Author name: oisinkelly

Today marks 17 years since the Omagh bomb struck in County Tyrone, killing 29 people, one of them woman pregnant with twins. The attack was the single biggest atrocity to take place during the troubles in the North. Almost two decades on – no one has yet been criminally convicted for the bombing, with a number

All 47 playgrounds owned or operated by Donegal County Council have been found to be smoke free. All the playgrounds were visited by Health Promotion and Improvement staff from the HSE Donegal over the last 6 months and assessed regarding compliance with Smoke Free Playground signage. No one was found to be using tobacco at

Fianna Fail’s Education Spokesperson Charlie McConalogue has given Health Minister Leo Varadkar an ‘F’ for his achievements since taking over the portfolio a year ago. Deputy McConalogue says the Health Minister’s failure to bring the health service under control has led to dramatically increased waiting lists at Letterkenny General Hospital. He says that under Leo

A Donegal Councillor says the Septic Tank Inspection Process introduced by the government in 2013 is not working, because the government is concentrating on it as a revenue source rather than an environmental initiative. At the last meeting of Donegal County Council, Cllr Paul Canning raised a number of questions about the initiative. He was

The Chairman of the Board of the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny says he believes the centre can reduce its losses by promoting more events and bringing in more schools. Tom Crossan was speaking after it emerged an auditors report expressed serious concern about losses at the centre, including losses of over 460,000 euro in

There were just over 39,000 cars registered in Donegal at the end of last year according to the Annual Bulletin of Vehicle and Driver Statistics, which has just been published by the Department of Transport. Toyota is the most popular car brand in the county followed by Ford and Nissan. 2,723 new cars were registered

There are calls for the animals that survived a major fire in Strabane yesterday to be allowed live out their lives without fear of slaughter. Over 32 sows and 400 piglets were killed in the fire at a pig farm on the Melmount Road. The Fire and Rescue Service says they managed to save more

The new Acting Chief Executive of the Donegal Education Training Board says she has taken over the position and a challenging but exciting time in education and training. Anne McHugh takes over from outgoing CEO Shaun Purcell who has returned to Sligo to take over as chief executive there. Ms McHugh says that her main

Opposition TDs say they’re “alarmed” about the DPP’s decision to prosecute anti water charge protesters in connection with a demonstration targetting the Tánaiste last year. It emerged last night that more than 20 protesters are set to be charged in connection with the Jobstown rally last year – which saw Joan Burton trapped in her

An Independent TD says that the lack of a cliff rescue service in part of Donegal could be a danger to tourists. Thomas Pringle says that the lack of a rescue service in Bunbeg could limit the amount of tourists coming to the area, particularly for adventure tourism. The Bunbeg Coast Guard Cliff Rescue service

  The EU has cleared the way for the state to continue providing financial support to Donegal Airport in Carrickfinn and the other three regional airports at Knock, Kerry and Waterford. This means the state can potentially invest up to 42.3 million euro in the airports over the next five years to 2019. Donegal TD

A meeting is taking place later today between Sinn Fein a Derry engineering firm over reports that jobs are at risk. Maydown Precion Engineering in Derry employs 133 staff but recently it has been said that 15 jobs were under consideration. Earlier this year, MPE was taken over by the Schivo group. MLA Raymond McCartney

It’s been confirmed that the BreastCheck service is not returning to Buncrana. Donegal Action for Cancer Care say they have very serious concerns for women n the Inishowen area who are due to have their free BreastCheck Mammogram this year, claiming that they will now be forced to travel to Letterkenny. DACC say they raised

    Over 32 sows and 400 piglets have been lost in a fire at a pig farm outside Strabane. We understand the blaze is not being treated as suspicious. Two farm buildings were also destroyed in the blaze, which has was brought under control before it spread to other animal buildings.at the farm on

Discussions will get underway tonight in Derrybeg ahead of a meeting later this month to discuss the future of the overnight NoWDOC service in the area. Tonight’s meeting at Teach Jack, Gaoth Dobhair will see local doctors, the Chamber of Commerce and other discuss the agenda for the bigger meeting which will involve the HSE,

The Skeoge Road in Derry has reopened after a security alert. The road was closed for most of yesterday between Glengalliagh roundabout and the Buncrana Road. After the alert ended last night, it was confirmed a device had exploded in a rubbish bin shortly before midnight on Tuesday.   Police statement – The local police

  Almost 58 thousand Leaving Cert Students received their results this morning. A total of two thousand two hundred and seventeen students in Donegal are among those who received their results this morning. One student in St. Eunan’s college in Letterkenny managed to get 7 A1s in his results. There’s been an increase for the

  The Social Development and Environment Ministers have been called on to address the lack of availability of social housing in rural areas in the North. Derry Sinn Fein housing spokesperson, Cllr Tony Hasson has said the lack of social housing in rural areas leaves people with no other choice but to move into the

  Sinn Fein Councillor Kevin Campbell has expressed concern after the announcement from Translink that the FY8 Creggan bus service will see the last two runs at night cancelled (7.40pm and 8.15pm) along with the 8pm Saturday service. Cllr Campbell says this service is vital to the local comminuty there, particularly the elderly who rely

  Letterkenny Youth Information Centre will provide a phone helpline for those receiving Leaving Cert results this week. Staff at the Port Road based centre will also be available for young people and parents to bring along any queries that may arise following students receiving their results. Youth Information Officer, Louise Lynch, is also keen

A security alert is currently underway on the Skeoge Road in Derry following reports of an explosion overnight. The bomb squad have been tasked to the scene. There were reports of a loud bang at about 11.45pm last night. Officers attended the area and it appeared something inside a bin had exploded. The road is