in Derry last night. A shotgun was discharged during a wedding reception at Rafters Bar and Restaurant on the Northlands Road. One person was hit and brought to Altnagelvin Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Local Councillor John Boyle says it’s clear this was a one

The Environment Minister in the North is to take immediate action in relation to the proposed Carrickduff Wind Farm following an issue raised with him by a Donegal County Councilor. The wind farm would be situated on the border between Co. Donegal and Co. Tyrone. At the recent meeting in Belfast with Minister Mark H

The manager of Ireland’s international athletics team has accused the government of inaction over obesity. Patsy McGonagle was speaking to the Irish Independent after arriving back from the World Athletics Championships in China. He says the Government must tackle obesity in schools by introducing daily physical activity and hiring PE coaches and mentors. Finn Valley

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty is welcoming the decision by Environment Minister Alan Kelly to examine controversial proposals by Irish Water to decommission Lough Anna as a public water source. Concerns were raised by residents in the Glenties area that the move would not be in the best interest of the community. Deputy Doherty made a

  A 25 year old woman arrested by Detectives investigating the murder of Paul McCauley in 2006, has been released on bail pending further enquiries. She was detained earlier this morning on suspicion of withholding information, and brought taken to Strand Road Police Station for questioning.  

  The Denis Donaldson murder inquest has been adjourned today for a 16th time, with his family once more boycotting the hearing in protest. A letter from Donaldson family solicitor Ciaran Shiels of Madden & Finucane was read by coroner Denis McCauley in which there was a protest about relatives not being told an application

  Ulster University is to close its School of Modern Languages in Coleraine as a result of budget cuts. The university’s Department of Education and Learning subsidy has been cut by £8.6 million, with around 20 posts being lost in the Modern Languages department, with staff cuts also expected in the areas of history and

The High Court in Dublin has ordered a 49 year old man to be extradited to Northern Ireland where he’s wanted in connection with a 1998 murder in County Tyrone. Francis Lanigan, with a last address at Pinebrook in Mulhuddart, previously spent two years in custody having been arrested on foot of an extradition warrant

A 25 year old woman has been arrested in Derry by detectives investigating the murder of Paul McCauley in Derry in 2006. She was detained on suspicion of withholding information, and brought taken to Strand Road Police Station for questioning. The officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Michael Harvey says this brings to eight

The BBC is reporting this morning that Ulster University is to close its School of Modern Languages in Coleraine as a result of budget cuts. The university’s Department of Education and Learning subsidy has been cut by £8.6 million, with around 20 posts being lost in the Modern Languages department, with staff cuts also expected

Gaeltacht Minister Joe Mc Hugh has said he wants to promote tourism by getting people to learn Irish while visiting Gaeltacht areas in Donegal. Minister Mchugh believes there is scope to create ‘linguistic tourism’ destinations in the county for foreigners, who are interested in learning the Irish language. He believes the Wild Atlantic Way would

SDLP West Tyrone representative Daniel McCrossan has raised concerns about parading in Newtownstewart following complaints from a number of residents after Saturday’s Royal Black Preceptory march. The parade itself passed peacefully but while it was taking place, local residents were denied access to their homes. It has been claimed in one case, a disabled elderly

A Derry lottery winner has had his driving ban cut from five years to two and a half. 34 year old Ryan Magee of Monnaboy Road in Eglinton had been disqualified from driving for five years in June this year after being detected driving while disqualified in December last year. Mr Magee had previously been